Why is it the public statements by our political leaders regarding North Korea only surround the nuclear weapon that they may or may not be able to launch beyond their borders? (As patently insane as Kim Jong Il is, I’m not sure why he would do such a thing.)

Thirty years of sanctions from the UN have had no effect on this madman–most likely because he still has a steady flow of Western fast food and pirated porn coming to him through Chinese channels. The only people suffering through this debacle are the North Korean people, and Obama’s and the UN’s statements make it seem that we have no concern for them–as long as their “dear leader” keeps his finger off the doomsday button. Here’s what I would do. It may not solve the problem–but it couldn’t be any worse than the current “plan”.

(Disclaimer: This is not a “spiritual plan”. It is merely what governments could do to solve the problem.):

Remove all sanctions: America should do everything in its power to open up the free flow of goods and information into North Korea–even it some of it falls into the wrong hands. Many North Koreans will begin to see that that the outside world is not the apocalyptic prison camp that the “dear leader” has been brainwashing them into thinking it is.

Incentivize defection: Offer a $1 million reward to every North Korean who makes it out of the country and to an American embassy. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s cheaper than war. Remember, this is not about getting North Koreans out of the country, it is about demoralizing Kim Jong Il and empowering forces within the country who would like to unseat him.

Bait and switch: Offer Kim Jong Il a free, all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland, where he will be toasted by Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. Then, let him ride Space Mountain with Sean Penn. Stop the ride midcourse, arrest him and try him for crimes against humanity. While you’re at it, arrest Kim Jong Il, too.

I’ve been out of the Twitter/Facebook universe for the last week due to a somewhat last-minute trip to Thailand. It was great to spend a week meeting people from the mission world who are using their business and professional skills to gain ministry access to and bring economic empowerment to people in difficult parts of the world. Missions doesn’t look like it used to; here are a few reflections:

• I met true tentmakers who have started sustainable businesses in the developing world that now provide them with an income, allowing them to be financially independent from the West. Yet, they still choose to maintain relationship with a mission agency for the purpose of accountability and prayer support.
• I met a pastor from an oppressive nearby country who set a goal in 2001 to plant 100 churches by 2020. He’s planted 38 so far. As is the case in many such nations, he is looking for non-traditional ways to fund the ministry of national church leaders.
• Another US pastor-turned-missionary is doing just that by helping national pastors start coffee plantations to help them become economically independent in an area where drug trafficking is often the only viable income source.
• I visited an Aussie couple who were so passionate about staying in Thailand that, when their support began to wane in the troubled economy, they sold their home in Australia and started a farm, bakery and coffeeshop where they employ six Thai nationals. They raise pigs, cattle and tilapia.
• Aussies and Kiwis are fun to hang out with. Why can’t I have a cool accent too?
• This was my second time in Thailand, but I had forgotten how good the food is. From the strange fruits that aren’t available in the US to the curry and other typical Asian spices … wow!

John Mayer (whose life is otherwise unremarkable and uncommendable) recommends it:

“Say what you need to say.”

Andrew Peterson, who’s become my favorite Christian musician of late notes the same problem in his song “Don’t Give Up on Me”:

“Got all these letters that I never did write, all this affection I kept inside my heart.”

It’s this unhealthy verbal constipation–for lack of a better term–that causes me to not say the words that need to be said. Encouragement. Commendation. Love. Correction. Most people probably die with unspoken words on their tongues that could have made a difference in the lives of their spouse, their children, their colleagues. Why is it that that I’m so free with the unnecessary things and so reticent to say what needs to be said?