America Through the Years

                       Historian John Gordon on economic values. 

What enabled American economic flourishing?

     Simply freedom. People were free to take risks. 

America has been lucky?

     We're blessed with incredible geography. We front both the Atlantic and the Pacific. In 1940 the U.S. Army was smaller than the army of Belgium. 

How is the U.S. a different kind of world power? 

     We are the most powerful country because of wealth we created. We didn't take it. 

What else made us unique?

     Here, fortunes quickly get dispersed. None of the families of the Gilded Age are on the Forbes 400 list today.

The Wealth of Nations. Why is that important? 

     When power is distributed under the rule of law, you can create much more wealth. Individuals can do more creative things with wealth than governments can. 

What do people miss about economic history?

      The Bernie Sanders of this world seem to think if somebody gets richer then somebody else has to get poorer. Who is poorer because Jeff Bezos is so immensely rich? The whole country is much richer thanks to his bright ideas.

What concerns you about the U.S. economy today?

     The size of the national debt. In 1974, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. The debt immediately began to spiral out of control. The money has been spent on getting senators and congressmen reelected. 

What makes you hopeful?

     I'm an optimist by nature. I'm not a very religious person, but the U.S. does indeed seem to have someone watching over us. 

                                                # 

Exceptionally Rare 

     A woman in her twenties in Israel has made a full recovery after surgeons removed her entire sternum and sections of several ribs to extract an exceptionally rare tumor - one described in only 20 some cases worldwide. 

     Our friend in Israel, formerly of Pittsburgh, sent this article to us.     

     To rebuild her chest, surgeons designed and implanted a fully customized 3D-printed chest cage made from PEKK, a high-performance carbon fiber polymer used in the aerospace industry. It's the first procedure of its kind performed in Israel. 

     The implant was designed specifically for her anatomy, mimicking the strength and flexibility of natural bone while allowing surrounding tissue to gradually integrate with it over time.

     "Rare cases require creative solutions," said Dr. Yury Peysakhovich, head of thoracic surgery at Beilinson Hospital. 

     "The patient was discharged after several days and is recovering well. Israeli medicine, once again pushing the boundaries of what's possible," said a spokesperson for the hospital. 

                                  This story stands alone. 

  

Final Marxist Realities 

     Tenth, Marxists never learn from history and thus are doomed to repeat it, even after the carnage that has been generated by their dystopian policies for more than a century. Dystopian: When people lead demonized and often fearful lives.   

     Someone once noted that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. That's the Marxist playbook in a nutshell.

     Eleventh, Marxists glorify vices and demonize traditional virtues even while they carry out virtue signaling. They condescendingly lecture us about upholding democracy and liberty while they attempt to erode economic freedom, educational freedom, and individual freedom. Condescend: A feeling of patronizing superiority. 

     Finally, Marxism is highly immature. Marxists rarely learn from the past and thus triple down on failure. They blame others for their own fascist behavior, which is an example of denial and projection. Fascist: Political philosophy, movement that exalts a nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government led by dictatorial, right wing, authoritarian, oppressive, domineering groups. 

     They demand to get what other folks have earned, which is childish and immoral. Marxists side with totalitarian entities and mob rule while opposing the sole Middle East democracy, Israel. Marxists only embrace law enforcement when it protects unlawful immigrants and themselves, and when it is used to punish law-abiding folks. This is why it is imperative to vigorously oppose Marxism by all means necessary. 

                                             by Christian Milord

educator and writer

Marxists' False Promises

  Part 3 of 4

     Seventh, Marxists promise freedom and security to those who join their cause, yet wealth is stolen from others. Security exists only for those at the top of the pyramid. In other words, everyone is equally miserable under Marxism except for the jackbooted leaders who profit from the spoils acquired from their legalized theft. Jackbooted: military boot, ruthlessly and violently oppressive. 

     For proof, examine the misery index of folks in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Russia. 

     Eighth, it's puzzling why Marxists who reside in free societies lack the courage to move to the autocratic societies they admire. Autocratic: Ruling with unlimited authority. Is it because they don't even believe the mantras they keep repeating, or do they want to have their cake and eat it, too? Mantras: Sacred counsel or formula. 

     They denounce the blessings of free enterprise and liberty at the same time as they partake of them. Unfortunately, they have taken their blessings for granted. Do they really want to transform the United States into a dysfunctional nation that has constant shortages of goods and services." 

     Ninth, Marxism promotes the darker facets of human nature rather than its nobler strivings. Facets: subjects. Marxists turn lies into the truth and truth into lies. They oppose the arts, constructive creativity and innovation, and constantly push monolithic groupthink instead of critical thinking. Monolithic: a massive single unit. In other words, Marxism is extremely boring and lacks a sense of humor. 

Conclusion tomorrow

     - by Christian Milord 

Marxist Socialism

  Continuing where we left off with realities...

     Fourth, Marxists compete with one another to see who's the best liar as they deceive the vulnerable who might believe promises that are too good to be true. Marxists use deception as a means to control the masses and keep them on their heels. 

     They talk a good game about socialism as a paradise on earth yet do everything they can to turn that alleged nirvana into a hell on earth.  

     Fifth, Marxism is the arbitrary system built on a foundation of contradictions. Arbitrary: Depending on individual discretion not law. Not restrained in exercise of power. 

     It can hand out some goodies but just as easily withdraw them.  Marxists believe they can alter laws whenever they feel the urge, thus using raw power to confuse and divide people and consolidate power in the hands of a few. Arbitrary laws can hinder people from advancing economically and can also create insecurity. 

