And Jesus said...

    Gospel of John, chapter 15, conclusion

v. 18  If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 

v. 20  A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. 

v. 22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

v. 23  He who hates Me hates My Father also. 

v. 24  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 

v. 25  They hated Me without a cause. 

 

No Exceptions 

  Judgment of believers. Part 2 of 6 

     For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him (or her) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. - 2 Corinthians 5:10 

All Christians subject to judgment, no exceptions.

     Each of us will give an account of himself to God. - Romans 14:12  

     ...his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 

     ...the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. - John 5:22

     Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. - 2 John 8

Next week: to be revealed openly 

Judgment for Believers 

     Throughout our lifelong church attendance, we don't recall any pastor telling us that we believers will be judged. We've read those verses, but it never "sunk in" until we turned 85. 

     People think judgment is for unbelievers only; no forgiveness. 

     There is a difference ... unbelievers and those who are living with hope of salvation. We may live happily ever after. But picture this: our Lord and Savior opening a book with all our records. Opps! 

     He casts our sins into the deepest sea...yet there will be a time of judgment. How much did we love him? What did we do for others? What deceptive words of Satan did we fall for? What commands did we ignore? 

     The Bible says the Lord will reward us for proper attitudes, works, etc. As for sinful thoughts and deeds, "fire" will burn them up. I hope He won't let anyone else see what He saw in me. 

     The record of our invisible "heart" in this life will determine the role we are given during the millennium. 

     Our Bible challenges us to fear the Lord, and to love the Lord.       

     Views by the Sea will search these lessons. The "teachers" are Christ himself, King Solomon, Paul the missionary, disciples Peter, John and Matthew, Paul's helper Mark, and the unknown author of Hebrews. 

     Part 2 - next. The final four parts may depend on other subjects, given ongoing news and events of our times.

Tomorrow: No exceptions

We'll Do as They Say 

   Part 3 Conclusion   

     The 2030 agenda would dictate who we associate with, what we can and cannot eat, and what we must believe, said Argentina President Javiar Milei in his speech at the United Nations. 

     Collectivism. The woke agenda. Solutions not credible. Do the names Al Gore, John Kerry and Barack Obama mean anything to us? And now Joe Biden and their next choice to "play president" while the machine does its thing. 2030 has already failed. The left's repression and restrictions carry on, regardless of their standard bearer. 

     Milei referred to the recent history of his nation: "Poverty. Anarchy. Brutalization." Argentina now embraces freedom: "We are all born free, equal under the law, with inalienable rights - provided by our Creator." He listed "defense of life and property, freedom of commerce, and limited government." 

     Does this sound like the original, free America?  

     Milei upheld "freedom from tyranny and oppression," and freedom of matters such as political, economic and religion. He signed a descent on the 2030 agenda, saying it would cripple the world. He called for a new agenda. 

     He quoted Thomas Paine, who famously said, "Those who reap the blessings of freedom...must undergo the fatigues of supporting it." He also quoted from the U.S. Declaration of Independance. If only our current president had delivered this message to the U.N. 

     Will the U.N. heed Milei's proposal to return to its founding purposes? Our ambassador is Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Surely, she will.......? 😏

# 

You Name It 

     The United Nations allows it. Part 2

     The U.N. tolerates bloody dictatorships such as Cuba and Venezuela, which can serve on the human rights council like anyone else. Countries that punish women who show their skin may serve on committees that seek to eliminate discrimination of women. 

     The U.N. regularly votes against Israel, a liberal democracy. (Would Satan have a hand in this?) 

     The 2030 agenda has repressed the natural economic process, preventing third world nations from using their own resources. They require nations to commit resources they don't have...develop programs they don't need...and make them perpetual debtors to the agenda of global elites. (So said Javiar Milei, president of Argentina.) 

     Zero emission policies harm poor countries. Permanent members of the Security Council veto decisions based not on merit but on whose interests are involved. 

What's this?

Midday Tuesday ... U.N. member Iran is shelling the entirety of U.N. member Israel. Do they know that thousands of Israelites are not Jewish? What if a stray Muslim-Iran missile struck the Muslim temple on the historic temple mount in Jerusalem? 

Meanwhile, U.N. member Russia continues its assault on U.N. member Ukraine, with over 300,000 deaths so far. The U.N. is powerless to solve global conflict, Milei said. 

     We'll get back to his speech tomorrow.

The Rest of the Story?

     Your life and mine are under the eyes of world leaders. 

     Our discussion days ago about border problems was only a chapter in a scary story. Thanks to our friend now living in Israel, we have a "world view" of this unprecedented movement. He sent us a report by Glenn Beck, including a speech Argentina's president delivered at the United Nations. Maybe you saw this. 

     For over a century, Argentina's collective polices drove their economy into oblivion. Javiar Milei, an economist, a student of U.S. independence, was elected president last December. Over half of Argentinians are still in poverty.

     Milei had the nerve to address the United Nations, noting "decades of failure" to follow its original mission. In 2015, the U.S., while Obama was president, signed on to the "2030 agenda," 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the world, 169 "targets" and 230 "indicators." 

