Michael Schiavo and Judge George Greer have acted badly in this situation, but it's more important to pray for them than to denounce them. It's also more biblical (and more effective) to reason with liberal journalists than to harangue them. Corinthian Christians could have protested 24-7 the abuse and decadence around them, but Paul pleaded with them to show love, which he defined as "not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful."

 Christians and conservatives do best with liberal journalists when we show them one or two of the thousands of examples of those who exemplify strength through love by sacrificially helping the poor or needy. For example, every city has parents who have adopted numerous children no one else wants -- they are the best examples of being strong and courageous not just for an hour, but year after year. Activists should direct the cameras away from themselves and toward examples of compassionate conservatism.

 For Joshua in early Old Testament times, strength and courage had an obvious military meaning -- march into hostile territory and don't look back -- as well as a spiritual one. The mandate changed, though, when the center of attention became not one Holy Land, but the spreading of truth through many lands. Today, we should concentrate on building, not destroying.