     Sixth, for an ideology that claims that it will usher in equality, Marxism certainly is fixated on economic class, color, gender and race. Apparently, some are more equal than others. Instead of equal opportunity, Marxists favor the equity of prearranged outcomes. Equity: Justice according to natural law. 

     Many Marxist spokespeople are educated academics who pretend victimhood and fear competition in the real world...yet believe they are smarter than everyone else. They have learned nothing about good citizenship and wisdom, while displaying a commonsense deficit. Marxists envy folks who keep their noses to the grindstone and lash out at those who possess discipline, deferred gratification and a healthy work ethic. 

Six more realities of Marxism

    by Christian Milord

 

God bless as you worship Him today.

              (Change of mind. We go straight to our series on Marxists.)

12 Realities of Marxist Socialism 

    by Christian Milord

     "First, Marxism was founded on the concept of atheism (disbelief in God). It attempts to dismantle the Judeo-Christian faith that has been an anchor of civilization for thousands of years and helps people to navigate life's challenges. 

     "Marxists also oppose the traditional family, the building block of any culture. In every life category, intact families are far more successful than broken families.

     "Second, Marxist policies encourage folks to be intellectually and physically lazy as they rely on bureaucratic government for all their needs. This reliance generates an entitlement mentality that expects others to supply the needs of those who refuse to accept personal responsibility. 

     "Minimal effort is applied to studying and working, yet the 'entitled' expect to earn high salaries regardless of the effort they put forth.

     "Third, Marxists are quite generous with money confiscated from job creators, but they are stingy with their own money. However, most of the money and possessions seized by Marxist leaders end up with their cronies and are not redistributed to the lower income workers they claim to be helping. The hypocrisy is staggering." 

Continued tomorrow.

We suggest printing these blogs on Marxism

to keep them in mind through the election and beyond. 

Realities of Marxist Socialism 

     Not today, but we have for Monday viewpoints by Christian Milord, an educator, mentor and writer in California. 

     What's up? Milord this week updated his commentary of 2025, regarding collectivism, communism, progressivism and socialism. We found his "viewpoint" in THE EPOCH TIMES, which we read daily. 

     Commentary 

     "In a free society that embraces free markets and the rule of law, young people must be made aware of the 'fuzzy and warm' nature of Marxist iterations." 

     Milord uses some words that required us to dust off our dictionary. Iterations mean repeating to get a desired result. 

     His 12 Glaring Realities of Marxist Socialism is so compelling we just have to share it with you who haven't already read it. We want our families and friends to live the American dream, don't we? Even though it isn't perfect. No one is perfect. You noticed how many socialists, progressives etc. won Democratic primaries. 

     The Democratic Party is now communist, or close to it, like Cuba. We don't know what normal Democrats might do. But we can't pin our hopes this year or next...or whenever...on politicians who care more about themselves than you and me. 

                                     Remember, Monday

        

Our Sins, Like Scarlet 

     It's a picture of being stained with blood. 

     We try to "bleach" our lives with church attendance and good deeds. But under heaven's light, the stain remains. We cannot self-clean sin. 

     Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. - Hebrews 9:22. The Jewish people understood that. Sacrifice. But the blood of bulls and goats could never erase the stain.  

The Blood of Jesus 

     It doesn't lighten the stain. It replaces it, if we believe. His blood covers our guilt, our stain. We are purchased, cleansed. We are not our own. We are bought with the very blood of Jesus. 

     There is no conference or self-help book - worthy though they may be - just the blood. That's why we value communion, to remind us of what Jesus did for us. 

     Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. - Isaiah 1:18. 

Thank you, pastor

     

 Happiest Surprise Ever 

     An evening church service. January 1987. When it ends, the man goes to his car, opens the door...and is flooded with joy he never knew existed. He drives to his apartment, laughing and crying and pounding his steering wheel. Monday: Office employees see the new man. Joyful emotion lasts three weeks. He replaces his faith...with FAITH! He was not done with Psalms. 

I will exalt you Lord, for you lifted me out of the depth. - Psalm 30:1 

O Lord my God; I called you for help, and you healed me. - Psalm 30:2 

     Never again could this father live with his children. Years after their experiments in life, each one and their dad all live in different states. They visit him.   

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. - Psalm 30:11-12 

I rejoice in your love, for you knew the anguish of my soul. -  Psalm 31:7

The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18. 

When I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation. - Psalm 71:18 

     He is old and gray, 40 years later.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. - Psalm 94:19.

He turned his ear to me; I will call on him as long as I live. - Psalm 116:2 

I waited patiently. He heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. - Psalm 40:1-2 

      No need for another wife. Later on, a Christian woman called her Christian sister 60 miles south. That led to another Christian woman and the man meeting each other at a restaurant. Not a date. After 3-hours of talk, mostly about faith, each went home. No thoughts. 

     He crawled into bed. God spoke silently into his mind: 

I have reserved her for your wife. 

😉

His Life Crumbles

     To continue supporting the family, he accepts a job 60 miles from home. His kids - he loves deeply - don't want to leave their friends. His wife wants a divorce. He dives even deeper into his Bible. 

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts? - Psalm 13:2.

I acknowledged my (lifelong) sins. - Psalm 32:5

I cried out to God for help. When I was in distress I sought the Lord. My soul refused to be comforted. My spirit grew faint. - Psalm 77:1-3

Hear my prayer O Lord. Let my cry for help come to you. Don't hide your face from me when I am in distress. - Psalm 102:1-2. 

     He begins to lose weight. 

