Traditionally_RR ,_, Christians_NN2 have_VH0 believed_VVN that_CST the_AT Church_NN1 is_VBZ God_NP1 's_GE main_JJ vehicle_NN1 for_IF carrying_VVG out_RP his_APPGE will_NN1 "_" on_II earth_NN1 as_CSA it_PPH1 is_VBZ in_II heaven_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II my_APPGE early_JJ years_NNT2 as_II a_AT1 Christian_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ convinced_VVN this_DD1 was_VBDZ true_JJ ._. 
But_CCB over_II the_AT years_NNT2 I_PPIS1 've_VH0 lost_VVN confidence_NN1 in_II this_DD1 --_NN1 which_DDQ is_VBZ a_RR21 little_RR22 strange_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 suppose_VV0 ,_, since_CS I_PPIS1 'm_VBM the_AT pastor_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 fairly_RR large_JJ evangelical_JJ church_NN1 ._. 
The_AT seeds_NN2 of_IO doubt_NN1 were_VBDR planted_VVN in_II my_APPGE college_NN1 years_NNT2 when_RRQ I_PPIS1 first_MD studied_VVD the_AT Church_NN1 's_GE bloody_JJ history_NN1 ._. 
Almost_RR all_DB varieties_NN2 of_IO the_AT Church_NN1 --_NN1 Catholic_NN1 ,_, Lutheran_JJ ,_, Reformed_VVD ,_, Orthodox_JJ ,_, and_RR31 so_RR32 on_RR33 --_JJ tortured_JJ and_CC murdered_JJ people_NN "_" in_II Jesus_NP1 '_GE name_NN1 ._. "_" 
How_RRQ could_VM this_DD1 be_VBI if_CSW the_AT Church_NN1 is_VBZ God_NP1 's_GE main_JJ "_" vehicle_NN1 of_IO salvation_NN1 "_" ?_? 
During_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 also_RR became_VVD aware_JJ of_IO how_RGQ central_JJ following_II the_AT example_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 is_VBZ to_II the_AT New_JJ Testament_NN1 's_GE understanding_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ it_PPH1 means_VVZ to_TO "_" be_VBI saved_VVN ._. "_" 
This_DD1 slowly_RR opened_VVD my_APPGE eyes_NN2 to_II the_AT radical_JJ contradiction_NN1 between_II the_AT lifestyle_NN1 Jesus_NP1 calls_VVZ his_APPGE followers_NN2 to_TO embrace_VVI ,_, on_II the_AT one_MC1 hand_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT typical_JJ American_JJ lifestyle_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT other_JJ ._. 
Yet_RR it_PPH1 struck_VVD me_PPIO1 that_CST the_AT Church_NN1 in_II America_NP1 largely_RR shares_VVZ --_JJ even_RR celebrates_VVZ --_NN1 the_AT typical_JJ American_JJ lifestyle_NN1 ._. 
Research_NN1 confirms_VVZ that_CST the_AT values_NN2 of_IO Americans_NN2 who_PNQS profess_VV0 faith_NN1 in_II Christ_NP1 are_VBR largely_RR indistinguishable_JJ from_II the_AT values_NN2 of_IO those_DD2 Americans_NN2 who_PNQS do_VD0 not_XX ._. 
How_RRQ could_VM this_DD1 be_VBI if_CSW the_AT Church_NN1 is_VBZ God_NP1 's_GE main_JJ "_" vehicle_NN1 of_IO salvation_NN1 "_" ?_? 
Finally_RR ,_, what_DDQ caused_VVD my_APPGE confidence_NN1 in_II the_AT Church_NN1 to_TO bottom_VVI out_RP completely_RR was_VBDZ a_AT1 movement_NN1 that_CST arose_VVD in_II the_AT 1980s_MC2 known_VVN as_II "_" the_AT Moral_JJ Majority_NN1 ._. "_" 
Chris_NP1 tians_NN2 in_II this_DD1 movement_NN1 tried_VVD to_TO grab_VVI political_JJ power_NN1 in_II order_NN1 to_TO "_" bring_VVI America_NP1 back_RP to_II God_NP1 ,_, "_" as_CSA they_PPHS2 put_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 never_RR understood_VVN what_DDQ godly_JJ period_NN1 of_IO American_JJ history_NN1 these_DD2 folks_NN2 were_VBDR trying_VVG to_TO get_VVI us_PPIO2 back_RP to_II ._. 
