I just finished a book by Rob Bell, and some other guy I don't know the name off hand, that I think was really great. It is called Jesus wants to save Christians, go get it and read it, really now. I will sum up in my own words and then you should go and read it. The idea of Exodus is the theme of the book, the idea of coming out of one way of life into a better one. Well I have thought about these ideas (not is so many eloquent words mind you) of moving to a better way for a long time. In the boook The authors point out that the ancient Israelites were rescued from slavery in an "anti-kingdom" and called to be the body of God here on earth. Well to be brief, we here in america are seeming to be living dangerously close to an "anti-kingdom". Don't get me wrong I am a proud american, but when it becomes about us more than them we are treading a dangerous path. King Solomon went downthat path, the book argues, and it led to exile in Babylon. I can't tell you haow many times I have heard or thought this line "We're Americans Dammit!" and thus justifing what ever action that may or may not be good for us. Like I have said before, we need to get out of the country more. We have this massive wealth here and we spend it on destruction and harm, not only to people but the earth as well, and we think that because we are the last superpower we can do whatever we please. In my opinion, and I think it comes out in the book I started with, we should be doing good things with our money and not just for ourselves. I get so tired of hearing that we need to bomb more or invade more for our security, well God is my security and I don't need to kill anybody to keep Him around. If we are going t call ourselves a Christian Nation (another debate entirely) we need to be acting like Christ to other nations, the humble wounded servant Jesus that I know. This is not just some bleeding heart love fest either, but all Jesus called us to do is love God and our neighbors, not be a political action committe for a particular party, and tell other people about how God loves them. It isn't hard folks, it is not about me. It is about something much higher than me, I am just along for the ride.