     It seems the agenda has already collapsed, and Milei asked them to develop a new agenda. Do you think the UN Security Council will follow the advice of this man, not yet one year in power? Not likely. 

     Milei told them "Solutions of 2030 violate sovereignty, and the right to life, liberty and prosperity." Sound familiar? He said, "The agenda pretends to solve poverty, inequality and discrimination with laws that deepen those problems."  

     He continued, "History shows the only way to guarantee prosperity is to limit the monarchs, and defend the right to life, liberty and prosperity before the law. This agenda obeys privileged interest. It abandons principles and human rights."

Tomorrow: UN embarrassments

 

 

      

     

Split Second 

                      <  miracle at a St. Louis intersection  >

     A month ago, Nick Eicher's wife Arla was turning left as she had done thousands of times, being careful not to follow too closely. Cut to black.  She regained consciousness, battered, bloody, glass in her hair and mouth. First responders had to cut the door off her Honda. 

     The drunk driver of a pickup truck was going twice the limit and blew a red light. He had no license, insurance or license plates. Eicher says the collision was "a millisecond from sending his wife into the arms of Jesus." 

WORLD magazine

     He says the "undocumented are among us in shockingly large numbers." Pastor John MacArthur, whose wife and daughter had a terrifying car accident over 30 years ago, with no ill effects today, spoke with Eicher a week after Arla's accident. He told him, "God is in the details." 

     Eicher wrote, "The center of the collision lined up with the frame between the front and back seats. If she's traveling one-one-thousandth of a second slower, the loss is unspeakably greater."

     MacArthur stressed that it's crucial not to confuse these miracles of providence with salvation. One's life being spared is not the same as one's life being saved. Recalling the assassination attempt in July, he thinks former President Trump is wrong to say that God saved his life. "God spared his life, that he might be saved. None of us is guaranteed another day." 

     No horn. No skidding tires. Just a normal left turn, then cut to black. "You have to view life that way," MacArthur said. "Heed God's warning now. There may not be another."

#

The True Vine

     John chapter 15

v.1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 

v.2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 

v.4  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

v.5  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.

v.7  If you abide in Me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 

v. 8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 

v.9  As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

v. 12  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

v. 13  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (Which Jesus would soon do.) 

All We Need to Know 

     While we clean up from hurricane damage and debris, let's make sure there is no election damage and debris.

     You may have seen what we saw Friday morning: a report from our government about bad guys flooding across our border. A storm of its own, thanks to our government.

     ICE knows of 450,000-plus getaways now in the U.S., including over 39,000 convicted of murder, thousands more convicted of sex crimes, and other crimes. Another 244,000-plus are being investigated for similar crimes, presumably in their home countries. Who thinks they behave in our cities and towns?

     Our sanctuary cities are releasing convicted people - arrested by ICE - back into their communities. Nothing prevents criminals from crossing state borders. Is this the country we want, even if our personal "economy" is okay? We have enough crime among real Americans. 

     There is a fix. Just one. 

     VP Kamala Harris was/is the Border Zar. She did nothing, because her party wanted nothing done. Plus, she called for "reimagining" ICE, which she linked with the KKK. You can imagine what she means. 

     We urge voters to seriously, carefully make immigration priority 1.  

     Whatever our priorities, illegal immigration works against all of us.   

     Here's all we need to know: Iranian, Russian and Chinese leaders want Harris to win. 

              Jimmy

PS. I'm still amazed we Americans didn't rise up when the border swung open in January 2021. We will regret it.  

Views Weather Report

Thursday p.m. Sky: dark. Wind: 140 mph. Cat 4. Storm surge: 5-10 ft. 

The Will to Blog

     We have the will to pray for others who had to evacuate and/or suffer wind and water damage. Meanwhile...

     Recently, we offered words common for our invisible heart (not the beating heart), the soul (another word for heart), the mind and emotions. Here, we conclude this series with words of our will. 

     You will see why this group of words are different than others. 

     We may be hardened, or willing. We may believe or disbelieve. Honorable or dishonorable. Responsible or irresponsible. Strong or weak. Teachable. Devoted. We can even be unaware. 

     So, those are words in the category of our will. Some words, like cooperative, may be positive or negative, depending on the subject at the moment. 

     The will along with the mind and emotions join in with the heart/soul. 

     Attitudes we have during a hurricane will be different than those we have at a wedding. It all goes to our Creator who knows what he is doing, even if we don't comprehend.

     Now. You may return to the weather channel. 

               Jimmy

Can You Beat Me?

     We took the letters    a c e h i l n r u    and tried to see how many words we could spell using only these letters. 

     There is - can, rice, he, cane, nice, hen, hi. 

     Also - hail, ice, rich, richer, near, ace and lice.

     How about - hill, race, nail, rail, cure, hair, liar, hire, run. 

     23 words. Can you add to it?

     Or, can you top this? Find a word and a name that go together, using all nine of the letters? 

     Give up?

     Hurricane Helene 

     No laughing matter. Coming our way. And we can't run. 

     Tuesday evening, well-known meteorologist Jim Cantore was on TV from Hudson Beach, 1-1/2 miles from us. Wow! He is known for showing up at the most vulnerable locations. We expect high storm surge, but hurricane winds...not likely.

