thestream--2020-12-26--The Apology You’ve All Been Waiting For

The Apology You’ve All Been Waiting For

Some people want me to apologize for how I ’ ve lived my Christian life .
Here ’ s my answer .
For those unfamiliar with my story , here ’ s a very short version .
I became a Christian at a young age after hearing a sermon about Jesus saving people from their sin .
I was too young to fully understand how that worked , but even as a six-year-old , I was convicted and relieved .
As I grew up , my parents nurtured my faith in important ways .
I was never faithfully , consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside from participating in the occasional Bible Study or prayer group .
Like many young Christians , I went to high school with a pretty basic understanding of the New Testament and not much else .
In college I joined a college ministry .
One of the women on staff attempted to disciple me , but it quickly became clear that she , like me , had no experience with it .
Every few weeks she would buy me a coffee and ask me how life was going , but our conversations didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scriptures , confessing our sins , or praying for one another and the global Church .
Instead , it was always focused on how I was “ feeling ” about my life .
If I was unhappy about anything , she usually advised me to remember Jesus loves me .
I know people who have had wonderful spiritual mentors , but I suspect this passive kind of “ discipleship ” is very prevalent in the United States .
Churches and ministries are swimming with staff members who will happily sit down with young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meal , and listen to them talk .
For the most part , though , those young people are on their own when it comes to learning anything beyond the basics of Christianity or developing any spiritual disciplines .
This approach leads people to believe that faith is primarily about how it makes them feel .
It leads them away from the real purpose of Christianity , which is cultivating a trust-inspired obedience to God .
As a result of that feelings-focused mindset , I was a very immature Christian for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between myself and God .
My own interests and desires received the greater emphasis in that .
If any part of my Christian faith made me uncomfortable , I was terribly confused .
My thought process would look something like , “ I thought God wanted people to be happy ?
Isn ’ t that the whole point of having a relationship with Him ?
” When my Christian identity caused any social friction , especially in my intensely secular progressive degree program , I rushed to appease non-Christians rather than God .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was more important to be “ gentle ” and “ winsome ” than to tell the truth .
If any Christian ethic felt too burdensome , I danced around it .
I downplayed the destructiveness of sexual immorality , envy , pride , and anger .
It was easy to push any feelings of guilt and conviction away , thanks to anti-legalism rhetoric and “ don ’ t judge ” platitudes abounding in the church .
applied those flimsy standards to myself and went on sinning .
My immaturity caused a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I claimed the name of Christ , but I had a quick temper .
My relationships were strained .
I had double-minded approach to everything I wrote and said .
My marriage was weakening .
Thankfully , by God ’ s mercy , I snapped out of my self-focused stupor by my mid-twenties .
Since then I ’ ve made incredible progress in these areas and more .
But I would be lying if I said I didn ’ t feel intense regret over those many years with such a poor Christian witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s the ironic part , though .
After I finally became aware of my selfish approach to Christianity and my sinful tendencies , many of the people around me , including Christians , became very unhappy with me .
I would critique the passive , people-pleasing Christianity that I ’ d just broken free from ; they told me not to be so legalistic .
I point out some of the ways that many Christians take their social and political cues from secular culture rather than from scripture ; they told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I started asserting my allegiance to God over the whims of the godless , I was told that people like me are the reason that others don ’ t want to become Christians .
More than once , Christians and non-Christians have asked me to apologize for being insensitive , offensive , demanding , intense , or unloving .
I am not sorry , and I never will be .
God rescued me from sin when I was six years old .
He rescued me again when I was twenty-six .
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than His persistent , unrelenting love .
His is not our culture ’ s passive “ love ” that says , “ Destroy yourself if it makes you feel good for a while.
” It is a love that comes with life-saving demands and discomforts .
His is the love that will grow you into the kind of person you ’ ve always wanted to be but can not be on your own .
For This I Will What I will apologize for is living a double-minded life for many years .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and young adult , I am sorry for trying to appease myself , you , and God at the same time .
It never worked .
My conflicted identity made our relationships unnecessarily confusing .
I wish I ’ d been mature enough to share a consistent and compelling vision of the Christian faith with you .
I am doing best now to make up for lost time .
Christians parents , siblings , friends , pastors , and priests : If you truly do believe the gospel , then please live and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do not soften , distort , or compartmentalize the demands of the Christian life , no matter how often the world screams at you to do so .
Too many people are drowning in self-obsession , self-justification , quick excuses for sin , bottomless sentimentality , confusion , and passivity .
So if someone accepts your invitation to get coffee , share the life-saving truth with them — and do not apologize for it .
Carmen Schober is the editor-in-chief of Staseos .
She is a wife , mother , fiction writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She earned her Master ’ s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015 , and she enjoys writing about theology , culture , and storytelling .

Some people want me to apologize for how I’ve lived my Christian life. Here’s my answer.
For those unfamiliar with my story, here’s a very short version. I became a Christian at a young age after hearing a sermon about Jesus saving people from their sin. I was too young to fully understand how that worked, but even as a six-year-old, I was convicted and relieved.
My Testimony
As I grew up, my parents nurtured my faith in important ways. I was never faithfully, consistently, discipled by anyone, though, aside from participating in the occasional Bible Study or prayer group. Like many young Christians, I went to high school with a pretty basic understanding of the New Testament and not much else.
In college I joined a college ministry. One of the women on staff attempted to disciple me, but it quickly became clear that she, like me, had no experience with it. Every few weeks she would buy me a coffee and ask me how life was going, but our conversations didn’t involve reading and understanding the scriptures, confessing our sins, or praying for one another and the global Church. Instead, it was always focused on how I was “feeling” about my life. If I was unhappy about anything, she usually advised me to remember Jesus loves me.
I know people who have had wonderful spiritual mentors, but I suspect this passive kind of “discipleship” is very prevalent in the United States. Churches and ministries are swimming with staff members who will happily sit down with young people, buy them a drink or a meal, and listen to them talk.
For the most part, though, those young people are on their own when it comes to learning anything beyond the basics of Christianity or developing any spiritual disciplines. This approach leads people to believe that faith is primarily about how it makes them feel. It leads them away from the real purpose of Christianity, which is cultivating a trust-inspired obedience to God.
As a result of that feelings-focused mindset, I was a very immature Christian for a long time. My focus remained split between myself and God. My own interests and desires received the greater emphasis in that.
A Feelings-Focused Mindset
If any part of my Christian faith made me uncomfortable, I was terribly confused. My thought process would look something like, “I thought God wanted people to be happy? Isn’t that the whole point of having a relationship with Him?”
When my Christian identity caused any social friction, especially in my intensely secular progressive degree program, I rushed to appease non-Christians rather than God. I justified that by telling myself it was more important to be “gentle” and “winsome” than to tell the truth.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
If any Christian ethic felt too burdensome, I danced around it. I downplayed the destructiveness of sexual immorality, envy, pride, and anger. It was easy to push any feelings of guilt and conviction away, thanks to anti-legalism rhetoric and “don’t judge” platitudes abounding in the church. applied those flimsy standards to myself and went on sinning.
A Poor Christian Witness
My immaturity caused a lot of serious problems for myself and others. I claimed the name of Christ, but I had a quick temper. My relationships were strained. I had double-minded approach to everything I wrote and said. My marriage was weakening. Thankfully, by God’s mercy, I snapped out of my self-focused stupor by my mid-twenties. Since then I’ve made incredible progress in these areas and more. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel intense regret over those many years with such a poor Christian witness.
For This I Will Not Apologize
Here’s the ironic part, though. After I finally became aware of my selfish approach to Christianity and my sinful tendencies, many of the people around me, including Christians, became very unhappy with me. I would critique the passive, people-pleasing Christianity that I’d just broken free from; they told me not to be so legalistic. I point out some of the ways that many Christians take their social and political cues from secular culture rather than from scripture; they told me not to judge. And when I started asserting my allegiance to God over the whims of the godless, I was told that people like me are the reason that others don’t want to become Christians. More than once, Christians and non-Christians have asked me to apologize for being insensitive, offensive, demanding, intense, or unloving.
I will not.
I am not sorry, and I never will be. God rescued me from sin when I was six years old. He rescued me again when I was twenty-six. And there is nothing I am more grateful for than His persistent, unrelenting love. His is not our culture’s passive “love” that says, “Destroy yourself if it makes you feel good for a while.” It is a love that comes with life-saving demands and discomforts. His is the love that will grow you into the kind of person you’ve always wanted to be but cannot be on your own.
For This I Will
What I will apologize for is living a double-minded life for many years. To those who knew me as a teenager and young adult, I am sorry for trying to appease myself, you, and God at the same time. It never worked. My conflicted identity made our relationships unnecessarily confusing. I wish I’d been mature enough to share a consistent and compelling vision of the Christian faith with you. I am doing best now to make up for lost time.
Christians parents, siblings, friends, pastors, and priests: If you truly do believe the gospel, then please live and work and speak as if you do. Do not soften, distort, or compartmentalize the demands of the Christian life, no matter how often the world screams at you to do so.
Too many people are drowning in self-obsession, self-justification, quick excuses for sin, bottomless sentimentality, confusion, and passivity. So if someone accepts your invitation to get coffee, share the life-saving truth with them — and do not apologize for it.
Carmen Schober is the editor-in-chief of Staseos. She is a wife, mother, fiction writer, cultural commentator, and MMA fan. She earned her Master’s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015, and she enjoys writing about theology, culture, and storytelling.


