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. 

 

 

      

Minnesota, famous for ICE...not just frozen water. 

     Border czar Tom Homan changed tactics following public backlash and concerns over the midterm elections. Some 700 of 2,000 ICE agents left Minnesota.

     President Trump had targeted the Twin Cities in December and expanded to all of the state. Aggressive tactics drew criticism, even by those who support immigration enforcement. A small majority of Americans still support the idea that people living here illegally should be deported.

     Minnesota had and still has something else going. Fraudsters are accused of stealing billions in public funds by setting up companies that billed state agencies for social services they never provided. 

In midterm elections, the party in power almost always loses the majority in one or both houses of Congress. The economy weighs more heavily on the minds of voters than immigration, says a WORLD magazine writer.

     It's something, that many Republican and independent voters care more about their wealth (understandable) than the threat of foreign criminals and such. As for Democrats: total control of America is their aim, and they lie daily to that end. 

     Don't believe me? Watch the Trump speech tonight and see how disrespectful the Dems are. That is, those who choose to attend the annual speech to begin with.  

                    Jimmy

  

The Kids Are Not Alright 

     Yours truly grew up in the 1940s in a small but prosperous town up north. That was before industry began moving south. On into high school in the 50s, I wasn't aware of much abnormal behavior...a few fist fights...but seldom did police need to intervene. We had the best football and wrestling teams north of Pittsburgh. 

     There were four drug stores. They took turns being the open store on Sundays.   

     Today, parents are spending more on their children's behavioral health than ever before. A study found that behavioral health expenses for children 6 to 17 years old have nearly doubled nationwide since 2011. 

     With advancement in technology and so many other areas, why are kids having depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and substance use disorders? A medical team reported that "behavioral" healthcare costs went from 22% of all pediatric health expenditures in 2011 to 40% in 2022. Out of pocket spending increased from $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion, in 2022.

     The study attributed costs to behavior issues, worsened by COVID-19 school closures and social isolation. And more families are seeking treatment. 

WORLD magazine

     Well, I'm sure my hometown is not having behavioral issues. That's because all the industry left town, and elderly people have moved in, taking advantage of lower housing costs. There are no more schools in town, even the Catholic. Kids that do live in town are bussed out to the township.  

              Jimmy 😒

Pull over 

     Any of us can pull over for any of several reasons, but a certain driver had a strange thought that he needed to stop. In heavy traffic (life's business) he looked for a safe exit (redirection), and a place to park (new beginning). 

     Engine off, he wondered why he did this. Then without sound he heard these words: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 

     While he pondered this surprise, his mind heard: If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Mark 3:24 

     Before he could digest that, he heard, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. Luke 6:20-23  

     He isn't poor, and he isn't hated...or is he? And then, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 

     This driver ponders what he heard. He finally gets back on the busy streets. Maybe we'll learn more about this next Sunday. 

Steppingstones to God

An aching heart is but a steppingstone

To greater joy than you've ever known.

For things that cause the heart to ache

Until you think that it must break

Become the strength by which we climb

To higher heights that are sublime

And feel the radiance of God's smiles

When we have soared above life's trials.

So when you're overwhelmed with fears

And all your hopes are drenched in tears,

Think not that life has been unfair

And given you too much to bear,

For God has chosen you because

With all your weaknesses and flaws,

He feels that you are worthy of

The greatness of His wonderous love.

          Helen Steiner Rice          

                          A collection of encouragement   

When Faith Requires Faith

     She is almost never sure that she should write what she writes. She gets on her knees and asks for guidance, skill, accuracy and such.

     Then she sits on her chair and - fear and trembling follow. "Therefore, my beloved...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" - (Philippians 2:12). 

    We take our steps with less than 100% certainty. What else can we do, not walk at all? It gets complicated. Do we keep the Sabbath "holy" so there is a distinction between one day and the other six?  

     "Of course," she says, "the Lord alone knows the secrets of the heart. 'Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Then each one's praise will come from God.'"

     She does the best she can by study of His Word and not allowing energies to be consumed in second guessing. Rather, pressing forward. 

     As far as she knows, she is obeying God. If she is wrong, He will let her know when He returns, she says. Daily challenges sometimes happen in 50-50 situations. She picks one way and doesn't look back. 

Andree Seu Peterson, WORLD magazine

   

Money

     This and that. "The typical household is spending nearly $1,000 this winter to keep the heat on. That's about $85 more than a year ago. Residential electricity prices have risen about 25% since 2019. Although in the Northeast and the West Coast, electric bills in some states are less than in the 2010s, after adjusting for inflation. 

WORLD magazine

     "Paychecks for hourly wage earners have risen 3% to 4% every year since 2019. More than a third of homeowners reduced or went without necessities to pay an energy bill at least once.  

     Discounts. "More wealthy Americans are shopping at discount stores, a sign that inflation is reaching more income levels. About 30% of people earning more than $170,000 a year said they now shop at Walmart, ALDI and Dollar General, especially for food and household items. That's up from 20% four years ago. Surprised? 

     Graduation Blues. "College grads may struggle to land a job this spring, as businesses cut expenses. One quarter of 183 employers polled anticipate hiring more graduates this year. About half those surveyed rated the job market 'fair or poor,' the most pessimistic view since the pandemic. 

     "Declining sales and business leads, an uncertain economy, and budget cuts are the primary reasons. Economists expect the unemployment rate to remain elevated for most of 2026. But researchers say employers who didn't hire college grads last year may be looking for them this spring."