We are off our routine due to hospitalization of our great grandson, who visited us for my birthday. I'll probably give you a few notes on that. Meanwhile,
God delights in...
small things
Moses' rod - Exodus 4:2
David's sling - 1 Samuel 17
Jawbone - Judges 15:15
Hammer and tent peg - Judges 4:17-24
Small rope - Joshua 2:15-15
Basket - Acts 9:23-25
Cup of water - Matthew 10:42
Mud - John 9:6-7
Loaves and fish - John 6:9
Celebration Ideas
New Year's Eve countdown is on. January's name came from the Roman Janus, the god of beginnings, endings, doorways and transitions. Janus presided over many transitions.
Anyway, billions today celebrate the new year. Young children have options to turn NYE into a family friendly affair. Some ideas:
Noon Year's Eve. Staying up until midnight is a stretch for kids. Consider moving the countdown back 12 hours, to noon. Children won't mind, as long as they get to make noise and throw confetti.
Homemade noisemakers. Making noise is part of the fun. Kids can craft their own noisemakers.
Dress-up photo booth. Many people like to dress up for a special occasion. Set aside a corner of a room with dress-up props like funny glasses, feather boas, top hats, etc.
Kids beverage bar. Sodas. Fruit juice. Citrus slices, etc. Set up a hot cocoa bar with miniature marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings and peanut butter chips.
Families can celebrate New Year's Eve with kids in entertaining ways that are age appropriate. Yes, celebrate!
Christ in the OT
N0. 3 in series
The disciple Matthew (1:23) quoted the prophet Isaiah, 700 years later: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means "God with us." Luke wrote the same line, and also Isaiah 7:14).
Mark's gospel begins with Isaiah 40:3, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way - a voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."
Liberal theologians have long opposed this miracle, and probably many others. All OT prophets received information from God, not necessarily understanding it. We are blessed to know and believe. They can't deal with what they cannot explain, such as:
God born in a small town. Taken to Egypt to avoid murder. To Nazareth to live in an insignificant village. Everyone with a special place in the Bible was poor, or insignificant in other ways...until God placed them in His story. The Father - with a minor exception - didn't bring his Son into the public eye until age 30.
Again, some 700 hundred years earlier, the Lord revealed his plan for John (not the disciple John), who baptized Jesus as He began his ministry. About 300 years later, Malachi (3:1) wrote a shorter message about the coming messenger, who would be John the Baptist.
Liberal theologians cannot accept God (a thousand years are like a day, and a day is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8).
A Holy Moment
On Christmas we were reminded that angels frightened...then enlightened humble shepherds...that "in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
God often reveals His greatness in the smallest, most unassuming ways. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
God reveals himself in ways that challenge the world's understanding (see tomorrow's blog on liberal theologians). Our world seeks advancement, invention and even understanding the world above us.
God wants the least of us to know him and be saved. Intellectuals may be saved as well, but they must meet the Lord on his terms, not their college degrees.
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see your presence in the humble, ordinary moments of my life. Help me to embrace the simplicity of your love and let it transform my everyday actions. Amen.
Are we in the end-times?
"Nobody knows. People are seduced by the illusion that knowing the future lets you control it. On the other hand, Christ himself gave us signs, and events seems to match Scripture.
Various authors
"The Apocalypse is a paradox: both salvation and a catastrophe, comfort and warning of coming perfect judgment. Christians are supposed to pray for it, not fear it: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
"People cannot live in a perpetual state of crisis, but at the same time Christians must take into account that Christ's return could be very soon. We have failed to grasp the doctrine of the Second Coming.
"Ever since Jesus came, we've been in the last days, said a seminary professor. Many people have claimed to know the end times are right around the corner. And so far, the batting average is zero.
"But one day, someone will be right."
Your blogger doesn't focus on the end times. We take seriously Jesus' instruction: Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
I could die in my sleep. I'll deal with today.
Jimmy
Protecting Financial Info
While millions of people are exchanging their Christmas gifts today, you might want to consider tips to protect your financial information.
The Federal Trade Commission fields over a million reports of identity theft each year. Credit card fraud was the worst. 2024 saw the largest data breaches in history, impacting billions of users. Some tips:
Strong unique passwords. Have several different, complex passwords for each online account. Use a password manager to help store unique passwords. Strong passwords should be at least 16 characters with a random string of mixed-case letters, numbers and symbols.
Use two-factor authentication. We just used this (2FA) for the first time. It adds an extra layer of security. It often comes by a texted or emailed code that is entered to log into an account.
Protect identification numbers. Don't carry a Social Security card in a wallet or give out your SS number unnecessarily.
Be cautious on the phone when answering emails. Scammers can mislead you by using seemingly legitimate phone numbers or email addresses.
Regularly check accounts. Double-check all financial accounts periodically. Each year you are able to request and check a free credit report from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
For a child is born to us; a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:2,6
Some 700 years before Jesus was born.
May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.
Biblical Descriptions
Dr. Dirckx says "Biblical descriptions of humans support the complexity we see in neuroscience. That the immaterial and immortal essence of a person will escape material confines to float off to some higher existence.
