Cultivate

 

The attack on Christianity intensifies.

The Supreme Court of Maine upheld a ruling from a lower court that prohibited a divorced mother of a 13-year-old girl from attending a Christian church, describing it as a cult. Emily Westbrook was denied the right to choose a school that instills a Christian education to her child. If that doesn’t send shivers down the back of the community of believers, nothing will. Calvary Chapel in Portland, Maine is your garden variety parochial school that provides the standard education fare while instilling Christian values to their students. This is not some far right, hell and brimstone sect that protests at the funerals of fallen soldiers.

From Global Christian Relief;

• 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith during the 2026 reporting period
• 388 million believers face high levels of persecution globally
• 224,129 Christians were internally displaced or became refugees
• 67,843 Christians were physically or mentally abused for faith-related reasons
• 15 countries now rank at "extreme" persecution levels, up from 13

It is time to wake up and understand that leftists are in league with Satan and are in the process of coming for the followers of Jesus Christ. It has been a slow and gradual shift, but the left has become very effective in villainizing their “enemies”. Christianity poses a grave threat to the left’s goal of fundamentally transforming this nation. Grace, forgiveness, truth, and love are antithetical to the invective spewed by the purveyors of democratic socialism, Marxism, and communism. Persecution is an expected result for those who practice what our Savior preached. But the extent of the assault on the religious freedom of Christians in the United States is stunning, and how it is advancing here is troubling.

In can only be described as “strange bedfellows,” democratic socialists align with the followers of Islam. Although Islam rejects a majority of the DSA platform, they are quite useful as they too denigrate Christianity and hate Jews. To the left, Christians equate to systemic racism, hate, white privilege, and exclusivity. That the two greatest commandments are to love God and your neighbor and forgiveness and mercy are paramount, are simply ignored by the left. To them, Christians are no more than knuckle dragging Bible thumpers that use Scripture as a bludgeon. While there certainly are Christians that fall into this category, Christ calls us to embrace a much different tact.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?” Matthew 5:38-47.

According to Jesus, hate has no part in the life of His followers. Christianity, as Christ taught, is tolerant, loving, forgiving, and inclusive. God loves everyone of His children equally. In His eyes, no one is better than any other. Everyone is welcome to accept a place in heaven, just as everyone is free to reject salvation. Christianity is absolutely not a cult. All are free to accept the Father’s love, mercy, and grace along with His Son’s lifesaving sacrifice or reject it. Free will. The penalty for sin is death, but faith in the living Christ forfeits that penalty. Compared to other religions, Christianity is far from cult-like.

Marxism is a system that replaces God with the state and the ruling class that dictates how the people are to live. It eliminates freedom. It eliminates choice. It eliminates your chosen path to the pursuit of happiness. What we see happening in the streets of our nation is an exercise to pursue the cult of totalitarianism, falsely blanketed in the benign words, democratic socialism. We are experiencing the results of misguided voters electing leftists that are harming this nation. In turn, radicalized judges that disregard the rule of law are appointed to the bench and issue rulings that they have no authority to render. Conservatives rule according to the law; leftists rule according to ideology.

This November’s mid-term elections will determine the trajectory of this nation. We are at a tipping point in society. Socialism leads to Marxism that leads to communism. We cannot allow the left to triumph. We have the ability to shut this madness down, but that means we need to get to the polls and make our voices heard. We must reject the cult that is “democratic socialism.” Part of loving your enemy entails showing them the error of their way. Your vote is important. Don’t sit back and allow evil to win.

“But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.” 2 Timothy 2:23-26.

 

 

Third World

 

Do what you do best?

When one escapes from a third world country, one can suffer culture shock and find it difficult to adjust. When one is accustomed to lawlessness, it can be difficult to adapt to a society guided by the rule of law. When one has lived without freedom, reacting to almost unlimited freedom can be challenging. When graft, corruption, and fraud is part and parcel of your life, assimilating into a society that values truth, justice, and hospitality can shake one to his core, unless, of course, you can utilize those skills to your advantage. Especially if your religion frowns upon the very principles that hold western society together and grants license to cheat, lie, and steal when dealing with unbelievers.