The cords of death entangled me. The anguish of the grave came upon me. I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. - Psalm 116:3-4

Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him. For he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. - Psalm 91:14-18

     More than two months ending 1986, the man searched God's word. He has not heard from Father God. Christmas Day was hardest. 

😒 

What might 1987 bring? 

Our Helper 

     In this sometimes-crazy world, we need help that no human can provide. For possibly three years Jesus walked with and taught his disciples. Were they ready to go save the world? He told them to wait for one more thing... "power from on high."  

     So, they waited...and were surprised beyond human knowledge when God filled them with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. - Acts 2. Jesus had told them He would be with them "always, to the very end of the age." Not visibly. 

     While Jesus, born "the Son," said nothing that his Father in heaven hadn't taught him, He is now the commander. Our co-equal God was and is ruler of the world. As we understand it, the Spirit passes our prayers to the Son, and He to the Father. Life happens. The Trinity made the world for a reason (Genesis 1) and we are invited to join the family, now and forever. There is a forever penalty for not joining. 

The Man, the Defeat, the Victory 

     Wednesday and Thursday Views offers the story of a man raised in the church, went his own way, lost his family, and pestered God (if He is real). We tell his story through 16 verses in Psalms, written from the 10th to 5th centuries B.C. 

     This will be unlike any blog we have written in our 11 plus years. 

 America's Christian Roots 

     Is America a Christian nation? We don't have a legal religion and a state church. Is Christianity central to American history? "Certainly so," says R. Albert Mohler Jr. in WORLD magazine. 

     "The entire culture was saturated with Christianity and Christian influence. In the 1830s, Frenchman Alexis de Tocquevill described religion as the first among the America's political institutions. By 1776, over 90% of the population identified with faith. Even some deists insisted on the authority of Christian morality." 

     "Early Americans had no explanation for the universe, for their own lives, for the passing of time, or for the meaning of human liberty...apart from God's providence. They weren't all Christians, but they believed the biblical worldview was essential."

     "A law professor noted that modern secular liberalism has attempted to deny and replace the providential (favorable time) moral authority. Liberalism attempts to make all claims of value stand unrestrained, without foundation. Christianity is a triune Creator who infused all of creation with moral truth. Christianity is founded upon the Bible and God's gracious gift of scriptural revelation."  

     Mohler concludes, "If secular liberalism reigns supreme, civilizational collapse is inevitable. If Americans reclaim and reassert the affirmations held by the founding generation and treasured for generations, there is hope. Secularism offers no basis for genuine hope...no cement to hold society together. It leaves every moral good vulnerable."

     "Is America a Christian nation? At the least this would require a recovery of the Christian consensus. Can this consensus be recovered? We must pray that it can...and will." 

Also 

     In God we trust. (motto of the USA)

     Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. - Psalm 33:12 

     If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. - John 8:36 

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Summary of Differences

     We worship only on Sundays in church. Or we also worship during the week as our faith leads us. Today we have a question: Does the Prosperity Gospel please God? We searched the internet. 

     The Prosperity Gospel teaches that God desires all Christians to be financially wealthy, physically healthy and successful. They claim that believers can use faith to get whatever they desire, especially material wealth. What about Christians living in the poorest nations?

     Another view. Scripture does not teach that God guarantees health and wealth. Jesus warned, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal - Matthew 6:19. The Bible calls us to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5) and warns against love of money. And, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1 Timothy 6:10.

     Do we pursue worldly riches, or Christ himself? The Bible calls us to take up our cross and follow Jesus - Luke 9:23. Paul wrote ...godliness with contentment is great gain. Spiritual riches, not necessarily material wealth. 

     You say, most all were poor in the first century A.D. Well, there must have been some wealth, or Jesus and Paul wouldn't have warned people about loving money. There are more differences we may blog sometime. Or, you can search "Summary of Differences." 

                    Jimmy

     

God's Creation Continues

  See yesterday's blog.

     Each ear of corn has an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains. Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one. One row has an even number and the next row an odd number. 

     The waves of the sea roll on shore 26 waves to the minute in all kinds of weather. 

     All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirty-fold, sixty-fold and a hundred-fold. 

     God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain times during the day. Carl Linnaes, a Swedish botanist in the 18th century, said that if he had a conservatory with the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those closed. 

     Humans aren't identical. None of us have the same fingerprints. But we all have one heart and soul. Might our lives be ordered by the Lord who made eggs, foods, grains, flowers and animals? Could our brains and invisible hearts be guided by Him to a profitable end?  

                                               !

More Evidence of Creation

     Does God have a sense of humor? Does He speak through his creation?

     The eggs of a potato bug hatch in 7 days. Canary eggs in 14 days. Those of a barnyard hen in 21 days. 

     The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days. Those of the mallard in 35 days. Eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days.

     All divisible by seven, the days of a week. 

     God's making of the elephant: It's four legs all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that elephants' huge body is too large for two legs. He gave it four fulcrums so it can rise easily from the ground. (A fulcrum is the point a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots.) 

     The horse rises from the ground first on its two front legs. A cow rises with its two hind legs first. 

     God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as in the number of grains. Each watermelon has an even number of stripes on the rind. Each orange has an even number of segments.  

                               Continued tomorrow

Lamb Conquers Serpent

     Adam and Eve are guilty. God speaks to the serpent (the devil). A Seed is coming. The Seed will be bruised, but the serpent's head will be crushed.  

     The Seed is Jesus. Much later, at the cross it seemed the serpent had won. Jesus' disciples had feared so. But Jesus rose from the grave and is forever Lord of Lords. Among other names, He is the "Lamb that was slain." God allows the battle to continue, but Satan knows he is defeated.

