How the Media Controls Our Thoughts and Emotions

Have you ever considered what the media is doing to us individually and as a nation? 

I've never studied psychology, but I've always had a passion for truth and have observed the powerful effect that believing a lie (verses believing the truth) can have on a person's physical and mental well-being. Some people choose to believe a lie because their false illusion seems easier to handle than the truth, while others continually believe lies that are absolutely destructive because they are being manipulated by powerful forces that benefit when the masses believe those lies.  As the same lies are repeated over and over, like a hypnotic dangling watch, moving back and forth through their minds, they can no longer discern the truth from a lie. They have traded reality for an illusion.

 As propaganda was produced and distributed at record rates during (and after) the Great Depression, George Orwell noted that “useful lies were preferred to harmful truths”. He went on to say, “History stopped in 1936 – after that, there was only propaganda.” Misleading propaganda was used as psychological warfare by Hitler to gain power and to control his subjects.

Orwell’s statement could also be applied to the mainstream media today. A glimpse at leading headlines over the past three and a half years from CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, the NYT, and others have echoed the same destructive themes:

• The sky is falling! Worldwide doom is near.
• It’s all Trump’s fault! 
• The "orange man" is a monster. 
• We must get rid of Trump! 

These themes are all intentional for the purpose of sowing hatred, antagonism, and division.

After three years of lying to the public about collusion with Russia while burying the real collusion story surrounding the fake dossier, after repeatedly insisting that Kavanaugh’s accusers (now discredited) were telling the truth while denying Kavanaugh due process (yet now these same media outlets are discrediting Biden’s accuser without evidence, denying her press coverage, and burying the story), after repeatedly slandering Nicholas Sandman (only for his family to fight back through successful legal actions against mainstream outlets for libel), it should be obvious to all that the media is not telling the truth and will say or hide anything to promote their narrative. Yet, many Americans continue to choose to believe “The Big Lie” by consuming these exaggerated and/or deceptive headlines daily. The seed of hatred has taken root, and it's roots run deep, always hungry for more.

Then when COVID-19 became the focus, the same hate messaging continued, except this time, the hatred was compounded with unjustified fear, panic, and hysteria. The media profits from every click, so the worse the pandemic seems, the more revenues the media earns and the more negative outcomes they can falsely blame on Trump. Furthermore, the more the media exaggerates the threat of this virus, the more people will surrender their liberty to the control of tyrants who "own" the media. No matter what the facts reveal, no matter how contradictory statements may be from one week to the next, the same message has prevailed, “The virus is going to kill the masses, and it's Trump’s fault, so let’s all keep hating Trump.”

There are just too many examples to cite here, but I'll list a few. The media included ER clips from Italy and claimed it was filmed in New York. Other video clips supposedly taken inside emergency rooms showed staged mannequins on “hospital beds” instead of actual patients. Headlines claimed hospitals are facing dire shortages of equipment when the actual data indicated the opposite. Media headlines insisted hospitals did not have enough capacity, while actual resident photos showed empty triage tents. Hospital lay-offs across the nation provide further proof that hospital capacity is way below normal, not at capacity. The trending news story this weekend was the media’s attempt to misconstrue Trump’s off-the-cuff comments regarding the power of UV light to kill the virus into a crazy claim that Trump advised people to inject bleach directly into their bloodstream to kill the virus. This is not the telephone game we played as children. This is intentional deception, which some might call mind control or psychological abuse.

Regardless of our political leanings, the media will manipulate and control us if we let it. If we accept whatever they say as true without fact checking the information ourselves (by looking up source documents, the full transcript, or the full video for context), without considering the credibility of the source, without looking for repeated themes that reveal an agenda, without following the money, without running the calculations ourselves, without expanding the data or timelines for the bigger picture, without reading the entire article, without comparing one source’s information to another source holding the opposite perspective, then the media will control what we think and how we feel.

If the media is feeding negative emotions like hatred, bitterness, fear, anxiety, depression, or panic, turn it off. Odds are you are being lied to and have been programmed to only consume media that feeds those same toxic emotions. It is likely that you have been lied to so much you that you don’t even realize it and have no idea how much those emotions are hurting you and society in general. This often holds true whether your media sources are conservative or progressive, pro-Trump or never-Trump. While some are more honest and forthcoming about it than others, all media is biased. I saw it up close as freelance writer, and yet I have also let the media corrupt my thoughts and impact my emotions.

Let us consider what toxic emotions do to us physically.

Toxic emotions weaken our immune system making us more susceptible to colds and infections. Daily self-care (nutritious diet, sleep, exercise) suffers. Alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse increases when we are emotionally unhealthy. Blood pressure, headaches, body aches, back pain, insomnia, fatigue, and sweating all increase. Appetite and weight changes are common. Stomach upset, chest pain, constipation, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing are all symptoms of poor emotional health.

Let us consider what toxic emotions do to us emotionally.

Hatred, turned inward, will consume and distract us so that we cannot focus on meaningful tasks or on our relationships with others. Hatred will eat us up inside and make us miserable and angry. Hatred turned outward becomes destructive behavior, and it may even lead to violent crimes. It will leak out into our relationships with others and damage the relationships that matter most to us. Words and actions spewing from toxic emotions could cost us our job, reputation, marriage, and freedom.

Let us consider what toxic emotions do to us spiritually

Toxic emotions take our focus off God and lead us to obsess over our negative feelings. They lead us away from righteousness and into sin and darkness. They lead us away from wisdom and into folly. They stir up anger and wrath and cause  us to grieve the Holy Spirit. They keep us from God’s good and perfect plan for each of our lives. They rob us of joy. (Reference 1 John 2:11, Leviticus 19:17, James 1:19-20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4: 25-31)

Given how these lies can harm and destroy us, let us throw off deception and cling to the truth. To know and discern the truth, we first must know (as in a personal relationship) the Truth, who is Christ, Savior and Lord.

"And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!” (John 8:32)

We must reject falsehood and fill our hearts and minds with all that is true and wholesome.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.“ (Philippians 4:8)

We must choose love over hate.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;" (Matthew 5:43-45a)

Mere Biology or Created in God's Image

In the book, Where the Crawdads Sing, Kya, abandoned and orphaned at a very early age and left alone away from humanity to survive in a shack along the swampy marsh, learns about life from observing nature. She has no parents, guardians, or mentors to introduce her to Christ and the Gospel or to teach her infinite value as a sacred human created in God's image with a perfect and eternal purpose. She watches a firefly trick her prey by sending the mating signal of her prey's species to attract him. When her prey comes to mate with her, she eats him, piece by piece. Kya then notes that there is no room for judgment in biology for "evil was not in play here, just life pulsating on and on." Delia Owens writes, "Biology sees right and wrong as the same color in different light."  

Without God as the foundation of a person's worldview, humans are viewed as no more than mere biology who operate out of innate instinct without a soul. Moral relativism is the moral code of a godless universe. It removes a context for judgment by pretending that humankind is nothing more than a biological phenomenon. It removes love, compassion, emotions, reason, artistic expression, intellectual thought, innovation, relationships, meaning and purpose from our lives and leaves us empty and worthless. Even if we could remove God and His justice from His creation, is it really worth giving up all that to allay some guilt and to try to do life our own way without Him? There would be no civilized world or society at all without some moral code to guide, instruct, and unite. Yet, a society without judgment (though this godless worldview still tends to harshly judge and punish those who reflect the Creator) is uplifted in our culture as the supreme virtue.

So, when you hear people praising that which is evil and labeling that which is good as evil, remember the firefly. When "professionals" insist that mankind cannot control their sexual desires ask yourself if rape, incest, human trafficking, pedophilia, child prostitution, polyamory, and all other forms of sexual depravity are just the natural order of things as life pulsates on and on. 

When pro-abortion advocates say life in the womb has no value and should be destroyed when convenient, gaze into the face of an innocent newborn and marvel at God's handiwork or talk to families waiting to adopt a child to love. If there is any love or tenderness for that child at all, that love comes from our heavenly Father. (1 John 4:7) If a woman's body naturally sacrifices itself to put her unborn child's needs before her own throughout the pregnancy, is it really natural or morally neutral to rip that child apart, limb by limb, as the child grimaces in pain so as to seemingly make the woman's life more convenient?

As social justice warriors protest and lament what they call a violation of human rights, consider that biology promises no rights at all. Inalienable rights are given by God, so if we remove God from the equation, we lose those rights and become nothing more than a firefly, each person fighting for his or her own survival without regarding the impact our actions have upon others.

Do we really want a world without God, without love, without moral virtue? Do we want a life with no self control, no boundaries, no goodness, justice, or compassion? What is humanity without a soul? What is life without relationship? Who are we without God?

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,who put darkness for light and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" - Isaiah 5:20

Ten Truths about Planned Parenthood

I have shared the information below with women in crisis pregnancy situations and with their significant others. I have written extensively about it when I worked as a freelance writer. I have even spoken to students and public high school principals about it, but few were willing to believe that Planned Parenthood manipulates women to the extent that they do. Perhaps hearing it from Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director and Employee of the Year for all the Planned Parenthood centers in the US, would add some credibility.

Abby Johnson

1. Planned Parenthood comes into schools for the sole purpose of selling abortions. They build relationships of trust with students, encourage them to engage in risky sexual activity, and dole out contraceptives that will FAIL. Not only is the human error rate extremely high for young people, but they deliberately give out contraceptives with the highest failure rates. That sense of false security increases sexual activity. Their goal is to sell each girl they meet in the schools at least 3 abortions before they turn 30. That is the only reason Planned Parenthood comes into schools with their "sex ed" programs.
2. IPPF has manipulated nations around the world into accepting the Convention on the Rights of the Child for the purpose of stripping parental rights so that children can have abortions without parental consent. All this political activism is for the purpose of selling more abortions. (Not discussed in video but more information is available here.)
3. Abortion is Planned Parenthood's bread and butter. Each Planned Parenthood center is given abortion sales quotas with financial incentives for meeting and exceeding them. No quotas are given for the other services. Every other service they offer, many of which are funded by government grants, are ultimately designed to gain women's trust so they can eventually sell them more abortions. Planned Parenthood directors and execs have gotten filthy rich from the blood of manipulated women in crisis and from the death of those women's innocent children.
4. Every elected representative who voted against the Born Alive Act, which only sought to prevent infanticide after a baby has been born alive after a botched abortion, received significant campaign contributions from Planned Parenthood. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is one of wealthiest and most powerful organizations in the world. IPPF manipulates politicians to vote against the will of their constituents when it will help IPPF sell more abortions. (Not discussed in video, but more information is available here.)
5. Planned Parenthood's name is a misnomer. No client walks out of Planned Parenthood offices with a planned pregnancy. IPPF exists to terminate pregnancy, not support it. They offer clients no prenatal services whatsoever except for the pregnancy test itself which they use to sell abortion.
6. The undercover videos about selling baby body parts were not isolated events. Baby body parts are sold across the nation. Abby's one affiliate earned over $2.5 million a year from the sale of baby body parts (or "pieces of children" as Abby's affiliate referred to them) alone.
7. Abortion counselors LIE to their patients to convince them to buy an abortion. "Counselors" receive sales training and have scripted responses for virtually every patient concern to deliberately pressure these women into having an abortion. Women with faith based concerns about abortion are told that God will forgive them because He understands their situation. Patients do not receive counseling at Planned Parenthood. They receive a sales pitch. Christian crisis pregnancy centers like the CareNet center where I served do provide patients with legitimate counseling and a full list of options plus hope, support, encouragement, and love.
8. Planned Parenthood sets much higher quotas for the abortion pill, RU486, because it takes less of their time and yields higher margins. It is not at all safe or comfortable as they claim. It's excruciatingly painful, involves so much blood loss that many patients fear they might die, and causes continued blood clots for up to 8 weeks afterwards. Furthermore, it doesn't always expel all of the baby, so patients may need to come back for the surgical procedure, leaving them to pay for and recover from both the chemical and the surgical abortion.
9. Candela suction abortions are much safer if used with an ultrasound to guide the placement of the instrument, but many Planned Parenthood facilities do not use ultrasound during the procedure because it takes an extra three minutes per abortion and requires an extra helping hand. Abby's facility performed 30-50 abortions a day, so they cut corners wherever possible to fit in more abortions.
10. Ultrasounds are used during the initial examination to determine the size/age of the baby which then determines the cost of the abortion. Patients are not shown the ultrasound images of their babies on purpose. (CareNet crisis pregnancy centers offer ultrasound images so moms can see their babies for free, and that image often changes their mind about the abortion.)

 Listen to Abby as she shares her experiences in this eye-opening video:

Trump Was Not the Real Winner in the Mueller Investigation

Source:  truthfeed.com

Lots of people are calling the Mueller report a win for Trump. I'm certainly glad all the illegal spying and Mueller's part of the ridiculously expensive witch hunt (most comprehensive investigation ever), which was based on pure slander (even the most liberal medial moguls admitted behind closed doors that the Russia collusion story was completely false from the beginning), to overthrow a surprisingly successful POTUS, is finally over and that his innocence has been upheld.

But I don't see how Trump was truly a winner in this investigation. Trump was rightly exonerated, but he has been denied the presumption of innocence by the powerful mainstream media and most Democratic leaders for years. Trump, his family, and hundreds of associates or contacts have suffered more for crimes they did not commit than the political elite before them have ever faced for heinous crimes we know they committed such as Benghazi, Uranium 1, Pay-for-Play, Clinton's emails, rigging the Democratic primary, illegally redirecting DNC contributions into Hillary's campaign and the subsequent DNC buy-out & takeover, etc.

I'm relieved that the mainstream media and both the Democrats and Deep State Republicans who have been conspiring for the past two years to overthrow Trump have been exposed for their repeated slander. They hoped to falsely create a dark shadow over Trump's presidency and to distract from all his achievements for the good of the majority of Americans. I hope those who actually believed all the lies are more discerning now and recognize the hatred and coup attempt behind so much of the media's words and works.

If there is a real winner in all this, it's Russia. Russia has been using social media and hackers to interrupt our elections for many years. That much is no new revelation. They spread lies through these platforms that hurt both political parties because Putin's goal isn't to side with one party or the other, but rather to stir up hatred and dissension which ultimately divides and weakens us. The mainstream media, Democrats, and Trump haters from every political persuasion have thrown our nation under Putin's foot by believing and spreading this slander. Instead of working for the nation's good, they have torn it apart. Visit Democratic led cesspools like Chicago, Seattle, New York, and San Francisco and talk to the homeless and drug addicts living in the excrement covered streets or in the desperate neighborhoods consumed with gang violence for a few ideas of where these leaders should have been spending their time and taxpayer money instead of attacking Trump's family with false accusations and unjustified investigations.

Consider all the lies hurled at Kavanaugh and what he and his family suffered for months during the judicial hearings, not based on any evidence, but purely on political hatred. The Trump family and all associated with them have been through similar persecution for over two years. Some are rotting in prison for lesser crimes that had nothing to do with Russia collusion. When will it end?

Until we can move past our hatred, demand an honest press, and uphold truth over our personal political preferences or vendettas, America will remain the loser. The only way that Americans can truly win is to come together as one nation under God again.

Reasons for the Rising Popularity of Socialism

Why has socialism and government dependence (for everything) gained so much popularity despite socialism's perfect record throughout history of destroying every civilization that tried it. Why are these Marxists/socialist ideas becoming so popular in America, especially among young people, when our nation was founded to be the antithesis of socialism and political tyranny? A few reasons that came to mind follow.

Many friends, parents, and educators have noted that government mandated curriculum pushes socialist indoctrination in the schools, especially at the university level, but the roots of rising socialism go so much deeper than the education system.

When considering the Judeo-Christian values that guided our founding fathers when drafting the Constitution, the depravity of the human heart emerges as a predominant theme underlying the carefully designed balance of powers Our founding fathers, deists and Christians alike, knew the sin nature would drive people to abuse their power and that unchecked power will always corrupt the motives of the heart. So they developed a system of checks and balances to ensure the government was big enough to protect the nation from her enemies without becoming powerful and corrupt enough to self-destruct.

The secularization of society and the false idea that morality is relative have certainly contributed to this failure to recognize mankind as fallen and prone to corruption. If each person's morality is individually chosen instead of determined by a universal law written into the hearts of all mankind by a creator God, then no action by one person can be judged as right or wrong by another person, not even rape or murder.

I spoke with an agnostic who was an ardent Bernie supporter during the last presidential election. He could not stand Hillary because of her corruption. Her crimes seemed to grow in number and degree as she gained power. She was among the most powerful women in the world as evidenced by her lucrative pay-for-play deals through the Clinton Foundation and her career long history of living above the law, never facing just consequences for her crimes which were evident to all and would put anyone else in jail. This young man insisted that Bernie was different, and that he could manage the power benevolently, without caving to corruption. Shortly after our conversation, however, Bernie took the bribe from Hillary's campaign and bowed out of the race without contesting the obvious illegal campaign fixing to prevent him from ever having a chance. It only took him enough hush money to buy a beach front home to abandon his cause. Bernie has been bought off for most of his political life. He even got kicked off a commune for failing to contribute, sucking them dry, just like socialist tyrants do to every nation they rule. But I digress...

Helicopter parenting also seems to be a contributing factor. Kids are raised believing they have no sin nature.Their parents swoop in and remove any consequences before their children have a chance to acknowledge their wrongdoing. Parents threaten teachers and school administrators who dare write their kids up for behavioral issues or give them bad grades. This new generation isn't being taught a decent work ethic because everything is given to them from participation trophies in sports to parents fraudulently buying them admission into prestigious universities. Undeserved passing grades are given out like candy in universities which are graduating people like Ocasio-Cortez with economic degrees when these students have no comprehension of the most basic math concepts and cannot discern between fantasy and reality.

Kids aren't taught how to wrestle through their struggles or to own their shortcomings and wrongdoings in a way that is productive. Mass shootings are blamed on guns, mental health issues, or the drugs used to treat depression, but the shooter isn't deemed a sinner, capable of great evil. Ilhan Omar blamed her constituents' decision to join ISIS on a society that failed to include them or show them compassion instead of acknowledging their choices as wrong.

Our culture sees no sinners from a Biblical perspective who can only be saved by Jesus. Progressives instead make up other sins like political incorrectness or global warming to gain power over voters. Socialists want people to view the government as their god, savior, and provider who will take away their guilt (falsely imposed by the government itself). But only a perfect, holy God can possess all power and remain perfectly loving, just, and righteous. The Tower of Babel account illustrates what happens when government power tries to replace God in the heart of man.

If we constantly make excuses for others' wrong choices, refusing to acknowledge the sin nature or the ability of power to corrupt, and if we raise secularized, entitled children who are not motivated to work for anything, then it's our fault when they vote for socialist candidates who will inevitably take and squander our freedom, our money, our prosperity, our livelihood, and all that is good about America while giving us nothing in return.

Usurping of Inalienable Rights

A brief history refresher for our elected representatives and career politicians follows:

The first sentence of paragraph two of the Declaration of Independence describes the quintessential heart of America.

"America was established on the fundamental belief in a Creator God, the sanctity and equality of all human life, and the God given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

That one quote describes what most Americans want and what every U.S. citizen should demand that their leaders consistently strive to uphold.

 The next sentence in the Declaration notes that the role of government is to secure those rights and notes that government power comes from the "consent of the governed."

 Sadly, many of our government offices are held by those who not only refuse to uphold those inalienable rights, but who have abandoned those values completely, replacing that famous quote from the Declaration of Independence with a twisted version that would read something like this:

"Truth is relative; it’s whatever benefits my own interest. I am my own god. I am superior to my deplorable constituents, who are too weak-minded to think for themselves, so I shall direct every detail of their lives for them. I am superior to my deplorable constituents who are too weak-minded to think for themselves, so I shall direct every detail of their lives for them. I will pretend to care about special interest groups and promise them special privileges as long as they serve my power grabbing purposes. Only those born into wealthy, healthy, well- educated/indoctrinated families or into propaganda filled environments that will certainly convince them to serve my purposes (particularly at the ballot box) shall be allowed to be born at all, and once they are no longer able to contribute significantly to the public ("my") coffers, we shall cut entitlement expenses via death panels and euthanasia. I will tax them unjustly and give their money to Planned Parenthood which shall abort the rest of the unborn children who stand in the way of my goals so as to create my own version of a Utopian society over which I shall reign as lord and master. Only the political elite possess inalienable rights, among these are freedom from prosecution when guilty, exemption from all the harmful laws we pass, the right to amass our own fortune by raping the nation’s greatest assets, and the pursuit of ever-increasing dictatorial power." 

This new "version" embodies the socialist/Marxist thinking so heavily promoted by the new Democratic party. (Although there are plenty of establishment Republicans who are contributing to this massive disconnect between voters and politicians as well, which has greatly contributed to the Trump phenomenon.)

Perhaps our elected leaders should read the rest of the Declaration of Independence as a reminder of what will inevitably take place if the government continues to undermine and usurp our God given inalienable rights.

Devotion: Steven's Prayer

Stephen was a devoted Christ follower who modeled Christ in his life and in his prayers. His prayer as he was being martyred provides us with powerful instruction and inspiration as we seek to go deeper with Christ through the precious gift of prayer.  Stephen was one of seven Hellenistic Jews chosen to serve widows so the apostles could focus on their top two priorities, prayer and ministering God’s word. (Acts 6:4)  Stephen’s character, witness, and strong faith through trials suggest that he prioritized prayer and God’s word above everything else as well.  When these priorities were kept in order, just as Jesus modeled, the Word of God spread and the number of Christ followers multiplied. (Acts 6:7)  

Ask yourself:  How is God’s word spreading through me to build His kingdom?  Are prayer and God’s word my top priorities? 

Stephen was full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace, and power, which enabled him to perform great signs and wonders. (Acts 6: 5 and 8) He was bold, articulate, and faithful to share God’s truth, yet religious leaders and the mobs they incited rejected him, falsely accused him of blasphemy, seized him, and brought him before the council. When tested, Stephen quoted the Old Testament as his defense and drew upon God’s words for strength. When giving testimony, Stephen declared Jesus as the promised Messiah.  In all these ways, Stephen followed Christ’s example. (Matthew 4:1-11, John 18)  

Ask yourself:  Do I seek to imitate Christ as Stephen did? (Ephesians 5:1)

Stephen prayed throughout his trial. Everyone seated in the council “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15) The palpable presence of the Holy Spirit upon Stephen should have reminded his religious accusers how Moses’ face shown after talking with God. (Exodus 34:29-30)  When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, “His face shone like the sun.”(Matthew 17:2).  Similarly, when we are filled with the Spirit and meet with the Almighty in focused prayer, we too shall reflect His glory, (2 Corinthians 4:6). 

Ask yourself:  Do I seek His presence through prayer and let His light shine through me into the darkness to reach the lost?

When Stephen’s accusers came after him with gnashed teeth, “He, full of the Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) In the day of Isaiah’s sorrow, he too looked to God for comfort, and then he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1) Indeed, God has promised, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) 

Ask yourself:  Am I continually seeking Him and His glory? Am I ready to face persecution without fear of man?

As stones violently assaulted him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” These words echo Jesus’s final words recorded in Luke 23:46. Before taking his last breath, Stephen recalled Jesus’ mercy on the cross as He said through his agony, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34). Faithful to follow Christ’s example to the end, Stephen’s last words were also a loud plea that God would forgive his tormenters (Acts 7:60). Then Stephen entered the full presence of the Lord. (Luke 23:32, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-23)  

Ask yourself:  Am I willing to follow Christ’s example, even to a martyr’s death?  Does concern for lost souls compel me to forgive my enemies?

God promises to work all things together for good and for His glory. (Romans 8:28) Stephen’s death sparked persecution of Christ followers, but that persecution scattered the apostles. As missionaries and refugees, they took the Gospel to Jews as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch where many believed. (Acts 11:19-21). Saul never forgot Stephen’s prayers or the way he faced death with joy and courage. (Acts 22:20) Stephen’s example was a powerful influence for Paul’s conversion and ministry which took the Gospel to the Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean region.

Stephen lived a life of constant prayer, according to Christ’s example, and for God’s glory. He found all his satisfaction, strength, and hope in God. So when he faced martyrdom, he could do so gladly in a way that glorified God and pointed others to Jesus. As Francis Chan wrote in Crazy Love, “The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”  

Ask yourself:  Am I living only for God’s glory, or am I also trying to bring glory to myself, my spouse, or my children? 

When we trust only in Jesus and keep our eyes on Him instead of our circumstances, we too can face the worst trials with joy and hope, drawing power and wisdom from Him to respond in a way that brings God the most glory and draws others to Him.  If we want to shine for Jesus in this dark world through every trial, then let us treasure communion with God as our greatest priority. May we be faithful to listen, to pray as Jesus taught us, to believe His promises, and to study and apply His holy word, all in pursuit of His glory alone.

A Huge Benefit of Classical Christian Education

My daughter's first/introductory homework assignment in her Human Physiology class this year illustrates one key reason why we love classical Christian education. Her assignment was to read Esther and write a well-written paper comparing the role of God in Esther to the role of God in science.

 Any form of education that does not lead students to see God's glorious hand in every field of study thereby drawing students into awe of Him is incomplete. Any education absent of biblical truth fails to help students comprehend their infinite value (which nothing or no person can take away) or that their lives have meaning and purpose established by their perfect, loving God before they were ever created.  Secular education may provide knowledge and some useful skills, but it fails to impart wisdom, and it doesn't help students truly understand the world or themselves in a meaningful, interconnected way.  

Thankfully, intentional parents and other mentors can compensate for these shortcomings outside of the classroom, so that their students may serve as bright lights to their teachers and classmates, but I'm thankful to have the extra support at school.


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Note to those who cannot afford to send their children to private Christian school or to homeschool them and to those who chose public school for the selfless call to evangelize:

I applaud you for your courage and conviction. Sometimes, I wrestle with feeling that our family is keeping our light in a bubble instead of shining brightly on a lamp stand where it can illumine the darkness, but I also believe God equips, calls, and places people where they are at that time for His good purposes. Our prayers are powerful, too! I trust Him to protect students, teachers, faculty who are on mission in the public education system. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion!

The Vanity and Irony of Progressive "Feminism"

I find it ironic that progressives claim to be pro-woman, yet they continue to so cruelly abuse some of the strongest, most respectable and influential women in our nation, simply because they work for Donald Trump. Few could withstand the daily harassment and vindictive commentary aimed at Sarah Sanders, who sat quietly throughout the White House Correspondents' dinner whiles the news outlets' paid comedian viciously belittled her for her outward appearance (something a misogynist would do) while failing to notice her impeccable character through it all. Sanders could have brilliantly defended herself, launching sly verbal punches that put them all in their place. Instead, she chose the high road and committed to pray for them.

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

When vindictive mobs attacked Sanders at a restaurant while she was trying to enjoy a dinner with her in-laws (who are registered Democrats), she left without retaliation.  She hoped by missing out, her family could eat in peace, but the mob still followed them while volleying continued insults.

A progressive mob at a Mexican restaurant acted like wild animals in an effort to shame Kirstjen Nielsen over misinformation spread by the corrupt media, ruining a rare evening out with her husband. Yet, Nielsen exercised self-control, refusing to return evil for evil.

Nikki Haley has boldly confronted the entire United Nations when repeatedly when delegates have ganged up against her. She refused to back down, no matter how many threats they made and without fear of the powerful ties to terrorists they may have. Other nations who may not have had the courage to stand alone as she did, but they have followed America's lead. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capitol is just one example.  Unlike Clinton and Kerry, she isn’t trading our national security for cash, caving to their pressure, or inventing fake theories to line her own pockets. She is an unstoppable force, driven by American patriotism and love of virtue.

Kellyanne Conway has also exhibited this same level of integrity and tough-mindedness displayed by these other women in Trump’s administration. Such strength, courage, and integrity should make every woman proud, yet progressive feminists hate these conservative women with a vengeance, for progressive feminists are not pro-woman at all. They are loyal only to their political cult, throwing any woman under the bus who does not support their socialistic, oppressive, misguided agenda.

Progressives call Trump a misogynist and a sexist. These terms describe someone who despises, dislikes, disrespects and discriminates against someone based on gender. Even with all of Trump’s past immoral conduct toward women, at least during his tenure as POTUS, he has shown far more respect for women than the progressive feminists who continuously attack him and the courageous women he has chosen.  

He has appointed more women into higher government positions than any POTUS before him. He hasn’t appointed them simply because they are women, so he can check a box to curry favor with voters, as did his predecessor. He appointed them because they are extremely qualified for their respective roles. Kellyanne Conway turned his campaign around delivering a surprising victory. She was the first woman to achieve that milestone. Sarah Sanders may very well be the most gifted press secretary in U.S. history, handling the most ferocious attacks on the president with sound reasoning, calm composure, and skillful rhetoric. Kirstjen Nielsen is holding up well under unprecedented pressure which includes threats of bodily harm and extreme verbal abuse. Nikki Haley's work with the UN is so unprecedented many predict she will become America's first female president.

It is uncharacteristic of a misogynists or a sexist to appoint such strong and accomplished women. If a misogynist were to appoint any woman at all, he would choose a weak woman who would make him look strong in comparison. He would choose women he could easily control. That’s what insecure, weak bullies do, after all, from the kindergarten playground to the White House.  Bullies surround themselves with weak, incompetent people and attack those whom they fear may overshadow them.

Progressives are especially irritated by these conservative women because they aren’t suffering or caving to their harsh criticisms or public abuse. Each arrow progressives shoot at these women has a boomerang effect. Just as fire refines gold and hardens clay, the progressive attacks only make these women stronger. None of this persecution can shake these women, nor can they break any devoted Christian for a crucial reason that secular progressives cannot understand.

Strong Christian women aren’t defined by the opinions or criticisms of others. They never give anyone else that power over them. Their identity and worth are secure in Christ, who treasures them infinitely, having paid the ultimate price for them. And unlike the fickle opinions of others, His love and His truth never ever change. Their lives have eternal significance and great purpose, and they are faithful to their calling. True believers need not fear nor be  dismayed because the Lord is their God. They know He will strengthen and help them by His righteous hand. (Isaiah 41:10). They know He will never leave or forsake them. (Deuteronomy 31:6) They confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)  Their power comes from an infinite source, so no one can vanquish it or crush their spirits.

They build their lives on the rock, not on shifting sand. Thus, when the storms come, they continue standing tall and secure like a lighthouse giving truth and light to warn and to save the lost. (Matthew 7:24-25)

Godly women are responsible and wise stewards of all God has entrusted into their care. They do not rely on the government for all their needs.  Anyone may need some assistance from time to time, but conservatives do not take advantage of the system. Christian conservatives trust in God who provides and equips His people with everything good that they may need do His will, working in them that which is pleasing in His sight through Christ for His glory. (Hebrews 13:21) Faithful conservative Christian women do not force other people to fund their birth control or make taxpayers pay their preborn baby assassins (aka Planned Parenthood). They take responsibility for themselves and exercise self-control. They are wise enough to avoid an unplanned pregnancy whenever possible. They refuse to let others convince them that they are to too weak to either place a child for adoption or to nurture, protect, provide, and parent anther sacred human life. 

Women of God are free from others' control. They don't let oppressors make decisions for them. They seek truth and wisdom from God so they can make right choices on their own, without allowing the whims of others to enslave them.

Godly women do not tear down others to make themselves look better. Women aren’t lifted up when men are torn town. Women aren’t given value by pretending they are the same as men. Their value is intrinsic and comes from God, but their greatness is most evident when their unique differences are celebrated and both men and women exercise their different qualities in complementary, synergistic ways to build up the community as a whole.

Women don’t earn respect when quotas and EEO laws give them untouchable status in jobs they are unqualified or unwilling to perform well but receive simply because of their gender. Women grow in  self-respect as they achieve without handouts or free passes. Women who respect themselves and clothe themselves with dignity are more likely to gain the respect of others and be treated likewise.

If we want to elevate and esteem women in our culture, let us lift up as role models strong, confident, courageous, women of faith who demonstrate true integrity, service, humility, self-discipline, and respect toward others and themselves. Let's provide them with equal opportunity instead of guaranteeing unmerited equal outcomes to the detriment or our entire society.

Those who refuse to lift others up or who ruthlessly tear down those who intimidate them actually expose the true greatness in those they attack while revealing their own immature, insecure, selfish hearts. Let us leave the childish bullying days behind us and begin strengthening one another, nurturing faithfulness, encouraging personal responsibility, respecting human dignity, and showing mutual respect.

But to those who insist on continuing the bullying, name calling, and childish ways, know that it's all in vain. Your lies and your insults will never to stick to those who are His.  

The Outrage over Family Separations at the Border Exposes our Deeper Problem

The current public outcry about families being separated at the border (not a new problem by any means as the Flores Consent Decree was enacted in 1997 when Bill Clinton was president and expanded under Obama's administration) seems at the heart to be a question of how to best balance justice and mercy.  How do we open our borders to fleeing refugees and hurting families who want to assimilate and build up our country without letting in those who seek to destroy us?  How do we process families quickly while making sure that children are entering with their actual parents instead of child traffickers or those using them as golden tickets only to be abandoned later?  How do we discern between the real refugees and the posers?  How do we make the path to citizenship simple and affordable without that path being manipulated by drug lords, terrorists, violent gangs, and serial criminals? How do we convince immigrants to come here legally and inform those seeking asylum about the no cost refugee pass that gets them inside the border safely and legally instead of encouraging them to put themselves and the minors with them at great risk by coming here illegally?  What do we do with children of criminals whose families will not claim them or fail to show up in court? If our family could not even board a plane for a domestic flight without our diapered baby being violated for a diaper search by TSA agents while the rest of us endured the humiliation of body scans and pat downs because of the horrific acts of a few who have nothing in common with us, how can we expect our border agents and government officials to figure out the best way to balance justice, mercy, and national security when so many people, including drug dealers and human traffickers, are crossing our borders illegally each day?

Only God has ever achieved that perfect balance between justice and mercy (Isaiah 30:18, Hosea 2:19), but He calls us to seek both as well (Zechariah 7: 8-14, Matthew 23:23).  How can we expect to appropriately deliver justice and compassion with wisdom when our nation has forsaken God and His precepts?  We should be crying out to Him for help in resolving these issues and studying the Bible which provides the wisdom we need, but we have kicked God out of our schools, governments, and marketplaces. The new social order persecutes, bullies, and files lawsuits against those who dare to live out and defend the Christian faith in their daily lives. Yet, a brief review of world history indicates that anti-Christian, atheistic governments not only lead us in the opposite direction from justice and mercy, but they are usually connected to ruthless, tyrannical, murderous regimes. "Atheism was an integral part tenant of Marxist-Lennism/Maoist/Stalinism communism....which caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917-1987." (Source)  Consider also the dire consequences of forced secularization of Soviet Russia, China, and North Korea.

Planned Parenthood Federation condemns this separation of children from their parents while lobbying nonstop for the right (with government funding) to rip children out of their mother’s womb without the father’s or grandparents' consent and often with the mother's consent which is only obtained by coercion or from her pimp. Often Planned Parenthood will then sell the baby body parts for profit.  Our nation’s judges have legalized this barbaric practice of child sacrifice and dismemberment while Congress continues to fund it and while the courts choose to ignore the fact that body parts are sold illegally.  Planned Parenthood also chooses to look the other way when their clients have been abused or when their payers are pimps, pedophiles, and traffickers instead of reporting the inhumane, illegal activity to the authorities, so it continues unabated. Where is the justice or mercy in any of that?  How genuine is their outrage over families being separated temporarily during due diligence and legal proceedings following illegal entrance into the USA while they separate children from their parents permanently by killing the children in the most painful, violent way possible? Is Planned Parenthood afraid the increased protections at the border will curb their revenue stream?

There is also public outcry over our nation’s history of slavery, yet many of the same people upset over black slavery dismiss or ignore human trafficking, which is the most prolific and vile form of slavery that continues in record numbers to this day! Trafficking of both women and children into sexual slavery is largely aided by illegal immigration and Planned Parenthood!

We express great condemnation for racism while the culture continues to praise Planned Parenthood, whose founder was a racist eugenicist (she sought to exterminate "inferior" non-Anglo races) whose writings largely influenced Hitler’s extermination protocols. Planned Parenthood still targets minority communities with abortion having reduced the black population by over 16 million people since 1973. There are at least 36% fewer black Americans today because of abortion, not counting the children those 16 million could have birthed.

Darwin’s theory of evolution and survival of the fittest led to the common notion that some people are much more valuable than others.  Darwin's utterly flawed theory, with mathematically impossible odds no matter how old people pretend the earth may be and with countless holes requiring constant modification to the theory to account for contradictions as new evidence against it continues to be found (whereas the Creation account has never ever needed revision, for God's word is always true), was what helped slave owners justify their mistreatment of slaves. Darwin’s theories convinced slave that they were superior and that their convenience justified their mistreatment of African Americans.  That same logic is used every day by Planned Parenthood to convince women to prioritize their convenience over their innocent child's right to life.

It took Biblical truth, religious faith that instilled great courage, and a bloody war to finally overcome such misguided and evil thinking regarding slavery and to finally put an end to the Democrats’ slavery practices. Yet, Darwinian theories are still presented, taught, and even preached in schools across our nation from kindergarten through post graduate schools as if they were proven facts.

The truth is that all human life is sacred, made in the image of God.  From the womb to the tomb, no matter which nation, tribe, or tongue that life may represent, human life is infinitely valuable.  While everyone may have a different set of gifts and a unique purpose, no life is any less precious than any other.  Some people need education, training, discipline, and justice before they can assimilate into American society without destroying it, but all are valuable.  The family unit is also sacred, ordained by God from the beginning for the good of society. The family should be protected and preserved unless a family is corrupted by abuse which harms those within it.  Until we collectively uphold the sanctity of human life and the sacredness of the traditional family consistently in our hearts and in our public policy across all issues, regardless of political implications, we will continue to fail in our efforts to preserve justice and mercy.  Our nation's deeper problem is an abandonment of God and these core values.  We have traded the truth for a lie. (Romans 1:25) We must turn back to God and to His absolute truth.  

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:13-16)

Let us seek Him for wisdom instead of pointing fingers, feigning outrage for political purposes, or simply trying to figure this out on our own without acknowledging the deep rooted hypocrisy within our own hearts. Let us recognize how our confusion and hypocrisy escalates when we allow our firm foundation of moral truth to be supplanted by the new social order being pushed upon us by secular progressives with little resistance from the family of faith.

America needs God desperately, so let those of us who have chosen to follow Him not forget to turn to Him first for wisdom in all these issues and to seek His righteousness, justice, and mercy in every area of life and policy.  May we uphold His precepts and fight for what is true, just, and right. May we courageously stand against abortion, human trafficking, and unjust treatment of immigrants.  Let us seek Biblical solutions for crisis pregnancy situations, orphans in need of families, the afflicted and poor in need of safety, shelter, and employment, and our many border problems in ways that preserve justice and offer compassion for the best long term interests of all. Let us never stop praying for our nation, for America is the only real hope for freedom and refuge left on this planet.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

8 

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Addendum:
I am not suggesting that we abandon our freedom of religion and force everyone to become Christians.  Forced belief is not genuine or life-changing, so forcing any belief system on someone not only flies in the face of the freedoms America was founded upon that our heroes fought and died to preserve, but it also goes against the entire foundation of Christianity. God wants a genuine, authentic relationship with us that comes by choice. If He just wanted autonomous robots who serve Him, he never would have given us free will, and there never would have been a fall in the garden which brought sin into the world.

I am advocating that believers stop giving way to fear and stand up in defense of our freedom of religion which was established to preserve our freedom to live out our faith without government interference.  We have to stop accepting the progressive distortion of the founding fathers' intent.  They want us to believe that we should have "freedom from religion", which is to suggest that the government should stop any attempts to practice religion in the public square. That false notion is being pushed into law by the ACLU and other heavily funded extremist groups. 

The BSA Evolution Further Exposes Modern Progressivism as a Regressive Return to Uncivilized Society

In a civilized society, those with conflicting objectives, worldviews, or opinions openly and respectfully present their different perspectives. Each party will prioritize his or her goals and look for some common ground with the other party, be it a similar goal, shared value, or trade arrangement that is mutually beneficial. If one party wants something the other party has, then that party will either develop the skills and expertise to develop it internally, or they will work out a trade agreement. In civilized negotiations, there will be compromise on both sides, with each party giving up some lesser desire(s) to achieve the greater desire. Successful negotiations are built on trust, mutual respect, and a win/win  or even exchange on both sides with the shared goal of preserving or achieving long term peace.

In an uncivilized society, there is no negotiation or compromise. One party may deceitfully promise concessions with no intention of fulfilling those promises, or they may simply steal what they want by force, which may involve brutal, barbaric, inhumane acts. It is impossible to negotiate with a psychopathic liar, lunatic, or terrorist, for there is no trust, no shared goal, no mutual respect, and no acceptable compromise. Radical jihadists are an example. They will not settle for anything less than a global caliphate that rules the earth.  This goal requires the absolute annihilation of the United States, which they call "the Great Satan", and Israel ("the little Satan").

A wise, civilized person knows that all efforts to negotiate with, advise, appease, or seek peace with a lunatic, terrorist, and/or uncivilized nation or individual is not only pointless, but harmful. (Proverbs 23:9, 26:4) England's attempt to appease Hitler and Obama's Iran deal are examples of how foolish and costly such efforts may be.

What concerns me most about the continued spread and increasing momentum of the progressive worldview across Europe and North America is how it is turning civilized nations (particularly America, which was founded upon Biblical morality and the common goal of preserving life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) into uncivilized, barbaric nations.

What could possibly be more uncivilized or barbaric than the abortion procedure? Yet, in 1973, progressives made this practice, which involves ripping off an innocent child's limbs one by one and then sucking out his or her brains, legal in America. Unwilling to settle for that huge win, progressives have worked to expand abortion into the largest form of genocide in world history with the U.S. government helping fund over a million abortions in the U.S. and around the world every year. Progressives continue to battle against state bans on partial birth abortion, which involves fully delivering a child feet first except for the head and then cracking the skull just before it exits the mothers body. Seven progressive leaning states and the District of Columbia have no state bans on late term abortions.

Progressive professors have written extensively in support of infanticide, insisting it is morally acceptable and at times necessary for progress. We have already seen Britain's socialistic healthcare system hold children like Alfie Evans hostage in hospitals where they let them die while refusing other nation's offers to fly them overseas to receive lifesaving treatment abroad at no cost to Britain. The UK also has no problem leaving the elderly to die since they are viewed as a financial burden. Apparently, some human life (an unborn fetus, a sick child, an elderly person) just isn't as valuable to progressives as that of an elephant or a dog. To return to Hilter and Margaret Sanger's eugenics policies is certainly regressive, barbaric, and uncivilized, but societies readily accepts it when it is reclassified as progressive. There was nothing civilized whatsoever about keynote speaker Michelle Wolf's address at this year's White House Correspondence dinner. Her comments were cruel, raunchy, vile, and crude. She tore apart Sarah Huckabee Sanders as Sarah sat nearby. Similar vulgarities have characterized the progressive event for years, offering no mercy or compromise.

Professor Robert George stated the obvious with this quote: “When students have an opportunity to engage in civil discourse, they don’t feel compelled to engage in uncivil discourse.” However, most secular colleges and universities are going to great extremes to remove the opportunity to engage in civil discourse, primarily by banning differing viewpoints.  With faculty members leaning Democrat at ratios as high as 23 to every 1 Republican (UNC Chapel Hill) or 11 to 1 on average, followed by decades of bullying and persecution to suppress conservative ideas and to expel Judeo/Christian or faculty (Reference: Expelled documentary), and given the banned words lists and systematic indoctrination throughout classroom instruction, Christians and conservatives have little to no voice on college campuses. Deprived of the opportunity to practice civil discourse, students are encouraged to become radical social justice warriors who skip class (or tests) to mourn or protest what they cannot change, even as the outcome of a presidential election. #NotMyPresident Google, Twitter, and Facebook intentionally limit viewer exposure to conservative viewpoints, and/or deny Christian websites permission to advertise. Most mainstream media outlets spin stories, print fake news, or omit any newsworthy story that does not support their progressive narrative. They have become propaganda mills, not reliable news agencies. Every day, progressive thought continues to dominate the internet, marketplace, and all media platforms, apparently hoping to take over the thoughts and steal the hearts of all people everywhere.
When radical progressive groups bring lawsuits against a conservative and/or Christian, the goal isn't simply to right a wrong or fight for justice. Their goal is total destruction. Bakers, florists, photographers, and wedding venue owners have all been persecuted, severely fined, bankrupted, or forced to cease and desist activities that the U.S. Constitution was designed to protect simply because they refused to participate in progressive venues that were contrary to their religious convictions. Business owners in Charlotte, N.C. were forced by local ordinance to allow men in women's restrooms, in direct opposition to their values and the best interests of their female patrons, until the state legislature intervened.  But then progressives from around the nation, including the Obama administration, threatened, bullied, and chastised the state for daring to uphold long held standards to protect the greater majority. The NCAA refused to hold high revenue tournament games in N.C. and various large businesses threatening to locate elsewhere. Even the Attorney General at the time, now the current Governor, secretly met with businesses to put pressure on the Governor and state legislature to overrule H.B. 2, after he had pledged to serve the governor and N.C. residents. In this case, the media played a powerful role spreading propaganda across the nation which also captured negative attention from foreign leaders. Uncivilized people do not allow differing opinions and will bully or destroy to suppress them.

Each of these progressive "victories" was not viewed as a settled case or a compromise. They were merely steps forward toward their goal of totally wiping away traditional American values. They aren't interested in logical or reasonable discourse. Give them an inch, and they will take a mile. They will not stop until they destroy anyone and anything that stands in the way of a complete takeover of our culture. 

The Boy Scouts of America resisted progressive pressures to admit gay troop leaders for a time, but they eventually compromised, hoping to appease their progressive bullies. That was a tragic mistake, however, because once progressives got a foothold, they demanded more. Then instead of seeking to reform the Girl Scouts to make them equal to the Boy Scouts in every way (programming, opportunities, reputation, etc.), the progressive went after the Boy Scouts again, demanding that they allow girls to join their boys' organization. As expected, the Boy Scouts caved again to progressive demands. Then this week the Boy Scouts agreed to change their name to "Scouts", which signals a complete overhaul of the Boy Scout's identity. Soon, the Boy Scouts will wither and die, having contradicted their original and fundamental values, purpose, and oath. Progressives do not agree with the Boy Scout's oath or values. They aren't seeking to be included and assimilated. They want to seize control and destroy anything that builds, nurtures, and protects (in this case, Biblical manhood and morality) what they hate.

Progressives also tend to oppose Christianity and the Bible because it stands in the way of what they intend to accomplish, which makes them useful tools of the enemy of our souls. When one honestly considers what the Bible teaches and the impact it has had throughout history, it's impossible to deny that the Bible played a huge role in civilizing the world. Remove the Bible from schools, the marketplace, and the hearts and minds of citizens, and America will crumble into a hopelessly uncivilized, barbaric nation,not unlike the Mayans, Babylonians, and other pagan cultures of the past. Will we stand by and watch our great country regress into a Nazi regime or a pagan culture that burns our first born children as sacrifices to fake gods carved out of wood and stone or to corrupt dictators who enslave us?

Dear friends, leaders, and brothers and sisters in Christ, do not try to negotiate with uncivilized, irrational people who reject America's founding principles, traditional morality, and the Lord, our Creator God and King. Let us make it our aim, through both words and actions, to share the love, joy, and hope found only in Christ Jesus. He is the only answer to our heart's desire for peace and our culture's plea for civility. Pray for the lost who persecute you. Resist false doctrine. Stand firm in the faith. Hope in Christ. (John 10:10)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  (Philippians 4:5-7)