Community

 

Hatred thrives in on-line solitude.

Human beings need community. Civilization developed to nurture that personal connection. Prolonged solitude turns the soul inward, toward selfishness. Without discussion and debate, we villainize those with values different than our own. Our faith is what drives our very being. Our God created us with an emptiness that can only be filled with an intimate relationship with Him. Corporate worship and Bible study offers us the opportunity to grow together in the Spirit. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:19-20

The lack of face-to-face interactions, instead relying upon the anonymity of device-to-device communication, has afforded users to avoid social interaction. Hiding behind a screen allows one to denounce and attack opposing viewpoints, without actual consequence, and enables animosity to fester. News feeds, X posts, and other social media are tailored by algorithms to each user’s preferences, presenting information that supports the user’s opinions, further isolating them from differing opinions. It has become effortless to foster hate by hiding facts that prevent one from learning both sides of issues. In fact, by filtering out competing news, the full truth is silenced while one side of the argument is amplified.

Incessant rhetoric from the left has increasingly raised the temperature in our political discourse. Democrat party leaders pour gasoline on the fire of division with comments likening their political rivals to Hitler, tyrants, and accuse them of opposition to any other “oppressed” class. Political leaders that stoke division and promote hate must be rejected at the ballot box if they fail to return to God. The constant drumbeat that villainizes those with Christian and conservative values has created tribal warfare as an acceptable response to settle disagreements. There are those who have become so radicalized by hateful leftist ideology that contemplating and/or committing violence has become a viable option.

Charlie Kirk literally accepted Jesus’ call to the Great Commission, to make disciples of the world. He engaged in debate with those who hated him because of his faith and political opinion. Through his platform, Turning Point USA, he literally entered the lion’s den of leftism to respectfully preach the Gospel and truly listen to those who disagreed, while doing his best to reach out with a sincere love of his neighbor.  Charlie was able to plant seeds of faith throughout the universities in which he preached. As democrat leaders mischaracterized, no, willfully lied about Charlie and his views and speech, people believed those lies. And those lies inspired a weak-minded individual to end Charlie’s debate forever with a bullet. We cannot let an assassin’s bullet silence and end the work that Charlie engaged in as he obediently preached the Gospel with the love of Jesus in his heart.

If we fail to engage those who have been unduly influenced by the evil advocated by leftist ideology, they will be lost forever. As Christians it is our duty spread the love of Jesus by preaching the Gospel, unashamedly. “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 2:24-26.

We have God’s handbook to assist us in performing His will. The Bible contains all the ammunition necessary to speak His Truth. Read it daily. Learn it. Pray on it. Study it with other believers. We can no longer be meek and quiet. We can no longer stand by and let evil overtake our brothers and sisters. No matter how lost our brothers and sisters may become, God loves them unconditionally, just as he loves each of us. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more. There is nothing that we can do to make God love us any less. We have a duty to proclaim God’s love to the world so that none are lost to the evil one. Plant the seeds that just may encourage them to return to community of faith. Be bold and courageous, armed with the Holy Spirit that dwells within all of us.

“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. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:11-12, 18

Toxic

 

Hatred spewed by the left claims another victim.

There truly is evil in this world and it is personified by those on the left. To remain relevant, the democrat party is embracing the ideals of leftist ideology. From Brittanica; “left, in politics, the portion of the political spectrum associated in general with egalitarianism and popular or state control of the major institutions of political and economic life. The term dates from the 1790s, when in the French revolutionary parliament the socialist representatives sat to the presiding officer’s left. Leftists tend to be hostile to the interests of traditional elites, including the wealthy and members of the aristocracy, and to favour the interests of the working class (see proletariat). They tend to regard social welfare as the most important goal of government. Socialism is the standard leftist ideology in most countries of the world; communism is a more radical leftist ideology.”

Leftists see Obama consider government as the vehicle to maintain control over the masses. Rhetoric can influence those who are weak minded and easy to convince. Democrat leaders, shut out of leadership in elected government, constantly and consistently rail against conservatism and capitalism. Democrat rhetoric has incited their radical base to engage in a fight against an existential threat, as they put it, to the very way of life this nation facilitates. Democrats have used their bully pulpit to ramp up our political divide, using their most rabid supporters to commit acts of violence.

Charlie Kirk was not a purveyor of hatred. He promoted engaging in productive dialogue on college campuses throughout the country. He emphasized his love of Jesus Christ and encouraged others to seek Him. Charlie Kirk did nothing to deserve the wrath of those on the left and his assassination was senseless. We need to be able to debate our differences. We need to be tolerant of all opinions. We need to be able to love and respect our neighbors of different faiths and political beliefs.

Charlie Kirk was a shining example of all that is good in this world. Anyone celebrating his death should take a good long look in the mirror. The left seeks to eliminate God and family. As Christians it is our duty to get involved and make certain our nation does not plummet into the abyss it is seemingly destined to fall. If this is not a call to wake up, I don’t know what is? Are we as Christians and conservatives intent to hide our beliefs under a basket or called to place them on the highest rooftop for all to see? Satan may have won this skirmish, but we know who wins in the end.

“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Fake News!

