Never Be Discouraged

There is really nothing we need to know

or even try to understand.

If we refuse to be discouraged

and trust in God's guiding hand.

So take to heart and meet each minute

with faith in God's great love,

aware that every day of life

is controlled by God above.

 And never dread tomorrow

or what the future brings.

Just pray for strength and courage

and trust God in all things.

For God never comes too early, 

and He never comes too late.

                                             Helen Steiner Rice

Friends, stay with us, back 2700 years to Scripture more important than Christmas, beginning Sunday. 

 

Going Through the Gates

     In ancient times, city gates were symbols of strength and centers of life. Business deals, marriages arranged, disputes settled, kings addressed and prophets proclaimed God's word. 

     There is a specific gate God calls "the gate of the Lord," the gate of righteousness. We don't have righteousness of our own. Isaiah says our righteousness is "like filthy rags." 

     So how do we walk through the gate of righteousness? 

     The answer is Jesus. He is the gate. "I am the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved" John 10:7,9

     We don't present God our impressive record; rather, clothed in his righteousness, we present His Son. 

     Some of us try to enter life's gate in our good works, our ministry record, our morality. 

     Prayer: Jesus, I lay down my filthy rags of self-righteousness and striving. Clothe me in Your righteousness. 

Part of a message from our pastor.

Contrarian, Like Him or Not

     What do we do about a person we appreciate on one hand...and don't on the other hand?

     Senator Fetterman, D- Pa., wrote an honest book about his rise in politics, and trouble with depression. He despises the Congressional dress code, which he calls the only bipartisan cooperation he has seen in Washington. 

     "He won the race even after suffering a massive stroke that left him struggling to relearn how to speak. In February 2023 after his Senate term began, Fetterman admitted himself to a psychiatric ward. Some of the effects continue today." 

     "In his book, Unfettered, he said his memory fails. He has a wife, brother and close friends. It's a story of cognitive dissonance," wrote Carolina Lumetta. 

     "He battled suicidal thoughts. After he won a hard-fought Senate race he was in a depressive fog. He described himself as stubborn and proud. He believed mental illness was fixed by 'pulling up your socks and getting on with it.'" 

     "Fetterman is the Rand Paul of the Democratic Party, often voting against his caucus on matters like immigration and Israel (and we think the war on Iran). Whenever reporters ask about his contrarianism, he stomps through the Senate basement repeating, 'I am not a Republican.'" 

     Views recognizes his honesty, his effort to conquer mental illness, and his willingness to go against his party. But we can't cheer for those linked with communists, who have steadily gained Democratic seats in government since their elders fled Hitler in the 1930s and settled in the U.S. Are Republicans worse than communists, Mr. Fetterman? 

          Jimmy

British Ships Head for New York

   Part 2 By Janie Cheaney

     "In June 1776, while the Continental Congress met, British ships were coming. Richard Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution that the colonies had a right to be free and independent. What was demanded was a formal statement of separation. 

     "As Jefferson said, the purpose of the Declaration was not to find new principles. The principles already existed in the writings of Aristotle and Cicero and modern thinkers like John Locke and Algernon Sydney. They appealed to 'nature's God,' a recognition of God's laws over nature made evident by way of man's reason.

     "The Declaration's endorsement of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' was the foundation of God-given individual rights. The list of grievances against King George shows how each right would later be addressed in the U.S. Constitution. 

     "A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since 1776, carrying Americans further away from their founding principles. The 250th anniversary of the Declaration is an ideal time to review our founding principles and be grateful for the men who articulated and fought for them." 

Democrats care about individual voting rights for foreigners. 

 The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration 

     This is a good time/year to recall the founding principles of the men who studied and fought for independence. The Declaration was not a radical document to excuse an uprising.

     It was based on common sense, in terms plain and firm, to command the assent to actions the colonies were soon to take, wrote Hillsdale professor Matthew Spalding in his book, The MAKING of the AMERICAN MIND. 

     He wrote, "political ferment merged with traditional thought in a room of forward-thinking men together in Philadelphia." He says "the Declaration probably could not have been written a half-century earlier, or a decade later. It came to light between the rule of kings and the revolutionary upheaval that overthrew kings." 

