Sand and Sorrow

Paul Freedman has directed "Sand and Sorrow", a documentary on the genocide currently taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. You can watch it on HBO, or, for a limited time, on HBO's website. I suggest you take 94 minutes and watch it.

Watch it with these verses in mind:
Gen 12.3
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Psalm 67.1,2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

Isaiah 2.4,5
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Matthew 5.9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 5.13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 6.9,10
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Watch the film with these questions in mind:
How does this affect me as a follower of Jesus?

What can I do about this conflict 1000s of miles away?

How does the imperialism of England of the early 20th century, which played a key step in the lead up to conflicts in Sudan, Israel (Palestine), and other nations, mirror the imperialism of the U.S. in the late 20th and early 21st centuries?

Is it ok with me that my elected leaders recognize this atrocity as genocide but take no action?

How can I live a life that would be focused on the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdoms of this world?

What action can I take in my local community to make statements in favor of justice and mercy which by definition are counter cultural to Western capitalistic injustice?

Following Jesus seems difficult to me.