     On Wednesday, the Jim Cantore we know. He is now in Florida's capital city, which expects to be hammered by a cat 3 or 4.

               Jimmy 

Not to Worry

     Two days ago, our header was "To Worry or Not." 

     Despite the headlines, maybe we need to quiet our souls. God is a God of all comfort - 2 Corinthians 1:3. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil? - Psalm 42. 

     Me. Because people want to rob me...the Russians have nukes...and a candidate for president is double trouble.

     Let not your hearts be troubled, Jesus said. That was an order.

     Me. But, Jesus didn't have to contend with guns and drunken drivers.

     "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Be faithful even to the point of death." - Revelation 2. 

     Me. Easily said, but a hurricane is coming our way. 

     Get a grip, Jimmy Donut. Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised - Hebrews 6:12. Guard your heart - Proverbs 4:23. Resist the devil - James 4:7. Take captive every thought and demolish every argument - 2 Corinthians 10:5. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all - Isaiah 7:9. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart - Colossians 3:15. 

     Whew! So much to think about! My heart is an arena with fierce competitors, authorities, powers and spiritual forces - Ephesians 6. 

     I need to meet David. In Psalm 131, his life has been unpleasant. But he settled himself down and learned to quiet his soul. For he knows the One who loves his soul is never far. 

                   Jimmy

PS. If you don't see a new blog Wednesday night or Thursday, blame the hurricane, not your blogger. 

The No. 1 Issue?

     Monday morning during breakfast I asked Mrs. Donut her opinion about the 2024 election now underway.

     "What's more important, the economy or the border?" 

     Many voters say the economy comes first. We understand...if people can't afford what they need or they need to work 2-1/2 jobs to pay the bills, this is serious. 

     My wife's answer: the border comes first, and she backed it up. "I agree with you," I said. (It's wise to agree with the Mrs.)  

     Reasonable wealth in whatever form beats poverty. But! But, can we enjoy our wealth if so many communities are being overrun and the federal government could care less about our Constitution? 

     What happens in Chicago when black gangs (with guns) are losing out to illegal immigrants? When America's children must compete with illegals for classrooms? When hospitals and doctor's offices are stretched to accommodate patients. As in Canada.  

     So, which is more important, a football team or the field they play on? The team, of course, but without a field...no game. 

     Without orderly society and equality for all...no assurance of safety or wealth for we the people.   

              Jimmy 

To Worry or Not 

     We read a long report from a man whose career has been finances. He claims to have a long history of successful predictions about recessions and depressions. 

     Among other things, he predicts Donald Trump to win this election, but also that Democrats will announce that he will destroy democracy. They will not turn over the keys to the White House. And they will do the destroying. 

     What could this lead to? 

     The man has all sorts of advice about what stocks to buy and what to sell. He claims three (millionaires/billionaires?) have already turned their stocks into cash. Our savings, he claims, will disappear.

     So, we crawled into bed and pulled up the covers.

     Well, no. But we did come across an encouraging Scripture: 

     Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. - Jesus in Matthew 6:33, 34 

     Thank you, Lord. We can do that.   

     But there is 1 Peter 1:6, 7. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

              Jimmy

 And Jesus Said...

     John chapter 14

v. 10  I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does the works. 

v. 15  If you love me keep my commandments. 

v. 16  And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth.

v. 19  Because I live, you will live also. 

v. 20  At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you.  

v. 23  If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. 

v. 26  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things. 

v. 27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

 You Tell Me  

     Why are more than 200 former Bush, McCain, Romney staffers endorsing Kamala Harris, an all-out liberal? 

     We would put politics aside. But we can't go there before we deal with here. 

     One thought: People in charge think they are special - and they are different than "we the people." When GOP types don't get their way, and their pride suffers, well, they may turn on whoever "hurt" them. 

     We confess to being life-long registered Republicans. We don't worship them or pretend to know everything voters should know. 

     But, if former vice presidents Mike Pence and Dick Cheney and others can denounce the Republican candidate in a race likely to preserve or destroy our "more perfect Union," they put self above we the people. 

     Pence said he can "never vote for Harris." Guess he won't vote this year. The Cheneys support Harris, who is anti-American. Continued illegal immigration is splitting our "United" land of liberty. 

     Meanwhile, moderate Democrats are leaning toward Donald Trump.

     Trump steps on toes. Not nice. He upstages GOP lifers. But he's been a proven, successful president for "we the people."    

     Democrats may or may not hate Trump..."Hitler" etc. They just want him out of their way, by assassination if necessary. Some Republicans hate Trump. And why they risk losing our republic, you tell me. 

          Jimmy 

 Full Participation for All 

     First, we thank you for including our blog in your daily reading. You also read what other people write. That's diversity.

     And we appreciate your fairness in considering our attitude about ongoing events. That's equity.

     Finally, it is nice to be included in your reading habits, taking time out of your busy day to read Views. That's inclusion. 

     Diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI. 

     Good progress we're making, after decades of sameness, injustice and discrimination. 

     We do have some questions. Why hire an airplane mechanic, regardless of race, if he doesn't have the essential skill? If he or she is very well qualified - go for it. This is a matter of life and death. 