     Football and basketball games continue until the time is over. One team leading by 20 points with only a minute on the clock ... play on.  

     Life and death. Fight on. There are countless people who aren't yet listed in the book of life. Jesus wants more people - his bride - to join him at "the wedding supper of the Lamb," (Revelation 19), before He returns - with them/us - to begin his millennium on earth. 

     So, the Trinity has been here and everywhere all along. Every covenant, every promise, every moment. God's first two humans let him down. As do all of us. He wants to redeem what He calls His people. 

     If the enemy has power over us, we gave it to him. He is defeated.

Prayer: Jesus, teach me not to give into fear, shame and accusation. Today I choose to walk in your victory and life. Amen.

 What Begat This Project? 

   Continued

      In the Forward of family history, I wrote: "Amateur moralist we may be; scientist we're not. A few scribbled notes at a Christmas-season dinner table led to this laborious project ... but a labor of love. 

     "Love always hopes and always endures. The reader may enjoy a Yankee soldier's recollections. Or marvel at the man who walked 58 miles to school. We found handwritten notes from the same era Katherine Lee Bates wrote America the Beautiful. We received photos that predate the U.S. income tax. 

     "There were puzzles to solve ... taking pieces of hazy memory and determining where to place them. We began to love people again for the first time. We awoke in the night, strangely enjoying their memories. Our stories begin when agrarian orientation dominated the life and structure of the USA, and end when modernization had begun to turn us inside out. 

     "The reader can judge whether we're better off with satellites and internets than we were with 8th-grade education, or less, superstitions notwithstanding. Their stories have passed through filters of the author's biases, and the reader will find lapses of literary license. 

     I ended the Forward with a tease of the first two chapters: Civil War. 

     "Now, dear reader, raise the footstool of your electric chair and load your musket. As you prepare for the fight, consider that if the trajectory of a Confederate bullet had been an inch on either side of the Yankee rifle it hit, 12 of 16 of these chapters might not have been written. Come to think of it, this author wouldn't be here either. Humbling, isn't it? 

     "On to Richmond!" 

                                    Tomorrow: Lamb conquers serpent

      

 Returning Home with Joy...

     ...the title of my book in 1996. Working in South Carolina then, we wrote about family...parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins...in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Wyoming and Ohio. They contributed memories and pictures, some of them from the 1800s. Yes, we all wrote the book. 

     None of the relatives are still living, including my younger cousin who made 38 of the 90-page books in his printing shop. He would not take my money. 

     We won't bother you with the content, including a great uncle's service in the Civil War. But, history can teach. Here is a part of my Forward: 

     "Propeller planes begat television, begat jetliners, begat spaceships. Horses and buggies begat trains, begat trolleys, begat cars and trucks, begat radios, begat television. (Imagine how this would read today.) 

     "Character begats optimism, and usually prosperity and peace. People of character believe in a better tomorrow, that obstacles exist to be overcome, and that this country has a strong and beneficial role in the world. In our family stories covering more than 90 years, the reader will find rich memories of warm people who worked together. 

     "Working together. There may be the secret to "family values" we hear about, and some are trying to restore. Somewhere along the line of begats, we overcame the need to pull together. So, this writer won't praise too much the children born among gardens and sowing needles or criticize children born among supermarkets and mega-malls." 

     "G.K. Chesterton: 'The family is the factory that manufactures mankind.' If that is true, we have a problem with those who redefine the family. The magazine goes on to say that 'agreement is rare on what kind of family is better at manufacturing mankind.' America is increasingly a culture that celebrates individualism. Some offer an opinion on what type of family is best. These are social scientists." 

                                       Conclusion tomorrow 

Believe it or Not 

     Your blogger knew someone who lived during our Civil War. How is that possible? 

     First, the "someone" was born in 1864. The Civil War did not end for another year. Ora Dilley would eventually become my grandfather.

     He fathered three boys and three girls, one of which eventually became my mother, Mary Elizabeth. She was born in 1906, gave birth to me in 1938 and named me James. She lived 97 years. 

     Grandpa lived 36 years in the 19th century and another 53 years in the 20th, for a total of 89. He went way beyond average length of life in those times. Even beyond today's average. 

     I lived the last 15 years of his life. There were occasional visits to or by my grandparents. The man born during the Civil War. 

     The 162-year total for the three of us isn't over...yet. I inherited long life, but we take it a day at a time as the Lord commands.

            James

PS. Grandpa Ora did a variety of work while he was still single. There were no cars or trucks in the 1800s. Maybe trains, and horses. He lived near Pittsburgh when he chose to walk all the way to Edinboro, 58 miles, carrying two suitcases. He attended a school, but we don't know what level. Come time to return home, he walked again. 

Tuesday: My very own book

   

America's Christian Roots

     How many of us attended or will attend church today? "Christianity is central to any honest account of our history," says R. Robert Mohler. "The entire culture was saturated with Christian influence."

     By 1776, over 90 percent of the people identified with a branch of Protestantism. "Those people had no explanation for the universe, for their own lives, for the passage of time, or the meaning of human liberty and dignity," wrote Mohler. He says, today, "If secular liberalism reigns, civilizational collapse is inevitable. If Americans reclaim the affirmations held by our founders, there is hope." 

    "Secularism offers no basis for genuine hope. It provides no cement to hold society together. Is America a Christian nation? At the very least this would require a recovery of the Christian consensus that existed in 1776. We must pray that it can and will."

Baby Born Twice 

     A Florida child is celebrating his first birthday after surgery allowed him to be 'born twice,' and saved his life. 

