Gods of Babylon  

     What can we learn from the gods of Babylon? 

     The images carried around were burdensome, and unable to rescue men from captivity. Nebo, the god of learning, writing and astronomy, could not keep Babylon from being destroyed. 

     Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived* and have carried since your birth, even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. 

     To whom will you compare me or count me equal? Remember this, fix it in your mind, take it to heart, you rebels. I am God and there is no other. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. 

      My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. 

     Listen to me...you who are far from righteousness, I am bringing my righteousness near, and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel. - excerpts from Isaiah chapter 46

* Maybe abortionists should consider this

Commentary: Our Creator has carried us from the beginning of our lives (conception), acts on our behalf and will sustain us to the end.  

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Ukraine Church is Not Tired 

     We American Christians take our access to Sunday services for granted. American Jews also live in this nation at peace, although there have been some ugly troubles caused by anti-Israel radicals. 

     Then there is Ukraine, a nation under siege, more than 90,000 troops and civilians killed. Millions have been displaced.

      When Russians invaded a Black Sea port city, and destroyed a bridge, a senior pastor found himself in occupied territory. So, he began leading a new church. 

     Church members served their suffering neighbors, until a dam collapsed (suspected sabotage) and flooded residents' homes. Members gave people clothes and opportunity to wash their clothes because many lost their appliances.

     Attendance at the pastor's church has more than doubled to about 300 - more than three times as many attendees as our American church. 

     Interviews with local pastors suggest the good deeds of believers amid the evils of war have softened many Ukrainians to the evangelical message.

     "God is seeking humble people," says a pastor. "This is the point when you have no hope. This is the best point to meet Jesus." 

     In a Kyiv suburb, 70 percent destroyed by Russian troops in 2022, many church members evacuated. Now, the church is nearly back to its pre-war membership of 600, plus about 700 visitors. The pastor attributes growth to members showing the love of Christ. 

     There is counseling, material support and legal advice. 

     Evangelicals have long been ostracized as a cult. Pastors are hopeful that public perceptions of evangelicals are changing, thanks to churches' response to the war. 

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Post Election Summary 

     "Today's Democrat Party is under complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers obsessed with power." So wrote Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic congresswoman, once Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, and a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. 

     The election is over. Views is not stumping for votes. Gabbard has been nominated to lead the National Intelligence Agency. Here, we list a few of her statements in a pre-election letter we received some time ago. We need to remember how the Dems play the game, and remined ourselves often to seek truth, not fall for the tired lies of Gabbard's former friends. Another election is only two years away.

     She wrote, "Today's Democrat Party rejects the rule of law. ...they are targeting ordinary Americans. The Biden-Harris DOJ convicted six pro-life activists, who are facing over a decade in prison for peacefully protesting." 

     They "established the 'Disinformation Governance Board,' to control what information we're allowed to read." Democrats "Oppose freedom of religion. ...and are hostile toward people of faith. Barack Obama famously mocked Americans for 'clinging to their guns and religion.'" 

     "They have launched the biggest information campaign in American history to keep their (voters) from abandoning them in droves. The Democratic elite and the mainstream propaganda media are desperately trying to convince ordinary Americans that their fellow Americans are 'traitors,' 'extremists' and 'deplorables.'" 

     Average Americans won this election, but if our democracy is to survive, we need to keep on keeping on.

                 Jimmy

Coming up: Our next team of leaders 

Thanksgiving Around the World

We're not the only nation with a Thanksgiving. 

Switzerland

     The Swiss day of Fasting and Thanksgiving dates from the 16th century, when natural disaster, epidemics and wars were the norm. Conflicts between Catholics and Protestants persisted into the mid-1800s. Several faith groups instituted days of fasting and prayer for peace, which became a country-wide observance in 1832.

Nigeria

     An annual thanksgiving festival is common among several Nigerian tribes. The central theme is thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. It's a time for family members to reunite.

Ukraine

     It's not a national holiday, but Thanksgiving is celebrated within Christian communities. Family gatherings, church worship services and times of prayer mark the day. In September, at a church in Kyiv, members decorated the church with grains, vegetables and flowers - a display of gratitude for the strength God gave to grow and gather it. This, in spite of war.

Brazil

     A Brazilian ambassador who celebrated Thanksgiving in New York City proposed importing the holiday back home. It took 40 years, but Brazil declared a National Day of Thanksgiving as a show of cultural unity. The feast includes American dishes such as sweet potatoes and turkey. Brazilian culture has not broadly adopted the day, but it remains observed by some Brazilians. 

Spending on Ukraine and Israel

     Two weeks after Israel recently received an $8.7 billion U.S. aid package, the Pentagon said the U.S., would send a missile defense system to Israel. Meanwhile, President Biden announced another $8 billion in military help for Ukraine. 

     Congress has appropriated more than $174 billion for Ukraine. About $60 billion of it is to purchase new or transfer excess U.S. equipment. It also provides training and covers costs for deploying more U.S troops to Europe, and replenishes U.S. and allied stocks. Funds also cover economic and humanitarian help for Ukraine and its neighbors. 

     If Trump had been reelected four years ago, none of the above would have been necessary. 

     Meanwhile, the U.S. provided our Middle East ally with more than $155 billion since 1948, including about $4 billion a year since 2019. In April Congress approved $26 billion, about half of which goes to Israel's military and rocket defenses, new weapons, supplies and training. $9 billion has gone for humanitarian aid to conflict victims worldwide, including Gaza.

     As for Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. spent about $1.7 trillion between 2001 and 2023. This comes to $4,386 for each taxpayer for Afghanistan and $4,093 for each taxpayer for Iraq operations over 23 years. 

     For Ukraine, $800 per taxpayer. There are additional costs for government agency work, some of which is secret, and some for veteran care. Oh, and then there is $8 billion to "counter communist China." The White House asked Congress for $9.9 billion for fiscal year 2025 for the Pacific region. 

     Therefore, we taxpayers all have an interest in what the government spends overseas, and in the decisions, it makes, wise or not. 

           Jimmy

 Loyal readers of Views, 

     An amazing, unpresented movement is underway in our government, that is, the leadership to take over our federal government on January 20. 

     We ask you to read yesterday's blog, below. You can skip our play with dates, and read the short message. We'll have something else for you on Saturday.    Jimmy

Counting the Days 

     Let's see. 

     There are 17 days to go in November, including Thanksgiving. And 31 days in December, including Christmas. That adds up to 48, which brings us to the new year.

     In 2025 February has only 28 days, so let's guess there are 364 days in the coming year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

     On to 2026. There will be 185 days, give or take, to the end of June, and we add four days into July. For a total of 618 days from today. 

     Now, we subtract the 48 days of 2024 and 19-1/2 days in January 2025, making January 20, 2025 the beginning of a return to America's founding principles. And government by and of the people.  

     This gives our chosen president 551 days to prepare for a celebration on July 4, 2026 - our 250th birthday. He will have help making government more efficient by two men named - not Washington and Jefferson - but Musk and Ramaswamy. Yes, there will be harsh opposition. 

     We may not be overrun by the world after all. At least for a time. And we will regain strength to help the world seek peace. At least for a time.

     Benjaman Franklin, when asked what the founders provided for the people, responded, "a Republic, if you can keep it." 

     The morning of November 5, we were not certain we would keep it. Now, we have a new opportunity to restore the Republic, for all Americans...even though civilization has changed greatly over 248 years. And the world itself has changed greatly, for good or for ill. 

               Jimmy