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2025 A Year of New Beginnings!

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Why do we get so excited about celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of the next? Maybe it’s because we have a fresh start to do those things we didn’t accomplish or finish in the past year. Maybe the past year had disappointments and heartaches. Maybe we didn’t finish or even start last year’s goals and we want to try again this year.

Even if the past year was wonderful, we get excited about making new life history. This New Year, we’re excited to have a positive direction change in our nation. We’re glad the blundering administration’s four years are over and we can’t wait for the new competent administration to start. Many people today are counting down to January 20 like they countdown to Christmas. We have high hopes and expectations for President Trump’s promises and plans and his cabinet choices to start cleaning up the carnage left by the failed anti-American, anti-faith, anti-common sense Biden administration.

Whatever our reasons, most of us are ready to “turn the page” of 2024. I’m personally embracing the motto “Revive in 2025.” That was the opening article theme of my December 2024 About His Work Ministries newsletter. If you don’t receive the free newsletter, you can sign up here and read the article here.

Revive Your Bible Reading in 2025

Each of us will determine what we want to revive in our personal life this year. For some, it might be reading the Bible in a year, which is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. I’m praying for my daughter and granddaughter who are committing to this revival in their life in 2025. Each is using a different reading plan, and I’m cheering and praying for them to accomplish this worthy goal by the end of the year. Their lives are going to be abundantly revived and enriched by what God has to say and show them through His Word. They’re in for a huge blessing!

Some of you might be committing to reading a Scripture a day for 365 days. No matter how you do it, gleaning the wisdom, encouragement, love, and guidance from letting God’s Word, the Holy Bible, speak to you daily will result in a spiritual and personal revival.

I’ve found that changing up the Bible translation I read each year adds freshness. Last year, I listened to the Bible from Genesis to Revelation on my earbuds while working out at the gym. I finished the last chapters at the gym on December 31! Combining physical enhancement with spiritual enhancement put a new kick in my step. I followed the CBN annual Bible reading plan, which I’m doing again in 2025.

There’s still time to start if you would like to read the Bible this year or maybe read the Old Testament or the New Testament.

Revive Your Prayer Life in 2025

At the beginning of 2024, the Lord told me my prayer life was going to deepen. I was curious to know what He had planned for me. Then I became involved with My Faith Votes (MFV) and soon I was enjoying prayer zoom meetings on Monday mornings with MFV action partners from across the nation, and during the week, with our MFV group here in Idaho. What an inspirational way to start the day praying with like-minded fellow conservative men and women as we called on the Lord with our petitions and praises for our country, state, and each other.

Even as I continue praying and serving with My Faith Votes in 2025, God has more for me this year. On December 30, 2024, Hubby and I watched Kirk Cameron’s Takeaways program on TBN. A rerun we hadn’t seen, but God wanted us to see it. Kirk was interviewing Matthew West, a favorite Christian musician of ours who we’ve seen perform in person. Kirk and Matthew’s topic was prayer. Matthew has a new album out “Don’t Stop Praying,” and he and Kirk had an inspirational discussion about prayer.

Matthew West says about his new album: “My new album #DontStopPraying is OUT NOW!! Each song in its own way is inspired by the different types of prayers we find ourselves praying throughout our lives. We pray prayers for strength when we are weak, prayers for a miracle when we need a breakthrough, prayers for purpose when we feel lost. Most of all, I wanted to make a record that echoed the call I have felt in my own heart to hit my knees like never before and never forget that the most important conversation I could have today, and every day of my life, is with the One who made me, knows me, and has the best plan for my life. I hope these songs inspire you to discover for the first time, or maybe rediscover, the power of a prayer.

West is going to share some of his favorite “mission statement” songs on his Facebook page every day in January to kick off the New Year, which I’m going to listen to. He also has a prayer wall on his website.

God was using Kirk Cameron and Matthew West to talk to me about enhancing my prayer life. Isn’t that just like God to show a past episode just two days before the start of 2025! It was obvious that God had new prayer revelations and plans for me in the New Year.

Then January 3, God moved again. He woke me up early, and as I settled into my quiet time chair with a cup of coffee, I turned on my cell phone. Pastor Jack Hibbs was looking back at me on Facebook live. Apparently, Pastor Hibbs had started on January 1, at 5:00 am PT, 6:00 am MT, a 5–10-minute morning prayer group. You can tell he too is just waking up. With tussled hair, wearing a hoodie, and talking softly outside to not wake up the rest of the house, he shares a short devotional and Scripture based prayer. If you’ve ever heard Pastor Hibbs speak, his knowledge of the Bible, no notes, just talking directly to us, is amazing.

Now, maybe you don’t want to wake up that early, and I don’t always either, but he’s recording live on his Facebook post and sharing on Instagram and X, so you can watch it anytime you want. The idea is to start your day praying with him and others. Here’s how he describes it for those who would like to join us.

Beginning January 1, 2025, I invite you to join me for LIFT: Daily Prayer – A Global Prayer Meeting. I will be live on Facebook at about 5 am [PT] for about 5-10 minute daily. These will be rooted in Scripture and prayers for mercy, grace, healing, peace, guidance, and strength.

If you miss the live prayer time on Facebook, it will be there for you to playback at any time. We will also share these on Instagram and X so you can watch and get involved on those platforms. We want you to share these videos and leave a comment with your prayers and prayer requests so that the community can pray with you. Let’s truly make this a Global Prayer Meeting together. See you tomorrow! Here is a link to my page. Please follow: https://www.facebook.com/RealJackHibbs

As I write to you today, we’re only 5 days into 2025, but God’s already showing me two ways to revive my prayer life by listening to Matthew West’s prayer album and starting each morning in prayer with Pastor Jack Hibbs. Won’t you join me.

Revive Your Health in 2025

If nutrition and health is on your 2025 revival list, and you’re excited like I am about “Make America Healthy Again,” you’ll enjoy my latest Nutrition Nook article in Christian Living Magazine, Make Your Body Healthy Again in 2025.

As a former Registered Dietitian, I always say, “Once a dietitian, always a dietitian.” I’m thrilled that the Trump administration will be looking into the thousands of toxins and additives in our foods that aren’t even allowed in other countries!

Also on a side note, did you read the recent report by the US Surgeon General that alcohol has been linked to seven types of cancer? He wants alcohol labeled just like cigarettes, “Alcohol is a cancer risk!” Alcohol consumption is the “third leading preventable cause of cancer” in the country with tobacco and obesity taking the top two spots.

The liquor lobby, manufacturers, and distributors distribute propaganda to the public that small amounts of alcohol are good for your health. A blatant potentially lethal money-making lie. The small amounts of antioxidants found in red wine for example are also found in larger amounts in blueberries and spinach, which are good for you, not harmful.

Alcohol is a toxin and causes inflation. How could it be good for you when besides cancer, it also leads to obesity, lethargy, depression, sleep problems, and addiction?! If you drink alcohol, consider asking yourself, “Why?” With the high cost of healthy food today, maybe your 2025 budget could use the break of eliminating cancer-causing alcohol.

How is God Reviving You in 2025?

What revival plans has God put on your heart for 2025? Please share and let me know.

You can leave a comment here.

January 6, 2025
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Don’t Let Politics Cancel Thanksgiving This Year!

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I know all of you don’t receive my monthly free About His Work Ministries Newsletter, so I wanted to share with you the November opening article that posted today in case you missed it. It’s so important that we don’t let politics or an election cause us to boycott or ghost friends and relatives on a day that’s all about thanking and praising God for His goodness to us. Don’t let anyone persuade you differently. If you’ve already read this article in the newsletter, I hope it blessed you. If you haven’t read it yet, here you go. Have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving from Dave and me!

14 Ways to Celebrate a Peaceful Prayerful Post-Election Thanksgiving!

An extended family member was surprised we were celebrating a family Thanksgiving this year. She had heard the ludicrous decree that families and friends with differing political views shouldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving?! She believed this outrageous proclamation as fact and surveys show she’s not alone. A quarter of Americans say they’re canceling Thanksgiving plans over political clashes. Pathetic and tragic.

Much of the mistruths, lies, and gas lighting made from the liberal side of the aisle works to disintegrate and divide friends and families instead of uniting them around the things they do agree on like loving your family regardless of their political or faith beliefs. Family is stronger than politics and God tells us to love those who don’t agree with us, even though we don’t always love their actions or beliefs.

Absolutely, we’re having a joyous family Thanksgiving celebration! We have much to be thankful for this year beyond the election. So yes, I’ll be making my famous sweet potatoes for those who love them. And I’ll be bringing my Thanksgiving tablecloth, which you can read about at the end of this article. We won’t let political or faith differences prevent us from giving praise, glory, and thanks to our Lord and Savior for another year of life together.

In the fragile aftermath of a volatile election, I imagine many of you are having similar concerns and conversations. I remember my mom cautioning that if you want to keep the peace, don’t talk about religion or politics. As a kid, I never understood that warning. Believers are supposed to tell everyone about Jesus. Since being a Christian is our first identity . . . how could we not talk about our Savior? Likewise, if we’re happy about our vote resulting in political policies that align with our faith and beliefs, then we shouldn’t have to stifle our joy.

I’m bold about my first role in life: being a born-again Christian. All other roles come second. As I wrote in Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, “Bold doesn’t mean obnoxious. It simply means not being afraid to speak the truth, even in the face of adversity: ‘Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold’ (2 Cor. 3:12).”

For example, if someone asks what I write, I answer, “Christian living nonfiction.” Or, “I’m a Christian author and speaker.”  My response often opens the door for further discussion of my books. If someone asks if I’m happy with the results of the election, I respond with a resounding, “Ecstatic!” I recently wore my “Make America Healthy Again” hat on vacation, as I do around town when home, and I’m inundated with smiling people loving my hat. I worked hard and prayed hard for the outcome that represented my biblical worldview, and I’m not ashamed. I do understand others are disappointed, just like I was in 2020, but we still had Thanksgiving that year too!

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20 NLT

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8 NLT

Is Thanksgiving a Religious Holiday?

That could be an awkward question in some circles. I was with a group of people and mentioned how I hoped people would set their differences aside on Thanksgiving Day, and one person said, “It’s just a time for eating a lot of food, watching football, and shopping online anyway.”

Me: “I’m pretty sure the first pilgrims who celebrated Thanksgiving didn’t have TV or Amazon.

Another responded: “Well at least Thanksgiving isn’t a religious holiday.”

I asked: “Who then are we thanking?”

Complete silence.