"Hebrew understanding - 'Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life...' Human beings are of dust, physical matter, breath, life force or spirit - and the combination is a living soul or person.
"Both in neuroscience and the Bible, people are complex and multifaceted. They are an amalgamation of the material and the immaterial, the natural and the supernatural, temporal and eternal.
"This is why there are some observations in the clinic that make no sense if humans are just brains on sticks. It is also why we see brain activity of the elderly during religious practices such as prayer and meditation. Far from being a threat to spirituality or the reality of God, brain activity is exactly what we should expect from complex but integrated beings.
"We see that people are mysterious. The soul is mysterious."
Tomorrow: People who walk in darkness
We are mysterious. The soul is mysterious.
Here we are, Christmas week, and we don't agree on the origin of Christmas, the birth of the Christ child...who grew up, preached, debated, performed miracles and allowed Roman soldiers to take his life. And, He rose to life, interacted with his disciples and hundreds of others, who watched him rise into the heavens. Offering to forgive and to save.
Even many Christians don't recognize "Christ" in the name, seeing the holiday only as gifts, decorations and a magical Santa Clause.
Do we have a soul? Well, scientists have studied our nervous system, brain, and peripheral nervous system. Does that make you nervous?
"Neuroscience itself suggests that we are more than our brains," says scientist Sharon Dirckx. (spelling is correct) Children missing much brain tissue...function as normal humans. Others, with brains split to minimize seizures don't seem to split the mind. There are many near-death experiences, bodies flatlining, but the person remains vividly conscious.
We have known of the elderly who don't recall their own children but are able to pray and take part in a communion service. Dirckx asks, "Could it be that we are more than our brains? Could it be that neurobiology doesn't drive who a person really is?"
Tomorrow: Room for the soul?
Think about a jigsaw puzzle
"Each piece is unique and sometimes confusing on its own, but when you find its place, the bigger picture emerges.
"Our life's circumstances and God's interventions are much like those puzzle pieces. Mary took the time to piece together her experiences with God, seeking understanding and clarity about His plans.
"In your life, what pieces are you holding, and how might you ponder them with the eyes of faith? Ponder it and treasure it and hide it away and meditate upon it."
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalm 119:15
To Compute...
Yea! We are good to go. Computer trouble was not serious.
Making Headlines
Journalist Bari Weiss is the new editor-in-chief of CBS News. Parent company Paramount announced the purchase of her online news site, the Free Press, saying the move is a response to our longing for balanced, fact-driven news.
In 2021 Weiss co-founded what would become The Free Press after quitting The New York Times, where she accused colleagues of being intolerant of her centrist views. Here at Views we appreciate that. Is it working?
With 1.5 million subscribers, The Free Press is now one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing media outlets.
NBC and ABC - it's time you wake up and return to your origins. You are not to be one sided. That's why our founders 250 years ago did not make rules for the news media. Then came television. Fox and Newsmax may seem to be biased, or is it that they allow guests on both sides to speak?
Jimmy
Typology?
We don't get it either. Let's just see that in the OT there are types of verses fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah. There is "correspondence" between persons, events or things in the OT and Jesus Christ in the NT.
Christ in the Old Testament, part 2
An OT passage reveals a historical event to come. The Messianic fulfillment may be on a higher spiritual plane than the OT event. People in the story may not themselves have seen that their experience was prophetic of the coming Son of God.
David probably did not realize when he wrote Psalm 22 that the suffering was prophetic of Christ's suffering on the cross, millenniums later. Read the details. Nor did the weeping exiles (Jeremiah 31:15) know that their tears would be fulfilled in the death of boys under age 2 in Bethlehem - Matthew 2:18.
The article we're summarizing for you says there are at least four different patterns in which the OT points to and is prophetic of the coming of Christ in the NT.
This can't be true? God who created the world can do anything!
Next week: we provide more examples of OT texts quoted in the NT.
Foreign Policy
"In 2017 President Trump wrestled with whether or not to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. One of the biggest political issues for prophecy-oriented America Christians is foreign policy regarding Israel.
by Carolina Lumetta
"Trump 45 was a modern Cyrus, it was the beginning of the restoration process, a pastor told me. Trump 47 is Darius, where we will see the completion of the border wall and the rebuilding of the Temple. What we're seeing now is a global reset against an anti-Christ spirit.
"The Scripture says we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and that when we do, we're blessed. Pastor Greg Laurie: 'Jesus said when we get closer to His return, it would be like a woman giving birth...her labor pains.'
"Prophetic figures God and Magog could be Russia and Iran. Reading Ezekiel's prophecy is like reading your newspaper. Moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem is a critical moment. Israel has to have a prominent place so someone in the political sphere eventually - an anti-Christ - triggers the reconstruction of the Temple. That would be a sign that we're coming close to the Rapture."
"Days before Trump authorized a strike on Iran, Ambassador Mike Huckabee texted the president, in part: 'No president in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mind or ANYONE else's.'"
NOTE: I didn't bother with names of several voices.