     Why staff Secret Service with full participation in mind, when persons with extraordinary ability must be chosen to protect our leaders? It only takes one mistake or overlook to cost someone their life. If they can hire the most qualified, while achieving DEI, okay.

     There are occupations where safety is essential for all races and both sexes, all employees and we the people. We all have a stake. 

     In human resources at a Westinghouse office of electric transformer designers, each year I reported to the government how many employees we had - professional and nonprofessional - and how many were white or non-white. There were government targets, based on the location for secretaries etc., and nationally for professionals.

     We never met the target for black design +engineers, because those coming out of college and others had more desirable opportunities than sitting at a desk all day. So, there is that. No full participation for all. 

         Jimmy

PS. Be thankful there are engineers willing to sit at a desk all day. Without them, and other workers, we have no alternating-current electricity. Back to candles and horses.  

PS. Don't miss our next blog: Disgruntled losers. Seriously! 

Then and Now  

Our first president, rather than seeking prestige and status, wrote: Government is not reason, but a force fire, dangerous servant, a fearful master. It must never be left to irresponsible action.

Republicans who have been imprisoned or financially broken by our DOJ, FBI and CIA could agree with George Washington. 

Then     Now

Limited government, reason, rights, character, justice, liberty.   

          Terrorists, human traffickers, drug dealers, transgender - kids.

Peaceful assembly, domestic tranquility, security, love of country.

          Unreasonable searches and seizures. Liars. Soft on crime. 

Government money tied to the gold standard.

          Today's debt: $35 trillion.

Free enterprise, safe streets and schools, secure border.

          Dangerous streets, schools at risk, illegal immigrants. 

News media, free from government interference.

          News media, used by government to interfere with truth. 

Irresponsible.

Jimmy

 

The Last Pitch Vote 

     November 5. The world series. Game 7. Ninth inning. Score tied. 

     The Philadelphia (think constitutional convention) Phillies now risk defeat. The New York Yankees, the home team, have led the league going on four years. 

     Yanks only need to score one more run. Bases loaded. Two outs. Count - 3 balls, 2 strikes. The batter doesn't need to get a hit...if she is hit by a pitch, the Phillies make an error, or the pitcher throws ball 4. Or the judge - we mean umpire, makes a bad call. Ha Ha. 

     If Yankees win, they will make all laws, choose all leaders, bench any opponents, erase prior records, remove statues of opponents...and sign-up illegal players from around the world. 

     It's already happening, because they won control four years ago. 

     Okay. It's not November 5th...yet. 

     When a ball game is over, players win or lose, not the fans. When a national election is over, potentially any of us can be affected, for the good, or not. As we're part of an uncertain world, who knows what may happen well after the election? Can we trust our leadership? 

     Unlike ball games, we get to vote. It's not much. There may be cheating. But if we don't participate, hopefully with true knowledge, we have no complaint when our government fails us. 

              Jimmy

     

      

In Our Mail Bag 

     While we work on tomorrow's special, you might enjoy(?) looking over some of our mail.

"Time is running out to hold accountable the most corrupt and fraudulent congressional committee ever."

"...there was no insurrection or coup attempt..."

"The...committee has suppressed critical testimony...leaked...smeared... massive misinformation..."

"...they don't want you to know."

"...but a cabal...blocked their deployment..." 

"...they need to hide that fact from the American people." 

"No one has held them accountable."

"There have been a ton of lies thrown around..."

"They went nuclear on the whistleblower from the Secret Service..."

"They outright lied about what he had testified..." 

"They hide evidence, they lie, and they destroy people who stand up..."

"The answer is they are afraid of the truth." 

"I'm forming a special team who can't be bought..." 

"...there will be no one to fight for us when it comes for us!"

"Yet...still refuse to defend our border..." 

"I'd do it all over again because protecting Americans..." 

"That's why...makes me see red." 

"...Illegal immigration costs the American taxpayer..."

"Washington is chock full of spineless Democrats AND Republicans..."

"But thanks to Biden rolling out the welcome mat for all..."

"...terrorist hot spots, drug manufacturing, and countries hell bent on destroying America." 

"...done all they can to dismantle the America First policies..."

"I lost both my legs more than 13 years ago...in Afghanistan."

Don't hide under your bed. We'll quit here.

Jimmy

Get Emotional   

We're soon going to blog you everything - we think - 

you need to know about this year's election. 

     Today, let's get emotional. This follows previous blogs on the human heart, soul and mind. 

     Did you know - your emotions will go with you into eternity?  

     There are emotions of gladness, love, courage, repentance, grief, humility, excitement, happiness, motivation, inspired, joy and passionate. 

     Emotions not so welcome include fearful, anxious, anger, anguish, troubled, sadness, depressed, frustrated, annoyed and irritated. We assume none of these will follow us into heavenly life. As for hell? 

     Some emotions can be positive one time and negative another, depending on the issue...such as anger over evil activity, or excitement that some danger passed us by. 

     While some facts about us cannot change, or shouldn't, we can change, control, or revise certain emotions. Our Bible speaks of joy in the Lord while experiencing trouble. And humility: if we don't have it, we had best reconsider. 