 

Exposing the gaslighting.

The First Amendment states that the government shall make no law abridging the freedom of the press. It confers to the press a function vital to the defense of democracy. Our founders knew full well that a free press is essential to inform the people and to hold the powerful accountable. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) also realized this and said, “Freedom of the press is essential to the preservation of a democracy; but there is a difference between freedom and license. Editorialists who tell downright lies in order to advance their own agendas do more to discredit the press than all the censors in the world.” It is no longer just editorialists that take license with their reporting. Much of the mainstream media, and much of social media, have abandoned any obligation to champion the truth, instead choose to propagandize a leftist narrative. They engage in gaslighting the public with lies and innuendo to bolster their chosen narrative. In other words, they “report” only what they want you to hear and believe.

We need to trust what is reported from mainstream news sources. They have a responsibility to approach news reporting as would a fiduciary that puts the client’s interests first. Media has swung so far to the left that is almost comical when each network appears to be reading from the same script. Journalism requires impartiality and objectivity. Personal or political bias cannot influence reporting, either by omission or commission. Once journalism is unduly predisposed to create a narrative to further a personal or political end, all credibility is lost. Fake News is a reality and the lies they advance has indelibly damaged their integrity. Legacy media has lost any trust they may have had with the people they are charged to serve.

The incessant and deliberate negative reporting regarding President-elect Trump should have any semi-intelligent person questioning the veracity and sanity of those news outlets. Continual downplaying or ignoring any democrat misdeed or ethical issue is so readily apparent for those not afflicted with blind partisan ideology. The cover-up of Joe Biden’s mental decline has been borderline criminal. Boosting Kamala Harris as presumptive democrat Presidential nominee only weeks after questioning her ability to remain on the Biden/Harris ticket was staggeringly outrageous. Yet over 70 million fell for the lies and voted for her. “Truth is relative. Truth is what you can make the voter believe is the truth. If you're smart enough, truth is what you make the voter think it is. That's why I'm a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.” James Carville-democrat strategist. Softball interview after softball interview only revealed Harris’ utter lack of ability to articulate any policy initiative that would benefit the nation. Thankfully, a majority of voters recognized this, and Harris will fade into ignominy after January 20^th.

The First Amendment allows news organizations broad protections from retribution from the powerful when reporting the news. It also allows them to hide behind those protections. The Biden administration attempted to censor some of the major social media platforms by using a direct connection to the FBI. The FBI attempted to manipulate, what they deemed “misinformation” (anything conservative or Christian) by flagging those posts and requesting them to be removed. Most of those requests were complied with by the platforms. Additionally, a Ministry of Truth was actually in place before leaks about it caused its implementation to be “delayed”. Sound a bit like Nazi Germany? Sound like a direct affront to the First Amendment that charges the government to make no law abridging free speech? Sound like something out of George Orwell’s 1984 or Animal Farm?

Cronyism, subjectiveness, and deceitfulness currently are the calling cards of the legacy media. They loudly decry MAGA, Christianity, police, and traditional values. They support transgenderism, LGTBQ+, illegal immigration, and lawlessness. People are beginning to wake up and see that they are being used, and the people are rejecting the gaslighting. MSNBC will likely be reorganized or terminated after Comcast ended their relationship with that outlet. CNN is losing over 40% of its market share. CBS, ABC, and NBC are hemorrhaging viewers. The New York Times and Washington Post are losing $Millions. People are going elsewhere for their news, to outlets the legacy media decry as pushing misinformation. Well, maybe the alternate media is reporting what mainstream outlets should be reporting. If the legacy media fails to wake up, they will fail to survive. And that may not be a bad thing!

Thumb on the Scale

 

Truth matters?

In the past a dishonest merchant would “tip the scales” to cheat his clients and gain financial advantage. Utilizing deliberately inaccurate scales, adding additional weight, distracting the purchaser, or anything that would swing the transaction in their favor were some of the tactics employed. These disreputable merchants, once found out, were reviled, and were forced out of the area, if they were not jailed. Once lost, trust is not easily regained. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. There were no second chances for the corrupt. Liars and cheats have no place in a civil society.

When the 60’s anarchists realized that using violence to overthrow the government was failing, they decided to adopt Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. They hatched a scheme to infiltrate academia, journalism, and government. In doing so, they placed themselves in positions to indoctrinate young minds in the universities, report their chosen narrative on the various media platforms, and expand their influence through the deep state by directing legislation favorable to their objectives and working to elect like-minded or malleable individuals to office. When the ends justify the means, there is nothing too extreme for these radicals. And their strategy has been highly successful.

Marxist professors have done an excellent job imparting their leftist ideology to generations of their students, creating younger versions of themselves. University students have embraced the pro-Palestine movement and parrot the leftist slogans that have led to the resurgence of antisemitism. The absurdity of supporting an avowed enemy of Israel and the United States is staggering. They Ignore the deliberate attack of Israeli civilians on October 7^th, 2023 and the videotaped gleeful butchering, raping, and hostage taking, yet they denounce Israel’s legitimate defense, demonstrating an utter lack of understanding moral equivalency. To safeguard Israeli citizens from future attacks, Hamas must be eradicated. These students, useful tools for the left, have been taught to hate their country, hate their “whiteness,” disrespect authority, and support all manner of radical ideology.

