thestream--2020-03-30--Stressful Weeks Call for Courageous Moments

We were about 1,800 miles from home , and the transmission was dead .
We ’ d had trouble with it at the last rest area , but I ’ d been able to limp us along to the next small town , Sidney , Nebraska , but there was no more limping , even .
We were stuck , hundreds of miles from the nearest person we knew .
With two kids in the back seat , ages 8 and 11 , the thought entered my head , “ This could turn really bad .
It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends on the next word that comes out of my mouth .
And right now I ’ d better choose faith and hope.
” I was responsible .
It was up to me .
I could have exploded in anger or shrunk into worry .
In that moment , for the sake of my family , I had to exercise real moral courage .
Moral courage isn ’ t always about the big decisions .
Sometimes it ’ s mere moments that take us by surprise .
On Sunday morning my wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s online worship service , when suddenly I felt a hot blast of angry resentment for not being able actually to be with people .
It was a very small thing , compared to , say , doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line to care for coronavirus patients .
I ’ m not in their situation , so I won ’ t presume to speak of what that ’ s like .
I ’ m just thankful for the depth of courage they ’ re displaying .
Still for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral choice : I could give in and set myself on a trajectory toward bitterness , or I could choose to shift my focus toward the positive , something to be thankful for .
Those moments are likely to multiply .
The course we set ourselves in today ’ s momentary decisions may well determine where we end up weeks or months from now .
And it isn ’ t getting any easier .
My patience is wearing thinner by the day .
I ’ m getting more antsy to get out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cup of coffee with a friend .
The longer this lasts , the more I expect it will test my character .
Moments really matter , but so does our day-by-day , week-by-week heart preparation .
Because resentment and joy happen in very different ways .
Joy requires cultivation over time , by letting our minds dwell on the big picture , especially God ’ s eternal goodness .
Resentment , in contrast , is often over small things , and it attacks us by surprise , as it did for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though .
Moments matter .
I took Sunday morning ’ s moment of bitterness as a warning .
“ This could turn really bad .
It doesn ’ t have to , though .
It depends on the next word that comes out of my mouth .
And right now I ’ d better choose faith and hope.
” Small , momentary decisions can really affect larger outcomes .
They ’ re not the whole story .
There ’ ll be sickness , loss , economic struggles for many of us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about the trajectory .
Trusting God for the Right Outcome Back to Sidney , Nebraska .
By God ’ s grace , I said the right thing in that crucial moment : “ Okay , family , let ’ s trust God with this.
” We ended up spending four or five days there , waiting out a weekend and then the delivery and installation of a new transmission .
An after-market warranty paid not only for the minivan ’ s repair , but even our food and lodging .
We rented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paperwork with pencil and paper — which gave us wheels to go see a rodeo in town .
Our hotel was just a short walk from one of the most interesting stores in the country , the original , flagship store of the Cabela ’ s outfitter chain .
A few years later when we were planning a family vacation , we asked the kids , “ What ’ s been your favorite vacation so far ?
” Our son said , “ Sidney.
” Help us champion truth , freedom , limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream » No one is going to look back on this pandemic and call it their favorite vacation .
That ’ s not the point .
The point is , for the sake of ourselves and our families , we need to be on guard for attacks of bitterness , hopelessness , or worry .
Reality on the ground might seem to justify our feeling that way .
The larger reality , though , is that God is still in charge , and He ’ s still good .
We would all do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day by day , week by week .
Whatever comes out of this for each of us , it ’ ll be a lot better for us all if we exercise moral courage by trusting Him , thanking Him , and cultivating joy , so we can be ready when those hard moments hit — which they will .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discussing Homosexuality with Teens , and the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

We were about 1,800 miles from home, and the transmission was dead. We’d had trouble with it at the last rest area, but I’d been able to limp us along to the next small town, Sidney, Nebraska, but there was no more limping, even. We were stuck, hundreds of miles from the nearest person we knew. With two kids in the back seat, ages 8 and 11, the thought entered my head, “This could turn really bad. It doesn’t have to, though. It all depends on the next word that comes out of my mouth. And right now I’d better choose faith and hope.”
I was responsible. It was up to me. I could have exploded in anger or shrunk into worry. In that moment, for the sake of my family, I had to exercise real moral courage.
Moral courage isn’t always about the big decisions. Sometimes it’s mere moments that take us by surprise. On Sunday morning my wife and I were settling down for our church’s online worship service, when suddenly I felt a hot blast of angry resentment for not being able actually to be with people.
