Christian Turned Communist 

     A missionary went to Korea in 1889. Many Koreans adopted the new religion, and the largest Presbyterian compound in the world excited the missionaries. In 1910 Japan annexed Korea, but evangelism and church planting continued. Koreans hoped America would rescue them. Not to be...yet.

Korean Messiah, by Jonathan Cheng

     They were disillusioned with the West and looked to communism for help. Japanese occupation ended in 1945, and the Soviets and Americans divided the peninsula at the 38th parallel. Kim Il Sung came from a family of believers. He was a Sunday school teacher...then he became dictator of an atheistic state. 

     When the Soviets put Kim in power in North Korea, the North had more Christians than the South. And the South had more communists. The disruptions of the Korean War and communist persecution shifted that balance. 

     The author says Kim's ideology turned into a secular religion, something similar to Stalinism, and turning the Great Leader into a god. The typical communist cult of personality became a religious cult. 

     Kim's grandson carries on, with nuclear bombs, and oversight by China. South Korea offers freedom. Our son and nephew each had tours there with our military...73 years and counting.  

        Jimmy

USA: 1776 to 2026 

     So, we return to our history and who we are today. From information available.

     In 1790 95% of Americans were farmers or lived in rural areas. In 2020, 20% (coincidence) remained rural. In 1940, only 5% were farmers. Urban residents were 5% of the country in 1790, and they grew to 80% by 2020, more than any other group. Next in numbers are city residents, followed by those in suburbs. 

     About 9% of Americans were foreign born in 1850. By 2024 that became 15%. Immigration from Europe grew 92% from 1850 to 1970. Mexican immigrants rose from 200,000 in 1970 to 12 million in 2010. 

     The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act resulted in a worldwide incoming. By 2010, immigrants from Latin countries were half of the total. From Asia, 28%, and from Europe, 12%. 

     In 1800, half the population was age 16 or under. In that century, the average mother had 7 children. Their likelihood of growing up was not guaranteed, as my great grandmother would tell you, if she could. Maybe similar to African children today. 

     The year 1945, with Germany and Japan put down, they called it a "golden era." Yours truly was age 6, and I didn't see any gold, but the USA was on the upswing. Black Americans (many) had to wait a few more years to gain...protest for...inclusion. 

     WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...

1776

We Are at War 

     What a topic to start the new week. Iran? No, not them. 

     Our headline might better read, "in a war." And what might that be?

     Two groups that hate each other are joined in battle against Christians and Jews: 1. Islam. Their "certainty" (not faith) is based on Mohammad, who died in 632 A.D., and 2. communists, Marxists and socialists (any or all of these). When and if America crumbles and Christians and Jews cannot survive, the millions of Muslims and Marxists will duke it out for total control.

     Of course, Satan is their sponsor, but they don't know it. God threw Satan and other angels out of heaven. And He could end this war today, but He has great plans still to come. (See the New Testament).

     Christians might attend church, while we have other matters today and throughout the week. But we are in God's war. He wants our prayers. Then his Spirit will work. It will matter to each of us now and when/if we enter heaven.  

Ephesians chapter 6. 

     Our war is not against Muslims or communists, but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Paul lists the "full armor of God: Belt of truth. Breastplate of righteousness. Feet fitted with readiness. Shield of faith. Helmet of salvation, and Sword of the Spirit." 

 A Decaying Culture 

     "Make no mistake about it; there is a truth war in our culture. God's truth is under attack. Nothing in all the world is more important or more valuable than the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Jack Graham, Texas pastor

     "Solomon's wise advice in Proverbs 23:23 has never been timelier. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. This spiritual war between truth and lies is being waged in the hearts and minds of people, particularly in the church. Too many Christians are being shaped by the culture rather than being shaped by the Savior and the Scripture. 

     "They are compromised when it comes to the core teaching of the Christian faith. Many churches are throwing in the towel when it comes to the culture wars and social issues. Too many pastors compromise their calling in the pulpit, watering down their messages from the infallible Word of God, for fear of offending. 

     "People are offended too easily these days. The Bible speaks absolute truth for all generations. There is not much wrong in our country that cannot be made right if spiritual leadership would rise to the challenges and crises of our times. It is our responsibility as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to disciple people, because if the church doesn't disciple them, the world will...and the world is good at it.

     "Now more than ever in our country, we must not relent. We must be bold and courageous and stand strong for the Lord Jesus, our King. God has called us to fight the good fight of faith." 

 Sunday: we are at war right here

Fight for Freedom 

     The Declaration says "all men are equal" in their claim to justice, that governments exist to give them that justice, and that their authority is for that reason just. Those rights are being threatened by a culture increasingly anti-God and anti-Christian. 

Gary Hamrick, pastor in Virginia

     "Pastors were at the center of the American Revolution. They led the fight for religious freedom and recruited men from their churches to join the fight. Several pastors made up the 'Black Robed Regiment,' the most feared by the British because of their influence. The British placed bounties on their heads, burned their homes and churches, and would execute wounded ministers rather than take them prisoners of war." 

     "We've witnessed government overreach with mandates to close churches during COVID, while liquor stores and hardware stores were called 'essential' and remained open. We've witnessed school boards stripping parental rights. Churches, Christian schools and Jewish synagogues have been the target of violent attacks, ranging from arson to mass shootings." 

     "We must not allow the slow creep of an anti-Judeo-Christian bias in our culture to smother religious freedoms we have enjoyed for 250 years. It is still a battle worth fighting. It will only be won if pastors are courageous, and Christians are engaged. Jesus said in John 8:36, 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' Freedom is a gift - both spiritual freedom from sin, and religious freedom to worship the Lord and live fearlessly for Jesus." 

     Pastor Hamrick urges, "Let us do all we can to keep that light of religious freedom shining brightly in America." 

                                                                                                              Thursday

Our Challenges Today

     A message about America from then to now to beyond, by Jason Thomson, Utah house of representatives. 

     "Our challenges differ from those of 1776, but the fundamental question is similar. Can free people govern themselves? The answer will come not solely by leaders and the wealthy. It will come from citizens who do the quiet necessary work of self-government." 

     "That responsibility is where the founders intended it to be...the people. For 250 years the explosion of human progress has been unlike anything the world has known. The average person today carries more information in a smart phone than heads of state possessed only decades ago."

     "America has not always lived up to its highest ideals. There has been injustice and achievements, failures and triumphs. Our story is way beyond Mount Rushmore. From our beginning, unknown people accomplished the amazing and the necessary to make our nation and even the world a better place."

Search 'Mount Rushmore' for Thomson's message.

If you can find it, he names ordinary people who provided 

success that leaders like those on Rushmore get the credit.  

Opinions Then and Now

George Washington 

     "Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."

Elizabeth Powel, Philadelphia, 1787

     "Self-government requires ongoing vigilance and civic responsibility, virtue and moral character." 

Dr. Ben Carson 

     "Our 250th year is an extraordinary milestone, worthy of celebration, reflection and gratitude. We are not perfect. We have made mistakes, faced decisions and endured great challenges." 

     "Despite our imperfections, there remains something exceptional about this nation that continues to inspire people around the world." 

Tomorrow: more about our 250th