Far too many Muslims practice a perverted form of Islam, known as Islamism. Islamism exhorts its followers on a path of radical militancy. Islamism admonishes Muslims to forcibly “convert” non-believers and permits violence if they refuse. US foreign policy that attempted to impose western democracy on theocratic Middle Eastern Islamic societies failed miserably. Democracy is antithetical to Islam. In Islam theocracies religious leaders control government, institute religious law, and lead their armies. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association that we take for granted are prohibited.

It is no surprise when Muslims refuse to assimilate into a culture that offers freedoms that are foreign and conflict with the tenets of the religion they practice. In other words, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink, especially if their Imam preaches that they should refuse to do so. This parallels liberals that flee democrat, poorly governed cities and states that enact policies that are detrimental to them. While they seek refuge in Republican, well governed states, they often continue to foolishly vote for democrats in their new homes.

Somali Muslims in Minnesota and other states stand accused of running fraud schemes that could result in tens of $Billions of taxpayer funds lost. Quran 3:54 - "And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers." “The Arabic word used here for scheme (or plot) is makara, which means 'cunning,' 'guile' and 'deceit'. If Allah is supremely deceitful toward unbelievers, then there is little basis for denying that Muslims are allowed to do the same.” From Thereligionofpeace.com. Islam permits or encourages followers to engage in deception as a means to defeat the enemy, or non-believers. Islam is simply a false religion. There is no other way to justify a religion that promotes that type of behavior toward your fellow man.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. Christians are called to bring the lost to Christ in the Great Commission. Lying, cheating, and stealing is prohibited. Violence is abhorrent to our God and Creator. God is a God of love, not hate. Because of the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we want others to come to Christ in order to receive the joy of salvation that we are so grateful for. We do not hate or disparage non-believers; we are especially called to not to judge those who are lost. There is no call to punish unbelievers on this side of eternity. God wants every single one of His children to come to Him of their own volition. But those who choose to reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will have no place in His kingdom. It is the choice of the individual to believe or not.

Has the will of God been perverted by His church? Absolutely! It continues to this day. But the tenets of faith, as attested in the Bible, are clear, convincing, and most importantly, true. God’s will is perfect. Man’s religion is not. Obedience brings us closer to Him. Islam requires obedience and imposes earthly consequences on those who fail to obey. God sent His only Son to take upon all our sins, suffer the fate that we deserved, and rose from the dead, ensuring all believers a path to salvation. Salvation is gained by faith alone. God’s word is Scripture alone.

Every day democrats raise the alarm that Christianity and conservative values are an existential threat to our democracy! The true threat to democracy is tacitly supporting the institution of Muslim authority. DNI Tulsi Gabbard recently decried the growing influence of Islam in several cities, including in Paterson, New Jersey. This prompted Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to accuse Gabbard of Islamophobia and to defend the Muslim residents of that city. Too bad he could not get so fired up over the antisemitic and anti-Christian rhetoric emanating from he and his party. Paterson has seen a large uptick in crimes against persons. Paterson, NJ has crime rates higher than 93.4% of other cities in the US. Their Muslim mayor declared Paterson the capital of Palestine during Ramadan this year. Perhaps Senator Booker should be more concerned about confronting crime in his state.

We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. That command carries great weight and responsibility. Islam is not another path to salvation. Islam views Jesus Christ as a prophet, not the Son of God and does not recognize His resurrection. Without Jesus, followers of Islam will not receive salvation. In our interactions, led by Christian love, we must realize that fact. As with any non-believer, we must reach out in Christian love until all have heard. Partnering with the Islamic faith should be undertaken with the realization that they are as lost as unbelievers. Plant the seeds of faith. Do not be afraid to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. God wants all His children to dwell with Him through eternity. Treating Islam as another valid path to God only puts your neighbor at odds with Him.

Jesus said, “Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” John 5:22-27

 

 

Resistance

 

Is encouraged in democrat run cities and states.

As a Star Trek aficionado, I watched as the crew of the Enterprise fought against the Borg, a species that forcefully assimilated other cultures into their own humanoid/machine hybrid species. “We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.” Overpowering force and technology made the Borg virtually invulnerable. While the Borg forcibly assimilated, America has welcomed many people from different cultures to add value to our community. Most immigrants have done just that.

