Views by the Sea 

Which sea? 

     Well, there is the American Sea, just a mile and a half from us. And there is the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, a seven-hour time distance from us.

     Beach views are beautiful in both cases. The latter is getting all the attention today. The beach itself offers a view of destroyed buildings and thousands of Palestinians walking miles back to their homes, possibly no longer inhabitable. 

     President Trump is here and there, and today possibly in Egypt, just outside the border with Gaza. Ah, Gaza, the hell-hole of humanity where 20 Israelis were delivered (while we were sleeping) into friendly hands after 703 days of unspeakable hostage. Their health must be fragile, and their recovery uncertain. But at least they will experience love, not hate. 

     As we write this Sunday afternoon, we don't trust Hamas. But their friends in Turkey and Qatar may have helped bring the peace. Hamas still needs to be dealt with. 

     The majority of Palestinians voted with Hamas years ago to do whatever they could to make life miserable for Israel. Their hatred hasn't subsided that we know of. Satan doesn't make peace. So, England and France, out with your dreamy two-state solution. 

     Meanwhile, most of our government is shut down by untrustworthy politicians, and - good news - the New York Yankees won't be in baseball's World Series. Back to bad news...Portland, Chicago, Boston. 

         Jimmy 

The First Human War 

     Friday and Saturday we offered God's rebuke of his angel Lucifer, known as Satan. This was the first war. It continues all these centuries later, on earth, although our Lord could end it today if he wished. 

     He wants people to learn of him, to choose him, and to live by his commandments - such as love. He will deal with Satan and other fallen angels at a time of his choosing. 

     So, what about the first war among humans? It didn't take long.

     Adam and Eve's first child was named Cain. The second child was Abel. When they were adults and brought their offerings, the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering. 

     God gave instructions to disappointed Cain that would enable him to please the Lord in the future. 

     But Cain wasn't satisfied. He killed his brother Abel. The first human war - brother vs. brother. Human nature prevailed. Genesis chapter 4. 

       Jimmy

 Why we have wars   Part 2

In Isaiah chapter 14, God's rebuke of Satan.

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn.

You have been cast down to earth, you who laid low the nations.

     You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven. 

     I will raise my throne above the stars of God. 

     I will sit enthroned on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 

     I will ascend above the tops of the clouds. 

     I will make myself like the Most High. 

But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.

Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble? 

The man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities? 

You are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch.

Satan's last war 

He will be imprisoned during the Millenium, then released to march across the earth, attempting war on Israel. Fire from heaven will stop him, and he will be thrown into "the lake of burning sulfur with the beast and false prophet, tormented forever and ever." - Revelation 20:7-10

 Who started warfare? 

     It began before Adam and Eve. God created angels for his kingdom. One angel was established above all others, and in Ezekiel chapter 28 God tells the prideful angel, and us, what happened: 

In the pride of your heart you say, I am a god. I sit on the throne. 

Though you are not a god, you think you are as wise as a god.

You will die a violent death. 

You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.

You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners.

You were a model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 

Your heart became proud, and you corrupted your wisdom.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. 

You were blameless in your ways till wickedness was found in you. 

Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence. 

So, I threw you to the earth. I made a spectacle of you before kings. 

Tomorrow: Isaiah's version

No Clean Victory?

     What a day! A "phase one" deal involving several nations - the mediator being Qatar, our off and on friend, and apparently assembled by President Trump, may lead to the release of Israel's remaining hostages.

     Israel's cabinet meets today, to agree or not. Will Hamas, their leaders mostly dead, keep their word? Will anti-Semitism continue? Yes. Israel gets blamed for anything that goes wrong. Many American Jews don't support Israel. Many people living in the war zone go for days without food. Water, medical help and shelter are also lacking.  

     Hamas intercepts food and supplies meant for Palestinians...many of whom are prisoners themselves. Since May, the UN claims more than 800 Palestinians have been fatally shot...a claim an aid group denies. World opinion turns on Israel, which didn't start the conflict two years ago.

     Germany stopped military exports to Israel. Hamas is happy to see this play out, so we read in an article. Despite their strategy of moving among Palestinian centers, there are countries - France and Britain - willing to reward the Palestinians with statehood. A new Palestine will be friendly to Israel? Not a chance. 

     When are these do-gooders going to learn that Satan hates Israel and there will be no peace, no matter what Trump and others accomplish in the short run? Meanwhile, we join all hopefuls in Israel and elsewhere that 20 remaining hostages (and bodies of the deceased) will be turned over to Israel ASAP. 

            Jimmy

 The Hour Has Arrived! 

     Will David defeat the Philistines in Gaza?

     Oh! My bad. That war is long over. Palestinians have replaced Philistines and Hamas (Muslims) are the new enemy of David's people. It's the same old devil. 

     Tuesday was the anniversary of the 2023 surprise that killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage. Soldiers have died and buildings have crumbled in the conflict. A humanitarian crisis will or already has begun. 

     Hamas is not like a nation that loses and surrenders. Israel can't defeat them without harm to some 20 remaining hostages. Negotiations in July accomplished nothing. 

     This is territory that Israel turned over to the Palestinians, forcing some Jewish citizens to relocate. So much for good will.   