     As for both positive and negative emotions, some can be helpful, others harmful. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that we all (including himself) are "jars of clay."  

          Jimmy  

 And Jesus said...

   John chapter 13

The last supper with his disciples, knowing what was to happen:

v. 31  Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 

v. 34  A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

v. 35  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. 

   John chapter 14

v. 1  Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 

v. 3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 

Thomas: "Lord, we do not know where you are going..."

v. 6  I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

Philip: "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."

v. 9  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, "Show us the Father?"

COMPASSION  

Path Out of Poverty?

     What say? Let's put a lid on politics for today. 

     Some children climb the economic ladder as adults, while others never escape the poverty of their childhood. Why is this?

     Research published by Harvard suggests that parental employment is key to a child's long-term economic improvement - most importantly employment among the parents of a child's school mates or friends. 

     It's long been known that children who grow up in poverty make less money than their peers in adulthood. They also have worse outcomes in health and education. 

     There was a study of tax and census data of 57 million American children born between 1978 and 1992. Children raised in neighborhoods with high rates of parental employment made the greatest economic strides. This was true even if the child's own parents didn't have jobs. 

     If parents of friends and neighbors were employed, such children tended to earn more as adults, achieved higher SAT and ACT scores, and were more likely to be employed and pursued more education. 

      So...a child's future economic success isn't always a credit to affluent, well-educated parents.

     Other research confirms that the power of social environment is often key. Encouragement matters, wherever it comes from.  

          Jimmy

This Election Isn't War

     It's only a checkup to determine who's winning the war.

     Americans since World War II have been at war with other Americans. Unlike the Civil War, it is fought with words, lies and "lawfare." 

     Since Donald Trump, who dared to invade the political world in 2015, the battle has heated up. The stronger side plays for keeps, and if they win this year's checkup, our more perfect union, Justice, domestic Tranquility, general Welfare and the Blessings of Liberty will be something for history books. Written by the victors. 

     Trump's house was raided. He was indicted four times and impeached twice. As of today, he is still upright. Although a 20-year-old nearly ended his campaign for keeps. 

     General Flynn was indicted and financially broken. Peter Navarro was in prison. Steve Bannon is in prison. Roger Stone was sentenced to jail.

     More than 1,100 Trump supporters have been arrested. James O'Keefe was raided. Alex Jones was bankrupted. 

     We don't know the details or the full truth. We do know that some unjust judges are leading the fight. 

     We did read that in Tuesday's debate, Disney World's ABC, the two moderators are not journalists, and each are friends with Harris or her running mate. It's not a small world any longer. 

     Harris is only a voice of her army. The officers and ground troops are all over Washington and scattered throughout.  

              Jimmy 

Encouraging Hope in Dark Times 

    Part 3, conclusion 

What about those outside Israel?

     Aaron: "Jewish people in a lot of places are feeling less confidant being public about their Jewishness. So, wherever we are we invite Israelis and Jewish people in. At our New York base, we invite people to come in and talk, connect and share how there're feeling. We want Jewish people to feel safe, to engage with other Jeish people, whatever they may believe. In the midst of that, many of them are getting to hear more about the hope that we have as Messianic Jews...what Jesus has done for us and how He's impacted our lives." 

How do you encourage hope among people in dark times?

     "We have one of the greatest solutions to anti-Semitism. We're not coming to this battle empty-handed. We want Jewish people and Arab and Palestinian people to hear about the hope we've discovered. So, we go back to the gospel. Jesus said, 'You will have hardship, but take heart, for I've overcome the world.'"

     "Division and hatred and wars shake us to our core, and they make us ask deep questions like, 'Why, God? Why is this happening?' Look at (ancient) Israel and the exile. Look through the Hebrew Scriptures, and you see how challenging times would bring men and women back to the Lord and back on their knees. In a sense, it's drawn us back onto our knees to say, 'God, You save us.' So, we have hope. We feel an immense sense of purpose."

 #

God, Could This Be True? 

     Part 2

I understand you had a friend who was killed by Hamas.

     Aaron: "My military roommate was kidnapped by Hamas. He was tortured for several days before being executed by his captors. It was a traumatic experience which left me questioning the existence of God."

     "Once my service ended, I traveled and encountered Christians who shared the gospel and challenged me to read the New Testament. And after reading it and asking God, 'Could this be true?' I felt drawn to Jesus. I just couldn't get enough. I kept reading Gospel after Gospel, for six, eight hours. I started to turn my life toward Jesus, and say, 'What would it look like to follow you?'" 

     "When I went back to Israel and tried to share my faith with Jewish friends, I (thought) 'Wow, this is hard work. How do I do this?' So, I found Jews for Jesus, and they said, 'we'll help train you'. I've been on the staff since 1999." 

What do your experiences bring to the organization, especially in light of current middle east conflict? 

      (He mentioned his life, his military service and experience in conflict): "I can empathize with the current conflict. I've...seen Israelis grappling with what has happened since Oct. 7. Many of our team were called up to reserve duties. We also had staff in Gaza."

How did Oct. 7 and the war affect your outreach efforts?