thestream--2020-12-26--The Future of Christian Marriage

The Future of Christian Marriage

Ask any random group of ten elderly couples about their marriage , and half of them will probably say something like this : “ We were high school sweethearts , tied the knot soon after graduation , worked our way up from nothing , had kids , and here we are .
Being married made us who we are today.
” Beneath these stories is a view of marriage as a foundation of life , a starting point for other goals .
Today , this view has been replaced by a different one , what some call the “ capstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ capstone ” view , marriage is a finishing touch to add to a life after individual careers have been achieved , personal goals have been checked off , and we ’ ve discovered “ who we are.
” This massive shift in our ideas about marriage has all kinds of consequences , from delaying weddings ( for many people , into their 30 ’ s ) to cratering the fertility rate in most developed nations to normalizing premarital sex and cohabitation .
Still , the most consequential changes might be occurring within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Regnerus tracks these changes in his new book , The Future of Christian Marriage .
Regnerus not only described his findings to Shane Morris on the Upstream Podcast , but he also described the dramatic steps that will be required if a culture of marriage is to be restored within the Church .
The Future of Christian Marriage features interviews with numerous Christian young people from seven countries .
By being both forward-looking and firmly planted in history , Regnerus traces how marriage went from a natural institution bound up with childbearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is now , like so many other things in our culture , determined by adult desires and largely defined ( or should I say redefined ? )
by the state .
One of the most counterintuitive findings in The Future of Christian Marriage is that Christian young people around the world still have a recognizably biblical ideal for what marriage should be .
Those he interviewed typically mentioned the idea of a lifelong union of man and woman .
Often , they talked about how marriage is a picture of Christ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ephesians 5 .
Many even mentioned that children are part of God ’ s design for marriage .
Tragically , far fewer practice , or even try to practice , this design .
The average age at first marriage is nearing historic highs in nearly every country Regnerus studied , and cohabitation is quickly becoming a common lifestyle choice , even for young people within the Church .
How We Think About Marriage So , how did we get here ?
According to Regnerus , it ’ s complicated .
Economic factors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of the home , the normalization of birth control and the resulting “ cheapening ” of sex , and the overall removing of children from the picture have all changed , not only our behavior , but how we think about marriage .
Even more , Regnerus suggests that young people , including Christian young people , just aren ’ t that into marriage .
In fact , an increasing number is willing to put it off indefinitely .
Here ’ s what he writes in the book : This is new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an optional feature of the Church ’ s life , nor was it a trophy you won after reaching “ adulthood.
” God clearly calls some to the single life and elevates their potential for ministry .
At the same time , marriage is the picture the Apostle Paul uses when to illustrate the love between Jesus and His redeemed .
Marriage reorients our energies and affections away from ourselves and toward others in a way nothing else , other than parenting , can .
We Need to Change the Capstone View If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future , we ’ ll need to change this capstone view .
Much of the problem that Regnerus describes in The Future of Christian Marriage is a failure of the imagination and the inability to see marriage as attainable .
Among the ambitious and surprising suggestions Regnerus offers is to make sure our kids hear the kind of stories older couples often tell .
It ’ s not “ rocket science ” to conclude we need to begin by telling the next generation the truth about marriage .
I ’ ll link you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regnerus ’ insightful new book , and his fascinating interview on the Upstream podcast at BreakPoint.org .
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture , theology , worldview , education and apologetics .
G. Shane Morris is an assistant editor and columnist at BreakPoint .
Originally published on Breakpoint.org : Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview .

Ask any random group of ten elderly couples about their marriage, and half of them will probably say something like this: “We were high school sweethearts, tied the knot soon after graduation, worked our way up from nothing, had kids, and here we are. Being married made us who we are today.”
Beneath these stories is a view of marriage as a foundation of life, a starting point for other goals. Today, this view has been replaced by a different one, what some call the “capstone” view of marriage. In the “capstone” view, marriage is a finishing touch to add to a life after individual careers have been achieved, personal goals have been checked off, and we’ve discovered “who we are.”
A Massive Shift
This massive shift in our ideas about marriage has all kinds of consequences, from delaying weddings (for many people, into their 30’s) to cratering the fertility rate in most developed nations to normalizing premarital sex and cohabitation. Still, the most consequential changes might be occurring within the Church.
University of Texas sociologist Mark Regnerus tracks these changes in his new book, The Future of Christian Marriage. Regnerus not only described his findings to Shane Morris on the Upstream Podcast, but he also described the dramatic steps that will be required if a culture of marriage is to be restored within the Church.
Economic factors, the growing expectation that women will work outside of the home, the normalization of birth control and the resulting “cheapening” of sex, and the overall removing of children from the picture have all changed, not only our behavior, but how we think about marriage.
The Future of Christian Marriage features interviews with numerous Christian young people from seven countries. By being both forward-looking and firmly planted in history, Regnerus traces how marriage went from a natural institution bound up with childbearing and blessed by the Church to one that is now, like so many other things in our culture, determined by adult desires and largely defined (or should I say redefined?) by the state.
A Biblical Ideal
One of the most counterintuitive findings in The Future of Christian Marriage is that Christian young people around the world still have a recognizably biblical ideal for what marriage should be. Those he interviewed typically mentioned the idea of a lifelong union of man and woman. Often, they talked about how marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church, as Paul teaches in Ephesians 5. Many even mentioned that children are part of God’s design for marriage.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Tragically, far fewer practice, or even try to practice, this design. The average age at first marriage is nearing historic highs in nearly every country Regnerus studied, and cohabitation is quickly becoming a common lifestyle choice, even for young people within the Church.
How We Think About Marriage
So, how did we get here? According to Regnerus, it’s complicated. Economic factors, the growing expectation that women will work outside of the home, the normalization of birth control and the resulting “cheapening” of sex, and the overall removing of children from the picture have all changed, not only our behavior, but how we think about marriage. Even more, Regnerus suggests that young people, including Christian young people, just aren’t that into marriage. In fact, an increasing number is willing to put it off indefinitely.
Historically, marriage was never considered an optional feature of the Church’s life, nor was it a trophy you won after reaching “adulthood.”
Here’s what he writes in the book:
The focus of twentysomethings has become less about building mature relationships and fulfilling responsibilities and more about enjoying oneself, traveling, and trying on identities and relationships. …We now get ourselves ready for marriage, rather than marry to get ourselves poised to accomplish common objectives — a home, a job, a family. Instead, marriage itself has become one of those objectives, an accomplishment signaling that [we] have ‘made it.’
This is new. Historically, marriage was never considered an optional feature of the Church’s life, nor was it a trophy you won after reaching “adulthood.” God clearly calls some to the single life and elevates their potential for ministry. At the same time, marriage is the picture the Apostle Paul uses when to illustrate the love between Jesus and His redeemed. Marriage reorients our energies and affections away from ourselves and toward others in a way nothing else, other than parenting, can.
We Need to Change the Capstone View
If we want Christian marriage to have a future, we’ll need to change this capstone view. Much of the problem that Regnerus describes in The Future of Christian Marriage is a failure of the imagination and the inability to see marriage as attainable. Among the ambitious and surprising suggestions Regnerus offers is to make sure our kids hear the kind of stories older couples often tell. It’s not “rocket science” to conclude we need to begin by telling the next generation the truth about marriage.
I’ll link you to The Future of Marriage, Mark Regnerus’ insightful new book, and his fascinating interview on the Upstream podcast at BreakPoint.org.
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics.
G. Shane Morris is an assistant editor and columnist at BreakPoint.
Originally published on Breakpoint.org: Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.


