Light From Above   

On a dark, winter night,
During a Great Depression,
Mother, assisted by a nurse,
I joined the Silent Generation.
                  V
Three years to the month,                  Hello, Mom! I'm born again!
They pounded Pearl from above.        He nailed my sins to a tree.
Little did I know then, a                      Follow me, He promised,
War underway for my love.                 And I will set you truly free.
                  V                                                           V
We learned the Golden Rule,               Love is mine, salvation too.
And for sinners Jesus died.                  Forgiveness - check it off.
How glad I wasn't one of them.          I give you what He gave,
I lied.                                                    I'm done with goofing off.
                  V                                                           V
Sunday mornings were for God;          But now my nature old 
I gladly gave him that.                         Is jealous of the new!
The rest of the week was free;            Remember me I say to me,
You see, I was blind as a bat.              O Lord, what am I to do?
                   V                                                          V
O the dove, sent from Above;              Your condemnation I removed;
Someone waits for you and I,              You dishonor me in flesh.
A light to deliver sight,                         Bring your trash to me alone, 
When we meet him eye to eye.             And I will make you fresh.
                   V                                                            V
My efforts not good enough;                 I sent my Spirit to help you
At once, my way was blocked.              Grow because I love you so.
Who will help me find a path?               You are my child and know
I'm desperate, really shocked!              That I will never let you go.
                    V                                                          V
Hurling, hurting to the furnace,             Talk with me and read my Word,
What will He answer me?                       My burden it is light.
I'll give him days and nights                  Glorify me throughout each day 
If only He'll let me see.                           And I'll be there each night. 
                    V                                                          V
I've been searching all along,                The Rider is coming from Above;
Here since day number three.                I do not know about the strife.
My grace is amazing, power too,            I only know, because He said,
If only you will come to me.                   I'm grafted to the Tree of Life. 

  Now Thank We All Our God  

   Written during the Thirty Years' War, this is one of the most widely sung hymns in Germany. Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) was the only pastor in Eilenberg, a walled city where refugees fled, yet was overrun by Swedes and then Austrians. 

   Crowded conditions, hunger and plague were normal. Rinkart held funerals for 5,000 residents, including his wife. Yet thanksgiving and resolve arise. As translated:

Now thank we all our God

With heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom His world rejoices;

Who, from our mothers' arms,

Hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God 

Through all our life be near us, 

With ever joyful hearts 

And blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us in His grace,

And guide us when perplexed,

And free us from all ills

In this world and the next. 

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,

The Son and Him who reigns

With them in highest heaven,

The one eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore. 
    Amen. 

 

Explosive Testimony?      
    
   My assignment in journalism school up North was to analyze the St. Petersburg Times, a well respected newspaper then, and write a report. I have no recollection of my (cough) analysis.

   Decades and newer media have been cruel to the Times and its journalists. After a merger with Tampa's paper, it is now the Tampa Bay Times. 

   Like most city papers, it leans liberal, but last week a front page headline made my journalistic skin crawl.

   This is not a pro-Trump or anti-Dem blog. It's about journalistic integrity, which is fast disappearing in America.

   We watched little of the House impeachment inquiry, but we did catch testimonies by a few "witnesses," including U.S. ambassador Gordon Sondland. Republicans on the intelligence committee - which is now the impeachment committee - were allowed to ask questions. 

   One by one, witnesses, after delving into all kinds of background drivel, admitted that Trump broke no laws nor did he commit an impeachable offense. Sondland himself was left to confess that his charges were strictly speculation." 

   The Times headline the very next day screamed, Sondland Implicates White House. "He delivered the most explosive testimony yet..." 

   If you don't know, Democrats deliver daily talking points to TV networks and probably to print newsrooms as well. See for yourself by searching for news on all channels, except Fox. The key words that day were - "explosive testimony." 

   The article mentioned "compelling moments," giving the impression that Trump and his associates are bad dudes. 

   There's more. The Times article was written by Bloomberg News, part of Bloomberg L.P., a financial, software and media business founded by progressive billionaire Michael Bloomberg. Guess who joined the 2020 race and has every incentive to oppose the president. 