Of course, the answer is: God. Abraham Lincoln made it an official national holiday “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe.” The English colonists we call Pilgrims celebrated days of thanksgiving as part of their religion as days of prayer, not feasting.

Yes, it’s a time of family and friends gathering, but as we sit around the feast together, we can’t thank each other, or aliens, or the “big bang” for giving us life, the sun, moon, trees, food, the earth, water, sky, sweet babies, and all the blessings we enjoy.

We read in Genesis that God spoke everything into being, and yet, many of us will be sharing turkey and dressing with people who don’t believe or discount the existence of God. They don’t know where they’re going when they die or where everything we enjoy on earth came from . . . and maybe they don’t even care.

They’ll walk out of the room when we pray before the meal, and may try to bait us into an argument over who we voted for and why. Maybe after a few drinks, their conversation will turn ugly, even though innocent young eyes are watching how the “adults” interact.

Daily, not just at Thanksgiving, my husband and I pray beseeching God to prepare us to be a light in the darkness . . . not to avoid the darkness because that would be the cowards way out . . . but to help us respond as if Jesus was standing behind us speaking through us. You’ve all been in situations where it seemed like Satan was standing behind or speaking through the other person.  So how can we let Jesus reflect through us? Granted, some might not recognize Jesus . . . but they’ll see there’s something different about us.

14 Ways to Maintain Peace and Joy on Thanksgiving

As I prayed and talked to the Lord, here’s a list I hope will help all of us. I’d love to hear your ideas too.

  1. Don’t worry what to say—“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11 (Jesus was talking to his disciples if they were arrested, but I think it could apply to us too if we felt our faith or political beliefs was being tested or put on trial.)
  2. Speak kind words—“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Pr. 16:24 NLT
  3. Strive for peace—“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
  4. Don’t instigate or respond to antagonistic discussions—“Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.” Pr. 26:17 NLT
  5. Play with children present—“We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Ps. 78:4 NLT
  6. Don’t drink—“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18 NLT
  7. Smile, Smile, Smile—“Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 42:5 The Message
  8. Listen—“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Pr. 12:15 NLT
  9. Take a deep breath and think before you speak—“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” Pr. 29:20 NLT
  10. Less is more—“The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?” Ecc. 6:11 NLT— There’s “A time to be quiet and a time to speak.” Ecc. 3:7 NLT
  11. Pray mind prayers.—“Pray continually.” 1 Thess. 5:17
  12. Have a sign or word with others that signals: Change the subject if the conversation gets heated or move into another room.—“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Ecc. 4:9
  13. If you’re hosting—Thank God for each guest. Pray over your home and each chair at the table. Pray as you normally would at the meal, your guests know they’re coming to a Christian home.—“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9
  14. If you’re a guest—As you approach the home, pray to be a blessing. If your hosts don’t pray before the meal, bow your head and pray over your food as you normally would. — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23

Thanksgiving is a day for harmony and focusing on God and giving Him thanks and praise in whatever way He leads. Fiction writers have a saying: “Show don’t tell.” You don’t always have to speak Jesus with your words. Show Him with your actions. People will want what you have!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 NLT

I give thanks for each of you who follow me on this Monday Morning Blog. I pray you have a joyful, peaceful, and God-filled Thanksgiving Day.

Memory Making Thanksgiving Tablecloth

In Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten, I share how to use your tablecloth as a conversation piece and a way to make memories for generations to come. Here is an excerpt from the book. I hope it gives you some ideas. I’ll be taking our Thankful Tablecloth with us this Thanksgiving to my daughter’s house. My grandchildren love to look back at their tiny handprints and drawings when they were toddlers and the comments written over the past twenty-one years.

When my breast cancer journey started, I became keenly aware of making memories with my family. At times like that, you think seriously about your mortality and the legacy you want to leave with your loved ones. You appreciate each new day of life. The sun rising every morning is an act of God to celebrate.

Holidays like Thanksgiving have new meaning. Typically, Thanksgiving is a celebration where family and friends gather for a feast, and everyone says what they’re thankful for in the past year. But after finishing the dishes and putting away the leftovers, how many really remember what everyone said?

Please leave a comment here and I’ll reply!

November 25, 2024
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Vote To Let Freedom Ring and Remain!

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Engaging in discussion regarding the people and platforms involved in the 2024 election can be frustrating and even divisive. This blog will post the day before we find out which side will govern our country for the next four years or maybe longer. It might take days in our current election chaos to know the outcome of the election. That says so much about the deterioration that has occurred at every level of government.

What’s distressed me most this election season is discussions with fellow believers who have opposing worldviews. We read the same Bible and pray to the same God, so how can this be? I think the answer is the powerful influence the mainstream media, which has literally become a propaganda arm of the Democrat/liberal/progressive party, has effectively had on the minds and hearts of people who to me seem brainwashed and blinded by Satan’s lies. Yet, they’ll tell me I’m brainwashed as they defend the evil the Democrat party wants to inflict on us. It amazes me that they can’t see the moral, spiritual, and economical destruction that’s occurred in our country and our culture over the past four years. How could they call this good?

I’ve also seen Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) at its worst exemplifying the power of propaganda and lies to influence intelligent godly people to hate and detest someone so much they would vote against Trump knowing the other side has an evil, demonic, anti-God agenda. They hate Trump more than they love America. Even Trump commented recently when asked why he thought so many people have such strong views against him, even to trying to assassinate him. His response is that only consequential candidates produce that kind of reaction in people. Many in the deep dark Washington swamp don’t want him in power because they know he’ll reveal and remedy the evil that’s taking place there.

Speaker Johnson has warned that Republicans need to win the Senate and the Congress because if the Democrats win either one, they’ll immediately try to impeach President Trump. How crazy is that?!

As we countdown to the election, here are links to the blogs the Lord led me to write about this election. Also, I’ll post the About His Work Ministries opening newsletter article “What Does It Mean to Think Biblically” because not everyone receives my monthly newsletter. (You can sign up at my website.)

What Does It Mean to Vote Biblically? continues to receive more hits than any blog I’ve ever written.

Don’t Be Fooled by the ‘Joy and Vibes’ Political Shield, which now has turned to ugly name calling, yelling, and angry tirades.

What Does It Mean to Think Biblically Versus Culturally or Secularly?

The opposite of thinking biblically is thinking secularly. Christians should vote their faith and values, but when we see the polls of Christians voting for a candidate whose platform is anti-biblical, anti-life, anti-Christian, anti-God, and anti-capable, it’s evident that many Christians aren’t checking with God or their Bible before selecting a candidate’s platforms and policies to govern our land. That goes for down ballot too.

It’s blessed me to see many Christians during this election cycle who aren’t afraid to discuss politicized biblical issues like sanctity of life, marriage, sexuality, protecting children from pornography and gender mutilation, and God’s design for humanity. Social media is full of brave posts and conversations. Now many are speaking and posting biblical values publicly. Praise God!

I even heard one pastor say, “Don’t be afraid to talk about politics and religion at holiday or family gatherings.” For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim. 1:7 NLT

We need to speak God’s truth no matter the circumstances. It’s the fear of man rather than the fear of God that has sent many Christians underground and silenced them. This has congruently allowed a nefarious government to successfully enforce laws contrary to God’s laws. But God’s Word in Hebrews 13:6 NLT assures us, “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”

However, here’s what “mere people” will try to do when Christians don’t speak up and vote. Ohio voted to codify abortion into the state constitution and a judge recently ruled unconstitutional the state’s previous six-week abortion ban law, which had been the law in Ohio since 2019.  “Ohio voters have spoken,” Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins wrote in the filing. “The Ohio Constitution now unequivocally protects the right to abortion.” I would add, nullifying rights and protection of the unborn.

Why weren’t there enough Christian Ohio voters to protect the unborn? Ohio, once considered a conservative red state, is now a “swing state.” Up for grabs politically and morally. How did the Christians in that state let this happen? How is it that after the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional Roe v Wade and sent the decision back to the states, that we now have more abortions not fewer? More precious babies killed in the womb before they have the right to life?

Harris’ platform is to federally codify abortion in every state, which would strike down unborn baby protection laws like those we have in Idaho that bans all abortion. Christians need to vote against her and her radical platform.

Pro-life activists and leaders in Missouri are sounding the alarm about Amendment 3, the “Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative,” on the ballot that would not only result in unrestricted abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, but would also “go way beyond abortion” and enshrine transgender surgeries on children. Let’s pray Missouri Christians are sounding the alarm to vote it down.

How are some Christians okay with killing human babies? Surveys tell us they are?  45% of Christians and 6 in 10 Catholics say they’re in favor of abortion and are voting for an unbiblical political platform?!

The only answer has to be that some Christians aren’t praying and reading their Bible to help them think biblically. Their worldview is influenced by secular culture, not God’s Scriptures. They may go to Bible studies, attend church, and check the Christian box. But they’re not allowing the Bible to transform and renew their mind and heart, thus their thinking and actions. How can I say this? Because God would NEVER condone killing human babies that He creates in His own image.

Randall Terry of Operation Rescue, along with several pastors, created TV commercials to depict the horrors of abortion and he’s paying to run them during prime time. Here’s the link to one that ran on The View, but warning, it’s graphic.

Tools For Thinking Biblically

Our Couples Bible Study group is viewing and discussing a My Faith Votes free online video series “Think Biblically” led by faith experts to help Christians stand firm on God’s Holy unchanging Word and think biblically about culture and politics. The video series is designed for churches, small groups, families, friends, couples, or on your own. The focus is to help Christians firmly align their beliefs with God’s Word and gain an understanding of how their views of culture align with a biblical worldview.

A quote from Think Biblically website: “In today’s polarizing world, many struggle to anchor their views on the truth of God’s Word. Now, more than ever, Christians need to evaluate our nation’s issues through a biblical lens and stand with an unshakeable faith.”

Another free resource, even after the election, is from Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of Billy Graham and daughter of Franklin Graham. Fearless Family: Eight-Day Election Prayer Guide to take a biblical look at the issues affecting the heart of our families. Cissie writes, “Today, we are surrounded by a culture, both inside the church and out, that continues to compromise on truth and morality. It feels as if the only sin in America today is to call something sinful! Marriage, gender, sexuality, equality, and justice are simple words that have been twisted and redefined in ways God never intended. People are choosing to be ruled by their feelings rather than truth. My grandfather once said, ‘The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.’ We must have a strong faith if we want to have a strong nation!”

What Does It Mean to Think Biblically?

  • We’re guided by God’s Word and His truths alone, not the latest cultural or political trend or talking points.
  • We will not bend to political or social pressure.
  • We will not break our vows, promises, and adherence to God and His laws.
  • We will stand for our faith and biblical values, even when they’re unpopular, especially when they’re unpopular.
  • We won’t be intimidated or coerced into denying the Gospel. We will be proud of our faith never apologetic for our Christian beliefs.
  • We will fill our minds with Scripture not propaganda.
  • Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
  • Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:2
  • Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Pr. 4:23
  • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb. 4:12
  • All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

“Our battle is not between political parties—it’s a matter of good versus evil. Truth versus lies. And God’s absolute truth never changes—no matter how our culture tries to redefine it.” Cissie Graham Lynch

Please Pray and Vote on November 5th If You Haven’t Already!

If you’re undecided about how to vote, listen to this message by Pastor Jonny Ardavanis at Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, TN “Pastoral Perspective on Politics.”

Also join in a prayer group on Monday Nov. 4th as they take place online, in person, or in your own homes and churches. Pray for God’s will to take place at the voting polls. Election interference subverted. Truth and justice prevail.

My hope for after the election is “Revive in 2025.” I pray God is preparing us for a mighty revival and just as we became brave and bold speaking against the evil that one side is trying to legitimatize, we would continue supporting biblical values and God’s good and gracious plans for the America we’re so blessed to call home. No victory is ever won easily. It takes diligence, persistence, focus, and God’s wisdom and discernment.

This will be my last blog for the month of November. I want to thank you for letting me share what God puts on my heart each week. I pray no matter who wins this election, you’ll continue serving God wherever and however He calls you!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving month. To God be the glory for the things He has done and will continue to do until His Son, Jesus Christ, returns.

Here’s a beautiful song from Danny Gokey, My America. Listen, watch, enjoy.

Please leave your comments here and I will reply.

November 4, 2024
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The Lies Satan Uses to Deceive Christians and Churches

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You’ve heard it said, maybe you’ve said it yourself, “Christians and the church should stay out of politics.” Satan has used that lie effectively to transform America from a country that honored God and godly principles to electing a current administration that bows to evil demonic ideologies. It’s been a steady progression to a tipping point of a 2024 American presidential ticket with two progressive extreme left neo-Marxists! Both of the candidates on that ticket have demonstrated a lack of integrity, honesty, and morals, while embracing Marxist ideologies that attempt to replace God with government.

By trying to become gods without submitting to the God, they rebel against Romans 13:1-2. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (vs. 1).  We’re only to honor government that acknowledges its authority comes from God. Those currently in power, and seeking to keep power, fall under the second verse.  2 “Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority [of God] is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

God has more to say to governing rebels about their insolence.

There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Pr. 6:16-19 NLT

How did these kinds of people get into power? We let them! Christians and the church, which should’ve put on their armor of God to speak loudly and boldly against evil and demonic inroads in our government, instead chose complacency, apathy, and silence. What are some of those evil principles you might be asking. Here’s just a few demonic travesties the progressive liberal left champions . . .

  • Federally codify as a “constitutional right” the savage and barbaric murder-on-demand of human babies in the womb, even after birth, calling it “healthcare” or “women’s reproductive rights.” Some blue states, including Minnesota under Governor Walz, have already codified this in their state constitutions and at least two babies in Minnesota were left to die after birth. The destruction of human babies during abortion would be vehemently condemned on rats, but if you speak or pray too loudly to protect human babies from being viciously murdered, you might be arrested.
  • Allow malpractice doctors to hormonally and surgically mutilate and castrate minor children deceitfully calling it “healthcare.” Walz deemed Minnesota a “sanctuary state” for this atrocity on children. Walz will take your children from you if you don’t agree to letting your child’s body be permanently altered and made infertile.
  • Allow unvetted illegal aliens to invade our borders, obtain citizen benefits, vote in elections, and thereby facilitate child sex trafficking and smuggling of drugs killing thousands of children and adults. Harris, the “border czar” for the past 3 ½ years, encouraged and facilitated this invasion.
  • Voter fraud.
  • Incarcerating political prisoners, conducting legal warfare against political opponents, while letting criminals go free.
  • Children taught perverted sex practices in school starting in kindergarten.
  • Children brainwashed and indoctrinated in schools to believe the lie that they can change their gender and parents coerced into agreeing with it, never told, or threatened with loss of parental rights if they don’t agree.
  • Children exposed to obscene and pornographic books in school and public libraries.
  • Forcing people to take an experimental vaccine or lose their job or military status and closing churches, which Walz did in Minnesota during Covid.
  • Allow men to compete in women’s sports, undress and shower in women’s locker rooms, and use women’s bathrooms in schools where governors like Walz put feminine hygiene products in boys’ bathrooms.
  • Pro-Hamas, anti-Israel protests encouraged not condemned, while pulling back support for Israel.
  • Promoting and financing a “climate change” “green new deal” scam/hoax.

You might think what decadent country would allow such evil? You’re living in that country right now! Everything on that partial list is allowed and legalized, either federally and/or in blue Democrat run states.

Yet, how many of you have heard a sermon on any of this evil? How many of you have spoken out against it? How many of you realize that every moral issue we hold dear as Christians is being politicized because Christians stayed silent and let it happen while falling prey to the lie from hell that Christians shouldn’t be “political” or participate in government. That’s like saying Christians shouldn’t be emotional, logical, moral, or take a stand against evil. Instead, Christians should relinquish religious freedoms of their families, friends and neighbors to the diabolical policies of an anti-God government without objecting. Wrong!

Lies straight from the pit of hell. Satan wants Christians to cower as he exerts his authority and power on the world with no pushback from those who have the Holy Spirit’s power inside but fail to tap into it. Just like when the serpent taunted Eve with the famous question that led to sin creating death for us all, “Did God really say that?”

Yes, God told us to combat evil wherever and whenever we see it manifested in our own lives, in the lives of others, and in the public square. Christians have civic duties and responsibilities. The lie that the church should restrict itself to solely preaching the Gospel, but not teach how to take the Gospel into the world to combat evil is from Satan’s playbook, not God’s Holy Book.

God is in Politics!

God created government and politics just like He created every element of our lives and the world. God and godly men got involved in politics throughout the Bible!

From Genesis to Revelation, we see the history of good and bad governments and the destruction of society when an evil regime is in power. Often, a prophet of God gave wise godly political council to leaders like Moses whose father-in-law Jethro told him to establish a government structure. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments laws to govern the people. Daniel and Joseph found themselves in ungodly governments, but didn’t acquiesce or stay silent. Each spoke God’s truth to those in political power and ended up in high positions in government serving righteously. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul as King, but later spoke God’s truth boldly against Saul’s misdeeds. The prophet Nathan confronted King David about using his power in government immorally and Nathan counseled David’s son, King Solomon.

I could go on with biblical examples throughout history. Here’s the point: we need godly men and women today who are willing to serve in government. We need churches encouraging Christians to get involved in developing and supporting righteous laws and combatting evil however and wherever the Lord leads, but especially using their God-given right to vote. There is nothing prohibiting a pastor from telling his congregation to vote their faith and biblical beliefs. He should be discipling and guiding them in what biblically based faith looks like. He can do that in a nonpartisan biblical way.

God didn’t create us to be puppets at the mercy of whoever is in power when they’re evil. God is the ultimate power, but He gave us responsibility and authority to occupy this land until His return. We’re not one-dimensional human subjects or slaves to whomever is in charge. We the people are the government and with prayer and research, we determine who we want to oversee the government structure that works best for the citizens. We’re actually the boss, not the White House.

Political Engagement is An Important Stewardship for Christians!

We’re to infuse God and His ways into every area of life from the family to the frontlines of government. Nothing in the Bible tells us to stand down and submit to evil. Instead, we’re to take our biblical worldview into every corner of the earth and every activity under heaven, including politics and government.

Many argue that politics is divisive and we only want unity in the church. People will always have different opinions over everything from the music to the color of the carpet or maybe even no carpet. It doesn’t mean we don’t talk about our differences and work them out and the same should be said of political views.

The unifying factor is always the Bible. What does the Bible say about all the issues I’ve mentioned in this article? That’s what pastors and congregants should be talking about. Do we just acquiesce to the culture or do we use the Bible and biblical principles to create a revival in culture?!

We’re in our current cultural evil wokeness because of apathy, crowdedness, fear, lack of knowledge, and unwillingness to get involved. The Bible counters every one of those weapons of Satan. In Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith, I give examples of fifty women in the Bible and twenty-eight modern-day brave women who understood how to put their faith into action and change history for the good of their families, communities, and in many cases, their nation.

Pastor Jack Hibbs Gets It!

I was thrilled to read in The Christian Post that Pastor Jack Hibbs at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California, one of the bluest and most progressive liberal governed states in the union, is implementing exactly what I’m discussing in this article. He’s not afraid and he refuses to back down and let California be consumed by the anti-Christ spirit that’s been ruling my birth state for far too long. Pastor Hibbs’ church is conducting a “Comeback California Tour” that seeks to equip churches legally and effectively to get involved in the political process ahead of the November general election.

“For several months, I would say at least … four, five months, we’ve been putting our plan together, actual details, inviting the churches where we’re actually stopping, talking to the pastors,” Gina Gleason, who leads the church’s Real Impact ministry that’s devoted to equipping churches “to stand for righteousness in the public square,” told The Christian Post. Churches will also be able “to obtain voter and church-compliant election resources” and interact with local candidates.

“California is at a crossroads, urgently needing the Church’s influence to reverse the moral decline and stand in the gap for our children, families and communities,” the website states. The events are an effort to “unite Christians to bring the values of Scripture and the light of Christ to our state, helping us rebuild and restore our communities,” it adds. 

The “Comeback California Tour” is part of a broader effort by the California megachurch to get churches involved in the political sphere.

That’s what I’m talking about! God created culture to be intertwined with the church. God created politics. Satan is using another lie to separate the Gospel and politics, which aren’t exclusive of each other. They’re dependent on each other. Many people still labor under the lie that the Constitution sets them apart but the Constitution and Bill of Rights were based on the Bible. Only man has tried to separate them. God established the law in the very beginning of time!

I believe the coming election in November will determine whether America experiences God’s grace or judgement. Freedom or Marxism. I believe He’s looking to see how many good men and women there are in the church who aren’t afraid to mix the Gospel with government the way it was always meant to be.

A false Christianity says we’re not to take politics into the church and Christ into government. There’s a mantel on believer’s today just as there was on Elisha, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, all the Old Testament Prophets, Deborah, Esther, Daniel, Joseph, David, John the Baptist, the disciples, and of course, Jesus Christ to witness to all people everywhere whether in church or the public square, “Thus sayeth the Lord. . .”

Jesus didn’t solely preach the Gospel. He covered all of life including sex, marriage, family, gender, lying, finances, health, work, business, children, babies, prodigals, adultery, sin, government . . . everything!

As Christians, we must be part of God’s solution to our nation’s problems, not cower as a silent majority letting our country be destroyed as our failed legacy to our children and grandchildren. We have a moral and spiritual obligation to speak out against evil and share the truth. Would we have been silent about slavery as so much of the church is silent about murdering babies or mutilating children?

What gospel are we preaching when we let evil prevail? Silence actually enables evil. We’re complicit with evil when we do nothing. Because we know who God is, we need to care who the President of our country is because he or she will determine if we’re a country under God or under Satan! Morals or evils will rule in our land!

You can be sure the other side is not going to stay silent. They’re going to get involved in the spiritual and political battle. I know what side I’m on and how I’ll be involved promoting good versus evil in this election, which will determine if we remain a free republic. Please pray for God to lead and guide you where He wants you to go and what action He wants you to take. If we don’t do something together, we’ll lose this nation we love and want to pass on to the next generations.

 O my people, listen to my instructions.
    Open your ears to what I am saying,
2     for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3     stories we have heard and known,    stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
    we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
    about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
    he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
    to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
    even the children not yet born—
    and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
    not forgetting his glorious miracles
    and obeying his commands.
8 Then they will not be like their ancestors—
    stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
    refusing to give their hearts to God. Ps. 78:1-8 NLT

I hope you’ll listen to this short interview with Jason Yates of My Faith Votes and Eric Metaxas author of Letter to the American Church and the movie by the same name. Check out My Faith Votes to see how you might get involved in your state and the free video series Think Biblically for your small group, Bible study, or Sunday school class.

After finishing this blog, I read the article by Mark Gerson: “The Solution to Woke Insanity Can Be Found in an Unexpected Source. Moses and Joseph both needed to be publically truthful and that’s what woke insanity also needs.” I didn’t want to make my article any longer by quoting this excellent article, but please take the time to hit on the link and read it. God just confirmed to me that my blog today was exactly the one I was supposed to write to you. Take your time. Read them both and then pray about what you’ve read.

Please leave a comment here and I will reply.

August 12, 2024
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The Great Debate that Begs the Question: Who is the Real Commander in Chief of the United States?

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This week, we cautiously and with trepidation anticipate the celebration of July 4th in remembrance of our great country winning independence from under the rule of England. So why do I use the descriptive words “cautiously” and “trepidation” when this is typically a day of joyous celebratory parties and BBQs in backyards, parks, and beaches commencing in nighttime fireworks displays? Because most Americans are asking and concerned about, “Whose rule are we under now?”

During the June 27th presidential debate between former President Trump and current President Biden, the world could no longer deny that Biden is president in title only. It doesn’t matter your political or religious persuasion, nationality, or ideology . . . it’s evident to the world that someone else, or a cabal, is running our country and probably has been since January 22, 2021. Americans aren’t truly free or independent right now. An unelected person or people are making decisions and executive actions destroying our free republic. We’re entitled to know who ‘they’ are. Instead of pondering and speculating, Congress should be demanding and investigating answers!

Hal Lindsey put it best in his blog of June 30, 2024:

“If you watched the US Presidential debate on June 27th, you don’t need me to tell you what you saw. If you are a Democrat, the debate probably left you at least somewhat troubled. If you are a Republican, you probably feel that your guy won. Still, I don’t see Republicans dancing in the street. (Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Republicans dancing in the street.) You might expect exuberance from Republicans at so large a perceived victory. Instead, I see Americans of all political persuasions held in the grip of a deep sense of unease.”

Did you ever think we would be living in a time when love of country, respect for the American Flag, and standing for the National Anthem would become controversial? Who is deeming patriotism as racist, toxic, and deplorable?  

The federal government is attempting to divide Americans into identity groups and pit them against each other. Children are taught in school to judge each other by skin color and question their own biological gender! Young children are castrated with their bodies surgically mutilated while a “Biden” trans official pressures the woke organization “The World Professional Association of Transgender Health” (WPATH) to eliminate limits on sex-change procedures for minors?! (Did you even know there was an association like that?)

A radial climate hoax is ruining our economy while millions of unvetted illegals from all countries, including our enemies, storm our open borders. Men invade women’s sports and private areas. DEI replaces Dependable, Expert, Intelligent, and even Skilled.  College students protest in favor of terrorists . . . and the list goes on and on and on . . .

Can America Be Saved?

It’s alarming what’s happening in our federal and some state governments, but what’s even more alarming is that many people think merely electing someone else will solve all our problems. It will certainly help, but since the current administration’s agenda is demonic, the only real way to fight Satan is with a populace who understands and appreciates the power of God and persistent prayer while voting their values and beliefs! America must repent and turn to God not government to save our country.

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Hal Lindsey continues . . .

“We have good reason for concern. As a nation, we are not embracing the self-discipline needed to maintain liberty. We are not repentant over our national sins. The nation tends to put its hope in men and technology — not in God. . . Maybe your side’s winning in the presidential race this year, or maybe — for the moment at least — it’s not. Either way, this is a time for humility and repentance. We are in trouble as a nation, and the answer is to turn to God our Father.” 

I love the song “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, and I sing along with him, especially the lines, “I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.” But I’m even prouder to be a Christian American!  A follower of Jesus Christ.

The current administrative cabal and the Democrat party are not loyal to America or proud to be American. They continually denounce us as a racist country and claim half the population, at least those who are conservative, Christian, white, drive pickups, and wave American flags, are a threat to our country?!

Instead, they’re attempting to see how far to the extreme Socialist, Communist, Marxist, tribal, racist, liberal, progressive left they can take America. They’re turning America into a country our forefathers wouldn’t recognize. A country where men and women of all colors gave, and continue to give, their lives to defend.

If you’re saying don’t make the 4th of July political—Independence Day marked the initiation of politics!

A Pop 4th of July Quiz

Have you watched a man-on-the-street interview asking people if they know facts about our country’s history? It’s embarrassing. I wonder how many could answer questions about the 4th of July and why it’s a national holiday?

“What does July 4th stand for?”

  • From what country did America fight to win their freedom?
  • Why is July 4th Independence Day?
  • What year was the Declaration of Independence signed and adopted?
  • What is the significance of 13 stripes and 50 stars?
  • Why are our patriotic colors red, white, and blue?
  • What does a national flag represent?
  • Why are caskets of fallen soldiers wrapped in the American flag?
  • Why do we have fireworks on the 4th of July?

How about asking these questions and offering a prize to the one who knows the most answers at your 4th of July gathering. Here’s a website with a succinct overview: History of the Fourth of July – Brief History & Early Celebrations – HISTORY

So much of our history is lost in a culture that is trying to rewrite it and has forgotten our Christian roots. Liberal left progressive politicians want to erase our heritage as if it never happened and turn a republic of freedoms into a country of government socialistic control. They make it sound like the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness isn’t as valuable as the carrots they dangle of free healthcare, free college, free immigration free… free…which the naïve lap up without realizing nothing is free. Americans will pay the price with the loss of sovereignty and personal freedoms that so many brave soldiers gave their life to grant each of us. It will cost us dearly in taxes, independence, and quality of life.

Since the Biden cabal and “sanctuary states” want to give illegals free health insurance, they’ll need to put more than a 70% increase on our taxes to pay for it. How good do you think that healthcare is going to be when stretched to the limits with no money to back it and millions of extra people getting it for “free?” That’s why whoever is running the White House hasn’t given specifics of how they would achieve this.

Some politicians have said we’re the only major country without socialized healthcare. What Americans need to remember is the entire point of July 4th is we didn’t want to be like other nations. Other nations come to America for medical treatment. People are not migrating to other countries or invading other country’s borders; they come to America because we aren’t like other nations. The White House cabal has put out the welcome mat at the expense and threat to American citizens who are being murdered, raped, and robbed.

We Must Return to Our Roots!

For those who try to say we weren’t founded on Judeo Christian values, how do you explain our currency’s motto, “In God We Trust” NOT “In the government we trust”? While the liberal progressive socialist left tries moving our country away from God, Christians must stand in the gap and keep America a blessed nation under God.

The 4th of July celebrates the fight for freedom to be different from other countries. A republic of the people, by the people, and for the people. Where the government works for us NOT controls us.

As you plan your festivities—parades, BBQs, fireworks, pool parties, trips to the beach—how about starting those events with the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the National Anthem, and a prayer to God who has allowed us to live in this great country.

Remind children at the gatherings why you’re celebrating this holiday. Our generation must pass down to the next generation our country’s history and why we don’t want to repeat past mistakes. God has allowed each American to live in the greatest nation in the world, so far. Have you ever opened your eyes in the morning and said thank you God I’m an American? If we take God, freedom, and patriotism out of America, we won’t be able to say that anymore.

Let’s take a stand for what the majority of American people really want and deserve— A country that honors God and His Word first and foremost! Honors our flag and those who went before us to secure our freedoms. A fair justice system that adheres to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States of America!

May God bless America and may America be worthy of His blessing!

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. Zech. 14:9

Please leave a comment here and I will reply!

July 1, 2024
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6 Ways to Respond to Vileness, Vitriol, and Violence

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Last week, I wrote about a local business owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, who decided to counter “gay pride” month with “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month” at his establishment, The Old State Saloon (OSS) in Eagle, Idaho. Here’s the link to that blog if you haven’t read it yet. I did preface there that while we don’t drink, many restaurants we eat at do have a bar, we just don’t imbibe. Old Sate Saloon is no different, so they have our full support. Mark is a vocal Christian and I’ve since learned there’s a Bible Study on Sunday mornings at OSS for people who might never set foot in a church. Their Facebook post today, Saturday, as I’m writing this week’s blog read: “Don’t forget! Bible study Sunday morning at 10 am. This week we have a special guest teacher, David McClellan, who will be covering Ephesians 3.”

Their regular Sunday morning Bible study teacher wrote on OSS’s Facebook page: “Some people raise their eyebrows when they learn I teach a Bible study each Sunday morning in a Saloon. If you’re in the Treasure Valley, it’s 50 E State Street in Eagle. Start time is 10 am … we wrap up no later than 11. Everyone 21+ is welcome.” With that, he posted the opening meme in this article.

Mark Fitzpatrick’s fun, yet bold and firm, stand for heterosexuality and his Christian faith has gone viral across the nation, but predictably it’s also brought out vileness and vitriol on the Old State Saloon’s social media pages. So far, praise God, I haven’t heard of any violence, which we’ve prayed against for him all month. Mark said in the beginning that he was surprised at the vile vitriol in social media comments on their Facebook page and they would be removing any offensive comments using slander, foul language, or profanity.

I posted my last week’s blog, God Created Us Heterosexual and Idaho Celebrates That As Awesome, on OSS’s Facebook page, and as you might expect, the hate and vitriol flowed along with self-righteous comments. I’m sure many were also trolls with nothing better to do than write nasty, profane, and often heinous verbal attacks. I’ve learned to never engage with these sick people and just ignore them as they pour out their vitriol against my ministry, Christianity, and me.

I actually feel sorry for each one as I read their hateful ignorant slander with blasphemous memes against Jesus and Christians. Tragic that they’re living a lie and resort to vicious vileness that I doubt they’d be willing to say to Mark or my face. I doubt some of them even read my blog because no one left a comment on my website post. They were looking for a bigger audience on OSS’s Facebook page, which has attracted hundreds of comments since the publicizing of Heterosexual Awesomeness Month special events.

As I’ve been writing and speaking in the public forum for years, I’m not naive that people exist who troll on their phone or computers looking for an opportunity to spew vile words, while calling you hateful names and slinging accusations. They’re lost, deceived, maybe lonely, and either have never heard the Gospel or have rejected it. They need prayer, but not indulgence. They want you to respond so they can keep going, but when you ignore them, they don’t know if you’ve even read what they wrote. That surely frustrates them. What a sorry way to live!

Satan’s Offensive Playbook is Vileness, Vitriol, and Violence!

In the wake of the horrific Hamas attack on Israel, we’re watching violence on college campuses. Brainwashed kids protesting in favor of terrorists and creating mayhem are being allowed to setup encampments on the campuses, until they inevitably start destroying and defacing property. Sometimes they’re not even arrested or held accountable. It’s as if the college administrators are afraid of the students or think if they indulge them, they’ll get tired and go away. These kids obviously were never taught how to peacefully, politely, and intelligently express their viewpoint. Often, they have no idea what or why they’re even protesting. But they do know how to express vileness, vitriol, and violence!

Vile language and behavior, profane vitriol, and destructive violence do not come from the Holy Spirit, Jesus, or God. That means the only other spirit in our world, a satanic evil spirit, is producing this behavior. Have you noticed on the news during clips of violent protests or gay parades and speeches, all you hear are bleep, bleep, bleep, because the media can’t let those vile profanities be heard on television. So, the protestors aren’t saying anything intelligent, just a series of bleeps

Public TV also can’t show the true vileness of the lewd acts being performed in the streets during gay parades, often in front of little children, so you’re only seeing sanitized short clips, which are bad enough. And what about parents who expose young children to these vile obscenities and actions instead of protecting them from profanity and sexual lewdness?! These parents are letting their children be mentally and visually influenced by obscenity and immorality. Normalizing it as acceptable. After all, if your parents think it’s okay, it must be okay.

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. Pr. 23:24 NLT

Adults and children persuaded by satanic actions and rituals instead of godly purity and morals are opening themselves up to demonic behavior. I doubt the parents taking their children to gay parades or drag queen story hours are taking them to Sunday school. A power play of Satan versus God. We know who wins in the end, but how many souls will be lost along the way.

The Bible tells of people possessed or influenced by demons. From these examples, we can find some symptoms of demonic influence and gain insight as to how a demon possesses someone. Here are some of the biblical passages: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; Luke 4:33-36; Luke 22:3; Acts 16:16-18.

Demon possession is not always as dramatic as in biblical times, but it can cause the individual to say and perform evil acts. Judas being the main example. Or King Saul, after rebelling against the LORD, was troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 18:10-11; 19:9-10) with the apparent effect of a depressed mood and an increased desire to kill David. There’s a wide variety of possible symptoms of demon possession, such as a physical impairment that can’t be attributed to an actual physiological problem, a personality change such as depression or aggression, supernatural strength, immodesty, antisocial behavior, violent anger, spewing obscenities, lewdness, and sexual depravity.

In Judas’ case, he opened his heart to evil by his greed (John 12:6).  Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve (Luke 22:3). So, it’s possible that if one allows his heart to be ruled by some habitual sin, it becomes an invitation for a demon to enter, which always leads to ungodly behavior and a mindset against God as the apostle Paul told us in the following verses.

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. . . 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. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. . .  Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:21, 24-29, 32 NLT.

So How Should Christians Respond?

If you’re encountering vileness, vitriol, or threats of violence on social media or in person, here’s how I try to handle it. Maybe it will help you too.

  • Don’t try to one up, reason with, or engage them.

Attempting to change their mind is unlikely to succeed, but it will usually intensify the debate and consume considerable time and energy. Even though you’re sure you have the perfect response, in my experience, I’ve never seen anyone concede or surrender their opinion or verbal attack. Typically, they become more hostile while their vile vitriol escalates.

  • Ignore them.

I know that’s hard to do because you want to help them see the truth, but they’re just looking for an argument and you’ll only become more frustrated and irritated yourself.

  • Delete their comments and consider blocking them.

You’re not obligated to leave their vitriol on your social media and blocking them will prevent them from returning. You can also report them to the social media administrator. A troll is just looking for an argument and you have better things to do with your time.

  • In person, change the subject.

Offer your point of view if you want, but if the conversation is deteriorating, tell them to have a blessed day and move on. Don’t ever let Satan cause you to match their vileness, vitriol, or violent behavior.

  • Pray for them.

Hard as it is, Jesus tells us to love and pray for our enemies (Matt. 5:44-45). Maybe, just maybe, their eyes will open and the blinders fall off because they’re headed for a mental, emotional, and spiritual crash, if not already there. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Eph. 6:18

  • Our offensive playbook is the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph. 6:17

The apostle Paul also advised, Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Rom. 12:18 NLT

Please leave your comment here. I reply to all your comments and appreciate receiving them.

June 17, 2024
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Revenge of the ‘Normies’!

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If you’re like me, you’re longing for a past era when life seemed more normal. A time of universal ethical and moral values adhered to and abided by most people. No one questioned whether they were a boy or girl of if they could do the impossible and change genders. Borders had meaning. Marriage was between a man and a woman. The justice system was trustworthy. White House occupants loved America. You just want to be a “normie” again.

But we’re living in an upside-down world of crazies who try and gaslight us that what we’re paying at the grocery store or gas pump is normal. It’s always been this way and, anyway, you have plenty of money in your pocket to pay inflation costs that the current administration imposes on you. And what’s all the fuss about the border? It’s closed.

No, the border isn’t closed as thousands of unvetted illegals flood across every day and night. No, we don’t believe the inflation rate was 9% when Biden became president! Yes, we know how much we paid for things under President Trump and the inflation rate was 1.4% when he left office. It’s been rising every month since Biden took office. Under Biden, all Americans have faced increasingly higher prices for food, gasoline, and other common household items. And while prices have been going up, wages have been going down, placing additional stress on family finances. That’s not normal!

No, we aren’t better off now than we were under Trump; we’re barely getting by. Oh, and what about the war we’re financing, while pulling support for our ally Israel? What about the Biden administration trying to make you believe it’s normal for naked men and women to gyrate down public streets in front of children in garish outfits with girls kissing girls and guys kissing guys. Not just in the streets, but in children’s programs, TV programs, and movies. Men allowed to play in women’s sports. A presidential cabinet with a man masquerading as a woman, another man married to a man, as Biden brags he has the most diverse staff in history. That would be true, but that doesn’t make it a good thing. It’s not normal!

And what about our justice system, which in the past was something we could tout and trust as the best in the world. Now under Biden, we’ve deteriorated into a banana republic. When he knows there’s no way he can gaslight enough people to vote for him with even Democrats denouncing the party, he resorts to trying to use lawfare to unlawfully imprison his opponent who he can’t beat at the polls. Not normal!

A friend shared a meme with me that reads:

Liberals: “If we could just jail Trump, get rid of MAGA, end the Electoral College, stack the Supreme Court, ban voter ID, and censor free speech, we could save democracy.”

That’s not normal. It’s tyranny, which we’re teetering on the edge of right now.

  • Biden calls normies and mommies terrorists and an existential threat.
  • Clinton calls normies deplorables and a cult that needs deprogramming.
  • Hochul calls normies clowns who should leave New York and go to Florida.

What Does Revenge of the Normies Look Like?

The revenge of the normies has a unique way of showing our dissatisfaction. Instead of creating riots in the streets, importing paid professional protestors, and burning cars and buildings, the normies prayerfully went to their dwindling checkbooks resulting in “record” fundraising for the Trump campaign, which raised nearly $53 million in the first 24 hours after Trump was found guilty of all 34 contrived felony counts in the fraudulent criminal trial in New York City. $34.8 million came in from 6 p.m. ET to midnight immediately after the verdict in the case went public.

The campaign said fundraising was “nearly double the biggest day ever recorded for the Trump campaign on the WinRed platform” and emphasized that the guilty verdicts “have awakened the MAGA movement like never before.” Normies are waking up!

That news is definitely a threat to the Biden campaign and deplorable to Hilary. Hochul isn’t laughing now since she allowed this travesty to take place in her state where everyone knew the judge, jury, DA, and Biden-picked prosecutor would all be Trump haters with the biased and unfair persecution of a political opponent that places New York on the map as a banana republic.

In a normal world, an elderly man with dementia, who can’t be prosecuted in court for his crimes because he is too feeble and forgetful, would not be considered a viable candidate to lead the free world! Only in an abnormal world!

In a normal world, we wouldn’t have an entire month or even an entire day devoted to a secular celebration of taking pride in blatant sin! Only in an abnormal world!

Trying to normalize crazy will NEVER fly with the normies, who must engage with the culture and take action now like only normies can. So, what do we do?

  1. We Pray. Our action should always begin with prayer. But get ready my fellow normies. When you pray, God is going to give you action steps He wants you to take, and you must be ready and obedient when you hear the call. That call will be different for each of us, but you’ll know when God speaks. He’s never coy, always direct.
  2. We Read Our Bibles. Numerous Scriptures apply to our current times. One that I heard on Flashpoint the night of Trump’s guilty verdict was Psalm 112. Even though we might be angry, frustrated, even worried about the thought of another four years under the current regime, God has a plan. Think how long Joseph was in prison before he was elevated to the highest position in the land. Those who are bringing up Trump’s sordid past, I would use Jesus’ admonition from Scripture, “Let any one of you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7).

Then there’s the Scripture that’s so hard to follow where we’re told to love our enemies and actually pray for those who persecute us. (Matt. 5:43-48) The way I apply that to the evil I see, especially with Biden who is a pathological liar and so corrupt, is to pray he would have a soul reformation. Wake up one morning to the pride and power that’s overtaken his sense of right and wrong, and repent. Me of little faith, I can’t imagine it happening, but nothing is impossible with God. (Matt. 19:26)

Here’s Psalm 112 that we normies can personalize for ourselves to count it all joy when we encounter persecution and trials or when it seems like evil is winning. (James 1:2-4)

Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord
    and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
    an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
    and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
    and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news;
    they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless
    and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
    They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
    They will grind their teeth in anger;
    they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

  1. United We Stand: Satan would love to divide normies and get us going at each other. That would definitely be our downfall. “They” like to call us the silent majority, but we must be silent no more. So many Scriptures tell us to stand strong together. Even when they try to knock us down or divide us, as they will do, we know what we believe and are committed to never give up and never give in! What comes to mind is an old hymn “I Know Whom I Have Believed” published in 1883 by Daniel. W. Whittle

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him. I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see. I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

  1. We Vote Our Faith: Normies must vote! We have no right to complain or bemoan our government or the economy when we sit home on Election Day. Statistics show that only one in three Christian normies vote. That’s pathetic. We would not be in the mess our country is in right now if the other two-thirds researched the platforms of those running for office and voted their beliefs and faith. Can you imagine how different our world would be then?!

That’s why I’ve become so involved in serving in the My Faith Votes Ministry. It’s not political. It’s biblical, informative, encouraging, and motivational to take action to get normies off the couch and out to the voting booths. We can make a difference. For those who don’t think voting is worth their time, just look at what’s happening as our country is deteriorating. The men who literally sacrificed everything to give us the Constitution and Bill of Rights thought politics and voting was important to maintain our freedom and many men and women have since risked their life for those freedoms.

Politics has become a dirty connotation, but it runs throughout the Bible starting in the Old Testament. Joseph became the highest political figure in the government, as did Daniel. David was a King. 1 and 2 Kings are devoted to the stories of good and bad political leaders, as are 1 and 2 Judges, 1 and 2 Chronicles. God has used politics for good in the past, but Satan hijacks politics when God’s people aren’t diligent. When Jesus was on trial, people let themselves be persuaded by bad political and spiritual leaders and yelled, “crucify him.”

Normies know better than to be influenced by bad political or spiritual leaders. If we want some semblance of normal back in our country, our lives, and our children’s lives, we must pray, read our Bible, stand together in unity, and vote in the revenge of the normies Jesus-style. We don’t accept as normal or right anything wicked and wrong. We’re not afraid to speak God’s truth to lies and live counterculture. That’s normal!

“While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who has not surrendered authority.” –A. W. Tozer

The “Revenge of the Normies” opening picture is a meme created by Facebook friend Dana Pratola

Please leave your comments here. I will reply.

June 3, 2024
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What Is God’s Revelation in Harrison Butker’s Commencement Speech?

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If you follow me regularly, you’re not surprised with the topic God has me writing about this week, as it has relentlessly filled the news cycles. Actually, there’s so much written about it, I wondered what I could share that you hadn’t already read or heard.

But I think I might be able to offer a different perspective and how we as committed Christians can find hope and encouragement to share our own faith and beliefs as openly and honestly as Harrison Butker did, especially when like him, we’re speaking to our faith peers. The world notices when we speak out because typically, we tend to keep our beliefs inside the walls of our church. Or we let the atrocities and evil we see daily in our culture not affect us personally, emotionally, or spiritually.

Even though we don’t all have a platform like Harrison Butker, a three-time Super Bowl Kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, God will reveal to us places and times we can be bold for Him. I don’t know much about football. I had to ask my husband if a “kicker” only plays on the field when it’s time to kick the ball. While his kick can determine the outcome of a game, he’s also only visible when kicking.

Yet, Butker was quite visible when he gave a commencement speech on his own time at Benedictine College, not as a Chief’s Kicker, but as a Catholic man, husband, and father to an audience of Catholic graduating students. As a speaker myself, it’s imperative to know your audience and speak to issues that will affect, motivate, and encourage them. When I speak to a group of Christian women, I’m not addressing the secular world or media. I might speak about those topics and my thoughts on how we can be a light in a dark world or even change it, but I’m not expecting the secular culture to agree with me.

I may however receive a negative response to something I write publicly. For example, I posted on a community Facebook group page about pornographic books targeting children in our local library that started a firestorm of positive and negative comments. I was surprised at all the negatives, but soon I knew I’d touched on a topic that liberals expect conservatives to just tolerate as “normal,” accept, and stay silent. Unfortunately, that’s been our typical pattern which is how we’ve arrived at orgy parades in front of children during a month devoted to sin, coming up in a couple of weeks. The left also promotes killing babies in their mother’s wombs as “normal healthcare,” so when conservatives speak out against anything evil, we’re the “radical” “extreme” ones.

The next time I posted something on the community Facebook page, I was prepared for the pushback. I told the first person with a snarky comment that I was expecting this and they didn’t disappoint. I suggested they were the very ones who needed to hear my message most. The result was silence and no one else has posted a negative remark yet.

Did Butker expect the firestorm he started? I rather doubt it. I’ve heard him interviewed before. He speaks out against abortion often and the left’s woke evil agenda. But this time was different. People in the media, who he wasn’t speaking to, felt they needed to chime in and critically attack him for having values different than the woke ones they’re trying to normalize. They got defensive because they expect us to literally let them call good evil and evil good, shut up, and take it.

The culture, starting at the White House, has rejected God and God’s way of life and we’re watching violence, crime, broken families, single-parent families, divorce, Marxism, suicide especially amongst teens, addictions, dissatisfaction with how God made you, war on women, pro-terrorist support, and lies called gaffes from a president who lies every time he opens his mouth.

Some criticized Butker’s speech because they said he was taking women back to the 50’s. That’s rich from the same people advocating the erasure of women and can’t even define a woman. They believe women should be more like a man or replaced by a man pretending to be “her”! Women should have abortions because the economy needs more women in the workplace instead of nurturing families at home. How absurd and evil is that!!

The graduates at Benedictine College in Butker’s audience didn’t protest or walk out. They were respectful, applauded often, and gave him a standing ovation. That’s the difference between a Catholic or Christian College like ORU where they sang praise songs at commencement, and the elite indoctrination colleges where students tear up their diplomas, hold up signs for terrorism, yell, walk out, and disrupt the speaker. Which student would you want to hire? Which student would you be proud of as a parent?

What’s All the Fuss?

If you haven’t heard, the NFL Kansas City Chief’s Kicker Harrison Butker gave a commencement speech at a Catholic College where he spoke about not only his own Catholic faith practices, but also what were probably the same beliefs of every Catholic student in the audience. They had a common ground and common faith foundation, so he was mentoring and confirming how to live out their faith in the real world. Critics who weren’t students, and in most cases weren’t Catholic, were offended by his profession of faith and how dare him share it in the public square?!

Every day the liberal news is full of glowing articles praising and glamorizing the antics of his fellow Chiefs player Kelce consorting with Taylor Swift. They think it’s big news that should interest us. They love writing about his childish antics like jugging a beer during his commencement speech. But when a clean cut, Catholic married father speaks on the virtues of loving, providing for, and cherishing your wife and family as a masculine husband and father, those same news pundits go crazy. How dare he speak of virtues like that to impressionable college students! How dare he say that God blessed women with the capability of birthing and nurturing children! How dare he declare that God created marriage to be between a husband and wife!

The NFL had their “chief diversity and inclusion officer” issue a statement distancing the league from him, and as you read this, 150,000 people have demanded his immediate firing. Head Coach Andy Reed says no way. “I’m not losing a great kicker to this whole woke thing. Not on my watch… If they get rid of Harrison. They get rid of me.”

 Jason Yates’, CEO of MyFaithVotes, in an email to MFV Action Partners shared some points in Butker’s pro-faith speech that critics found offensive.

On Biden: “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally.”

On Women: “It is you, the women, who’ve had the most diabolical lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

On Men: “…the absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation. Be unapologetic in your masculinity. Fight against the cultural emasculation of men.”

On Pride Month: “I’m certain the reporters at the AP couldn’t have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine [University] wouldn’t be met with anger, but…with excitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it. But the true God-centered pride that’s cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify Him.”

Yates concluded with: “This attempt to CANCEL Harrison Butker is nothing but anti-Christian bigotry. We cannot allow Christian values to be pushed out of the public square.”

God Will Use All of This for The Lord’s Glory!

Do you respect the NFL that stood behind Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the National Anthem, hosting pride celebrations and jerseys, drag shows at games, silent when players arrested for spousal abuse, reckless drunk driving, murder…but one of their players speaks out for God and godly values and they disavow him? Is this an organization you care about what they think?

Do you care what the gossiping liberal women on The View think?

Do you care about liberal media’s meltdown over conservatives and Christians?

Here’s my “view.” When the culture wants to cancel you, you’re probably doing something right! Wear it like a badge. It’s an honor when the world persecutes you for your faith because you’ve hit a nerve. They know in their core that what they’re doing and saying is wrong, but Satan has convinced them his ways are more fulfilling than God’s ways. In the end, everyone will answer to God for their choices and actions. Satan leaves that truth out of his crusade for perversion and sin.

What Satan means for evil, God will use as good. Butker could literally be saying today, like Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen. 50:20).

Benedictine is a small college, but just look at how many people are actually reading or listening to Butker’s speech that has gone viral. His enemies are listening to it, even though they take much of it out of context. His truths, even when ridiculed, are broadcast on every news channel, talk show, social media, written commentaries, and opinion articles.

Even atheist liberal “Real Time” host Bill Maher defended Butker’s right to profess his beliefs and points out the hypocrisy of the attacks. Maher said, “I can’t express how much this guy is not like me. He’s religious. He loves marriage. He loves kids… And he’s now history’s greatest monster . . . Again, I don’t agree with much with this guy, but he said… ‘Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world.’ Ok, that seems fairly, like, modern. ‘But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.’ I don’t see what the big crime is. I really don’t . . . I find it very ironic that he’s saying, ‘You know what, in my world, you know, we like the women to stay at home and just have babies’ and the college kids and the young people find this absolutely abhorrent, but they’re demonstrating for Hamas, who make that the law! . . . It’s not just an opinion in Hamas, that you stay home and have the babies. They will enforce you [to do] that!”

Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax did an entire opening monologue defending Butker, saying the critics expect us to just stay silent when we’re offended. If you speak up, you’re vilified. We’re supposed to be tolerant to forceful indoctrination.

Then Schmitt interviewed Christian Jason Whitlock who reiterated that culture has abandoned God. In the interview Schmitt admitted, “I’m not a particularly religious person, and I don’t really share that with many people. But I can see what’s happening to our society and I can see the general hedonism that we’ve moved towards, and I can see the decay. I can see the loss of the quality of life as we move more towards leftism. More towards where the state is the thing to be worshipped rather than something above. I can just feel the failings of that ideology. I don’t believe necessarily everything that he [Butker] said, I disagree with him on a number of points, but I would never be offended by what he said, and I would never stop him from saying them. There are people vilifying this man and when you listen to his speech, he’s just such a kind-hearted good person who cries talking about meeting his wife. Their anger is so interesting to me.”

Jason Whitlock’s response addressed Schmitt’s admitted lack of faith! “Rob, I appreciate the transparency and the honesty. I do think that as time continues to pass, I think you’re going to come more and more into the understanding of why religious faith is so important and why Christianity is so important.”

Whitlock was able to actually witness to Schmitt on TV and Schmitt was intensely listening. Hear the entire interview here.

I hope that Butker is overlooking the negative criticism, while smiling at how often his faith values are being spoken over the airways and written in words.

Could anyone speak their faith today and not be called offensive or divisive? Are the critics suggesting we should just stay silent when we’re offended? Butker believes, as do I, that the lack of faith in God and Jesus is largely responsible for the culture’s moral decline. Like many of us, he wasn’t afraid to say so. I applaud him!

Here’s what we can never forget—good will NEVER unite with evil. There’s no grey area. So, for those saying his speech was divisive, it wasn’t divisive to his Catholic audience. It was marching orders to take your faith into everything God calls you to do. The only people who call it divisive are those who are complacent and tolerant of evil. That would not, and should not, be Jesus followers. Jesus came into the world to forgive us our sins not to be tolerant, complacent, or accepting of sin.

Good can NEVER unite with evil. In today’s culture, everyone wants us to go along with evil, but we must speak up just as Butker did. Satan wants us to be quiet and let evil reign, but we must NEVER let that happen. Jesus had a dividing line. All Butker did was speak truth. Let’s pray more of us start following his example.

I think his Chief’s jersey #7 is prophetic! The number 7 holds profound biblical significance, symbolizing completion, perfection, and rest. It’s mentioned over 700 times in the Bible — more than any other number, indicating its significance in biblical narrative and prophecy. This number’s recurrence is no coincidence — in fact, it reflects divine order and the spiritual completeness found in God’s creation.

It looks like many people, especially women, are going to be wearing #7, since it’s reported that Harrison Butker’s jersey is the most popular in the NFL shop and women’s jerseys are sold out for now!

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. Philippians 1:20 NLT

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Johsua 1:9

Full Text: Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs Graduation Speech| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com)

Better yet, listen to his emotion as he gives this speech. Harrison Butker | Commencement Address 2024 | Benedictine College (youtube.com)

Do you agree with this article heading? Harrison Butker, Not His Critics, Represents the Mainstream!

You might also enjoy reading one of my past blogs A Society Crumbles That Doesn’t Recognize Sin! — Woman to Woman Mentoring

Please leave a comment here. I appreciate reading them and I always reply.

May 20, 2024
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Don’t Lose HOPE for America

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Sometimes we just need to hear some good news amongst the evil that fills the news cycle today. It’s almost as if God is creating a spiritual revival on some college campuses while others are full of destructive hate and violence. No greater evidence of the spiritual war we’re living through now is that while Israel fights for its survival, America retracts support as we experience a steady decline under the current administration.

Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, And whoever curses Israel will be cursed. Numbers 24:9

“I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations.” Gen. 12:3 GNT

What’s Happening to College Students Today?!

In last week’s blog, I wrote about the urgent need to protect women’s rights from Biden’s proposed unconstitutional changes to Title IX that would replace biological sex with gender identity allowing men to invade women’s sports. Some have asked, “Where are the feminists who are supposed to be protecting women’s rights? Why aren’t they objecting?”

One icon of feminism in the past, Phyllis Chesler, answered that question in an opinion article subtitled, Feminism is no longer interested in women’s rights, it focuses on identity rights where she wrote:

“Young American women are in precipitous free fall. When they are not agreeing to be “choked” during sex, opting for “lazy girl jobs” on TikTok, becoming stay-at-home girlfriends, raving about a Barbie doll movie, or dressing like Taylor Swift, they are out marching or sitting in for everything except women’s rights. 

“It is a sorry sight to behold: college-age American women committing civil disobedience on behalf of savagely misogynistic terrorist organizations; hypnotically joining in Muslim prayers on campus and happily donning hijab – even as Muslim women in Iran and Afghanistan are being jailed and even murdered for refusing to do so. There they are, these faux-feminists, speaking on panels and demonstrating for prison reform and against the police.

“Like the Democrat Party, they too are no longer interested in a sex-based Equal Rights amendment but in an amendment geared to Identity Rights. In their view, it is only “fair” that transwomen, (aka men), be allowed to compete with “cisgender” women (aka real women), in sports, occupy women-only jails, share locker rooms, showers and bathrooms with those who menstruate, get pregnant, give birth, breast-feed, experience menopause, etc.”  

Sadly, Chesler just described the indoctrinated and radicalized pro-terrorist female, and male, students on many college campuses today, ignorantly and complicitly manipulated by evil. We lament that they represent the future that could destroy our country if they don’t come to their senses soon.

Revival Is Congruently Taking Place!

At the same time these social atrocities are happening on some college campuses, revival is also happening on other college campuses. Hundreds responded to the gospel, gave their life to Christ, and were baptized this past March at the University of Alabama where thousands of students gathered. The spiritual awakening that we first saw last year at Asbury College shows no signs of slowing down.

Hundreds were also baptized at Auburn University last fall and Florida State University in February. Just two weeks ago, 8,000 students gathered on the campus of the University of Tennessee at a Unite US event geared toward GenZers that presents the Gospel message to students at different college campuses. At Unite US latest event in Thompson-Boiling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, 5000 students gathered with hundreds dedicating their lives to Christ and baptizing over 120 students outside the arena.

One church in Tampa recently baptized almost 1,000 people at the beach and The Church of Eleven22 baptized more than 1600 people on the shores of Hanna Park Beach in Jacksonville, Fl. last week. Praise God! “It doesn’t get much better than that,” said Pastor Joby Martin, founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22, in a statement. “The church is alive and well, the Spirit of God is on the move, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is still changing lives as it has for thousands of years.”

On May 8, the 79th anniversary of the Nazis surrendering to the allies, Sean Feucht’s “Let Us Worship” ministry hosted an inter-faith “United for Israel Rally” at the University of Southern California (USC), one of the many universities plagued with anti-Israeli protestors calling for “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.” Instead of those hate-filled chants, Christian worship music filled the streets of Los Angeles as Christians, Jews, and Muslims chanted a different message: “Never Again!” and “Jewish Hate Must Go!”

This was a follow-up to a similar march and rally by Feucht in April at Columbia University in New York City, drawing 4500 attendees! Feucht told CBN News he believes the “United for Israel” rally can change “the entire environment” of what is taking place in the nation. “They come with darkness, violence, and hate. We come with unity, hope, and joy!”

“More than anything I feel like this gives hope to America,” Feucht said. “There are people that are going to rise up with courage and boldness, that are going to say, ‘Enough. We’re going to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters; we’re going to respond to the command in Genesis 12 that says, ‘I’ll bless those who bless you. I’ll curse those that curse you.'”

And who can forget the opening picture of this blog where a dozen University of North Carolina frat brothers encountering protesters pelting them with insults and flying water bottles, stood their ground around the American flag and didn’t allow it to be taken down or touch the ground.

“These people wanted to tear down the flag, and we were there to protect it,” Pi Kappa Phi member Brendan Rosenblum said. “Me and my friends did not allow that to happen.”

The standoff began when pro-Palestinian protestors raised the Palestinian flag on the pole. UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, accompanied by police officers, took it down and re-hung the U.S. flag, which was flying at half-staff in honor of the law enforcement officers killed in Charlotte.

When Roberts left and protesters tried again to take down the American flag, Rosenblum, some of his fraternity brothers, and other students stepped in. They surrounded the flagpole and kept the big flag from touching the ground. Rosenblum also held an Israeli flag.

“All of us felt that America, and the American flag — and for me, the Israeli flag — represent what we believe in,” he said.” And we weren’t going to let anyone stop us from keeping those two things up.”

Country music star John Rich commented: “When I saw the guys at UNC holding that flag up, making sure it did not hit the ground, it told me a lot about them.” Rich said it’s easy to watch TV the last few weeks and believe that every college student hates America, but the UNC fraternity brothers give him hope. “I hope that these guys inspire … young patriots across the country to do the exact same thing,” he said. 

At LSU and Ole Miss, Pro-America students outnumbered those calling for the death of Jews. I’ve also been encouraged, and yes hopeful, as I’ve heard some interviews of well-spoken college students who lament what’s happening on their campuses where non-protesting and Jewish students can’t even get to classes or the campus is closed entirely. Their disgust with the protesting students gives me hope that there are still good, smart, intelligent, moral, patriotic kids coming out of these colleges.

Sadly, many of the same students who missed high school graduation in 2020 because of school closers during COVID are going to miss their cherished college graduation canceled because of the violence that might take place from the students siding with ANTIFA, terrorists, and jihadists. It’s definitely not fair or right that all students should suffer because of a few misguided bad actors, but then isn’t that the reality of life. I hope that they’ll be stronger for it and want to make sure their generation doesn’t let it happen again.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) encourages us and gives hope that, “Against the backdrop of anti-Israel protests, violence, and death chants among colleges and universities recently, some GenZers are choosing instead to uplift Jesus Christ.”

This is what revival looks like.

In last week’s blog, For the Sake of the Girls, Stop the Craziness, I mentioned there was a collision of light and darkness and we’re watching this collision on college campuses today.

Don’t Lose Hope! God is Moving!

Even as anarchy takes place on some college campuses, there’s a spiritual awakening on other college campuses and even in some churches that God alone can take credit for, as we continue to intercede for the next generation and our nation.

Only God! Only Jesus!

We must do our part and leave the results to God!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Please leave your thoughts in a comment here. I reply to all comments.

May 13, 2024
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God Fights for Prodigals When We Pray His Will!

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“You know how it feels when you see any glimmer of hope in your prodigal.” —A praying mom

If you follow my blogs and newsletters, you know I wait on the Lord to tell me what to write about each week. God is so faithful to not only give me a word, but also back it up with confirmation that I cannot ignore. So I know today there are parents and grandparents in my reading audience experiencing sorrow over prodigals in your family because that’s what God has told me to write about in this blog. It’s not the first time I’ve written on this topic, in fact, I wrote an entire book about praying for our prodigals.

Last week, hubby and I participated in a prayer group where the common request was for prodigal children, most of whom were in the millennial age range in their thirties and early forties. That was the age of my own prodigal years. Even children raised in Christian homes sometimes want to explore their independence, which might mean venturing into the world’s ways. So, we prayed that night for the spiritual awakening, or reawakening, of all the prodigals.

Then the next night, Dave and I watched a recorded Flashpoint program, which aired originally on the same night the group was praying for prodigals. Gene Bailey, the host of Flashpoint, interviewed Pastor Kent Christmas about his new book, Turning Sorrow Into Joy: A Journey of Faith and Perseverance. Here’s the interview: Kent Christmas on FlashPoint with Gene Bailey Interview Segment 4.9.2024 (youtube.com). If you have a loved one engaging in sexual sin, I highly recommend you listen.

In the interview with Pastor Christmas, they referred to the previous night’s program when again the topic was praying for prodigals. Now God really had my attention, so we watched it also. Gene Bailey interviewed Pastor Tim Sheets of Awaken Ministries and his daughter Rachel Shafer who wrote together Come Home: Pray, Prophesy, and Proclaim God’s Promises Over Your Prodigal. Even as parents and grandparents agonize and grieve with tears on their pillow every night, Pastor Sheets and Rachel offered assurance that God will forgive returning prodigals.

They emphasized that while you wait, stay rooted in God. Your feelings and emotions will lie to you, but God’s Word is truth, as I wrote in last week’s blog Knowing and Speaking Only the Truth Will Keep Us Free!

Come Home contains 90 decrees in Scriptures to pray for bringing prodigals home.  In the interview, the authors mentioned several verses with the prophetic message of hope. Belief accelerates the power of God. Believe in a future where your children will come home physically and spiritually.

But now this is what the Lord says: “Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you,” says the Lord. “Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future,” says the Lord. “Your children will come again to their own land. Jer. 31:16-17 NLT

God promises He will fight for and save your children! You must believe and claim these promises and pray them over your children with unwavering faith.

Who can snatch the plunder of war from the hands of a warrior? Who can demand that a tyrant[a] let his captives go? 25 But the Lord says, “The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children. Isaiah 49:24-25

The Message translation of Isaiah 49:24-25 says: Can plunder be retrieved from a giant, prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant? But God says, “Even if a giant grips the plunder and a tyrant holds my people prisoner, I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children. And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves, killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction. Then everyone will know that I, God, have saved you—I, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Those verses emphasize that God’s on our side. He’s going to save our children. While we want to believe this, it’s tempting to take back our concerns and worries even after we cast them onto God. We should quit putting power into earthly circumstances and instead magnify God and His heavenly perspective as these following Psalms emphasize.

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. Ps. 22:27-28

They [prodigals] will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Ps. 24:5 NLT

My Daughter and My Prodigal Story of Redemption

I wrote Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter: Hope, Help & Encouragement for Hurting Parents with input from my daughter of what she was thinking and feeling during her prodigal years. For seventeen years, I was a prodigal raising a prodigal until God reawakened my spirit at a Harvest Crusade where I rededicated my life to Christ. On the stadium floor, I knelt and told the Lord, “Your prodigal has returned. I will go where you send me.”

Kim didn’t receive well the dramatic change in my life. She was happy with the way we were living before. In spite of her resistance, I felt an urgency for Kim to also surrender her life to the Lord. I remembered a time when I stopped eating beef and switched to turkey burger. One day Kim, who was probably in middle school, said, “Mom, don’t you care about my health too?!” I thought she would still want hamburgers, but she wanted to be healthy like me. She hasn’t eaten beef since.

After my rededication, I heard a message on the reality of hell. I couldn’t stand the thought of my daughter going there. I had a dream that I looked down from heaven and heard her saying, “Mom didn’t you care enough about my spiritual health to not give up on me?” That’s when I began praying Scripture for my daughter daily, biblically, expectantly, persistently, sacrificially, unceasingly, and thankfully.

In Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter, Kim writes, “Mom, I saw the book Praying God’s Will for my Daughter in your bathroom one time, and I felt resentful that you thought I was ‘lost’ and needed you to pray for me. You turned your life around so completely, and I couldn’t relate to the new, ‘weird’ you. All the praying stuff was outside of my comfort zone. When I learned you were praying for me, it upset me. I felt that I could take care of myself and didn’t need your prayers.”

From the devotional Kim referred to above, I learned how to personalize and pray Scripture for her, which allowed me to pray God’s will while I journaled my will to release my feelings and concerns on paper. I share those journal writings throughout the book and include “40 Days of Praying Scripture for Your Prodigal” on page 313. Kim thanks me today that I never gave up praying for her.

Satan is Targeting Children!

Today, Satan is blatantly attacking the family and children more openly and abrasively than ever before.  Abortion for teenagers or gender changes without parents’ consent. Parents who want to know what their children are being taught in schools labeled domestic terrorists! Drugs are rampant and killing our children. Child suicide has reached record numbers. Schools are teaching young children about perverse sex practices as “sex education,” even as young as kindergarten. As “gay rights” became mainstream and legalized, Satan had to move it up a notch to transgenderism. Children are given drugs and surgically mutilated, irreversibly in many cases, and deceived into thinking they can change their gender from the way God created them. Drag grooming is considered entertainment for children, even though it’s a precursor to pedophilia.

This isn’t normal or biblical. It’s satanical. Satan really is coming after our children, but Christians have the weapons we need to ward off the attacks of the enemy. Prayer. God’s Word. Civic action like voting, running for office, and activism.

I’m not writing this article to promote my book, or any book, but there’s a reason God had these pastors and me write about saving our prodigals. Because we all need to know how to love and pray scripturally for children and grandchildren, while still maintaining a relationship with them without backing down from our biblical beliefs. Their very lives depend on it!

If you have a child or grandchild involved in sinful activities, it doesn’t make it right. Yes, I know it hurts and it’s painful. Parents often think they need to go along with what their child is doing or risk losing the relationship instead of being godly parents and getting them the emotional, spiritual, and mental help they’re so desperately crying out for, while also praying unceasingly for them. If they were a murderer, and some are, you still love your child, but you don’t decide that murder is acceptable because your child committed it. That applies to any and every sin.

I chose to unconditionally love but never condone. In God’s eyes, all sin is wrong, and all have sinned. Only repentance and asking forgiveness from Jesus for our sins places us in a right relationship with God. Salvation.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:22-24 NLT

Never Stop Praying!

Declaring God’s Word over your prodigal activates your own faith!

None of us know when Christ is going to return for believers. We watch the prevalent evil today and wonder how long it will be before the Lord says enough. No parent or grandparent wants to have a child or grandchild left behind. That was the urgency I felt when I was praying for my daughter’s salvation. Then I prayed for each of our eleven grandchildren to be saved with the assurance that I would someday see them all again in heaven. Yes, there’s been a few regressions, and I just pray all the harder because I know what God assured me with my daughter: God wants our prodigals back even more than we do!

Don’t give up and let Satan win the spiritual battle for your prodigal’s heart and soul. Though it may seem contradictory, the more rebellious, defiant, stubborn, and argumentative your prodigal becomes, the more you should cling to this hope and encouragement: God is working in his or her heart, and they’re resisting. But that means they haven’t surrendered completely to Satan and are experiencing tormenting guilt. God hasn’t given up and neither should you. There’s still hope.

I know it’s hard to do when your heart is breaking and you don’t see any change in the situation, but never stop praying for your prodigal. Pastor Christmas prayed and interceded for 14 years. I prayed Scripture for six years for my prodigal. Previous blogs from prodigal Alycia Neighbours whose story is in Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter, shared how long her parents prayed for her return: Never Stop Praying for Your Prodigal! and After the Party for the Returning Prodigal.

Alice prayed for 27 years. She said, “It’s all you can do when everything else is out of your control.” In the chapter on Praying Biblically in Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter, Alice told how she prayed Scripturally for her daughter, which is how I prayed for my daughter EVERY DAY! It’s simply personalizing and paraphrasing God’s Word as a prayer back to Him. Here’s an example of how Alice said she prayed Scripture for her prodigal.

“I’ve learned to pray for my daughter by praying back the Scriptures to God. For example, I pray Ezekiel 36:27-29 for Liz’s heart to soften and for her to return home: “God, give my daughter Liz a heart of flesh to replace her heart of stone toward spiritual things. Through Your Spirit, move her to follow Your decrees and carefully keep Your laws. Help Liz to return home Allow her to live in the land You, God, gave to her spiritual forefathers; may she be Your child, may You be her God. Save her from all her uncleanness.”

As another praying mom Suzanne said, “I know God isn’t done with her, and I choose to see her the way He does!”

 “Never stop praying!” 1 Thess. 5:17 NLT

Photo Credits: http://www.sharefaith.com

PS Hear the interview I did on Solomon and Jamila Jefferson’s podcast about praying for your prodigals, It’s Not How You Start But How You Finish. click here.

PSS The principles I share in Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter also apply to sons and grandchildren. There are questions at the end of each chapter for use in a Support Group or Bible study group.

Library Update

  • VICTORY!! Idaho’s Governor Little signed the Children’s School and Library Protection Act, finally addressing the widespread library porn issue in a meaningful way! It goes into effect this summer so I’ll  follow up with our local library to be sure they enforce it.
  • Gov. Little also signed Bill 538 that bars teachers from referring to a student by a name or pronoun that doesn’t align with their birth sex unless parents consent.
  • Last month, the governor signed House Bill 668, which blocks the use of public funds for gender-affirming procedures.
  • Gov. Little also signed House Bill 421. It states, “In human beings, there are two, and only two, sexes: male and female. In no case is an individual’s sex determined by stipulation or self-identification.” Most notably, in addition to ruling that sex and gender were synonymous, this bill “codifies in state law biological definitions for ‘woman,’ ‘man,’ and other sex-based terms, making [Idaho] the fifth to exclude men who identify as women from being legally recognized as female.”

Idaho is on a role! What’s happening in your state?

Please leave a comment here. I always reply!

April 15, 2024
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