thestream--2020-12-27--Six Officers Hailed as Heroes for Running Into Nashville Blast Site Before Explosion

Six Nashville police officers were hailed as heroes on Christmas Day after they rushed to evacuate a downtown area of the city prior to an explosion , a law enforcement official said .
“ These officers didn ’ t care about themselves , ” Metro Police Chief John Drake said , according to Fox 17 .
“ They didn ’ t think about that .
They cared about the citizens of Nashville .
They went in and we ’ d be talking not about the debris that we have here but potential people.
” “ These officers ’ acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The six officers were responding to a shots fired call nearby when they spotted a suspicious RV blaring an announcement that a bomb would detonate , the local outlet reported .
The cops knocked on residential doors and rushed people out of their homes prior to the massive explosion , according to Fox 17 .
Officers Brenna Hosey , James Luellen , Michael Sipos , Amanda Topping , James Wells and Sergeant Timothy Miller were recognized by the department for their bravery , the local outlet wrote .
The blast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas morning , was said to be “ an intentional act ” by Nashville authorities .
Investigators also released an image of the RV driving through city streets prior to the bombing .
Nashville is under a citywide curfew following the attack , and the FBI has been called in to spearhead the investigation , according to Fox 17 .
There have been no deaths associated with the explosion that damaged dozens of businesses , but what appears to be human remains were discovered near the blast site , according to the New @ @ @

Six Nashville police officers were hailed as heroes on Christmas Day after they rushed to evacuate a downtown area of the city prior to an explosion, a law enforcement official said.
“These officers didn’t care about themselves,” Metro Police Chief John Drake said, according to Fox 17. “They didn’t think about that. They cared about the citizens of Nashville. They went in and we’d be talking not about the debris that we have here but potential people.”
“These officers’ acts of heroism is just tremendous,” Drake said.
The six officers were responding to a shots fired call nearby when they spotted a suspicious RV blaring an announcement that a bomb would detonate, the local outlet reported. The cops knocked on residential doors and rushed people out of their homes prior to the massive explosion, according to Fox 17.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Officers Brenna Hosey, James Luellen, Michael Sipos, Amanda Topping, James Wells and Sergeant Timothy Miller were recognized by the department for their bravery, the local outlet wrote.
The @MNPDNashville police department has released the names of six of the officers who heroically worked to evacuate downtown Nashville prior to today's massive explosion, saving several lives in the process. pic.twitter.com/2YWp356xMs — Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) December 26, 2020
The blast, which took place around 6:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, was said to be “an intentional act” by Nashville authorities. Investigators also released an image of the RV driving through city streets prior to the bombing.
BREAKING: This is the RV that exploded on 2nd Ave N this morning. It arrived on 2nd Ave at 1:22 a.m. Have you seen this vehicle in our area or do you have information about it? Please contact us via Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or online via https://t.co/dVGS7o0m4v. @ATFHQ pic.twitter.com/JNx9sDinAH — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 25, 2020
Nashville is under a citywide curfew following the attack, and the FBI has been called in to spearhead the investigation, according to Fox 17.
There have been no deaths associated with the explosion that damaged dozens of businesses, but what appears to be human remains were discovered near the blast site, according to the New York Times.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-27--Livelihoods and Liberty Left in the Lurch