       Jimmy





  

THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, 

the state of man, the way of salvation, 

the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. 

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, 

its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. 

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, 

the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. 

Here, Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

CHRIST is its grand subject, 

our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. 

It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. 

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, 

and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, 

and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. 

      Forward in the Gideon Bible.      

Outside the Box     

   Leaders in countless professions could learn from 
Kevin Cash, 41, manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. 
Cash was one of three men up for American League "manager of the year" by the Baseball Writers' Association. The other two were Yankees' Aaron Boone and Cash's disciple, Rocco Baldelli of the Twins. 

   Rays players, management and opposing managers all voiced praise for Cash, who made the cut for the second straight year. Like the Heisman trophy in football, the criteria for best manager is not specifically defined.

   Every batter gets three strikes, but before the season's first pitch, some teams have more than $200 million to spend on salaries, while the Rays have about 30 percent of that. Guess which team the Rays have to play 19 times.

   Like the Yankees, the Rays had a slew of injuries in 2019. For several weeks, only one of their starting pitchers was active. An infielder candidate for rookie of the year was unavailable about half the season.

   Baseball people credit Cash with creating a "comfortable culture" and for "inspiring leadership." While winning is priority No. 1, he wants his players to have fun.

   He "sets the tone consistently of energy and competitiveness," is a "wonderful communicator and is able to establish buy-in on what he wants." Cash is "authentic and sincere." 

   Over the summer, he used his bench and bullpen - 603 relief appearances - and "went well outside the box." He made "bold decisions," was "unpredictable" (an advantage), and has "the humility to learn from moves" that fail. 

   In the clubhouse, Cash is "approachable and communicative. He connects with everyone. He's open to new ideas (and the handling of disagreements with his bosses) and can sense which players can take a joke and which need to be encouraged. All egos, including his own, are pushed aside."
  
   So it is no surprise that Cash immediately called his student, Baldelli, to congratulate him, even though the writers' choice was a surprise. Two other managers also are Cash disciples.  

      Jimmy









      

Who Will Say Something?    
    
   Christians and Muslims respect the life of Moses. But, as for the Person of God and how to relate to him, we are a world apart. 

   When it comes to persecution against people of faith, some Muslims single out other faiths, and some even turn on their own, as happened with ISIS in Iraq. 

   There are dictatorships that don't distinguish between faiths. Any faith is a threat to their domination, and people who don't fall in line, as in Hong Kong, can expect serious trouble.

   Today, China imprisons Muslim minorities in the Xijiang region. It's called "reeducation." We don't know the background.

   Leader Xi Jinping ordered officials to show "absolutely no mercy." The New York Times apparently received numerous leaks, some of them said to be from a Communist Party leader. Not everyone agrees with imprisonment for reeducation.  

   Is the world Muslim community speaking up, like it would when someone blasphemes Muhammed? Not that we know of. 

   Nor can the victims count on world leaders and businesses with financial interests in China...so far as we know. Well, then, should Christian leaders speak up?

   Chinese officials have scripts to follow in speaking with relatives of the imprisoned. Like, their family members have "unhealthy thoughts. It's hard to eradicate viruses in thinking in a short time." 

   Xi also tells officials, according to leaks, "Don't underestimate the psychological effects of religious extremism. It takes a painful 'interventionary' treatment." 

   Who will say something, even if it falls on deaf ears? Someday, Christ followers with "unhealthy thoughts" may need to be reeducated, unless the rapture comes first. Jesus forewarned that the world will persecute his followers. It should be no surprise.

        Jimmy

Who Watches the Money?    
   
   We don't want to spoil your Thanksgiving dinner with worrisome reports, so we'll put this one to bed now. 

   You may remember the General Services Administration "conference" in Las Vegas in 2010. GSA officials made eight visits to Sin City, staying at various resorts to determine which had the best rooms and food.

   Parties and entertainment were "necessary" to judge where best to hold the conference. One dinner cost more than $100/person, at taxpayer expense. This was the advanced party!

   Over four days, 300 government employees lived it up, spending millions. As we remember, the Obama Administration termed it "team building."

