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How Can We Have Hope During Times of Crisis?

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As I sat in the swing on our deck one early morning last week, sipping coffee and drinking in the serene beauty of the forest where we live, my mind and prayers were consumed by the horrors of what our country has done in Afghanistan. I was safe and comfortable while thousands of people were living in fear for their life and praying they aren’t discovered and killed before somehow they miraculously can escape. Honestly, I had little hope for them if they were depending on our government to save them.

How could they trust the same bungling American government that put them in these dire circumstances in the first place?!

I’ve felt the heavy burden in my last two blogs to awaken those whom they might reach to the evil being unleashed not only in our country, but in the world, How Does God Define Evil vs Good? How Do You? and Take the Spiritual Battle Seriously, Don’t Become a Casualty. We carry on with our daily life, which we must, but the Bible warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

For the Afghani Christians and underground churches, they know their only hope is in the Lord. If He chooses that this is the time for them to meet Him face-to-face, then perhaps it’s God sparing them for glory and not the gory fate awaiting them from an evil regime that Biden just handed them over to after twenty years, while he went on “vacation”!

It’s hard to process the incompetence and inaptitude in our government and military leaders right now. How could they have so misjudged what would happen so quickly? How could they leave behind in harm’s way Americans, interpreters, and Afghan nationals who helped our military? Not to mention abandoning all our weapons and military bases? What was their end game? Why?

Watching the chaotic fiasco that has just occurred on the world stage, one that impacts our allies as well as the Afghanis, how can we trust our own government about anything? They’ve created a crisis at the southern border, lawlessness in our streets, wokeness instead of greatness, inflation, racial division, Marxist Critical Race Theory in our schools, and used a virus as a weapon to try and force Americans to forfeit our autonomy and freedoms.

When you look at the pictures of the packed cargo planes and crowds in Afghanistan, do you see anyone aside from a few reporters in masks? Those people are running for their lives and social distancing and Covid rules are the last thing on their mind.

When you see the pictures of the hordes of people coming across our southern borders are they wearing masks or vaccinated? Was anyone wearing a mask, showing vaccine papers, or social distancing at Obama’s huge birthday party? NO!

When the elites are caught enjoying life without a mask, or ignoring their own rules, you know it’s because they must know the masks don’t really work! Yet they want to mask our precious children in school! Vaccinated people are still getting Covid!?

I had to go to a hospital last week for a bone density test. When we walked in, we were handed a paper mask and told that we had to wear their mask, even though we had our own masks. When we questioned why we couldn’t wear our own masks, no one could explain why. Their only answer, “It’s the rules. Wear our mask or leave!”

Can you remember when we had outbreaks of the flu virus? BTW whatever happened to the flu? The flu hospitalized some, and yes there were deaths, but we didn’t all wear masks. Vaccines were available to those who wanted them, but they were optional and even if you got one, you were told they didn’t cover all the variants of flu. Schools, churches, and businesses weren’t closed. Life went on. People took precautions but there was medicine available if you did get the flu and there’s medicine for treatment of Covid too, but it’s being sequestered by the government. Why?

I’m going to make one more point that’s been on my mind. Israel had the strictest lockdowns, masks and vaccine mandates, and yet had extremely high cases of Covid and when the Delta variant came around, Israel had one of the worst outbreaks. Same thing with draconian controlled blue states and yet many red states that let their citizens make their own choices had lower numbers then and now! We’re being played because hyperbole and fear lead to control, dominance, and acquiescence . . . if we let it.

There are so many issues today that could divide us, let’s not let Covid be one of them. If you want to wear a mask or get the vaccine, it should be a choice. Prayerfully do your own research, don’t accept what you hear or read. Just remember that statistics can be manipulated and reported to prove any outcome desired. Every time I hear the word “mandate” arbitrarily being imposed on our citizens, I cringe.

Many will disagree with me, and again, that’s you’re right, but the more freedoms we give up the less we are “the land of the free.”

It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person. For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 1 Cor. 10:29 NLT

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

41 Moved with compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Mark 1:40-41

What’s In Our Future?

Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, wrote in his newsletter this week, “The US debacle in Afghanistan is further destabilizing an already unstable world. In other words, planet earth is being rapidly prepared for the coming leader known as Antichrist.”

To those of us who believe that Christians and the church will be raptured before the Antichrist comes on the scene this actually gives us hope that Jesus will be returning soon!

It couldn’t be far off when you see the emerging attempts that seem so much like the mark of the beast when places like New York City are requiring vaccine proof to eat in restaurants and go to indoor public events, even gyms!


15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.[a] That number is 666. Rev. 13:15-18

My husband and I have been watching the Victory Channel for news from a Christian perspective. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, they have a program called Flashpoint where they discuss “how prophecy and current events are aligning to usher in the greatest awakening the world has ever known. Host Gene Bailey, along with regular contributors Mario Murillo, Hank Kunneman and Lance Wallnau, are joined by special guests that include prominent prophetic voices in the Church today, as well as political, governmental, business and church leaders. FlashPoint focuses on pertinent issues currently facing America and delivers news and commentary under the anointing—encouraging evidence and hope that God is indeed working to bring about His plans and purposes during these turbulent times. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.”

Last Thursday night, 8/19, the guest was General Michael Flynn who presented his views of what could be going on right now under the current administration. He spoke from his years of military service including in Afghanistan, serving in the White House, and being targeted by the evil deep state. It was distressing to hear, but he concluded that he still has hope.

His hope lies in the fact that in times of crises with incompetent leadership like we’re watching now, a strong leader emerges! After reading Hal Lindsey’s comments, I wondered if that leader truly would be the Antichrist or if it’s not yet time for him to emerge and it will be another Ronald Reagan or Donald Trump type leader.

Only God knows!

Until then, we need to pray for our own personal wisdom and discernment and for patriotic wise leadership to emerge on the local levels.

Don’t live in fear live in faith! Stop listening to the screaming, threatening talking heads and listen only to the Head of the church, Jesus Christ. You’ll hear that still small voice when you pray and read your Bible.

Like General Flynn, I want to leave you today with a message of hope from my devotional The One Year Salt and Light by Chris Tiegreen, August 20.

No situation in this world is hopeless; even the worst events have threads of redemption running through them. God has told us so, and we have seen it ourselves. We have no reason to despair

Even so, people around us will despair. That’s where we come in as bearers of good news . . . When we point others to the hope we have been given despite what we experience on earth and put a positive light on today’s headlines, we are bearers of good news. The media will give us a constant stream of tragic circumstances, but we see the bigger picture. God is at work in this world, amazing things are happening, and we get to participate in and tell the story.

How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
    the news that the God of Israel reigns! Is. 52:7 NLT

Here is a beautiful prayer by Anne Graham-Lotz for Afghanistan. Keep praying for them as the ruthless Taliban moves into power.

I also wanted to share three talks that were given by William Federer at Pastor Jack Hibbs Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Church. Federer traces events we’re watching in our culture today through history and the Bible. Fascinating.

Day 1 : Understanding the Culture with William Federer – YouTube

Day 2: (Day 2) Understanding the Culture with William Federer – YouTube

Day 3: (Day 3) Understanding the Culture with William Federer – YouTube

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August 23, 2021
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Take the Spiritual Battle Seriously Don’t Become a Casualty!

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When my prayer warrior hubby, Dave, hears about a Christian going through a tough time, he always asks, “I wonder if they’re prayerfully putting on the armor of God everyday?”

Anyone who knows us well knows that Dave and I have prayed the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18 daily since the beginning of our twenty-eight years of marriage. We know that spiritual warfare is real; it’s not a myth! It’s a reality that the Lord speaks of clearly and often in the Bible. Yet, many Christians don’t realize that not only is this spiritual battle going on in our world, it’s also going on in our personal lives. It’s the battle between good and evil, Jesus and Satan, which will continue until the time of Jesus’ return.

When we take that first step of faith as believers, we automatically enter into the battle raging in the heavenlies and become Satan’s target. Satan hates Christians and the influence we can have on the culture so he does everything in his power to neutralize our influence and the role we allow God to play in our lives.

I’ve said many times that Satan wants our children and grandchildren, and we’re watching how openly and aggressively he’s going after them in the schools today. He knows his time is short, but he can do a lot of damage during whatever time he has left if we don’t stand in his way!

We shouldn’t let him intimidate us. Don’t succumb to his crafty wiles. Never give up or give in! Instead we take up the spiritual weapons our Great God has provided and implores us to use in victory over the enemy. Yes, you and I have assignments in God’s battle plan!

Praying the Armor of God

In Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul penned a prayer of protection known as the armor of God. Dave and I pray these verses every morning, which by now we have memorized, because we know that as Christians the enemy is going to put obstacles in our way and try to take us down. You’ve surely experienced some of those obstacles yourself, but verses ten to eleven encourage us to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (NLT)

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of something we often forget: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (NLT)

The good news for every believer is that we have access to a hedge of protection against Satan’s schemes, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Verse 17 NLT)

God assures us that we can trust him to fight the spiritual battle for and with us, we just need to engage and do our part and not be passive bystanders or victims.

Rather than trying to solve problems ourselves or find ways to combat what we might be experiencing in the earthly realm, our role is to call on God. “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Verse 18 NLT)

When we’re feeling fearful, worried, threatened, or stressed, we can prayerfully search the Scriptures to discover that God has already provided a safety hedge or shield of protection around those who trust and believe in him. It doesn’t mean the enemy won’t try to weasel into our life, but we know how to prevent his feeble attempts from penetrating our mind, heart, and soul.

Imagine yourself with a hedge of spiritual swords pointed up and surrounding you against any attempts of the enemy as you open your Bible to read God’s Word and pray each day.

Here are four hedge-of-protection prayers and sword-of-the-Spirit Scriptures to fend off and shield us from Satan’s schemes. Remember that verse 18 instructs us to “pray for all believers everywhere,” not just for ourselves.

1. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Your Thoughts

Lord, you know how my mind wanders with what-ifs and should-ofs. These nagging thoughts keep me awake at night worrying and wondering about circumstances over which I have no control. I’m often angry and frustrated with world events and find myself brooding or depressed.

Father, please help me to focus on things that are lovely and beautiful. Let me see the good in people and not corrupt my mind with the discourse and divisive voices on social media or the news. Guard me against spiraling into the abyss of sinful harmful thoughts.

In your name, Lord Jesus, I prayerfully secure over my mind the “helmet of salvation” from Ephesians 6:17 and claim a hedge of protection against any lies, thoughts, and/or emotions inserted in me by Satan or his followers. Let me be exclusively open to your voice and available to do your will alone.

Guide me in seeking the mental hedge of protection from the Holy Spirit as he fills my mind with peace, joy, righteousness, compassion, and love. Amen

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19 NLT

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

2. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Your Actions

Oh Lord, I want my actions to be pleasing to you. My desire is to reflect the Holy Spirit residing in my heart. But I regret to admit that I don’t always think clearly and rationally before I act. When I rethink what I’ve done rashly, impetuously, or selfishly, I want a redo, but it’s too late. I can’t rewind or erase my actions.

I admit that my wrong actions are actually a sin against you Lord. I pray you will have mercy on me as you did on King David and teach me to walk in your ways so that I can say of you as David did in Psalm 62:6 (NLT), “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”

Lord, I pray that I would consider how my actions appear to others, especially the ones who look to me for direction and wisdom. Do they see you in me or is my pride and self-absorption more evident? I desperately want your light to shine through me. So Lord when I’m about to act in a way that is not loving or respectful, I beg you to give me a check in my spirit.

Protect me Father from temptation and falling into old patterns of behavior. Surround me with a hedge of caring people who will lovingly point out when I’m acting in a way unbecoming a Christian. Remind me that I am a new creation in Christ and place barriers to prohibit me from acting in a way that would grieve you. Amen

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Psalm 119:5 NLT

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT

3. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Your Speech

Father, I want my words always to be pleasing to you, but I know when I speak impetuously or sharply you are not pleased. Oh, Lord, I need you to guard my tongue, even though James 3:8 (NLT) warns, “No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”

I know what James says is true Father. I often seem to lack control over what comes out of my mouth. Only you can place a sentinel around my tongue to guard what I say and when I say it.

Lord, you gave me the gift of speech, which I watch brighten a face when I choose my words wisely, but I also see it bruise an unsuspecting victim when it cuts like a knife.

Your Word says that what comes out of my mouth, forms first in my heart so I need a hedge of protection to filter what’s allowed to take residence in my heart. Give me patience not to speak impetuously and wisdom to speak appropriately.

Weed out of my vocabulary ungodly words filled with poisonous vengeance, anger, meanness, harm, or pride. Fill me with grace, kindness, compassion, understanding, and love. Help me choose words and intonation worthy of being a Jesus-follower. Amen

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Proverbs 4:23-24 NLT

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

4. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Your Circumstances

Father, our universe is changing rapidly. Everyday circumstances subject us to what feels like an unstable insecure environment. We deal with issues we could’ve never imagined even six months ago. It seems like the world, and thus my life, is spiraling completely out of control. Each morning presents new calls for restrictions that would separate us from each other and the stability and freedoms we once knew.

Lord of Creation, I want to be brave and courageous, especially for those who depend on me to be strong and dependable, but I admit that I am fearful watching the norms I once took for granted crumble into chaos.

Help me find solace in turning each new day over to you. Remind me that nothing catches you by surprise. Just as your eye is on the sparrow, you watch over my loved ones and me. I know that you might not remove me from uncomfortable circumstances, but you will go through them with me. You promise to always be holding onto me with your righteous right hand and shielding me. Even as I walk through the darkest valley, your rod and your staff will protect and comfort me.

How fortunate I am to have a God who loves me beyond my expectations and imagination. Open my eyes Lord to visualize your spiritual hedge of protection like a solid wall surrounding me that Satan cannot penetrate or destroy in any situation or circumstance.

With you at my side and on my side, what can man do to me? Why should I fear? Thank you Lord for being my Rock, my Shield, my Refuge, my Hiding Place, my Fortress, my Protector, my Savior! Amen

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2 NLT

Be Not Afraid

God stands ready to protect us against what the Bible calls the world: a culture, way of thinking, and world system controlled by Satan. Since we must live in this world, we continually ask God to protect us from the way the world thinks, speaks, acts, and the ensuing circumstances of an evil culture.

It’s a continual process of separating God’s ways from the world’s way. We can never let down our guard or spiritual hedge, but when we trust omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent almighty God, he will lead, guide, and direct us. God stands ready with a spiritual hedge of protection to shield us from the world and to keep us from letting the world seep into our life.

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19 NLT

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24–26 NLT

For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. Is. 33:22 NLT

Note: Dr. Charles Stanley wrote a daily prayer, Dressing in Your Spiritual Armor, you might want to print out and incorporate into your daily quiet time.

Portions of this blog appear in a Crosswalk.com article I wrote August 5, 2020 4 Powerful Ways to Pray for a Hedge of Protection

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August 9, 2021
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An Expert Explains Why Critical Race Theory Must Be Kept Out of Schools!

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The Biden Administration is trying to claim it was an “error” that the U.S. Department of Education’s handbook published in April 2021 promotes the radical “Abolitionist Teaching Network’s handbook “Guide for Racial Justice & Abolitionist Social and Emotional Learning” that advocates for educators to “disrupt Whiteness” and accuses the U.S. educational system of “the spirit murder of Black, Brown and Indigenous Children.”

Critical Race Theory included in a federal teacher’s handbook! Who is responsible?

Betsy DeVos, former Secretary to Education under President Trump, said in interviews that someone high-up in the Department of Education had to sign off on the citation to this radical activist group being included in the handbook. It couldn’t have been an oversite. Who included it in the first place?

“This notion that it was a mistake is an absolute falsehood,” said DeVos, who served under President Trump. “Having been there at the department for four years and working through the approval processes for anything that is put out from the department, I know full well that there were eyes on and full knowledge of this going on.”

Earlier this month, I wrote a blog “Never Poke a Mama Bear” in which I encouraged parents to know what their children are being taught and to especially protest critical race theory indoctrination in schools.

Last week, Judith Rolfs, a professional marriage and family counselor, responded to my blog Do You Know the Difference Between Misinformation and Disinformation? She sent me a copy of an article she had written on the dangers of CRT being introduced into our schools. I asked her if I could share it with you and she said absolutely. We all need to become educated, forewarned, and motivated to combat the enemy within education.

As I’ve said before, Satan wants the next generation. Whether or not you have children in school, you can’t deny the impact this will have on our culture. Our country. Our families.

So here’s Judith Rolfs’ article on this topic . . .

Dear Readers,
I’ve been asked to share my thoughts about race in America and how the topic impacts school children based on my experience as a professional marriage and family counselor. This seems a timely topic with all the discussion in our news currently.

The truth is that race discussion does not belong in our public or private schools. Yet the National Education Association is promoting teaching a theory that imposes guilt on children and creates division among our children.

Here is why this is wrong. Witness children at play. Children accept others in play without regard for the color of another child’s skin. Feelings and friendships are developed naturally by the way each child interacts. They realize that there are differences in many things regarding color, flowers, sky, water, trees, toys, and yes, people. 

In a child’s mind, the color of one’s skin has no bearing on their friendships or acceptance UNLESS they’re taught that one color is better than another color.

Prejudices are taught. They don’t come naturally to children. Being white, or whatever color one is born, is the Creator’s decision and no race is superior or inferior to another. It’s horrific to hang guilt on a child because of their white skin color.

I came across this shocking statement! May 27, 2021 — Says Becky Pringle, President of the NEA. “Our children need to understand the painful truth of racism.” “(NEA) believes that, in order to achieve racial and social justice, educators must acknowledge the existence of white supremacy culture as a primary root cause of institutional racism, structural racism, and white privilege.” 

I want to be quite clear about CRT race discussion at any level of schooling. It’s incorrect for a teacher or school system to infer students are racist or that students should bear guilt for the way people were treated in the past. This can harm innocent children. They shouldn’t experience guilt over something for which they have no responsibility. To do so is child abuse. 

The Bible makes this very clear in Ezekiel 18:20 “The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

Our country was founded on the truth that all men are created equal and founded with the intent to provide religious freedom and equal opportunity for ALL. It was not founded to promote slavery. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28                                                   

So then what should older children learn about race? The facts. Historically, some races have been ill-treated tragically at times. Slavery was wrong. Imposed segregation was wrong. Whites, blacks, and people of every color have equal opportunity given by God. No individual and no government has the authority to deny this right to any other human being.

Sadly, self-serving politicians spread the lie that blacks are inferior, of lesser intelligence, incapable of achieving success, or ridiculously that blacks could not complete voter ID forms. Such deceitful individuals want black people to believe these untruths about themselves and feel inferior and dependent on government for their well-being.

No race or skin color is inferior or superior to any other. God created all men and women equal!

Parents make sure your children are not damaged by misled teachers who are misinformed or have an evil agenda to cause division and hate. Be certain your school boards do not accept this harmful NEA agenda.

These so-called educational “strategies” do not belong in our schools. Teachers are hard pressed enough teaching basic academic subjects. Since teachers were pressed into social agendas, our students have fallen woefully behind other countries academically.

It’s helpful to keep in mind that Jesus is the great unifier. Every family black, white, brown, or yellow, has the opportunity for acceptance and love in Him and through Him for one another.

Instead of distressing children with “white privilege guilt” teachers should promote values like a good work ethic and build the esteem of every student by empowering them through solid academic learning.

Unity can exist when it’s based on strong moral principles of respect for one another as God’s creation. Race theory doesn’t belong in our schools. 

Dr. Judith Rolfs has been a marriage and family therapist, speaker and author for almost three decades. She’s passionate about helping couples have joyful, strong marriages and families. As a Christian woman, wife, and mom of four, grandmother of seven, she knows firsthand the challenges of life in this often chaotic world. Judith teaches biblical principles from Scripture and always encourages dependence on God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for living one’s best life.

On Judith’s YouTube channel you can find Marriage and Parenting tips plus Judith reading short stories to children from her modern fairy tales book Unforgettable Stories for Kids.

Her Amazon Author page reveals what an eclectic author she is of over twenty books from five star mystery novels, marriage and family how-to books to her Tommy Smurlee/Grella Weller children’s series for ages eight and up – creative mystery fantasy books with solid moral values.

Her website is www.judithrolfs.com

Judith lives in a hidden woodland garden in Wisconsin with her husband who is the popular author of family inspirational books, Words For Today, Thoughts For Tomorrow

Recent Family Book Release: Man in Command, 52 Ways To Be A Great Husband and Dad

Thank you Judith for sharing your article with us!

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment for Judith or me here.

July 26, 2021
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Who’s Behind The War on Women?

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Over the years, it’s appeared outwardly that women are advancing in respect and career opportunities. Women are CEO’s, own businesses, hold political positions, host news programs, headline movies and TV programs, author books, own homes, are public speakers and the list goes on.

Until recently, we would’ve said that the culture was on the side of women achieving their goals. Or has it been?

What’s changed?

Who’s behind the devaluing of women and their safety?

Who’s behind the war on women?

I think the answer to those and even more questions originated in the Garden of Eden when the serpent, the Devil, chose to tempt Eve instead of Adam with the forbidden fruit. Sadly, she succumbed to the question so often used to justify sin today, “Did God really say?”

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Gen. 3:1 NLT

 The disgraced Satan has always been at war with God. He wants to be God and when that fails, he wants to be sure that God’s people do not multiply and fill the earth as God predestined.

Satan will try anything to stop God’s people from multiplying. Since God gave women reproductive anatomy, the Devil is the commander, plotter, originator, and perpetuator of the war on women.

Remember in Ephesians 6 that we’re told our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, aka the liberals, progressives, Democrats, atheists, imposters trying to be women. No, the battle is against the spiritual principalities of evil. Those flesh and blood people perpetuating the evil often don’t even realize that they’re being played by Satan. Used. Deceived. Weaponized as they do his dirty work.

But like Eve learned, there will be a price to pay for anyone manipulated by Satan and sadly his victims.

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:10-12 NLT

One of Satan’s most effective tactical weapons is the use of lies to create confusion. As with Eve, if he can create enough doubt and confusion, his evil battle rages on.

43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! John 8:43-45 NLT

Let’s look at some of Satan’s strategies in the War on Women!

The Battleground of Abortion

Many women believe the lie that they’re not carrying a baby; it’s just tissue and cells they’re told. Even with the advent of seeing the baby via sonograms, hearing the heartbeat, and knowing that each cell contains the baby’s DNA, Satan uses semantics to confuse them. It’s just “ending or terminating a pregnancy.” “A woman’s choice.” “Women’s healthcare.” “My body, my choice.” “Reproductive rights.”

Women are deceived into believing their life will be better without the life of their baby. Instead, millions of women have a hole in their heart grieving the children they didn’t allow to be born. Only Jesus can help mend that hole and He will if asked and allowed.

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a mother of five and grandmother of nine, is asked about how she reconciles her Catholic faith with her undaunted support of abortion, she responds: “Let me just say that I’m a big supporter of Roe v. Wade . . . . I am a mother of five children in six years. I have some standing on this issue as to respecting a woman’s right to choose.”

I often wonder what her children think when they hear her repeated and relentless defense of abortion?

An author of an article in the Washington Examiner wrote:

“I am a mother” is really not an answer to whether abortion takes a human life. It is, in fact, a false appeal to authority. And it looks especially bad precisely because a mother, of all people, shouldn’t have a hard time answering the question.

Pelosi does have some “standing on the issue” on account of her having a large family. For her, this shouldn’t be a difficult question. But as the standard-bearer for a party with a fanatical devotion to keeping abortion legal and available through all nine months of pregnancy, she cannot even bring herself to say whether a 15-week-old unborn child is a human being.

Imagine how fanatically devoted to politics one must be to deny even one’s most life-affirming experiences.

What a missed opportunity to support life and encourage women! She’s had five children and still rose to the third highest political position in the country. She could wear her motherhood like a proud badge of honor encouraging all women that you can have the blessings of motherhood and still achieve your goals.

The Battleground of Genders

God was very specific when He created only two, genders: Male and female.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:27 NLT

We also know that the woman Eve was created as a helpmate for the man Adam. Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Gen. 2:8

We’re told in God’s Word that men and women would marry and come together sexually to continue populating the earth. Any deviation from God’s plan was an abomination and a sin. Period.

When my grandson was nine-years-old, he pointed out that of course men were not supposed to have sex with men or women with women because then the world would end!! There would be no more babies. No more people. That’s a no brainer even for a nine-year-old!

Even the animals get that! Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood. Gen. 7:3 NLT.

Only Satan could try to subvert God’s plan for humanity by causing what we now call “gender confusion.” Again, confusion does not come from God, it comes from Satan.

Confused men who think life would be better as a woman have demanded legal rights to pretend they’re women. They’re allowed to invade the private and public spaces of women in bathrooms, locker and dressing rooms, spas, beauty contests, and even competing in sports against biological women!

Logically and anatomically this is ludicrous and lewd, but instead of rationale people standing up for protecting women, the government is bending to social pressure from a fringe element.

A man is now “Miss Nevada!” A biological 43-year-old male who “identifies as a woman” from New Zealand will compete in women’s weightlifting at the Olympics.

How many biological women do you see trying to compete in men’s sports? Not many or maybe none.

We’re told it’s discrimination to not let confused men “identify” as women with all the privileges, but what about the rights of real women? Why isn’t this male invasion considered discrimination against women?

In a commentary by Joe Saunders in The Western Journal, Saunders wrote about comments from NFL quarterback Brett Favre.

 He was never more on target than when he nailed the issue of transgender “women” competing against true females on the biggest stages in sports. Liberals are going to hate it, but no sane, honest person — man or woman — could disagree.

“It’s a man competing as a woman,” Favre said with characteristic bluntness. “That’s unfair.”

Every human past puberty understands that there are basic physiological differences between men and women. It’s just that in the 21st century, liberals seem to have decided ideology trumps biology.

The Battleground of Motherhood

Last week, I wrote about this battleground and I’ll refer you to that blog “Never Poke a Mama Bear” where I point out that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats are trying to eliminate Mother and replace with “birthing people.” Do you think Pelosi’s five kids call her their birthing person?

What’s a Woman to Do?

We must stay educated on the issues facing women today and consider them from God’s perspective. Educate our children and grandchildren to not become influenced or persuaded by the ways and sways of the world.

If you know someone influenced negatively by false teachings or ideologies, take the time to talk with them and pray for and with them. Share with them God’s purpose and plans for men and women and why He made us different and unique with specific life roles.

Get involved. Don’t be afraid to stand up against wrong. Like the woman who protested when a male came into the women and children’s area of a spa in California and exposed himself. One of her comments was that other women were afraid to come forward and confront the spa owners who were allowing such an atrocity. But she wasn’t afraid and good for her!

Silence in the face of wrong is wrong itself!

Our tendency often is to avoid adversity but Jesus never avoided sharing the truth even when it wasn’t welcomed or convenient.

The spiritual battle isn’t between Democrats vs Republicans or liberals vs conservatives. It’s between wrong vs right, evil vs good. Satan vs Jesus. The enemy vs the Savior!

It’s easy to say we know who wins in the end so let’s not get involved, but other people are hurt when we don’t engage. The Christian life isn’t about standing quietly on the sidelines; it’s about standing boldly on the Lord’s side of the spiritual battle.

What Satan means for evil, God will use for good! He’ll use those of us who are willing to join Him in the fight for right. I hope you’re in the Lord’s army. I am.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph. 6:10-13

The Lord has given me Joshua 1:9 not just once but several times today, so I leave you with a theme verse from my book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith.

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July 12, 2021
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Never Poke A Mama Bear

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I’m sure by now you’ve seen the video clips that went viral of moms and dads confronting local school boards protesting the mandatory teaching in schools of Marxist critical race theory where children are taught to judge each other by the color of their skin. If your skin is dark, you’re oppressed and if your skin is white, you’re the oppressor.

You can’t get more racist or Communist than to teach these radical untruths to children in school and foster their mistrust and animosity toward each other at an early age. This is the exact opposite of what our Constitution and God affirms that all men are created equal regardless of race, color, or creed.

So I say bravo to those brave and concerned parents, like my daughter Kim in the opening picture, who are not going to allow their children to be indoctrinated in Marxist/Communist theology and ideology.

The parents speaking up at these school council meetings are black, white, brown and some had escaped Communist and oppressive countries and were not about to let their children be raised in a country where the leadership and school boards are quickly shifting their values to resemble the countries they fled.

When an interviewer asked one of the mothers at a school board meeting, who just happened to be black, why she was speaking up against critical race theory she responded, “Never poke this mama bear.” I think every mother knows exactly what she meant. When you start messing with our kids, moms are always going to rise up to protect them. Or at least they should.

An article titled “Largest teachers union says critical race theory is ‘reasonable and appropriate’ for kids, outlines what these parents are up against. Here’s an excerpt:


The National Education Association has approved a plan to “publicize” critical race theory and dedicate a “team of staffers” to assist union members looking to “fight back against anti-CRT rhetoric.”

New Business Item 39 also declares that the union opposes bans on critical race theory and the New York Times’ controversial 1619 Project – which roughly half the U.S. states have already implemented.

Additionally, the resolution calls for the union to “join with Black Lives Matter at School and the Zinn Education Project to call for a rally this year on Oct. 14 — George Floyd’s birthday — as a national day of action to teach lessons about structural racism and oppression.”

Get Involved!

Do you remember during the 2016 election when Franklin Graham went to the Capitol in every state pleading with people to vote their values? My daughter and I took the three grandkids to hear him as he stood on the Boise Capitol steps and one of the points he made was for Christians to get involved with the governing of their cities and states. Run for office. Make sure Christian and Conservative values are represented and heard in local government and decision making issues. He specifically mentioned running for school boards because there’s nothing more important than guarding the education and minds of our children.

It almost seems like Franklin was prophetic as we watch the lunacy of liberal school boards. Not just in wanting to teach Communist indoctrination, but also in the pornographic immoral way many are presenting “sex education” starting in Kindergarten. Teaching gay and transgender lifestyles as normal options for children. Fostering gender confusion.

I heard former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany say in an interview that she’s only going to send her little girl, who is now a toddler, to parochial schools because she knows she won’t have to worry about what her daughter is being taught. This mama bear is protecting her cub from danger.

The Devil always goes after the children because they’re the next generation who will influence the world for either good or evil. We’re watching the fallout of teachers who have gone through the liberal progressive school system themselves and are onboard with biased teaching. Any teachers who speak up or refuse to teach what they know is wrong are often fired.

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 1 John 3:9-11

But parents and grandparents, you can’t be fired! You can protest and refuse to let your sweet innocent children be taught what you know is wrong.

You have a voice. You have a vote. You have a choice.

Masks and Vaccinations for Children

Another area you’re going to face in the fall as schools open up is school districts who want to enforce mandatory masks and vaccinations for your children to attend school. There are numerous studies showing how unsafe both of these practices can be for children.

Do your own investigation. Be informed. Pray about it. Make an educated decision and then take a firm vocal stand for what you know is right for your child!

In Communist countries, the government has more control over children than the parents do. Don’t let this happen in America. Don’t surrender your rights as a parent.

You might think I’m being a bit dramatic, but the way Satan gets a foothold is to subtly and slyly slither into normal life and before you know it, evil has become the norm.

I’ll be writing next week about the War On Women! One of the liberal’s sly strategies is to devalue and demean the role of mothers by referring to them as merely “birthing people.” Cancel motherhood! We can laugh at how ridiculous this is but the Democrats actually wrote that insidious term into the infrastructure bill so they weren’t laughing. They were serious.

Black Lives Matter’s manifesto is to eliminate the nuclear family and have BLM take over that role. As BLM infiltrates Democrat government and teachers unions, we’re seeing their influence and ideologies seep into language and legislature.

One of the first things the Democrat house majority ruled in January 2021 was to eliminate the use of gender identity including mother, father, husband, and wife. As reported in the Washington Examiner . . .
“The proposed rule package seeks to “honor all gender identities” by striking words including “seaman,” “chairman,” “father,” “mother,” “sister,” “husband,” and “wife” from use and replacing them with gender-neutral terms including “seafarer,” “chair,” “parent,” “child,” and “sibling.”

“Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi praised the “visionary rules package,” saying in a statement the package “reflects the views and values of the full range of our historically diverse House Democratic Majority.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy mocked the proposed changes, calling them “stupid,” while Representative-elect Marjorie Taylor Green called the measures a “blatant denial of truth” and an “attack on families.”

Why would Nancy Pelosi, a wife, mother, and grandmother, now praise eliminating those endearing ageless family terms? Since she admits that this “reflects the views and values of the full range of our historically diverse House Democratic Majority,” you know the left’s views and values have become sinister and dangerous.

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. Is. 5:20

So Mama Bears, you’re being poked from all directions.

Pick your battles.

Pray for guidance.

Protect your children and family.

Publically make a difference.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful. Pr. 23:24-26

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Political cartoon is by editorial cartoonist A.F.Branco A.F. Branco Cartoon – You Know, the Thing – Comically Incorrect.

Picture of the parents is from the article cited in the blog.
Opening picture is my daughter Kim Mancini taken on Mother’s Day!

July 5, 2021
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“We the People” Is NOT the Government

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Like many of you, I forced myself to listen to Biden’s address to Congress because I wanted to know what his plans were for our country. An educated public is a prepared public so ignoring him is the worst thing we can do. It’s like putting our head under the covers and hoping for the best.

We the people need to take responsibility for our country and not think that if we ignore those in power because we don’t agree with them, that they’re just going to go away. They’re never going to stop pushing their Socialist agenda on America until we the people stand up unified and say “Enough!” We’re not gonna take it anymore!

As I listened to his speech, not totally focused, I suddenly became very focused as I heard him refer to his administration as “We the people.”

“It’s time we remembered that ‘We the people’ are the government,” Biden said while trying to convince listeners that we shouldn’t fear government intervention in our lives. We should willingly subjugate our freedoms to big government who would become our caretakers as well as our overseers. We would owe the government complete homage to their will and whim in return for them spending trillions of our dollars to control us, especially our families.

Here’s what the Constitution actually says about “We the people”:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The government is only established to serve we the people, not control we the people. They serve at our pleasure to preserve the freedoms of every citizen regardless of color, financial status, religious belief, political affiliation, profession, or location. We don’t become their minions from cradle to grave to tell us what we can do, think, say, eat, drive, believe or when we can go outside, go to school, work, recreate, worship or mandate we get vaccinated or cover our faces.

So why hasn’t there been more pushback from we the people to Biden’s erroneous statement? Why aren’t Conservatives and Republicans in Congress and government calling him out on such a preposterous position? Why isn’t every American on both sides of the aisle correcting him as to the meaning of “We the People?”

Lies, Lies, Lies!

Then there were his lies about what happened on January 6 at the Capitol with the preposterous claim that it was the worst thing America has encountered since the Civil War!!!

Say what?!

Thousands of people on both sides lost their lives in the Civil War as the battle raged on to free the slaves, which eventually happened after….

The Union and the Confederacy quickly raised volunteer and conscription armies that fought mostly in the South for four years. Intense combat left between 620,000 and 750,000 soldiers dead, along with an undetermined number of civilians. The Civil War remains the deadliest military conflict in American history, and accounted for more American military deaths than all other wars combined until the Vietnam War.

Has Biden completely lost his memory of 9/11 when Islamic terrorists attacked our country and over 3000 people lost their lives, not to mention all those who succumbed in the aftermath?!

He falsely said, “white supremacists” were the most dangerous terrorist threat in our country today, completely ignoring the terrorism and destruction of BLM, Antifa, and the Cartel. Glossing over China’s threat to the USA!

He falsely said, “people were killed” on January 6th. Only one person was killed that day. A Capitol police officer shot Ashli Babbitt, an unarmed, white, veteran, Trump supporter woman who had both hands visible. We’ve heard nothing about the police officer or his justification for murdering her. Why aren’t Conservatives and Republicans in government in an uproar and demanding an explanation and investigation into her death? All we hear are crickets.

Or what about those arrested that day who are still in prison with no bail four months later, while Antifa members are often released the next day or never arrested?!

Congress went back to work that very night on January 6! Hardly an insurrection. I’m not denying things got out of hand, and people went where they shouldn’t have in the Capitol, but the Democrats are treating it like Pearl Harbor!

Biden, with the help of liberals and Democrats, is lying over and over and people are buying into the false drama and fake stories the media promotes to take the focus off the real threat to our country, the current administration!

Why aren’t we the people demanding answers to these and so many more questions?

When we hear Democrats and liberals try to convince us that we’re a systemically racist country, why isn’t anyone pointing out that we had a black President for 8 years and we now have a “black” VP?

Why are we the people allowing them to inflict our country with reverse racism and condemn small children in school for being white?

Why aren’t more parents speaking out against “critical race theory” being taught in our schools and the insanity of having small children wearing masks? Some parents are, and I commend them for their bravery in fighting for the wellbeing of their children.

My Struggle with the Lord

This wasn’t really what I wanted to write about this week, but the Lord kept it resonating in my thoughts. We wrestled much like Jacob* did with the Lord until I surrendered. I’ve received many comments on my recent blogs telling me that I’m putting into words what many of you are thinking but my response is always the same: You have words too, please use them however the Lord leads. Have you been wrestling with Him too about being more involved in the destiny of our nation? Our children and grandchildren’s future? Reimagining One Nation Under God as I wrote about last week?

We the people will soon become Biden’s morbid forecast of “we the people are the government” if we don’t find ways to fight back and take a stand for the freedoms and democracy we cherish in America.

What about We the People Christians? Why are we staying silent? Why isn’t the church speaking out? Why are some churches still closed? Why are some pastors succumbing to the politically correct way of interpreting the Bible?

We’re a mighty force when we unite with one voice but we are weak and ineffective when we retreat to the sidelines as we watch our country being destroyed and do nothing.

We the people have our voice and our vote. We need to ask God how to use both wisely and bravely.                                                     

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-4

PS: I’m so glad that Greg Kelly on NEWSMAX continues to report on the killing of Ashli Babbitt. He interviewed her husband on April 29. He continued the investigation on April 30 and he brings up her name almost every program. I pray he doesn’t give up until we have some answers.

*I also wrote a blog recently for Crosswalk 4 Lessons from Jacob’s Ladder to Encourage and Challenge You.

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May 3, 2021
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Reimagine One Nation Under God

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Democrats, progressive left liberals, the media, and the White House have introduced the word “reimagine” into their rhetoric. I don’t know about you, but I’ve seldom heard or used that word in my own vocabulary. Suddenly, we hear it in situations where I feel the user wants to disguise or mask what they really mean knowing that if they come right out and say their true intentions, it won’t be received well.

Reimagining seems more esoteric.

The definition of reimagine is to “reinterpret (an event, work of art, etc.) imaginatively; rethink; to form a new conception of.” The most prevalent use of this nebulous creative way of rethinking today is to apply it to policing and “criminal reform.” In the process, they’re trying to reframe policing as racist and brutal and send criminals back out into the streets to terrorize our cities.

In fact, the Democrats want to reimagine our entire country as systematically racist and create the perception that there’s universal racism in need of reform. The mainstream media echoes the mantra.

Their idea of “unity” is that we all agree that America’s problems originate from the police, “white privilege,” “systemic racism,” climate change, guns, not wearing masks, questioning the vaccine, using the wrong pronouns, not letting men play in women’s sports, wanting to save babies, border protection, following the Constitution, fair voting laws.

Conservatives, Christians, Republicans and their values are the real problem.

Yes, if we would just acquiesce, conform, and agree with the left’s liberal/Marxist /Communist takeover of America, we could all live in Joe Biden’s version of “unity.”

They want us to . . .

Reimagine America as “whites” apologizing and making reparations for being born white and racially categorizing all conservative Caucasians as white supremacists.

Reimagine that rioting is actually “peaceful protests” and we’re not actually seeing looting, burning, stealing, and violence in the streets of America.

Reimagine the meaning of words and eliminate words they deem no longer acceptable.

Reimagine that you can change your God-given sex.

Reimagine the biological definition of gender.

Reimagine who responds to your 911 call.

Reimagine life without the security of law enforcement or owning guns for protection.

Reimagine that releasing hard-core felons and criminals is not a danger.

Reimagine the Supreme Court.

Reimagine the need for three separate branches of the Federal government.

Reimagine America’s history.

Reimagine when life starts and who is worthy of life.

Reimagine mandatory masks forever.

Reimagine the meaning of fair and legal elections.

Reimagine who can censor and cancel you.

Reimagine the need for classroom school for your children.

Reimagine how you worship in church.

Reimagine two equal political parties.

Reimagine the military.

Reimagine how you celebrate holidays.

Reimagine the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Amendments.

Reimagine 50 states.

I bristle every time I hear “reimagine” from the mouths of news commentators, liberals, progressives, leftists, Democrats, and politicians using the term to camouflage the Marxist plans and schemes they have for America. Doesn’t “reimagine” sound more palatable than make America Communist!

Even some liberal-woke “progressive” churches and church leaders are trying to reimagine the Bible and God. Reimagine the remaking of God in their own image.

Here’s who is behind reimagining America and God: Satan.

Can You Imagine?!

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Is. 55:8 NLT

The reason I titled this blog Reimagine One Nation Under God is because we’ve moved so far away from how our Founding Fathers imagined America. Can any of you remember what it was like when Christianity’s values were at the core of our nation? I can.

God and moral principles and values were respected, as were those who lived by them. Not by everyone but the majority.

People understood the harrowing hazards of Marxism and Communism and would do anything to make sure those ideologies didn’t invade our country.

People could disagree and debate without being canceled or “racist.”

People honored the American flag, stood for the National Anthem, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance with their right hand over their heart.

Children were in classrooms where the day started with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. They learned reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, science, social studies, they weren’t indoctrinated with Marxist critical race theory or perverse sex curriculum.

Boys grew up to be men and girls grew up to be women!

Our government and the White House were not intentionally instilling racial discord into our nation but sought to bring all races and colors together to live in harmony.

Elected officials, the President, the Vice President loved our country and were proud of it and the union they represented.

Children were taught to value the country they were fortunate to live in, not despise it.

God mattered! God’s creation mattered! The men and women in blue mattered! All people mattered! Babies mattered! Life mattered! Freedom mattered! Marriage between a man and a woman mattered! Faith mattered. And they all still do! Don’t let anyone coerce you into saying or believing they don’t! You matter to God!

Can you remember that America?! Well let’s not just reimagine One Nation Under God, let’s be part of the movement to reinstate One Nation Under God with Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for every citizen . . . every color, every creed, every age!

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 NLT

18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT

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April 26, 2021
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Jesus Loves the Little Children Our Government is Exploiting

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When we hear on the news about the “border crisis” and the surge of thousands crossing into our country from other countries, it can seem so distant from us, unless you live in a border state. Border security, something that should be of great concern for America’s safety, has become dangerously and erroneously politicized with the Biden Administration’s only focus on erasing everything that President Trump had accomplished, even when it hurts our country and its citizens.

On the nightly news, we see pictures of the caravans and lately we’ve seen the insanely crowded and unhealthy conditions of the overflowing detainment centers. Especially heartbreaking are the ones for children crammed into facilities not equipped for such large numbers.

We worry about how many of these illegals have COVID while we’re all forced to wear masks and parents are fighting to get their kids back into school. We wonder if we’re the only ones worried about all of this?!

How can the Biden Administration brush off this travesty and falsely call it humane as they continue to encourage people from all countries to flood our borders with the promise that migrant children will not be turned away at the border and will be placed in federal shelters. And once you’re here, America will take care of you!

But Biden conveniently leaves out, if they make it here alive! A sick and cruel incentive that Biden is enticing parents to send their children alone on a treacherous dangerous journey.

Again, it still seems distant and solely the source of news monologues and partisan arguments.

Until the twisted and evil reality could no longer be ignored as we watched the video clip of a frightened 10-year-old little boy in a hoodie with tears streaming down his face who had come all the way across the border from Nicaragua now wandering alone on a dirt road fearing for his life.

How could tears not pour down your face too and your heart not break imagining the terror of this child alone in a foreign country where he doesn’t speak the language. Lost and afraid of being robbed and kidnapped, he sobbed to the off-duty border patrol officer who happened to come upon him that no he wasn’t with his mommy or daddy and the group he was traveling with “left me behind, of course.”

But as the young unaccompanied migrant boy pleaded for help, he had been told the words to say, “turn myself in to you.”

His parents didn’t send him off to camp, they sent him on a harrowing journey with a migrant group who obviously weren’t looking out for him! He didn’t have a bottle of water or even a backpack and how many days had he been traveling before the group abandoned him?

I heard the WH Press Secretary refer to “loving parents” who were sending their children of all ages alone on these perilous journeys. Last week, we saw two sisters three and five dropped over a 14-foot wall by themselves. What are these parents thinking??? How many of these children never complete the journey or are traumatized for life?! How is this considered “loving”?

19,000 unaccompanied minors traveled across our southern border in March!! Parents of 19,000 children intentionally sent their children alone to our border with no guarantee they would make it safely! 18,890 in February! How many “John Does” never made it? How would those parents ever know what happened to their children?

Look at your own children and grandchildren . . . no matter how bad life gets, would you ever subject them to such an atrocity? Of course, not. You make it through somehow together at home. Or you travel with them.

Have you ever thought that your child was lost in a mall or at the park? Remember the terror that struck your heart. Were you ever lost as a child or separated from your parents? Or heard the cries and sobs of a young terrified child who lost sight of their parents!

It all seems unimaginable, like something from a sci-fi or horror movie and yet it is happening everyday at our southern border and our government is encouraging it! Biden in my mind has done horrible things since taking office, but that little boy’s tear-streaked face captures it all. Has Biden seen that video? Does it not break his heart? Did he watch those little girls dropped over the wall?

Biden and Harris are ignoring the tragedy of all these unattended migrant children while they continue to encourage parents to inhumanely sacrifice their children! What is wrong with them?

Evil is the only answer.

First, they encourage the murder of children in the womb and now they entice desperate parents to do the unspeakable act of sending their innocent children purposely into harm’s way . . .

God has a proclamation for this kind of shameless treatment of children:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matt. 18:6

The Little Children and Jesus

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

I think we can safely say that Jesus hates what He is watching happen to these little children He loves so much. Some are actually sold to cartels to be used over and over again to cross the border and many are brutalized and raped. Rep. Chip Roy told Todd Starnes he saw a 7-year-old little girl who traveled across Mexico by herself and crossed the border without any family.

Biden/Harris and the Democrat party using these children as pawns, as bate, are as guilty and demented as all the traffickers and cartels. They’re encouraging this and they know it! That’s why they don’t want reporters or politicians to take pictures. They don’t want the public to see the reality of what’s happening to these unaccompanied innocent children.

But now we have seen it and we can’t ignore it. [If you haven’t already seen the video of the abandoned little boy, please open the links I’ve provided.]

When you remove all the political rhetoric, people with platforms need to be brave enough to call out the Biden Administration on this in a way they can’t ignore. To play the video of that lost frightened little Nicaraguan boy pleading for help and put the onus on Biden. Not just the nebulous “administration” but Joe Biden! This is what you’ve caused Joe. This is what you could stop if you were an honorable man.

What Can We Do?

We can take it personally, just like that little Nicaraguan boy became personal to me. Contact your Congressmen and Senators and make it personal to them. Call it what it is, child abuse perpetuated by the current administration.

Pray for these children. It’s hard to imagine how afraid and traumatized they are right now. These children weren’t separated at the border from their parents, these children’s parents separated themselves from their children at home!

It’s unimaginable but it’s also endtimes specific.

21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child.” Matt. 10:21 NLT

To close on an encouraging note, my family and I went to see the new faith-based release, The Girl Who Believes in Miracles. I encourage you to go see it now! We were the only people in an afternoon matinee and I’m sure if more people don’t go watch it that it won’t be at the theaters for long. You’ll cry and laugh and hug your family. You’ll also be touched by the Holy Spirit speaking to you how He wants your faith to match this little girl’s faith.

 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20 NLT

The opening picture of Jesus with the children is a mural available for purchase on their website.

The political cartoon is used with permission by the artist A.F.Branco. https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/04/branco-cartoon-bull/
You can see his daily conservative legal cartoons on FOXnews.com or at A.F. Branco | Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

You might enjoy a new blog I wrote for Crosswalk, 4 Powerful Prayers for Forgiveness in the Bible.

April 12, 2021
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What Do We Do When “Equality” Isn’t Equal?!

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As a kid, I remember hearing the term “tomboy.” Did you? I haven’t heard that term used in many years. It was fondly given to girls who liked playing with boys and their toys more than dolls and playing house. Tomboys usually preferred participating in sports over playing jacks. They liked wearing jeans, never dresses. Maybe you were a tomboy.

It was a phase of adolescence that most girls outgrew, although many might grow up to still not like “girly things” and fight for the right to have girls’ sports taken seriously. They wanted stereotypes to change so that girls could enter the police force and military, but I doubt that few considered physically becoming a boy instead of a girl.

In today’s culture, that young “tomboy” might be told in school how she could change physically to become a boy. To permanently change her body and medically alter her natural hormones to resemble a man forever!

Or a young boy could choose his gender and be physically altered to a girl. Whether or not parents approve, liberal school curriculum begins discussing “sexual identity,” “sexual orientation,” and gender change in Kindergarten.

A child who is not capable of making independent decisions in any other area of their life, who needs parental permission to go on a field trip, could make a forever life-changing decision as early as a young child!

The proposed Equality Act could make it illegal for parents to seek counseling for their child, which the bill refers to as discriminatory “conversion therapy” and seeks to eliminate.

That’s just one of the unequal, unfair absurdities of the so called “Equality Act” that just passed Congress and is headed to the Senate. They need to get 60 votes in the Senate for it to pass and as you know right now the Senate is divided 50/50. So we need all the Republican Senators, and hopefully some Democrat Senators with a conscience, to stick together and vote against it. The Democrats tried this bill before and the Senate voted it down, but with the majority in both houses, they’re trying it again.

In case, you are interrupted from reading further in this blog, where I will outline more evil proponents of this Democrat backed bill and why it is inequality not equality, I want to prevail on you to take action right now.

1. Pray for the bill not to pass the Senate but also pray for your Senator! Dave and I recently listened to a telephone town hall with our Idaho Republican Congressman and when one of the callers asked how we could help him, the Congressman was startled and humbled because he hadn’t ever been asked that question.

He actually asked for prayer! He admitted it’s tough in DC and there is practically no civility anymore across the aisle. Everything is partisan and with the Democrats having a majority in both houses and the White House, it’s not an easy job. But he was still hopeful and felt it was an honor to represent us, even in such a hostile environment.

2. Contact your Senator NOW! They need to hear from us and know what we want and expect them to do, especially if your Senator is a Democrat. Call 202-224-3121 or go to this link and you can find the phone number of your Senator and also send him/her an email.
Another easy option is at MyFaithVotes where they have an email already written for you to send right from their website to your Senator along with further discussion of the “Equality Act” ramifications. They need to know we’re counting on them to do the right thing and we’re praying for them.

3. Read this prayer alert from Franklin Graham “We Cannot Remain Silent!” and share it. He outlines so well some of the many dyer consequences of this bill. Then share it with everyone you know. In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve had several friends send it to me, even as I’m writing about it here.

The “Equality Act” Denies the Bible

It’s not hard to see that the trajectory of this bill is to outlaw churches, religious organizations, and the Bible . . . to criminalize and cancel God. Man is trying to establish “truth” and replace God’s Truth as confirmed in our Bibles. To deny the Judeo/Christian values our country was founded on that sets us apart from any other country in the world.

I cannot imagine how anyone who believes in God could support or vote for this bill. The next step could be to declare the Bible as “hate speech” and Amazon would cancel selling the Bible just as it has begun to do with books that talk about gender issues.

The bill’s legal goal is to deny the exclusivity of scientific biological sex at birth and introduce interchangeable terms like “gender identity” or “sexual orientation.” Here are just a few of the Scriptures that could then be considered offensive:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen. 1:27

He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.” Gen. 5:2

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” 5 And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” Matt. 19:4-6 NLT

Under the Equality Act, Christian businesses like bakeries, florists, photographers, and venues couldn’t decline servicing weddings that go against their faith. They could be sued for discrimination if they refuse.

Churches and other religious ministries would not be exempt from hiring people who don’t share their faith and beliefs.

How long do you think it will be before the church cannot proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God?

Not to mention the inability to declare sin as outlined in Romans 1, where God talks about His wrath and anger against sinful humanity. Specifically in verses 24-28. When people wouldn’t listen to Him, God washed His hands and abandoned them to their evil ways. Isn’t that what we’re watching now in our country?

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Rom. 1:24-28

The Equality Act Denies Women’s Rights

Did you ever think you would be living in a universe where male and female genders would come under attack? Children would be able to pick their gender and deny the body God gave them?

Men who “identify” as women allowed to compete in women’s sports with their male physic that gives them a physical advantage over women? Title IX was established to create a balance in male and females sports and athletics. It would be abolished by the Equality Act as biological men are allowed to participate as women and compete against real women.

As one female school athlete put it, “Inclusion” for everyone means “exclusion” for women in sports.

Gender “identity” doesn’t erase physiological realities and differences. That’s common sense and a biological scientific fact. But the progressives tell women that they’re not important in this discussion. They’re telling biological men who “identify as a woman,” it’s okay to invade women’s sports where they know they’ll win and push out opportunities for women to attain scholarships, grants, and advancement. We’ve all seen the pictures of them overpowering women in track, basketball, soccer, and wrestling in states that are already allowing this travesty.

How many fathers, grandfathers, legislators with daughters and granddaughters want them competing with men and having men in their locker rooms and bathrooms? Does President Biden or Pelosi want this for their own granddaughters?

Are We Sheep Or Fighters for Freedom?

Adults are free to believe what they want, choose their lifestyles, and do to their bodies what they choose, but to legally impose the acceptance of the contents of H.R.5 on Americans who find it offensive or morally wrong is beyond comprehension. To deny pastors and counselors the freedom to talk with those who have what is now called gender dysphoria is ludicrous. To force physicians, hospitals, and medical professionals to go against their conscience and perform mutilating surgeries or administer gender transition treatments they know will harm children, and adults, for life is inhumane.

I’ve only addressed several of the horrific ramifications of this bill, but I encourage you to read it for yourself. If passed, no one is exempt from adhering to it. Christian businesses, schools, churches may choose to close their doors rather than comply! It’s that serious.

We need to get out of our Sunday-go-to-church bubble and become an active voice in what is happening to our culture, our families, our children, our grandchildren. We need to live out our faith with compassion and love for those who are lost and confused while we stand firm in our biblical and moral beliefs.

The Equality Act is not a shield to protect a group but a sword of inequality to use against those who don’t agree with the progressive movement.

Listening to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem at CPAC, I picked up a few nuggets from her excellent speech: “The left takes its vision to change America seriously. They want to lead, which means they expect us to be the sheep and follow. We will NOT be the sheep.”

“If we’re going to be the land of the free, we have to be the home of the brave!” Ben Carson

“An act of Congress can change the law, but not even an act of Congress can change Scripture.” Mike Huckabee

This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself. He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.” Gen. 5:1-2 NLT

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*The opening picture is a poster outside Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s congressional office.

March 1, 2021
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What Can the Church Learn from Rush Limbaugh?

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Last week, America lost an iconic grass-roots, conservative, bold, and brave patriotic voice. As I listened to the glowing tributes for Rush Limbaugh, I learned many things about him I didn’t know, even though he and I were in the same generation. Hubby and I play Christian music in the car, and I need quiet to write, so I don’t listen to talk radio. I wasn’t a Rush follower, but I wish now that I had been.

I didn’t realize that he helped save AM radio with his widely successful talk-radio program that reached 20 million weekday listeners for over thirty years! People listened for three hours a day to Rush in their cars, work place, and homes.

His open and popular discussion of conservatism helped launch the concept of conservative TV news programs, which like Rush provided conservatives a recourse as mainstream media became increasingly liberal and partisan left leaning.

Rush was definitely controversial and sometimes brash and sarcastic and said some things he later needed to apologize for, but haven’t we all. In his later years, especially after his cancer diagnosis, he spoke more openly about his faith, attributed his gifts and talents to a “loan from God,” and thanked God for the blessings in his life: “God is a profound factor; Jesus Christ a profound factor. I have a personal relationship. I’ve not talked about it much publicly because I don’t proselytize these things,” he said.

Best-selling author and Evangelical leader Joel C. Rosenberg worked for Rush at one time and knew him personally. Rosenberg wrote a heartfelt tribute, “Rush Limbaugh gave his life to Jesus Christ a few years ago and it gave him tremendous hope as he faced his toughest fight.”

I haven’t read or listened to any of the vicious liberal attacks on Rush, but you know they’re always going to throw out “racist,” so I appreciated this article, “Bo Snerdley recalls Rush Limbaugh as a ‘second-generation Founding Father’ who ‘returned his talent to God.’” Bo’s real name is James Golden. He was the long-time friend and producer for the Rush Limbaugh Show, and just happens to be black. Bo said on the Hannity show, which I heard, “It burns me to my soul when people sully his reputation with falsehoods, calling him a racist. This man was just an incredible phenomenon — and we love you, Rush.”

“Rush Babies”

Whether or not you agreed with Rush Limbaugh or even liked him, as I listened to the tributes I noticed how Rush spoke to the generations like we strive so hard to do in the church. Limbaugh referred to his younger followers as “Rush Babies.” I was curious how he managed to bridge across the generations.

Several years ago, I noticed my daughter was becoming increasingly conservative in her opinions and conversation and to my surprise, she often quoted Rush Limbaugh. Kim has a Sign Making and Sign Party business and she spends a great deal of time working in her “She Shop.” While cutting wood, painting, and stenciling, she listens to talk radio programs and Rush was a daily favorite, especially this past year.

With Covid and the election, she wanted to keep informed and she found Rush a “very caring voice who loves the country and talked through the questions of the day.” When she listened to Rush on the radio in the car, her sixteen-year-old son asked, “Who is this? I like him and the way he talks.” Her fifteen-year-old daughter listened too.

And that’s how millions of “Rush Babies” came about! Parents played Rush’s radio program in the house or in the car while taking the kids to soccer practice, vacations, running errands, road trips. Thirty-four-year old Benny Johnson said on his NEWSMAX show The Benny Report that he was a Rush Baby as he interviewed his parents, avid Rush fans. Benny concluded, “Rush raised my generation. Maybe you were one he raised too!”

Thirty-seven-year old Rob Schmitt recalled on his NEWSMAX program, “As a kid, I remember riding around in the car listening to Rush with my dad. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I liked his voice and listening to him.”

Schmitt had country music star John Rich (47) as a guest who talked about also riding in the car with his dad and asked what a bumper sticker “Rush is Right” meant. Rich’s dad replied, “A lot of stuff he says is right on the money.”

The headline that really got my attention was from thirty-two year old Kayleigh McEnany: Rush Limbaugh inspired a generation of young conservatives! It was an article by President Trump’s former White House Press Secretary. Here are a few quotes:

“My journey to becoming White House press secretary began in a pickup truck, alongside my Dad, who played Rush Limbaugh religiously. Though I was in elementary school, there was something magnetic, alluring and just so passionate about the conservative radio host who had such conviction and assuredness. 

My rides in my dad’s trucks through Plant City, Fla., later turned into drives in my own car to my all-girls Catholic high school. My friends knew if they chose to ride with me, they would be listening to “Maha Rushie,” as he affectionately dubbed himself. 

Rush was a giant in the conservative movement for a reason: he exhibited unrelenting boldness for the truth. He never backed down. You knew where he stood. And he was never, ever afraid to speak truth to power and challenge the mainstream media. 

Rush had a word for people like me: a “Rush Baby.” 

You see, Rush inspired tens of thousands of young men and women all across the conservative movement. Though Rush has departed this life for the next, he leaves behind a generation that will catapult forward the movement he created.” 

Kayleigh’s dad said Rush was the best friend he never met.

Rush was a mentor to all ages of listeners he might never meet. But some he did meet like Charlie Kirk the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that educates students about the importance of conservative values: fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Charlie started listening to Rush in high school and was introduced to him several years ago. Rush took the time to befriend and mentor young Charlie (now 28) and spoke several times at Turning Point conferences. Charlie says of Rush, “He was a great mentor focused on building up the next generation of conservatives.”

I began to see a theme: Rush influenced conservative values and ideals to his generation who passed that down to their children who undoubtedly will pass it on to their children, and like my daughter, he was still reaching new audiences! Isn’t that what we want to do in the Church with Christianity?!

What Can the Church Learn from Rush?

1. Like Rush, The Church Should Never Back Down to Cultural Pressure or Ignore the Issues of the Day!

Too many churches today are more concerned with being culturally correct or canceled than with sharing the unabashed Truth of God’s Word to the culture. They’re letting Christ be canceled!

2021 years ago, the culture tried to silence and cancel Jesus, but we know how that turned out. Jesus arose from the grave so that He could live within the heart of every man and woman who believed in Him at any age.

Yes, the culture has been trying to cancel Jesus since before the Cross, but His influence only grows wider and stronger. Jesus passed the torch to His 12 disciples and that torch of truth will continue to pass on until His return as long as believers like you and me continue to carry His torch of light and Truth.

In the Woman to Woman Mentor Handbook, I challenge mentors: What if you mentored 12 women in your lifetime just as Jesus mentored 12 men? Then those 12 women mentor 12 more women. That would be 144 women in mentoring relationships If you take that out five more levels, do you have any idea what the number of women in mentoring relationships would be just from you starting it out? 2,985,984! You have no idea how many other lives will be touched besides those of you and your mentee.

The Church is about saving lives, not saving face.

2. Like Rush, The Church Should not become a Relic but Remain Relevant!

The Bible is timeless and doesn’t change with the changing world; it brings peace, hope, and calm in the midst of the change. Its purpose is to be the consistent guide for people’s lives. Believers can count on it. A pastor’s message should help people respond to the challenges they’re facing by familiarizing them with the Book and the One with all the answers.

Sermons are not motivational speeches based on the latest trend; they’re motivational Truths to live a life ready for the Lord’s return at any moment. Urgent. Bold. Real. Challenging.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thess. 5:1-2

3. The Church Could Learn How and Why Rush Reached the Generations!

Someone is always watching how the church responds to the times. Children are watching their parents. The next generation wants to see us live out what we say we believe without reservation. They don’t want us to waver. They need us to share the Truth with passion, caring, and love for Jesus and love for them.

A 70 year-old man still could capture and influence the audience of younger generations. He created a bond of trust. He was still relevant. He had no biological children, but he passed on a legacy to generations of patriots to pick up the torch and carry on.

I sign every Woman to Woman Training Leader’s Guide, “Teach what you’ve been taught.” So those they teach will go on and teach what you taught them. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Heb. 13:7

Like Rush had “Rush Babies,” we want to have Jesus Babies. Followers of Jesus long after we’re gone who go on to share Jesus with others because we shared Jesus with them.

Our charge is to pass on the Torch of Truth of Jesus Christ to all generations! How focused is your church on reaching all generations?

Parents, teachers, mentors, the church, or anyone with a platform, must boldly, bravely, and with conviction speak up and stand up for living a life pleasing to Jesus and explaining what that means today. Never back down but always defend good vs evil, right vs wrong, moral vs immoral, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient or unpopular.

Live your faith. Share your faith.

If your listeners choose to ignore you, that’s their fault. If you never tell them, that’s your fault!

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT

Picture used by permission Legal Insurrection at https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/02/branco-cartoon-on-loan-from-god/

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February 22, 2021
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