Monday

Working on a More Perfect Union

  Part 2 

     Sen. James Landford says, "Division is driving us away from each other. People who disagree with us are also people loved by Jesus. They are created in the image of God. Christians have a right and responsibility to speak out. But for some reason there is a belief that if I yell loudly enough, they'll be persuaded." 

     "That doesn't work for me and most others. Our culture idolizes the angriest, most bitter, divisive person. You get the most likes if you say the snarkiest things. As Christians, we don't gleefully attack. We speak the truth in love and in compassion to persuade, to convince."

     "There are Bible studies all over Capitol Hill every week with staff members, and people in both House and Senate. There are gatherings of people coming together for prayer all over the Hill. There are multiple churches in Washington, D.C. that are seeing a tremendous number of baptisms right now for people who are coming to Christ. Many are coming in from all over the country, to work, and while they're here, they're actually encountering Christ." 

     "God is still sending people into Washington, D.C. That tells me He's not done here. By no means a majority of people, but God has not left us without a witness."

Tomorrow, conclusion

How would we begin to live up to our founding ideals? 

 Toward a 'more perfect union' 

     We think our nation is about to break up. Along comes Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma with an ongoing hope for our republic. 

     A few blogs ago we wrote about Christian preachers who rallied Americans to fight for freedom. Lankford spent 22 years in Christian ministry before God called him into public service, in 2011. He reveals hope for us all. 

     Asked what concerns him most about our republic after 250 years, he replied: "Right now, we're trying to out-anger each other. Our adversaries globally would love to see Americans fighting each other rather than contending for the values of our founding. I hope all Christians would pray about this." 

     "We have to protect the rights we've inherited, especially our religious freedom. We did something no government on earth has ever done. It was this enormous experiment - civilian leadership of the military, separation of powers and government, co-equal branches with checks and balances. With that, also the freedom for people of faith to live their faith, change their faith, or have no faith. That has never been done in world history." 

     Asked what warnings our founders would give, Lankford said, "Some of the founders are speaking from the grave on this still. George Washington challenged us not to break into factions and parties, saying they would separate us and we would become more loyal to parties than to the nation. The very next election we did break into parties." 

     "Men are not angels. We are still learning how to be better as a people and function with our differences. We have the means to live out our faith and hear God's voice and learn to be better. This challenge toward a more perfect union really is a challenge." 

Continued tomorrow

       Jimmy 

 Ditch Democracy? 

     Earlier this week we wrote of political extremes, Islamists and communists. Here is another look at political trends that young people think should replace democracy. We need to understand them before we can sway them. There are socialists and there are monarchists (praise the king). 

     Emma Freire writes, "These movements are by young people who look at the future with despair. They believe the American dream is dead. Socialism and monarchy appeal to human nature. A poll in 2025 found only 13% of 18-29 year-olds feel the nation is headed in the right direction. 

     "Nearly half of them live with their parents. And 41% of recent college grads suffer underemployment. The high cost of housing is one of their biggest concerns. In 2025 only 12% of 30-year-olds were married. The American dream? A stake in society? 

     "Congress is considering the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. A controversial provision bans large investors from buying up single family homes. Experts say this will help, but supply must also increase. 

     "Some younger Americans feel like elected officials don't represent them. Baby boomers were the largest generation for a long time, and they still vote consistently. So, elected officials attend to their concerns. Leaders are staying in office long past traditional retirement age. Younger Americans may have a sense there is no path for them to rise." 

Views: Okay. And who is going to convince them a king or socialism or outright communism is NOT going to work better than Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? Freedom! There are ways to improve. Limit years politicians can serve. Don't watch or listen to news sources controlled by Democrats. Fire all liars. 😖

          Jimmy

Daylight Savings to End? 

     No doubt you know the House of Representatives passed a bill 308-117 to end Daylight Savings time. 

     Republicans and Democrats found something to agree about. Now it's the Senate's turn to - what's that word again? - oh yeah, agree. 

Second Chance 

     Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania readies for restart. America's largest nuclear energy company is working to restart one of the reactors at the site of the 1979 accident...to help meet a growing demand for electricity. My cousin, an electrician, spent some time there following the accident.

     There are 95 nuclear power plants operating in the US. They generate about 20 percent of the nation's electricity.  

Approved Again 

     As for oil's contribution to electric power, the Dakota Access Pipeline can remain in place. The 1,200-mile pipeline transports up to 570,000 barrels of oil a day from North Dakota to Illinois refineries. Native Americans and environmentalists fought the pipeline's 1-mile route under Lake Oahe. The decision follows a 2020 court order to assess natural factors more completely than originally done in 2016. 

     For us to benefit from any of this oil, Dakota Access must develop procedures to supply clean water, food and compensation in case of a spill, add more groundwater monitoring wells, and allow independent review of leak-detection systems. 

     Native Indians have their day - years - in courts, as they should.

           Jimmy

War on U.S. and Israel  

     On Sunday we wrote about Islamists and the secular left joined in "war" against America and Israel, the Judeo-Christian civilization, Western freedom. We ended Sunday with apostle Paul's teaching that a Christian's real enemy is Satan's angels...in heavenly places. 

     Of course, we trust the Bible, but could it be that Satan's work is behind movements that hate each other, but hate us first? Michael Youssef wrote a book, AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE. A summary:

     Rainbow flags wave at Hamas rallies. A liberal feminist marches alongside men who believe a woman's testimony is worth half a man's in a court of law. LGBTQ people chant with an ideology that throws gay men from rooftops and stones women for adultery. The secular left and radical Islamists bond in hatred. Not merely disagreement, but a deep, motivating hatred of Christianity and Judaism. Freedom.

     Youssef says this hatred makes these opponents willing to ignore their vast differences. He says, 'When the object of your loathing is the same, you can march together regardless of what you plan to do to each other afterward.' The book is eye-opening and heartbreaking, the writer says. 

     Hamas invaded Israel in 2023 and Western progressives celebrated it. The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York mayor. Muslim scholars calling for Sharia friendly enclaves. Suspicious influence in Minnesota and Michigan. Qatari money flowing into American universities. Qatar deals with any nation they please, whatever works for them. 

     Hey! Didn't Qatar give America a $400 million Boeing 747-S for Air Force One? 

         Jimmy 

PS. Socialists have taken over the Democratic party. 

 Dual Citizenship 

     "Make no mistake about it, there is a truth war right now in our culture. God's truth is under attack. Nothing in all the world is more important than the truth of Jesus Christ. Solomon's wise advice in Proverbs 23:23 has never been timelier: Buy truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction and understanding. 

Jack Graham, Dallas pastor

     "This spiritual war between truth and lies is being waged in the hearts and minds of people, particularly in the church. Many Christians are being shaped by the culture rather than shaped by the Savior and Scripture. Many churches are throwing in the towel when it comes to culture wars and social issues. 

    "Too many pastors are compromising their calling in the pulpit, watering down their messages from the infallible Word of God for fear of offending. Two problems with that. One, people are offended too easily these days; and two, the Bible is offensive because it speaks absolute truth for all generations. 

     "There is not much wrong in our country that cannot be made right if the spiritual leadership in God's churches rises to the challenges and crises of our times. It is our responsibility to disciple people. If the church doesn't disciple them, the world will...and the world is good at it.

     "More than ever, we must not relent. We must be bold, courageous and stand strong for the Lord Jesus, our King. God has called us to fight the good fight of faith - to take up the sword of the Sprit." 

Thursday: The war all around us

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