     Thirteen weeks into pregnancy, the parents learned their son, Cassian, had a potentially fatal condition that blocks the airway. At 25 weeks, doctors partially delivered Cassian during a C-section while he remained attached to the placenta. They inserted a temporary airway tube, then returned him to the womb. 

     Mother delivered the boy six weeks later, and after 132 days in the NICU, Cassian came home. He faces likely challenges, but his mother told reporters, "God turned what was our greatest heartbreak into a leap of medical science, and now there's a whole new era of treatment for these babies." 

                       Jimmy

The Salesman's Call

     "In all our encounters with our fellow human beings, what must never be forgotten is that the person with whom we are speaking, whatever else he or she is - sailor, soldier, salesman - is first of all an image bearer of God. This is most basic." - Andree Seu Peterson. 

I call upon Americans to bend low before

God and to go to their knees as Washington

and Lincoln called us...years ago. No nation

is ever taller than when on its knees.

Hidden Blessings

     "The spiritual benefits of suffering are well known: the destruction of our illusion of self-sufficiency. Spiritual purification and deeper trust in God. The awakening of spiritual seriousness. Writing from a quadriplegia after a diving accident, Joni Eareckson Tada describes disability itself as both grievous and spiritually transformative." - Lynn Vincent

Socialism's Salesman

     "While Mamdani's socialism no doubt appeals to many Jews in New York City, this largest Jewish community outside of Israel should not rest easy while pro-Hamas Mamdani runs the city." - Howard Killion, Ph, D.

#

Isaiah Knew Him First 

     "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter." - Isaiah 53:7. 

     Jesus was falsely accused, unjustly beaten, publicly mocked - and He stayed silent. Not because He was weak, but because He knew who and what He was fighting for. He trusted the Father who led him from birth, especially his last three years. 

     Hanging on the horrible cross, He said, Father, forgive them. 

     Forgiveness is not an emotion; it's a decision to obey. We're still human. We can't erase our own memories. 

     What do we do? We pray to God, "Help my emotions catch up to my obedience." We can forgive (like Erika Kirk) despite the emotion we don't feel yet. Silence is not weakness; it aligns with the Lamb who was silent while taking the punishment that saves those who trust and obey.  

Mostly provided by our pastor

Did You Know?

Treasury secretary Scott Bessent blocked $99 million that had been sent to deceased people year after year. 

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Communist Cuba runs a global ideological campaign to turn people against the United States. Seeding into our radical left, subversive narratives, and terror. We thought Cuba had forgotten communism. 

*

Mrs. Donut celebrated her birthday this week, with best wishes from two friends here in Florida, two in New York (where she lived long ago), two in South Carolina (where we lived long ago), one in Colorado (another old friend), and one in Israel (an old friend once in Pennsylvania) and an unexpected greeting from Pennsylvania. Of course, women can talk endlessly, but Mrs. Donut made time for me take her out to dinner. 

*

New language: infrastructure, computational, footprint, usage and hyperscale. Whatever. You won't find such language here.  

         Jimmy

 

Power for a Poor Nation

     On Tuesday we wrote about loving others, caring for our neighbors. 

     How about caring for people on the other side of America who have no electricity? Our power company sent 18 employees to "Light Up Navajo 7" 1,800 miles from Florida. A nationwide effort, the Florida crew energized 18 homes in two weeks. They worked in challenging conditions, often spending hours digging through rocky terrain to install power infrastructure.

     For many families, this is life changing. Among them is an 86-year-old. "Seeing the smiles and gratitude from families is something that stays with you forever," said the team leader, a district manager in our county. We take our electricity for granted - except for occasional outages. We appreciate crews who work into the night when a storm cuts off power to a whole neighborhood.  

     Crews considered it a privilege to provide electricity to the Navajos who have lived without power for generations. Electricity enhances safety, educational opportunities, and improves quality of life. 

     My dad and two uncles had degrees in electrical engineering. During the depression, dad and a crew provided electricity to farmers. It wasn't that long ago. Thank George Westinghouse and an employee who learned how to provide electric power over thousands of miles. Well, electricity doesn't go anywhere, except lightning, and rapid back and forth when a power plant "excites" it. Thomas Edison created the light bulb. Westinghouse put it to use, for the whole world.   

        Jimmy

 Wednesday

Proof - God Exists 

     He made the antelope, beaver, bear, beetle, bison, chinchilla, centipede and the cheetah which can race 60 mph. He made the calf, caribou, cat, crusado, cow, deer, elk, fox, frog, goat, grizzly, gorilla, gazelle, guanaco and the gila monster. 

     God also made the human, horse, hare, jaguar, kangaroo, lion, lynk, lamb, longhorn beetle, leopard, mole, monkey, mouse, okapi, ox, penguin, porcupine, rat, red squirrel and red lechwe. There is the snake, snow leopard, spider, tiger, toad, wolf, woodland deer, wild boar and zebra. 

     We might have included the alligator and crocodile, but they spend too much time under water. So, we'll stop at 54 including humans...we creatures who often act like animals, or worse. Humans can't run 60 mph, or bite like a gorilla, but we can invent things that harm others, out of hatred, or financial gain.  

     There is a lake with 1,400 animal species, but we can't fit all that in a blog. Sorry. Nor can we list some 500 different birds, or unknown numbers of creatures living in the ocean. 

     What's with the Bold animals, above? 

     In the book of Isaiah, 11:6-8, God tells us the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, cow with bear, calf and lion together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. This, and a child can play next to the hole of a cobra, when Jesus takes over the world for a millennium of grace and teaching.   

 Return to Our Founding Ideals?