The legacy media abandons their responsibility to objectively report the news and instead becomes an echo chamber, amplifying talking points of the democrat party. Even though the bias is readily apparent, those so blinded by political fealty cheer on “fake news” as it favors their personal beliefs. Prejudicial application of the law is acceptable to the left if it is directed at political enemies. The constant drumbeat against Christianity, gender bias, “white privilege,” and conservatism, particularly to Donald Trump, has unduly influenced the weak-minded. When the Biden/Harris administration is exposed for colluding with Big Tech to control the narratives around COVID, election fraud, and to suppress information that disproves otherwise, the media ignores and attempts to debunk the story.

Leftists and their willing accomplices denounce those in which they disagree as enemies This is more than disturbing. Far too many have been unduly influenced to the point that they border on the neurotic. Mainstream media is arguably culpable for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump (Remember that? The media has apparently forgotten.) by continually promoting a false and overtly divisive narrative that accuses Trump as an existential threat to democracy. Democracy is dying before our very eyes in the darkness of an untrustworthy and blatantly biased media.

The Deep State is very real and extremely influential in our government. Its tentacles reach deep within the inner workings of the Federal government. And it protects its status with a vengeance. Outsiders are not welcome and if elected are controlled by obstruction and obfuscation. There is good reason that government continues to expand and take more tax dollars to feed their insatiable spending that has the US more than $34Trillion in debt. Rampant spending allows the Deep State and their democrat allies to continue to add layer upon layer of taxes, fees, and regulations on the taxpayer. Electing Trump in 2016 was just a speed bump for the bureaucracy that was able to stymie much of his agenda, with help from the elected ruling class on both sides of the aisle. Handing over the reins to Kamala will lead us in the wrong direction. The godless, anti-life, pro-Hamas, pro child mutilation, government censorship, and the military industrial complex that is the Deep State will continue to balloon out of control.

The choice for Christians could not be clearer. Democrats embrace radical ideology that does not represent this nation. Donald Trump is not perfect, but only one person in history was. Currently we are at a tipping point. Another four years with a democrat in the White House and control of Congress will likely be the death knell of this nation. We must elect our representatives that uphold the values we hold dear. It is clear that democrats have not earned our trust and there are enough Republicans that are in this for themselves, but a conservative majority is a far better option. Cleaning house will take some time, but with Republican leadership it can begin. We need to roll back the insanity that is the left and return to normalcy. it is up to each of us to ensure that happens.

“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 6:12

Lawless

 

Says democrats and the Deep State!

What happens when the rule of law is nothing but a cudgel to be used by the Biden administration and its’ minions to attack political enemies? The total disregard of the rule of law is the very tip of the iceberg for the “win at all cost” democrat party. Lawfare is just another tool for the left to target their political enemies. Yet, many have no issue with this strategy and support these devious efforts to destroy conservatism. Divide and conquer. Prosecute the law-abiding, ignore the anarchists. Foment as much division amongst the populace as necessary to reach their goals. Easy enough to accomplish with the assistance of a complicit media and the deep state bureaucracy. There is one thing, and one thing only that they fear, the re-election of Donald Trump and his stated goal to dismantle the deep state.

Make no mistake, the democrat party despises the general populace. They are at a point where they no longer need your vote. The democrat machine’s ballot harvesting scheme allows them to collect ballots, without it being necessary for the voter to complete it. Their data base contains the names of those who have previously donated or voted democrat. An effective money laundering scheme has directed “Smurf” donations in the 100’s of millions to the democrat party. Democrat voters not casting ballots prior to the election or even after, will have ballots completed and mailed in their names. Not to worry if signatures do not match or are absent, corrupt clerks in blue cities will accept any ballot for a democrat. Think that the flood of illegals does not matter if they are not in your back yard? Think again. Millions of illegals have been registered to vote by NGOs in democrat run cities in all the battleground states. They are using the homeless loophole that does not require ID and are using the NGOs address, so that ballots are mailed to the NGOs directly.

All the measures are in place for another election “rigged” in the democrat’s favor. Democrats have abandoned the rule of law causing the citizenry to distrust Federal law enforcement, the Federal judiciary, and our local, State, and Federal elections. Our currency is imprinted with the words “In God We Trust.” The democrat party has destroyed that trust in their unhinged quest for power, that includes eliminating God and His followers. It is time for the silent majority to speak up. It is time for Christians to awaken from our collective slumber. It is time that the democrat party face the consequences for misusing the trust that the electorate has loaned to them. It is time to vote democrats out of office.

Do not be comfortable if polls show Trump leading Harris. The democrat party is fully able to overcome narrow margins with their election fraud machine. In 2020, 62% of registered voters voted in the Presidential election, over a 7% increase from 2016. 38% of registered voters could have their ballots returned without their knowledge. Returning less than 5% of those votes fraudulently can turn an election without causing any undue suspicion. It is incumbent upon all of us to cast our vote and additionally, make certain that you inform and encourage like-minded people to vote.