They Said It
"I was very aware of my own shortcomings as a human...Jesus loves all of us; no matter what we've done there's forgiveness." - Jerry Pierce
"We have a duty and responsibility to take a message of hope, a message of love, the message of the Gospel, to win people to Christ." - Jonathan Falwell
"It's impossible to find true and lasting peace and happiness through simply chasing prosperity and comfort." - Will Graham
"The idea that we're supposed to divorce our faith from the political or cultural realm is a complete misreading of Scripture."- Eric Metaxas
"The battle for America isn't being fought in courtrooms or newsrooms; it's being fought in the prayer closets of God's people." - Jack Hibbs
"We saw people open a Bible for the first time in a decade. We saw people pray for the first time since they were children. We saw people go to a church service for the first time in their entire life." - Erika Kirk
"Many people have riches today; but their souls are lean, their hearts are cold toward God, their consciences are dulled, and their minds are blinded." - Billy Graham
Guarding the National Guard
The National Guard is civilian soldiers who meet once a month and are subject to callup. When we were fighting in Afghanistan, our grandson was called up and served for a year there. Today he is full-time National Guard in his hometown.
President Trump has deployed guardsmen in at least 10 cities...not for war but to restore order. It worked in Washington, DC, which is federal property, although two guardsmen were shot there, one fatally. Elsewhere, Trump haters have rallied protesters, resisted ICE, and gone to court. ICE people must wear masks to prevent their foes from learning who they are, and where their families live. It's complicated, and the Supreme Court may be called upon.
Protesters were taking over the streets of Portland, Oregon long before Trump began his second term. They block traffic, play loud music, throw fireworks, usually for no pretext at all. City government gives them free reign. Nor will they address Portland's homelessness, shoplifting, theft and vandalism.
The author of our article doubts Portland's left-wing leaders will ever accept troops sent by Trump. He thinks local and the state government would rather see the entire state fail before they would accept any help.
And people continue voting Democrat.
Note: We're having computer trouble, so we may be down a day or two. Jimmy
Two Testaments, One Story
We begin a series - alternating among other topics - of Old Testament scriptures that mention Christ (the Messiah) in various ways. Some, directly quoted in the New Testament. Others, the topic repeated in the NT, but not word for word.
Might as well begin with Hebrews, 1:1-2, in the New Testament: In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. That deserves to be the first two verses in the NT. Oh well.
Let's include verse 3. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Hebrews likely was written to Jewish Christians outside of Palestine. Many people were enamored with angels, so the author asked, For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have become your Father?"
Jesus himself said he had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matthew 5:17. Christ also came to suffer the death sentence we all deserve. Our response involves faith, hope and love.
After his resurrection, Jesus explained from the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms - three main divisions of the Hebrew OT - that God predicted everything that happened to him- Luke 24:25-27; 44-46.
Swaddling Clothes?
How many times over 80 plus years have I read or heard the story of newborn Jesus wrapped in "swaddling" clothes, and never once curious about what swaddling means?
This is the Son of God, to be Savior of all who believe...born in a manger (another reading calls it a cave).
Well, there was something normal. Infants were wrapped in blankets or similar cloths, so their movement was restricted, for safety.
Lowly shepherds would never expect the Savior of the world - if they even knew there would be a savior - to be born in such a lowly place, in the middle of the night. God did and still does meet us in unexpected places.
I've blogged before about how I met a woman at a restaurant - her friends - not me - were hoping I would be her husband. We talked for three hours - not normal for me. Back in my apartment I laid down to sleep - nothing unusual in my thoughts - when God told me, I have reserved her for your wife. He didn't speak to my ears, but to my mind.
My ear drums and most everything else will die. But there is a "heart" or "soul" that lives on. I read that when we believe that God can appear in the unconventional, we open ourselves to experience His grace in unlikely ways. Such are the moments God uses to reveal His love and purposes.
Monday: finding Christ in the Old Testament
Divine Light?
The star of Bethlehem. What was it? Closer to Christmas, we read again the awesome experience of the shepherds outside Bethlehem.
Writer Lynn Vincent: "Divine light marks the intersection of heaven and earth (John 1:9, 8:1: 2 Corinthians 4:6). Luke's account of Christ's birth does not record heavenly light, but God's Shekinah glory, found many times in Scripture. God's glory 'shone around' the shepherds, and angels came around them.
"When the Star of Bethlehem appeared in the night sky, it was unique in history: a divine heavenly light announcing the event.
"Until Christ, there was 'none righteous, not one' - Romans 3:10-12.
"Perhaps the star was a glimpse of the hidden light - 'Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.'"
Commentary: The New Testament applies these verses to Jesus' ministry in Galilee. "...the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" - Matthew 4:16-17
Have a Quiet Flight
What's that airplane with narrow wings and l...o...n...g nose?
The first "quiet" supersonic plane soared over California Oct. 28 on its inaugural test flight. NASA developed the X-59 on the mission to redevelop supersonic planes for commercial flights.
Supersonic planes can cover distances in half the time, but they cause thunder-like booms loud enough to cause property damage and hearing loss. So they say.
Our government banned civil supersonic flights over U.S. airspace in 1973. British Airways and Air France flew transatlantic commercial supersonic flights on the Concorde until 2003, phasing out the planes for economic and safety reasons.