     Thirteen colonies had been governing themselves almost since their founding, with English monarchy practicing in neglect. The French and Indian War changed all that. Parliament expected the colonies to help pay for their own defense. 

     Tax laws led to colonial fury, which led to "Intolerable Acts." Open conflict flared with shots one morning in Lexington, Massachusetts. 

Continued tomorrow

Note: Americans are upset with our (unnecessary?) war in Iran, not that they support Iran (Democrats?) It took war to establish freedom in America, and it may be war that keeps us - and Israel - safe. We regret our wars since the 1960s (Democrat - and Bush - presidents). But in our smaller world, Iran is different. Jimmy

The Number 40 

     Some numbers carry meanings beyond mathematics. Few are as common as the number 40. It occurs across time and cultures, marking the passage from one stage of life to another. 

     In the Bible, Noah's flood lasted 40 days and nights before the world emerged cleansed. Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai before receiving the law. Israelites wandered for 40 years before entering the promised land. The prophet Elijah journeyed 40 days to Mount Horeb. 

     In the New Testament, Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert before beginning his ministry and he appeared to his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, before he ascended to heaven. 

     In each case, the number marks an interval that precedes a new beginning. 

     As for practical roots, 40 represents the fullness of testing, long enough to transform a person but not too long.

     The word "quarantine" is from the Italian for "forty days" - the period ships were once required to isolate during plagues. Human pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. 

     From Scripture to folklore, politics and routine speech, the number symbolizes endurance, patience and renewal. 

Source: EPOCH TV 

Jesus Speaks

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:3-8 

   There are more blessings in that chapter. If we care what God wants, here it is.

What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery...and more. Mark 7:20-21 

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked...Luke 6:35  

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God...John 3:19-21 

Saturday 2:45 pm. OK. Getting lots of rest. Hope to have a blog on Sunday.  

We have company. We expect to be back on our computer Thursday afternoon.

Yep. That was our message, but the change was replaced by another change when I suffered the shakes and had pneumonia on Wednesday night. I rested but never got sleep, until Friday around 2 am in the hospital. Even that was interrupted by nurses who woke me to test my heart rate or whatever. Mrs. Donut didn't sleep either until she went home Thursday night.

Found my driver's license. Had it all along.

            Jimmy

  

 The War May Never End

     Oh. We don't mean the deadly war that is crushing Iran.  

     Today we're thinking about our war without bullets and bombs. The intentionally open border that allowed 662,566 foreigners with criminal histories to avoid arrest. Some 15,000 freed illegals convicted of or charged with murder, more than 20,000 charged with sexual assault, and 60,268 charged with burglary, larceny or robbery. 

     This war continues with 105,146 charged with assault, 16,820 with weapons offenses, and 3,372 with kidnapping. Over 126,000 have committed traffic offenses, more than 70,000 for drug crimes, 21,106 for fraudulent activities, and some 12,000 for obstruction of justice. 

     Wouldn't American's own lawbreakers be enough trouble in this land of the free and home of the brave? 

     President Biden and "border czar" Kamala Harris "blew our borders wide open to let in a flood of criminals, drug dealers and human traffickers," wrote Tom Fitton, president of Judicialwatch.org. He adds, "Leftist politicians and far-left groups are condoning violent riots to try and stop President Trump from carrying out what 75 million citizens voted for in November 2024." 

     Fitton writes of "real national security risks, quality-of-life concerns, and voting irregularities the Left is all too eager to 'overlook.'" 

     All this, while we're possibly - maybe - making the Middle East free of warfare. Liberal Democrats don't like that either.

         Jimmy

 

A Special Chapter in a Special Book

     Comfort for God's people. Sins paid for. Prepare the way for the Lord. 

     Isaiah chapter 40 is among our favorites. 

     Restoration for Jews. The coming of the Messiah. A new heaven and new earth. Repentance. The glory of the Lord.

     All created life is frail and week, and it will end. God's word endures forever.

     And that is only the first eight verses. 

     God gave Isaiah even more knowledge all the way to chapter 66. 

     We'll stop here and hope you open your Bible to Isaiah 40. 