   What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, except this time. GSA Inspector General Brian Miller did his job, and the chief organizer, who awarded himself an extra getaway, served eight months in a correctional institution.

   Interviewer Marvin Olasky recently ask Miller, "How swampy is the Washington swamp?" "It's swampy," he answered. The work of IGs is "somewhat like playing Whac-A-Mole." 

   GSA, the federal landlord, buys things for the government. There are 12,000 employees. 

   Miller said, "Any town with 12,000 people in it will have people doing stupid things and criminal things." There are always scandals at GSA. That's where the money is, and a lot of it flows through GSA."

   Healthcare fraud is another concern, with billions of dollars involved. Miller said, "There's always incentive to maximize your reimbursement from the federal government. There are lots of judgment calls in billing. Regulations have gotten so complicated that it's hard to follow precisely." 

   There are 73 federal inspectors general, all supposedly independent. Soon, the nation will hear from the Dept. of Justice IG. Pleasant dreams.  

        Jimmy





         

      
Behind the Berlin Wall      

   One local man, Fritz Will, among many who celebrated the 30th anniversary of the wall's demise, remembers the day in 1989: 

   "I was there with my hammer and chisel to get a piece of history. It was a very happy moment, but I had tears in my eyes.

   "I used to live in West Germany and drove three hours to Berlin to see what was happening. So many happy people were coming from the East. They were finally free.

   "As Communists, they were all 'equal' in the eyes of the government. 
No one was motivated to work a little harder to get ahead. 

   "You had to wait 10 years for a car; there was no material to fix your house. That's socialism. 

   "Just ask yourself: Why did the people in East Germany want to come to the West - under any circumstances?"

 ~ 

   And we ask, if American life is so unfair that we need to elect leftist politicians, why would so many people flock to the United States - possibly half the world - if it was possible?  

Reorganizing Views?
   The Tampa Bay Times reorganized itself with sections devoted to: Health & Medicine, Your Money, The Environment, Science & Technology and Notable Deaths. 

   Maybe we should do as they did. Here's a trial run: 
  Health & Medicine  
   The better the health, the less medicine.
Your Money   
   Yes, but everyone wants it, including thieves. 
The Environment   
   It's much better now in Tampa than in Minneapolis.  
Science & Technology    
   Artificial intelligence. Views imitates intelligent journalism five days a week.
Notable Deaths  
   Alexander. Bonaparte. Hitler. Washington, Lincoln. Presley. Tolstoy.
 

What do you think?

Cross words   

   "Father, forgive them..."

       Jimmy

Marriage    
Made in Heaven     
    
   Before there were fathers and mothers, our Creator said: ...a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

 Gen. 2:24; Mark 10:6-9 

The Picture    

   Marriage is God's picture of the relationship He wants with all of us. The Son is the bridegroom and the church, the bride. 

   The knot we tie comes loose for a variety of reasons, mostly not heaven-approved. 

   God intends marriage to reflect heaven on earth. The Son helps us, being the unseen third Person in the relationship, or should we say, the Husband of the couple? 

The Commitment

   Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 

Eph. 5:25

   We commit ourselves to the One who gave himself up for us. 
Paul wrote, I promised you to one husband, Christ. 

I Peter 4:19; 2 Co. 11:2

   What are wedding vows if not a commitment? 

The End  

I saw the Holy City coming down out of heaven from God

prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

The Spirit and bride say come...take the free gift of the water of life.

The wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready.

  Rev. 19:7;  21:2,9;  22:17  

   Of course, it takes work. But it's not nearly as difficult as the work Jesus did to secure our salvation.  

       J

Saved from Capitation    
    
   You might be happy to know we have been "released from capitation." Not to be confused with decapitation.

   Capitation is a term our HMO uses to assign members to various specialists, without consulting us. Capitate has to do with the head, or head of a household. Our dictionary thinks capitation is a tax imposed on the head person. It knows nothing about HMO capitation.

   Our optometrist recommended a minor surgery. He suggested a certain eye center, while our primary care doc had another in mind. Neither one accepts our HMO, so now what? 