It was a very small thing, compared to, say, doctors and nurses putting their lives on the line to care for coronavirus patients. I’m not in their situation, so I won’t presume to speak of what that’s like. I’m just thankful for the depth of courage they’re displaying.
Still for me it was an unexpected moment of moral choice: I could give in and set myself on a trajectory toward bitterness, or I could choose to shift my focus toward the positive, something to be thankful for.
Setting the Right Trajectory
Those moments are likely to multiply. The course we set ourselves in today’s momentary decisions may well determine where we end up weeks or months from now. And it isn’t getting any easier. My patience is wearing thinner by the day. I’m getting more antsy to get out and do something totally outrageous, like having a cup of coffee with a friend. The longer this lasts, the more I expect it will test my character.
Moments really matter, but so does our day-by-day, week-by-week heart preparation. Because resentment and joy happen in very different ways. Joy requires cultivation over time, by letting our minds dwell on the big picture, especially God’s eternal goodness. Resentment, in contrast, is often over small things, and it attacks us by surprise, as it did for me Sunday morning.
Small things can multiply, though. Moments matter. I took Sunday morning’s moment of bitterness as a warning. “This could turn really bad. It doesn’t have to, though. It depends on the next word that comes out of my mouth. And right now I’d better choose faith and hope.”
Small, momentary decisions can really affect larger outcomes. They’re not the whole story. There’ll be sickness, loss, economic struggles for many of us. Still, moments matter. It’s about the trajectory.
Trusting God for the Right Outcome
Back to Sidney, Nebraska. By God’s grace, I said the right thing in that crucial moment: “Okay, family, let’s trust God with this.” We ended up spending four or five days there, waiting out a weekend and then the delivery and installation of a new transmission. An after-market warranty paid not only for the minivan’s repair, but even our food and lodging. We rented a car — the man did the paperwork with pencil and paper — which gave us wheels to go see a rodeo in town. Our hotel was just a short walk from one of the most interesting stores in the country, the original, flagship store of the Cabela’s outfitter chain.
A few years later when we were planning a family vacation, we asked the kids, “What’s been your favorite vacation so far?” Our son said, “Sidney.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
No one is going to look back on this pandemic and call it their favorite vacation. That’s not the point. The point is, for the sake of ourselves and our families, we need to be on guard for attacks of bitterness, hopelessness, or worry. Reality on the ground might seem to justify our feeling that way. The larger reality, though, is that God is still in charge, and He’s still good.
We would all do well to keep that in mind, day by day, week by week. Whatever comes out of this for each of us, it’ll be a lot better for us all if we exercise moral courage by trusting Him, thanking Him, and cultivating joy, so we can be ready when those hard moments hit — which they will.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.


thestream--2020-03-30--FDA Issues Emergency Authorization of Anti-Malaria Drugs as Doctors Herald Results for Coronavirus P

FDA Issues Emergency Authorization of Anti-Malaria Drugs as Doctors Herald Results for Coronavirus Patients

The United States Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for donated anti-malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate as doctors say the drugs are showing positive results for coronavirus patients .
The FDA issued the authorization to allow doctors to distribute and prescribe the anti-malaria drugs to hospitalized teen and adult patients who have coronavirus , the Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release .
Doctors may distribute and prescribe the drugs “ as appropriate , when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.
” The emergency authorization was issued to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , which is working with the National Institute of Health to plan clinical trials of the drugs .
“ President Trump is taking every possible step to protect Americans from the coronavirus and provide them with hope , ” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a Sunday statement .
“ Scientists in America and around the world have identified multiple potential therapeutics for COVID-19 , including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.
” Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are oral prescription drugs approved to treat malaria and some other diseases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bold leadership and the hard work of FDA and HHS ’ s Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response have succeeded in securing this large donation of medicine , ” he added .
“ We ’ ll continue working around the clock to get American patients access to therapeutics that may help them battle COVID-19 , while building the evidence to evaluate which options are effective.
” Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » News of the FDA ’ s authorization came as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive results for coronavirus patients .
Dr. Jeff Coyler noted in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that in-vitro studies and initial clinical reports support the drugs ’ success in treating the virus .
Coyler said that physicians are using the drugs , which he abbreviates to HC and AZ , to treat patients with advanced coronavirus symptoms .
They do so through a regimen from a recent French open-label trial , which Coyler says doctors “ may modify in any given case.