            Jimmy

Look Out, Camels 

     Saudi Arabia is a large country southwest of Iran. Like others, it is taking fire. We hope none of their 2.2 million camels are killed by Iranian missiles. 😒 

     The Ministry of Agriculture is issuing passports to the camels, including the camel's microchip number, name, birth information and vaccination records. Oh, and photos of the camel's left and right sides. All this will regulate trade and help prove ownership in the kingdom's $13 billion camel industry. 

     The system will help ensure the beauty of camels entering pageants for prizes totaling $80 million. A couple years ago officials discovered 49% of entrants had had illegal cosmetic treatments including Botox or surgery to enhance lips, noses and humps. (Women understand).

     And we think our Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a big deal. 

Green Iguanas 

     Animals that do face trouble are some 2,000 iguanas in Florida. Freezing temperatures in January stunned them. They go into a coma, fall out of trees, and in some cases injure humans. Males weigh up to 17 pounds. 

     Florida allowed residents to round up the reptiles without a permit and deliver them to designated locations, where they could be humanely killed. The public was warned not to bring iguanas into their homes or cars since they will warm up and become aggressive. Volunteer trappers delivered hundreds to drop-off sites. 

     If only someone would round up an armadillo that messes up our mulch in the middle of the night, digging for food. 

            Jimmy

 

 

 Jesus' Views

From that time on, Jesus began to preach,                                  Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. - Matthew 4:17 

Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. - Mark 7:15 

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. - Luke 6:27-28 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. - John 3:16-17

 Worry No More

God Knows the Score

Have you ever been caught in a web you didn't weave,

Involved in conditions that are hard to believe?

Well, don't be upset, for God knows the score,

And with God as your judge you need worry no more.

For He looks deep inside and is deeply aware

Of every small detail in your pattern of living. 

And always He's fair and lenient and forgiving,

And knowing that God is your judge and your jury

Frees you completely from man's falseness and fury.

And secure in this knowledge, let your thoughts rise above

Man's small, shallow judgments that are so empty of

God's goodness and greatness in judging men,

And forget ugly rumors and be happy again.

                             Helen Steiner Rice

Universal Truth for All

     Before the news focused on Iran, President Trump was dealing with the leader of Venezuela. Narco-terrorism and cocaine. Millions around the world have been victimized by socialism, communism, corruption, crime and drugs. The arrest of Venezuelan's president was celebrated around the world by those victimized. 

     Franklin Graham: "The demise of once the wealthiest country in South America serves as a stark warning for those who champion the so-called virtues of socialism - a world view that government, not God, has all the answers." 

     He notes, America is "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The New York City mayor worships Allah, god who guarantees Paradise for martyrs. 

We interrupt this blog to ask, how many of the Iranian soldiers are Islamic? Why would they surrender when their death would guarantee entry (?) into Paradise. 

     "The God of the Bible came to earth to die for sinners like you and me, though faith alone in his sacrificial death and victorious resurrection."

     "With all the man-centered religions and philosophies of the world, thank God we have the Holy Bible - universal truth for all people, for all time, regardless of culture, ethnicity, politics or socio-economic status." 

     "We live in a day where right is wrong, and wrong is right; feelings overrule facts; delusion distorts reality; debauchery is celebrated; and truth is relative."

     Jesus said "...whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock..." Matthew 7:24-25. 

 

     

The Pope and the Speaker 

     Sometime before Iran took center-stage, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, called U.S. citizens to "deep reflection" about how we are treating immigrants. He mentioned Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Or, in my Bible's version: "I was a stranger and you invited me in." 

     You know how millions of "strangers" came here during the Biden administration, many of them criminals, and many of them still on the loose. What do you think?

     House Speaker Mike Johnson said, "borders and walls are biblical." He argued that scriptural admonitions to welcome sojourners were given to individuals, while it is the responsibility of civil government to maintain order and protect its citizens.  

     Meny top officials in the Trump administration are Catholic, and Trump won a majority of the Catholic vote in 2024. The article said the White House and the Vatican have diverged on other key policy issues, including the UN, the war in Ukraine and in-vitro fertilization.  

     Well, Americans have given jobs to many who crossed our border illegally...usually working at lower pay than normal. And we have seen the wreckage of trucks that immigrants have driven, without license and even without knowing our language. And we have women abused by immigrants. And so far, those deported are mostly those with criminal behavior. We could lock them up. That's my "deep reflection."