     As if the problem isn't dark enough, international pressure, protests and struggle within have heated up. Israeli leaders overruled military officials who raised concerns. Israel doesn't have the support of most UN countries. In fact, most of them would like Israel to disappear. 

     Why so much hatred? Satan hates God and God's chosen. He hates Christians too, but Israel is his enemy. The Lord - and David - will come to the rescue. Meanwhile, God is saving souls around the world. Trust him.

Update tomorrow?

               Jimmy

 What's Going On? 

     We are not yet "great again." There are those who are not teaching truth. Call them "false teachers." They introduce ideas our founders didn't have. There are politicians who shamefully lie on TV.

     Some teachers lead people astray. There are men who practice lawless deeds, such as Antifa in Portland, Oregon. Corruption is most evident in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York, and a few others. 

     Politicians and their helpers are bold and arrogant, not afraid to slander anyone they dislike. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, or do not want to understand. They are creatures of instinct.

     They seduce the unstable, the ill-informed. These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. They mouth empty, boastful words and appeal to the desires of sinful nature. 

     They entice people. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity. 

Here's What 

     These sins are taken from the book of 2 Peter, chapter 2, written 2000 years ago. We just applied them to America today. Human nature has not changed since Adam and Eve. Knowledge has expanded, but sin doesn't quit. Not yet. 

          Jimmy

 

How to Win! 

     "To him who overcomes," Jesus says seven times in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, and he will give unspeakable rewards: the tree of life, escape from second death, a permanent place in the Book of Life and the privilege of being in his presence. 

       Does that interest us?                             WORLD magazine 

     "Jesus doesn't say 'to him who has faith, or who loves, or who obeys,' although those would be true. In Revelation, he emphasizes incentives to saints who might remain in a sin. 

     "Overcoming suggests final victory. It looked like followers were never going to master their temper, pride, or that silent treatment strategy. The devil may have told them it was no big deal. 'Christ is enough.' 

     "Jesus didn't talk like that. Each soul has its own weakness (as did the seven churches in Revelation). When Jesus tells us to overcome, he is referring to that area of bondage that has wrecked our relationship all along. He insists that overcoming is doable. A divine command comes with grace to obey it. 

     "Overcoming is so highly valued by the angels 'there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent' - Luke 15:7. If a person doesn't deal with a sin, God will provide obstacles until he or she either obeys or dies without victory - 1 Corinthians 3:12. 

     "He only wants our overcoming ... he the landowner who doled out the same reward (pay) to the 11th-hour hires as to those hired earlier" - Parable in Matthew chapter 20.

 

Yesterday, Hegseth's Army 

Today, God's Army 

Note: Over the years we blogged for six days a week, then five, and three, and seven. Realizing that we can still offer you worthwhile information in our "old age," we return to seven days, sharing articles that are begging to be read. And Sundays will be the Lord's day. From our pastor: 

     "Peter understood the importance of being spiritually armed. He knew we need more than casual familiarity with God's Word. We need to be trained. When we arm ourselves with Scripture, the lies that once seemed so convincing begin to lose their power. Temptations become more recognizable for what they are. Our spiritual muscles grow stronger with each truth. 

     "This isn't to win arguments. It's about allowing God's truth to reshape our thinking, realign our priorities, and redirect our actions. When we are armed with the Word, we begin to see the world through God's eyes rather than our limited perspective.

     "Whatever form it takes, remember that this preparation isn't optional - it's essential for every soldier in God's army." 

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 

Restoring Our Military 

     Did you ever? Some 800 generals and admirals from around the world sat quietly in the Quantico, Virginia Marine base this week. Most of them were older than our age 40 Defense Secretary.    

     I think we won WWII with far fewer officers. Was this a call to war? 

     Pete Hegseth, read about it on your computer, made his case. We are no longer going to be politically correct - but discourage war - by preparing. Every soldier and sailor - officers included - will become physically fit, and whatever else they can do to protect America.   

     We aren't protected by DEI rules, or overweight officers more interested in their careers. Hegseth said those in the room not interested in the required leadership are welcome to retire. 

     Peace. Strength. Competence. Training. Lethality. Risk taking. Merit. Standards. Fitness. Leadership. Obedience. 

     "No more playing games," Hegseth said as he paced across the stage, apparently without teleprompters. "No more walking on eggshells."

Views: Christians, Pete is one, aren't guaranteed success, safety, or health. We may enjoy such, but to suffer for Jesus as he suffered for us is righteous. 

The U.S. may become greater in freedom, safety, success etc. For a time. But enjoying our Lord comes first. 

As for the Lord, Views is going back to Sunday blogs, focused on the Bible. If you want to pass that up, we'll see you on Mondays.  😉

Can we be persuasive again? 

     Part 3 of 3 with Os Guinness 

Where are evangelicals today?

     "Part of evangelicalism has been politicized. The first thing to say about politics is that politics is not the first thing. It's Rousseau and the left that tried to make everything political. Evangelicals are now seen as purely political. 

     "But we are the people of the good news - the best news ever. We've got to explore the greatness of that good news and not tie it down just to politics. Politics is important, but not more than it should be. 

