Pull over 

     Any of us can pull over for any of several reasons, but a certain driver had a strange thought that he needed to stop. In heavy traffic (life's business) he looked for a safe exit (redirection), and a place to park (new beginning). 

     Engine off, he wondered why he did this. Then without sound he heard these words: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 

     While he pondered this surprise, his mind heard: If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Mark 3:24 

     Before he could digest that, he heard, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. Luke 6:20-23  

     He isn't poor, and he isn't hated...or is he? And then, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 

     This driver ponders what he heard. He finally gets back on the busy streets. Maybe we'll learn more about this next Sunday. 

Steppingstones to God

An aching heart is but a steppingstone

To greater joy than you've ever known.

For things that cause the heart to ache

Until you think that it must break

Become the strength by which we climb

To higher heights that are sublime

And feel the radiance of God's smiles

When we have soared above life's trials.

So when you're overwhelmed with fears

And all your hopes are drenched in tears,

Think not that life has been unfair

And given you too much to bear,

For God has chosen you because

With all your weaknesses and flaws,

He feels that you are worthy of

The greatness of His wonderous love.

          Helen Steiner Rice          

                          A collection of encouragement   

When Faith Requires Faith

     She is almost never sure that she should write what she writes. She gets on her knees and asks for guidance, skill, accuracy and such.

     Then she sits on her chair and - fear and trembling follow. "Therefore, my beloved...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" - (Philippians 2:12). 

    We take our steps with less than 100% certainty. What else can we do, not walk at all? It gets complicated. Do we keep the Sabbath "holy" so there is a distinction between one day and the other six?  

     "Of course," she says, "the Lord alone knows the secrets of the heart. 'Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Then each one's praise will come from God.'"

     She does the best she can by study of His Word and not allowing energies to be consumed in second guessing. Rather, pressing forward. 

     As far as she knows, she is obeying God. If she is wrong, He will let her know when He returns, she says. Daily challenges sometimes happen in 50-50 situations. She picks one way and doesn't look back. 

Andree Seu Peterson, WORLD magazine

   

Money

     This and that. "The typical household is spending nearly $1,000 this winter to keep the heat on. That's about $85 more than a year ago. Residential electricity prices have risen about 25% since 2019. Although in the Northeast and the West Coast, electric bills in some states are less than in the 2010s, after adjusting for inflation. 

WORLD magazine

     "Paychecks for hourly wage earners have risen 3% to 4% every year since 2019. More than a third of homeowners reduced or went without necessities to pay an energy bill at least once.  

     Discounts. "More wealthy Americans are shopping at discount stores, a sign that inflation is reaching more income levels. About 30% of people earning more than $170,000 a year said they now shop at Walmart, ALDI and Dollar General, especially for food and household items. That's up from 20% four years ago. Surprised? 

     Graduation Blues. "College grads may struggle to land a job this spring, as businesses cut expenses. One quarter of 183 employers polled anticipate hiring more graduates this year. About half those surveyed rated the job market 'fair or poor,' the most pessimistic view since the pandemic. 

     "Declining sales and business leads, an uncertain economy, and budget cuts are the primary reasons. Economists expect the unemployment rate to remain elevated for most of 2026. But researchers say employers who didn't hire college grads last year may be looking for them this spring."

 

By the Numbers

     $953 

     Estimated cost to purchase a new electric water heater when DOE environmental regulations take effect in 2029. With many Americans concerned about affordability, government policies provide a clue for why prices keep going up. 

     36% 

     The share of American households that have put off large purchases like cars or appliances, citing discomfort with their financial situation. 

     7 

     The number of times regulators have imposed tighter environmental requirements on washing machines, beginning in 1988 and most recently in 2024. Regs have increased costs while reducing cleaning capacity and creating reliability problems. 

     99%

     The share of LED light bulbs currently on the market that will not meet Biden-era regulations when they take effect in 2028. The DOE estimates that light bulb prices will increase from $2.98 to $5.68 per bulb.

Buy them now? Jimmy

The above by John Dawson 

Can they put the betting genie back in the bottle?

    conclusion

     The SAFE Bet Act would ban sportsbook marketing during live sporting events. Preserving the reputation of leagues has motivated some to push back on sports betting. Ohio Governor DeWine announced intention to crack down on wagering based on certain actions rather than the end result of the game. 

