Contagious

Ebola, MERS, H1N1, Avian Flu, MRSA, Anthrax, SARS, West Nile, E. coli 0157:H7, Flesh Eating Strep, HIV...

and the most pervasive and virulent of them all... 

Fear and Ignorance. 

If only there was a vaccine or a cure. Yet, such have existed for some time...

Education

Enlightenment

Understanding

They have been prescribed as a bitter pill, a stinging injection, and a viscous salve.  They require time and patience in order to become fully effective. And while their effect lingers, it is not permanent. They must be taken and reapplied throughout life in order to yield the maximum benefit. 

The Physics of Conflict

Here we have a quick sketch I've entitled "The Physics of Conflict."   I would like to introduce the basic concept first then add details later in this post. I'll start off with a few hints. See if you can figure it out. Please add your thoughts and guesses in the comments section. 

Hint #1:  O=Offender. T=Truth  

Now let's make things a little more complicated...

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Hint #2: P=Pride. H=Humility. M=Morality

Any guesses?  How about the addition of these details...

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Forces at "Play"

What if we equate P (Pride) as a resistance force away from T (Truth) like friction and H (Humulity) as a drawing force towards T (Truth) like magnetism?  We could also define M (Morality) as an axis to measure what is agreed upon by O (Offenders) as moral, ethical, altruistic, or righteous.

Have you noticed how the physics of conflict behave very much like those of a seesaw?  The closer one moves to the Fulcrum (F) or Truth (T), the lighter they become relative to the person on the opposite side (read Offender).  The further one moves away from the fulcrum or Truth (T), the heavier they become to the person on the opposite side.  As an Offender rises, there are forces constantly attempting to pull them down (e.g. the weight of there own offenses in relation to those of the person on the opposite side) -very much like an actual seesaw.  We call this force gravity in the physical world. After an Offender hits bottom, they must exert some energy or force to overcome the force that would tend to keep them down (i.e. gravity).  This is what we do when we use our legs to push off. This is also required to gain lift when we have offended another individual and we desire to gain equal footing with them again.  We make some effort. It is not solely dependent on the other person. These forces in play are also based upon your relative position to the person on the opposite side of the fulcrum or Truth.  From a relatively higher position, it is easier due to gravity to slide towards the fulcrum/Truth.  Humility (H) can work as a lubricant to help facilitate this. Pride (P) can hinder this like an abrasive. From a lower position, is it relatively more difficult to climb up to the fulcrum/Truth -again because of the "gravity of the situation."  However, Humility (H) can assist like a magnet pulling one up and closer to the Truth (T).  Pride (P) works as an added weight holding one down and back.  Reaching Truth from a moral high ground is generally easier than doing so from a lower moral position.  Think of Malala, MLK, Gandhi... Christ. Now, It should be easier to see how the forces of Pride (P) and Humility (H) affect how Offenders (O) reach the Truth (T) and ultimately each other. 

Those of us who are Christian have been taught this principle in several ways in the Bible. Here are just a couple: 

We see Christ as the Truth (T). "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No man comes to the Farther but by Me."  John 14:6

So, substitute the symbol of the Cross for the T in our diagram.  

Concernig the forces that draw us to the Truth: "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

Christians are in NO way immune to conflict.  Thus, all of the above very much applies to us whenever we find conflict with those around us. 

These principles are not just Christian ones; they are universal just like the laws that govern the physics of a seesaw.  

Of note, the goal of each Offender in conflict should be to move closer to the Truth not to strive to only be above the other offender.  The latter will inevitably cause them to come crashing down which is often a result of self-righteousness or piety.  But if each one moves toward the Truth, they will find peace, balance and stability. They will also find closeness and ultimately oneness that many of us would define as a resolution of conflict.  This is what those of us who claim Christ as Truth seek.  Is it not?

Sow What?

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Time, Talent, and Treasure -Another Sow What Concept!

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3 in 1 (Time, Talent, and Treasure)

Now for a little math.  

If a=b and b=c, then a=c. 

Now let's define each variable.  

a=Time

b= Money

So, it would come to no surprise that Time equals Money or a=b.  But, how would we define c?  I submit to you that c=Talent. Thus, 

Money equals talent. Or, b=c. So if we go back to math class using the transitive property of equality and a=c then the logical conclusion one must draw is

a=b=c

Or

Time equals Money (or Treasure) equals Talent

Let's see if we can apply this concept.

Let's use time, talent and treasure as they apply to repairs.  If one has the talent or skill to repair let's say a car, they potentially could save time and money.  The greater their talent, the greater the savings.  Now if one lacks such mechanical talents, they would have to shell out money for such repairs and often on a time schedule that is well beyond their control.  However if they have access to large financial resources, they could afford to pay for expedited service ultimately saving time.  And lastly, if one were to have the luxury of time, they could eventually learn the skill (talent) or earn the money (treasure) to make such repairs.  We have all lived this formula out to some degree or another.  Can't make it -buy it!  Can't afford it -learn how to make it!  Can't wait -but it off sale and pay for rush delivery! 

A practical summation:

• Time and Talent are needed to make Treasure (money) in order to complete a task
• Little Talent requires more Time and/or Treasure...
• Little Treasure requires more Time and/or Talent...
• Little Time requires more Money and/or Talent...

This concept does not just apply to material goods and wealth but matters of the soul also.

Jesus illustrated concept in the Parable of the Talents -Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28

• 3 men given Talents (money in this case) and Time to use them
• 2 used their Time to invest (sow) their Talents
• 1 wasted his Time and therefore Talent
• The 2 that used their Time and Talents well received more to invest (sow)
• The 1 who did not sow well lost it all

Ultimately, this is another Sow What concept.  Sow a Talent over Time reap a Treasure.  Sow a Treasure reap the luxury of Time.  Sow in Time and reap a Talent.  Is not meritocracy and the "American Dream" rooted in this belief?  Return of Investment, the stock market, and one dear to my heart, education, are all based on the Time, Talent, Treasure concept - the Sow What concept.  I submit that this concept applies to a even greater degree to how and what we sow into the lives around us -our neighbor's gardens if you will. 

To whom much is given, much is required. -Luke 12:48

Sow bountifully, Reap bountifully.  -2 Corinthians 9:6

Sow What?

"Onion-skinning"

Onion-skinning: the act of pealing away or revealing more truth of a matter in such a way that it makes one want to cry

"Full Onion" is cutting right ino the heart of an matter so directly and deeply that it inevitably results in tears -AKA no sugar coating.

Alt: "Onion-peeling" or "Peeling-the-onion"

The Difference

When I subtract myself, what positive is left?

That is the Difference.

What I am gone, what good remains?

That is the Difference.

When I am less without you and you less without me,

That is the Difference.

After I depart, the part that remains no longer looks the same,

That is the Difference.

When a change extends far beyond a name,

That is the Difference.

When our numbers are added and they always equal ONE,

Well, That is the Sum...

But when even the smallest of us is without and we are no longer ONE,

That is also when the Difference comes.

If the world is better after I am gone rather than because I am gone, 

That is the Difference between Give and Take.

We all make a Difference.

What Diffence will you make? 

Sow Wat?