You would say politics is a thing?

     "Yes, it's incredibly important. But you've got to get churches, families and schools right first - that's where freedom is won and preserved. Then you'll have a healthy politics. 

What about states still allowing abortion?

     "Abolition took nearly 50 years of intense prayer, apologetics and political action...persuasion. And then they passed a law that enshrined it. Christians had the numbers, so they rammed it through. It was disastrous. No persuasion, only legislation. 

     We've got to do the persuading. We're increasingly in a culture of death. We've got to make arguments for the sanctity of life."

Saturday: Hegseth drills officers & admirals

  

A Cut-Flower Civilization

We're cut from our roots

     "When that happens, the flower shrivels and dies. Unless there's renewal. Take the American experiment, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and many of the Founders. There's a tie among faith, virtue and freedom. I call it the Golden Triangle of Freedom: freedom requires virtue, virtue requires faith, and faith requires freedom.

     "Today, the Framers' republic is on its last legs. The challenge is to restore it, but no one's talking about that. 'Make America Great Again' is always a matter of economy or the military. America didn't become great through economics or the military. 

But you're still an optimist?

     "Decline always leads to fall. But decline and fall is not the Biblical pairing. The Biblical pairing is exile and return. Reject the way of the Lord, and there will be displacement, dislocation, exile. 

     "Adam and Eve were east of Eden. Israel was under Babylon. The Church, again and again and again has been corrupt and decadent. G.K. Chesterton's line: 'Looking at history, five times the Church has gone to the dogs, and in each case, it was the dog that died.'    

     "So, we have the grounds for renewal. Will there be renewal? Only the Lord knows. I'm wary of announcing revivals, but we cannot be pessimists."

                                      Friday - conclusion  

To Whom Are We Loyal?

Nick Eicher interviews Os Guinness on power and politics. 

Is another shock coming? 

     "I think we're in the middle of a profound crisis. You see this in Friedrich Nietzsche. His last words were, '...it's the will to power - and nothing besides.' 

     "Worldwide today you see the shift to authoritarianism and totalitarianism. We just saw Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un getting together. But the same crisis is in the West itself. 

On the left or on the right?

     "The obvious part is the left, power in the state and cultural Marxism. But Christians need to be aware of examples on the right in America too. Take the administration saying, 'We want to make America great again.' They never say what made it great in the first place. They're trying to reassert American strength through power. That's dangerous.

How should we reassert American strength?

     "We need to go back, as followers of Jesus, to the Biblical, Jewish-Christian understanding. The Bible has a different view of power. The supreme example is the cross. Christians turned that inside out, made it a matter of glory. God's way of dealing with the world is not from power. We are faithful to our Lord and not captured by the spirit of the age.

                             Next: Cut from our roots? 

The World's Wisest 

     ...often don't get it                       Andree Peterson, WORLD magazine

     "The average person's heart will beat 2.5 billion times. I asked a professor what keeps the heart pumping. She said, 'the electrical system.' OK. What keeps the electrical system going? She said, 'Well, nothing. It's spontaneous.'

     "One possibility not accepted is that God makes and keeps the heart beating. That 'In him we live and move and have our being' - Acts 17:28. Also Revelation 4:11. 

     "Or, take Israel. Why is this country always in the news? Intensely loved or intensely hated by the whole world. One possibility not accepted is the spiritual, that Israel is unique among the nations because God chose it as his vehicle in his salvation plan. 'At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord.' - Jeremiah 3:17. 

     "No wonder Satan keeps kicking up dust about it. It would puzzle me if Israel were not the most controversial nation in the world.

     "Or, how is it that planet Earth is uniquely suited to life? Intellectual elites outdo themselves, with unscientific straw-grasping theories. 'God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.' - Romans 1:20. 

     "Or take the question, where does evil come from? 'God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.' - Ecclesiastes 7:29. We all know that evil is too dark to be explained.

     "Where is the wisdom of the wise? God laughs at it." 

Next: the course we're on

 

Our Silly Saturday blog drew seven times as many readers as normal. Maybe we should write all our blogs with wrongly spelled words. 😆

Message For All 

     Friday morning, Mrs. Donut and I were finishing breakfast when ambassador Mike Huckabee appeared on TV to comment on Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister...who was about to address the United Nations. 

     Well, some of the delegates.  All but six of the nations' delegates were walking out. They could have stayed out. They knew who was coming to speak. So, they had to show the world their hatred for Israel. Not united. 

     This was not surprising. What is surprising is that several of our allies in Europe favor establishment of a Palestinian nation in which some 80 percent of the people hate Israel. Maybe they are protecting themselves from Muslim uprisings in their own countries.

     Meanwhile, the horrific attack on citizens begun two years ago continues in Gaza. Some nations hate Israel more than the bloodthirsty Muslims. 

     Netanyahu correctly noted that the same people bent on destroying Israel would do likewise to America, if they could. Ungodly people are taught to hate us. 

     Anyone who thinks the world is going to be united (before Christ returns) hasn't read the book of Revelation. 

Tuesday: What makes a baby's heart start?