ROSS TOWNSHIP , Pennsylvania — Seven years ago , combat veteran Jack Mook was a hard-nosed Pittsburgh detective who stumbled upon two young brothers who showed up intermittently at the boxing gym where he volunteered .
The boys were living on the edge of despair : Their birth parents had failed them ; their foster parents had failed them ; and the system had failed them .
The “ home ” the boys lived in was a rat ’ s nest with dog feces , fleas and no beds .
The oldest brother ’ s hair was falling out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with red blotches .
The younger brother wept all of the time .
In short order , Mook got an emergency order and brought the boys home .
Nights out for Mook the bachelor became family nights of pizza and board games .
Healthier food became part of their lives , and so did rules , homework and structure .
In the years it took Mook to legally become their father , he learned one thing : Government , bureaucracy and institutions designed to serve consistently fail their mission on several levels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary .
The boys are now thriving young men .
He is retired from the force and has opened a boxing gym that trains young athletes — a business that , like many small businesses across the country , has been forced to close under government edicts .
Once again , Mook is staring down an entanglement of government far removed from the needs and the rights of the people it is designed to serve .
Mook isn ’ t alone .
He is a snapshot of small businesses that are frozen with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear and frustration , possibly going from the center of their neighborhoods to abandoned sentinels holding up the ghosts of businesses that used to be .
A year ago , Ray Mikesell was offering “ Sunday Suppers ” to his customers — family-style meals on long tables , just like Grandma used to make when growing up , bringing together parents , cousins , uncles and neighbors on a weekly basis .
He served the meals at his Penn Avenue restaurant to people who no longer had family to eat with .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppers always ended up being just as noisy and just as delicious , and they filled a void many people found in their lives .
Today , Mikesell is doing whatever he can to keep his doors open .
He , too , has been kneecapped by Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf ’ s mandated restaurant shutdown .
Now he ’ s making dinners for four to take home , offering home delivery and hoping the phone rings for takeout orders .
There have been societal effects from these closures that show both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture .
Many question how we as a nation were so quickly willing to give up our liberties .
Others find it to be a political occurrence and praise it .
Others in the middle wonder how elected officials have become so tone-deaf that they can stand at a podium and destroy their friends ’ and neighbors ’ lives , knowing they themselves will walk away from the cameras and the press with their jobs .
They also wonder whether these elected officials have ever sat with a restaurant owner who has laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make ends meet and is on the brink of closing forever .
People have also turned against one another — hollowed-out souls on social media who scold those they think aren ’ t doing everything by the book , often reporting them to authorities as well .
Small businesses , including restaurants and gyms , have been hit particularly hard by pandemic shutdowns .
An economic impact report released by Yelp three months ago tracked business closures through Yelp ’ s customer review listings and found that nearly 100,000 businesses had permanently closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At that time , about 66,000 others were temporarily closed .
One can imagine the permanent closures will have grown significantly by year ’ s end , especially since lockdowns have become stricter in recent weeks .
Mook ’ s and Mikesell ’ s stories are not unique .
They are just two of millions of people who have become the victims of a pandemic whose deadly path is not limited to being stricken with the virus , from the small businesses hanging on by a thread or shuttered forever , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in overdoses and suicides .
How Did This Happen ?
Years from now , when we walk past the graves of the restaurants , shops and gyms that didn ’ t make it , will we ask ourselves how we let this happen ?
Or will we have accepted that we laid down our liberties one day to flatten a curve and never fought to get them back ?
This is not to say that people should break laws intended to protect the vulnerable from a deadly virus .
But it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wielded too much power with little communication or outreach .
John Longstreet , CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association , said the last time he had a conversation with the governor ’ s office was in July .
A little over a week ago , as rumors swirled that another big shutdown was coming , he said he reached out to the office and implored the administration to do one thing : “ Give us adequate notice.
” It did not .
He says : “ The results have been devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners have to lay off their staffs , the food they ordered for the month is either going to spoil or have to be donated .
Whatever they can facilitate , either way , it cost them additional millions in lost revenue.
” Opening Our Hearts and Our Generosity If Christmas is the time of year to open our hearts and our generosity , small businesses need us to do both .
The former will lead to the latter and allow all of us to support them , whether it is buying gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or giving them a call to see how we can help .
They are us .
They are the people who keep us and our children fit , even when we don ’ t want to .
They bring us together to break the fast with Sunday brunch .
They feed a hungry crew after a big bike ride .
Behind the scenes , people like Mook donate their services to families who can ’ t afford gyms but need the outlet to help keep their children in line .
And people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the food bank , donating time and treasure while barely holding on .
Giving back to people like them , to the families who have lost someone , or to health care workers and police officers might help ease the pain of whatever we have lost this year .
Certainly , it can not hurt to try .
Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst , and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner .
She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism , traveling from Main Street to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania — Seven years ago, combat veteran Jack Mook was a hard-nosed Pittsburgh detective who stumbled upon two young brothers who showed up intermittently at the boxing gym where he volunteered. The boys were living on the edge of despair: Their birth parents had failed them; their foster parents had failed them; and the system had failed them.
The “home” the boys lived in was a rat’s nest with dog feces, fleas and no beds. The oldest brother’s hair was falling out in gobs, and his skin was filled with red blotches. The younger brother wept all of the time.
In short order, Mook got an emergency order and brought the boys home. Nights out for Mook the bachelor became family nights of pizza and board games. Healthier food became part of their lives, and so did rules, homework and structure.
In the years it took Mook to legally become their father, he learned one thing: Government, bureaucracy and institutions designed to serve consistently fail their mission on several levels.
Today, he is newly married to Mary. The boys are now thriving young men. He is retired from the force and has opened a boxing gym that trains young athletes — a business that, like many small businesses across the country, has been forced to close under government edicts.
Government Fails
Once again, Mook is staring down an entanglement of government far removed from the needs and the rights of the people it is designed to serve.
Mook isn’t alone. He is a snapshot of small businesses that are frozen with the effects of uncertainty, loss, fear and frustration, possibly going from the center of their neighborhoods to abandoned sentinels holding up the ghosts of businesses that used to be.
A year ago, Ray Mikesell was offering “Sunday Suppers” to his customers — family-style meals on long tables, just like Grandma used to make when growing up, bringing together parents, cousins, uncles and neighbors on a weekly basis. He served the meals at his Penn Avenue restaurant to people who no longer had family to eat with. Despite few people knowing each other, the suppers always ended up being just as noisy and just as delicious, and they filled a void many people found in their lives.
Today, Mikesell is doing whatever he can to keep his doors open. He, too, has been kneecapped by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandated restaurant shutdown. Now he’s making dinners for four to take home, offering home delivery and hoping the phone rings for takeout orders.
Societal Effects From Closures
There have been societal effects from these closures that show both the good and the bad in our culture. Many question how we as a nation were so quickly willing to give up our liberties. Others find it to be a political occurrence and praise it. Others in the middle wonder how elected officials have become so tone-deaf that they can stand at a podium and destroy their friends’ and neighbors’ lives, knowing they themselves will walk away from the cameras and the press with their jobs. They also wonder whether these elected officials have ever sat with a restaurant owner who has laid off the staff, is struggling to make ends meet and is on the brink of closing forever.
People have also turned against one another — hollowed-out souls on social media who scold those they think aren’t doing everything by the book, often reporting them to authorities as well.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Small businesses, including restaurants and gyms, have been hit particularly hard by pandemic shutdowns. An economic impact report released by Yelp three months ago tracked business closures through Yelp’s customer review listings and found that nearly 100,000 businesses had permanently closed from March 1 to Aug. 31. At that time, about 66,000 others were temporarily closed. One can imagine the permanent closures will have grown significantly by year’s end, especially since lockdowns have become stricter in recent weeks.
Mook’s and Mikesell’s stories are not unique. They are just two of millions of people who have become the victims of a pandemic whose deadly path is not limited to being stricken with the virus, from the small businesses hanging on by a thread or shuttered forever, to the isolation that has led to a dramatic spike in overdoses and suicides.
How Did This Happen?
Years from now, when we walk past the graves of the restaurants, shops and gyms that didn’t make it, will we ask ourselves how we let this happen? Or will we have accepted that we laid down our liberties one day to flatten a curve and never fought to get them back?
This is not to say that people should break laws intended to protect the vulnerable from a deadly virus. But it is time to wonder whether the government has wielded too much power with little communication or outreach.
John Longstreet, CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, said the last time he had a conversation with the governor’s office was in July. A little over a week ago, as rumors swirled that another big shutdown was coming, he said he reached out to the office and implored the administration to do one thing: “Give us adequate notice.”
It did not.
He says: “The results have been devastating. Not only did these small business owners have to lay off their staffs, the food they ordered for the month is either going to spoil or have to be donated. Whatever they can facilitate, either way, it cost them additional millions in lost revenue.”
Opening Our Hearts and Our Generosity
If Christmas is the time of year to open our hearts and our generosity, small businesses need us to do both. The former will lead to the latter and allow all of us to support them, whether it is buying gift cards to their shops, ordering takeout or giving them a call to see how we can help.
They are us. They are the people who keep us and our children fit, even when we don’t want to. They bring us together to break the fast with Sunday brunch. They feed a hungry crew after a big bike ride.
Behind the scenes, people like Mook donate their services to families who can’t afford gyms but need the outlet to help keep their children in line.
And people like Mikesell spend hours preparing food packages for the food bank, donating time and treasure while barely holding on.
Giving back to people like them, to the families who have lost someone, or to health care workers and police officers might help ease the pain of whatever we have lost this year. Certainly, it cannot hurt to try.
Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-12-27--Yes, Nancy Pelosi, Faith Trumps Science

Yes, Nancy Pelosi, Faith Trumps Science

“ ( Nancy Pelosi ) suggested that some government officials and members of Congress were anti-science because of their faith.
” — The Blaze Nancy , I ’ m sorry I used a trigger word in the title ( trump ) , but I had to jump at the chance to address something you said .
You were dismayed by “ faith oriented ” members of Congress who put more stock in God ’ s healing power than in man ’ s scientific advances .
As a leader in this Christian nation , I ’ m stunned that you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Christians have adopted similar faithless ideologies , straying so far from the wonders of supernatural , miraculous , shock and awe faith toward a natural , godless version of spirituality ( if such a thing were possible ) .
The Bible calls it a form of godliness .
The problem ?
This style of religion is devoid of power .
It ’ s atheistic at its roots , only dressed up to appear just superstitious enough to pass as spiritual .
We are in the last days , and this issue makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lovers of money .
Proud .
Arrogant .
Heartless .
Lovers of pleasure .
To top it all off , an appearance of godliness and a denial of God ’ s power .
As followers of Jesus , we should be living in the miraculous realm every moment of our lives .
It ’ s disheartening that so many professing Christians have fallen for the delusion that science is superior to faith .
Scientific fact is the ultimate litmus test .
If science proves something in Scripture to be wrong , then science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Happened to the Miraculous Christian Life ?
People have attempted to use science to silence Christian zealots for centuries .
Christians have stumbled over their own arguments by attempting to agree with the opposition .
Their debate is fueled by the thesis that what is found in the Bible will always affirm science .
They declare that biblical truth will always affirm scientific fact .
This argument is doomed from the beginning .
From cover to cover in Scripture we see science defied .
It ’ s everywhere .
Thousands fed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few fish .
Science defied .
And , the Savior of our world was conceived without his parents having sex .
Thank God , science was defied .
Where are the Authentic Christians During This Global Crisis ?
In an article I wrote titled Christians are Being Embarrassed By The Coronavirus , I dealt with the mostly natural , scientific approach so many followers of Jesus have defaulted to : Are you taking the opportunity to show the lost you are fearless , full of faith and joyful ?
Or do they sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of faith has been exposed .
Coronavirus is embarrassing the church .
Have you noticed any difference at all between the godless world and those who are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus , the Healer ?
Bold decrees of faith , not confessions of fear and worry , should be exploding out of our mouths !
Instead , Christians are hiding in caves , running from the battle and trembling not in the fear of the Lord , but the fear of the enemy .
Sure , take precautions , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t respond like the world .
Don ’ t allow the enemy to impact your life .
Live !
Be free !
You are covered by the blood of Jesus !
An unmoving devotion to belief , to faith , to confidence that supernatural , divine healing is our portion should be the mark of every Christian .
Faith trumps science .
In fact , when we gain more confidence in vaccines and other medical measures than we do in God ’ s desire and ability to heal , we set ourselves up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devotion to doctors to the exclusion of God resulted in his judgment .
Death .
To be fair , what Nancy said isn ’ t completely untrue : To be clear , I doubt the people around her who live by faith actually said that they don ’ t believe in science .
Gravity is real .
So are germs .
So is medicine .
Nobody would debate any of that .
My guess is they were saying that faith trumps science .
That is what I agree with , and apparently what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did point out that both faith and science can work together .
Scientific discovery can be the answer to prayer .
I agree with that .
What I disagree with is that faith must align with science .
If our faith must come under submission to scientific fact , then we ’ d be nothing more than full blown atheists .
A people who deny supernatural wonders whenever they contradict with scientific proof .
These people are rejecting the power of God and the Bible commands us to have nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Repent and to Discover the Glories of Supernatural Living By giving science and the natural realm more credence than the invisible realm , we imprison ourselves to its restrictions .
This is a terrible , disappointing and powerless way to live .
When we live our lives not by sight , but by faith , everything changes in a moment !
Miracles are common !
The impossible becomes probable !
The presence of the Holy Spirit radiates all around us !
We can ’ t live like King Asa , running to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logical intellectuals in search for answers .
Our first and continual focus must be on our omnipotent God and his plan to work miraculously in our lives .
From that place we can certainly take advantage of natural remedies .
But our faith must be extreme and it must be in a God we can not see and his abilities that are far greater than any scientist that has ever lived .
Yes , Nancy , faith absolutely trumps science .
Every day of the week .
John Burton is a sought out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has authored ten books , is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine , and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP ) in Kansas City .
He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry .

“(Nancy Pelosi) suggested that some government officials and members of Congress were anti-science because of their faith.” — The Blaze
Nancy, I’m sorry I used a trigger word in the title (trump), but I had to jump at the chance to address something you said. You were dismayed by “faith oriented” members of Congress who put more stock in God’s healing power than in man’s scientific advances. As a leader in this Christian nation, I’m stunned that you would have such a viewpoint. Sadly, many Christians have adopted similar faithless ideologies, straying so far from the wonders of supernatural, miraculous, shock and awe faith toward a natural, godless version of spirituality (if such a thing were possible).
The Bible calls it a form of godliness. The problem? This style of religion is devoid of power. It’s atheistic at its roots, only dressed up to appear just superstitious enough to pass as spiritual.
We are in the last days, and this issue makes it onto a very sobering list:
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1–5, ESV)
Lovers of money. Proud. Arrogant. Heartless. Lovers of pleasure. To top it all off, an appearance of godliness and a denial of God’s power.
Avoid such people.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As followers of Jesus, we should be living in the miraculous realm every moment of our lives. It’s disheartening that so many professing Christians have fallen for the delusion that science is superior to faith. Scientific fact is the ultimate litmus test. If science proves something in Scripture to be wrong, then science is the clear victor. Nonsense.
What Happened to the Miraculous Christian Life?
People have attempted to use science to silence Christian zealots for centuries. Christians have stumbled over their own arguments by attempting to agree with the opposition. Their debate is fueled by the thesis that what is found in the Bible will always affirm science. They declare that biblical truth will always affirm scientific fact. This argument is doomed from the beginning.
From cover to cover in Scripture we see science defied. It’s everywhere.
Jesus walked on water. Science defied.
Lazarus rose from the dead. Science defied.
A sea split in half. Science defied.
A paralytic walked. Science defied.
The sun stood still. Science defied.
Thousands fed with a few loaves of bread and a few fish. Science defied.
An iron axe head floated in water. Science defied.
And, the Savior of our world was conceived without his parents having sex. Thank God, science was defied.
Where are the Authentic Christians During This Global Crisis?
In an article I wrote titled Christians are Being Embarrassed By The Coronavirus, I dealt with the mostly natural, scientific approach so many followers of Jesus have defaulted to:
Are you taking the opportunity to show the lost you are fearless, full of faith and joyful? Or do they sense your anxiety about coronavirus? A crisis of faith has been exposed. Coronavirus is embarrassing the church. Have you noticed any difference at all between the godless world and those who are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus, the Healer? Bold decrees of faith, not confessions of fear and worry, should be exploding out of our mouths! Instead, Christians are hiding in caves, running from the battle and trembling not in the fear of the Lord, but the fear of the enemy. Sure, take precautions, but don’t cower. Don’t respond like the world. Don’t allow the enemy to impact your life. Live! Be free! You are covered by the blood of Jesus!
An unmoving devotion to belief, to faith, to confidence that supernatural, divine healing is our portion should be the mark of every Christian. Faith trumps science.
In fact, when we gain more confidence in vaccines and other medical measures than we do in God’s desire and ability to heal, we set ourselves up for judgment.
In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. (2 Chronicles 16:12–13, ESV)
King Asa’s devotion to doctors to the exclusion of God resulted in his judgment. Death.
To be fair, what Nancy said isn’t completely untrue:
People say around here sometimes, ‘I’m faith-oriented so I don’t believe in science’ and I said, ‘Well you can do both. Science is an answer to our prayers and our prayers have been answered with a vaccine.’
To be clear, I doubt the people around her who live by faith actually said that they don’t believe in science. Gravity is real. So are germs. So is medicine. Nobody would debate any of that. My guess is they were saying that faith trumps science. That is what I agree with, and apparently what Nancy disagrees with.
However, she did point out that both faith and science can work together. Scientific discovery can be the answer to prayer. I agree with that. What I disagree with is that faith must align with science. If our faith must come under submission to scientific fact, then we’d be nothing more than full blown atheists. A people who deny supernatural wonders whenever they contradict with scientific proof. These people are rejecting the power of God and the Bible commands us to have nothing to do with them.
Nancy, I Implore You to Repent and to Discover the Glories of Supernatural Living
By giving science and the natural realm more credence than the invisible realm, we imprison ourselves to its restrictions. This is a terrible, disappointing and powerless way to live.
When we live our lives not by sight, but by faith, everything changes in a moment! Miracles are common! The impossible becomes probable! The presence of the Holy Spirit radiates all around us!
We can’t live like King Asa, running to the physicians, the scientists, the logical intellectuals in search for answers. Our first and continual focus must be on our omnipotent God and his plan to work miraculously in our lives. From that place we can certainly take advantage of natural remedies. But our faith must be extreme and it must be in a God we cannot see and his abilities that are far greater than any scientist that has ever lived. Yes, Nancy, faith absolutely trumps science. Every day of the week.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, ESV)
John Burton is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.


thestream--2020-12-27--Oh God, I’m Just Not Feeling You

Oh God, I’m Just Not Feeling You

Being fully inoculated in the post-enlightenment exaltation of human rationality and educated to promote thinking above feeling , I have tended to downplay feelings as having much value in religious experience .
How many times have I been reminded by parents , teachers , coaches , and preachers to get over my feelings and act on truth ?
The post-modern insistence on subjectivity to the exclusion of objective truth claims is foolish and adds to my suspicion of “ feeling it.
” Yet , I wonder if the sense of longing deep in my breast cries for a relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propositions provide .
After all , the words of Scripture do seem to promise a salvation that includes every part of us .
Jesus promised His disciples that the Comforter who would be sent to them after His ascension would make the presence of God as real to them as the communion He enjoys ( see John 14:15-22 ) .
All the evidence we find in the Acts of The Apostles points to a community who enjoyed the felt presence of God .
They lived far beyond mere principles and propositions .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of existence and became rejoicing martyrs and world-changers .
They did not wonder what Jesus would do if He were present .
They assumed His presence and experienced His communion .
It wasn ’ t theory .
It was shared life .
The most common question asked by sincere Christians today is about knowing God ’ s will .
Of course we want to know His will .
How else can we find direction and fulfill our destiny ?
But such a question could imply our willingness to do what is required even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just know what to do , we can follow the plan with or without His conscious presence .
It might even imply that we think we can do the will of God without His enablement .
This attitude produces morally-conscious people , but they are usually joyless .
What is the Heart of God ?
Maybe there is another question that should precede the one about knowing His will : “ What is the heart of God ?
” If knowing God is the essence of eternal life ( John 17:3 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can ’ t afford to speculate and assume things about Him that aren ’ t true because we are responding to whatever concept of God we presently retain .
Looking through the branches of the bush they were hiding behind , Adam and Eve concluded some things about God that were devastatingly wrong .
Since then , humanity has been misperceiving God ’ s heart .
Left to our own perceptions , we will never get it right .
Moses had seen the mighty works of God .
He had heard His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He asked if he could see God ’ s glory .
To prevent his being incinerated , God hid him in a cave and passed by him while declaring His nature : He Did What Was Necessary Sadly , many focus on the iniquity phrase and miss the core of the revelation .
Fearing the sure consequences of sin , they live trying to avoid it rather than embracing the God whose heart is merciful and gracious .
Yes , sin has consequences .
Left unconfronted it will continue to infect generations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was necessary to be both just and merciful .
It is His mercy that moves Him to take the wrath of sin on Himself in Jesus so that we can be forgiven and fully reconciled .
It is His heart that is shown in all His works , and it is His heart that invites us into intimate communion with Him .
As we get to know Him , we find mercy and grace abounding and unstoppable love and eternal forgiveness granted .
He acts according to His heart .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal the nature of the Father and when He self-identified , He spoke of His heart : We can never see the purpose of His life , miracles , death , resurrection , and ascension if we don ’ t know His heart .
His works reveal His heart , but we can marvel at His works and never feel His heart .
If we miss that , we miss a large part of the salvation He gives .
When we know in fact and in feeling His sympathies toward us , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or isolating .
We discover that , like water , streams of mercy flow to the neediest point .
When we are devastated by our own disqualification , we qualify for mercy — and that is where He shines brightest .
God ’ s glory is the revelation of His heart .
We see His glory most clearly when we plead for mercy , and His mercy touches every aspect of our being .
We know Him in our thoughts and in our emotions .
We move toward experiencing the full restoration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and feel it because it is real .
Oh God , show me your glory !
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream .
He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures , a sought-after speaker , an engaging preacher , an effective consultant , and a trusted spiritual father .
Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works , Incense & Thunder , Glad to be Left Behind , Men In Their Own Skin , Orphans No More , When Hard Times Come , Follow Me and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laced with gospel truth : Shorty the Substitute Ram .