” “ After the 2002-03 global outbreak of SARS , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , an in vitro study conducted by doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified chloroquine ( a relative of HC ) as an attractive option for prevention and treatment , ” he wrote .
He added : “ If added before the virus was introduced , the drug was highly effective in preventing cellular infection .
Even later application markedly inhibited infection .
Another contemporaneous study showed similar results .
As for COVID , a Chinese study published March 9 showed HC has excellent in vitro effects .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HC and chloroquine.
” 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 licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The United States Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for donated anti-malaria drugs hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate as doctors say the drugs are showing positive results for coronavirus patients.
The FDA issued the authorization to allow doctors to distribute and prescribe the anti-malaria drugs to hospitalized teen and adult patients who have coronavirus, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release. Doctors may distribute and prescribe the drugs “as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.”
The emergency authorization was issued to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is working with the National Institute of Health to plan clinical trials of the drugs.
“President Trump is taking every possible step to protect Americans from the coronavirus and provide them with hope,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar in a Sunday statement. “Scientists in America and around the world have identified multiple potential therapeutics for COVID-19, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.”
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are oral prescription drugs approved to treat malaria and some other diseases, HHS added.
“The President’s bold leadership and the hard work of FDA and HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response have succeeded in securing this large donation of medicine,” he added. “We’ll continue working around the clock to get American patients access to therapeutics that may help them battle COVID-19, while building the evidence to evaluate which options are effective.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
News of the FDA’s authorization came as Kansas City-area physicians say the drugs have positive results for coronavirus patients. Dr. Jeff Coyler noted in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that in-vitro studies and initial clinical reports support the drugs’ success in treating the virus.
Coyler said that physicians are using the drugs, which he abbreviates to HC and AZ, to treat patients with advanced coronavirus symptoms. They do so through a regimen from a recent French open-label trial, which Coyler says doctors “may modify in any given case.”
“After the 2002-03 global outbreak of SARS, a coronavirus related to the one that causes COVID-19, an in vitro study conducted by doctors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified chloroquine (a relative of HC) as an attractive option for prevention and treatment,” he wrote.
He added: “If added before the virus was introduced, the drug was highly effective in preventing cellular infection. Even later application markedly inhibited infection. Another contemporaneous study showed similar results. As for COVID, a Chinese study published March 9 showed HC has excellent in vitro effects. Other recent information suggests potential antiviral mechanisms of HC and chloroquine.”
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--2020-03-30--The World and the Church on the Other Side of This Pandemic

The world is an unpredictable place .
But we pretend it isn ’ t .
We like to envision our future and plan our steps , pretending we know how we ’ ll get there .
But the stories we write for ourselves rest on assumptions about how the world works and our place in it .
And those assumptions tend to be cheery ones .
Most of us never include suffering or vulnerability in our forecasts , especially if we believe that “ God is in control.
” But when it all goes to hell , our illusions fade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly when life unveils our real gods .
Our lives are changing rapidly and permanently right before our eyes .
But the Church needs to take the lead in influencing the world we will face on the other side of this pandemic .
Between Sunday and Thursday of last week , I saw my own home state shut down all bars and restaurants .
Inconvenient ?
Sure .
But then I went to work .
I ’ m a commercial airline pilot .
I spent the next three days in hotels in Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark , rainy ghost town .
There were empty streets and closed businesses in the city by the bay .
No trolley cars in sight .
You could hear birds singing in the eerie air downtown .
I met a British man in an elevator whose flight to London had been canceled .
He had no earthly idea when , or how , he would be able to get home .
And no one from his airline would communicate with him .
Salt Lake City , one of my airline ’ s major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that closed the airport and caused massive flight diversions .
During the descent on our final leg home , we were informed that the eastern half of the Indianapolis Air Traffic Control Center was shutdown .
Two air traffic controllers had tested positive for Coronavirus .
On Tuesday , my airline announced that it would park 300 airplanes and cut flying by 40 % .
By the time I got home , those numbers had changed to 600 airplanes and 70 % .
In short , every time I landed somewhere , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the space of three and a half days , I felt like I had become a character in a Stephen King novel .
And as I write this , the details of this pandemic have only gotten worse .
In the space of just a few hours on the morning of September 11 , 2001 , we had a massive paradigm shift in this country .
It led to economic calamity , war , and distrust .
It ’ s hard to remember what life was like before that day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a little slower pace , but the consequences will be more severe .