         Jimmy

   

 Won Last Silly Saturday 

Reed it out loud

     If u new what eye knew, u wood no their is awe town named Florida, Missouri...the birthplace of Mark Twain, whose reel name was Samuel Clemens. On the Mississippi river, "mark twain" meant a depth of 12 feet. Eye have a pen name two: Jimmy Donut. Sew we had that in common, as well as righting four awe living.  

     Twain is considered the father of American literature. He rote books, like Huckleberry Finn, worked as awe journalist, as did eye, as awe riverboat pilot, an (unsuccessful) minor, and traveled the world. He was well red and could right with the best of writers.

     Wee think of hymn - on the hole - as the whole story. Twain traveled the country, Europe and bee yawned. 

     Mind u, eye don't mind being second pen. But why can't eye due what he did? He dyed in 1910. Eye am a live and eye have a computer. He did knot. Who nose?

     Eye can sea every country he did without leaving my chair. Twain got through the fifth grade. Eye have a degree in journalism. He dyed at age 75. Eye m still writing at 86. 

     Twain went bankrupt, but recovered. Eye wrecked my motorcycle, and recovered. OK. OK. Moor readers have red The Prince and the Pauper than will ever reed my blogs (moor than 36,000 sew far). But, that is knot my grave in Elmira, NY. Their is still tyme two right.

        Gymme 

 There are more than 50 pairs of words we didn't use

some spelled & sound alike, others only sound alike 

Doubtful Origins of Islam 

   Part 2

     "Sunni and Shiite writers portrayed historical events differently, shaped by their religious and political commitments. These texts provide no reliable means to discern what truly happened in early Islam...its obliterated past."

Professor A.S. Ibrahim

     The writer adds, "The deeper Prof. Ibrahim dug, the more convinced I became that much of Islam's history is fabrication. It is hard to reconstruct a coherent account. Many modern scholars advocate consulting non-Muslim sources from the seventh to the 10th centuries."

     "A 1997 book has accounts from Christian, Jewish and other non-Muslim writers that are neglected in discussions. These texts written in five languages form external perspectives on Islam's rise and spread."  

     "Many non-Muslims portrayed Muhammad as a deceiving preacher, false prophet and Arabian warlord leading nomadic invasions into Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian territories." 

     Prof. Ibrahim concludes: "These books challenge the notion that the Quran is superior to other scriptures. They also highlight inconsistencies in Muslim historical accounts. Islam's origins may be a constructed narrative, with the true historical reality largely obscured."

#

Doubtful Origins of Islam

   1 of 2 

     Can we trust Muslim sources regarding Islam's origins, and its prophet?

A.S. Ibrahim, professor, Southern Baptist Seminary

     "Muslims (now 1.8 billion) embrace their sacred texts, dating from the 7th century. Muhammad, they believe, received revelations from the angel Gabriel. 

     "A Sunni scholar examined competing texts, challenging the claim that the Quran is without alteration. The book shows that original Muslims acknowledged multiple versions. 

     "One claim is that Muhammed dictated verses to a scribe who took liberties, resulting in variations. A Muslim governor was said to alter the Quranic text to his preference. Another Muslim authority raises doubts about the so-called perfect preservation. Sources and traditions reveal evidence of variations, disputed versions and documented alterations. Testimonies by Muslim authorities indicate the Quranic text evolved over time, with lost verses and sections.

     "A 1964 study found forgeries crafted to advance sociopolitical and sectarian agendas favored by Muslim authors. These accounts, documented at least two centuries after the events, are not factual. One analysis reveals that these writers were less concerned with actual events than addressing contemporary social and political issues. Their narratives supported agendas of caliphs who wanted to legitimize their rule."  

Part 2 tomorrow

More from "Charlie" speakers

  we don't grieve like the world grieves   what God intends for good 

     power of martyrdom   Stephen the first martyr   disagree in peace  

center your love on Christ   far greater than we can imagine   TPUSA 

   let's get to work   we have a country to save   pointing to truth 

kind and loving, wanting the best for you   refused to let fear interfere 

     lived every moment with decision     anchored by God's love  

   courage   compassion   no compromise   honesty   honor God 

use the time we've been given   live free   never surrender   faithful

    Jesus crucified   he trusted his Savior   challenging us   freedom

moral obligation   civil discourse   amazing grace    every knee will bow 

Pastor Rob McCoy: life well lived   courage   wisdom   love   truth

Dr. Ben Carson: our rights from Creator   revival coming   be brave 

  restore soul of this nation   legacy just begun   Moses at the mountain

😇 

Words from Sunday's memorial service

     kindhearted man     willing to die for America   pursuit of truth

  evil still walks among us    focus on the good    no violence 

would tell me to pray for my enemies   in the world, tribulation  

      we won't be intimidated    win with ideas    win hearts with truth  

  best days ahead   something greater than ourselves   open debate  

 we led a revival today, not a funeral    truth    marriage and family

    spiritual war   spiritual movement      devil played his hand 

soldier of faith  live worthy of Charlie's sacrifice   passion for free speech 

 God is waiting for us to choose him  you have no idea  defend goodness 

begins with repentance   no hate in his heart    light vs. darkness

     modern day St. Paul   not a funeral, but revival     humility  

  Jesus gave his life for us      grace     Charlie fixed on eternity  

his faith most important   modern day disciple   victory in his name 

   fire in our hearts   our enemy cannot understand    pivotable moment 

  will Western civilization endure?   full armor of God   buckle up

😇

Surprise at Kirk Memorial

     A week ago, we ended a blog: "Will Charlie's family offer forgiveness to his killer? Should they?"