Being fully inoculated in the post-enlightenment exaltation of human rationality and educated to promote thinking above feeling, I have tended to downplay feelings as having much value in religious experience. How many times have I been reminded by parents, teachers, coaches, and preachers to get over my feelings and act on truth? The post-modern insistence on subjectivity to the exclusion of objective truth claims is foolish and adds to my suspicion of “feeling it.”
Yet, I wonder if the sense of longing deep in my breast cries for a relationship with God that is fuller than contemporary religious propositions provide. After all, the words of Scripture do seem to promise a salvation that includes every part of us.
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save (completely) those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Hebrews 7:25 NLT)
The Presence of God Made Real
Jesus promised His disciples that the Comforter who would be sent to them after His ascension would make the presence of God as real to them as the communion He enjoys (see John 14:15-22). All the evidence we find in the Acts of The Apostles points to a community who enjoyed the felt presence of God. They lived far beyond mere principles and propositions. They were loved at the very deepest levels of existence and became rejoicing martyrs and world-changers. They did not wonder what Jesus would do if He were present. They assumed His presence and experienced His communion. It wasn’t theory. It was shared life.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The most common question asked by sincere Christians today is about knowing God’s will. Of course we want to know His will. How else can we find direction and fulfill our destiny? But such a question could imply our willingness to do what is required even if God remains distant. If we just know what to do, we can follow the plan with or without His conscious presence. It might even imply that we think we can do the will of God without His enablement. This attitude produces morally-conscious people, but they are usually joyless.
What is the Heart of God?
Maybe there is another question that should precede the one about knowing His will: “What is the heart of God?” If knowing God is the essence of eternal life (John 17:3), then knowing His heart is essential. We can’t afford to speculate and assume things about Him that aren’t true because we are responding to whatever concept of God we presently retain.
Looking through the branches of the bush they were hiding behind, Adam and Eve concluded some things about God that were devastatingly wrong. Since then, humanity has been misperceiving God’s heart. Left to our own perceptions, we will never get it right.
Moses had seen the mighty works of God. He had heard His voice. But he wanted more. He asked if he could see God’s glory. To prevent his being incinerated, God hid him in a cave and passed by him while declaring His nature:
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6 ESV)
He Did What Was Necessary
Sadly, many focus on the iniquity phrase and miss the core of the revelation. Fearing the sure consequences of sin, they live trying to avoid it rather than embracing the God whose heart is merciful and gracious. Yes, sin has consequences. Left unconfronted it will continue to infect generations. But God’s merciful heart did what was necessary to be both just and merciful. It is His mercy that moves Him to take the wrath of sin on Himself in Jesus so that we can be forgiven and fully reconciled. It is His heart that is shown in all His works, and it is His heart that invites us into intimate communion with Him.
As we get to know Him, we find mercy and grace abounding and unstoppable love and eternal forgiveness granted. He acts according to His heart. He is not a hypocrite. Jesus came to reveal the nature of the Father and when He self-identified, He spoke of His heart:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
We can never see the purpose of His life, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension if we don’t know His heart. His works reveal His heart, but we can marvel at His works and never feel His heart. If we miss that, we miss a large part of the salvation He gives. When we know in fact and in feeling His sympathies toward us, we will run to Him; never hiding or isolating. We discover that, like water, streams of mercy flow to the neediest point.
When we are devastated by our own disqualification, we qualify for mercy — and that is where He shines brightest. God’s glory is the revelation of His heart. We see His glory most clearly when we plead for mercy, and His mercy touches every aspect of our being. We know Him in our thoughts and in our emotions. We move toward experiencing the full restoration of humanity that He purchased. We know it and feel it because it is real.
Oh God, show me your glory!
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest, a children’s book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.


thestream--2020-12-27--Authorities Confirm: Remains of Suspect Found at Scene of Nashville Christmas Morning RV Bombing

The remains found at the site of the Christmas morning RV bombing in Nashville have been identified as belonging to Anthony Quinn Warner .
Authorities believe Warner , 63 , is responsible for the attack which injured three , damaged dozens of buildings and disrupted an AT & T network hub .
Douglas Korneski , the FBI-Special-Agent-in-Charge says there are currently no other suspects .
Investigators have not tied the explosion in any way to terrorism , reports CNN , nor was there chatter from known extremist groups suggesting a Christmas season attack .
In fact , authorities believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville Mayor John Cooper says the explosion was “ clearly done when no one was going to be around.
” Still , more people could have been hurt or killed if not for the swift response of six police officers who evacuated residents after an eerie recorded message coming from the RV warned the vehicle would explode .
So what would have motivated Warner to commit what one can now call a suicide bombing ?
Authorities have not announced a motive .
WSMV-TV ’ s Jeremy Finley is reporting that FBI agents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) was paranoid about 5g spying on Americans.
” However , that is only one of the possible motives being pursued .
Another possible clue : Right before the explosion , the RV was playing Petula Clark ’ s pop classic “ Downtown.
” As noted by Heavy.com , the song begins , “ When you ’ re alone and life is making you lonely , you can always go downtown … ”

The remains found at the site of the Christmas morning RV bombing in Nashville have been identified as belonging to Anthony Quinn Warner. Authorities believe Warner, 63, is responsible for the attack which injured three, damaged dozens of buildings and disrupted an AT&T network hub.
Douglas Korneski, the special agent in charge of the FBI Memphis field office, says there are currently no other suspects.
Investigators have not tied the explosion in any way to terrorism, reports CNN, nor was there chatter from known extremist groups suggesting a Christmas season attack.
In fact, authorities believe the incident was plotted to minimize casualties. Nashville Mayor John Cooper says the explosion was “clearly done when no one was going to be around.”
Still, more people could have been hurt or killed if not for the swift response of six police officers who evacuated residents after an eerie recorded message coming from the RV warned the vehicle would explode.
So what would have motivated Warner to commit what one can now call a suicide bombing? Authorities have not announced a motive. WSMV-TV’s Jeremy Finley is reporting that FBI agents are “pursuing tips that he (Warner) was paranoid about 5g spying on Americans.” However, that is only one of the possible motives being pursued.
Another possible clue: Right before the explosion, the RV was playing Petula Clark’s pop classic “Downtown.” As noted by Heavy.com, the song begins, “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown.”


thestream--2020-12-27--The Most Outrageous Pardon of All Time

The Most Outrageous Pardon of All Time

Some of President Trump ’ s recent pardons have elicited angry responses around the world .
USA Today called the pardoning of the Blackwater security guards “ egregious and disgusting.
” A headline in China ’ s Global Times announced , “ Trump pardons allies , crooks and Kushner ’ s father , sparking fresh outrage.
” India ’ s Hindustan Times carried an almost identical headline : “ Trump pardons more allies and Kushner ’ s father , sparking fresh outrage.
” The Washington Post branded some of the pardons “ nauseating.
” An editorial in the Arizona Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Bill Moyers wrote , “ Other modern questionable pardons include Jimmy Carter ’ s pardon for all those who evaded the draft during Vietnam War , Bill Clinton ’ s pardon for his half-brother Roger , who was convicted on drug charges , Clinton ’ s controversial pardon of donor Marc Rich , who had been convicted of tax fraud ( Rich ’ s ex-wife was a mega-donor to the Democratic Party ) , George W. Bush ’ s pardon of Lewis “ Scooter ” Libby , the former chief-of-staff to Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of perjury and obstruction for lying about the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame , Barack Obama ’ s pardoning of Private Chelsea Manning , who was convicted of releasing classified documents .
.
.
.
” President Obama was also widely criticized for pardoning ( or , technically , commuting the sentence of ) former terrorist Oscar Lopez Rivera , to mention just one of many other , controversial presidential pardons .
Some now claim that Trump has taken the presidential pardon privilege to a new low .
However , Moyers wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the all-time worst presidential pardon ever was granted by George H.W .
Bush to former secretary of defense Caspar Weinberger.
” And he argues that , “ in pardoning Weinberger , Bush was able to keep is activities secret , and in effect give himself a pardon.
” And so , he asks , “ Was this the first presidential self-pardon ?
In a way , yes.
” But none of these pardons , however egregious some of them may be , compares with the most outrageous pardon in history .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a Roman governor .
And it did not take place in modern times but in ancient times , around the year 30 AD .
As the Gospels record , at the time of the Passover , the Roman governor , in this case the notorious Pontius Pilate , would grant clemency to a Jewish man slated for execution .
In this case , he gave them two choices .
One , named Barabbas , who “ was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising ” against Rome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , named Yeshua ( Jesus ) , who was called the Messiah ( Christ ) .
The crowd called for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be crucified .
And so it was that the innocent Son of God died in place of a murderer .
What makes this story all the more striking is that , in some ancient Greek manuscripts , Yeshua ( Jesus ) is also the first name of Barabbas , which means “ son of the father ” in Aramaic .
So , Pilate is asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Yeshuas do you want me to release to you , the one called the Messiah or the one called son of the father ?
” ( Jesus , of course , was both Messiah and Son of the heavenly Father . )
As rendered in the TLV , Pilate asked , “ Which one do you want me to release for you ?
Yeshua who is Bar-Abba , or Yeshua who is called Messiah ?
” So , on that fateful day , a violent revolutionary named Jesus was pardoned at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Jesus .
Jesus Took Our Place As Well But something else happened that day , a day that we can all relate to .
That was the day that the Messiah took our place as well , the day that our pardon was secured .
And it was God Himself who issued the pardon .
That was the day that God offered David Berkowitz a full pardon , despite his being the infamous Son of Sam killer .
That was the day that God offered Rene Martinez a full pardon , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader .
That was the day God offered Bashir Mohammed a full pardon , despite his being a murderous jihadi .
That was the day that God offered me a full pardon , despite the sinful and rebellious ways of my youth .
And that was the day that God offered you a full pardon , despite every ugly and evil and embarrassing thing you have ever done .
( You can be assured that the Lord knows every single one of them , including the ones you ’ ve tried to bury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t even realize you committed . )
As the Scripture states , “ For while we were still helpless , at the right time Christ died for the ungodly ” ( Romans 5:6 , NASB ) .
Yes , God “ canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross ” ( Colossians 2:14 , NLT ) .
You Must Receive Your Pardon Your pardon was secured , in full , at the expense of the crucifixion of God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pardon for it to be effective .
You can do so today by turning to God in repentance .
( This means acknowledging your sin and asking for freedom and forgiveness . )
And you can do so by putting your trust in Jesus .
( This means believing He died for your sins and rose from the dead , then acknowledging Him as the Lord of your life . )
The moment you do , you will feel as if your pardon was the most outrageous pardon of all time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I urge you to receive that pardon while it remains available .
One day , the offer will expire .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Some of President Trump’s recent pardons have elicited angry responses around the world. USA Today called the pardoning of the Blackwater security guards “egregious and disgusting.” A headline in China’s Global Times announced, “Trump pardons allies, crooks and Kushner’s father, sparking fresh outrage.” India’s Hindustan Times carried an almost identical headline: “Trump pardons more allies and Kushner’s father, sparking fresh outrage.”
The Washington Post branded some of the pardons “nauseating.” An editorial in the Arizona Republic called them “loathsome and disgusting.”
In previous years, other presidential pardons elicited angry responses.
As Bill Moyers wrote,
Other modern questionable pardons include Jimmy Carter’s pardon for all those who evaded the draft during Vietnam War, Bill Clinton’s pardon for his half-brother Roger, who was convicted on drug charges, Clinton’s controversial pardon of donor Marc Rich, who had been convicted of tax fraud (Rich’s ex-wife was a mega-donor to the Democratic Party), George W. Bush’s pardon of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the former chief-of-staff to Vice President Dick Cheney who had been convicted of perjury and obstruction for lying about the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame, Barack Obama’s pardoning of Private Chelsea Manning, who was convicted of releasing classified documents.
President Obama was also widely criticized for pardoning (or, technically, commuting the sentence of) former terrorist Oscar Lopez Rivera, to mention just one of many other, controversial presidential pardons.
Some now claim that Trump has taken the presidential pardon privilege to a new low. However, Moyers wrote this: “we would argue that the all-time worst presidential pardon ever was granted by George H.W. Bush to former secretary of defense Caspar Weinberger.” And he argues that, “in pardoning Weinberger, Bush was able to keep is activities secret, and in effect give himself a pardon.”
And so, he asks, “Was this the first presidential self-pardon? In a way, yes.”
The Most Outrageous Pardon
But none of these pardons, however egregious some of them may be, compares with the most outrageous pardon in history.
It was not granted by an American president but by a Roman governor. And it did not take place in modern times but in ancient times, around the year 30 AD.
As the Gospels record, at the time of the Passover, the Roman governor, in this case the notorious Pontius Pilate, would grant clemency to a Jewish man slated for execution.
In this case, he gave them two choices. One, named Barabbas, who “was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising” against Rome (Mark 15:7). The other, named Yeshua (Jesus), who was called the Messiah (Christ).
The crowd called for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be crucified. And so it was that the innocent Son of God died in place of a murderer.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
What makes this story all the more striking is that, in some ancient Greek manuscripts, Yeshua (Jesus) is also the first name of Barabbas, which means “son of the father” in Aramaic. So, Pilate is asking the crowd, “Which of these two Yeshuas do you want me to release to you, the one called the Messiah or the one called son of the father?” (Jesus, of course, was both Messiah and Son of the heavenly Father.)
As rendered in the TLV, Pilate asked, “Which one do you want me to release for you? Yeshua who is Bar-Abba, or Yeshua who is called Messiah?”
So, on that fateful day, a violent revolutionary named Jesus was pardoned at the expense of the sinless Messiah, also named Jesus.
Jesus Took Our Place As Well
But something else happened that day, a day that we can all relate to. That was the day that the Messiah took our place as well, the day that our pardon was secured. And it was God Himself who issued the pardon.
That was the day that God offered David Berkowitz a full pardon, despite his being the infamous Son of Sam killer.
That was the day that God offered Rene Martinez a full pardon, despite his years spent as a violent gang leader.
That was the day God offered Bashir Mohammed a full pardon, despite his being a murderous jihadi.
That was the day that God offered me a full pardon, despite the sinful and rebellious ways of my youth.
And that was the day that God offered you a full pardon, despite every ugly and evil and embarrassing thing you have ever done. (You can be assured that the Lord knows every single one of them, including the ones you’ve tried to bury or forget, along with the sins you don’t even realize you committed.)
As the Scripture states, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6, NASB). Yes, God “canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14, NLT).
You Must Receive Your Pardon
Your pardon was secured, in full, at the expense of the crucifixion of God’s own Son. But you must receive that pardon for it to be effective.
You can do so today by turning to God in repentance. (This means acknowledging your sin and asking for freedom and forgiveness.) And you can do so by putting your trust in Jesus. (This means believing He died for your sins and rose from the dead, then acknowledging Him as the Lord of your life.)
The moment you do, you will feel as if your pardon was the most outrageous pardon of all time. That is the incredible mercy of God.
I urge you to receive that pardon while it remains available. One day, the offer will expire.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-12-27--Is Church Good for Society?

Is Church Good for Society?

Some leftist government officials , in the name of trying to fight the spread of COVID-19 , have come down hard on churches .
For example , California Governor Gavin Newsom declared ( 5/7/20 ) , “ We ’ re looking at the science , epidemiology , looking again at frequency , duration , time , and looking at low risk-high reward , low risk-low reward.
” [ Emphasis added ] He has defined abortion clinics as essential .
But churches were categorized as non-essential .
Christian legal groups have had to fight with the governor to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantees .
Newsom was not alone in his attempt to hamstring the churches .
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam mandated that only ten people could attend church .
But not to worry , said the Theologian-in-Chief of the Old Dominion state : “ For me , God is wherever you are .
You don ’ t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.
” In November , Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered a halt of in-person worship services — even after having been hit with a federal judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for doing the same .
All of this leads to an interesting question : What , if anything , do churches contribute to society ?
Are churches just “ high risk , low reward ” ?
I spoke recently on the radio with Dr. Byron Johnson , Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor .
Johnson told me , “ Churches are phenomenally important to society .
The bulk of volunteering in America is done by people that come from places like churches .
Americans give more than a billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant portion of that comes from people that sit in pews of congregations.
” What else does church do for society ?
Since 2001 , Gallup polls have conducted annual “ November Health and Healthcare Surveys.
” The results of 2020 showed a drop in overall mental health for Americans .
Not surprising , in light of the lockdown .
Disrn.com reports ( 12/13/20 ) that church-goers were one exception : “ … frequent church attendees were the only group in the U.S. that did not experience a mental health decline in 2020….Forty-six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services said their mental health is ‘ excellent , ’ an increase from last year ’ s 42 percent.
” The Journal of the American Medical Association-Psychiatry published an article ( 5/6/20 ) on the potential impact of church attendance decreasing the number of “ deaths from despair.
” The researchers found that church attendance does indeed help lower the frequency of deaths from despair ( including from drugs , alcohol , and suicide ) .
They conclude : “ …attendance at religious services at least once per week was associated with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despair among women and a 33 % lower hazard among men compared with never attendance.
” They add , “ The findings suggest that frequent attendance at religious services is associated with lower subsequent risk of deaths from despair.
” Go to church and you ’ re less likely to kill yourself .
Or others , for that matter .
The Example of George Washington Of course , the church was founded by Jesus Christ , Whose birth we celebrate at this time .
Christmas is a reminder that a manger in Bethlehem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was fully God and fully man , who went on to live a perfect life and offer Himself as a sacrifice on behalf of sinners , so that those who believe in Him will not perish , but have eternal life .
Being assured of heaven in the next life has a positive impact on how we live this life .
Church-going involves offering gratitude and sacrifices of praise for the ultimate Christmas gift — the Savior Jesus Christ .
One man of note personally viewed attending church a high priority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hectic , and the roads were muddy , and getting there was a challenge .
George Washington , the father of our country , was a devout church-goer , back in a day when it was much more taxing to attend .
He normally went to the Anglican/Episcopal Church .
However , when the Commander-in-Chief was leading the rebellion against the head of that denomination , King George III , Washington became more ecumenical in his worship practices .
He visited Christian churches of all kinds , including Presbyterian ones .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stained glass window of Washington receiving communion at that church , an event that occurred during the War .
After the War , until his death , he regularly attended church — making Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria his home church for the last decade of his life .
In Washington ’ s case , church attendance may have been “ high risk ” only in the sense of the difficulty of getting there and back .
But as is often the case , it was “ high reward.
” If only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn from George ’ s example .
Contrary to the opinion of today ’ s secular leaders , church tends to be high reward for the attenders and society at large .
Jerry Newcombe , D.Min.
, is the executive director of the Providence Forum , an outreach of D. James Kennedy Ministries , where Jerry also serves as senior producer and an on-air host .
He has written/co-written 33 books , including George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( with Providence Forum founder Peter Lillback , Ph.D. ) and What If Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D. James Kennedy , Ph.D. ) .
www.djkm.org @ newcombejerry www.jerrynewcombe.com

Some leftist government officials, in the name of trying to fight the spread of COVID-19, have come down hard on churches.
For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared (5/7/20), “We’re looking at the science, epidemiology, looking again at frequency, duration, time, and looking at low risk-high reward, low risk-low reward.” [Emphasis added]
He has defined abortion clinics as essential. But churches were categorized as non-essential. Christian legal groups have had to fight with the governor to be able to practice religious freedom, which the Constitution guarantees. Newsom was not alone in his attempt to hamstring the churches.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam mandated that only ten people could attend church. But not to worry, said the Theologian-in-Chief of the Old Dominion state: “For me, God is wherever you are. You don’t have to sit in the church pew for God to hear your prayers.”
In November, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered a halt of in-person worship services — even after having been hit with a federal judge’s restraining order earlier this year for doing the same.
All of this leads to an interesting question: What, if anything, do churches contribute to society? Are churches just “high risk, low reward”?
High Risk, Low Reward? Hardly.
I spoke recently on the radio with Dr. Byron Johnson, Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor.
Johnson told me, “Churches are phenomenally important to society. The bulk of volunteering in America is done by people that come from places like churches. Americans give more than a billion dollars a day to charities. A significant portion of that comes from people that sit in pews of congregations.”
What else does church do for society? Since 2001, Gallup polls have conducted annual “November Health and Healthcare Surveys.” The results of 2020 showed a drop in overall mental health for Americans. Not surprising, in light of the lockdown.
Disrn.com reports (12/13/20) that church-goers were one exception: “… frequent church attendees were the only group in the U.S. that did not experience a mental health decline in 2020….Forty-six percent of Americans who regularly attend religious services said their mental health is ‘excellent,’ an increase from last year’s 42 percent.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Journal of the American Medical Association-Psychiatry published an article (5/6/20) on the potential impact of church attendance decreasing the number of “deaths from despair.”
The researchers found that church attendance does indeed help lower the frequency of deaths from despair (including from drugs, alcohol, and suicide). They conclude: “…attendance at religious services at least once per week was associated with a 68% lower hazard of death from despair among women and a 33% lower hazard among men compared with never attendance.”
They add, “The findings suggest that frequent attendance at religious services is associated with lower subsequent risk of deaths from despair.” Go to church and you’re less likely to kill yourself. Or others, for that matter.
The Example of George Washington
Of course, the church was founded by Jesus Christ, Whose birth we celebrate at this time. Christmas is a reminder that a manger in Bethlehem 2000 years ago once contained a baby that was fully God and fully man, who went on to live a perfect life and offer Himself as a sacrifice on behalf of sinners, so that those who believe in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Being assured of heaven in the next life has a positive impact on how we live this life. Church-going involves offering gratitude and sacrifices of praise for the ultimate Christmas gift — the Savior Jesus Christ.
One man of note personally viewed attending church a high priority in his life, even if his schedule was hectic, and the roads were muddy, and getting there was a challenge.
George Washington, the father of our country, was a devout church-goer, back in a day when it was much more taxing to attend. He normally went to the Anglican/Episcopal Church. However, when the Commander-in-Chief was leading the rebellion against the head of that denomination, King George III, Washington became more ecumenical in his worship practices.
He visited Christian churches of all kinds, including Presbyterian ones. The Morristown Presbyterian Church in New Jersey has a stained glass window of Washington receiving communion at that church, an event that occurred during the War. After the War, until his death, he regularly attended church — making Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria his home church for the last decade of his life.
In Washington’s case, church attendance may have been “high risk” only in the sense of the difficulty of getting there and back. But as is often the case, it was “high reward.”
If only some of our modern political leaders would learn from George’s example. Contrary to the opinion of today’s secular leaders, church tends to be high reward for the attenders and society at large.
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is the executive director of the Providence Forum, an outreach of D. James Kennedy Ministries, where Jerry also serves as senior producer and an on-air host. He has written/co-written 33 books, including George Washington’s Sacred Fire (with Providence Forum founder Peter Lillback, Ph.D.) and What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (with D. James Kennedy, Ph.D.). www.djkm.org @newcombejerry www.jerrynewcombe.com