I am very conscious that more time than usual has passed since the last entry here, and perhaps one or two are wondering why.

The reason is simply that I have been extremely busy on a very creative project, and this has focused my mind. This does not mean that I have been ignoring the spiritual side of my life, and in fact during this period I have been corresponding with some one who happened upon the site, and this correspondence is still ongoing.

My newspaper tells me that today is day 7 of the war in Iraq. I expect nearly every one who has access to news media in the whole world is wondering how it will all turn out. Now for something of a confession: I have possibly given it much less attention than most. I have attended no rallies. I actually think that the greatest good of the greatest number is likely to be served whenever a cruel tyrant is deposed. I write this sentence knowing that some will think I am referring to Saddam Hussein, and some that I am referring to George W. Bush.

Who can judge?

Ultimately only the one given real authority to judge. As a Christian I believe that the Creator of the universe has made such an appointment, and that there will be one day a real and climactic judgment. Meanwhile what do ordinary folk do. Brave men and women will take responsibility, and will make decisions that will affect the lives of others very deeply, even permanently. Those who have sought such responsibility need our prayers. We whose daily lives have so little impact on others would be wise simply to pray that such men and women be given true courage to follow their conscience, to take those decisions with real insight into what will be 'the greatest good of the greatest number', knowing that there will be injury and loss of life for the innocent notwithstanding.

So I make no judgment on the rights and wrongs of this conflict, other than to feel glad that such responsibilities have not been given to me. I pray for those who find themselves burdened with these responsibilities. May they indeed seek wisdom from the Source of all wisdom. May they continue to have courage to follow the path that their conscience tells them is the right path to follow. May there be no compromises this time, no fudging.

Any one reading these timid remarks will probably work out what I might do if I were in such a position of responsibility myself, and I do not deny that I do have a view. But I draw back from condemning those with a different view.

May wisdom prevail, for the world is seeing a very important precedent being created. It may lead to a much better world, with greater freedoms. We all of us gladly say we are praying for peace. But what path leads to peace? Only the path of courage, methinks.