     "Everybody was in shock, but our team said, 'What would Yeshua do--what would Jesus do?' We partnered with Jewish and Arab Christian congregations, and other ministries provided food, basic supplies. It was a powerful witness. When people experience something like this, they start asking deeper spiritual questions. In the first three months of the war, we had over 600 orders for Hebrew-language New Testaments."

Tomorrow: How to encourage hope

Countering anti-Semitism  

  Part 1

     Aaron Abramson, CEO of Jews for Jesus, is the first Israeli to lead the 51-year-old outreach organization. Born in Detroit, he moved to Israel at age 15 and received an Orthodox Jewish education. 

     He began a spiritual search that led him to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Now he leads a ministry that works in 11 countries seeking to reach Jews with the love of Christ. 

by Lindsay Mast, WORLD magazine

I've heard American Jews say that they feel their sense of security was swept from them after Oct. 7.

     "Jewish people represent a very small percentage of the population, and yet they're the focus of the news. I'm aware, as a believer in Jesus, that there's a diabolical side to this. My family left Europe to come to the United States because it's been relatively a safe haven for Jewish people. Today, we're seeing the U.S. has become rather scary for some Jewish people. We're encouraging Christians to reach out to their Jewish friends."

Your father was Jewish, but your mother had a Catholic background.

     "I had a bar mitzvah. When I was around 12 or 13, my parents also started to explore this Jesus piece, and I didn't know what to think. My mom converted to Judaism, and my family moved to Israel. I attended an Orthodox Jewish seminary, a yeshiva, and lived in an Orthodox Jewish environment. Meanwhile, I was asking, "Is this who God is and what God has for me?" 

Next: three years in military, then...

Before the Debate

     Debate this.

Before we vote

     Consider the motivations. 

     Long before there was America, God allowed good kings and bad kings to rule Israel and Judah, his people. We don't know that God cares who enjoys the fame and fortune of a term in the White House. 

     He is busy winning souls all over the world, while he battles his enemy, Satan. (With one hand behind his back?) 😜

     Our state-by-state election process is good, but not perfect. Cheaters and liars can steer our ship in one direction or another. 

     What's curious - no, evident - today, the Chaney family supports Harris, and the Marxists. They despise Donald Trump, and they will sell out America to get even. Our middle class will despise a communist world, but those like the Chaney's who already conquered will be okay.

     With Trump, like him or not, middle-class life was much better, the border was secure, and the world was at peace. And he didn't take a salary. Former VP Dick Chaney says Trump "cannot be trusted...a threat to the republic. We must put country above partisanship and defend our constitution." That's BS. 

     His daughter, former congresswoman Liz Chaney, calls Trump a "depraved human being, a coward," and he and his running mate, J.D. Vance, "misogynistic pigs. They promote violence" (Jan. 6, 2021 apparently). Opponent Kamala Harris doesn't even use that language.  

     What's Liz's problem? Oh, the GOP caucus replaced her as conference chair in 2021, and a Trump supporter defeated her in the next primary. 

     They accuse Trump/Vance of destroying democracy and the constitution, the very goals leftist Democrats have in mind. Debate that!   

          Jimmy 

John chapter 12 

     Jesus said...

v. 25  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

The attitude that values heavenly interests far above those of this world.

v. 26  If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, him my Father will honor.  

v. 31  Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

Jesus began Satan's defeat on the cross. Finally, the lake of burning sulfur.

v. 32  ...if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself. 

Grace is offered to all. Not all will receive it, by their own actions and decisions. 

v. 36  ...believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. 

v. 43  ...for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 

Many seek the favor of others. The victory over this error is faith. 

v. 44  He who believes in me, believes ... in Him who sent me. 

v. 46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness. 

v. 49  I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should speak. 

💓

 No Offense, FSU Readers    

     In high school, we rooted for our football team. Later in life, we realized our modest cheers and participation in our marching band had no effect on the outcomes. Cheering among 80,000 fans in college likewise produced no touchdowns. 

     Players appreciate cheers, but cheers don't motivate them to win. If that's what it takes, they would lose every away game. Adults and students continue to think they are helping their gladiators.  

     There are cheerleaders, mascots, marching bands and flags to excite the fans-$$$. We attended a game at Clemson years ago. Didn't see a single Clemson fan that wasn't dressed in team apparel from head to foot. Is that how the Tigers beat Georgia Tech that day?

     Okay. It's all about fun. And profits.

     Now, there is one home team I will never, ever watch again.

     I looked in on Florida State's home game with Boston College last weekend. FSU Noles were undefeated in the regular season a year ago, and they have, or had, great expectations this fall.  

     The school has a nice relationship with descendants of the Seminole tribe in Florida. So, their athletes can be Seminole Indians, unlike the shamed Cleveland baseball Indians and Washington's NFL Redskins. 

     While the visitors were having their way with FSU, fans were singing every five seconds, the same Indian song of war, on and on, again and again. None of it produced a Noles win. Later during the night, my mind did some war singing while I was trying to sleep. Last night, it happened again. Enough! I'm blowing the whistle! Throwing the flag!

       Jimmy 

The End of Everything 

     Don't fear. It's only the title of a Victor Davis Hanson book. He says voters deserve to know whether either presidential candidate grasps how close "the unimaginable is to the quite possible."  