And some of them will be permanent .
Welcome to the new reality .
The post-Coronavirus world is something few of us could have imagined even a few weeks ago .
We ’ re still not sure what that world will look like .
But we ’ re getting a glimpse .
The stock market is bouncing up and down .
As of today , the value of our retirement accounts have been cut by more than a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ rescue ” bills to gain a political advantage .
Neighbors hoard food and supplies , depriving their neighbors of the same .
“ Preppers ” are feeling vindicated .
Opportunists are trying to sell vital products for obscene profits .
In each of these cases , we see the fruits of the gods some folks really worship : selfishness , panic , fear , power , greed , and control .
It is an unfortunate reality that challenging times tend to bring out the worst in us .
And it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from people we sit next to in church every week .
But it doesn ’ t have to be this way .
We are free-will beings .
And that means nothing is inevitable .
We don ’ t have to accept the rotten fruit of the lower gods .
“ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control ” ( 2 Timothy 1:7 ) .
The God of the Bible is a reasonable God .
A selfless , loving , compassionate God .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » We are made in His image .
The Church has faced catastrophes before .
But instead of languishing with the lunatics of the lesser gods , it made the choice to reflect the character of its King .
Here are some ways I can think of to do that .
Feel free to add some more if you have them … If you ’ re older than 35 or so , think about the world you grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was carefree and mostly serene .
You didn ’ t have to think about “ adult things.
” And your parents weren ’ t bombarded with outrage , politics , and flamethrowing 24/7/365 from the news .
All you had to do was be a kid .
Now think about those who are under 30 years old .
Realize that their lives have been bookended by catastrophes like 9/11 and the Coronavirus pandemic .
Their view of the world is different than those of us who are older .
Look at it through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You don ’ t have to be Pollyanna .
Just give them something to be optimistic about … or at least try to understand why they ’ re not .
Christianity exploded during the plagues and persecutions in the ancient world .
And it did so precisely because Christians served those who most needed it .
They comforted and cared for the sick and dying .
This isn ’ t just a job for healthcare professionals .
It ’ s a duty for us all .
We need to quit being the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
We need to be givers of whatever it is we are able to give .
And let ’ s be smart about this .
Preparing to care for those in need includes caching medical supplies and equipment for future outbreaks like this that will come — instead of fighting each other to hoard things now .
And it means retooling our country to produce our own medicine and other medical equipment here where we need it , not overseas where it ’ s cheap .
The economic expectations we have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selfish , and short-sighted .
We borrow and spend too much .
We save too little .
Our leaders are more worried about the next election than the next generation .
But they are like that because we demand comfort and security from them now .
We have mortgaged the future so we can indulge ourselves in the present .
And we do it on a national , congregational , and personal scale .
Imagine how different this crisis would be if businesses , churches , and families had conserved the financial means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what kind of world we will be leaving for our kids and grandkids if we don ’ t change our ways .
The World On The Other Side The changes we are facing will be dramatic and long-lasting .
There are things we will never do the same way .
There are ways we will think about things that have been forever altered .
But , since that ’ s the case , let ’ s make the world on the other side of this a better one .
The circumstances will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far different from the world around us .
If you believe Christianity is true , that means it applies to every aspect of our lives and to every situation in which we find ourselves .
Economics and pandemics are no exception .
Let ’ s use the rational minds God gave us to be smart , savvy , and sacrificial .
This kind of thing will happen again .
If anybody should be ready to deal with it the next time , it ’ s the Church .
Bob Perry makes a living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his passion is to understand , articulate and defend his Christian convictions — and to help others do the same .
He holds a masters degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy .
Check out his blog at truehorizon.org and follow him on Twitter @ True_Horizon .

The world is an unpredictable place. But we pretend it isn’t. We like to envision our future and plan our steps, pretending we know how we’ll get there.
But the stories we write for ourselves rest on assumptions about how the world works and our place in it. And those assumptions tend to be cheery ones. Most of us never include suffering or vulnerability in our forecasts, especially if we believe that “God is in control.” But when it all goes to hell, our illusions fade to black. The smiling facade vanishes quickly when life unveils our real gods.
Our lives are changing rapidly and permanently right before our eyes. But the Church needs to take the lead in influencing the world we will face on the other side of this pandemic.
The World Descends
Between Sunday and Thursday of last week, I saw my own home state shut down all bars and restaurants. Inconvenient? Sure. But then I went to work. I’m a commercial airline pilot.
