Two more British soldiers were killed yesterday in Afghanistan. Hearing this tragic news this morning led me straight to prayer for the families of the dead, waking up this morning hoping it was just a dream, but knowing it is reality.

I am no pacifist, but this awful war in Afghanistan looks just like Vietnam all over again, unwinnable! Afghanistan knows nothing of democracy and does not have the infrastructure to maintain it. Chairman Mao said that power came through the barrel of a gun, and the Taliban would heartily agree with him.

My father was killed during the Korean war, called up as a reservist to fight at at a time when America saw a 'red' under every bed. The outcome of the war was a divided Korea.

Jesus said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." The word, 'blessed' has two main meanings, one is referring to divine favour and the other simply means, 'happy.' "Happy are those who bring peace," I like that. I've spent more than 30 years of my life trying to bring peace, mainly to warring christians who would benefit from a kick up their 'rusty dusty.'

Maybe war is sometimes necessary, but how about you and me taking the words of Jesus seriously so that we may be known as peacemakers.