His Time Had Come

     Jesus made a school for himself, the teacher. He selected 12 men to be his students. No schoolhouse. They walked throughout Israel for maybe three years. The teacher sometimes made speeches, sometimes healed people, sometimes debated with the chief priests and Pharisees, who were annoyed by him. 

     John likely was the last disciple, living about 60 years after Jesus returned to heaven. He wrote a long letter to refute heresy; it became one of four "gospels." We think the Holy Spirit gave John the words Jesus spoke decades earlier. The 12 men expected Jesus to take command over Israel. Jesus begins to educate them about his plan that predates the world.

     Coming on Views: Jesus predicts his betrayal. He tells them what's coming and how to live (after he is gone). He tells them he is going to heaven and will prepare a place for them. He speaks of a Counselor to come with many abilities. 

     There is a true vine, a source of life, fruit to produce, never a static relationship, and there is the fire of hell. Dealing with opposition, the age of the Spirit, love, forgiveness, redemption, power, gifts of healing, and faith. Finally, how to pray, unity of heart, authority over us all, joy, holy thoughts and deeds, eternal life, obedience, salvation for the lost...and more. 

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A Meteor Strike 

     We stole a few post-election comments from Epoch Times. Then we'll return to normalcy. Vice President J.D. Vance blamed the Iran war. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described the rout as the "political equivalent of a meteor strike." He adds, "Results were votes against Republicans in Washinton, rather than votes for Democratic policies," and blamed the GOP "for not focusing on kitchen table issues." 

     Exit polling shows that voters rejected Republican candidates because of concerns about the cost of living and Iran. There were massive swings toward Democrats in deep Republican regions and among young men and Hispanics. 

     President Trump agreed the war and high gas prices played a part. Still, he wouldn't have done anything differently. He is open to Democrats in his final two years, while saying he's also prepared to be "Mr. Veto." 

     House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries may become speaker, leading a large Democratic caucus. He spoke of Democrat's 100-day agenda, focused on accountability and affordability. We'll see what actually happens. 

     Jeffries said no House Democrat has raised impeachment with him. Other House Democrats have zeroed in on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. 

General George Patton 

     When yours truly became old enough to read about WWII, I became fascinated with General George Patton. But I hadn't read this story: Patton in North Africa was about to face Nazi Gen. Erwin Rommel, who had written a book after WWI about strategies. 

     Patton had read his book, and when they got close enough in battle, Patton was said to have yelled, "I read your book!" Patton, knowing Rommel's strategies, defeated him and helped overcome all Hitler's military. 

     Have we read God's book? It says we are not ignorant of Satan's devices and strategies. Serving the Lord in His war against Satan can be hard, but the Bible says we will "overcome." 

Tomorrow: Introduction to our coming series on Jesus' revealing directions.

 The Maker makes makers 

     "We are told in Genesis that humans are made in God's image, male and female, and set over God's creation as caretakers and stewards. We are to be creative. God told Adam to name the animals. We name our children. To draw or sculpt or paint or write or sing is to evoke the character of God.

by Bruce Herman

     "We are meant to be creative - not to distinguish ourselves - but to serve and bless and complete God's creation alongside Him. Our creativity can result in loss, as we give ourselves into the work. 

     "When Jesus emptied Himself, he was giving Himself away. He fed the apostles and said, 'This is my body...this is my blood.' He was inviting us to follow. This is the heart of creative acts: to give ourselves to another in and through what we do. To make a painting or write a sonnet or repair an elderly person's front stairs - these are creative acts that involve self-donation (a gift), the very essence of Christ Jesus." 

...who gave Himself on the cross to pay the penalty for sin...

...to forgive and adopt as his children all who believe, trust and obey...

I pledge allegiance to the flag, 

one nation, indivisible with liberty and Justice for all. Something missing? Yes, that was what they drafted in 1892, when Benjamin Harrison was President. He may or may not have had any connection with the pledge. Years later, "the Republic" was added. The government first recognized the pledge in 1942, during WWII. President Eisenhower added "under God." 

     Every day of grade school, we stood up and recited the pledge before class. I probably assumed it was the law. Today in our Florida homeowner's association, attendees at the monthly board meeting say the pledge before business begins. 

     Patriotism, love of country, was adopted by Greeks and Romans two thousand years ago. It was/is for the common good: liberty, loyalty and civic spirit were designed to resist corruption and tyranny. To love (the nation) was/is to be willing to sacrifice one's own good - even life - for the protection of common liberty. Unity and coherence are desired. Freedom - preservation of unique people and patriotic sacrifice - promote long term survival of a nation. 