I spent the next three days in hotels in Boston and San Francisco. Boston was a dark, rainy ghost town. There were empty streets and closed businesses in the city by the bay. No trolley cars in sight. You could hear birds singing in the eerie air downtown.
I met a British man in an elevator whose flight to London had been canceled. He had no earthly idea when, or how, he would be able to get home. And no one from his airline would communicate with him.
Salt Lake City, one of my airline’s major hubs, was rocked by an earthquake that closed the airport and caused massive flight diversions.
During the descent on our final leg home, we were informed that the eastern half of the Indianapolis Air Traffic Control Center was shutdown. Two air traffic controllers had tested positive for Coronavirus.
On Tuesday, my airline announced that it would park 300 airplanes and cut flying by 40%. By the time I got home, those numbers had changed to 600 airplanes and 70%.
In short, every time I landed somewhere, I was afraid to turn on my phone. In the space of three and a half days, I felt like I had become a character in a Stephen King novel. And as I write this, the details of this pandemic have only gotten worse.
Paradigm Shifts
In the space of just a few hours on the morning of September 11, 2001, we had a massive paradigm shift in this country. It led to economic calamity, war, and distrust. It’s hard to remember what life was like before that day. Today’s crisis may be happening at a little slower pace, but the consequences will be more severe. And some of them will be permanent.
Welcome to the new reality. The post-Coronavirus world is something few of us could have imagined even a few weeks ago. We’re still not sure what that world will look like. But we’re getting a glimpse.
New Reality?
The stock market is bouncing up and down. As of today, the value of our retirement accounts have been cut by more than a third. Leaders are issuing edicts and manipulating “rescue” bills to gain a political advantage. Neighbors hoard food and supplies, depriving their neighbors of the same. “Preppers” are feeling vindicated. Opportunists are trying to sell vital products for obscene profits.
In each of these cases, we see the fruits of the gods some folks really worship: selfishness, panic, fear, power, greed, and control.
It is an unfortunate reality that challenging times tend to bring out the worst in us. And it is a sad fact that some of that fruit comes from people we sit next to in church every week.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Children of a Greater God
We are free-will beings. And that means nothing is inevitable. We don’t have to accept the rotten fruit of the lower gods.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
The God of the Bible is a reasonable God. A selfless, loving, compassionate God. A God of mercy and justice.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We are made in His image.
The Church has faced catastrophes before. But instead of languishing with the lunatics of the lesser gods, it made the choice to reflect the character of its King. Here are some ways I can think of to do that. Feel free to add some more if you have them …
Empathize With the Younger Generation
If you’re older than 35 or so, think about the world you grew up in as a kid. It was carefree and mostly serene. You didn’t have to think about “adult things.” And your parents weren’t bombarded with outrage, politics, and flamethrowing 24/7/365 from the news. All you had to do was be a kid.
Now think about those who are under 30 years old. Realize that their lives have been bookended by catastrophes like 9/11 and the Coronavirus pandemic. Their view of the world is different than those of us who are older. Look at it through their eyes and have some compassion. You don’t have to be Pollyanna. Just give them something to be optimistic about … or at least try to understand why they’re not.
Serve Our Neighbors
Christianity exploded during the plagues and persecutions in the ancient world. And it did so precisely because Christians served those who most needed it. They comforted and cared for the sick and dying. This isn’t just a job for healthcare professionals. It’s a duty for us all.
We need to quit being the “takers” our culture encourages us to be. We need to be givers of whatever it is we are able to give.
And let’s be smart about this. Preparing to care for those in need includes caching medical supplies and equipment for future outbreaks like this that will come — instead of fighting each other to hoard things now. And it means retooling our country to produce our own medicine and other medical equipment here where we need it, not overseas where it’s cheap.
Demand Economic Restraint
The economic expectations we have come to accept as normal are reckless, selfish, and short-sighted. We borrow and spend too much. We save too little. Our leaders are more worried about the next election than the next generation. But they are like that because we demand comfort and security from them now. We have mortgaged the future so we can indulge ourselves in the present. And we do it on a national, congregational, and personal scale.
Imagine how different this crisis would be if businesses, churches, and families had conserved the financial means to weather this storm. And imagine what kind of world we will be leaving for our kids and grandkids if we don’t change our ways.