     This came after Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz threw first pitches well out- side the strike zone in two games, so bettors could wager on the pitches being balls. The FBI investigated Terry Rozier who allegedly told a friend that he would leave a game early, allowing (his friends) to wager more than $200,000 on his under stats. 

     A professor at Cedarville University believes it will be difficult to put the entire sports betting genie back in the bottle. Even Christians have mixed views about it. Over half of pastors believe sports betting is wrong, but only about 7% discouraged the practice from the pulpit last year. 

     "You'll have churches that are running March Madness pools," said the professor. He acknowledged that while many members don't play for money, it still legitimizes the practice. 

     "And that's just, I think, setting people up for failure." 

            Jimmy

 

Betting the House - #2

     Now, where were we? Oh, yes. Connecting sports and mobile wagering can easily become "enslaving," says an economics professor. Young men are susceptible to addiction. 

     Less than 5 percent of bettors make a consistent profit, meaning the sports books make most of their revenue on losers. A survey found that about 1 of every 4 betters said they couldn't pay a bill. About 15% took our loans to fund wagers.  

     Many needs people should be saving money for are being spent on gambling or gaming. Roughly 20 million Americans report "Problematic gambling behavior." And roughly a quarter of them think their habit is out of control. The majority of addicts likely don't report their symptoms. Not everybody is forthcoming about their problem, due to guilt and shame.

     Is anyone doing something? Two bills introduced last year could force the federal government to get involved. The Gambling Addiction Recovery Investment and Treatment (GRIT) Act would set aside 50% of federal gambling tax revenue to fund addiction treatment and research grants. The government took in about $150 million in taxes for money wagered on gambling in 2024. 

     We bet I can find enough information to extend this article one more day. Wanna bet? 

Jimmy

    

Our Mentality

"I'm not smart enough."

"No one in my family has ever done that."

"My past disqualifies me."

     God isn't saying those things to us. Our history, our insecurity and our enemy, maybe. We're not being humble, but limiting...limiting what God wants to do through us.

     Well, it's always been this way. It'll never change. I'm just being realistic. Jesus says: With God all things are possible - Matthew 19:26. Possible not with our resume or excellent record...but with God.

     Our past does not define our future when God is involved. "They" might not do what we wish. But God can open a door. - Rev. 3:8. When He opens a door, no one can shut it. 

     There are giants, obstacles, roadblocks. Do we see ourselves in light of the giants or the light of our God? He delights in his children. He has plans we won't know until we reach out to him in prayer.   

Our pastor

Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was 19 months old. Talk about giants, obstacles and roadblocks. She is known for 454 quotes, 14 books, lectures, political activity and more. She received a college degree. She was an "ardent believer" in a Christian denomination.   

Jimmy

 Betting the House 

Really?

     Before there was TV, yours truly was addicted to sports on the radio, or in person. In football season, I kept records on four teams - two high schools, one college and one professional. Forty wins was satisfying and expected.

     I never knew the word "betting." 

     Today, there are those who put their home up for sale to pay for a gambling debt. A counselor says, "It's all so accessible, now that you don't have to get in your car and drive to a casino. Sports betting has come under high profile FBI investigations. It is too tempting for players as well as fans." 

     "But fans are the ones who suffer most. Thanks to the rise of mobile sportsbooks, many Americans have found they just can't quit," the counselor says. "A few dollars leads to three-figure losses. Many don't even realize they are addicted."

     "Today, 39 states and the District of Columbia permit gambling. Mobile sportsbooks are legal in 32 states. Using prediction markets, even gamblers living in states that don't allow betting can wager on events. Gamblers wagered more than $148 billion last year, about 45 percent online. Nearly half of men under 50 have an account with at least one sportsbook." 

     What does this say about husbands, fathers, male teachers and voters, etc? We may follow up with this on Monday.

                Jimmy

Help in Difficult Times  

     Paul dealt with "much trembling." Soloman said, "I am but a little child." Gideon pleaded, "I am the least in my father's house." Moses moaned, "I am slow of speech. Please send someone else."