Back to the Future

 Once a violation of human rights, now the new normal.

On January 21, 2022 the World Health Organization published a report that indicated over 200 million young girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 predominantly Muslim countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. FGM is a federal crime, 18 U.S. Code 116, and any participation in this act is considered a human rights violation, punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment or deportation. This procedure is conducted on young girls, without consent and is medically unnecessary and dangerous. FGM is still prevalent in many majority Muslim-communities in the United States. As recently as 2020, many celebrities have denounced this as a crime against humanity, although US Representative Ilhan Omar, originally from Somalia where it is still widely practiced, has refused to do so.

Fast forward to today and an obsession with transgenderism has replaced sanity when dealing with the mental health issues of children and awkward teenagers. A boy that picks up a doll or is “in touch with his femininity” is encouraged to change his gender. A girl that has an interest in sports or seems masculine is encouraged to become a boy. In California, parents are not informed if their child decides to undergo puberty blocking, changing their gender identity or given name to correspond with their chosen gender. Any attempt to physically alter or allow a juvenile to change their pronoun or name without parental consent is child abuse. Far too many persons that undergo “gender modification end up regretting their choice, that is permanent, inalterable and has numerous health risks.

We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. What we are not called to however, is to affirm each other within our sinful nature. Driven by the leftist media that affirms transgenderism, those that self-identify as transgender require all to validate their choice. Transgender supporters push an agenda that attempts to convince children to experiment with and normalize deviant sexual behavior. Why destroy children’s lives in order to feel better about themselves and their choices? Why steal our children’s innocence? As an adult, what you do is between you and God. Leave our children alone. Those that affirm and support this lunacy enable the insanity to spread throughout society.

Drag queen story hours are embraced by those that believe that they are being tolerant and acceptant of differing lifestyle choices. Christians and conservatives requesting equal time to communicate family values are accused of promoting hate speech and exclusion. Children are vulnerable to suggestion, especially from those they trust; teachers, clergy and as they grow older, their peers. Children do not possess the mental acuity necessary to process sexuality nor the emotional maturity to understand these concepts. All children go through phases that can call into question the customary gender roles that they exhibit. In almost all cases, children, if left to their own design, will return to gender roles that are appropriate to their biological sex.

Public education, on the other hand, has enabled numerous “woke” teachers to infiltrate the school system. These teachers have been indoctrinated with leftist ideology and are more than willing to usurp parental authority. Either by a deliberate lack of oversight or acquiescence by school administrators, these teachers encourage children to be whatever gender they choose, while deliberately hiding these life-altering decisions from their parents. Alternate lifestyles are promoted as normative and children are often persuaded to experiment with their sexuality by classroom education and assigned reading. Parents, not public education, are responsible for instilling values and morals in their children. Parents, who fund public education with their tax dollars, have the absolute right to know exactly what teaching methods, reading materials and curricula are used in the classroom. Parents have the right to address their grievances to local school boards without being declared domestic terrorists.

Transgender activists look to incite violence over their perceived lack of respect and misguided hatred of conservatives. A trans day of vengeance was planned for March 31^st and April 1^st in Washington DC. Monday, March 27th, a 28-year-old woman, transitioning to male, kills 6, including 3 children at Covenant Christian School in Nashville, Tennessee, and the media attempts to make her the victim. Police do not reveal the killer’s transgender identity until they are specifically asked. President Biden immediately politicizes this tragedy and calls for an “assault weapons” ban. When will this insanity end? When will these mentally ill people receive the treatment they deserve?

 

 

Ship of Fools

Reason has left the building 

You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can fool many of the people far too often. Not exactly what P.T. Barnum said but ever so pertinent today. Thomas Jefferson said, “A democratic society depends upon an informed and educated citizenry.” Today many Americans are less informed than their counterparts of only a decade ago. It is staggering that so few people are aware of what once was common knowledge in an age where information is so readily available. Who is your Senator? Representative? Local officials? But ask about Tic Toc influencers or pop culture and they are all on it.

This nation is coerced by politicians that use hateful rhetoric, demonizing their political opponents to further their own selfish ambitions. The leftist media promotes contempt of accepted societal norms and refuses to report news that harms their chosen agenda. People preen their virtuosity as they advocate for the absurd, and these useful idiots continue to vote for politicians that promote an agenda that advocates against their own self-interests.

Woke teachers sexualize our children and cheer on drag queen story time, and far too many parents acquiesce to this insanity. Children, unable to understand the concept of gender fluidity and sexuality are encouraged to explore transgenderism and homosexuality, often without the knowledge or consent of their parents. States, like California, codify these insane ideologies into law. Tolerance and acceptance replace reason and common sense.

The leader of the free world is suffering from dementia and is barely self-aware, but at least the Bad Orange man is gone. Dr. Oz is declared a poor candidate, but democrats in Pennsylvania elect a Senator so cognitively challenged, that he can barely speak and a dead man, simply because there is a “D” after their names on the ballot. We are electing incompetent, anti-American, and corrupt leftists throughout our government and that government is appointing leftist and woke judges and bureaucrats. Biden was correct; Our Democracy is at risk, not by electing Republicans, but by acquiescing to this lunacy that is the left.

