For those who foolishly think that our mission will be finished in Iraq, read this Reuters news release of today:'

"A group of our mujahideen have targeted U.S. vessels in Jordan and (Israel's) Eilat port with three Katyusha rockets before safely returning to their base," the statement said.

"Zionists are a legitimate target and we warn the Americans, who are spreading their corruption throughout the world and who have stolen the wealth of the Muslim nation, to expect even more stinging attacks.

"This is our debut operation in Jordan," it added.  "And as we have begun to destroy the throne of the Egyptian tyrant, we warn the Jordanian tyrant to release our jailed brothers and voluntarily abdicate before we force you to go."

I am not an alarmist and never have been.  I have not been one to put much stock in "end times" theology or predictions.  However if you want to imagine a final battle of good and evil, this could well be it.  These so called "Muslim extremist" elements have a goal of eliminating all "infidels" and creating a Muslim world.  And they are willing to take as long as it takes and send as many "martyrs" into the battle as necessary.

Does the rest of the "free world" where democracy reigns have the wherewithall and intestinal fortitude to join the United States in this "war" - - probably not unless it is in their own backyard (i.e.  the British)

Will John Q. Public stand for such a war?  The polls are really divided on this one.  Just look at the scene down in Crawford, Texas.  The more casualties the more resistance we will see in the streets to the war.  We seem to be defenseless against these IED's (improvised explosive devices) (i.e. car bombs and body bombs).  Believe me. there are enough "crazies" on their side to keep this going for some time.

Friends this is a borderless war.  There is no territory to "win".  This is a war of ideology and dogma.  Wherever this extremism exists in the world it will have to be cut out - - just like the cancer that it is!

Where is the United Methodist Church in all of this.  We have found our members very patriotic and supportive of their deployed soldiers.  Many churches, districts and conferences have created prayer lists of deployed soldiers.  They have sent care packages and telephone cards to the troops in the field.  United Methodist Churches across the nation have been a solid support group for the Americans in uniform.  Bibles and other items have been sent to Chaplains in the field to distribute to the soldiers.

As I am writing this the Gaza Strip is being cleared of all the Jewish "settlements".  That war has been going on for over 2000 years, and it will never end!  Now they are talking about cleaning more land and the city of Jerusalem.  The sons and daughters of Abraham will never be at peace with one another as long as each generation of children is taught to hate their brothers and sisters in the flesh.

The people of God are called to a time of deep reflection and prayer in a world that seems to be unraveling before our very eyes.



A Jim Lane Commentary
August 19, 2005