President Trump lifted our ban on civil supersonic flight on the condition that they not create a boom audible on land. After eight years and $632 million, NASA's X-59 meets that requirement. The plane's shape is designed to reduce the sonic boom to a thump. NASA compares the thump to the sound of a car door being slammed.
Two other companies are developing their own commercial supersonic planes.
Here at Views we wonder, what's the hurry for trans-Atlantic commercial flights? We can imagine a military use for supersonic planes, maybe in our lifetime, or in 50 years, or never. Note: B-52s are subsonic, as are B-2s, stealth, not speed.
Jimmy
Author Unknown
"Lord, Thou knowest better than I know that I am growing older.
Keep me from getting too talkative and thinking I must say
something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally
it is possible that I may be mistaken.
Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful but not bossy.
Thou knowest, Lord, that what I want is a few friends at the end."
Welcome Revival
"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds - John 12:24."
The spiritual awakening among Gen Z reminds us of the Great Revival of 1904-1905. It spread across the earth, beginning at a small youth group meeting in Wales.
Drunkenness was cut in half, and many taverns went bankrupt. Judges had no cases of murder, assault, rape or robbery. Local police became unemployed in some districts. Many foul-mouth miners stopped using foul language, and horses which hauled coal trucks could no longer understand what was being said to them.
French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) predicted that Christianity would be forgotten within 30 years. The Spirit fell first in the cities of Yorkshire in 1791. It spread throughout Britain, and William Wilberforce nearly single-handed turned the slave trade.
No one wakes up in the morning and decides to back-slide. It happens slowly and unawares.
C.T. Studd (1860-1931): "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Think Charlie Kirk.
WORLD magazine
Battle for Nigeria's Soul
And Somalia's Friend in Congress
Islamic extremists want to drive half the population - Christians - out of the country...killing many in the process. Why should we care?
Local military commanders are Muslim. Local police commanders are Muslim. Government officials reportedly knew about an attack, but never acted to prevent it. There is a Muslim president and Muslim vice president.
Nigeria is about evenly split between Christians and Muslims, but the numbers are shifting. Nigeria's crisis causes international concern. But Nigerian authorities have denied that any persecution is happening. A nonprofit society claims Islamists murdered more than 7,000 Christians and kidnapped 7,800 others from January to August.
"If extremist Islamic ideology continues to spread," says an African journalist, "it will change the country. Terrorist sentiments will over time make Nigeria like Yemen...like Afghanistan."
Muslim sentiments in Michigan and Minnesota are not what our founders had in mind. Oh, wait - freedom for all.
So, "Miss" Omar, Muslim U.S. representative in Minnesota, married four men recently, one of which may have been her brother, to sneak him into the US. Now with husband # 4, her net worth (not his) rose in one year from $65,000 to $30 million. We thought their governor was sad enough. Then he overlooked taxpayer money going to Somalia, presumably to keep the Somalian voter block in his pocket.
Jimmy
Rare Earth Minerals
You have some in your smart phone.
Much has developed since the discovery of oil in the late 1800s. Now we're seeking, finding, using and negotiating with China over tons of "rare earth minerals." Each advancement in human activity comes with its problems. The global economy itself could be disrupted.
The U.S. relies on China (our friendly enemy) for 70 percent of our rare earth imports. Many technologies wouldn't exist without them, including smart phones, electric vehicles, missile guidance systems and some cancer therapies.
Heather Frank, WORLD magazine
The minerals aren't rare, but discovering unique chemical and physical properties in concentrated forms is costly. These metals are critical to sectors of U.S. and global economies. We depend on them for clean energy, LED lighting, and military equipment.
China took over the market in the 1990s when U.S. companies began offshoring processing, in response to environmental restrictions here at home. Cheap labor and heavy government subsidization boosted China's output. China now controls over 90 percent of global refining and 60 percent of production.
Some companies - Toyota and BMW - developed technologies to reduce or eliminate need for rare earth. In July, the War Department invested $400 million in a company in Nebraska, the only U.S. site for mining. Nine departments of the War Department awarded $10 million in contracts.
Any questions?
Knowing Jesus, not About Jesus
Knowing someone partially isn't the same as knowing them completely. Many believers - me included - have a similar relationship with Jesus. They've received Him as Savior, but they haven't fully received Him as deliverer, healer, provider and protector.
It's like having his phone number for emergencies but never really getting to know Him as a friend. When you face financial stress ... when you're sick ... when you are in danger. This isn't about replacing practical wisdom with spiritual platitudes. It's about recognizing that Jesus wants to be involved in every area of your life.
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In my late 40s, a husband, father, Sunday School teacher, faithful employee...my first wife wanted me out. That meant out of regular touch with our children. Already, my job and apartment were 50 miles or so from home.
I went into a stress like never before. Two months went by. I prayed like never before, without hearing anything back. Coworkers put up with me. My health was in decline. I prayed, asking - no - demanding Jesus tell me if He is really the truth. (be careful about demanding)
The first Sunday night in January 1987, I opened my car door to return to my apartment - when the joy of the Holy Spirit came over me like a storm. I drove up the highway laughing, crying, and pounding the steering wheel.