Was_VBDZ it_PPH1 before_RT or_CC after_CS white_JJ Europeans_NN2 enslaved_VVD millions_NNO2 of_IO Africans_NN2 and_CC slaughtered_VVD millions_NNO2 of_IO American_JJ Indians_NN2 to_TO steal_VVI their_APPGE land_NN1 ?_? 
But_CCB what_DDQ really_RR horrified_VVD me_PPIO1 was_VBDZ how_RRQ they_PPHS2 were_VBDR trying_VVG to_TO take_VVI America_NP1 back_RP there_RL (_( wherever_RRQV "_" there_EX "_" might_VM be_VBI )_) ._. 
The_AT leaders_NN2 of_IO this_DD1 movement_NN1 called_VVN on_II all_DB "_" moral_JJ "_" people_NN to_II side_NN1 with_IW them_PPHO2 in_II their_APPGE political_JJ crusade_NN1 against_II all_DB those_DD2 they_PPHS2 considered_VVD "_" immoral_JJ "_" --_JJ liberals_NN2 ,_, homosexuals_NN2 ,_, feminists_NN2 ,_, abortionists_NN2 ,_, secularists_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT like_JJ ._. 
Worst_JJT of_IO all_DB ,_, many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 leaders_NN2 did_VDD this_DD1 explicitly_RR "_" in_II Jesus_NP1 '_GE name_NN1 ,_, "_" while_CS many_DA2 ,_, if_CS not_XX most_RRT ,_, conservative_JJ churches_NN2 jumped_VVD on_II the_AT bandwagon_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ I_PPIS1 never_RR understood_VVN was_VBDZ why_RRQ followers_NN2 of_IO Jesus_NP1 would_VM try_VVI to_TO gain_VVI political_JJ power_NN1 over_II people_NN when_CS Jesus_NP1 himself_PPX1 never_RR attempted_VVN such_DA a_AT1 thing_NN1 ._. 
Nor_CC could_VM I_PPIS1 understand_VVI how_RRQ these_DD2 Christians_NN2 could_VM act_VVI as_CS21 if_CS22 their_APPGE sins_NN2 were_VBDR less_RGR serious_JJ than_CSN the_AT sins_NN2 of_IO those_DD2 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR crusading_VVG against_II ._. 
Jesus_NP1 and_CC Paul_NP1 explicitly_RR taught_VVN disciples_NN2 to_TO embrace_VVI the_AT opposite_JJ attitude_NN1 ._. 
Followers_NN2 of_IO Jesus_NP1 are_VBR to_TO consider_VVI themselves_PPX2 "_" the_AT worst_JJT of_IO sinners_NN2 "_" and_CC to_TO maximize_VVI their_APPGE own_DA sins_NN2 while_CS minimizing_VVG the_AT sins_NN2 of_IO others_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 movement_NN1 also_RR struck_VVD me_PPIO1 as_RG dangerous_JJ ._. 
If_CS history_NN1 teaches_VVZ us_PPIO2 anything_PN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ that_DD1 religion_NN1 and_CC politics_NN1 make_VV0 perilous_JJ bedfellows_NN2 ._. 