          Jimmy

  

 China in Focus 

     "Strikes on Iran dismantle China-Led 'new axis of evil.'" 

     We pass on to you a brief article that "The Iranian regime's top political and military leaders have been eliminated. How is this affecting relations between China and Taiwan? Beijing has quietly stopped its ongoing intimidation campaign against the island, Taiwan. 

     What's China got to do with Iran? Well, "China made a serious strategic miscalculation," and "U.S. strikes may speed CCP's downfall."

     "The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran are leading some people to imagine a future China without communism. Beijing and Moscow have yet to offer Iran any military help. What's behind the hesitation - and what's next for Beijing?"  

     Across Chinese social media platforms, many internet users are celebrating with the Iranian people. Some are calling for help to remove the Chinese Communist leaders. 

     Some Chinese citizens are cheering for Iranians, and seek their own freedom. China faces pain from disruption, and oil price surge. 

     China's Xi holds fewer economic cards. What was the reason three Chinese leaders lost their positions? 

 The above is all we could find on the subject.

But it may result in news some day.

Jimmy

 Watch God Work? 

     We long to see the "bad guys" go down. But God desires our vindication, not our retaliation. He doesn't invite us to relish the destruction of people, some of whom might be saved, some day. He invites us to trust him as our vindicator. 

     He knows how to unravel the schemes of the enemy and how to expose what needs exposing, in His time, in His way. 

     In Exodus 14, Israel trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army. God told Moses, Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. 

     Vindication means: God's faithfulness and truth are put on display through your story. It's not that your enemies crash and burn; it's that they later say, "We thought we wrecked you, but God restored you." 

     When we seek retaliation, we slip back under the power of the flesh and the fear of man. Psalm 23:5 says, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

     Do I hope God will take down certain people? Yes. What would it look like to release them to God's justice, praying instead for His glory and my own heart's freedom? 

     Your bogger is 100 percent behind the U.S. and Israel taking out evil leaders and their weapons, giving the hope of freedom to millions of Iranians and peace in the Middle East. Am I wrong? 

           Jimmy

 Tomorrow: What about China?

 Who is jimmy donut views by the sea? 

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Jimmy Donut is a blogger known for his online presence under the name Views by the Sea. He shares personal reflections and insights, often addressing various topics such as faith, politics and personal experiences. His blog is known for its engaging content and has a following that appreciates his candid writing style. You can find more about him on his blog here.

blogspot.com   AI 

     Friends, my son in law, Ken, who encouraged me to blog, almost 12 years ago, discovered the above and passed it on to me...and you.

     Who wrote the above? We don't know, of course. I didn't even know observers comment on bloggers. This is not a prize, just a surprise. 

     So, if you are a Views reader, consider yourself among the countless people all over the world who read blogs, as we once read newspapers. Several years ago, I discovered that Views had (a few) readers all over the world. For whatever reason, I don't have that information any longer. No matter. I'm interested in Americans. I care about truth and honesty. 

     And feel free to scroll down and give us feedback as you wish.

               Jimmy

Finally, Decisive Action

     "For far too long, the world has been haunted by Iran's bully threats of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel.' Republican and Democrat administrations alike have vowed, for decades, that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon."

     "Finally, an American president took decisive action. President Trump sent out B-2 stealth bombers to drop bombs on Iran's entrenched nuclear facilities." 

     If that seems odd, it's because the magazine article was about Trump and the Israelis bombing Iran in 2025, taking out nuclear facilities. Fast forward to this weekend; the Iranians stubbornly returned to nuclear development. The U.S. and Israel had enough. Iranians in the U.S. support the attacks. 

     After the 2025 attacks, Trump thanked everybody, "in particular, God. I just want to say we love you, God, and we love our great military. God bless Israel, and God bless America." 

     Of further interest, Jeb Bush, who traded insults with Trump during the 2016 election campaign, congratulated Trump yesterday. Bush helps lead a movement that opposes Iran's nuclear ambitions.  

     Well, our leaders and all of us are living in a fallen world. God sent his Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved - John 3:17. And 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

     Too bad the 40 or so dead Iranian leaders had the wrong faith. 

                Jimmy