Mennonite Church Peace Resources for Youth

Cash Rules Everything Around Me! Son. If you listen to Hip-Hop, I am sure you are familiar with the term. If not, you really have to check out this link for the Conceited Peoples Station (CPS) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5479499297022079810. They have a great newscast that I just know you will love. So what does this have to do with peace? Everything if you ask me.

You see, much of the violence in our world and around the world is driven by the desire to acquire or protect the almighty dollars or to conquer and possess something that does not belong to us. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV), "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Much of our visual entertainment today focuses on becoming rich by any means necessary, even if it means lying, backstabbing, or embarrassing ourselves (and family) on national TV. Certain popular music is all about making money or living the glamorous life.

While most of us reading this blog would be too smart to fall into the C.R.E.A.M. trap, what about those in our community and world who aren't? Will some teen growing up in the inner city without a lot of material wealth compromise himself and use violence to make that "paper?" Will some young lady give into or become a victim of violence because of the stereotype she has seen via airwaves? What about the millions of youth in Africa and Asia who have the pleasure of MTV via satellite? What parts of Western culture will they pick up? What vision of America will they have?

Violence comes in many forms. It is not just about war. Violence is about creating victims and taking away the God given rights of an individual or a people. One thing is clear violence has as entrée into our lives when the "C" in C.R.E.A.M. is "cash" and not "Christ." We must remember where our focus should lie and we must preach the gospel of peace with our mouths and with our lives. Cash is not the source of our strength our security, but God is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Where is your focus?

Romans 5:1 (NKJV))

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Subversive, radical, and persecuted were the three words that helped to crystallize my support for the Mennonite doctrine. Prior to that, I could not understand why these farm-raised hippies hated the military and the Baptists [Anti-Baptists is what they are called, or so I thought]. It has been a long time since the violent suppression of Mennonites in Germany almost exterminated the Anabaptist followers. You see there was a time when standing for peace actually meant taking risks, crying out in a sea of malcontent, and believing in faith that God would deliver you. Now standing for peace seems to mean writing a few letters, singing a few hymns, and wearing a silicon wristband. If only George Blaurock had it so easy.

Subversive, radical, and persecuted were the three words that helped to crystallize my support for the Mennonite faith. Wow! The Mennonites were not cowards. They were brave men and women who exercised their faith even though they knew standing for Christ possibly meant losing their lives. This was a team of people that I wanted to get to know better. This was a team of people who did more than talk; they were willing to lay it all on the line for their beliefs. This was a team it would be an honor to join. They were not Anti-Baptists. But they were Anabaptists; men and women re-baptized, rejuvenated, and rededicated to service of Christ through peace, justice, and personal confession.

Subversive, radical, and persecuted were the three words that helped to crystallize my support for the Mennonite church, but somehow it has been more difficult for me to find men and women of valor, men and women willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ. Mainstream, conforming, and comfortable is how I see the church now and I am probably at times as guilty as most. Yes, I was rebaptized. Yes, I laid down my military arms and became a conscientious objector. Yes, I briefly suffered for my decision to give up my military commission, but I believe I can still do more.

I am comfortable now in the walls of my congregation, but I realize that there are a whole lot of men and women who, just like me, are searching the heavens to fill the emptiness in their lives. I know that the first step to world peace is personal peace, and I know that true peace only comes from God. So I am going to look for ways, to be subversive and radical in my witnessing of the Gospel, and at the risk of being persecuted I will seek to share my beliefs and faith with the outside world.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)