The_AT worst_JJT evils_NN2 in_II history_NN1 have_VH0 occurred_VVN when_CS religious_JJ people_NN --_NN1 including_II Chris_NP1 tians_NN2 --_NN1 acquired_VVD political_JJ power_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Crusades_NN2 ,_, Inquisition_NN1 ,_, witch_NN1 hunts_NN2 ,_, and_CC inter-Christian_JJ wars_NN2 throughout_II Church_NN1 history_NN1 ,_, in_II which_DDQ millions_NNO2 were_VBDR slaughtered_VVN "_" in_II Jesus_NP1 name_NN1 ,_, "_" were_VBDR all_DB built_VVN on_II this_DD1 poisonous_JJ alliance_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 same_DA history_NN1 teaches_VVZ that_DD1 mixing_NN1 politics_NN1 and_CC religion_NN1 is_VBZ disastrous_JJ not_XX only_RR for_IF nations_NN2 but_CCB for_IF advancing_VVG the_AT Christian_JJ faith_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
Go_VV0 to_II any_DD country_NN1 where_RRQ Christians_NN2 once_RR ruled_VVN and_CC you_PPY 'll_VM find_VVI the_AT Church_NN1 has_VHZ all_RR21 but_RR22 disappeared_VVN and_CC the_AT people_NN are_VBR generally_RR more_RGR resistant_JJ to_II spiritual_JJ discussions_NN2 than_CSN those_DD2 in_II other_JJ cultures_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 friend_NN1 of_IO mine_PPGE hired_JJ artist_NN1 Lars_NP1 Justinen_NP1 to_TO paint_VVI the_AT picture_NN1 on_II the_AT previous_JJ page_NN1 to_TO use_VVI on_II posters_NN2 advertising_VVG a_AT1 conference_NN1 on_II the_AT character_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ hosting_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD contracts_NN2 with_IW several_DA2 malls_NN2 to_TO hang_VVI these_DD2 advertisements_NN2 ._. 
Almost_RR immediately_RR after_II hanging_VVG the_AT posters_NN2 ,_, however_RR ,_, the_AT malls_NN2 began_VVD to_TO be_VBI flooded_VVN with_IW angry_JJ calls_NN2 --_NN1 mostly_RR from_II Christians_NN2 --_NN1 demanding_VVG they_PPHS2 be_VBI taken_VVN down_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR outraged_JJ at_II the_AT image_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 washing_VVG Osama_NP1 Bin_VV0 Laden_JJ 's_GE feet_NN2 ._. 
So_RR strong_JJ was_VBDZ the_AT outcry_NN1 that_CST the_AT malls_NN2 decided_VVD they_PPHS2 had_VHD to_TO cancel_VVI their_APPGE contracts_NN2 and_CC take_VVI down_RP the_AT posters_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Christian_JJ college_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ renting_VVG space_NN1 to_II my_APPGE friend_NN1 rescinded_VVD its_APPGE contract_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
Apparently_RR ,_, the_AT protesters_NN2 believe_VV0 that_CST Jesus_NP1 would_VM not_XX wash_VVI Osama_NP1 Bin_VV0 Laden_JJ 's_GE feet_NN2 ._. 
And_CC why_RRQ would_VM they_PPHS2 think_VVI this_DD1 ?_? 
Presumably_RR ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ because_CS these_DD2 protesters_NN2 assume_VV0 that_CST any_DD enemy_NN1 of_IO America_NP1 is_VBZ an_AT1 enemy_NN1 of_IO Jesus_NP1 and_CC that_CST Jesus_NP1 would_VM not_XX wash_VVI the_AT feet_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE (_( and_CC therefore_RR America_NP1 's_GE )_) enemies_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 curious_JJ belief_NN1 ._. 
If_CS Jesus_NP1 was_VBDZ willing_JJ to_TO suffer_VVI a_AT1 hellish_JJ death_NN1 on_II31 behalf_II32 of_II33 Bin_NN1 Laden_VVN ,_, how_RRQ can_VM we_PPIS2 imagine_VVI he_PPHS1 'd_VM balk_VVI at_II washing_VVG his_APPGE feet_NN2 ?_? 
This_DD1 episode_NN1 reveals_VVZ the_AT extent_NN1 to_II which_DDQ many_DA2 American_JJ Christians_NN2 have_VH0 allowed_VVN their_APPGE faith_NN1 to_TO be_VBI co-opted_VVN by_II nationalism_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 have_VH0 allowed_VVN their_APPGE allegiance_NN1 to_II the_AT flag_NN1 to_TO compromise_VVI their_APPGE allegiance_NN1 to_II the_AT cross_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 've_VH0 allowed_VVN the_AT values_NN2 of_IO the_AT empire_NN1 they_PPHS2 live_VV0 in_RP to_TO redefine_VVI the_AT Jesus_NP1 they_PPHS2 believe_VV0 in_RP ._. 