     Sunday at Kirk's memorial service, his grieving wife Erika spoke of submission to the will of God. She quoted Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'"

     The message: Kirk gave himself to his organization, Turning Point USA, and to his Lord. The board of directors chose his widow Erika to follow him as executive director. A turning point for Turning Point.  

     When it was her turn to speak at the four-hour memorial, she mentioned her first visit to his coffin, saying, "Even in death, I could see a gray hair, and a faint smile."

     She spoke of "great mercy from God," and that "he saw his Savior in paradise. God's love continues to me. We see a revival coming." 

     Erika answers my question. At one point, she lowered her head, wiped a tear, gathering strength, she said, "I forgive him." Her husband, father of her children, gone, and she forgave his killer. 

     There is plenty of hate in America. But the Kirks and many friends aren't among them. Hating people solves nothing. Love (not approval) offered to our enemies may save some.  

     Reminds us of the people in Charleston, SC. Christians who follow God no matter the hate that took their family members. 

More to come

    

12:23 

     Video footage and official reports > a bullet entering Charlie Kirk at 12:23 pm, mountain time. The exact time of his death is not known. 

     In the book of John, beginning at verse 12:23, Jesus predicts his own death. 

     The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. If it (a kernel of wheat) dies, it produces many seeds. 

     Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

     Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, for it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name." 

     But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

     What little we know about Charlie's faith, we know he followed and served Jesus. He is one of many "seeds" drawn to Christ, who was crucified by haters, but rose to new life. 

     Kirk knew the risk, but he served his Savior, died and rose to new life. As for the tragedy this is for his family, take that up with the Lord.

Attendance at his stadium funeral on Sunday is 

expected to exceed that at super bowl games. 

Radicalism, part 2 

  Is there hope?

     A New York Times editor interviews random Americans about their faith. She wrote, "Many people who have no religious affiliation seem to have a dawning recognition that, in leaving faith, 'they threw the baby out with the baptismal water.'" 

     One of her interviewees, depressed and anxious, entered a men's Bible study. That led to baptism, and he recalled, "My mental and physical health improved dramatically." She says, "Millennials and Gen Z are discovering the deep needs of the human heart. We want to feel like life makes sense." Too bad Robinson and others aren't so inclined.  

     Ms. Cheaney: "Younger Americans have been told to follow their hearts and create their own meaning. But that is "really hard." Try impossible.  

     "A revival of religious longing stirs the young, restless and disillusioned," she says. "No trendy philosophy or political cause will satisfy. Two questions: What is God doing? How should we respond?"

     If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? - Psalm 11:3. Cheaney: "The foundations are being shaken, politically, culturally, spiritually. It's hard to know what to think, much less do. Yet, The Lord is in his holy temple; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. v. 4

     "These are extraordinary times of testing - not only for the world and its godless theories, but for the church as well," she writes. "Let the pure light of heaven shine through us."   

Views: Did Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA have a role in this revival among youth? No doubt. And that's why a misguided Gen Z leftist did Satan's work for him. 

 

Radicalism and Anxiety  

     "Though not yet destroyed, our foundations are being shaken, politically, culturally and spiritually. It's hard to know what to think, much less do." - Janie B. Cheaney, WORLD magazine. 

     She wrote that back in June. The September murder of Charlie Kirk is a horrible unveiling of the damage being done in our republic. More on Charlie tomorrow.

     Ms. Cheaney noted that five years ago Pew Research revealed an increasing number of youth (age 18-25) without religious affiliation. Another survey of millennials and Gen Z found that "religious nones" outnumber Catholics and Protestants. 

     These youth (Tyler Robinson is 22) are unattached, apathetic or "nothing in particular," Cheaney wrote. (Or in radical groups?) 

     Then came February 2025 when a Pew survey showed the decline in religious commitment had slowed...even flattened. The New York Times of all sources noted an increase of young men going back to church. Soon, news reported > cautious optimism by conservatives and > anxious watchfulness by liberals, who equate male Christianity with white nationalism and patriarchy (males head of the family, women excluded). Where do libs get this nonsense?

     Even back in December, sales in Bibles were booming. - WSJ 

     TikTok celebrity Cely Vazquez purchased her first Bible, saying "I felt something was missing. It's a combination of where we are in the world, anxiety and that meaning and comfort can be found in the Bible." 

     The anxiety Vazquez spoke of is widespread, says columnist Cheaney. "Anxiety leads to depression and suicides. Something is missing, and many seek meaning and comfort," she wrote in June. 

 Continued tomorrow

 Hope for Us

     How did Peter, the outspoken disciple, washed but not polished, become speaker on the day of Pentecost, the day Christianity began? 

     Peter was not fit to represent Jesus. He had not come to an end of himself. In the garden he pulled a sword. When that didn't solve anything, he slid into the crowd of Jesus haters. He lied about being a disciple and he heard the cock crow...as Jesus had foretold. 