     We're needy during difficulties, but God assures us:  

                              "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12)                                                                         "I will help you speak and teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:12)                                                "I will make a way in the wilderness" (Isaiah 43:19)                                                                   "I will supply all your needs" (Philippians 4:19)                                                                            "I will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14)   

                                     "I will rescue you" (Jeremiah 1:8)                 

              "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" (Jeremiah 30:17)                                                        "I am a shield to you" (Genesis 15:1)                                                                 "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25);                                               "I will not leave you as orphans" (John 14:18)      

                              "I will not fail you" (Joshua 1:5)                    

                     "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). 

     By Whitney Williams, a nurse in Dallas 

 Broken bonds

     "Cutting contact with parents won't heal children's wounds.

     "Idealization of the self will not heal emotional emptiness. Young people determined to forge their own identities forget (or don't know) that we are made and shaped by others as much as by individual personality traits.

     "It's only by seeing ourselves reflected in close, sometimes difficult, unions that we understand who we truly are. God, a relationship in himself, means to shape us in relationship, beginning with our mother's arms and father's voice. 

     "'Honor your father and mother' is a weighty command. To break that bond for self-centered reasons makes us weightless."  

Janie B. Cheaney, WORLD magazine

Who Says? 

     "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

     "The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

     "The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. 

     "They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

     Not possible? It will be normal during the millennium to come, when Christ returns to rule the world. The above is from Isaiah chapter 11, written centuries ago. Isaiah wrote many verses that interest all of us who believe and hope in the Lord. 

     In verse 10: "In that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people..." 

We have little idea how great our Savior is, do we? 

           Jimmy

Peace in the Middle East 

     Should Americans care? Mike Huckabee is the U.S. ambassador to Israel. He had visited Israel some 25 times before this. 

     He had a front row seat to the war in Gaza, and Israel's fight against Iran and terror groups in Lebanon and Syria. President Trump made peace in the Middle East top priority, although some of his supporters question his investment in time and energy. A former Baptist pastor, Huckabee wants to convince skeptics that the U.S.-Israel relationship is vital. 

     The plan is for a board of peace to replace Hamas as the ruling authority over Gaza. President Trump will oversee every single person on that board. Members must be committed to creating a different kind of Gaza, he says, adding that "I really believe we're on the brink of something historic in the Middle East." 

     "And it wouldn't have happened without President Trump. He's the only person I know who could have gotten every one of the Arab nations to come to Sharm El Sheikh and sign that document...saying they're going to be a part of the future of Gaza." 

     Views understands the president's position, whether or not he is a Christian. We know what some of our leaders don't. Israel is God's nation. Jesus will rule the world from Israel when he returns. Plans for Gaza aren't central to all that. But, we know what the Jew-hating world doesn't. Satan leads the opposition. His primary goal is to overtake God's headquarters, and he will make trouble until Jesus returns and sends him into a hellish prison. 

     Trump and Huckabee alone can't save Israel, but they are on the right side of history.  

               Jimmy

  

 From WORLD's mailbag

 Immigrants, good and otherwise

     "Having worked my teenage years on the family's farm in the 1960s with illegal immigrants, I can attest to their value, hard work, ethics, and decent values. They crossed only for the harvest seasons, returning to Mexico every November, to return every April or May. 

     "They sent 90% of their paychecks back home. My brothers and I worked alongside them for 10-12 hours a day. They paid into Social Security without hope of collecting a dime. They sometimes begged to work for cash as they didn't have funds to buy fake documents. Back then, the INS hunted them down like animals and stole our helpers when we needed them the most. 

     "Now, millions are let in without vetting, and we will pay the price for that for years to come. Yes, we need immigrants, but we need them here legally, vetted, and based upon their ability to assimilate in the American economy. 

     "Canada vets immigrants and requires them to speak English or French and have a skill that can be employed in Canada. These types of requirements were introduced into Congress during Donald Trump's first term but never made it out of committee. Immigrants will save our economy, but drug dealers, gang members, sexual predators and worse must be vetted out. 

     "I pray for sound leadership, but before we reform the system and perhaps even provide a path to citizenship, we must cleanse our cities and land from the mess of illegal, unfettered, and dangerous immigrants who are not here to forward our interests." 