   The HMO informed me I'm a captive of an eye center of which I'm definitely not captivated. We'll just forgo the surgery, or..........

   A phone call to an eye center a half mile from home, where we had the same surgery 12 years ago (different insurance), was promising. They aren't associated with our HMO, but have an agreement to serve anyone in our ZIP code. Okay. 

   Getting decapitated - oops, we mean released from capitation - required a series of phone calls that might embarrass even the U.S. Government. But, hooray, we prevailed. 

Can't Have Competition   
   Churches in Algeria are at risk of closure. Authorities have already closed 12 evangelical churches, including two of the largest. Notice the difference. 

   If Christianity and Judaism forced believers in ways Islam does in their regions of domination, where would be the free will and faith the Lord most desires? In Iran, a Muslim convert to Christianity was jailed from 2013 until this year for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic." 

Our Dear Rep. Schiff
   How in our democratic experiment can a lawmaker who repeatedly lied that he had solid evidence of collusion with Russia still be in committee leadership, even conducting impeachment hearings? Be afraid, fellow citizens. 

        Jimmy

Geodesy   
War and GPS     
The war ends; mapping work begins  

   By May 8, the day Germany surrendered, the team had shipped 35 truckloads of maps, data and instruments to Bamberg within the American zone. By June 1, they had moved 250 tons of captured material.

   Data shipped to Washington included coverage of Europe, Russia and areas of North Africa and the Middle East. It also included some 10,000 maps.

   Instruments captured in Saalfeld, made by Zeiss, a German optics firm, were valued at $500,000 ($7 million today).

   Then Maj. Hough gave his team the day off, their first in nearly four months. 

Behind THE LINES, Smithsonian 

   With German help in number-crunching, the integration of survey data began. Soon, more data was discovered in salt mines, castles and even buried amid human bones in a monastery. (Must have been important!) 

   The European Datum was completed in 1951. It in turn became part of the foundation for a new global coordinate system, and played a role in developing the Army's guided missile systems. 

   It also proved useful for civilian operations, economic development projects, ecological research, oil prospecting...and GPS, which you might use to locate your restaurant.

   Enjoy your dinner. 

         Jimmy

Geodesy    
War and GPS    
Part 2 of 3   

   Maj. Hough's team searched Cologne, Bonn, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and some even slipped into the pope's private library at the Vatican, posing as civilians.  

   In one city basement they found 18 bundles of survey data hidden behind a pile of rubbish. A captured officer of the German national survey agency revealed the names of two small towns that were not on their target list. There they found an entire archive that had been moved from Berlin. 

   In April 1945, Maj. Hough visited a sub camp of Buchenwald on the same day Eisenhower and Patton were there. Eight days later, several members of the team also visited the concentration camp. "There are no words capable of expressing the horrible scenes," Hough wrote. "It was revolting and we were left almost speechless." 
   

Behind THE LINES, Smithsonian

   They captured the head of the survey agency. After much reluctance, the man blurted out a name: Saalfeld. There, the team found a warehouse with shelves from floor almost to the ceiling filled with stacks of paper. 

   Inside was the central map and geodetic data repository for the German Army - the mother lode. Records - also moved from Berlin to protect them from bombs - included areas in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, where Nazi troops had been. 

  As Saalfeld was in a zone soon to be occupied by the Soviets, maps and data had to be removed quickly. Borrowed trucks, small planes, Army enlisted men and conscripted German civilians all helped. 
  

Tomorrow: Among the bones 

   

Geodesy     
War and GPS     
Part 1 of 3

   Next time you casually use GPS to find a restaurant, remember the 17 men and two women who helped lay the foundation - in the burning rubble of Nazi Germany. 

   In late 1944, Army Major Floyd Hough and his highly secret team entered Aachen (98 percent destroyed), looking for the library. They carried 1,800 pounds of cameras and other equipment for making microfilm records. 

   They also used 11,000 index cards of the Army Map Service and target lists of technical universities, government institutes, libraries and other places. The lists also named German scientists who might cooperate, and others who were not to be trusted.  

