Shine the Light

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” -- John 8:12 New Revised Standard Version

I fully believe this. But this light of life isn't just for the individual follower. When we believe in the Light, we become children of the Light (John 12:36). We need to show this light of the world.

This world is captured in darkness and its cultures are bound with it. We need to repel the darkness of violence, murder, war, greed, exploitation, injustice, tyranny, destruction, deception and every kind of evil. And make this Light shine better, where love, peace, justice, truth, liberty, and life would be widespread.

We need to go beyond policy changes. We need people's hearts to change so that the cultures of darkness can dissipate and be replaced with the cultures of light. This isn't to suggest there shouldn't be any practical steps to protect others from the effects of the darkness. But all steps fall short, if people's hearts are steeped in darkness.

Liberty, peace, and love fall on deaf ears, if people are not geared in that direction. We need a radical sea change.

We need to do as Henry David Thoreau suggested: Strike the Root.

When the strike the root, everything falls in place.

Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, came and brought light and permanently changed reality 2000 years ago. He has changed the radically hearts and minds of some. And the Light of Jesus can still bright and probably brighter, if we are willing.

The problem is people have refused to embrace His Light and some has decided to run away from the Light into more darkness.

But we need the Light of Jesus more than ever. The life of the human race and the planet depends on it.

Jesus Christ or Extinction

I will never abadon Jesus or His movement. Jesus's movement, Christianity, was the first and still is the true radical movement in humanity to destroy racism. Christianity also planted the seeds to destroy slavery. Did you know many who wanted to abolish slavery were Christians. And real Christians to this day are fighting the modern day slavery, the sex slave trade. Christianity has lifted up people out of poverty and squalor and continues to do so. Who has established more hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, and other institutions overall in history than Christians. Christians spearheaded ending child labor. And we can go on and on.

Many reforms of humanity came sincere men and women of God who sought to lift others up out of despair. Christianity has brought humanity steps up and forward. Unfortunately, many people are either too intellectually dishonest or myopic to understand history. Yes, they were people who claimed the name Jesus Christ who did horrible things in His name. But anyone who knows the Bible would know right away that these weren't real Christians but those who sought power and control instead. Jesus Christ's message is the ONLY hope for humanity. He is the ONLY One who can prevent this planet from going into extinction. Humanity has two choices before them. We must either choose life that is found in Jesus Christ or we pursue the road of destruction towards extinction.

Non-intervention or intervention

My take on Syria, I have two thoughts here:

As an American, I don't believe America should get involved miltarily here or anywhere. America doesn't need another war and history has shown military interventions are bloody disasters. We don't know who's good or bad in Syria's civil war. We don't know for certain who did the chemical attack. Launching those cruise missles was a mistake. And going to war in Syria could have widespread ramifications like possibly starting World War III. So, I'm an non-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy and  believe that seeking friendship with every nation possible is the key to a safer and freer world.

As a Kingdom of God person, I believe the church in America as well as the world should get involved in that war-torn country. We should do what we can to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this civil war. We can do that through medical aid, food, clothing, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We should support the churches and pastors in Syria. Maybe we can even help rebuild destroyed towns or homes. In other words, the church should be doing everything possible to show the love of Christ to those people. I believe the Gospel is the only way for true peace, hope, and liberty to that region and the world.

So where does that leave us? Should we intervene or not? This depends on the assumptions you have.

It's important to note that the kingdoms of the world and the Kingdom of Christ are radically different from each other. If we lose that distinction, we might be asking the wrong questions and getting the wrong answers.

The kingdoms of this world will use brute force on people to get its way. The Kingdom of God will show love to people so that they can see Jesus.

Crossing the chasm

With the protests that happened over President Trump and his policies, the violent reaction at UC Berkerly over a guy named Milo, and calls for secession from the United States from California (calexit), is there a chance that this country can heal its divide?

In all honesty, I don't know. Maybe secession is the answer to this problem. Maybe it is. Maybe it's not. Can anyone seek common ground anymore? I don't know.

The government as well as the people so divided deeply over everything, it seems like a chasm has created at least two different nations in the US.

I can't tell you of any political solution that could work to heal this rift. Honestly, I don't think there's anything humanly possible to make this country work anymore.

But I can tell you this:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -- Matthew 19:26

If you are looking for any solution that we can come up with, then you will be severly disappointed.

It's within human nature to cause divisions and violence among themselves. Scripture even mentions this. For example, some of the works of the flesh are dissensions, hatred, contentions, outbursts of wrath (Galatians 5:20).

However, within the nature of God, it's totally different. The some of the fruits of the Spirit (God's Spirit) is love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22).

So, you can see a difference here. If we build our lives on the foundation of God rather than on the foundation of zealous nationalism or social justice, we might be able to bridge the chasm.

If we build our lives on Jesus Christ, we will be able to tear down the walls that seperate us (Ephesians 2:11-22 and Galatians 3:26-28). If we build our lives on the world's ideologies, then we will erect barriers that will continue to seperate us.

If we have a common ground that we know we are all created in God's image, then who knows what can happen. I believe things would be radically different in this country.