As this nation grew in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, immigrants were necessary to fuel the engine that was America. Immigrants entered through Ellis Island in New York, where they were processed, issued identification, had to demonstrate financial stability, pass a criminal history test, and were vetted for any infectious diseases. Those immigrants that passed admission tended to reside together in close knit communities, maintaining many of their customs. Those immigrants also felt a strong bond with their adopted country and made it imperative that they learn, speak, and write in the native language, English.

Fast forward to today and many of these “new breed” of immigrants have no desire to assimilate into American culture and society. Bi-lingualism has eliminated any incentive for Spanish-speaking immigrants to learn English. Enclaves of immigrants, particularly the Muslim community, refuse to speak English and are hostile to outsiders. These “outsiders” are the citizens of the nation that welcomed them in the first place! Democrat run cities and states acquiesce to these groups, allowing them to create their own government within their community that rejects the rule of law and replaces it with Sharia law.

Corrupt Somali Muslims in Minnesota and other states stand accused of running elaborate welfare and covid funding fraud schemes, with losses that reach into the $Billions. Over 80% of Somali immigrants collect some form of welfare, even after ten years of residency in the US. Some of that money is sent back to Somalia, accounting for over 10% of Somalia’s annual budget. More of those funds are redirected to Al-Shabaab, a Somali terrorist organization, making the Minnesota taxpayer their single largest funding source. Immigrants that cheat, lie, and steal from their benefactors forfeit any right to live in a civilized society.

Immigration law requires all immigrants to lawfully enter through a port of entry, comply with US immigration laws, follow all procedures necessary to apply for a visa, have the ability to be lawfully employed, and are not eligible for welfare benefits. Today, you can throw those rules out the nearest window. On the very day Joe Biden took office in 2021, the floodgates were opened and millions of illegal immigrants began to flood into the nation from our southern border. Over the next four years immigration officers were overwhelmed by the onslaught of 5-10000 illegal immigrants daily. Immigration officers became babysitters and paper pushers, processing the illegal immigrants that were then transported throughout our nation without proper vetting or identification. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children remain unaccounted for to this day. This was an intentional and deliberate act on the part of the Biden administration.

The left acts with deference to any “oppressed” or “victim” class. All immigrants, that are not white, are considered “protected” classes. Assimilation is tacitly discouraged by democrat leaders. Immigrants have no incentive, whatsoever, to become part of the American community. Anyone asserting that immigrants should assimilate is met with derision from the left with accusations of racism and white supremacy. That is likely why Tim Walz’s administration in Minnesota ignored the corruption in the Somali Muslim community even after numerous whistleblowers brought the fraud to light. Better to be politically correct than confront criminality, I guess. So, in response, Walz now wants to invite even more Somalis to Minnesota. Good luck with that!

The Quran views non-believers as infidels, and if infidels fail to convert, all bets are off. Apparently, Islam teaches that non-believers are, somehow, less than human and are to be despised. Jesus said the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Apparently, the Quran disagrees. Those who would pervert the freedoms afforded in this society and use them against the very people who welcome them, are ingrates, unworthy of the privilege of living in America. Those who support them are simply useful idiots. The true motives of Islamists have never been more apparent and they must be rejected.

Quran 9:14 "Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people." “Humiliating and hurting non-believers not only has the blessing of Allah, but it is ordered as a means of carrying out his punishment and even "heals" the hearts of Muslims.” From TheReligionofPeace.com

Islamism has no place in the western world. American values conflict with the tenets of Islam. Christian values conflict with Islam. Islamic theology devalues anyone who is a non-believer. Islam should and must be rejected. But those trapped within Islam are still our neighbors, beguiled by a false religion. They are lost without Jesus Christ. We are called to plant the seeds of faith, by our actions and words so that the Holy Spirit can nurture those seeds and lead them to God. We can reject Islamism without rejecting those who practice Islam. While they are not yet our brothers and sisters, they are our neighbors, lost without Jesus.

We cannot, of our own volition, bring the lost to Him. But with our actions we can set examples for the lost to see. We do not, by exercising our imperfect earthly tolerance and acceptance, acquiesce that those lost in false religions as our brothers and sisters. Those who do not belong to the fellowship of believers remain our neighbors, who we are to love as ourselves. We should not engage in futile arguments. When our neighbors are being led astray, we need to gently instruct with Christian love. Customs antithetical to societal values must be rejected. Assimilation is necessary to become a part of the community. Adherence to societal norms may be what is necessary to start immigrants on a path that leads to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8

Hospitality

 

Kindness is repaid with malicious recompense.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:2, 13.