That lasted three weeks, not so wild, and my happy/sad life went on for many months. Today, the kids and my second wife and I are all doing well. Thank you, Jesus.
About the Vowels
We have 31 state names that end with a vowel > a e i o. None end with u. 19 states end with "a." Twelve end in "e, i, o."
What drew us into this colossal study was a map of a Japanese "state." Every city and county name ends with a vowel. Is the whole nation like that? Tokyo is, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
About Ineligible Names
Judicial Watch went to court, resulting in removal of over 5 million ineligible names from voter registration roles in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, New York City, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, West Virginia, and Missouri. JW is suing California, Illinois and Oregon over failures to clean it up.
If this company didn't work to prevent voter fraud, who would? Apparently, the National Voter Registration Act doesn't get much attention in many states. Millions of voters are moving from one state to another for various reasons. Keeping records should be a full-time job.
About the Day
"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 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 3:12-15."
Apology Accepted
This pleases tens of thousands of us
Last Monday Views ranted about Michigan's unsportsmanlike behavior, especially after Saturday's loss to rival Ohio State. Since then, a former Michigan player says something "nice" about the Buckeyes.
Taylor Lewan, age 34, 6' 7", once an NFL lineman for nine years, participated in a podcast, speaking to Ohio State coach Ryan Day. Lewan, once a big critic of coach Day, told him in person:
"I have said a lot of nasty things. Even after the spring tour, I've used the third base comment. I've said not a leader of men. And my opinion shouldn't and does not matter to you. However, I will say, I was wrong. And you truly beat our a-- and you did it with humility. You did it the way Ohio State should have probably done it last year. And you have proven me wrong.
"And I want to formally apologize for that because it's one thing to make comments in rivalries and stuff like that and things that I did believe at the time. But for you to go 16-0 since the game that happened in Columbus last year, it shows how much of a leader you are in that locker room and it's very impressive. So, that's the last nice thing I'll say."
Coach Day graciously accepted Lewan's apology, the article said. "I appreciate it, Taylor. I've got a lot of respect for you. It means a lot."
Day said more, but nothing we need to pass along.
Jimmy
Look Out, New York
It would be interesting to know how socialist countries around the world are doing. We would like insight on how New York, our largest city, is going to fare with socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani.
He is the youngest mayor in NYC in a century, and its first Muslim leader. We know how Venezuela went from wealthiest country in South America to crash and burn, when people voted for a candidate with promising new ideas.
So, Mamdani isn't the first politician to capture votes of the working class with an attractive "tax the rich" speech. Who wouldn't like better rents, free buses, free child-care, and city-run grocery stores not making profits? If all that is not enough, slap a 2% tax on New Yorkers who make more than $1 million, and hike corporate tax rates.
He has a little problem; state lawmakers must approve any change in tax law. He knew that when he campaigned. Gov. Kathy Hochul has criticized policies that might drive wealthy New Yorkers out of the state, not just the city. Some may have relocated already.
His opponents warned that freezing rents could drive up prices in the long run. Not sure how that happens, but maybe you know.
We're not thrilled with those who make many millions (MMM), whether corporate heads or politicians or football coaches. But messing with the system, at any level, had better be wise. See Argentina and Venezuela...maybe Canada, recently under a socialist leader.
Jimmy
PS. Mamdani has already given himself and his staff large pay increases.
Information of the Day
Early to bed and early to rise. Is that really the best advice? There are morning type people, evening types, and night owls. A recent study found that going to bed late - even getting a regular among of sleep, is linked to greater risk of physical problems.
Who should not use Ibuprofen? 1. People with liver and kidney problems. 2. People with asthma. 3. People with hypertension or heart failure. 4. Pregnant women. 5. People with stroke history.
More than 80 percent of people who used AI to draft their work couldn't recall a single sentence, even though they had written it just minutes before. We may be sacrificing cognitive capacity and creativity for short-term convenience. An MIT study found that AI users asked to think independently were less "activated" than those who had been thinking and writing independently all along.
More than 73 percent of the U.S. food supply is ultra-processed, meaning, we don't really know what's in our food and what it does for our health.
How did we get the word "husband?" The word comes from the Old English "husbonda," meaning, master of the house. It's a combination of hus (house) and bondi (dweller or peasant). Take your pick: master or peasant.
President Trump considers supporting a bill to eliminate the capital gains tax on home sales. The bill would adopt housing policies similar to those in Canada and Switzerland. Any profit would be tax-free if the home was a primary residence.
All from an October newspaper.
Hope you learned something. Jimmy 😏
Tuition Free
A billionaire businessman has given the young University of Austin $100 million, with more coming. He hopes to keep the school tuition free, and free from relying on government funds.
Co-founded in 2021 the school's founders want to build a "community based on the lively clash of ideas and opinions." Initially a year's education would have cost $32,000, but students have never paid tuition. The school says keeping the campus tuition free will encourage innovation, since grads won't be encumbered by heavy loans.
Go Blue
That is, go look at yourselves. For a university that prides itself on top-notch education, looking down on schools such as Michigan State and Ohio State seems, well, prideful.
On Saturday, Michigan hoped to overtake Ohio State and go to Saturday's Big Ten championship game. Okay.
