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

 

True Evangelism 

     There are various ways Christians try to witness, to spread the good news. Maria Baer, co-host of Breakpoint podcast, has studied every method, including the Book of Mormon, which she found to be opposite of the Bible. She concluded the way evangelism works as follows: 

     "True evangelism ultimately requires the deep, slow work of getting to know individual people. It's not plug-and-play. It's time-consuming. Probably this is how God reminds us that all 'success' in this endeavor is ultimately His. 

     "Our role is to be faithful, kind, persistent, and explicit about the gospel with exactly the people God has placed us next to our kids, our church families, and our neighbors. I don't know what will 'work' for them, and neither can you until you start literally work-shopping it. The only way it 'works' is by disciples making other disciples.... It's an eternal multilevel plan that builds the kingdom of God one saint at a time." 

You might think your role is not meaningful, but 

God knows how important that one part is for the whole body. 

The body is not complete without it. 

Winds of Change 

     To our readers in California. Citizen Mary Jackson said politics could be changing. Voters in California are often left to choose between two Democrats. Jackson says "we're often picking the lesser between two evils, the candidate we believe will do less harm. Sometimes we're leaving a ballot choice blank, because both stand for equally awful policies." 

     Are fellow conservatives excited about having a real choice? Jackson: "There's more motivation to vote and voice support. Hilton does not claim Christianity or take a strong stance on some issues we care about, such as abortion. But many of his policies are pro-family and pro-business. He's making bold promises and perhaps that's a signal of some course correction on the horizon." 

     What surprised you about Hilton's rally in San Francisco? "I was surprised that the event drew a full house, and many were lifelong Democrats. People genuinely wanted to know what Hilton stands for and whether he is compelling enough to earn their support. A poll in May found that nearly 60% believe the state is headed in the wrong direction. Other polls show affordability at the top of most Californian's list of important issues." 

     Will Hilton's campaign have a lasting effect even if he loses in November? "It appears there's a growing appetite for populist conservatism - or at the very least, more moderate Democrats. Hilton may motivate more conservatives not to give up." 

"I pray that we as individuals and as a nation

will humble ourselves...and turn back to the God

of our Fathers in repentance." 

Franklin Graham

 

 

Why Bother Voting? 

     The late Billy Graham was asked: "I am sick of political campaigns, and I've decided not to vote this year. Just one vote won't make any difference. Why bother?" 

     His response: "What would happen if everyone decided not to vote? Before long we'd lose our freedoms and be ruled by a dictatorship. No system of government is perfect, including ours. I believe it is a God-given responsibility. When Jesus walked this earth, the whole civilized world was under the authority of the Roman emperor (or Caesar). The Roman government wasn't perfect. In fact, it promoted paganism and could be brutal. 

     "And yet, Jesus taught that people had a responsibility to support their government. He said, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' We should do everything we can to encourage and support good government. Understand the issues, know where the candidates stand...ask God to guide you - and then vote. 

     "Beyond that, pray for our nation and its leaders. The Bible commands us to pray for 'all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.'" - 1 Timothy 2:2 

We know that some candidates hide their intentions.

All the more reason to beware such deception. 

 In view of God's mercy

     How do we please God, who doesn't save us based on our lifetime of achievements? It's all in one chapter written by the apostle Paul. 

     "We offer our bodies as living sacrifices...our spiritual act of worship. We no longer live by the pattern of this world. By renewing our mind, we can test what God's perfect will is. We don't think too highly of ourselves but measure our faith with sober judgment.  

     "In Christ, each of us belong to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

     "Be joyful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

     "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Do what is right in the eyes of everybody. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord - Deuteronomy 32:35. 

     "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will reap burning coals on his head."

Romans chapter 12