Rather_CS21 than_CS22 obediently_RR agreeing_VVG with_IW God_NP1 that_CST every_AT1 person_NN1 --_NN1 including_II Osama_NP1 Bin_VV0 Laden_JJ --_NN1 was_VBDZ worth_II Jesus_NP1 '_GE dying_JJ for_IF ,_, they_PPHS2 've_VH0 reduced_VVN Jesus_NP1 to_II a_AT1 pagan_JJ tribal_JJ deity_NN1 who_PNQS ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, agrees_VVZ with_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 would_VM rather_RR kill_VVI Bin_NN1 Laden_JJ than_CSN wash_VV0 his_APPGE feet_NN2 ,_, then_RT surely_RR Jesus_NP1 must_VM want_VVI this_DD1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
The_AT truth_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST the_AT real_JJ Jesus_NP1 bears_VVZ no_AT resemblance_NN1 to_II this_DD1 tribal_JJ Jesus_NP1 ._. 
The_AT real_JJ Jesus_NP1 is_VBZ reflected_VVN on_II the_AT poster_NN1 !_! 
To_TO appreciate_VVI how_RGQ important_JJ revolting_JJ against_II nationalism_NN1 is_VBZ to_II the_AT Kingdom_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO review_VVI a_AT1 little_JJ Bible_NN1 history_NN1 ._. 
God_NP1 's_GE dream_NN1 has_VHZ always_RR been_VBN for_IF humans_NN2 to_TO form_VVI a_AT1 single_JJ ,_, united_JJ community_NN1 under_II his_APPGE loving_JJ Lordship_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE goal_NN1 has_VHZ always_RR been_VBN for_IF humans_NN2 to_TO reflect_VVI the_AT love_NN1 of_IO the_AT triune_JJ God_NN1 by_II how_RRQ we_PPIS2 relate_VV0 to_II one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ._. 
This_DD1 dream_NN1 was_VBDZ shattered_VVN when_CS our_APPGE sin_NN1 set_VVD us_PPIO2 against_II one_PPX121 another_PPX122 and_CC divided_VVD us_PPIO2 into_II different_JJ tribes_NN2 and_CC nations_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB God_NP1 did_VDD not_XX give_VVI up_RP on_II his_APPGE dream_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 called_VVD Abraham_NP1 to_TO form_VVI a_AT1 unique_JJ nation_NN1 by_II which_DDQ "_" all_DB peoples_NN2 on_II earth_NN1 will_VM be_VBI blessed_VVN ._. "_" 
The_AT unique_JJ calling_NN1 of_IO the_AT descendents_NN2 of_IO Abraham_NP1 (_( the_AT Jews_NN2 )_) was_VBDZ to_TO become_VVI a_AT1 nation_NN1 of_IO servantpriests_NN2 whom_PNQO God_NP1 would_VM use_VVI to_TO reunite_VVI the_AT nations_NN2 under_II his_APPGE loving_JJ Lordship_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 vision_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 reunited_JJ humanity_NN1 is_VBZ hammered_VVN home_RL with_IW increasing_JJ clarity_NN1 and_CC strength_NN1 throughout_II the_AT Old_JJ Testament_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, Jeremiah_NP1 looks_VVZ forward_RL to_II the_AT time_NNT1 when_RRQ "_" all_DB nations_NN2 will_VM gather_VVI in_II Jerusalem_NP1 to_TO honor_VVI the_AT name_NN1 of_IO the_AT Lord_NN1 ._. "_" 
Zechariah_NN1 prophesies_VVZ of_IO a_AT1 time_NNT1 when_RRQ the_AT Lord_NN1 will_VM "_" be_VBI king_NN1 over_II the_AT whole_JJ earth_NN1 "_" so_CS21 that_CS22 he_PPHS1 will_VM be_VBI the_AT only_JJ Lord_NN1 confessed_VVD among_II the_AT na_FU tions_NN2 ._. 
