"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God"

We are gearing up for political mud slinging in the U.S.   More than stating platforms, we will hear tearing down of the opponent and lots of contention in every direction.   I dislike this sort of thing.  It helps no one, and it creates discord, even among family members and friends.  My political philosophy is a simple one, based on just a few paragraphs by someone I put all my trust in.   Matthew 26:52 sums up my thoughts on gun control....Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword".  Matthew 5:38;39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
These are not my words, but the words of Jesus, whom I trust. 
This same Jesus, the one that I follow his teachings said in Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."   He didn't tell me which poor, or ask me to check them out first to see if they are "worthy" poor.  So the candidate I will look at has to be compassionate.  In Matthew 14:13-21 this very same Jesus fed 5000 people and never once asked if they used drugs, if they had money, if they were "just".  He simply fed them.

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketful's of broken pieces that were left over.21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children." 

So there is my political philosophy in a nutshell.  I am fine, with what Jesus said in Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him."

And I fully support and believe in these words after the election is done...Romans 13:1 sums the whole thing up nicely....plainly the fact is that God is in control and I trust God so I sure am not going to talk bad about HIS choice.   "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

I think there is a bit of wisdom for us in the words of the Old Testament too, when it comes to our thoughts on the "aliens" among us....

• "Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns." Deuteronomy 24:1                                

It seems to me that God has all the details figured out and He is in control and we simply just need to follow His lead.  He had Jesus come to straighten us out and fill us with love and compassion and I like that.   God puts in control who He wants and we just need to do two simple things, or maybe its not so simple...

Matthew 22:36-4036 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied:“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”