     It was over. He wept bitterly.

     "We can learn from Peter's life," wrote pastor Andrew Murray. 

     After Jesus' resurrection, Peter surrendered. He gave up all to follow him (Matthew 19:27). He became a man of obedience. Peter, after fishing all night knew there were no fish. But when Jesus told him to let down the net on the other side of the boat, he did so. 

     He was a man of spiritual insight. When Jesus asked the disciples, "Whom do you say that I am," Peter was quick to answer: "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

     After Jesus returned to heaven, when the Jews gathered at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell on them. The man Christ corrected taught and blessed and took charge. Christ is waiting to take charge of every heart willing to surrender, as did Peter. 

How do we take charge? 

     We can do something Peter didn't do. We can trust and obey Jesus without having seen him. 

     One idea. James, half-brother of Jesus, wrote, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: ...keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

Forgiveness Saved the City

     Married in Pittsburgh in chilly November, we honeymooned in South Carolina. After a week of sunny beach and two days in Charleston, we wondered why we don't live there. Six months later, out of a job, I was surprised to be offered work in...yep!...South Carolina. 

     We lived there until I retired, making 13 cross-state trips to Charleston with visiting family or friends. Most South Carolinians we encountered were white. Never gave it much thought. 

     In the 18th century ships unloaded Africans to be sold in Charleston's slave auctions.  

     One night 10 years ago at an African American church, in walked a white teenager. They welcomed him. During their closing prayer, Dylann Roof pulled his Glock .45 and killed nine church members. 

     The FBI arrested the white supremacist, who did not regret what he did. He wanted to start a race war in the racially divided, historic city. In a courtroom, the husband of one of the victims said, "Dylann, I forgive you, and my family forgives you. Dylann, repent, confess, give your life to Jesus Christ so that he can change it." Others in pain also offered forgiveness. He is on death row. 

     Police braced for riots. Instead, Charleston residents of all colors, ages and faiths, joined hands stretching for three miles. The city took numerous steps to end racial difference once and for all. 

     Last week, political supremacist Tyler Robinson (Mormon upbringing) shot Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, solid Christian, loved and admired by countless people. He had debated but did not hate leftists. If convicted, Robinson should go on death row. He too does not regret what he did. Will Charlie's family offer forgiveness? Should they?   

              Jimmy

 

Is this your/my inheritance?

     Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms... - Ephesians 1:3

     In him we have redemption, through his blood, the forgiveness of sins...with the riches of God's grace...  - Eph. 1:7

     I pray that your heart be enlightened, that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance...and his incomparably great power for us who believe. - Eph. 1:18

     ...that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - Eph. 2:7 

     And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. - Eph. 3:17-19 

 

Our Turning Point

     Will our nation be great again, or will it struggle with political war, never knowing who we really are?

     Views sets aside the blog we wrote for this weekend. 

     Last night on TV - an incredible speech by a young woman who fought off emotions to tell America what we needed to hear. We hope you saw it also. 

     Erika Kirk, only two days after her husband's murder, had the courage to address America with her love for him, and a promise to continue - no - accelerate the work Charlie began 13 years ago. 

     Democrats have long accused people on the right of being "fascists." What is fascism? Authoritarian right-wing system. Intolerant. Oppressive. Domineering. 

     That better describes most Democrats in power on the left. They criticize other people for attitudes they themselves own. Anyone who knows about Charlie's work knows that he was respectful to those who disagreed with him. Never hateful.    

     Parents of the accused man are Republicans. He, 22, an all-A student in high school, chose to read falsehoods on his computer. His dad turned him in. The Kirks have been stout Christians. Truth! 

Two Battles One is the fight to save America's founding principles. The other is spiritual. Satan and his demons hated a man who was reaching young people with faith they otherwise might not know. 

           Jimmy

  

      

Squandering Our Blessing? 

    2 of 2    Mark Mitchell

     "In a culture that abandons objective truth, language undergoes radical transformation. It is an instrument for controlling people. Without a Christian account of moral law and human nature, abuses cannot be criticized. They must be embraced.

     "C.S. Lewis said, 'A culture that refuses to affirm objective moral truth can have no consensus about right or wrong, good or evil. Society fragments into factions, allowing elite leadership to seize more power.' 

     "That is why both sides see every election as an existential struggle for survival, and every crisis must be used to secure and amplify the prize: power. Many Americans remain faithful Christians. But those unclear about objective moral truth can fall into a watered-down version of the faith.

     "People still speak about right and wrong but based on emotion of desire. People interpret faith in psychological terms rather than truth. People want to feel good or fulfilled, and truth fades into a pop psychology jargon. Modern religion is deistic" God is a deity who wants people to be happy, and if they behave, they will go to heaven. 

     "If Christians even are losing the foundational ideas...it's not hard to imagine how our political disease will worsen. The delicate balance rooted in basic consensus is breaking apart. Classical liberalism cannot long survive. Eventually the politics of power will be all that remains. 

      "Americans have been blessed beyond measure. But we risk squandering our blessing if we fail to recall and embody the basic Christian principles upon which our liberal constitutional order was built."