A standing army is necessary to maintain the sovereignty of the nations’ borders, to repel all enemies from said borders, and to protect the citizens of the United States from invasion. The military is to be trained to achieve these ends. This administration’s military leaders are more concerned with the woke politics of Critical Race Theory, affirming one’s chosen gender, mandating a “vaccine” that is neither safe, nor effective, and preferred pronouns. They search for a conspiracy of white supremacy in their ranks without any justification or evidence that it exists. Recruitment is falling short of the necessary numbers to properly populate our military, primarily because of these insane policies. Our military has become a laughingstock to our geopolitical enemies. Enemies that do not respect our military are more likely to become aggressive to us and around the world. That is the primary reason that Russia invaded Ukraine.

Best qualified for the job? Better be able to check the correct gender, race or preferred pronoun box or you will be passed over. Why are we standing by, doing nothing? What was once a nation of laws, built upon Judeo-Christian values is eroding away right before our eyes, with many Americans cheering it on. Love your neighbor as yourself has morphed into a burning hatred of opponents to leftist ideology, Christianity, and all things conservative. The tenets of Christianity, that charges all believers to love and support your fellow man, is derided by the left as hateful, homophobic, and exclusivity, when it is openly inclusive and welcoming to everyone. For certain, not all practicing Christians are good examples in living the way that Christ calls us to live, but the teachings of Christ are all about love, acceptance, and servitude to the world. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” “For if you forgive others who have sinned against you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.” “Do not judge others and you will not be judged.”  “Beware of false prophets…you can identify them through their actions.” The false prophets in the media have brainwashed the masses so thoroughly that they have been overcome by evil. How else would one be offended by Jesus’ words?

An accounting of the direction that our country is heading is in order. We have become a ship without a rudder and no one cares. We must confront the evil that is blossoming in our nation or we will be overcome by it. Common sense Judeo-Christian values produced the greatest nation on earth to date. If we fail to re-embrace those values, stand by and do nothing, we may as well give the keys to our enemies. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Without Him, we are doomed to fail. We are a Christian nation. It’s time that our actions embrace His truth. It’s time that we look to that cross. It’s time that our nation rejects the evil that abounds and support good, Christian leaders that will fight to return this land to its’ rightful place as One Nation Under God.

Forgiveness

 

We need to heal wounds, not emphasize past wrongs

If one holds a grudge, emphasis is on a negative emotion. When one looks past a personal slight and can offer forgiveness to the person who did you wrong, it will often lead to a positive outcome for both parties. Dwelling on past insults or offences can lead one on a path of distrust, suspicion and cynicism. These emotions will do nothing but fester within the person that perceives the wrongdoing. Our society is evolving and not in a good way. Diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives are heading our nation in the wrong direction. These “values” emphasize our differences rather that work to unite us within our similarities. Subjugating us by the color of our skin is simply a return the days of segregation and furthers the goals of racism.

We are all children of God. We share a common Father. Does that not make us all brothers and sisters? Are we not simply the human race regardless of how we look? Pull away the skin and we are all the same. This movement, rooted in Marxist ideology looks to divide us in order to create an upheaval meant to lead to a reinventing of our society. In other words, a fundamental transformation of this nation. This embrace of diversity, inclusion and equity pit those perceived to be oppressed against those perceived to be the oppressors. In other words, pitting us against each other. This divisive ideology rejects forgiveness and reinforces the ideas of retribution, retaliation and revenge. How this can be a positive for society eludes me. Whether or not you are Christian, as a society, we should be able to agree that in order to live in harmony with one another we need to learn to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Diversity is defined as, a set of conscious practices that involve: Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures and the natural environment. Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences different than our own. Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being, but also ways of knowing. Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination. Excerpted from Queensborough Community College/CUNY. Sounds like this is a good path to unite, until you read the sentence that I omitted. Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others. This is what the purveyors of this divisiveness concentrate on. You are privileged because of your skin color and if you are a person of a certain color, you should be personally affronted by the fact that you are being held down by the “Man”.

We all have experienced different cultures. We have often not practiced mutual respect for the qualities of those differences. We need to build alliances to eliminate racism and inequality. We need to understand those differences and treat each other with respect and dignity. That is how a civil society thrives. How a civil society dies is when we hold grudges and vilify others for past grievances, real or perceived. As we continue to acquiesce to this divisive ideology and incorporate it into acceptable society, we are witnessing, firsthand, the death throes of our society and nation. And most of us sit back and say nothing. When you are old, you can tell your grandchildren how this nation was once free.

Inclusion is referred to how diversity is leveraged to create a fair, equitable, healthy and high performing organization or community where all individuals are respected, feel engaged and motivated and their contributions toward meeting organizational or societal goals are valued. Excerpted from Austin Community College research guide. Sounds great. Again, everyone contributes, everyone is respected, and everyone’s contributions are valued. But, that word equity instead of equality stands out. Why has equity replaced equality? Why is equity of outcome more valued than equality of opportunity? These words seem so similar, yet their meanings are far different.

