The Pope and the Speaker 

     Sometime before Iran took center-stage, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called U.S. citizens to "deep reflection" about how we are treating immigrants. He mentioned Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Or, in my Bible's version: "I was a stranger and you invited me in." 

     You know how millions of "strangers" came here during the Biden administration, many of them criminals, and many of them still on the loose. What do you think?

     House Speaker Mike Johnson said, "borders and walls are biblical." He argued that scriptural admonitions to welcome sojourners were given to individuals, while it is the responsibility of civil government to maintain order and protect its citizens.  

     Meny top officials in the Trump administration are Catholic, and Trump won a majority of the Catholic vote in 2024. The article said the White House and the Vatican have diverged on other key policy issues, including the UN, the war in Ukraine and in-vitro fertilization.  

     Well, Americans have given jobs to many who crossed our border illegally...usually working at lower pay than normal. And we have seen the wreckage of trucks that immigrants have driven, without license and even without knowing our language. And we have women abused by immigrants. And so far, those deported are mostly those with criminal behavior. We could lock them up. That's my "deep reflection."

          Jimmy

  

 China in Focus 

     "Strikes on Iran dismantle China-Led 'new axis of evil.'" 

     We pass on to you a brief article that "The Iranian regime's top political and military leaders have been eliminated. How is this affecting relations between China and Taiwan? Beijing has quietly stopped its ongoing intimidation campaign against the island, Taiwan. 

     What's China got to do with Iran? Well, "China made a serious strategic miscalculation," and "U.S. strikes may speed CCP's downfall."

     "The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran are leading some people to imagine a future China without communism. Beijing and Moscow have yet to offer Iran any military help. What's behind the hesitation - and what's next for Beijing?"  

     Across Chinese social media platforms, many internet users are celebrating with the Iranian people. Some are calling for help to remove the Chinese Communist leaders. 

     Some Chinese citizens are cheering for Iranians, and seek their own freedom. China faces pain from disruption, and oil price surge. 

     China's Xi holds fewer economic cards. What was the reason three Chinese leaders lost their positions? 

 The above is all we could find on the subject.

But it may result in news some day.

Jimmy

 Watch God Work? 

     We long to see the "bad guys" go down. But God desires our vindication, not our retaliation. He doesn't invite us to relish the destruction of people, some of whom might be saved, some day. He invites us to trust him as our vindicator. 

     He knows how to unravel the schemes of the enemy and how to expose what needs exposing, in His time, in His way. 

     In Exodus 14, Israel trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. God told Moses, Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. 

     Vindication means: God's faithfulness and truth are put on display through your story. It's not that your enemies crash and burn; it's that they later say, "We thought we wrecked you, but God restored you." 

     When we seek retaliation, we slip back under the power of the flesh and the fear of man. Psalm 23:5 says, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

     Do I hope God will take down certain people? Yes. What would it look like to release them to God's justice, praying instead for His glory and my own heart's freedom? 

     Your bogger is 100 percent behind the U.S. and Israel taking out evil leaders and their weapons, giving the hope of freedom to millions of Iranians and peace in the Middle East. Am I wrong? 

           Jimmy

 Tomorrow: What about China?

 Who is jimmy donut views by the sea? 

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Jimmy Donut is a blogger known for his online presence under the name Views by the Sea. He shares personal reflections and insights, often addressing various topics such as faith, politics and personal experiences. His blog is known for its engaging content and has a following that appreciates his candid writing style. You can find more about him on his blog here.

blogspot.com   AI 

     Friends, my son in law, Ken, who encouraged me to blog, almost 12 years ago, discovered the above and passed it on to me...and you.

     Who wrote the above? We don't know, of course. I didn't even know observers comment on bloggers. This is not a prize, just a surprise. 

     So, if you are a Views reader, consider yourself among the countless people all over the world who read blogs, as we once read newspapers. Several years ago, I discovered that Views had (a few) readers all over the world. For whatever reason, I don't have that information any longer. No matter. I'm interested in Americans. I care about truth and honesty. 

     And feel free to scroll down and give us feedback as you wish.

               Jimmy

Finally, Decisive Action

     "For far too long, the world has been haunted by Iran's bully threats of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.' Republican and Democrat administrations alike have vowed, for decades, that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon."

     "Finally, an American president took decisive action. President Trump sent out B-2 stealth bombers to drop bombs on Iran's entrenched nuclear facilities." 

     If that seems odd, it's because the magazine article was about Trump and the Israelis bombing Iran in 2025, taking out nuclear facilities. Fast forward to this weekend; the Iranians stubbornly returned to nuclear development. The U.S. and Israel had enough. Iranians in the U.S. support the attacks. 

     After the 2025 attacks, Trump thanked everybody, "in particular, God. I just want to say we love you, God, and we love our great military. God bless Israel, and God bless America." 

     Of further interest, Jeb Bush, who traded insults with Trump during the 2016 election campaign, congratulated Trump yesterday. Bush helps lead a movement that opposes Iran's nuclear ambitions.  

     Well, our leaders and all of us are living in a fallen world. God sent his Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved - John 3:17. And 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

     Too bad the 40 or so dead Iranian leaders had the wrong faith. 

                Jimmy 

 

Friends, 

My sister and husband are on their way home,

Missouri, after helping us and our dog in ways

we had not planned. We planned to resume Views

today but news coming from Iran is more important

for you and all of us. 

We do note to our surprise large numbers

of people read Views Thursday and Friday...our 

supposed days off. But, hooray, Wednesday's 

message in praise of Christ was still there to read,

and our "off days" were "on" for so many readers.

 We expect to return on Sunday. 

And we have a special message for Monday. 

 

  We are busy with company from up North.

 Will be back on Saturday. 

People Are Limited 

     That's a strange statement in a country full of experts, leaders, influencers...the elites of any age...even our recent hockey heroes. 

     Many financial experts, medical experts, spiritual experts and such are helpful and needed. A pastor cautions that our confidence primarily in people - even pastors - naturally sets us up for disappointment at times. 

     In our day, we haven't just trusted people, we've often made idols out of leaders and systems. The Lord himself wants us first of all to believe in and trust in him. We believers may have troubles of all kinds, as did those in New Testament chapters. And Charlie Kirk. But God is watching over his flock. We trust and obey.

     Are the mentors, voices and systems we rely on building our confidence in God, or making us dependent on them? ...says the pastor. 

     Bankers get fired. Governments change. Movements rise and fall. Reputations shift. But God's Word is settled - Psalm 119.89. 

     On Sundays, Views is providing four statements of Christ, one each in the four gospels. We'll do this as long as you join us. There are lots of good messages from good leaders.

     But no one - no not one - can do for you what Jesus promises and fulfills, for eternity.