     Ah, maybe we should fear. 

     War and annihilation. From Russia and Ukraine to China and Taiwan. Korea, Iran and Israel. What could be the spark that sets the world ablaze? Russia is striking Ukraine and Ukraine is striking inside Russia. The U.S. supplies weapons. 

Side note: Our involvement may have more to do with profits for weapons companies. We read that Ukraine and Russia were ready to quit, but President Biden scrapped the deal. True or not? 

     Hanson's book covers four civilizations - Thebans, Carthaginians, Byzantines and Aztecs - all with common factors in their demise. Human nature has not changed. He says, "arrogant moderns misunderstand." 

     Israel awaits an Iranian attack. Nuclear Pakistan and (NATO) Turkey say they will supply or join the Iranian cause. And Nuclear Russia might also. (We thought Russia is busy with its own war). 

     Would the U.S. administration get involved in any of the global flashpoints? Hanson writes, "We share a major characteristic of the four dead civilizations: factions and disunity." 

     His question for both of our candidates: "Who can offer a winning, realistic vision that unites our divided country?"

 #

Behind the Politics

     Part 2

     "In the 2016 campaign, Hillary Clinton spoke of Trump supporters as a 'basket of deplorables' (working-class Americans). In her own book, she defended her comments by citing J.D. Vance and Hillbilly Elegy and his description of 'a culture of victimhood, grievance and scapegoating.' 

     "It is now clear that literary and social elites loved his book, or said they did. That was then. 

     "Somehow, readers eventually caught on that Vance was making some transparently conservative arguments, ground in conservative principles, including the importance of family, strong work ethic, and binding morality. 

     "Did they miss the fact that the original text on the book jacket mentioned that Vance sometimes wrote for National Review? 

     "Liberal academics...now hate the book. They are turning on Vance with unusual passion. That's to be expected in politics, but Hillbilly Elegy reminds us that what's behind the politics is infinitely more important."

  by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

Loved and hated

     "Hillbilly Elegy, J.D. Vance's story of a family and a culture in crisis, rose to the top of bestseller lists in 2016. Since Donald Trump asked him to be his running mate, the book is a best seller again. 

     "What's also interesting is that some of those who admired the book in 2016 have changed their story. Politics! 

     "Ron Howard made the book into a feature film starring Glenn Close.

     "This is the story of a boy born into radical family dysfunction in Rust Belt America. He escaped to join the Marines, where he found structure, patriotism and strong male influences. Vance graduated from Ohio State and then Yale Law School. 

     "He was a principal at a Silicon Valley investment firm, living in San Francisco (Kamala Harris's city). Vance later became a U.S. senator in Ohio. 

     "His story is shared by millions of Americans...family resilience rooted in crushing poverty in Appalachia. He was born as James Donald Bowman, abandoned by his father and abused by his mother, who struggled with addictions. His anchors were his grandparents, known as Mamaw and Papaw. Vance took his grandfather's name to honor them. 

     "There is more here than personal story, for Vance is a skilled cultural observer who sees the deep moral under-currents shaping his private world and the public world around him."   

WORLD magazine; conclusion tomorrow

No Degree? No problem 

     Welcome to Jimmy's Career Counseling Center (CCC). 

     You don't need to spend $$$ in college and more $$$ paying off your loans. Become an electrician and make $61,590 per year. Or, for almost as much, you can be a plumber or pipe fitter. 

     The U.S. government, Dept. of Labor, has proposed 779 pages of new rules regarding apprenticeships. Not that apprenticeship needs new rules, but you might join the DOL and get one of these gigs. Salary?

     Jobs in machinery maintenance pay about $61,170. Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn about $57,300. Still looking for better pay? Aircraft equipment mechanics and technicians earn $75,400. Electrical power-line installers and repairers earn $85,420.  

     Still not satisfied? Elevator and escalator installers and repairers earn $102,420. Those jobs have an upside and downside, all day. 

     When your blogger finished college and military service, at age 25 he began his career, earning, oh, about $6,000. Yep. Long time ago.

     White-collar career? Dental hygienist, $87,530; diagnostic medical sonographer, $80,850; court reporter, $63,940; paralegal, $60.970; and sales agent (advertising, insurance, real estate), $56,620-$61,270. 

     More? We need more air traffic controllers: $137,380. Now, top of our list...U.S. congress members...$174,000. No college requirement. We hear the hours are short, and there is no definition of success.

          Jimmy

What's Up With Project 2025?

     In 1981, the Heritage Foundation created a proposal for the Reagan administration. They have done so ever since.

     This year's Mandate for Leadership wasn't unusual. It's 900 pages or so includes taking the reins of government, the common defense, the general welfare, the economy and independent regulatory agencies.   

     None of those generally conservative notions appeal to Democrats. The Harris team had a fit and linked this with Donald Trump. Of course, he isn't in the Heritage Foundation, and quickly denied any connection. Not that he wouldn't support certain issues. We don't know. But he can't allow this attack to take hold, on top of various other charges the Dems make. 

     The project's director resigned after the project became political warfare.