   Part 3

     It begins with the church, Senator Lankford says. "The church and what God is doing is still the hope of the earth. Washington D.C. doesn't change the country. Washington is just a mirror of our culture. The country changes Washington."

     "The first responsibility is what the church is doing in communities, made up of families and individuals. The church was ablaze 250 years ago for what was true and righteous. The Great Awakening occurred right before the revolution. Preachers were traveling around the colonies challenging people of faith."

     "So, the influence of the church (or lack of) has been central from the very beginning. We need churches that are vibrant and alive, loving people and caring for their neighbors and setting an example. I never want to see a church that excludes people based on political beliefs."

     "God cares about government. But the hope of the earth is not government. It's the hope found in Jesus of Scripture. He alone can transform people - and nations." 

Wednesday: 54 proofs of our Creator

 Monday

Working on a More Perfect Union

  Part 2 

     Sen. James Landford says, "Division is driving us away from each other. People who disagree with us are also people loved by Jesus. They are created in the image of God. Christians have a right and responsibility to speak out. But for some reason there is a belief that if I yell loudly enough, they'll be persuaded." 

     "That doesn't work for me and most others. Our culture idolizes the angriest, most bitter, divisive person. You get the most likes if you say the snarkiest things. As Christians, we don't gleefully attack. We speak the truth in love and in compassion to persuade, to convince."

     "There are Bible studies all over Capitol Hill every week with staff members, and people in both House and Senate. There are gatherings of people coming together for prayer all over the Hill. There are multiple churches in Washington, D.C. that are seeing a tremendous number of baptisms right now for people who are coming to Christ. Many are coming in from all over the country, to work, and while they're here, they're actually encountering Christ." 

     "God is still sending people into Washington, D.C. That tells me He's not done here. By no means a majority of people, but God has not left us without a witness."

Tomorrow, conclusion

How would we begin to live up to our founding ideals? 

 Toward a 'more perfect union' 

     We think our nation is about to break up. Along comes Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma with an ongoing hope for our republic. 

     A few blogs ago we wrote about Christian preachers who rallied Americans to fight for freedom. Lankford spent 22 years in Christian ministry before God called him into public service, in 2011. He reveals hope for us all. 

     Asked what concerns him most about our republic after 250 years, he replied: "Right now, we're trying to out-anger each other. Our adversaries globally would love to see Americans fighting each other rather than contending for the values of our founding. I hope all Christians would pray about this." 

     "We have to protect the rights we've inherited, especially our religious freedom. We did something no government on earth has ever done. It was this enormous experiment - civilian leadership of the military, separation of powers and government, co-equal branches with checks and balances. With that, also the freedom for people of faith to live their faith, change their faith, or have no faith. That has never been done in world history." 

     Asked what warnings our founders would give, Lankford said, "Some of the founders are speaking from the grave on this still. George Washington challenged us not to break into factions and parties, saying they would separate us and we would become more loyal to parties than to the nation. The very next election we did break into parties." 

     "Men are not angels. We are still learning how to be better as a people and function with our differences. We have the means to live out our faith and hear God's voice and learn to be better. This challenge toward a more perfect union really is a challenge." 

Continued tomorrow

       Jimmy 

 Ditch Democracy? 

     Earlier this week we wrote of political extremes, Islamists and communists. Here is another look at political trends that young people think should replace democracy. We need to understand them before we can sway them. There are socialists and there are monarchists (praise the king). 

     Emma Freire writes, "These movements are by young people who look at the future with despair. They believe the American dream is dead. Socialism and monarchy appeal to human nature. A poll in 2025 found only 13% of 18-29 year-olds feel the nation is headed in the right direction. 

     "Nearly half of them live with their parents. And 41% of recent college grads suffer underemployment. The high cost of housing is one of their biggest concerns. In 2025 only 12% of 30-year-olds were married. The American dream? A stake in society? 

     "Congress is considering the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. A controversial provision bans large investors from buying up single family homes. Experts say this will help, but supply must also increase. 

     "Some younger Americans feel like elected officials don't represent them. Baby boomers were the largest generation for a long time, and they still vote consistently. So, elected officials attend to their concerns. Leaders are staying in office long past traditional retirement age. Younger Americans may have a sense there is no path for them to rise." 

Views: Okay. And who is going to convince them a king or socialism or outright communism is NOT going to work better than Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? Freedom! There are ways to improve. Limit years politicians can serve. Don't watch or listen to news sources controlled by Democrats. Fire all liars. 😖

          Jimmy

Daylight Savings to End? 

     No doubt you know the House of Representatives passed a bill 308-117 to end Daylight Savings time. 

     Republicans and Democrats found something to agree about. Now it's the Senate's turn to - what's that word again? - oh yeah, agree. 

Second Chance 

     Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania readies for restart. America's largest nuclear energy company is working to restart one of the reactors at the site of the 1979 accident...to help meet a growing demand for electricity. My cousin, an electrician, spent some time there following the accident.

     There are 95 nuclear power plants operating in the US. They generate about 20 percent of the nation's electricity.  

Approved Again 

     As for oil's contribution to electric power, the Dakota Access Pipeline can remain in place. The 1,200-mile pipeline transports up to 570,000 barrels of oil a day from North Dakota to Illinois refineries. Native Americans and environmentalists fought the pipeline's 1-mile route under Lake Oahe. The decision follows a 2020 court order to assess natural factors more completely than originally done in 2016. 

     For us to benefit from any of this oil, Dakota Access must develop procedures to supply clean water, food and compensation in case of a spill, add more groundwater monitoring wells, and allow independent review of leak-detection systems. 

