Deceived

 

The same bag of tricks.

History repeats if we fail to learn from past mistakes. There will always be the gullible that have the wool easily pulled over their eyes time and time again. Satan has always played from the same playbook with ever so slight variations designed to attack the same weaknesses, varying by humankind’s intellectual development and self-focused “enlightenment.” Our innate selfishness makes us an easy target for a number of strategic attacks by the evil one. Humankind most frequently violates the first commandment, placing ourselves and our needs first and relegating God to the back of the bus. The seven deadly sins are where evil lurks.

·         Pride – Interesting that the LGTBQ+ movement chose pride as their moniker and a rainbow for their logo. Showing utter distain for their maker, they thumb their collective noses at God. They are not alone in their contempt of God. Each of us on a daily basis turn inward to celebrate ourselves as we wallow in our pride. Far too often we believe our success is of our own doing, forgetting the fact that all we are, all we have, and the very world we inhabit are gifts from God. Our pride overwhelms us and drives our overly inflated opinion of ourselves.

“In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.” “In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.” Psalm 10:2 and 4.

·         Envy – Coveting what others have earned is the driving force behind the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform. Class envy, racial animus, and sexual deviancy is the left’s calling card. Leftists are consumed with vilifying those they resent because they have achieved success. This powers their disdain of a society that rewards hard work and achievement. Capitalism is scorned by many of our young adults, while they have been convinced to believe that socialism is the proper way to achieve equality.

“Envy and jealousy stem from the fundamental inability to rejoice at someone else's happiness or success.” Matthieu Ricard.

·         Anger – Paid protesters and ill-informed “true believers” chant slogans that disparage their opponents but fail to provide a valid argument for their cause. Indoctrinated college students truly believe the drivel that Marxist professors have been foisting upon our youth for decades. Leftist women march for causes they fail to understand. Access to abortion, or what leftists call reproductive healthcare, drives women, who likely will never request an abortion, to the polls to elect “pro-choice” democrats to protect the right to murder the unborn, that also seek to fundamentally transform this nation.

“There needs to be understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. It destroys our peace of mind and blinds our ability to think clearly. Anger and attachment are emotions that distort our view of reality.” Dalai Lama.

·         Overindulgence – 72.4% of Americans are considered overweight. In this land of plenty, we negatively impact our health by overeating. Now we have drugs that help us lose weight, drugs that also include some adverse effects. Reminds one of the vomitoriums in ancient Rome where people gorged on food, vomited so they could go back and gorge some more. Why adopt a healthy lifestyle when drugs can do the trick?

“Self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle.” Billy Graham.

Lust – Today’s leftist democrat party is all about sexual deviancy in the name of compassion, tolerance, and acceptance. Drag queen story hour, curriculum that normalizes homosexuality for elementary students, and hyper sexualization of children through transgender ideology. This is one of the evil one’s most tried and true methods to widen the chasm between God and His children. Sex sells and capitalizing on humankind’s sexuality enables the left to further weaken the fabric of society and create division. Whether or not they realize it, the left is complicit in implementing Satan’s plan.

The foray into sexual deviancy has destroyed many nations without the necessity of an invading army to conquer it. Time and again, Satan uses our carnal appetites to tear apart society and create a new normal that is contrary to God’s will. Unfortunately, this strategy has ensnared many of God’s children.

“Carnal lust rules where there is no love of God.” Saint Augustine.

·         Laziness – A welfare work requirement for the able bodied, without children, is looked upon as a personal affront and a “white supremacy” issue. Able bodied persons should have a work requirement whether or not they are eligible for assistance. Our society no longer frowns upon those who choose to take a handout, even if it is not necessary. Our devices bring all the information that the internet provides, yet many get their information (usually mis or disinformation) from social media. Why read and research when you can mindlessly watch videos that tell you what to think?

“Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it.” Benjamin Franklin.

·         Greed – Socialists accuse those who have gained wealth through hard work and merit as being greedy. Socialists only want to take what is not theirs and what they have failed to earn. And what their ill-begotten gains will be spent on will be to the detriment of this nation. Christians are called to be radically generous, yet sharing what God has given us seems to elude so many. We can be generous with the gifts God has bestowed upon us.

“The vocabulary of the political left is fascinating. For example, it is considered to be 'materialistic' and 'greedy' to want to keep what you have earned. But it is 'idealistic' to want to take away what someone else has earned and spend it for your own political benefit or to feel good about yourself.” Thomas Sowell.

It should be more than apparent that the democrat party has hitched its wagon to the DSA, and in turn, has taken up the devil’s agenda. Democrats have become quite fond of declaring President Trump and the MAGA movement an existential threat to America. The real threat is a political party that is willing to make a deal with the devil in order to gain and maintain power. If democrats prevail in the 2026 mid-terms, it just may begin this nation’s fall from grace. The United States is a Christian majority nation. If you are willing to let this nation be overcome by evil, stay home in November. If you still believe in the shining city on a hill, cast your vote accordingly. With your help, freedom will live to see another day.

Suicidal Empathy

 

Flushing the future.

Perhaps Trump Derangement Syndrome is the determining factor in the election of some of the leftist idiots to Congress. Perhaps it is the legacy media at fault for shaping the opinion of the people foolish enough to depend on them for the truth. Perhaps people are so compartmentalized that they would vote for anyone with a (D) after their name. Perhaps hatred has run amok on the left. Unfortunately, the low information voter has way too much influence on the body politic. Leading the way for the less intelligent are our college campuses. Should be an oxymoron, but drop the “oxy” and that moniker would be a much better fit.

Leftist college administrators and Marxist professors are sucking the intelligence out of our best and brightest, substituting real learning with simplistic catch phrases to be parroted repeatedly. Telling is that most cannot or do not understand what the chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” even means. Troubling is that a majority of people in the 18-25 age bracket have a favorable opinion of socialism. Even more troubling is that they have cultivated a generation who hate their country and their “whiteness” without valid reason. And when they vote, they choose those who would do the most damage to their future.