Equity refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures. Excerpted from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. President Barack Obama said in 2014, at the College opportunity Summit, “The premise that we’re all created equal is the opening line in our American story. And we don’t promise equal outcomes; we’ve strived to deliver equal opportunity – the idea that success does not depend on being born into wealth or privilege, it depends on effort and merit. You can be born into nothing and work your way into something extraordinary. There was not much common ground with our former President and I, but this speech was extraordinary and right on point.

If we fail to recognize the evil that exists is this wonderfully sounding ideology and continue to mainstream these ideas, our nation will definitely be fundamentally transformed into something few of us would want. The opportunity to push back and defend your liberties and freedom and prevent this divisive ideology from infecting all aspects of our lives is waning. Want to reminisce about the good old days when freedom reigned in American in your old age, or do you wish to maintain this shining light of freedom on the hill? What are you going to do about it, remain silent or push back? The choice is yours. Make a difference or stand by idly as we fall.

Equality of Opportunity

President Obama constantly berates those that have been successful in society. According to his logic, those who have succeeded have done so because the system is unfairly stacked in their favor. Speech after speech he promises to level the playing field and make those that he accuses “have succeeded on the backs of the poor” pay for their alleged crimes. His now infamous “you didn’t build that” speech ranks right up there with some of the most inane statements ever made by a politician, let alone a sitting president. Ever present in his arguments are vague accusations with no specifics, wagging his finger at the 1% while he touts that it is his goal is to set policy that lift up the middle class. Those who have more than they need should pay more than their fair share. Income disparity continues to grow. The rich are getting richer. Unfortunately, his policies are making the poor, poorer and the wealthy are taking advantage of the Fed propping up the stock market. The wealthy drive our economy by spending and more importantly, creating jobs and investing. Without the supposed “evil one percent”, those of us on the bottom rungs would have much less. Those that are foolish enough to trust in this charlatan’s rhetoric will only get what they deserve.

Protests to make the minimum wage a “living wage” spring up around the country. Wisconsin Democrat congressperson Gwen Moore brings “dignity” to her position by being arrested and charged with obstruction of justice during a protest in Milwaukee. One man complains that he has worked at McDonald’s for 22 years and cannot continue to live and provide for his family with an $8.00 per hour job. I don’t want to get too judgmental here, but a person with even one ounce of ambition would have been at least promoted to assistant manager by now. Progressives complain about the one percent and how unfair it is that the wealthy do not pay their fair share. Over and over they parrot talking points that blame the successful for the failures of the “Have Nots.” The United States has been engaged in a war on poverty since the 1960’s pouring billions and billions into programs that are supposed to end poverty. This welfare system conceived during the administration of President Lyndon Johnson and declared as the beginning of the “Great Society” simply invented a new method to keep the black man down. While some may decry the fact that we have done little to eradicate poverty, progressives continue to maintain their power on the backs of the poor. African Americans, freed from the cotton plantation, are deceived by the progressive scheme and move onto the plantation of welfare dependency. Entitlements become the chains that prevent them from escaping a life of poverty. Combined with propaganda to keep the flames of racial animosity burning, black America remains angry and suspicious of conservatives while maintaining dependence upon their new masters, thanking them with their votes that continue their enslavement.

Democrat run cities, such as Detroit and democrat run states like California continue to spend money they do not have nor will ever be able to repay, providing lavish salaries and benefits to their ever burgeoning bureaucracy, using their flawed argument that their free spending is benefiting those in the lower rungs of society. Isaiah 10:1-2, "Woe to those who make unjust laws,to those who issue oppressive decrees,to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless." As more and more democrats run their governments into the ground, they expect that others pay for their foolishness. Claiming bankruptcy shifts the burden of their reckless spending to other parts of the country that maintain financial stability. Republican run cities and states continue to provide necessary services while keeping taxes low but now will be punished in order to bail out the democrats yet again.

The progressive understands the danger that the “nuclear family” presents to their grand scheme and concocts programs to replace the father in the underclass, especially targeting blacks, dividing the country by creating class warfare. Destroying faith and family is necessary for the progressives to reach their objective. Once out of the way, government dependence becomes the new religion and government entitlements replace the necessity of the family. This is the blueprint to maintain minority dependence upon the very programs that stifle their ability to move out of poverty. In some states, a premium is paid to the mother for every child born into that poverty, giving incentive to conceive even more children that will become beholding to the very people that intend to use them to maintain their power and position. What a tangled web we weave. While conservatism actually more closely mirrors the values of most African Americans, the majority of African Americans look upon conservatives with contempt. A majority of African Americans are pro-life. A majority of African Americans remain opposed to same-sex marriage. A majority of African Americans are Christian. If one would look beyond the African American’s affinity to vote Democrat, you would believe that by their stated values, they would tend to vote for conservative candidates. But, by continuing to obfuscate and confuse, using innuendo and outright lies, the progressives preserve their power with the willing vote of a manipulated and perhaps permanent underclass.