     Native Indians have their day - years - in courts, as they should.

           Jimmy

War on U.S. and Israel  

     On Sunday we wrote about Islamists and the secular left joined in "war" against America and Israel, the Judeo-Christian civilization, Western freedom. We ended Sunday with apostle Paul's teaching that a Christian's real enemy is Satan's angels...in heavenly places. 

     Of course, we trust the Bible, but could it be that Satan's work is behind movements that hate each other, but hate us first? Michael Youssef wrote a book, AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE. A summary:

     Rainbow flags wave at Hamas rallies. A liberal feminist marches alongside men who believe a woman's testimony is worth half a man's in a court of law. LGBTQ people chant with an ideology that throws gay men from rooftops and stones women for adultery. The secular left and radical Islamists bond in hatred. Not merely disagreement, but a deep, motivating hatred of Christianity and Judaism. Freedom.

     Youssef says this hatred makes these opponents willing to ignore their vast differences. He says, 'When the object of your loathing is the same, you can march together regardless of what you plan to do to each other afterward.' The book is eye-opening and heartbreaking, the writer says. 

     Hamas invaded Israel in 2023 and Western progressives celebrated it. The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York mayor. Muslim scholars calling for Sharia friendly enclaves. Suspicious influence in Minnesota and Michigan. Qatari money flowing into American universities. Qatar deals with any nation they please, whatever works for them. 

     Hey! Didn't Qatar give America a $400 million Boeing 747-S for Air Force One? 

         Jimmy 

PS. Socialists have taken over the Democratic party. 

 Dual Citizenship 

     "Make no mistake about it, there is a truth war right now in our culture. God's truth is under attack. Nothing in all the world is more important than the truth of Jesus Christ. Solomon's wise advice in Proverbs 23:23 has never been timelier: Buy truth and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction and understanding. 

Jack Graham, Dallas pastor

     "This spiritual war between truth and lies is being waged in the hearts and minds of people, particularly in the church. Many Christians are being shaped by the culture rather than shaped by the Savior and Scripture. Many churches are throwing in the towel when it comes to culture wars and social issues. 

    "Too many pastors are compromising their calling in the pulpit, watering down their messages from the infallible Word of God for fear of offending. Two problems with that. One, people are offended too easily these days; and two, the Bible is offensive because it speaks absolute truth for all generations. 

     "There is not much wrong in our country that cannot be made right if the spiritual leadership in God's churches rises to the challenges and crises of our times. It is our responsibility to disciple people. If the church doesn't disciple them, the world will...and the world is good at it.

     "More than ever, we must not relent. We must be bold, courageous and stand strong for the Lord Jesus, our King. God has called us to fight the good fight of faith - to take up the sword of the Sprit." 

Thursday: The war all around us

Christian Turned Communist 

     A missionary went to Korea in 1889. Many Koreans adopted the new religion, and the largest Presbyterian compound in the world excited the missionaries. In 1910 Japan annexed Korea, but evangelism and church planting continued. Koreans hoped America would rescue them. Not to be...yet.

Korean Messiah, by Jonathan Cheng

     They were disillusioned with the West and looked to communism for help. Japanese occupation ended in 1945, and the Soviets and Americans divided the peninsula at the 38th parallel. Kim Il Sung came from a family of believers. He was a Sunday school teacher...then he became dictator of an atheistic state. 

     When the Soviets put Kim in power in North Korea, the North had more Christians than the South. And the South had more communists. The disruptions of the Korean War and communist persecution shifted that balance. 

     The author says Kim's ideology turned into a secular religion, something similar to Stalinism, and turning the Great Leader into a god. The typical communist cult of personality became a religious cult. 

     Kim's grandson carries on, with nuclear bombs, and oversight by China. South Korea offers freedom. Our son and nephew each had tours there with our military...73 years and counting.  

        Jimmy

USA: 1776 to 2026 

     So, we return to our history and who we are today. From information available.

     In 1790 95% of Americans were farmers or lived in rural areas. In 2020, 20% (coincidence) remained rural. In 1940, only 5% were farmers. Urban residents were 5% of the country in 1790, and they grew to 80% by 2020, more than any other group. Next in numbers are city residents, followed by those in suburbs. 

     About 9% of Americans were foreign born in 1850. By 2024 that became 15%. Immigration from Europe grew 92% from 1850 to 1970. Mexican immigrants rose from 200,000 in 1970 to 12 million in 2010. 

     The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act resulted in a worldwide incoming. By 2010, immigrants from Latin countries were half of the total. From Asia, 28%, and from Europe, 12%. 

     In 1800, half the population was age 16 or under. In that century, the average mother had 7 children. Their likelihood of growing up was not guaranteed, as my great grandmother would tell you, if she could. Maybe similar to African children today. 

     The year 1945, with Germany and Japan put down, they called it a "golden era." Yours truly was age 6, and I didn't see any gold, but the USA was on the upswing. Black Americans (many) had to wait a few more years to gain...protest for...inclusion. 

     WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...

1776

We Are at War 

     What a topic to start the new week. Iran? No, not them. 

     Our headline might better read, "in a war." And what might that be?

     Two groups that hate each other are joined in battle against Christians and Jews: 1. Islam. Their "certainty" (not faith) is based on Mohammad, who died in 632 A.D., and 2. communists, Marxists and socialists (any or all of these). When and if America crumbles and Christians and Jews cannot survive, the millions of Muslims and Marxists will duke it out for total control.

     Of course, Satan is their sponsor, but they don't know it. God threw Satan and other angels out of heaven. And He could end this war today, but He has great plans still to come. (See the New Testament).

