Stop the Violence (in Kenya) -- Updated

WARNING: If you click on the news links in this blog, be prepared to read some horrific reports and to see some heart-breaking pictures. Google News compilation on Kenya. When I checked, there were at least 18 pages of lists of news articles on Kenya over the last 24 hours. Sample articles:

Ethnic clashes spread in Kenya
Gangs on rampage in Kenyan towns

Things just do not look good in Kenya. The level of violence and hatred and pure evil is rising rapidly. People who were living peacefully as neighbors just 4 weeks ago are now attacking each other. There are reports of threats by one tribal group to retaliate 300%. Sunday, ABC News online quoted one man:

We have moved out to revenge the deaths of our brothers and sisters who have been killed, and nothing will stop us, said Anthony Mwangi, hefting a club threateningly. For every one Kikuyu killed, we shall avenge their killing with three.

It's not just the Kikuyu because earlier, people on the opposite side were quoted as saying they would kill 2 for every one of their tribe killed.

This is madness; this is insane; this must stop. What good can be accomplished in this way? The Standard, one of Kenya's major daily papers, is begging people to stop killing each other and begging the political leaders to actually lead and find a solution to the problems.

The Kenyans who are participating in this bloodshed are not solving anything but only making a bad situation infinitely worse. Forgiveness is often more difficult than revenge but it pays dividends in both the short and long-term that are huge.

There are people who are doing their best to stand firm for Kenya. Many disciples of Jesus are going into the internally displaced persons camps to help with needs as best they can -- many at obvious risk to their own well-being, even their lives. I got a phone report tonight about the members of Parklands and Ridgeways Baptist Churches in Nairobi doing that. I am so thankful for the large number of people -- among them are personal friends -- who are saying No to violence but who are ministering across ethnic lines because they want to be Kenyans and they want to demonstrate Christ's love. My prayer is, Oh God, intervene.

Psalm 46 (New International Version) (the link takes you to a different translation

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

If you are a follower of Jesus, pray for Kenya (and the numerous other countries who are experiencing the same kind of chaos and destruction).

Pray well, y'all,
Bob

MLK Day

Monday is Martin Luther King Day. CNN did a special on him this morning. This Last Word clip is a portion of that report. He was a great man in many ways. What courage! He didn't sit in a mansion or a fancy hotel room and direct demonstrations, he was right there, marching in the front. He continues to be an inspiration to many. Despite his strong insistence on non-violence, even he couldn't prevent individuals in his movement from committing violent acts -- CNN commented on the fact that some youth broke storefront windows in Memphis even though King had called for passive resistance. Those kinds of independent actions undercut the power of a movement (in case anyone is unclear, I'm thinking of the current situation in Kenya).

Before King's I have a dream.... speech, he counseled with his advisors until the early morning hours. Then, CNN reported that he told them he was going to his room to counsel with the Lord. When he gave the speech, it was not what the human advisors had agreed on. I trust King's final authority.

One of the best lines in the speech is this (IMHO):

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

That's worth remembering as each of us makes a decision about who to vote for in the primaries, caucuses, and the November election. Character is not the only consideration for a President -- he or she does need to understand the Constitution, be able to make decisions, know how to enlist advisors, have leadership qualities, etc. -- but character is the foundation for all of that.

I'm not sure if this will be a repeat of what I saw this morning, but looks like it will be good. (From the Student News section of CNN.com):

Set your VCR to record the CNN Special Investigations Unit Classroom Edition: MLK Papers -- Words That Changed a Nation when it airs commercial-free on Monday, January 21, 2008, from 4:00 -- 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN. (A short feature begins at 4:00 a.m. and precedes the program.)

Well, let me toss in a running-related comment. Isn't running strange? Today was my 3rd day in a row -- 6th day out of 7. I should have been more tired today. In addition, I was planning to run longer than any other day. Yet, though I ran almost 9 miles at a faster pace than any other day (7:58 mpm), overall, it was the best and easiest run of the week. Miles 3 and 4 were pretty tough but the others weren't. Go figure!?! I hope your run was good today.

Run well, y'all,
Bob
Richmond