Wisconsin’s previous two elections placed Jill Karofsky, a crazy leftist, and Janet Protasiewicz, an even crazier leftist on the Wisconsin Supreme court. On Tuesday, April 7^th, Wisconsin elected Chris Taylor, the craziest leftist, to a ten-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Why does a 50-50 state like Wisconsin opt to put into power leftist judges that actually declare their intent to legislate from the bench? The constant drumbeat against Republicans and conservativism by the legacy media is beginning to reap dividends. When lies are repeated often enough, the weak-minded will eventually begin to believe them as truth. Hate and anger are some of our strongest emotions and the left has been ingraining their hatred into the nation’s conscience.

What are democrats for and what policies do they support? We certainly know what they are against, all things that President Trump proposes to enhance the lives and security of this nation. Seems to be working for them lately. At least in Wisconsin it is. We will have to wait and see what bat-shit-crazy-leftist-in-the-pocket of the democrats will fill the next seat on Wisconsin’s highest court. Act 10 will be going down, and as a direct result, property taxes will skyrocket. Voter ID is over, sanctuary state here we come, CRT and DEI will replace STEM in our schools, and abortion will be available up to birth on the taxpayer dime. Who says elections don’t have consequences? Oh, and the LGBTQI+ community will finally have their day, I mean month, complete with a permanent flag flying at the Capitol.

Give them what they want, and they will get what they deserve. Except that normal taxpaying citizens will be lost in the shuffle and be left to endure the woke and tax hell that will suck the life right out of us. Democrats are hell-bent at burning this nation to ashes and utterly destroying the very fabric of a civil society. When normal people finally realize where the left wants us to go, it will likely be too late to turn the ship around. It matters not that democrats will end up on the wrong side of history, it only matters that they are the ones in power to write the narrative. As with the former Soviet Union, the United States will crumble just like the Berlin wall.

Blue states refuse to cooperate with the Federal authority of the DOJ, blocking orders to turn over voter data necessary to purge the rolls of ineligible voters. Why? Because there are hundreds of thousands, potentially millions of voters either dead, no longer living at those addresses or in those states, are illegal aliens, or simply do not nor have ever existed. The democrat ballot harvesting effort is more than just effective, collecting ballots from those who would not likely vote and those who do not exist, but are still on the voter rolls. Working with NGO’s, democrats enroll all manner of illegal voters, all with the return address of those same NGO’s. Tens of thousands of ballots from swing states only voted for President, and no other candidates in the 2020 election, evidence that those particular ballots were completed hastily, likely by the same person(s).

Just like Satan, democrats trade in lies and half-truths to convince the gullible to keep them in power. They support what 70-80% of the mainstream reject. Democrats intend to expand government, by raising taxes, imposing greater regulations on businesses, and enforcing unreasonable laws upon the populace. Unless we can convince our next generation of the dangers the leftist ideology embraced by democrats pose, we will continue to sink further into the abyss. Until young Americans understand what freedom is and to hold to the truths that are self-evident, our nation is at risk. If we remain silent, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may only be words, printed on an outdated manuscript. There is good reason that our nation was founded upon the values enumerated in the Constitution and we must hold fast to those values. Failure to do so will lead to the failure of our society.

“Our government leaders … have made many mistakes in the past when they have lost sight of the sacred American values rooted in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We are at the brink of even graver mistakes and assaults on these values.” –Samuel Dash

*Thanks to Nick Freitas for the moniker "suicidal empathy!"

 

Irredeemable?

 

Hillary may have been right, sort of.

There just may be people that have been so influenced by the evil one that they may very well be irredeemable. Hillary accused Christians and conservatives of being irredeemable and a “basket of deplorables,” but those who celebrate accomplishing their evil deeds with ill intent are the true offenders. On October 7^th, 2023, radical Islamist terrorists gleefully killed, raped, and brutalized Israeli civilians, including forcing parents to watch their infant children burned to death before being killed themselves. Hamas video-taped their wickedness for the world to witness, yet American college students continue to support Palestinians and Hamas while vilifying Israel and their own country. While the murderous Hamas degenerates may very well be beyond salvaging, these wayward young people are not totally lost.

College professors, many of whom were once violent, radical leftists themselves, (see Bill Ayres and Bernadene Dohrn) are now in position to indoctrinate our future leaders with leftist ideology. While these leftist “educators” demean the nation that allowed them to prosper, they foster discontent among their students. These former anarchists neglect any responsibility to promote the free exchange of ideas that would enrich the lives of their charges. They are instead creating automatons that cannot think for themselves or explain their support for all things left, without spouting slogans and phrases their professors infused into their brains. These America hating, freedom despising Marxists are enemies of God. These leftist professors just may fall into Hillary’s definition of irredeemable, although they certainly check the box as deplorable.

Those that under the guise of “gender affirming care,” brainwash children by encouraging them to experiment with alternate sexual identities, prescribe puberty blocking drugs or worse, perform sexual mutilation surgeries, will have a special place in hell should they fail to turn from evil and repent. School administrators, teachers, psychiatrists, doctors, and legislators that shield gender confused children and refuse to inform parents that they wish to change their pronouns or transition, deserve the harshest condemnation. Parents are responsible for their children and any decisions that have life-altering consequences must be made by the parents, not the child or some so-called “expert.”

Abortion is another matter. Celebrating the murder of unborn children harkens back to the Canaanites who burned their children alive on a bronze bull statue as sacrifices offered to their deity Baal. Each of us began within our mother’s womb, deserving to be born. It is the personification of evil when leftists attempt to justify the killing of another human being as “my body, my choice.” Unfortunately, the unborn human being has no choice in the matter. Abortion is premeditated murder, pure and simple. It is barbaric when a pre-born child, that can feel pain, is torn apart in the birth canal, right up to the time of delivery. Abortion is evil and those who practice it are selfish, uncaring, and heartless. Without a change in heart, they will have a difficult time explaining themselves at the judgement seat.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” Isaiah 5:20-21.