     Christians might attend church, while we have other matters today and throughout the week. But we are in God's war. He wants our prayers. Then his Spirit will work. It will matter to each of us now and when/if we enter heaven.  

Ephesians chapter 6. 

     Our war is not against Muslims or communists, but against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. Paul lists the "full armor of God: Belt of truth. Breastplate of righteousness. Feet fitted with readiness. Shield of faith. Helmet of salvation, and Sword of the Spirit." 

 A Decaying Culture 

     "Make no mistake about it; there is a truth war in our culture. God's truth is under attack. Nothing in all the world is more important or more valuable than the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Jack Graham, Texas pastor

     "Solomon's wise advice in Proverbs 23:23 has never been timelier. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. This spiritual war between truth and lies is being waged in the hearts and minds of people, particularly in the church. Too many Christians are being shaped by the culture rather than being shaped by the Savior and the Scripture. 

     "They are compromised when it comes to the core teaching of the Christian faith. Many churches are throwing in the towel when it comes to the culture wars and social issues. Too many pastors compromise their calling in the pulpit, watering down their messages from the infallible Word of God, for fear of offending. 

     "People are offended too easily these days. The Bible speaks absolute truth for all generations. There is not much wrong in our country that cannot be made right if spiritual leadership would rise to the challenges and crises of our times. It is our responsibility as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to disciple people, because if the church doesn't disciple them, the world will...and the world is good at it.

     "Now more than ever in our country, we must not relent. We must be bold and courageous and stand strong for the Lord Jesus, our King. God has called us to fight the good fight of faith." 

 Sunday: we are at war right here

Fight for Freedom 

     The Declaration says "all men are equal" in their claim to justice, that governments exist to give them that justice, and that their authority is for that reason just. Those rights are being threatened by a culture increasingly anti-God and anti-Christian. 

Gary Hamrick, pastor in Virginia

     "Pastors were at the center of the American Revolution. They led the fight for religious freedom and recruited men from their churches to join the fight. Several pastors made up the 'Black Robed Regiment,' the most feared by the British because of their influence. The British placed bounties on their heads, burned their homes and churches, and would execute wounded ministers rather than take them prisoners of war." 

     "We've witnessed government overreach with mandates to close churches during COVID, while liquor stores and hardware stores were called 'essential' and remained open. We've witnessed school boards stripping parental rights. Churches, Christian schools and Jewish synagogues have been the target of violent attacks, ranging from arson to mass shootings." 

     "We must not allow the slow creep of an anti-Judeo-Christian bias in our culture to smother religious freedoms we have enjoyed for 250 years. It is still a battle worth fighting. It will only be won if pastors are courageous, and Christians are engaged. Jesus said in John 8:36, 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' Freedom is a gift - both spiritual freedom from sin, and religious freedom to worship the Lord and live fearlessly for Jesus." 

     Pastor Hamrick urges, "Let us do all we can to keep that light of religious freedom shining brightly in America." 

                                                                                                              Thursday

Our Challenges Today

     A message about America from then to now to beyond, by Jason Thomson, Utah house of representatives. 

     "Our challenges differ from those of 1776, but the fundamental question is similar. Can free people govern themselves? The answer will come not solely by leaders and the wealthy. It will come from citizens who do the quiet necessary work of self-government." 

     "That responsibility is where the founders intended it to be...the people. For 250 years the explosion of human progress has been unlike anything the world has known. The average person today carries more information in a smart phone than heads of state possessed only decades ago."

     "America has not always lived up to its highest ideals. There has been injustice and achievements, failures and triumphs. Our story is way beyond Mount Rushmore. From our beginning, unknown people accomplished the amazing and the necessary to make our nation and even the world a better place."

Search 'Mount Rushmore' for Thomson's message.

If you can find it, he names ordinary people who provided 

success that leaders like those on Rushmore get the credit.  

Opinions Then and Now

George Washington 

     "Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."

Elizabeth Powel, Philadelphia, 1787

     "Self-government requires ongoing vigilance and civic responsibility, virtue and moral character." 

Dr. Ben Carson 

     "Our 250th year is an extraordinary milestone, worthy of celebration, reflection and gratitude. We are not perfect. We have made mistakes, faced decisions and endured great challenges." 

     "Despite our imperfections, there remains something exceptional about this nation that continues to inspire people around the world." 

Tomorrow: more about our 250th

American Revolution 

  Continued

     "Thomas Jefferson received the same invitation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of American independence. Like John Adams, he was too ill. In his last letter of record, he wrote from Monticello a reflection on the Declaration, of which he was the famous author. He wrote, May it be to the world. 

     Both men died on the Fourth of July. 

     Webster wrote, "No age will come in which the American Revolution will appear less than it is, one of the great events in human history." He believed, "The highest attainment of all future generations would be to understand and live up to the greatness of the American Revolution. The essence of that greatness - was the idea of independence itself - the idea of political freedom.

     During the 200th-year celebration, Harry Jaffa wrote, "Nothing threatens the future of human freedom more than the failure to keep alive the understanding of and attachment to its principles."       

     John Adams made the same point, "Fellow citizens," he said after telling the biblical story of the children of Israel's entry into the promised land, "the ark of your covenant is the Declaration of Independence." 

     "All their blessings," Adams continued, "would come from adherence to the Declaration's principles, and all of their curses would come from departure from those principles."   

     Then he charged the people with a flurry of actions that reminds us of God's charge to the Israelites on their long march to freedom. There is a reward for obedience to the law of God.

PS. Democrats want to destroy our Constitution and start over with communism. Forgetting our history will help them do it.