The World On The Other Side
The changes we are facing will be dramatic and long-lasting. There are things we will never do the same way. There are ways we will think about things that have been forever altered. But, since that’s the case, let’s make the world on the other side of this a better one. The circumstances will be challenging. But our response should be far different from the world around us.
If you believe Christianity is true, that means it applies to every aspect of our lives and to every situation in which we find ourselves. Economics and pandemics are no exception. Let’s use the rational minds God gave us to be smart, savvy, and sacrificial.
This kind of thing will happen again. If anybody should be ready to deal with it the next time, it’s the Church.
Bob Perry makes a living as a commercial airline pilot, but his passion is to understand, articulate and defend his Christian convictions — and to help others do the same. He holds a masters degree in Christian Apologetics from Biola University and a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Check out his blog at truehorizon.org and follow him on Twitter @True_Horizon.
Originally published at TrueHorizon.org. Reprinted with permission.


Prayers in Isolation

There have been a few moments in recent weeks when the new reality of the coronavirus epidemic hit me in special ways .
One of them was when Amazon put books on the bottom of its priority list .
Bookish type that I am , that is what Amazon is for me : books .
And I ’ ve rediscovered the bookstores and distributors I used to rely on before Amazon made things so simple .
I ’ m thinking I really shouldn ’ t go back .
Aren ’ t we all having a renewed appreciation for the smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind them ?
Of course , there have been more serious moments , like when I realized I ’ d have to go into isolation because of likely direct exposure to the virus .
It isn ’ t really an introvert ’ s dream when solitude ’ s dished out with all the anxieties of the moment .
But all these realizations come with tremendous gratitude .
Surprisingly , though , I was most rattled when I read about a cruise ship full of people who are not deboarding anytime soon .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Holland America ’ s Zaandam .
I was on it less than a year ago , for a fundraising cruise for my employer , National Review .
Besides a lovely trip , it was a great chance to mingle and talk with the magazine ’ s readers and writers .
It was truly a privilege .
This Saint Joseph ’ s day , March 19 , I couldn ’ t go to Mass — a reality that is so foreign to me , as someone who normally gets to go to Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I was brought back in prayer to my visit to the Saint Joseph ’ s Oratory in Montreal , right before getting onto the Zaandam for the National Review cruise .
The Montreal church is a veritable fortress of prayer .
It wraps you in a warm parental love , and imparts a confidence about trusting in the love of God , who will not abandon us .
Is there a message that could be more helpful right now , as we look for hope beyond this moment and want to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering the people on the frontlines of this plague are experiencing ?
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » Once we got on the Zaandam , we stopped in Quebec City , which had me tripping over the graves of saints I had encountered at a conference not so long ago on the rich Catholic faith of the Americas , the fruits of missionary labors .
Quebec City is like nothing I ’ ve ever experienced outside of Europe .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is certainly impossible to miss its Christian heritage .
Anyway , as all of these memories flooded in , I prayed that for the people on the Zaandam now .
I thought of the long-suffering staff on the boat — they are some of the hardest , most self-sacrificial workers on those boats , devoted to their families , living in what are far from luxurious sleeping quarters during these months-long assignments .
This is all to say : This time , for so many of us , having to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a severe isolation for some , really ought to be a time for reflection about who we are and who we want to be .
Are we self-pitying in our inability to have things the way we like ?
Or are we growing in gratitude for the blessings we ’ ve had and have in our lives ?
Are we reaching out to others , taking all the precautions called for , or are we turning inward ?
And if we are people who believe in something more , what are we doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know God better and what He wants for us ?
Because when this crisis passes , we want to be living differently , don ’ t we ?
As people renewed in hope and gratitude for the gift of life ?
And as we experience suffering and death , even from afar , we must always want to be beacons of love .
America could use some more saints , after all .
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan ’ s pro-life commission in New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

There have been a few moments in recent weeks when the new reality of the coronavirus epidemic hit me in special ways. One of them was when Amazon put books on the bottom of its priority list. Bookish type that I am, that is what Amazon is for me: books. And I’ve rediscovered the bookstores and distributors I used to rely on before Amazon made things so simple. I’m thinking I really shouldn’t go back. Aren’t we all having a renewed appreciation for the smaller businesses in our lives and the people behind them?
Of course, there have been more serious moments, like when I realized I’d have to go into isolation because of likely direct exposure to the virus. It isn’t really an introvert’s dream when solitude’s dished out with all the anxieties of the moment. But all these realizations come with tremendous gratitude.