The democrat party continues with reckless rhetoric that is inciting violence and tearing the fabric of society apart. They sow division and smear their opponents with vicious lies, all in a selfish effort to attain power. Democrats fail in their responsibility to represent their constituents in government. Democrats engage in obstruction, harming their constituency by refusing to fund necessary national security apparatus, while blaming their opponents. Democrats are corrupt, utilizing whatever tactics are necessary for them to gain and maintain power.

We are all image bearers of God, are unconditionally loved by Him, and He wants all of His children to come and share eternity with Him. Yet, when does it become time to “shake the dust off our sandals?” When evil seems to have completely poisoned a person’s soul, how can we possibly reach out in love to express to them the love of Christ through our actions and speech? We cannot return hate for hate. That would only close the door on any opportunity for the Holy Spirit to influence a lost soul. As difficult as it may seem, it is essential that we see those who are lost as brothers and sisters in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, just as we all are.

Evil will thrive in this world if we fail to recognize it and call it out. Evil will never relent of its own accord. Pretend it is not there and it will grow stronger. Evil can be committed by good, but misguided people. Good intentions can also lead one to commit unspeakable evil. What is right in man’s law is often not in line with God’s will. Failing to understand that evil is real will allow the evil one to prosper in this world. Good people are lost to the evil one every day. Returning animosity to that screaming leftist only feeds the evil one’s plans to lead more people away from God. Evil may have won a few battles, but we know who prevails in the end. Repaying hate with love and kindness may just grease the skids enough to open that door just a crack for the Holy Spirit to enter and begin to lead them to Christ.

“My friends, if any of you wander away from the truth and another one brings you back again, remember this: whoever turns a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinner's soul from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. James 5:19-20.

Empty

 

Democrats got nothing!

As we ramp up toward the mid-terms, democrats are finding it difficult to articulate alternatives to the Trump administration’s solutions for the American people. What has become increasingly obvious is that the democrats offer no solutions, unless fighting tooth and nail against any and all policy decisions by Trump is a solution.

Democrats support;

·         Murdering the unborn,

·         Illegal alien criminals,

·         Open borders,

·         The LGTBQ+ community,

·         Men in women’s sports, locker rooms, and bathrooms,

·         Transgender surgeries for minors without parental consent,

·         Narco-terrorists,

·         Censorship of viewpoints opposed to their ideas,

·         Unaccountable elections,

·         Racial gerrymandering,

·         Wokeness,

·         Leftist ideology,

·         Diversity, equity, and inclusion,

·         Human caused climate change,

·         Hatred of conservatism and Christianity.

Democrats oppose;

·         Voter ID,

·         Fossil fuels, without a practical alternative,

·         1^st Amendment,

·         2^nd Amendment,

·         A color-blind society,

·         Equality of opportunity,

·         The rule of law,

·         The military,

·         Law enforcement,

·         Incarceration of criminals,

·         Every Republican policy initiative,

·         President Donald J. Trump,

·         American citizens,

·         The nuclear family,

·         Normalcy.

Get the picture?

So, what do democrats bring to the table that could be of benefit to the people that elected them as their representatives? Their policies recklessly spend taxpayer dollars. They berate and villainize Trump ceaselessly. They enrich themselves and their families at taxpayer expense. Democrats have decided that demeaning those who strive for a return to normalcy after four years of all things woke is the strategy for regaining power. The party of “NO!” continues to convey rhetoric and support policy that divides along political ideology, race, and gender. Democrats apparently do not believe that the Declaration of Independence and Constitution affirm our inalienable, God given rights.

Once past the propaganda that the legacy media, academia, and the democrat party spew, their message is clear; the democrat party agenda seeks to fundamentally transform a society built upon Judeo-Christian values that has endured and enriched millions, into a socialistic nation. Freedoms once protected by this nation will be granted via government edict. An economy that offers opportunity to all will no longer reward the hardest working, most innovative, and most successful. Government will no longer serve the people, it will rule the people, controlling the means of production and consumption.

In short, democrats will burn this nation down so they can rule over the ashes. It is all about wealth, power, and status. As long as they can tell you what to do, it matters not what the state of the nation is. The democrat party has thrown in with the evil one. Their party platform reeks of things of this world and deny our Lord and Savior. If democrats continue on their current path and regain power, our nation will be lost. If they refuse to return to God, they must be rejected and voted out of office.

“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” Winston Churchill

“A claim for equality of material position can be met only by a government with totalitarian powers.” Friedrich Hayek.

“Hayek warned that attempts to enforce material equality inevitably lead to tyranny. In his view, governments cannot redistribute wealth without undermining liberty, because doing so requires coercion and control. This quote reflects his broader thesis in The Road to Serfdom, where he argued that socialism’s promises lead down a dangerous path to authoritarianism. For Hayek, freedom and prosperity could only flourish in competitive markets.” Excerpted from Exploring Socialism.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the democrat party is hell-bent to fundamentally transform this nation into their idea of a socialist utopia. If they ever gain power again, it will become our worst nightmare, one that just may become a reality that ultimately destroys this nation.

 

 

Mimic

 

Hear evil, repeat that evil, then act out with evil intent.

If you tell a lie often enough, some people will believe it, particularly weak-minded individuals. Leaders have a responsibility to be judicious with their words. Words spoken by leaders can carry great weight, as people trust that their leaders work for the betterment of all. Leaders must be first to condemn violence and to be the “cooler heads that prevail” in lowering the temperature. Leaders cannot be the inciters of violence by rhetoric that vilifies those of differing opinions. Yet, that is the modus operandi of the democrat party. The uptick in violence by the left is a direct result of unhinged democrat’s rants that are unduly influencing those who would commit acts of violence to “save democracy from tyrants.” Words may not be violence, but rhetoric that incites violence can be just as dangerous as wielding a firearm.