After a hit and miss first quarter, Ohio State dominated to the end. As a side show, Michigan players bad mouthed - we assume - in between plays. Even pushing a bit, just not enough to draw a penalty.
After last year's game in Columbus, Michigan tried to plant their flag on Ohio colors. That resulted in a lot of pushing and shoving. This year, Michigan players made a massive formation to protect their big M. Their rivals weren't interested. They were mostly gathered in front of their fans, enjoying the moment.
That wasn't all. At Michigan stadium, both teams come and go in the same hallway. Michigan players stopped short of their locker room and waited for the Buckeyes. Police ushered them on in. Bossie behavior also occurred during their Michigan State game. Boys will be boys, but where is the coach and the athletic director?
Jimmy
Scams and More Scams
Think the president and his cabinet have everything under control?
"A scam might involve cellphone calls, retailers gift card purchases, bank account withdrawals, and cryptocurrency deposits. A lack of clarity around who ought to be responsible to prevent crimes makes it harder.
"Over 80 private and public organizations formed a task force that released their report in October. Called 'United We Stand: A National Strategy to Prevent Scams' hopefully will encourage all sectors to become more united in the effort. A lack of clarity on which sector ought to take responsibility makes it harder." (Can everyone work together?)
"Victims have no clear recourse and rarely get their money back. In 2024 scammers stole at least $16 billion from Americans. Actual losses may be 10 times that, due to underreporting.
"The strategy has two parts: First, act against scams in progress at every stage of its life cycle. Second, strengthen efforts to prevent scams in the first place. The task force recommended law enforcement agencies and the government work together...where companies and victims can report activity. The task force asked Congress to agree that scams have grown into a national epidemic.
"Scammer tactics will continue to evolve and likely become more sophisticated, especially with the use of AI. 'The cost of inaction is just too great,' they say. Even a 10 percent reduction means billions of dollars. Any progress is meaningful, if we can prevent this crime from affecting additional people."
WORLD magazine
Forgiven and Purified
Here's an uncomfortable truth: parts of who we were as children and teenagers still live within us today. We still can react with the same immaturity, selfishness or emotional responses we had years ago.
Recognizing this is the first step toward spiritual growth. We all have areas where we're driven by emotion rather than wisdom...places where we are still children spiritually. We react rather than respond.
A special thing about following Jesus is that He doesn't expect us to have it all figured out. He meets us where we are and patiently works with us in every area of our lives.
But this growth requires honesty. Instead of being defensive, we can see our immature moments as opportunities for growth. God isn't surprised by our humanity. He seeks our transformation.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:9.
The Temperature Will be 31
View's interrupts normal blogging, to do some balling.
College Football that is. Today ends the regular season. Rivalries!
Alabama tangles with Auburn. UCLA with USC. Purdue & Indiana. Oh wait, Indiana won last night.
Ohio State vs. Michigan, at noon, "The Game?
Or maybe you would rather watch Texas vs. Texas A&M. Oh wait, they played last night, and Texas upset the No. 3 opponent.
The spread today: Buckeyes by about two touchdowns. But the Bucks had a similar spread last year, at home, and lost by three points ... Michigan's fourth win in a row. Before that streak, OSU won seven straight.
Last year Michigan ran the ball, and if needed on third down, they threw short passes to stay on the field. They were in no hurry to score. Rather, keep the Buckeye offense off the field as long as possible. Will that work today?
Injuries add to the guess-work. Ranked #15, Michigan's top running back is out. Ranked #1, Ohio State's two pass receivers, best in the country? are healing from injuries and their status is uncertain. Or maybe it's a secret. OSU's 11 opponents averaged 7.2 points a game.
Michigan, with two losses, is also playing to enter post-season playoffs. About 3.30 pm we will include the final score, below. On the coldest, snowiest day of the season.
Ohio State 27 Michigan 9
Jimmy
What Do Women Want?
Don't ask me. In a survey of some 3,000 participants from Gen. Z (ages 18-29) women placed marriage and motherhood low on the scale of success. That's the same age group Charlie Kirk focused on.
The NBC News survey no doubt went to Democratic leaning voters. "Being married" and "Having children" ranked 11 and 12 on a list of 13 priorities. There were conservative participants. Marriage was 9 and children 6. Go figure. Financial independence was number 1, and a fulfilling career number 2.
Wow! Conservative men ranked "Having children" number 1. Being married, 4. "Okay, a little adjustment needed there," wrote Janie Cheaney, one of our magazine regulars. She asks, "Where does love fit into the current view of life satisfaction? Is it a by-product to be picked up on the way to success?"
Cheaney says, "Women's liberation never admitted that raising children is a loving relationship, who go on to form loving relationships, which may be a fulfilling career. Surveys indicate that marriage and motherhood are the greatest markers of satisfaction for women."
"A compliant woman gets her way more often than the others. Beyond that, she gets love, which is all any of us really want."
My parents and my aunts and uncles all provided good homes for their kids, which was more common back then. My sister graduated magna cum laude from college. But after one semester as a teacher, she devoted full time to raising four kids, who did likewise for their kids.