 

Charlie Kirk

😔

pray for his family

Views will resume on Friday

Where Are We Headed? 

     1 of 2 

Where is the country of Franklin, Adams and Jefferson going? Article by Mark Mitchell, college dean: 

     "Classical liberalism is a remarkable marriage of man and law: rule of law, separation of powers, federalism, respect for private property and freedom of speech. 

     "Shaped by centuries of Christian thinking, the result was freedom, self-restraint and self-government. The constitution, separation of powers and the rule of law supported political liberty. There are two fundamental questions: What is a human? What is law?

     "At our founding, the answers were in Christian consensus. A human inherited dignity and natural rights. Law was a fixed moral order. Tocqueville understood that laws, a constitution alone, will not maintain a free society. Answers to these two questions are shifting. Many doubt that humans have inherent dignity. Rather than law as a fixed moral order, law reflects what is expedient or what the majority desires. 

     "Many understand human nature and law in ways that would be foreign to early Americans. Humans are seen as free agents with no essential nature, and we have no obligation to live according to a created order. The strongest desires will prevail. 

     "Morality is reduced to personal preference; identity is merely a matter of choice, and law is a competition for the power to define reality."  

                           Tomorrow: Squandering our blessing?

Making Government Work 

Phillip Howard, government efficiency advocate:

     "The real waste in government stems from red tape. Building a transmission line to a city takes 10 years of permits and hearings. In healthcare, administration eats up 30% of every dollar of spending. That's a trillion and a half dollars per year. 

     "Government is like a household that never throws anything away. Get rid of obsolete programs and thick rulebooks. Create a framework where one official makes the decisions, and another official oversees it. An act in 2021 includes the goal of no more than two years for permitting of major projects. And it limits environmental impact statements to 200 pages.

     "In the 1960s avoiding human error and responsibility resulted in 1,000-page rulebooks. Teachers lost control of their classrooms. Every public dollar is a moral choice. If you waste it here, it's not available there. The Dept. of Education just created red tape. 

     "Washington today protects the status quo. Interest groups make sure nothing changes. Some of the worst actors are public employee unions. There are probably 15 levels of approval in government. Give an authority to decide and another person authority to oversee. Now you know where to shine the spotlight.  

     "Leaders must have the spine to consider the hard trade-offs. Democrats, the party of the status quo, have no vision of how to govern effectively. Republicans don't know how to fix it. Both sides fail. 

     "We need to re-empower the spirit of each American. Give people back the freedom to speak freely, live by their values, and lead with accountability. That's the spirit that can make America great again."

Don't miss Thursday and Friday

 

What do a hedge fund manager, a firefighter and a car salesman have in common? 

Three CEOs in the Senate

     New senators Dave McCormick, Tim Sheehy and Bernie Moreno flipped Senate seats in Pennsylvania, Montana and Ohio to the Republican Party. Life in the Senate is a far cry from their old jobs. They have a mission to get the nation's budget in order, continuing Elon Musk's mission of saving taxpayer dollars. 

     They found that Washington resists being treated like a business. 

     McCormick said, "When you're a CEO, there is a scoreboard which shows success or failure. The Senate has none. It's designed to check the emotion of the moment. So how do you be effective, recognizing that the institution is designed to go slowly?"

     Moreno said, "When I ran a company, every day the comment was, how do we do more and deliver better service for less money? In this place it's always more money, more people equals better results. Elected leaders don't fear their voters at all." 

     Sheehy was surprised to find his expertise was what Congress needed when wildfires devastated Los Angeles. He has his fingerprint on more than a dozen bills to address natural disasters. 

     All three say that any businessman would scrutinize the books and make cuts. Trimming the budget is about protecting future generations. "There's a healthy tension," McCormick said. "I feel a responsibility to get the balance right."  

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 Silly Saturday #2  

Read this out loud

    Well (not a well), yes. It dawned on me when the son came up that my mother was a twin. Knot identical twins. 

     Sew it is with words. Sum identical words have the came spelling; others due knot. Of coerce, wee learned in awe course that the course we take might bee awe golf course. Sea what eye mean? At leased I'm knot mean. 

     Can you believe there is awe foot that is awe foot long? We don't no about the other foot. Just no that too feat are quite normal at awe fete. Don't let that floor you. It doesn't take a fox to outfox sum won. 

     Now, the surface of the earth is ground, a field is ground, beans can bee ground, an idea can bee ground, we can bring hour thoughts two the ground, connect electricity with a ground, shop on the ground floor, start a project from the ground up, watch the batter hit a ground ball, and sea his teammates batter him. Did I run this into the ground?

     OK, relax while eye comb my heir. Maybe I'll drive a nail into my fingernail. That wood bee grave but knot my grave. Eye could blow my horn, what awe ram can't due with its horn. Hour our isn't up yet. We could ask hymn to sing a him.  

     Hear here, what's going on hear? Is the idle idol? Can ewe weight until we check are weight? We went into a joint too rest hour joints. That's just the just thing two due. The key too this is the key that opens adore. This is what we due because it is kind two others. 

     Fair well four two day. Their will bee know fare four you, while we check hour bear feat. C u next Saturday.