Satan has manifested himself in leftism and in the leadership of the democrat party. The willing pawns that conduct the actual violence are simply following the marching orders of their democrat leaders. Funding that enables these anarchists are funneled through a never-ending list of NGOs and non-profit organizations, using funding obtained through government grants and leftist philanthropists. Yes, US tax dollars are diverted from funding intended to be allocated to domestic and foreign programs. We are funding the very people intent on destroying this nation, when all the while democrat leaders act as their cheerleaders.

The father of lies shapes the very platform of the democrat party as they advocate the murder of the unborn, promote the mutilation of gender confused children, support lawless District Attorneys, encourage violence against law enforcement, deny God, and oppose the nuclear family.  

“You are guilty of lying, violence, and murder. You go to court, but you do not have justice on your side. You depend on lies to win your case. You carry out your plans to hurt others. You are always planning something evil, and you can hardly wait to do it. You never hesitate to murder innocent people. You leave ruin and destruction wherever you go, and no one is safe when you are around. Everything you do is unjust. You follow a crooked path, and no one who walks that path will ever be safe.” Isaiah 59:3-4, 7-8

There are many verses in the Bible warning us of the very behaviors that the left engages in and the democrat party tacitly supports, yet there are those who believe and teach that the Bible is outdated and not pertinent today. When the democrat party chose to fall in league with Satan, they sold their collective souls for power, wealth, and position. Those who choose to vote for democrats are simply useful idiots that are being used against their own self-interests.

Leftists and those who gravitate to and align themselves with leftist ideology have one thing in common; Rage and hatred toward those perceived to be oppressors, which include pretty much every normal person in this nation. When one displays negative emotions, it opens an avenue for Satan to unduly influence that person. The father of lies loves division. He absolutely loves it when we hate, rather than love our neighbor. Once embedded into the psyche of a person influenced by negative emotions, Satan will build upon that negativity, leading that person further apart from God. The distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, will be blurred, amplifying that negativity within that person.

Evil must be resisted. Evil must be exposed for what it is. Evil must be overcome with the love of Christ. Evil is driving the left. The left must be rejected. The democrat party has adopted the tenets of the left and uses those tactics to gain and maintain their positions of authority. If the democrat party triumphs, we all lose. Democrats must never again hold power. Democrats must be voted out of office, wholesale or they will never return to God. We must shake the dirt off our sandals and expose them for what they are. Their deeds need to come into the light for all to see.

Satan has unduly influenced a generation, leading them far away from God. The hatred manifesting itself within the left has been allowed to fester and grow due to the inaction of God’s people. We have stood idly by as Satan has placed a stranglehold on our neighbors and even some of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot be silent any longer! Satan depends upon good Christian’s silence to succeed in his wicked schemes. This nation was founded upon a covenant with God. The founding fathers, through prayer and righteous debate, established this Constitutional Republic as one nation, under God. There is still time to save this nation. There is still time to plant the seeds that can take root in our neighbors that have become manipulated by the evil one. There is still time to reach out in Christian love that can lead the lost back to Christ.

Jesus told His disciples in the Great Commission, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. He was also speaking to all future generations. Will you listen and act?

 

 

 

Fight the Good Fight

 

Surrender is not an option in the battle against evil.

Satan and his minions are relentless in their quest to prevent humanity from attaining a personal relationship with God. The evil one uses a variety of techniques to accomplish his goal to separate us from God. By exploiting our personal weaknesses, he will gain a foothold and use those vulnerabilities to his advantage. Much of our current culture embodies those strategies that drive that wedge between humanity and our God. Leftist and woke ideology advocates for many of the things that displease our Lord but most certainly please Satan. Humans have a survival instinct that allows us to fall prey to our innate selfishness. Most of our sin derives from that selfishness. That is how the evil one preys upon those who are weak in faith. He deceives humankind in the same way that he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Those things of this world that each of us has the proclivity to desire are used to tempt and mislead us.

That is where the left and their unrelenting push for wokeness step in. The things of this world are used as a means to distract us from a right relationship with God. We are called to love our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our minds, and with all our strength. Secondly, we need to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus said, “No other commandments are greater than these.” There are enough things of this world that distract us and get in the way of our relationship with God. We don’t need the left to add to those distractions as they act as agents of evil.  Wokeness has been adopted by the democrat party and their embrace of that evil is tearing apart this nation. And what exactly are the tenets of leftist ideology and why are they so dangerous to our spiritual life? In order to ascertain what is pleasing to God and what is not we are to turn to Scripture. The following is a comparison of the principles supported by leftism to God’s word.

·         Transgenderism – You shall have no other gods before me. The new religion for the left, having overtaken climate “science.” Embracing transgenderism accomplishes a variety of objectives of the left; sowing division amongst families, placing the children as wards of the state, removing numerous individuals from the gene pool, as they will no longer be able to procreate, and rolling back protections for women.

·         Abortion – You shall not murder. Just as children were sacrificed to the Phoenician/Canaanite god “Moloch” in ancient times, 50 million children have been sacrificed to the god of abortion since Roe v Wade was established. You shall make no idols. A statue commemorating Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, but overtly symbolizing abortion, was placed over the Appellate Division Courthouse in New York.  

 

·         “Anti”-racism, class, and political warfare – Love your neighbor as yourself. The left promotes reverse racism to attack the white majority, in particular white males, falsely calling out white supremacy, white privilege, and the “patriarchy.” They rail at the “1%” and disparage anything conservative.

·         Weaponization of law against political enemies, the “Deep State.” – Again, you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. False claims against, not only Donald Trump, but Christians, conservatives, and anyone with the temerity to counter the lefts’ chosen narrative were in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice. Little old ladies praying in front of Planned Parenthood were sentenced to years in prison. Pre-dawn armed raids by the DOJ to terrorize dissenters, including a raiding a former President’s residence, were unconscionable and likely unlawful. Anarchists are often not charged with any crimes and no investigations to identify those who committed violence during riots while tirelessly searching for any persons that participated in the events at the Capitol on January 6^th, 2021.

·         Open borders – The same law applies both to the native-born and the foreigner residing among you. As in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the Biden Administration reveals that they believe some of us are more equal than others. The US border is crossed illegally by millions of foreigners and the Biden administration rewards those who break our immigration laws with financial benefits and placement within the US borders, while over 300,000 immigrant children have been “lost”, likely being sexually trafficked.

·         CRT, DEI, AND ESG – You shall not covet. Love your neighbor. Critical Race Theory breeds hatred and unduly influences the teaching of our children. Racism is a learned behavior and CRT justifies racism against those deemed “privileged” to our most vulnerable. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies disproportionately elevates race, gender identity, and political ideology above merit and ability, diluting the competency of society’s workforce. Environmental, Social, and Governance policies place undue and burdensome regulations upon the business sector, increasing costs and undermining efficiencies.

·         Disregard of the rule of law – Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Democrat District Attorneys pervert the law, willfully ignoring the transgressions of those they deem to be marginalized by society. Along with the lack of enforcement comes anarchy and wanton crime, creating chaos for the law abiding in those cities.

·         Antisemitism and anti-Christianity – For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. Anyone then who rejects this command does not reject man, but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.” Democrats have consistently rejected God’s word and have supported LGBTQ+, drag queens, gay marriage, and the like, while they champion antisemitism and disparage Christianity.

·         Free speech - We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray.  Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. Government propaganda and censorship is embraced by the legacy media and the democrat party falsely claiming it is imperative that mis and disinformation be controlled. They believe the people are too stupid to be able to ascertain right from wrong, fact from fiction.

To resist evil, it must first be identified and targeted. The democrat party has decided to embrace the evil that is leftist ideology. Until such a time as democrats choose to moderate their positions, return to serve the Lord, return to become actual public servants, and reject the immorality that they embrace, we must resist them with all our strength.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

 

Suffer the Children

 

Protecting the innocent.

Societal norms demand that we protect the innocent. Those who cannot defend themselves need our protection. That is why a parent will defend their children with their lives. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16. Children are our most important resource. Without children, humanity ends. Why is that the left conspires to eradicate the most vulnerable among us? Why is the wanton murder of children waiting to be born, or what is otherwise known as abortion, so important to them? Why are they embracing a death cult?

Abortion has nothing to do with women’s reproductive health care. In 1973, Roe v. Wade determined that abortion was legal. Since then, over 50 million children waiting to be born have been brutally murdered. Abortion is a brutal procedure that mirrors some of the torture techniques that were used in the Middle Ages. 50 million children murdered by abortion is greater than 14% of the current population of the United States. How many doctors, scientists, teachers, caregivers, plumbers, electricians, or other positive contributors to our society have had their lives snuffed out before they could even begin? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness apparently is not equally applied when an unborn child is added to the equation. Selfishness triumphs with the “procedure” known as abortion. It truly is one of the most evil “elective medical procedures” that humanity has concocted.

Why does a women’s right to choose trump the inalienable human rights of the child within her womb? What have we become when there is not a second thought to that life? Less than 1% of abortions are performed due to pregnancies caused by incest, rape, or to save the life of the mother. Most of the pro-choice argument holds little to no water to bolster claims that abortion is necessary to protect women’s reproductive rights. It is simply an easy way to neglect responsibility for a lifestyle that is in direct conflict with God’s intent. Sexual relations have been reserved for one man and one woman within the confines of the sacrament of marriage. Both parties conceive and raise their children and are responsible to instill within them morals, values, and a love of God. It is obvious that there is a concerted effort to eliminate God and any values instilled by our Creator. The evil one is flourishing in this world.

Every single pro-choice advocate was once a child in her mother’s womb waiting for his/her birth. Each of them had a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each of them could have had their lives ended if their mother did not want to be inconvenienced by the responsibilities of raising a child. Selfishness is our greatest sin and easiest to commit. In this society it is all about pleasing oneself first. “Look at me. I am wonderful. I can be anything I want to be.” In this wicked generation, God is but an afterthought. Sex is a game for anyone to play at any time. Hookups, Tinder, and the like are pre-emptively destroying future relationships. Satan must be so proud.

In its innate selfishness, “woke society” believes that biology can be overturned and gender reversed. “God must have made a mistake, and that mistake must be corrected to my satisfaction.” What is a woman? Apparently, whatever one wants it to be. Transgenderism is a mental disease. Less than a decade ago gender dysphoria was considered a psychiatric disorder. Now, children, often with encouragement of woke teachers, are allowed to decide if and when they are to undergo permanent life-altering treatments, such as puberty blockers and surgeries to “change” to their desired gender. Never mind that those altered will never be able to have normal sexual relations, give birth, or sire children. The world is on fire and society pours gasoline on it!

The world needs God. The world needs a Savior. The world needs to come back to Him if we intend to overcome evil. Without God, we fight alone. With Him, all things can be accomplished. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12

And yet there are those who say that the Bible is irrelevant in these enlightened times.

 

Absurdity

 

Time to open some eyes!

The left has decided to forcefully resist the newly elected Trump administration at all cost. Democrat mayors and governors are determined to “Trump proof” their jurisdictions, refuse to cooperate with Federal law enforcement, and bluster that Trump will have to go through them first. This is more than irrational; this demonstrates that democrats will blatantly disregard the rule of law. Hollywood personalities evidence an utter lack of reality by rebuking anyone with the audacity to acknowledge the legitimacy of a duly elected President. Mainstream media amplifies the cacophony of criticism to the new administration’s cabinet choices, attempting to persuade their guests and viewers to believe their debunked lies. Democrats in Pennsylvania continue to count invalid votes in direct violation of law, even after the State’s Supreme Court ordered them to stand down, in an effort to save a Senate seat for democrat Bob Casey.

It has never been more readily apparent that democrats intend to undermine our nation by refusing to abide by the rule of law, the thread that holds our society together. When the people refuse to obey the law, anarchy ensues. To what end? Not even the most ardent democrat truly believes that Donald Trump is tantamount to Hitler and that he is a threat to democracy. This is simply a gambit by the democrat party to maintain power and rule against the will of the people. This is a strategy to pit citizen against citizen to utilize the divide and conquer philosophy. When the people fight amongst themselves it allows evil an opportunity to inflict damage. After all, Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

Godless democrats revel in the murder of the unborn, attempt to normalize the medical mutilation of children, ignore laws in which they disagree, and oppose the open exchange of ideas, or engage in what is better known as government censorship. That people continue to support a political party that has an agenda to restrict the fundamental rights of the citizens they are charged to represent is absolutely mind boggling. Supporting politicians that deliberately ignore the will of the people and disrespect the God of creation and electing them to an office that allows them authority, greatly displeases the Lord.

Yet, the weak-minded among us continue to ignore reality and engage in all manner of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Satan must be so proud! Our enlightened society has fallen so far in such a short time. Now that democrats are no longer in power, it is time to begin a movement to return to the founder’s intention of a Constitutional Republic, based on Judeo-Christian values. Now is the time for good Christians to arise and begin a revival in this nation. Now is the time to plant the seeds of Christ’s love, with our actions and words, to the lost. While the left cancels and demeans their own supporters that voice an opinion other than their established narrative, we need to show them that there is a community that will welcome them and that there is a God that loves them unconditionally.

We are called to use our voice to share the Good News and to use our time, talents, and resources to help build His kingdom on this side of eternity. God desires that all of His children come to know Him. The very least we can do is to offer an open door for them to find Him. We must be ready and equipped to engage in conversation with those who do not know Jesus. Non-judgmental responses to those who are loved by God but do not love Him. Sound direction for those searching for themselves and their identities who are unaware that their pursuit is, in fact, for a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus said, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” Matthew 13:14-15

If we fail to plant the seeds of faith in those overcome with the world, we have failed our Lord and Savior and neglected His charge for us to proclaim the Gospel to the world!

 

Blind Faith

 

Hearts and minds need to turn to God.

God created everything that is, was, and will come to be, and it was good. Our Father in heaven sent His Son, a perfect sacrifice, to take upon Himself the entirety of humanity’s sin, forfeit His life to grant forgiveness of all who believe in Him. A simple act of faith and God grants us eternal life with Him. God loves you so much that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you anymore and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you any less. All is forgiven through faith in the Risen Son. Yet, unbelief reigns and hatred flourishes. Rather than believing in God who loves them, many bow down at the altar of selfishness, climate science, and racism. Hostility toward those in which we disagree replaces loving our neighbor. Vile language replaces civil discourse. Respect for others becomes a foreign concept. Skin color, sexual orientation, or political affiliation determines how one regards another. The murder of a child waiting to be born in the womb, becomes a woman’s right to choose or a reproductive health decision. We are empowering those who devalue the gift of life. As a nation, we have lost our way.

This United States, far from perfect, was founded upon Judeo-Christian values. Those values support freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom to pursue your own vision of happiness. How have we become a nation of cowards and appeasers, failing to speak out when others infringe upon our God given rights? Our very lives, the liberty to worship God, and peacefully live are gifts from God. How is it that we ignore or acquiesce to the actions of others who would deny us those rights? This nation is at a crossroad. Our next elected representatives will either be purveyors of anti-Christianity and antisemitism, advocates for the worship of government, disparagers of law enforcement, supporters of  criminality, defenders of abortion, racism, open borders, censorship, and the mutilation of children or those who champion freedom of religion, support police, smaller government, embrace of life, equality, supporters of legal immigration, free speech, and affirm the scientific fact that there are but two genders. The contrast could not be starker.

This election is not about party allegiance. This election is a battle between good and evil. This election will determine whether this nation fails or succeeds. Are we no longer a Christian nation as former President Obama said, or will we rechart our course as the founding fathers intended? They entered into a covenant with our Creator, authoring our founding documents to integrate His chosen morals and laws for us. They agreed that incorporating Biblical values into the Constitution would provide the guidance necessary for a fledgling nation to grow and prosper. Yet those universal truths are in danger of being discarded, to be replaced with deceptive leftist ideology.

Only 62% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 Presidential election. That indicates that more than a third of US citizens could care less about the direction of our country. That is absolutely unacceptable! Citizens are granted the authority to choose our elected representatives. Not all countries afford their citizens that privilege, yet not even two thirds of our citizens exercise that right. Granted, many citizens do not care to be properly informed, but there is really no barrier to understand the issues to make an informed decision. As Christians it is our responsibility to support elected representatives that mirror our beliefs.

Your voices need to be heard. If we fail to elect those who will govern according to God’s will and faithfully serving the citizens, we will get what we deserve. If you are happy with the direction this nation is heading, vote accordingly. If you are not, cast your vote for those who would change that direction. The choice is yours. Exercise your Constitutional rights or sit back and allow evil to prosper.

“Could one who hates justice govern? He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.” Job 34:17, 24-27.

We are the hands and feet of our God here on earth. Use them for His glory!

 

 

Not Just a Pretty Face

 

Policy matters!

A popularity contest is appropriate to selecting a high school prom queen and king, not for electing the President of the United States. It should not be decided by blind party fealty. It should not be about voting against any particular candidate. Choosing the leader of the free world requires ignoring the window dressing of personality and focusing on policy. Policy decisions made by and supported by the 47^th President of the United States will drive the economy, set foreign policy, dictate how our laws are enforced, who will be appointed to Federal Courts, and influence the social mores for the most powerful nation on the planet. This is not a choice to be made lightly or to be made based upon the propaganda of a biased media. In this election both candidates have a long and clear track record, as both have served one term as President and one term as Vice-President. It will be easy to evaluate and compare the policies they have advocated.

Clear of the misleading political ads, the following will focus on each candidate’s prior stated positions on public policy;

·         On the First Amendment, free speech – The lynchpin upon which all our rights and freedoms depend.

Kamala Harris has voiced support for limiting free speech by censoring what government has deemed as misinformation or disinformation. A Disinformation Governance Board was instituted, but due to public outcry, was paused in May of 2022.

Donald Trump has supported free speech and was himself barred from numerous social platforms.

·         On the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms – Necessary to defend all rights and freedoms.

Harris has consistently advocated for gun control and the abolishment of semi-automatic weapons. She has supported a mandatory government buy-back of AR type rifles and a national registry of all firearms.

Trump has consistently supported the citizen’s right to bear arms and opposes gun control and red-flag laws.

·         On illegal immigration, controlling the border, legal immigration, and a path to citizenship.

Harris supported President Biden’s terminating the previous administration’s executive actions to control illegal border crossings, leading to unprecedented numbers of illegal aliens entering the country, and abandoned continuing to build the border wall. She has consistently advocated for expansion of the Dream Act and a path to citizenship for illegal border crossers.

Trump has consistently supported legal immigration and issued executive orders that reduced illegal border crossings. His administration completed more than 200 miles of border wall.

·         On DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) and ESG (Environmental, social, and governance).

Harris supported Executive Order 13985 requiring all governmental bodies and any entities doing business with the government to accept and implement the administration’s demands. DEI has infiltrated schools, the military, and society. ESG, Executive Order 13807, supports Harris’ stated goal to eliminate all gas-powered vehicles by 2050.

Trump has stated that energy independence is key to maintaining the US position in the world and driving our economy.

·         On transgenderism.

Harris supports minors making their own gender decisions with or without parental consent. Harris supports tax-payer funded transition surgery for inmates and military members.

Trump has stated that he believes there are two genders and that he will not support the mutilation of children.

·         On the economy.

Harris believes that government should use equity to control the equality of outcomes and believes that the expansion of government control is imperative.

Trump believes that government should get out of the way and that government influence and size should be reduced.

·         On foreign policy.

Harris mirrors the failed policies of her administration. Appeasement and deference.

Trump believes that military strength is the greatest deterrence to aggression.

·         On abortion.

Harris advocates a federal law allowing unrestricted abortion until birth.

Trump believes that individual states should determine access to abortion with some limits.

·         Project 2025

Harris continually states that Project 2025 is Trump’s agenda.

Trump has disavowed the Heritage Foundation’s white paper wish list.

Eliminating personality and comparing policy makes it easy to differentiate the candidates. It’s your choice. Elect the person who more closely mirrors your vision of this nation moving forward regardless of the mean tweets or irritating cackle. You decide. The next four years of policy decisions will determine our future.

 

 

Fiddling While Rome Burns

 

Too busy to care.

It wasn’t curiosity that killed the cat, it was apathy. The Roman Empire did not fall in a day. Years of indifference took a toll. If you do not pay attention, those who fill in the void will prevail. Too preoccupied to pay attention to your civic responsibility? Too busy to properly inform yourself of the issues that matter? Unconcerned with the evil that is overwhelming our culture? Actions, or in this case, the lack thereof, cedes our nation to those who strive to fundamentally transform America, a transformation that will ultimately lead to the demise of this Constitutional Republic. This nation is on a path that will make it unrecognizable less than 250 years after its’ founding. This is happening right in front of our noses, yet too few pay attention. Unfortunately, when they finally realize the clear and present danger presented by the left, it may be too late and America will be lost, perhaps forever. Nice work!

Democrats scream bloody murder, no pun intended, when the Supreme Court strikes down Roe V Wade and sends abortion back to the individual states. Democrat Attorney General Josh Kaul sues the legislature over the “obsolete” 1849 Statute that abolishes abortion when it becomes the law of the land in Wisconsin. Two referenda on the ballot on August 13^th sought to return shared authority for the distribution of emergency federal funding to both the legislature and governor. The legislature ceded the sole authority to the Governor in the 1930’s, when it was, due to transportation issues, difficult to get the legislature back to the Capitol in a timely manner to address emergencies. As you may know, transportation today is much more efficient and the legislature can convene in a manner of hours, if necessary, rendering that argument obsolete. Unlike the 1849 abortion law, democrats were fine with an obsolete law that rested the sole authority to manage Billions of federal dollars to the Governor, or at least until a Republican Governor takes office.

I must say that the Democrats and their allies did an excellent job “messaging” flat out lies in ads leading up to the election. They accused “extreme MAGA Republicans” for attempting to wrest power from the people. They argued that it would create an unnecessary burden and delay for those awaiting relief. Really? For those of you who did not see fit to properly inform yourself and were fooled into voting “NO,” you actually voted against your own self-interest. Nice work! These referenda would have given joint authority to the people’s representatives and the Governor to decide where and to who these monies would be allocated, which is exactly how state government is supposed to work. By rejecting these referenda, the citizens have ceded that authority to one person and crowned that person a King. You have, in fact, enabled tyranny and denied authority to the very people you elected to represent your interests at the state level.

Give them what they want, they will get what they deserve. As Rush Limbaugh postulated about the “Low information voter (LIV) theory that too many in the voting population cast their ballots without the requisite information necessary to make an informed decision.” As former President Barack Obama once said, “Elections have consequences.” It would seem that both are correct.

“The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.” Thomas Jefferson

All the World’s a Stage

 

And we have been played!

Donald Trump was correct. The Biden regime was a set up from the start. From the campaign from his basement due to the COVID-19 “plandemic,” to the carefully scripted mainstream media supporting what is now painfully obvious, a dementia patient for President. The democrat party’s thinly veiled, yet highly successful efforts to manipulate an election, using lawsuits, leftist judges, democrat Secretaries of State, and democrat operatives in blue cities, worked to perfection. Now the proverbial cat is out of the bag and Dementia Joe is exposed for all the world to see. We have been duped and those responsible need to be held to account. The blame should not fall on his staff or family for hiding his condition. The blame lies with the democrat party that foisted this fraud upon us and their merry band of sycophants in the mainstream media.

Joe Biden is not only not competent enough to run for re-election, he is too incapacitated to remain as President. Having him continue as the leader of the free world is a true threat to democracy and the security of this nation. The democrats must pay for this sham. They knew all about Joe’s dementia before they nominated him for their ticket. Simply acknowledging Joe’s all too apparent failing mental abilities is not nearly enough penance for the democrat leadership. They must pay at the ballot box. This is a violation of the sacred trust we imbue to our elected representatives. For too long, democrats have served themselves and their party while neglecting their responsibility to our nation. It is time to vote those democrats out of office, once and for all.

Democrats will continue to bend, fold, and mutilate existing election law to their benefit. Even if the polling is accurate, democrats will always find enough ballots marked with “D” circles to overturn a close election. We must go out in force to overcome their cheating. It is incumbent upon us to inform our friends and neighbors. It is incumbent upon us to get those who typically do not exercise their right to vote to the polls or to early vote. It is incumbent upon us to make certain that the democrats face the consequences of their actions. Democrats should never be in power again unless they change course and properly represent their constituency. If they continue having the authority to keep our borders open, kill the unborn with impunity, and advocate for their insane woke agenda, they do not deserve to hold office. It is up to us. Are you in?

 

Ancient Words

“How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed.” Habakkuk 1 3-5. It’s not often that one hearkens back to one of the lesser known books of the Old Testament, but many of you may find yourself pleading to God to intervene amidst the wickedness of our time, similar to the petitions offered by the Prophet Habakkuk. It is often hard to accept the fact that God allows injustice to reign in our world without raising His almighty hand to deliver us from all those who encourage and promote evil against humanity. Even some of our elected leaders endorse violence and confrontation against those they disagree with. Civil disobedience has always been the best used tool for the radical left, but now some of our leaders revel in violating our Constitution and laws in an act of political virtue signaling while an ever growing segment of the public openly support this appalling behavior. When will God say enough is enough?

In Habakkuk’s time, God grew so impatient and angry at the disobedience and outright evil in His chosen people, the Israelites, that He allowed an even more evil people, the Babylonians to attack and defeat them, carrying them away into bondage. I can’t imagine God being more upset with His people as evil abounds in this present age. Abortion is celebrated. All types of perversion are lifted up and praised. God’s own church calls out and berates those who hold fast to the Word and uphold traditional Christian doctrine. Churches openly advocate against Israel and fall into league with terrorist organizations that would want nothing less than to convert them to Islam or kill them. The evil one must be very pleased in this world today.

Well, in this present age, the wicked do not outnumber the righteous. It may seem so, since they typically are louder, more confrontational and less encumbered by maintaining the societal norm of engaging in rational and acceptable behavior. Our tendency to respond without having all the facts present infects all sides of the political and religious spectrum. We have become our own worst enemies in dealing with conflict. The left continually blames President Trump and talk radio for the decline of our political discourse, but the left has too long been unchallenged in establishing the “acceptable political narrative”, all the while berating those with whom they disagree. Long established truths of our faith are being, not only challenged, but altered to fit in with the world. Many churches no longer teach that Jesus is the only way, that there are many other valid paths. In many ways the church has become enamored with and overcome by the world, no longer offering a path to salvation, but uplifting the selfish nature of humanity over the will of the Lord.

Listening and engaging with those who hold the same opinion without any discourse with others with differing opinions leads society to engage in group think or what is called the “silo effect”. Social media infects our discourse with quick hitting accusations from the safety of our devices without discerning all the facts. False and misleading articles from unreliable sources cause many to become enraged. Far too many simply look at headlines without even taking the time to read the article before asserting their opinion for all to see. The deliberate avoidance of any discussion about religion or politics among those holding differing opinions only leads us away from any common ground or agreement. We are trapped in our own version of reality and will discount any opinion that contrasts from our own. Left vs. right political views and the, dare I say, hijacking of religion by the left, in an attempt to dilute and minimize our faith, will continue to gnaw away at our society until we end up at each other’s throats.

So, how does a Christian live in the world, but not be overcome by the world? How do we bridge the gap and engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with our neighbors? What would Jesus want us to do? As difficult as it seems to be, Paul declared, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 Easier said than done, you may say. How can one engage in productive conversation with someone who will not listen? Ask questions in an attempt to better understand the other’s position. If someone is in obvious error, pattern your questioning to elicit a response that forces them to uphold their argument with logic and facts. When the wayward attempt to convince you of the validity of their argument, it likely will shine the light upon the lack of any logic to their argument. “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Avoid arguments and let the lost find their way by attempting to explain the unexplainable. Any attempt to convince will often lead to a door closing, ending any possibility to reconcile them to God. It is not us that can convince, it is the Holy Spirit. We can only attempt to plant the seeds of reconciliation; it is up to God to bring it to fruition. Once we realize that God’s got this under control, not us, we can begin to lessen our worries and concerns. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21