And_CC Joel_NP1 prophesies_VVZ of_IO a_AT1 time_NNT1 when_RRQ God_NP1 's_GE Spirit_NN1 would_VM be_VBI poured_VVN out_RP "_" on_II all_DB people_NN ._. "_" 
But_CCB the_AT prophet_NN1 who_PNQS most_RGT forcefully_RR captures_VVZ God_NP1 's_GE vision_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 reunited_JJ humanity_NN1 is_VBZ Isaiah_NP1 ._. 
From_II the_AT start_NN1 ,_, the_AT Israelites_NN2 had_VHD a_AT1 tendency_NN1 to_TO define_VVI themselves_PPX2 over_RP and_CC against_II other_JJ nations_NN2 rather_II21 than_II22 as_II the_AT servants_NN2 of_IO other_JJ nations_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 fell_VVD into_II nationalistic_JJ idolatry_NN1 ._. 
Through_II Isaiah_NP1 the_AT Lord_NN1 confronts_VVZ this_DD1 idolatrous_JJ mindset_NN1 and_CC reiterates_VVZ his_APPGE agelong_NN1 goal_NN1 of_IO reaching_VVG all_DB nations_NN2 ._. 
In_II Isaiah_NP1 55_MC the_AT Lord_NN1 announces_VVZ that_CST anyone_PN1 from_II any_DD nation_NN1 who_PNQS is_VBZ thirsty_JJ or_CC hungry_JJ can_VM come_VVI and_CC feast_NN1 at_II his_APPGE banquet_NN1 table_NN1 for_IF free_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 promises_VVZ everyone_PN1 who_PNQS comes_VVZ to_II his_APPGE feast_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 will_VM bring_VVI them_PPHO2 into_II the_AT "_" everlasting_JJ covenant_NN1 "_" that_CST he_PPHS1 "_" promised_VVD to_II David_NP1 ._. "_" 
For_IF ,_, the_AT Lord_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, David_NP1 was_VBDZ raised_VVN up_RP not_XX just_RR to_TO be_VBI the_AT earthly_JJ king_NN1 of_IO the_AT Jews_NN2 but_CCB also_RR to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 "_" witness_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" ruler_NN1 "_" of_IO all_DB nations_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ clear_JJ from_II this_DD1 that_CST God_NP1 's_GE goal_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, and_CC still_RR is_VBZ ,_, to_TO incorporate_VVI all_DB nations_NN2 into_II his_APPGE covenant_NN1 with_IW Israel_NP1 under_II the_AT reign_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 Davidic_JJ King_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Lord_NN1 reiterates_VVZ his_APPGE global_JJ goal_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 goes_VVZ on_RP to_TO say_VVI that_CST his_APPGE chosen_JJ people_NN will_VM "_" summon_VV0 nations_NN2 you_PPY know_VV0 not_XX ,_, and_CC nations_NN2 you_PPY do_VD0 not_XX know_VVI will_VM come_VVI running_VVG to_II you_PPY "_" because_CS the_AT Lord_NN1 "_" has_VHZ endowed_VVN you_PPY with_IW splendor_NN1 ._. "_" 
God_NP1 's_GE goal_NN1 was_VBDZ always_RR to_TO bless_VVI Israel_NP1 as_II a_AT1 means_NN of_IO attracting_VVG all_DB nations_NN2 to_II himself_PPX1 ._. 
Most_DAT Israelites_NN2 forgot_VVD this_DD1 ,_, however_RR ._. 
They_PPHS2 thought_VVD the_AT blessing_NN1 was_VBDZ just_RR because_CS God_NP1 favored_VVD them_PPHO2 over_II other_JJ nations_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD reduced_VVN Yahweh_NN1 to_II a_AT1 tribal_JJ deity_NN1 ._. 
Until_II recently_RR ,_, few_DA2 Christians_NN2 thought_VVD their_APPGE faith_NN1 had_VHD any_DD implications_NN2 for_IF how_RRQ they_PPHS2 viewed_VVD the_AT earth_NN1 and_CC the_AT animal_NN1 Kingdom_NN1 ._. 
Nothing_PN1 could_VM be_VBI further_JJR from_II the_AT truth_NN1 ._. 
To_TO understand_VVI why_RRQ ,_, let_VM21 's_VM22 go_VVI back_RP to_II the_AT beginning_NN1 ._. 