     If you're interested, the 2025 proposals include a federal limit on abortion, a simplified tax system, a stricter credible-fear test for asylum seekers, a pornography ban, and consolidation of government agencies. 

     Pretty scary, huh? And the authors recommended combining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

     Democrats denounced it as Trump's top priorities. "It's dangerous, it's dastardly, and it's diabolical," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "The extreme MAGA Republican agenda is to jam Trump's Project 2025 down the throats of the American people." 

     Of the project's 34 authors, 20 held roles in the Trump administration or worked in federal agencies during its tenure. So, there is smoke, but no fire. We think the House and Senate would have to support these changes anyway. 

     More evidence we voters need to get a grip. Our Constitution does not call for electing anyone based on sex, race or issues beyond national defense and general welfare. We don't think the founders meant welfare payments. They may not have approved (national) Social Security either.

                  Jimmy

And Jesus said... 

  ...in John chapter 10

v. 25  The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

v. 28  My sheep...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

v. 30  I and my Father are one. 

v. 38  Believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in Him. 

v. 42  And many believed in him there.

  ...chapter 11 

v. 25  I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. 

v.27  (Martha said) Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

vv. 51, 52  ...he (the high priest) prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation...and not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 

Candidates' Convictions

   Part 2

     Trump's choice, J.D. Vance, who succeeds in life despite everything against him in his youth, went to Yale looking for social acceptance among the elites. He later realized success alone could neither satisfy his desire for personal character growth nor fix societal problems. He spent several years studying and then joined a Catholic church. 

     Professor Thiel notes that his stance important to Catholics has softened. He now agrees with Trump that "American people should have access" to abortion pills. A Catholic professor sees Vance's shift as part of a GOP move away from Christianity's strong pro-life stance. 

     Donald Trump addressed the Republican convention: I'm not supposed to be here tonight. I stand before you ... only by the grace of almighty God. And ... many people say it was a providential moment. Probably was.

     He maintains ties with evangelical leaders who supported his previous campaigns. For what it's worth, he was Presbyterian as a child.  

     At a June 22 Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, Trump promised to defend religious liberty, but suggested Christians weren't upholding their end of the political bargain. As for those "who don't vote much," he asked, "Do you know how much power you could have?"

     Professor Thiel said, "Social conservatives who see Trump and Vance as the lesser of two evils may choose to stay home. Or vote third party. Professor Smith said candidates' statements may continue to shift. I think for most politicians, their policy preferences are most influenced by the people who vote for them." 

          Humbug!     

PS. It greatly matters for our collective future. For president, there is only one proven leader on the ballot. Like him or not. The other candidate will mainly serve the growing establishment of Marxists, i.e. communists. And if they gain total control, there will be no going back. No honest election in 2028 and beyond. Check Venezuela's recent "election."  We can't say we weren't told. 

Miscellaneous Christians?

     Donald Trump, J.C. Vance, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz all claim to be Christians. So, what could go wrong? 

     The label "Christian" doesn't mean much, at least in politics, says political science professor Mark Caleb Smith. He writes, "partisanship, ideology and likeability are far more important" than faith when it comes to success.

     Trump calls himself a nondenominational Christian. Vance is Catholic. Harris is Baptist. Walz is Lutheran. 

     Harris grew up attending both church and a Hindu temple. Rev. Amos Brown said, "Her religion is good because she's not a divider, she's a uniter." He cited her belief in universal healthcare and free education. Is that in the Ten Commandments? As for abortion, he adds, "No one else should rob you or me of the freedom to do what you wish with your own body, as long as you're not bothering anyone else." No mention of the living baby in the womb.

     Her running mate, Tim Walz, attends an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a liberal denomination that ordains gay members as clergy and performs same -sex marriages. As governor of Minnesota, Walz in 2020 barred churches from gathering during the pandemic. In 2023 he signed a law allowing minors to receive transgender procedures against their parents' wishes. 

     The Catholic League said, "Tim Walz is no friend of religious liberty, the rights of the unborn, and the welfare of young people." 

Continued tomorrow

Meaning of Life  

     If we could have it all...wealth, power, honor, fame, pleasure...would we take it?

     King David's son and successor, Solomon, was quite the man. You've heard of the "3 Rs." His three were revival, reform and recovery. 

     After years of war between David's people in Judah and surrounding neighbors, there was a golden age of 4 Ps - peace, power, prosperity and prestige. 

     Solomon commissioned the first Temple in Jerusalem. He placed there the gold, silver and furnishings that David had set aside, and the Ark. The Temple was for worship and an identity for God's people. 

     Solomon dedicated it with an awesome prayer. The Lord answered with a wonderful promise, and a warning 2 Chronicles chapters 6 and 7.   

     From then on, the king chased after the meaning of life, leaving no stone unturned. Eventually he became disgusted with his self-indulgence. The futility of seeking happiness - wealth, power, honor, fame, pleasure - apart from God - left him empty, meaningless, disillusioned. 

     In Ecclesiastes we find Solomon's regret. "Everything, wisdom, pleasures, toil, riches - everything is meaningless." The later chapters reveal his conclusions about life. Worth reading for sure. 

     Chapter 12:13-14: "Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

     In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes the whole law: "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself."