Common Sense in a Senseless World 

   A documentary is streaming on YouTube, with Thomas Sowell, during Black History Month. 

   Over his 60-year career, Sowell has chosen reality over theory regardless of whom reality might offend. He never accommodates the times. 

   His honesty is rare these days. He says, "If you have always believed that everyone should play by the same rules and be judged by the same standards, that would have gotten you labeled as a radical 50 years ago, a liberal 25 years ago, and a racist today." 

   Sowell grew up in the South, and in his early 20s he was a Marxist. No one convinced him those ideas are harmful to the black community. It was his own experience in the U.S. Department of Labor. Working for the government, he saw nothing but mischief in the welfare system and policies rooted in identity politics. 

   When asked what changed his mind about liberalism, he answers, "Facts." 

   He loses patience with sweeping visions, such as how to improve society. He says, "There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs."  

   Our nation desperately needs truth tellers. Shouldn't everybody?

WORLD magazine

         Jimmy

Will Angels Rejoice? 

As the man deliberates alone, truthfully he is far from alone. 

   Benjamin, the angel on the scene is thinking. He knows mortals don't earn their way to heaven. The power of the Son offers everything they need for life and godliness. The effects of sin, though forgiven, may not be easily erased. The Holy Spirit comes to help the "children" grow in their faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and above all, love.  

   The angel knows that men and women surrender with humility and simple trust. They will grow to love the Lord their God with all their heart and soul and mind, and love their neighbors as themselves. If they eagerly make their calling sure, they will never fall, and there will be a rich welcome in the eternal kingdom.    

   He returns to the matter at hand, not surprised that Satan and his deceivers have fled, like tumbleweed before a gale. Angels have seen this victory millions of times.

   The man in the motel must want the Way, the Truth and the Life. There are no puppets in the kingdom of God.

And then...  

It is Friday.     >   There is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness...

It is Friday, February 26.     >   They will learn to practice truth...     

It is Friday, February 26, 2021.    >   Their new life will belong to the Lord...

Someone is at a computer, or a cell phone.     >   They will be tested...

Someone is praying for someone who is reading THE CAPTAIN & THE HOST.

Love is calling again

Believe in me ... Come ...

   

 Chapter 15

Bible and Gun 

Before his closing prayer, the pastor assures, "You don't have to look for the Lord; he is looking for you. And he reveals himself to those who fear him." 

   The two men exit church, exchange small talk, and part ways. Now troubled with mixed thoughts, and this fork in the spiritual road, the man thinks, "I'm no more sinner than church people. Anyway, even if there is a God, I'm not good enough." He is tired, depressed and ... fed up! 

   Jesus doesn't want his goodness, only his repentance. A heavenly choir joins the battle:

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. 

Through the storm, through the night, lead me on, to the right,

Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home.

   The demon takes his hand. He removes his pistol from the glove compartment and checks into a motel. His mood is as dark as the moonless night. Sitting on the bed, his finger finds the trigger ... the barrel touches his temple.

   His eyes see a Bible on the nightstand. He stares for a long minute ... lays the gun on the bed, resting his hand on it ... and with the other hand pulls God's Word onto his lap. He randomly opens to passage after passage, each one seeming to call attention to itself. 

   Freedom comes from the Spirit of the living God. Resist the devil and he will flee. Humble yourself before the Lord. He cares for you. 

   The very words quoted by the pastor. "Is God real? Have I been deceived?"

Tomorrow: Will angels rejoice?

 

 

Chapter 14

Will Love Win?  

Satan locates himself between the stray sheep and the Good Shepherd, between his demons and the 111th battalion. Dark as spiritual dragons are, he can't be seen. 

   The prince of the air is furious. He was long ago defeated by the blood of the Lamb. His only cause is to blind as many souls as possible, until his time is up. His ways are well known throughout the realm.    Steal!    Kill!    Destroy!  

   Going to the cross was not easy for Jesus. Believing in the cross is not easy for mortals, especially grownups. All these 20 centuries since his first mission, Benjamin still marvels at the patience and Love of God.  

   The demon assigned to this man has led him to rely on his instincts, desires and abilities. He has been failed by some, and himself failed others. His success provides no lasting joy. His riches never enough. Socially he drinks, only to be thirsty again. And again. 

   His deep need is unconditional love, but for him love has always been conditional. Little does he know that the Rock of ages, love, mercy and grace is knocking on his heart. A celestial choir begins to sing, On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...

   A friend invites him to hear his pastor. What could it hurt? he reasons.

   "Freedom comes from the Spirit of the Living God." I'm a free man, he thinks. 

   "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  The devil? Come on, he chuckles.

   "Humble yourself before the Lord. He cares for you." Oh, sure, he sniffs.

   As the church choir and worshippers sing Amazing Grace, the man hesitates ... thinks ... regrets ... admits ... wonders. The confident demon begins to scowl.

Tomorrow: A Bible and a gun

 

  Some Will; Some Won't  

As the Captain and his battalion stealthily pass for Benjamin's learning, another mountain looms ... built by followers after riches, foolish and harmful desires. People eager for luxury have wandered far from the faith, piercing themselves with many griefs.

   The Voice: "Every mountain and hill will be made low. Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and springs of water." 

   "He is kind to the unthankful and the evil. Love your enemies, as children of the Highest." 

   Over rocks of worry, fear and doubt: "The rugged places will be a plain." Over carnal canyons and jungles of jealousy: "He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God." 

   Benjamin sees humans who think they are saved, but far from it. They concede the Name, but refuse to surrender. The angel would help, but only the Captain has authority to say, Follow me. 

   Now over the wreckage of war, Benjamin sees darkness, but also spiritual light; righteous acts, but multiple sins; true worshippers, but many pretenders. He sees the humble and the prideful; the meek and the arrogant; those thirsting for righteousness and those satisfied with carelessness. 

   He witnesses the pure in heart and the contaminated; peacemakers and troublemakers, the persecuted and their offenders. The hot, lukewarm and cold.

   Benjamin learns that sufficient Light is given to man, and darkness cannot overcome it ... without collaboration. 

   A praying grandmother has led the Captain to her loved one. All stop. Between the mission and the man - a foul spirit. Satan. Old Lucifer himself.

Tuesday: Will love win out?

 Troubles in Texas 

   We sympathize with Texans. We think of them as responsible, hard working, independent people. But a record-setting winter freeze overwhelmed their power industry, including green-energy windmills which froze. 

   The absence of electric power, drinkable water, and homes flooded by broken pipes has thrown some people back into the early 1800s. Some tried to keep warm in their cars or trucks, but unless they could gas up... Grocery stores are closed or open but with empty shelves. Some died from carbon monoxide.  

   A hurricane allows time to think. A once-in-a-century freeze is not fair.

   We feel for them, and we feel a little guilty. Then again, next hurricane season it might be us. 

The Captain

   We are coming to the day of decision, with the Lord seeking another soul. He is willing. Is the man? Don't assume anything. Tomorrow, Satan might oppose the Captain. For those of you who read the last page of a book first, forget it. Thursday, our surprise ending. 

Question

   What words in the Bible can be both terrifying and comforting? 

How about, The Lord has spoken. 

     Jimmy

  

   

Chapter 13 

Heaven...Calling Earth... 

Lead angel, Protector, raps the side of angel Benjamin's helmet. "You will go with me, behind the Captain. You will learn what cannot be learned in the safety of Paradise. Do you promise to obey the Captain with all your strength?" 

   "Yes Sir!" 

   "Then we are ready." Protector orders the 111th to attention. Facing the Captain... "Sir. You alone are righteous. Your servants await your order." 

   The battalion shouts in unison, "Today is the day of salvation!" Benjamin wonders if he is experiencing human emotion. 

   Into principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness they go. Through tribulation and distress and persecution speed the Captain and his warriors ... 300 strong plus one. 

   It doesn't take long. A voice: "The Savior is on earth." Cheers resound throughout heaven. 

   Benjamin eagerly observes what his training had taught. The badlands of Beelzebub lay before him. 

   The voice: In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God." 

   He sees mountains of malice and valleys of vanity. He overhears scoffers ... "Where is this coming of the Lord?" 

   Benjamin asks, "Is this what some call Babylon?" "Some do," Protector nods. "One day an angel will declare "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great." 

   Suddenly, Benjamin turns to his leader. "Sir, I now realize angels will never know what it means to be loved and forgiven." 

   Protector smiles.

Monday: Some will; some won't