The world and its politics is meant to divide and kill. But God's aim is meant to unite and heal.

Collateral damage

More civilians were killed in a raid recently while trying to take out terrorists. This time, it involved an eight-year-old girl that was killed as collateral damage in Yemen. Her brother was already killed by drones before. He too was collateral damage. Their father, Anwar al-Awlaki, who was also killed by drones back in 2011 because of his ties to Al-Qaeda. Whatever you feel about this, there's one thing we should do: leave the children out of it.

What is the US doing in Yemen? I understand the idea of taking the fight to the terrorists, which sometimes leads to less than ideal circumstances. (Unfortunately, one American soldier was killed in the operation.) I also believe terrorism is an actual threat.

But what about the collateral damage that we are doing? How many more non-combatants need to be killed, which anger young people to become terrorists. They attack us. We attack them. And also why are we going to a country that doesn't pose as a threat? Why are getting involved with a conflict over there? The cycle continues. This needs to stops. America needs to focus on its own soil to build up this country rather than going abroad and killing innocent people as collateral damage in its quixotic quest to eradicate every terrorist.

If we want to keep the country safe, then build a fortress out of America. Pull the troops everywhere and bring them home to protect the borders and coasts. If America wants, then build multiple walls and fortifications. Better vet people before they come into this country. Also, do what you can to have successful and friendly relationships with as many nations as possible. Be at peace with as many people as you can. I don't care.

Just stop going abroad and making enemies around the world by accepting collateral damage of innocent people, especially children, as a way of life when taking out terrorists. Don't you think the terrorists are surrounding themselves on purpose with women and children so it looks bad every time the US strikes? This pragmatism just makes America a target for retaliation.

Wars can't be on autopilot

According to a recent column from Antiwar.com, the drone assassination program seems to be currently on autopilot. It seems that this may be the case since there's no current CIA director. The CIA is in charge of the drone program. The one that Trump picked as CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, hasn't been confirmed yet. But how can the CIA conduct drone strikes without a director? It seems that they are just doing it anyway.

Over the weekend, there were two drone strikes in Yemen. This recent drone strike killed three alleged Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. Though it's not confirmed, the US is suspected in the making the strikes. If it's from the US government, this would be the first drone strikes under President Trump. Of course, using drones to kill enemies isn't new. It was done frequently under the Obama administration.

While drones may save the lives of soldiers conducting a mission, the problem with them is that there have been civilians killed in these attacks. In other words, collateral damage. Because of this, people around the world, especially in the areas we use them, don't like the United States. If the United States wants to stop being hated around the world, it needs take a second look at the use of drones.

In Trump's inaugural speech, he said that he won't try to impose the will of America on other nations and it will be America First. If he believe this, then he needs to put the brakes on the drones.

The president must use caution before using these things. It cannot be the go-to device when dealing with a problem.

At this point, President Trump can't be blamed completely since he just took office less than a week ago. However, if the drone attacks continue, or continue as they have been, then the buck stops with him and he needs to be held accountable.

Killing human lives cannot be done on autopilot. What a drone sees in its sights is people. They could be civilians and innocent lives. And if there are terrorists or enemies, there might be non-combatants that surround these cowards. When the drones kills children and families, then hatred builds towards the US and creates more terrorists as a reaction to these killings. The cycle will continue until we really take the drone warfare off autopilot in our thinking.

This isn't a video game. We can't treat people as some expendable pixels. Taking a human life shouldn't be taken lightly. It should be used as the last resort if all other peaceful or restrained means have failed.  

An opportunity

To those who advocate peace and liberty,

We have an opportunity now to encourage President Trump to pursue a path of peace and non-intervention.

Based on Trump's inaugural address, the President seemed to be more focused on building the country up rather than imposing the US's will on other nations.

And Trump has hinted that he's not interested in military adventurism and nation building during his campaign. He even criticized the Iraq War and George W Bush for going in and leaving a disaster.

He also seems to be skeptical of the military industrial complex, such as questioning the cost of the F35 program. And he seems to be skeptical of the intelligence community.

If this is true, then it's an encouraging start to roll back the Empire. Of course, there's a lot of work to be done, such as ending the spying apparatus, drone warfare, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the bases and troops worldwide, foreign entanglements, Guantanamo Bay, and the military industrial complex. The list goes and on and on.

The path to peace and liberty is hard work and there will be set backs along the way. But the point is to keep forward and speaking out in spite of these possible obstacles and set backs.

Of course, we need to stand against this President if he pursues a path of destruction and carnage. For now, we an have opportunity.

There might be deep reservations we have about this new president. I know I do. But based on the things regarding foreign policy and war, we might have an opportunity to seek a common ground with the President to pursue peace and prosperity.

He distrusts the mainstream media. And chances are, you as well. And since we might share that common thread, we can reach out to him easier and get his ear more to pursue peace.

Only time will tell whether President Trump will continue to road towards Empire and destruction or will change course towards peace and life.

I pray that peace will prevail in this nation and in the heart of this new President.

Sincerely,

The Praying Peacenik