I took a look up to get a sense of where I was. The answer: New York. It's all big in New York.
I moved along to find this message inside a marquis at the corner of the Dutch Reformed church.
So I spent a few more minutes taking in these ribbons. And I walked away thinking this message on this signpost outside this church I will never enter says exactly what I have come to think about that war, the lives of good people who serve well, and how we pursue the truth, honor life, and eschew the kind of propaganda--from whatever side--that cheapens everything.
56 Comments
Interesting comment. I'm reading Sundays in America, by Suzanne Shea and she has just visited the Quaker church in Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteI am not in favor of war (duh) but I have always had a hard time siding with people who are against it for this very reason - most don't know how to make peace either.
ReplyDeleteI am always drawn back to the statement: Be the peace you want to see in the world. It's that simple/difficult.
ReplyDeleteLovely, thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at the "Dutch" Reformed Church... it is called the Dutch Reformed Church here too (Nederlands Hervormde Kerk) ... shouldn't yours be the "American Reformed Church"?
ReplyDeleteanother quote from bible...peace I give unto you not as the world gives give I unto you. Real peace is in our hearts towards all.
ReplyDeletenteresting thoughts. . . I really like that angled shot of the skyscraper.
ReplyDeleteWar leaves us feeling so deeply and painfully helpless. Very interesting words on the sign; heartbreaking to see the ribbons. I like to see this post's photo of the skyscraper from such an angle, as if it's reaching up to Heaven.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Sandy. Lots to think about.
a great post sandy...
ReplyDeletei like the concept of the ribbons.
the underlying message of them provokes some thought on a subject of enormous magnitude.
have a lovely evening.
What a marvelous post, Sandy! and your photos are terrific, things are BIG in NYC aren't they? I couldn't agree more with your last statement! Sad, but true!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and thoughtful post Sandy.
ReplyDeleteI'll wager that there have been enough prayers for peace lifted to reach Heaven itself. Perhaps these ribbons serve to adorn the banister of the prayerful stairway to Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI think that man does speak for us all. War is dirty. There is nothing honourable or peaceable about war.
ReplyDeleteIf everyone stopped, as they did on that one day in WWI, then there would be no more war. Maybe killing, because there will (for a while anyway) always be madmen and badmen. But not war.
You give such poignant thoughts Sandy, to make us all stop and think. Thank you.
What a beautiful post. I am also very sad about the existence of war.
ReplyDeleteThere are too many sore spots when speaking about the war.
ReplyDeleteThis is one wonderful post.
Very interesting post, thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then
many decades ago, A. J. Muste said: "There is only as much peace as there are peaceful people." He also said "There is no way to peace -- peace is the way." One can learn to live in peace in each moment, each interaction. Several religious groups -- Buddhists, Friends, and others -- have made this a central element of their practice.
ReplyDeleteWell, Sandy, your post has I think stopped us all in our tracks. Lots of food for thought in your prose and lovely photos to illustrate your prose.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy, this is a post we should all read.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting.I for one do not like war.I served in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam era,because my country needed me.Just as my Dad did when he was needed.He served in the Army Air Force.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I love your shots and you said it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteSandy, your post is very moving. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful, Sandy. I really enjoyed this post - thanks...
ReplyDeleteWars for whatever reason , only lead to more of then and it is the people not the polititians who suffer.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, Sandy!
ReplyDeletePowerful quote: Prayers for peace.
I was luky to be born in the Quaker City!
ReplyDeleteHello Sandy - Your ribbons symbolize the hope for peace,though Man does not seem capable of creating it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Also love the images, and the message to all of peace.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational piece Sandy, thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI really think that to construct Peace it's fundamental a great goodwill: and some heads of state do not have it at all.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely!
ReplyDeleteYes... I absolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteIf only we knew how to make peace. I suppose the only way is for us to individually try to make some difference & bring it about in our own lives.
Poignant post.
Thanks for sharing this. If only all men would strive to live in peace with each other, the world would be so perfect then.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week.
Very thoughtful. I don't think there's such a thing as serving well in war - if nobody went, we'd have peace.
ReplyDeleteWish there is no war but how can we prevent war from happening? When people are rich, they want power. It is really scary.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I really hope that by thinking peace and sorting out problems by negotiations with respect for others will make peaceful spots around the world. . .
ReplyDeleteI could agree more with you, Sandy
ReplyDeleteMost of us criticise and 'cheapen' everything..rather than a positive contribution...I
We simply take that we are qualified to comment on others...I take a due onus on myself as well, as a writer I mean...
but, without communication, would Peace be realised?
Much lies on individual perceptions...a consensus or compromise often becomes difficult when ego rules,
a thoughtful post, Sandy
wishes,
devika
**I couldn't agree more
ReplyDeleteWonderful quote.
ReplyDeleteGreat post it would be nice to think we could all live in peace ...perhaps one day.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Really neat shots from NY. It is a big city for certain.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you make me thing, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post
Sandi
hello just dropping by here to say have a great day and happy blogging!!!
ReplyDelete☺☺☺ you might want to see my TOP FIVE HOLLYWOOD'S WACKIEST DRESSER ☺☺☺ www.bluedreamer27.blogspot.com
I have seen this exact spot and taken a picture here too...I found it very moving. What struck me though was the amount of people who strode right past without seeming to notice them here. Many of them will have walked past this spot many times before, but some must have been visitors or tourists. I hope that people are not losing their curiosity. I'm so glad you took a few minutes to stand and look and think, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteBella :)
Beautiful! Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteFascinating and moving. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou know every one wants peace.
ReplyDeleteTodays wars are about self defense.
If someone strikes you and says I will be back to give you more, you have three choices. Either you prepare to defend yourself or you strike before he comes back with a gun or a knife or you prepare to die.
It's the same for every one.
If people did not bear arms, arms would not be bore. Today we do not have good reasons to have war. but there are power hungry monsters who want to take over the world and no one wants to stop them. They hire people to work for them and they go and do the job they are being paid for without questions.
Poignant ... thought provoking ... timely in so many ways. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
I think the Quaker gentleman's words speak for all of us. If only we knew how to make peace. I stand with you in respect and awe of the men and women who serve for us.
ReplyDeleteSee here's the thing. Knowing how to protest war, but not how to make peace identifies the problem very well.
ReplyDeleteBecause peace is far more than simply the absence of war. Real peace -- lasting permanent peace -- can only be achieved when there is no concept of war.
It's a subtle, but critical difference. Very inspiring photos Sandy. As always. Very inspiring post to wrap them in.
As always.
I got this sitation in my daily sitation box today nd I would like to share that here:
ReplyDelete"I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in." George McGovern
I will never understand war
The statement does bring it straight to the point-I hate war-but sometimes peace seems unattainable too. Pretty ribbons.
ReplyDeleteI was baptised in the Dutch Reform church in Jersey city
ReplyDeleteThank You for remembering the People who helped make this country great and possible.
ReplyDeleteI am reading this as we approach Memorial Day Weekend. These are thought provoking photos. It is too bad that humans are more adept at making war than making peace. Yet as I say that I think surly there is more peace in the world than war. We just notice war more because it is so ugly. We need to focus more on beauty and peace.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.