                   Craig Borgardt, Wisconsin

God's Goodness

     The call to proclaim God's goodness rests upon every believer. This call beckons us to move beyond passive belief into active. We carry an anointing to declare God's loving kindness. 

     Research shows that declaring positive truths can rewire our brains, reduce stress and foster healing. We engage in a divine partnership with God. 

     "Let those who fear the Lord say: His love endures forever." - Psalm 118:4.

     Prayer: Lord, empower my voice to speak of your goodness. May I reflect your everlasting mercy and inspire others to seek you. Amen.

Provided by our pastor

The American flag, 1972 conclusion

I have a dream

     As I dream of the next one hundred years, I see our indestructible, imperishable Spirit of Human Freedom spreading to the uttermost parts of the world! I dream of new airports, new doors opening, old walls falling and old ideologies fading away, until the prayer we have been singing for years comes true:

     Not for this land alone, but be God's mercies shown, from shore to shore. And may the nations see that men should brothers be, and form one family, the wide world o'er.

     Many a morning I recall rising at dawn to hear the trumpeter in camp arouse the slumbering to a new day with the sounds of reveille.

     We stand today on the threshold of a new day, a new era, a new age.

     Do you feel it? 

     Rise up and make your country and your world great! 

#

Well, what do you think? The late Dr. Robert Schuller (voice of the flag) was calling on us to be great long before President Trump took up the challenge.

Now we have AI, driverless automobiles, satellites and a closed border. We were on the threshold of failure until 2025. The communist/progressive political party does not want us to be "great." They are one election away from getting their way, as in 2021, or worse. Unless enough Americans continue to love our flag and what it represents. Your blogger thinks Dr. Schuller would be more sad than glad. What can we do? The spiritual battle rages on. We can/should pray daily for many reasons. 

 Our flag speaks, in 1972:

Think of it

     Only two hundred years ago my people were a motley group of foreigners. They spoke at least 15 languages. Somehow, they managed to overcome nationalistic prejudices, hostilities and differences. I say, a miracle of God. Then nationhood was ripped by a ghastly civil war, neighbor against neighbor, father against son. 

     But my country survived. Covered wagons gave way to railroads, and railroads gave way to airplanes. Again, war came and depression, soup lines and suicides. Somehow, a deep faith surged. Then came four wars in a period of six decades. Still the country survived. What has kept this young giant standing on its feet? Where did endurance come from? 

     Say what you will. You cannot explain this country without taking into account her churches, her temples and her Bibles. The explanation of our national strength can be found in the words of One. Jesus Christ promised:

     Whosoever hears the word of God and follows it, I will compare him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

     It has become fashionable to discard all that has been held sacred. I warn, you cannot have the fruit without the root. Forsake God's virtues and you cut yourself off from spiritual faith, and courage that has made this country great. Seal off spiritual power with modern revisionism, and I warn you, your freedoms will suffocate and die.

Saturday: Conclusion. Our flag has a dream.

 1972   The American flag says...

Freedom depends on morality

     I have a second word for you. Be humble. 

     Look at the sins that remain and settle for nothing less than a deep cleansing. In your heart you know what needs to be cleaned. Know where your glory comes from. "Old Glory," I am called. My glory is the freedom that I give to every law-respecting man, woman and child. But mark this, freedom depends on morality. 

     The Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Word of God are the foundation of time-tested morality. Remove these foundations and suffer future shock. The vast majority of our citizens was trusted as self-disciplined followers of the Ten Commandments. Should the majority of our citizens forsake the disciplines that come through moral commitment, the society will no longer trust itself. 

     If my people depart from the virtues of God, they will find their freedom fading. Be humble. The high cost of freedom is commitment to God and the self-discipline it will demand. Without God, my stars will be clouded, my stripes will fade, my glory will depart, and your freedoms will erode and die. I the American flag have known humiliation too. I see men and women of high rank spending their millions on debasing pleasures. 

     Then they pledge their allegiance to me without guilt or repentance. I think of those who died for my country's freedom, and then I wonder if it was worth it! Oh God, what a waste. No! Not a waste; a challenge to call all back to the religious virtues that made freedom possible. 