"_" In_II the_AT beginning_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT Bible_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" God_NP1 created_VVD the_AT heavens_NN2 and_CC the_AT earth_NN1 "_" and_CC he_PPHS1 declared_VVD it_PPH1 all_DB "_" good_JJ ._. "_" 
Unlike_II many_DA2 religions_NN2 and_CC philosophical_JJ schools_NN2 of_IO thought_NN1 that_CST deprecate_VV0 matter_NN1 as_CSA something_PN1 that_CST is_VBZ inferior_JJ to_II spirit_NN1 or_CC even_RR downright_JJ evil_NN1 ,_, the_AT Bible_NN1 celebrates_VVZ matter_NN1 as_II a_AT1 marvelous_JJ creation_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ good_JJ ._. 
Everything_PN1 that_CST exists_VVZ is_VBZ sustained_VVN ,_, owned_VVD ,_, and_CC cared_VVN for_IF by_II God_NP1 as_CSA something_PN1 inherently_RR precious_JJ ._. 
Many_DA2 passages_NN2 depict_VV0 God_NP1 as_II a_AT1 gardener_NN1 tenderly_RR caring_VVG for_IF his_APPGE creation_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST everything_PN1 has_VHZ been_VBN tainted_VVN by_II the_AT curse_NN1 humans_NN2 brought_VVN upon_II creation_NN1 by_II our_APPGE rebellion_NN1 ,_, everything_PN1 still_RR reflects_VVZ God_NP1 's_GE power_NN1 and_CC loving_JJ care_NN1 ._. 
Sometimes_RT creation_NN1 is_VBZ depicted_VVN as_II a_AT1 sort_NN1 of_IO worshiping_VVG congregation_NN1 with_IW every_AT1 distinct_JJ thing_NN1 glorifying_VVG God_NP1 in_II its_APPGE own_DA unique_JJ way_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bible_NN1 also_RR depicts_VVZ God_NP1 as_CSA having_VHG a_AT1 special_JJ love_NN1 ,_, respect_NN1 ,_, and_CC concern_NN1 for_IF animals_NN2 ._. 
Every_AT1 animal_NN1 was_VBDZ created_VVN by_II him_PPHO1 ,_, belongs_VVZ to_II him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC is_VBZ sustained_VVN and_CC cared_VVN for_IF by_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Just_RR as_CSA the_AT Lord_NN1 is_VBZ depicted_VVN as_II a_AT1 gardener_NN1 caring_VVG for_IF his_APPGE garden_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ also_RR shown_VVN as_II a_AT1 compassionate_JJ caregiver_NN1 affectionately_RR tending_VVG to_II the_AT needs_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE animals_NN2 ._. 
"_" All_DB creatures_NN2 look_VV0 to_II you_PPY ,_, "_" the_AT psalmist_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" to_TO give_VVI them_PPHO2 their_APPGE food_NN1 at_II the_AT proper_JJ time_NNT1 ._. "_" 
The_AT Lord_NP1 's_GE heart_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO preserve_VVI "_" both_RR people_NN and_CC animals_NN2 ,_, "_" and_CC he_PPHS1 shows_VVZ compassion_NN1 to_II every_AT1 living_JJ thing_NN1 he_PPHS1 has_VHZ made_VVN ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT reasons_NN2 he_PPHS1 gave_VVD to_II Jonah_NP1 for_IF wanting_VVG to_TO have_VHI mercy_NN1 on_II Nineveh_NP1 was_VBDZ that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ home_NN1 to_II so_RG many_DA2 animals_NN2 ._. 
