A Word About Peace
The undersized tin footlocker was unloaded, the new plaid blanket tucked around the metal-framed bed, and I had been introduced to my roommate. College life had begun! That evening, Gordon College’s class of “68” headed down Grapevine Road to the nearby Singing Beach for a pre-initiation BBQ. I’m not sure why the long sandy Atlantic beach was so named, but it was. That evening, with burger and Coke in hand, after the sophomore class president offered a few banal thoughts and before the soccer coach tried to inspire us all, we were blarneyed into singing a song. Who knows, maybe that’s why they called it “Singing Beach.” Actually, it wasn’t all that bad! “Peter, Paul, and Mary” would have been proud as a couple hundred 19-year-olds sang out: “How many roads must a man walk down, before you can call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand? Yes an’ how many times must those cannonballs fly, before they’re forever banned? The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.” In truth, whatever was “blowin’ in the wind” didn’t provide much of an answer!
You see, this was a season to cry for peace; not the first, mind you; and in my life-time, not the last. A troubled time it was, however. My high school classmates, some of them at least, had already been drafted; others enlisted. And across America, and really the world, students on hundreds of campuses were beginning to boil. “Peace,” they cried.
Did my generation find its “peace?” Not then, not now. And yours? Is your generation able to find or even manufacture this sought-after societal serenity? What do you think?
This Sunday, as we begin the Christmas season, I hope to help you and our friends examine two possible sources for peace, as we address the theme of “Finding Peace.” Jesus spoke of those “sources” in John 14:27. Take a look and join us for an “on-time departure,” at either the 8:45 or 10:30 service. We have a couple of other interesting things to share with you this Sunday as well as a time of celebrating communion.
What else…
- Thursday evening – for the women: Parent’s Night Out (5:30-8:30). We could use two or three more people to help us make this a great success for the 70 children we’ll be having in the buildings. Email Lynn at if you can help
- Login to Post Comments