Friday: a miracle of God?

     

 Our flag speaks  _part 3 

Freedom in my country

     No country knows greater freedom than my country. Freedom to each man, woman and child, to choose life's work. Freedom to travel from state to state without armed guards at borders. Freedom to try. Freedom to fail and not be cast into prison. Freedom to speak, write, praise, question or criticize anyone, and not fear a knock at the door. (Well, normally).  Freedom to worship, or not to worship, as the heart dictates.  

     Every Saturday I am found in Jewish temples where worshipers chant: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord." And Sundays in Catholic churches I hear them repeat: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." And in Protestant churches they sing, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear." 

     Freedom to borrow and build, to buy and sell, to make honest profit in return for real service. Freedom to start your own business, to create dignified job opportunities for people to learn the pride of honestly working for a living. I see the harvest of my fifty states. Look at the fruit of the land, her factories and laboratories an endless creation of new products flows forth:

     Wonder drugs and vaccines to destroy ancient plagues...tools to handle any task - to reach the moon, move mountains, photograph the inside of a human heart - tools made of iron, of plastic, tools made of diamonds, tools made of glass, tools made of laser beams. 

     Possibilities are unlimited...except as we limit them with a cynical, bitter, negative attitude! 

     Yes, when you see me flying in legislative halls, schools, courthouses and churches, listen to the rustle of my stars and stripes as I cry out to every boy and girl, every man and woman - Dream your dreams! Dare to believe! You can make it in America. 

 Tomorrow: Part 4. Be humble.

part 2

Our Flag Speaks

     I say, be proud of your country! There is much that is beautiful, compassionate, tender, powerful, yet gentle. I have heard children by the millions pledge their allegiance to me in their schoolrooms. I have looked into their faces, in Brownie, Cub Scout and Boy Scout meetings, and in Little Leagues, Minor leagues and to Major leagues where tens of thousands rose with respect as I made my gallant entrance. 

     Yes, I've been torn, spit upon and defiled by my detractors for two hundred years. Still... I am proud of my country, its schools, its courts of law. I'm proud of my country: managers, laborers, firemen, policemen, my army, navy, air force, marine corps, all dedicated to the dignity of man! 

     I the American flag am proud of my country. Yes, in spite of all her sins, and they are many, in spite of her share of shames... Show me a country that is stainless, spotless, sinless or shameless. For I know of no other people have who have spent billions to rescue beleaguered people with skin colors and foreign religions that all seemed odd to kids from Peoria or Sioux City. Young G.I.'s saw them only as oppressed, tortured, human beings who were crying for help. 

     They simply went home to Mom, expecting no gifts. The gifts have been packed in the suitcases of doctors, clergy, missionaries and educators. Together we travelled to Africa, China, India, Japan and the uttermost parts of the earth, to share the good life. Ambassadors built hospitals, schools and churches that still stand. 

Wednesday: Greatest freedom

 

 I am the American flag

Date: 1976     Forward 

     I will speak from the wisdom of a long life. I unfurled my thirteen stars nearly two hundred years ago. I saw clattering horses pulling carriages over cobblestone streets. I have looked up to see silver jets streaking across blue skies. 

     I have known 37 presidents. I have unfurled my pride on sailing ships, steamers and mighty vessels of armed power to bring peace and freedom to oppressed people around the world. I have traveled on the tip of a mighty Saturn rocket to soar through space until I stood on the surface of the moon. I am the American flag.

     I was in the hand of my first President in the blood and snow of Valley Forge. Who could be called for help, in distress? I saw the child grow strong to belch smoke from steel furnaces and to break virgin prairie until they were blanked by fields of ripening grain. I flew from steel birders on skyscrapers in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

     The price paid for my freedom of speech is a price few remember. In my memory are young men who died for me at Pork Chop Hill, Verdun, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, Corregidor and the Asian jungles. I wrapped them in my love and draped my honor over their caskets in tropics, deserts and seas. I rise every morning to watch over the graves of our finest, whose years were short. 

     Now, I will speak about my land, her tragedy and triumph, her sins and her glory. 

Tuesday: Much that is good