     Today there are critics of patriotic pride, considered to be "morally dangerous." Tensions among citizens. Common good is considered as redistribution of income, collective goods and services, and education and health care. There are new forms of patriotism. Political culture must not discriminate against any subculture. We no longer have shared language or cultural origin. Every month we receive our healthcare report. The last two pages list foreign countries that our fellow citizens come from, and continue speaking their languages.  

                              "It's no coincidence that socialism is often just another brand name

for communism, where corrupt rulers gain total control while

promising freedoms and benefits that are mere propaganda."

                                                                           House and Senate

 If Recent History Continues 

     The U.S. House of Representatives changed hands in 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2022. Democrats, get out your political weapons; you can make trouble the rest of Trump's time, even though you will not accomplish anything for your voters. 

     Meanwhile, the late Karl Marx continues to draw people to his invisible lecture. In his memory there are scientific socialists, anarchy socialists, market socialists, ujamaa socialists and goulash communists. No worry. AOC says democratic socialists are no threat. 

     Democratic Socialists of America wish to abolish police, prisons, the Department of War and all military, all aid to Israel, liberate queers, legalize migration, cancel the Electoral College, eliminate the U.S. Senate, replace the President and the Supreme Court and more. Congress will look like the Soviets. There will be no more checks and balances, federalism or republic. Socialists already lead New York and Seattle, and Washington D.C. is next.   

     Not to worry. There have been many communists to teach us the way: Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Ho Chimino, Hoxha, Ceuses and Tito. Let's add Vladimir Putin and other living examples. Including Bernie Sanders, who rushed to Moscow after his wedding. He is not a Democrat. He refuses to provide a precise definition of his ideology. In the 1970s he belonged to a group wanting government ownership of energy, telephones, electricity, drug industries and other. 

     We'll conclude with a question we read: "Can patriotism be reconciled with a commitment to universal values, respect for human rights and tolerance of ethnic and national difference? ...it remains contested."

     Marco Rubio: "Over time we in the West came to feel ashamed of the very things that made us exceptional." 

Maybe, could be, President Trump's rallies

get enough Republicans to save the day. 

If not, the 2028 storm begins tomorrow.

  

 What Does the Wealthy Gap Prove?

     "Republicans can no longer pretend to be the party of fiscal restraint. Government just turned in a $2 trillion deficit. The Democratic Socialists of America claims to have 120,000 members. They call for "aggressive wealth taxes" and public ownership of the largest corporations and industries. 

     Nick Eicher writes, "Democrats think the pie has been divided badly. California voters are being asked to take 5% of what billionaires own. What exactly is wrong with the gap between the wealthiest and the least wealthy? Adjusted for inflation and household growth, average wealth in the bottom half rose about 68 percent from 2019 through July this year. The rich gained more dollars, yet the ratio between average wealth at the top and average wealth in the bottom half actually narrowed.  

     "The promise of reward attracts people, Christian and non-Christian alike. Some fail, others build something that millions willingly pay to use, and succeed spectacularly. That's not a sin. 

     "Even though Steve Jobs got very rich, the rest of the world received wealth as a benefit of his risk-taking. There is no evidence the system failed. Biblically, the wealthy have responsibilities to the poor, not a mandate for the government to equalize outcomes.  

     "Where I draw the line," Eicher says, "is when motivation drives our politics and bad policy - and this socialist moment. That question survives November 3."

              Jimmy 

Nothing is Impossible with God 

     You may know Shannon Bream, a best-selling author, educated at Boston U., seen on Fox TV explaining the Supreme Court and other matters. She won two beauty contests. Bream also struggled with a disease that almost drove her off a bridge. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart, I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

     Bream has a chronic illness in her corneas, for which there is no cure. She had physical and emotional pain, 10 on the scale, causing her severe depression. She cried out to the Lord, who answered her by spirit, I will be with you. Medications and surgery finally brought relief.  

     In her latest book, Nothing is Impossible with God, she writes about people in the Old Testament, how they won victories with truth and tools. She says, "The Bible's idea of strength is different. It is a child relying on a parent."

     "Christians," she wrote, "are childlike in a sense...more dependent, vulnerable, yet less afraid. Jesus told his disciples, 'Become like little children.'" She gives examples of faith without understanding God's plan or purpose." 

     In coming days, Views may provide a few lines from the last half of her book, the days of Jesus. You know, we're required to encourage you to buy the book.

             Jimmy