There is no more precious a commodity in the world than peace. Everybody is seeking it in one form or another. Right here in my country my Prime Minister would dearly love to have some peace in his life, where journalists and civil society alike aren't hounding him daily about his role in the Dudus affair. Or more recently, his setting up of a commission of enquiry to probe the whole business of Dudus' extradition and other matters, but which has been dogged by accusations of a lack of transparency.
Right now President Obama and his democrats in the USA would love to have some peace from the constant and effective attacks from the " tea party" candidates, who are threatening to wipe out their majority in both houses.Can you beleive how Sarah Palin has bounced back and causing so much political havoc, even within the Republican party? And further afield, the French President is seeking peace in his country, and so too Indonesia after the Tsunami, and Hati after not just the a devastating earthquake but now Cholera too - and ironically probably imported, along with those who came to help
And every Jamaican is now hoping that peace and tranquility will prevail in our country as Hurrican Tomas threatens, even at this extreme end of the hurrican season. Or even more personal and universal, peace in the midst of financial trials; peace in the midst of rampant criminality; peace in the midst of marital trials; peace in the midst of ill health and peace when the death of a loved one occurs.
So where is the universal solution for peace?
This week a meditation from Chris Tiegen and verses from Scripture offer some sobering, on the one hand, and exciting, on the other hand, news.
The first two passages I was moved to send out by text to those whom I thought
urgently needed to be aware of thier plight - and by extension all of us.

THE WARNING - the longer version of the text

" As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world, and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its