There may be many things to fear in uncharted waters. There are people who don't act rational, at least by our criteria. We may say they are a bit 'extreme'.

Jim and Elisabeth Elliot heard of the Auca Indians of South America, deep within the jungles of Ecuador.  They were also aware that this tribe was known to murder any intruders.

Would we consider this 'extreme'?

Jim and Elisabeth were there because they felt the Auca Indians needed help.  They weren't asking for help, but Jim and Elisabeth knew something about people living in fear ...that it was something they didn't want anyone to have to do.  They wanted the Auca people to know the freedom that they themselves knew.  And they knew that if the people would embrace what they had to tell them ...that they would no longer live in fear, and would no longer resort to such violence.

The Auca people were not an extremist group ...they only took extreme measures as a result of their fears.  Extremist groups can be defined as organized groups whose ideologies may lead them to attack others in society.  But the reference is not to a verbal attack.  Political groups have their biting comments, but are not necessarily a  physical threat ...poodles snarl and snap too, though are not banned in most neighborhoods.  But, a legitimate question does arise, asking whether our barking helps contribute to other breeds of thinkers.

A list of nations with known extremist groups puts the United States on the top of the list ...twice as many as the United Kingdom, and nearly three times as many as Somalia.  Many extremist groups in our country have the word 'Christian' in their name ...but, I firmly state they are not Christian, as most have a white suprematist philosophy.  Many radical groups could be uprooted, but instead the focus seems to have been shifted more to those who disagree with these philosophies and many more unhealthy ones.  Those who truly want our nation to become a better nation are targeted as troublemakers, when only an honest discourse is desired.  Why is that?  I believe it is because there are those who want to change our nation through nonviolent means ...but not change it for the good, so they must label any good as something that it is not. Yes, I am calling this 'dishonesty'.

There are some nations where extremist groups are nearly nonexistent ...and that is because gatherings in those nations are not even allowed.  The entire nation is extreme ...within the ideology of their ruling party.  And these are the ones that do not allow missionaries to help the people overcome their fears, because these governments control and rule by fear.

We hear so much about Muslim extremists, and how they hate us ...when we would only desire to be able to discourse peacefully with all Muslim people.  In truth, if the reality of fear did not exist ...we would be able to help them out, just like the Auca Indians were eventually helped.  But, the reign of terror that exists does not confine itself within its own subversive borders.  Extremists are almost always a minority, but who often have the majority of weapons.  These few find a way to become many, by working on everyone's ever present poverty of spirit, discontentment, and anger.  And they destroy all truth, all hope ...and thrive on hate driven violence that cannot be contained even within the borders of Earth.  It is rooted in the evil bred within the principalities of the heavens ...with Lucifer's campaign of destruction.  Therefore, those who embrace the lie ...will go wherever they are permitted to go, to seek out and kill.

My question is, why do we give those who hate us such opportunity and free travel?  Yes, if education is all that is necessary ...then, yes, let them flock to our colleges and universities.  But, this does not seem to be the case ...as many have already been thoroughly educated and indoctrinated.  And we have so many wayward leaders in our own so-called institutions of higher learning ...that we only help build confidence in the growth of the sin that is rooted. 

I wish we'd had the determination of Marlin in Benghazi ...and actually we did, with a couple former SEALs.  But, our government seems comfortable to leave us in the dark ...and others left in shark infested waters. Nemo was found by a loving Dad.  I hope all Dad's stand ...and do not just what our heart tells us, but to do what is right.

Sadly, many of us don't know what is right.  In Benghazi ...it could be said that we should have put our people, and our country ...first!!   There are hurting families who have not been given honest answers ...and they want to be reassured that we will put our people, and our families ...first!!   But, none of this will happen if we don't put our relationship with God ...first!!!

If we value anything above God, what will happen?  Perhaps we should ask how we would feel if God desired our relationship with Him so much ...that He'd allow things to happen to get us to put Him first?  

It's like ...if I was studying under my Dad, to be an electrician. My Dad would instruct me to do things right, but if I were careless and trying to take short-cuts ...some of you may think it would be cruel if he allowed me to get a small shock, to learn. For those of you who think his allowing me to have a small shock is cruel, would you say it is better that he allow me to carelessly wire an entire house wrong ...or several homes, allowing the potential of much devastation and death.

But, it is not quite this way ...we somehow are shocked by very little, as if we are immune to it.  And because we don't feel a shock, we claim everything is okay.  We have put up walls, to hide the faulty wiring.  We don't admit that we are wired wrong. And if something happens behind that wall, it could be devastating ...and fatal to some.  We want to promote good healthy homes, but there is little worse than a wall fire.  You can't see what is happening, and once it gets out-of-control, it is too late.

I hope it is not too late.  So many people are wired to go against God's standards.  We have put up walls.  But, our homes are in danger.  We need to tear down the walls, and rewire everything. That does seem like a huge project, but it doesn't cost anything ...except commitment.