God_NP1 clearly_RR has_VHZ a_AT1 tender_JJ heart_NN1 toward_II animals_NN2 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT clearest_JJT signs_NN2 of_IO the_AT high_JJ value_NN1 animals_NN2 have_VH0 in_II God_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 is_VBZ that_CST he_PPHS1 sometimes_RT makes_VVZ covenants_NN2 with_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
When_CS God_NP1 forged_VVD a_AT1 new_JJ covenant_NN1 with_IW Noah_NP1 after_II the_AT flood_NN1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, he_PPHS1 included_VVD animals_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Lord_NP1 said_VVD that_CST the_AT placing_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE bow_NN1 in_II the_AT sky_NN1 was_VBDZ "_" the_AT sign_NN1 of_IO the_AT covenant_NN1 I_PPIS1 am_VBM making_VVG between_II me_PPIO1 and_CC you_PPY &lsqb;_( Noah_NP1 &rsqb;_) and_CC every_AT1 living_JJ creature_NN1 with_IW you_PPY ..._... "_" 
So_RR too_RG ,_, according_II21 to_II22 Hosea_NP1 ,_, animals_NN2 will_VM be_VBI included_VVN when_CS the_AT Lord_NN1 fulfills_VVZ his_APPGE promise_NN1 to_TO bring_VVI peace_NN1 to_II the_AT earth_NN1 ._. 
The_AT earth_NN1 and_CC the_AT animal_NN1 kingdom_NN1 are_VBR God_NP1 's_GE handwork_NN1 and_CC are_VBR intrinsically_RR valuable_JJ in_II his_APPGE sight_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 central_JJ job_NN1 of_IO all_DB who_PNQS submit_VV0 to_II him_PPHO1 is_VBZ to_TO reflect_VVI their_APPGE agreement_NN1 with_IW God_NP1 by_II how_RRQ they_PPHS2 treat_VV0 the_AT earth_NN1 and_CC care_VV0 for_IF animals_NN2 ._. 
The_AT final_JJ act_NN1 of_IO creation_NN1 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 the_AT Genesis_NN1 narrative_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ the_AT creation_NN1 of_IO humans_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS were_VBDR created_VVN to_TO be_VBI God_NP1 's_GE "_" coworkers_NN2 "_" and_CC corulers_NN2 ,_, carrying_VVG out_RP his_APPGE will_NN1 "_" on_II earth_NN1 as_CSA it_PPH1 is_VBZ in_II heaven_NN1 ._. "_" 
Our_APPGE original_JJ mandate_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO enter_VVI into_II "_" one_MC1 flesh_NN1 "_" relationships_NN2 (_( marry_VV0 )_) ,_, have_VH0 children_NN2 ,_, and_CC extend_VV0 God_NP1 's_GE loving_JJ dominion_NN1 over_II the_AT earth_NN1 and_CC the_AT animal_NN1 kingdom_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 original_JJ mandate_NN1 is_VBZ never_RR retracted_VVN in_II Scripture_NN1 ._. 
When_CS God_NP1 raised_VVD up_RP Israel_NP1 to_TO be_VBI his_APPGE vehicle_NN1 for_IF restoring_VVG the_AT world_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 commissioned_VVD them_PPHO2 to_TO exercise_VVI loving_JJ dominion_NN1 over_II the_AT land_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ giving_VVG them_PPHO2 and_CC over_II the_AT animals_NN2 that_CST inhabited_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
As_CSA in_II many_DA2 other_JJ matters_NN2 ,_, Israel_NP1 was_VBDZ commissioned_VVN to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 microcosm_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ God_NP1 desired_VVD for_IF all_DB of_IO humanity_NN1 ._. 
So_RR ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT Israelites_NN2 were_VBDR told_VVN to_TO reflect_VVI God_NP1 's_GE care_NN1 for_IF the_AT land_NN1 by_II giving_VVG the_AT land_NN1 a_AT1 Sabbath_NN1 rest_VV0 every_AT1 seven_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR to_TO allow_VVI trees_NN2 to_TO mature_VVI before_CS they_PPHS2 ate_VVD their_APPGE fruit_NN and_CC were_VBDR to_TO spare_VVI fruit-bearing_JJ trees_NN2 when_CS they_PPHS2 went_VVD to_II war_NN1 ._. 
Take_VV0 action_NN1 :_: Please_RR share_VV0 this_DD1 information_NN1 with_IW your_APPGE children_NN2 and_CC grandchildren_NN2 ._. 
Share_VV0 it_PPH1 in_II your_APPGE church_NN1 ,_, if_CS you_PPY have_VH0 one_PN1 ._. 
Email_VV0 it_PPH1 to_II your_APPGE friends_NN2 ._. 