Behind THE LINES, Smithsonian

   The Aachen library was wrecked, but amazingly, stacked outside were bundles of folders that Germans left behind. These were precise survey data covering German territory - just what they were looking for. The team microfilmed the material and sent it directly to the front for Allied artillery units.    

   It was the first of many successes that hastened the end of the war, and also helped shape the world order for decades to come. Geodesy is the science of measuring the Earth with mathematical precision. Any point can be defined by numerical coordinates.   

   The teams' mission was to follow the army's front and "ride the first tank into Berlin." As it turned out, Germans had removed the material to preserve it. All the better.  

Tomorrow: The pope's library? 

To Be or Not to Be...Famous   

   Upon reviewing our audience stats, it is clear we will never be famous. Although at least one reader in 53 different countries has clicked on Views By the Sea - most of them once only. If only...

   We're all born with ego. "Look at what I drew." "It's mine!" "No." 

   And maybe we end with an ego. "My obit must include every single accomplishment." 

   Some people deserve fame with years of greatness. Others achieve the "15 minute" variety. 

   A person can be famous for both positive and negative reasons. Good fame might be sullied quickly with a human boo-boo, or if a secret leaks out. (politicians, clergy, entertainers, athletes, etc.) 

   Funny how some people strive for fame, only to buy a remote mansion behind gates and hire armed guards. 

   A writer who inspired us to copy-cat him (here) notes that celebrities are expected to play the part in public for their admirers...no matter what's happening in their personal life. Some athletes didn't get the memo.   

   Being an obscure blogger has its positives. Tonight, I'll set out the garbage without paparazzi swarming my lawn.

   Tomorrow, I'll exchange waves with a neighbor walking the dog as I drive off to the store or gym. 

   We do share this much with the rich and famous: People still call asking for money in one form or another.

   But, no one gets my autograph. I use them all up signing personal checks to pay the bills. 

   And I'm well aware that whether or not neighbors attend my funeral will depend entirely on the weather.  

😇

         Jimmy

The Fairest Way - Slavery   

   To evaluate socialism, Marvin Olasky turned to 19th century philosophers. 

   George Fitzhugh said of capitalism, "Modern improvements, while they lessen the labor required to create wealth, beget...unequal distribution."

   His solution: Hold "property in common" and divide "the profits, not according to each man's input and labor, but according to each man's wants. Our only quarrel with Socialism is that it will not honestly admit that it...is seeking to bring about slavery again."  

   Fitzhugh called "domestic slavery...the oldest, best and most common form of Socialism." Plantation owners purportedly "provide for each slave, in old age and in infancy, in sickness and in health." 

   He also wrote, "It is the duty of society to protect the weak, but protection cannot be efficient without the power of control; therefore, it is the duty of society to enslave the weak."  

   His contemporary, Edmund Ruffin wrote, "...the socialists are right - but they don't admit that in socialism, one directing mind and one controlling will will take charge. In slavery, the controlling power is the mind and will of the master, for the good of all. In the institution of domestic slavery, and in that only, are most completely realized the dreams...of the social school of philanthropists."  

   Olasky concludes, "In a market economy, the baker gets up early so he can sell tasty bread to feed his family. In socialism, his family will eat whether he gets up early or not, so he's likely (not to get up). What then will the master of society do?" 

   If the baker defeats all attempts to make him comply, a soldier comes to get him..."and shoots him if he resists." 

   So, who do we choose to be our efficient master? Bernie? Elizabeth? And who follows them?  

       Jimmy

Mutts' Endangered List     

   In Sunday's comics, "Mutts," one of the cats started an "endangered list." 

   When you read the list, see if you recognize three items also found among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 

   Endangered:   empathy   compassion   kindness   sympathy   decency   sensitivity   integrity   altruism   affection   benevolence   heart   tenderness   love   humanity   charity   grace   courtesy   tolerance   mercy   intelligence   leniency   understanding   common sense   goodwill   patience   wisdom. 

Inclined to Impeach  

   The Constitution has little to say about impeachment (Article II, Section 4) other than to give the U.S. House authority to do it - NO JURY - for conviction of "treason, bribery" and other...

   "High crimes and misdemeanors" can mean whatever politicians desire. Like the Constitution as a whole, this balancing of powers is only as "good" as the people in power. 

   We believe the House certainly will impeach the president. The goal is not Trump per se, but to win back the White House and its power. That he isn't likable as was Reagan, for example, makes it easier.

   Their only concern is assessing the voters. Would it backfire in 2020? 

   Of course, our founders added another layer of balance. Only the Senate can remove a president from office (Article I, Section 3) and that by two-thirds of the members present, with the chief justice presiding. 

       Jimmy



    

Rules of Engagement    

   Our world is a theater, what some scholars call "the divine council." 
We don't write the script. 

   In this council, Satan questions God's character as he questioned Job, indirectly accusing God himself.   

   The Lord has "rules of engagement," within which He allows Satan to make his claims - then defeats them one by one. (See Matt. 4:1-11) 

   In a horrible circumstance or untimely death, a child dies. Satan raises doubts in our minds about God's justice and kindness. 

   God can prevent misfortune. He does act on our behalf, without being overly obvious; what most honors him is faith in the unseen. (Lucifer saw, and still failed.)   

   If God gives Satan (and humans) choices, what does it say if He breaks his own rules to prevent those choices? 

   God defeats Satan by demonstrating his own character, not his power,
says the professor.  

   We don't preach. We come along side those who are suffering, as did Job's friends, ill suited as they were. Our best is to show we care. This may involve giving more than time.

   John the baptist, the "Elijah," was beheaded in a Jerusalem prison while Jesus - with supernatural knowledge - was in Galilee and could have prevented it. Are we greater than John? 

   Most importantly, we trust him who endured the cross. If God freely suffered and died for us in the person of Christ, He can morally make the rules. 

   We trust him when we don't understand. Even in death, it's not over. There is resurrection. A Christ-centered millennium is coming, and then eternity. We mourn and rejoice together.  

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. 

Give him what He wants, no matter what.

Why ... Lord?      
   
   If we didn't confuse you over the weekend, please give us another chance. Asking "why God allows bad things to happen" might do the job.

   Two years ago our daughter and husband lost their baby due to a defect in his chromosomes. Recently, my high school classmates lost their son, age 53. You have had your own heartaches.

   After He created man, God, saw all that He had made, and it was very good. 

   Here we are after multiple wars, diseases, fires, kings, earthquakes, tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, suicides, floods, mudslides, famines, terrorism, homicides, accidents and poisonous plants. Even some lower creatures God made will take a bite out of us, given the chance. And then there is evil.

   Professor John Peckham, interviewed by Marvin Olasky, attempts to explain: 

   "God is entirely good - omnibenevolent, and entirely powerful - omnipotent. Why, then should evil and man's own troubles exist? Is He cruel, unsympathetic, or unable? 

   The "free will" defense explains the logical problem of evil, says the professor. If free will is necessary to honor some other value, like love, God remains morally good.

Devil: evil with a D 

   Due to the Fall, we inherited sinful nature and depravity. Nevertheless, God's grace, which is very good, allows us to make decisions within our human limitations. 

   In Greek, the word devil means slanderer. Satan has access to God and makes charges against us. See the book of Job. 

   God can answer with power, but that would leave the door open for charges of meanness or unfairness, etc. 

   Where do we go with this? We think we know.      Tomorrow > 

Tug of Spiritual Warfare   

   Baby Jesus, born into Herod's world, immediately became a target for assassination. 

   The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  

   His disciples, and for centuries other followers, suffered imprisonment and death, considered as threats to religious or political strongholds.

   It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions...

   Daily persecution occurs in certain Muslim and Hindu regions, and in godless North Korea and China.*

   ...and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...

   An age in the West where post-Christian is becoming anti-Christian.*

   ...while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ... 

   Government will stifle Christian ministries and freedom of conscience. 
Believers' thoughts will not be tolerated. It's already begun. 

   ...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness...
   
   God's ultimate purpose for us will appear during the millennium and throughout eternity.* 

   ...and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

   Peter said we are to entrust or commit our souls to God - the same word Jesus used on the cross when He committed his Spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46) - while we continue to "do good."* 

* From our devotional