Saturday: a collision
Jimmy
Who Wrote the Bible?
Was it Moses? Isaiah? Matthew? Paul? Yes, and Joshua, Amos, Peter, John and a number of others...over 15 centuries. Don't forget David. Several books in the OT and Hebrews in the NT are anonymous. We just don't know. None of them knew their records or letters would end up in one book.
But they all fit. Numerous verses in the first book, Genesis, have meaning in the last book, Revelation. The Author behind the authors is...God...from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. God is the divine origin.
Paul encouraged his spiritual son Timothy to make Scripture the center of his faith. He wrote, All scripture is given by inspiration of God...for doctrine...reproof...correction...instruction... Not just the parts that we like, or that make us feel comfortable. The Bible is self-revelation of God, penned by human authors, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, wrote, "The Bible provides everything needed to know God, find salvation, be convicted of sin, be corrected and restored, and to guide followers in Christian discipline."
John wrote, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:9."
Graham added, "Through circumstances, relationships, politics and culture, the Bible is everlasting - a firm foundation. It lights our path and meets our needs."
Miller vs. Comey
A friend in Israel sent this to us
Stephen Miller, homeland security advisor, said: "One of the most heinous things that has ever happened in the history of our country, James Comey as head of the FBI, tried to lay a trap to remove a duly elected President, to imprison his allies and to lead an actual coup.
"That's not 'mistakes,' that's not 'misjudgment.' That's a weaponized intelligence chief attempting to overthrow the United States government. Let's be blunt:
* Comey pushed the Russia hoax
* Used a fake dossier to justify surveillance
* Targeted Trump's inner circle
* Abused federal power to influence an election
* Tried to criminalize political opposition
* Helped engineer a silent coup inside the FBI
"James Comey didn't just break trust - he attacked the Constitution itself. History will record this for what it was: a corrupt FBI director deploying state power to overturn the will of the American people.
"And the truth is finally catching up to him."
Written by Jim Ferguson, United Kingdom
PS. We remember on TV during Trump's first term - there were a number of people standing in a room, and Comey was trying hard to keep his distance from the President. But Trump called on him. 😏
2 Cows
We don't know who wrote this, but...
Socialism: You have 2 cows. Give one to your neighbor.
Communism: You have 2 cows. Give both cows to the government, and they may give you some milk.
Facism: You have 2 cows. You give all the milk to the government, and the government sells it.
Nazism: You have 2 cows. The government shoots you and takes both cows.
Anarchism: You have 2 cows. Keep both cows. Shoot the government agent and steal another cow.
Capitalism: You have 2 cows. Sell one. Buy a bull.
Dressing Like Jesus
A uniform gives authority. Formal wear brings confidence. Comfortable clothes help us relax. Peter learned something about spiritual clothing from watching Jesus serve others.
Peter then tells us to tie around ourselves the apron of humility. Just as Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist to serve, we're called to clothe ourselves with a servant's heart.
Humility isn't thinking we're worthless, or false modesty. It's having an accurate view of ourselves and others. When we put on humility like a garment, we acknowledge that every person has value and that no task is beneath us...if it serves others and honors God.
When we stop worrying about our image or status, we're free to focus on what really matters - loving and serving others.
Spiritual clothing never goes out of style, never wears out. When we choose to put on humility, we're dressing like Jesus.
1 Peter 5:5
What is Work?
part 2
The labor-force participation rate for prime-age men has declined since 1990-a span of 35 years, from 8 percent to more than 11 percent ...millions. Wealth manager David Bahnsen says unemployed men become unmarriable; fatherless boys grow up without models of diligence."
"Work is not everything, but it is one of the ways we image God. To strip it of dignity is to strip humanity of design. Economics. Markets are moral goods because they channel our creative impulses into mutual blessing. In a free market, we can't make our life better without making some else's life better."
"Properly ordered exchange becomes a form of love - service rendered through skill. Work is not the enemy of life; done rightly, it's one of its expressions," he says. His interviewer adds, "Bahnsen can sound almost defiant in a culture that prizes victimhood over vocation."
Trade-offs. He says they are built into creation itself. "The goal is to order them rightly - productivity without pride, ambition without idolatry, rest without retreat. Forget that, and a nation loses more than output. It loses a piece of its soul. When people stop working, they lose sight of the One whose image they bear."
Nick Eicher: "Bahnsen isn't offering a policy solution. His point, the dignity of work is a divine calling. He argues that the curse of the Fall lies in futility, not in the work God ordained before it."
WORLD magazine
What is Work, Anyway?
And what has God to do with it...anyway? When this blogger entered the workforce, it was for money. "No work, no eat," people said. God mattered only on Sundays.
Today, about 7 million men of prime working age don't work and don't seek work, up from 5 million in the 1990s. How do they eat? What's the purpose of work? Wealth manager David Bahnsen says it's not a shortage of jobs; it's a collapse of will."
Bahnsen makes the case that "every human being is created to be a worker - a producer, co-creator. God made every person to build, to serve, to make something of the world. It began in Eden. Before there was sweat or scarcity, there was a command: Rule and subdue."
