Every day I open my email inbox and find messages alerting me to the concerns and fears people have towards Muslims and Islam. Such a reality only underscores that we need ways to talk about the fears continually generated and fostered in today’s political, economic and cultural climate.

I, along with others, have begun trying to resource this conversation, such as with the Good News Memo I sent out this fall to nearly 100,000 Christian leaders. The Good News Memo explores a strategy of engaging Muslims that releases hope rather than fear. Several other books, websites and events occurring around the country are helping us move beyond fear and consider what it really means to love our neighbor as Jesus taught. As I encouraged a Muslim audience in Chicago recently, there is a cost to seeking the path of peace, but what a reward to see people, cultures and countries built up, rather than torn down!

My friend Carl Medearis is hosting an online web event, Why Do You Fear Me? in conjunction with the release of his new book co-authored by Ted Dekker. I was able to read and endorse an advance copy of Tea with Hezbollah, and they are doing very dynamic work. Their Jan. 28 web event is a new way to become part of this ongoing conversation and come away changed by what you learn.

Join Carl, Ted, and Gov. David Beasley for a conversation on America, the Middle East and Jesus.

Reviewer David Pendleton of Spectrum Magazine, a publication of the Seventh Day Adventist community, highlighted five books that feed the discussion on the way towards Peace in the Middle East and the understanding of Islam (or lack of) in the West.  One of those five was A Deadly Misunderstanding:

Siljander’s summoning contribution is not so much his linguistic discussion but the clarion call to seeking ways to bridge cultural divides. He points out that the three monotheistic faiths share not only an Abrahamic lineage but a commitment to life and peace.

The conscientious diplomat in Siljander can be heard in his earnest plea: “if we’re going to find any viable common ground between our faiths, cultures, and nations, if we are going to build workable bridges across the Muslim-Christian divide, it has to be personal. … Negotiating with an enemy may be a professional act; loving one’s enemy is personal.” click here for more

Mark will be a guest speaker at the Seventh Day Adventist Muslim Summit in Riverside, CA, September 25, 2009. More information available here.

On Aug 27 the New York Times covered Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen’s recent essay to military personnel.

“‘To put it simply, we need to worry a lot less about how to communicate our actions and much more about what our actions communicate,’ Admiral Mullen wrote in the critique, an essay to be published Friday by Joint Force Quarterly, an official military journal.”

The Times article also emphasized Adm. Mullen’s views on the effectiveness of current efforts: “American messages to counter extremist information campaigns ‘lack credibility, because we haven’t invested enough in building trust and relationships, and we haven’t always delivered on promises,’ he wrote.”  Adm. Mullen’s words go a long way, acknowledging and reminding military and policymakers that the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words” is true.