There's been a lot of talk about God lately...God Bless America, God punishing America, jihad. People are searching for God, George W is ending every speech with 'God bless' or 'God bless America'.

Seems to me there could be a whole lot less talking about God and a whole lot more talking with Him. Alone. One-on-one. Maybe, in the course of the conversation, we can ask Him about the "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" line. Do you mean it, God?

Yes.

But that's pretty hard. After all, somebody killed 5,000-plus people, and are we just supposed to 'take it'?

No one promised humanity an easy existence. Bad things happen sometimes. Move forward with courage and wisdom and justice, and without vengeance.

Shouldn't the perpetrators be brought to justice?

Of course. The safety and liberty of many, many people depend on it. Find accomplices of those responsible and try them fairly. Live with the outcome based on the evidence. Be vigilant in the future. All these things are good.

Can we invade Afghanistan?

No. Many of my people live there.

But they harbor terrorists!

Why? Treat the underlying disease, not the outward symptoms. Be fair in dealings with all Middle East peoples. Help them find peaceful solutions to their disagreements. Let them worship Me as they see best. And for goodness' sake, improve your energy policy so that every foreign policy decision isn't colored by the threat of repercussions to American business.

I think it'd be simpler just to let the military settle things.

Look, I gave you brains and muscles. Use them to build, not to destroy. Use them to help, not hurt. Use them to share, not hoard. You've got lots of decisions to make, with lots of factors that influence them. With each course of action, ask yourselves, 'Will this make the world a better place?' Not America, not Israel, not Afghanistan or Pakistan. The world.

Oh, and I gave you all mouths and ears, too. Talk with each other. Listen to each other.

Oh, and by the way...don't do things 'in My name'. If you do something because it's right and good, that's just fine with Me. And don't just call on Me when there's bad news. I also like to share in the good times. After all, I like to think I had something to do with those, too.