So, how to combat this perceived “inequity”? Far too many African American children are raised without a father’s influence. More than 7 of every 10 births occur out of wedlock to African Americans. Some may argue that today’s African American male that concurs with the “Hip Hop culture” that relegates women as “Hoe’s and Bitches” would not make a good father anyway. But, God intended a family to be raised by a mother and a father. When a father takes the responsibility as a parent, the paternal instinct is a strong influence. Reconnecting with God and instilling the tenets of faith in the family structure will guide both the parents and their parenting. This is how we turn back the clock and take back our nation. We need Christian parents to raise their children to follow God’s will and take responsibility for their lives. If we can once again instill Christ as first in our hearts our nation will begin to heal.

It has taken the progressive movement a very short time to completely undermine the values of a nation that took hundreds of years to form this, what was at one time, a more perfect union. The fundamental transformation of this nation is not just underway, it is almost complete. But, it is not too late to turn the tide. We can return to the fundamentals that made this nation great, but it will take time and much hard work. Progressives maintain a strong foothold in academia, in the media and in government. We must begin by getting personally involved in government, first by becoming better informed on the candidates and targeting local school boards to elect those who would make certain that curriculum includes civics, history that is not revisionary and that political correctness dies a quick and painful death.

The truth will indeed set us all free. John 8:31-32, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Our nation was founded upon our forefather’s Judeo-Christian beliefs and we must return to those roots. We must reject the secular progressive’s goal of governing against the will of the people. We must use the power of the ballot box to rebuke those who would work to control our lives by taking away our freedoms. We must not remain silent any longer. We are a Christian nation and it is time to reclaim our nation by replacing the secular, progressive elite with those who would properly represent the electorate. If you want to take back our country, it is time to speak out. It is time for the silent majority to be heard. We need to make a statement to the world that we will not have our lives dictated to us any longer. The choice is clear. Sit and complain while a minority opinion drives our country’s decision making or cast your vote and make certain that everyone you know who upholds Christian principles goes to the ballot box and casts his or her vote. If this does not happen soon, it may never come about and our nation will be forever changed and there will be no opportunity at all.

Everybody is Doing It!

Guest Post by Sandy Kriefall

I commute to 37th and Juneau Avenue to go to work. A part of that drive each day is down side streets of Milwaukee. One of the first things that caught my attention as I drove to and from work was the number of people who run red lights. I was shocked that when the light turned yellow, not one but two or more cars also went through the now very red light. I have watched countless cars, busses, and trucks fly through intersections after the light has clearly turned red. Everybody seems to be doing it. I was so conscious of it that for a while I actually made a game of counting the number of red light offenders per trip. As time went on, I no longer paid attention to cars pushing red lights; it became a common part of everyday life.

One of the characteristics of sin is that we know it is wrong. When we see it happening around us, initially we are amazed and pay attention to it. We can’t believe someone would actually do that! The Holy Spirit can communicate to our conscience and we heed the voice. But the danger of living in a sinful world is that eventually we become dulled to the sin around us. It is no longer shocking, if you see it enough it becomes a part of everyday life. That voice no longer whispers in our ear and we accept that sinful behavior as a common way of life.
 
One day I was running late and the light turned yellow. In a split second I had to make the choice to stop or to push the light like I see so many others do. Why shouldn’t I go through too, it would get me to my destination a minute or two earlier. There were no cars near the intersection and there were no officers in sight. I quickly looked in my rear view mirror to make sure no one was behind me, and I made the split second decision to stop. I was very tempted to go through the yellow light that would probably be red by the time I reached the crosswalk but something in my head said ”just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it right”.

One of the hardest challenges in living a Christian life is to live with integrity in all situations. The problem is that if you do something once, it makes it easier to do it twice and soon that little voice in your ear fades away and the sinful behavior becomes a way of life you no longer notice. Another example is if we are frequently exposed to an environment where people commonly use foul language, it is easy to pick up words here and there and at some point we don’t even notice the swear words spewing out of our own mouth. It has become normal and by doing it we fit in. The devil enjoys it when Christians act worldly, because it blurs the lines between Christians and non-Christians and makes those who profess to be Christians look like hypocrites.

When we make a conscious effort to not follow the norm of this world but to do what we know is right, even when it is not popular to do so, it is not easy. But it is then that something inside you begins to change. Your sensitivity to sin becomes heightened and you become more capable of making a choice to do the right thing. If a police officer is in view, most of those people wouldn’t go through the red light like they do when no one of authority sees them. But when you make the choice to do what is right no matter if you are alone or in the view of others it transforms your character. When this happens, the Holy Spirit’s voice becomes more noticeable and can guide you when you are not sure of what choice to make and it will strengthen you to do avoid the patterns of this world even when everyone is doing it.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Called to Christ's Mission

The April 2010 edition of the Lutheran magazine contained an article entitled Sexuality, issue causes division, sadness – and hope, by Sandra D. Guy. This article discussed the fallout from the 2009 ELCA assembly actions. Nine bishops responded to questions from the Lutheran. Each had a distinct and unique interpretation of the varying responses to the assembly actions. Their responses can give us insight as to how they may prioritize the role of mission in the Synods that they lead.