He said, "God left the world for humans to finish, turn raw material into beauty and order, to draw out the potential of creation." Bahnsen refuses to treat "ministry" as holier than managing a balance sheet. He argues that in "making things and meeting needs we participate in God's creative purpose."
Behnsen's point is that "creative labor expresses what it means to be human. Work is not a curse...it is a gift to be ordered. When men lose the habit of work, they lose something that no amount of leisure can replace."
Continued Saturday
Be There!
Earlier in life, I was one of millions who listened to broadcasts by Dr. James Dobson, psychologist. He founded Focus on the Family and wrote more than 70 books on preserving the traditional family. He never strayed from his belief that the Gospel is foundational to God's vision for the family. Dr. Dobson died at age 89. Some excerpts:
"If we grasped the brevity of our lives, we would surely be motivated to invest in eternal values. Would a man pursue an affair if he knew how quickly he would stand before his God? Would a woman make herself sick from petty frustrations if she knew how little time was left to her?
"Would (people) devote their lives to the pursuit of wealth and status, if they realized how soon their possessions would be torn from their hands? It is the illusion of permanence that distorts our perception and shapes our behavior. When eternal values come into view, our greatest desire is to please the Lord and influence as many (others) as possible.
"So...what will be your legacy on behalf of those you love? Will you help them build a foundation of faith that will sustain them through the trials of life? Will they be there to greet you and (others) on the other side? This is the hope of the ages that burns within my beast. It is the ultimate answer to those who suffer and struggle today.
"If our children and loved ones have given their hearts to the Lord, we will be reunited forever. Give your children and loved ones a simple message as you prepare to step into the next world: 'BE THERE!'"
Expanding Relations
Picking up where we left off, "Russia and China are setting the foundations for a long-term relationship with economic, military and political dimensions. They are challenging the current world order."
"China showcased its ability to launch airborne nuclear weapons...from land, see and air. Americans need to understand that the world is just getting really dangerous, and very unstable. Strength matters more than anything now."
"Russia needs weapons, manpower and money. Russia's economy is 10 times larger than Ukraine. European countries think this could lead to a confrontation between Russia and NATO."
"The 21st century has its own race toward stronger weapons and a broader East-West alignment of strategies. One expert says this is a gradual change, more evolution than revolution. Meanwhile, China wants Taiwan, though its citizens fled the Chinese revolution in 1949 and still want no part of mainland communist China." Wake up, New York City!
We're not sure where Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Pakistan come into play. We'll save that for another blogistan.
Jimmy
Asian Alliance
In September, as we remembered 9/11, the Chinese, Russians and North Koreans were - and are - plotting their "autocratic coalition."
China held a parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. As Europe was assaulted by the Germans, China was invaded by Japan, which attacked our Navy to keep us from responding. So they thought. Some years later, China now communist, we convinced them to join the fun of commerce, thinking they would soon abandon communism. So we thought.
Leaders of Russia and North Korea attended China's parade, more a showcase of power than remembrance. New types of nuclear weapons. And a showcase for dictatorial unity.
Xi Jinping calls this "true multilateralism" to counter U.S. and European control of world affairs. Russia and Asian countries say Western rules, including President Trump's economic policies, stand against their interests and power.
Our article says, "All this has potentially dangerous implications for America's interests and allies around the world, and for flash points like Taiwan and Ukraine."
Jimmy
They Crucified Jesus What did that start?
Tyler Killed Charlie What did he gain?
Columnist Andree Peterson wrote to 'Wormwood:' "Thought you would put an end to an annoying vice, did you? Ten thousand tongues have been unloosed in its place...timid men now emboldened. In Philippians 1:14, 'Most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much bolder to speak the word without fear.'"
"People scroll through Charlie Kirk speeches to look for hate and find agreeableness and reasonableness. Legions of so-called Christ fallowers who lived in compromise, lackluster faith, suddenly repenting. They replaced generic 'God' with 'Jesus.'"
"What did the stoning of Stephen result in? A rampant spread of the gospel. Assassination, imprisonment and vilification play into the enemy's own hands. Charlie Kirk's wife, strengthened, said as much in her eulogy: what we intend for evil will only fortify the good."
"Do away with Joseph, and he is elevated to viceroy of Egypt. 'Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it' - John 1:5."
"Turn on any news channel and people are talking about God, politicians and journalists alike. It is the handwriting on the wall for us."
Jimmy
Sunday Devotional
our pastor
How do we know what to trust? We're bombarded with news, opinions, and advice. But there's only one source that has never failed and never will. God's Word.
Scripture serves as a lamp shining in a dark place, illuminating the path ahead and protecting us from stumbling. When everything around us feels uncertain, we can anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God's Word. This doesn't mean we ignore wisdom from other sources or live in isolation.
But it does mean we filter everything through the lens of Scripture. When advice contradicts biblical principles, we choose God's way. We stand firm on the Word.
The enemy is crafty. He usually doesn't present us with obvious lies. Instead, he offers half-truths, things that are "just this close to right" but ultimately wrong. Only by knowing Scripture deeply can we discern subtle deceptions.
The Word of God is more reliable than any search engine, more trustworthy than any news source, and more enduring than any earthly institution.
2 Peter 1:19
