Shalom

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,
but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
Through violence you may murder a murderer,
but you can’t murder murder.
Through violence you may murder a liar,
but you can’t establish truth.
Through violence you may murder a hater,
but you can’t murder hate.
Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that..."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During this political year, much will be said about "taking this nation back for God", though I'm not sure what that means. Here's what I do know: if we were to let our compartmentalized Christianity bleed over into our politics, we would have to be more concerned with achieving peace and justice in the world.

Read the words of Jesus from the sermon on the mount:
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for
him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

Then if you're up for the challenge, read Brian McLaren's dream of an alternate way a "Christian Nation" might have responded to the 9-11 terrorist attacks.