One bishop bemoaned the fact that the assembly actions were a distraction to the church’s ministry. Another likened the reactions to a divorce and a sense of grief over the loss of community. Two commented on the reduced financial support leading to staff cutbacks and one of them complained that rancorous partisan sniping has invaded the church. Three commented that the assembly actions send a message that the ELCA is an inclusive, welcoming and hospitable church. One bishop senses that the people who are angry “want someone to pay” and that he also noticed that “we claim that the Holy Spirit is present if a vote goes one way, and that the Spirit is absent if it goes against what we think is right.” One bishop said that the ELCA needs to focus on rediscovering a passion for evangelical outreach and putting mission at the heart of our life and at the center of our identity. At least one of the bishops seems to be on the right track. The church’s mission is not about the amount of money needed to pay for staff, it is not only about being inclusive, welcoming and hospitable, and it is not about voting to change doctrine. It is important, in this context, to explain what the mission that Christ calls on us to undertake is all about.

We know that our belief and faith in the risen Christ is the only way to our salvation. John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In John 17:20-23, Jesus prays for all believers, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one – 23 I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” This prayer is for all future believers, calling us to preach His Word and spread the Gospel throughout the world. A point of emphasis is our spiritual unity as believers, that Jesus wants us to be unified in His mission as He is unified with the Father. We are to share our love with one another as God loves us all. Brothers and sisters, this prayer was meant for each one of us.

We, as believers, are also our Lord’s disciples. Our Lord places before us the task to reach out, share the Good News, open the eyes of unbelievers, and to bring them to the Lord. Our mission in this world is to follow Jesus’ example and teachings, and to preach the Good News of the Gospel to all we meet. We must use our good works to minister to the spiritual longings of God’s children who do not know Him. When we have unity in Christ and are led by the Spirit, we will be able to guide unbelievers to the Lord and to their salvation. We need to be the branch that bears fruit for our Lord. With unity in His love we can uplift and encourage our brothers and sisters to be fruitful and serve the Lord. Our Lord is the vine and we must always keep Christ first and foremost in our hearts to remain faithful servants. John 14:23, Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” We must keep our Lords commands and strive to lead godly lives so that we may be a light to lead others to our Lord. This is the mission that our Lord expects His Church to accomplish and without Christ as the primary focus, we will only lose our way.

Why Leave the ELCA part II

I have read many opinions as to why it makes sense to stay the course in the ELCA and try to make a difference. Explanations to stay include, being a faithful witness within the ELCA, hoping to be part of a revival of the ELCA, and to reach out to bear the cross for those lost in the ELCA.

Well, here are a host of reasons to consider leaving the ELCA.

1. The ELCA expected to lose as many as 1 million of their 5 million membership when they passed their far reaching social agenda in August. If more congregations than expected remain, they will have given the ELCA confirmation that they are on the right path and will only accelerate their implementation of more social justice agendas.

2. The continuation of the ELCA in its present form will allow more pastors to be trained in the false gospel and allow them to reach more congregations, putting more Christians at risk.

3. If a greater number of congregations prepare to leave, perhaps the ELCA will reconsider their path. If these actions fail to elicit a proper response from the ELCA, then the congregations that leave will not be at risk of the false doctrine that has overtaken the ELCA. Galations 1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

4. As more Christians reject the false gospel and prepare to leave the ELCA more will encouraged to do the same. There is strength in numbers and although it is a difficult task to leave the ELCA, a more vibrant reform movement will bring more Lutherans to the true Gospel.

5. More congregations leaving to join reform movements such as Lutheran Core or LCMC will bring more offerings to be used to support missions that may lose the support of the ELCA, due to their strong rebuke of the actions of the ELCA assembly in August.

6. 2 Peter 2:18 "For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." This verse teaches us that false doctrines may use words that sound impressive, but in reality have nothing to offer and that the purveyors of false doctrine will prey on new converts, who have not yet had a chance to develop spiritual resistance. This is how the ELCA uses their broad ranging social justice agenda to draw people in, but have no desire to lead them to the true Gospel of Christ.

7. Bound conscience is a foot in the door to place man's corrupt opinions and desires above Scripture. Bound conscience is not just a slippery slope toward placing man's law above God's law, it is a full fledged race to make the modern, enlightened man his own god.

8. Making confession of sin and absolution optional and replacing it with a celebration of baptism. 1 John 1:8-10 "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we ask for forgiveness, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us all our sins. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives." That Jesus took all of our sins to the cross and died so that we may live is not optional in our faith. Without His death and resurrection, we may as well belong to a social club if we intend to remain in the ELCA.

This is how the ELCA is perverting the Lutheran Church. Put the social justice agenda first and foremost with God running a distant third. The ELCA is in the process of eliminating all sin by simply passing resolutions setting aside Scripture. The ELCA is highjacking the Lutheran Church and leading it to ruin. Those that have tried to save the ELCA have been shoved to the side of the road while it is full speed ahead with a liberal, left wing social agenda with no regard to the saving of the souls of its members. We must shun this false doctrine. We must leave the ELCA behind and pray that all true believers follow and form a new synod to teach the true Gospel.

Titus 1:11-14 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorius appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Even as we leave, we need to keep our brothers and sisters that remain in the ELCA in our prayers. It is imperative that we continue to support them in prayer and that God gives them the strength to cling to the true Gospel.