              Gimmy  

Joy to the World               Conclusion

James, half-brother of Jesus

     Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. - James 1:2 

Author uncertain

     Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. - Hebrews 12:2 

Paul, the Hebrew of Hebrews

     I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that...your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow. - Philippians 1:25-26

      In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit. - Thessalonians 1:6 

     The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23 

     I had confidence that you would all share my joy. - 2 Corinthians - 2:3

     In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. - 2 Corinthians 7:4 

     For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. - Romans 14:17

     May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

NOTE: In the Old Testament, the word joy is found in 18 books...53 times in Psalms, 32 times in Isaiah, and 14 times in Proverbs. In some verses, joy is lost. Joy is not found in Revelation, which ends in victory for believers. 

 

Joy to the World     Part 2

Jesus Rose to Life  

     At the tomb, an angel rolled back the stone, telling the women, He is  not here, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then, go quickly and tell his disciples. So, the women, afraid yet filled with joy, ran to tell his disciples. - Matthew 28:2-9 

Jesus Ascended

     While he was blessing them, he was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. - Luke 24:52

Peter, the rock

     Though you have not seen him, you love him, believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. - Peter 1:8 

     Quoting David in Psalm 16: You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. - Acts 2:28 

Luke, the gentile 

     And the (persecuted) disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:52 

     He (God) fills your hearts with joy. - Acts 14:17 

John, the disciple 

     And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. - 1 John 1:3-4 

Part 3, tomorrow

Joy to the World 

     Think there's little happiness in our world? It doesn't need to be so.

     Lowly shepherds were terrified by the glory of the Lord...an angel in the night sky. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

     Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. - Luke 2:8-14 

Jesus in Ministry

     Looking at his disciples, who experienced hate, exclusion, insults and rejection, he said, Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. - Luke 6:23

     He told his disciples to remain in his love and to love each other. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. - John 15:11. 

     You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy. Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - John 16:20, 22

     Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. - John 16:24

     The 72 men returned with joy, reporting, even the demons submit to us in your name. At that time, Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth. - Luke 10-21

 Tomorrow: Part 2 of 3

What To Learn 

   2 of 2

     "Liberalism itself has led to a laundry list of problems: powerful bureaucracies, cultural meaningless, erosion of freedoms and social inequality. Self-interest begets greed, nihilism and eventually social collapse. 

     "Liberalism has failed because it exalts individual choice and self-interest as the highest good. Alliance for Responsible Citizenship's leaders believe liberalism is not yet a lost cause. Some speakers said that underneath the liberal values of successful Western societies lies the bedrock of Biblical principles. 

     "Trying to renew liberalism without a Christian foundation is futile. With one recommendation, it might be possible. Some attendees at the conference say that those unfamiliar with Christian principles need to learn them, even if they don't believe them." 

#

What to expect on Wednesday

     If you are grumpy or otherwise unhappy, Views has a three-day treat for you. We will focus on one word. 

     Is it love? That's God's priority. Or, obey, or kindness, or holy?  

     Join us Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for one word.

                 Jimmy 

Top Down, or Bottom UP?

     What did John Locke, Davia Hume, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant, Thomas Jefferson and Friedrich Hayek have in common?

     They were voices of classical liberalism, which found its place in the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights. 

     What about the future of Western civilization? That's the question for as group who came together in the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC). Reporter Jenny Schmitt checked it out.

     "The World Economic Forum is business, political and environmental policies to promote top-down policies. ARC is an alternative that offers a positive view of humanity and bottom-up solutions. 

     "With renewal, replacement or decline in our future, ARC's choice is renewal. It stands for the moral, cultural, economics and spiritual heritage of Western civilization. People at the ARC are products of classical liberalism - ancient philosophy, Judeo-Christian values, stable governments and powerful economies. 

     "There's a sense among some conservatives that classical liberalism has lost its way, values given way to forces that threaten to end Western civilization. The early American political system, doing good for the individual also meant good for the community and right before God. Self interest meant community interest."

 Tuesday: What principles?

Wednesday: Joy to the World 

A Blogger's Crazy Saturday

read it out loud

     We awoke before don, rose at ate and eight our breakfast. Combed the hare on our hair. Still in the mourning this morning, we opened adore to view the sky. 

     Our ant would appreciate there are no aunts in the house. She will meat us at noon for some lunch meet. If there is a be, we will bee quick to set it free. I must a void avoid, and be a wake in the event of awake. My hands are bear, unlike that of a bare.

     I'll raise the blind, so nobody's blind, and put down my book, cause I must book a flight. My ant has a buoy, who makes boys for boats to pass by. He was bread years ago, and often eats bred. You've noticed I have a write to right. 

     Is there a deer dear looking for dessert in the desert? If so, I will dish a dish for hymn. If he needs a doctor, I will doctor a form. Say, did you no you can drop a drop of water in a can? You won't dye, because we'll give you a red die. Eye have a good I. If the dear doesn't want an egg, we could egg him on. 

     By now, I can't face seeing your face. It would be fare not to charge you a fair. Fall is coming, and we don't want to fall. Football is for fans, and they don't need a fan. Players fast in the morning so they can run fast on the grass. 

     I'll take a break, before I break something here. I'll bye some time, then bid U good buy. 

            Gymmy