These verses are the rallying cry of many progressive churches that support and facilitate unfettered illegal immigration by welcoming all who “claim” refugee status. But, when hospitality is offered and accepted, respect must be given to the host. Failing to do so delegitimizes those imposing on their benefactors. Far too many of those welcomed into our nation pay back the hospitality with criminal actions. Instead of assimilating into their adopted homeland, they show contempt for the freedoms available to them. Rather than adding to our diversity and making a positive contribution to society, they are content to be a drain on our nation’s resources. Immigration without assimilation is tantamount to an invasion.

“They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.” Jeremiah 15:17

Those who advocate for those who take advantage of a nation’s good will are far from that which God expects. Those organizations that tout their tolerance, welcoming, and diversity as showing the love of Christ are completely misinterpreting Scripture. God’s love is perfect. Man’s love is far from it. The law of unintended consequences, or perhaps intended, impacts our imperfect love. Citing individual lines of Scripture, to fulfill human desires, without the context necessary to properly interpret God’s intent, is a recipe for disaster. Scripture must be the basis to guide our actions, and not as a justification of our actions. Follow God’s word, submit to His will, walk in obedience, and your path will be set straight.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Some immigrants, in particular some Muslims, are exploiting the western world’s hospitality to enable their plan to overcome the majority and convert society to an Islamic state. Islam is a false religion that rejects the deity of Christ and should be rejected, not embraced as another path to salvation. It is not a religion of peace, it advocates for its followers to commit acts of violence against unbelievers, or infidels. Our tolerance is used by Islamists to trample upon the Judeo-Christian values that we have relied upon for centuries to establish and maintain an effective and productive society. 

When immigrants bite the hand that feeds them, it just may be time to shake the dust off our sandals and reject the premise of affording compassion. If they reject the customs and practices of their host nation, instead trying to impose their belief system, they pervert any privilege due them. Unfortunately, Muslims are not alone as we have witnessed rioting from illegal immigrants waving flags of the very countries they fled. All the while, our fellow citizens on the left encourage lawlessness with continuous anti-American rhetoric.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.  Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2

Muslims are using our own compassion and desire to love our neighbors as a tool to defeat Christianity. Yet, some of our churches are the most naïve and are exploited by the very people they hope to help. As followers of Christ, we are also taught to turn the other cheek, but that does not require us to be led like a lamb to slaughter. But that is what our brothers and sisters are accomplishing, whether it is their intent or not. If we stand by and allow Muslims to attain a majority, they will be successful in their plan to fundamentally transform America and the west.

“It’s a sophisticated fusion of religion, politics and identity," said Mansour Al-Hadj, a Washington-based researcher on Muslim political movements and extremism. "The same networks that once focused on community services are now mobilizing voters and producing candidates. This is how political Islam adapts inside democracy." Fox News report.

Those that use the freedoms afforded those who live in the US to the detriment of the majority have no place in an open society. Those who would destroy us have made their intentions plain, yet those who are squarely in the crosshairs cannot see, nor understand the implications. Many diminish the risk that unfettered immigration of Muslims will supersede current geo-political mores, but a Muslim majority can and will shift the politics and religious freedoms currently enjoyed by western nations. Those coexist bumper stickers are antithetic to Islam. Islam seeks to overwhelm and replace religious freedom and institute an Islamic state. History has shown as much as former Christian nations such as Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and more became Muslim nations once conquered. Today, no weapons will be necessary to conquer this nation. Our tolerance and acceptance will become our undoing.

On Tuesday, useful idiots in New York are likely to elect an avowed radical communist Muslim as mayor of that city on a shining hill. His intentions are exposed by the light of day, yet he is expected to prevail, nonetheless. Somali Muslims have taken over a portion of Minneapolis and speak of instituting Sharia law, with the blessing of some of their city and state leaders. Dearborn, Michigan is predominantly Muslim and has seen a marked increase in criminality. This is our future if we are content to stand idly by. Any immigrant residing in this nation that espouses evil intent should have their immigration status revoked immediately and deported. Yes, we are a nation of immigrants that should welcome refugees with open arms. But only those who want to be here and contribute to society should be extended that hospitality, not those who would destroy us from within.

Immigration without assimilation is tantamount to an invasion.