PEACEKEEPER | PEACEMAKER—Release Date Fall 2025

Description

Peacekeeper | Peacemaker

Conflicts, disagreements and strife will exist, but division doesn’t have to. Disagreeing is inevitable. Division is optional. However, division does not resolve anything. In fact, it usually prolongs the conflict and strife and makes the situation worse. It has been said, “That a house divided against itself cannot stand.” I say, that anything that is divided is usually weaker. I believe that division is a strategic plot that causes us to separate, divide and retreat when we could be learning, growing and helping one another instead. Morgan Freeman is attributed with saying, “Just because I disagree with you doesn’t mean that I hate you.” This phrase is one that has been frequently cited in discussions about respectful disagreement and in trying to create a peaceful resolution. This is concept that we need to relearn and remember in our society and culture today.

Nonetheless, we will not always agree, but that does not mean that we have to be hateful. Remember, “We need to seek to understand—before being understood.” Phil Robertson, of Duck Dynasty was quoted as saying, “Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone, or their choices, or their lifestyle that means that you must hate them or fear them. The second lie is that to love someone means that you agree with everything that they do or believe. He goes on to say, that’s nonsense!—you do not have to compromise your morals or convictions to be, considerate, compassionate or kind.” He is right! And, being considerate and kind will go a long way in diminishing division and creating peace. These quotes by Morgan Freeman and Phil Robertson were in part what helped inspire this book. That is what this book is all about—it is about being intentional in us experiencing peace, bridging the gap and becoming PeaceMaker’s. 

 “Peacekeeper | Peacemaker” is all about how to have peace of mind (calmness, soundness and contentment) and peace of heart (inner still peace)—while living at peace (a calm tranquility) with others (relational peace) in a culture of division, disagreement, conflict and strife. It is about having an inner peace, a relational peace and a divine or spiritual peace while intentionally dealing with conflicts, disagreements and strife.  Jesus himself said in a beatitude recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, “Blessed are the PeaceMakers.” The word “blessed in this passage is defined as: fortunate, well off and happy. Therefore, PeaceMakers are fortunate, well off and happy.

A PeaceMaker is someone who actively and intentionally works towards peace and reconciliation. That is one of the differences between a PeaceKeeper and a PeaceMaker. A PeaceMaker strives to resolve the issue and create peace, but a PeaceKeeper will sometimes avoid resolving the issue to avoid conflict—just to keep the peace. The word PeaceMaker refers to individuals who resolve conflicts, promotes reconciliation and endeavors to build bridges between people. Therefore, a PeaceMaker is one who resolves disputes, mediates conflicts, promotes unity and actively works to create a more just and peaceful world. I want you to experience peace—peace of mind, peace of heart, inner peace, relational peace and spiritual peace. Blessed are the peacemakers…