Surprisingly, though, I was most rattled when I read about a cruise ship full of people who are not deboarding anytime soon. The name of the boat sounded remarkably familiar — Holland America’s Zaandam. I was on it less than a year ago, for a fundraising cruise for my employer, National Review. Besides a lovely trip, it was a great chance to mingle and talk with the magazine’s readers and writers. It was truly a privilege.
A Fortress of Prayer
This Saint Joseph’s day, March 19, I couldn’t go to Mass — a reality that is so foreign to me, as someone who normally gets to go to Mass daily, wherever I am traveling — but I was brought back in prayer to my visit to the Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, right before getting onto the Zaandam for the National Review cruise. The Montreal church is a veritable fortress of prayer. It wraps you in a warm parental love, and imparts a confidence about trusting in the love of God, who will not abandon us. Is there a message that could be more helpful right now, as we look for hope beyond this moment and want to believe that there is a purpose to the suffering the people on the frontlines of this plague are experiencing?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Once we got on the Zaandam, we stopped in Quebec City, which had me tripping over the graves of saints I had encountered at a conference not so long ago on the rich Catholic faith of the Americas, the fruits of missionary labors. Quebec City is like nothing I’ve ever experienced outside of Europe. I don’t know how devout it remains, but it is certainly impossible to miss its Christian heritage.
Anyway, as all of these memories flooded in, I prayed that for the people on the Zaandam now. I thought of the long-suffering staff on the boat — they are some of the hardest, most self-sacrificial workers on those boats, devoted to their families, living in what are far from luxurious sleeping quarters during these months-long assignments.
Growing in Gratitude
This is all to say: This time, for so many of us, having to “shelter in place,” which means a severe isolation for some, really ought to be a time for reflection about who we are and who we want to be. Are we self-pitying in our inability to have things the way we like? Or are we growing in gratitude for the blessings we’ve had and have in our lives? Are we reaching out to others, taking all the precautions called for, or are we turning inward?
And if we are people who believe in something more, what are we doing about that? Are we getting to know God better and what He wants for us? Because when this crisis passes, we want to be living differently, don’t we? As people renewed in hope and gratitude for the gift of life?
And as we experience suffering and death, even from afar, we must always want to be beacons of love. America could use some more saints, after all.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].


thestream--2020-03-30--A Catholic Politician Who Said No! to the Pro-Abortionists

A hero died last week .
He was a Catholic politician , the kind you don ’ t see much anymore .
Especially in New England .
Here are the bare bones facts of his life : He had a doctorate in psychology and a law degree .
The governor of Connecticut appointed him the state ’ s first State Victim Advocate in 1999 .
He served for eight years before retiring .
The Archdiocese of Hartford ordained him a deacon in 2004 .
Jim Papillo was not just a deacon .
He was a Thomas More in a Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic courage in an age of Catholic cowardice .
That cowardice is often traced to John F. Kennedy ’ s speech in 1960 promising that he would not seek to impose his Catholic faith on the United States .
In fact , the speech in itself stands up pretty well .
He tried to distinguish what he would do as a Catholic and what he would do as president .
But in 1984 then-New York Governor Mario Cuomo weaponized Kennedy ’ s speech against his fellow Catholics .
In an infamous speech at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the unborn was to impose Catholicism on the United States .
In doing that , he misrepresented Catholicism and the Constitution .
I took apart Cuomo ’ s lethal legacy here .
By the 21st century , the question was no longer the possibility that Catholics might impose their faith on the government .
It was the reality that the government now sought to impose its radical pro-abortionism on Catholics and Evangelicals alike .
Anyone familiar with the depressing course of recent history knows what I mean .
Catholic nuns told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told to place children in homes with same-sex couples .
Both threatened with ruin if they didn ’ t agree .
And on and on .
You would think Catholic politicians would have stood up to it .
Decades of hiding behind Cuomoism deadened their consciences .
They didn ’ t even notice that this was something new .
They stuck with the non sequitur that they were “ personally opposed , ” but had to promote the law of the land .
But not all of them .
Here in Connecticut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture war against faith in our country had reached a dangerous new phase .
He stood up to it .
Even though it cost him his job .
He didn ’ t simply “ retire ” from his position as State Victims Advocate .
He was an early victim of the coming onslaught against religious liberty that we all fought in the 2010s .
In 2006 , Chris Murphy was a 32-year-old state senator making a lightning-quick ascent in Connecticut politics .
Later that year he would be a congressman .
Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » As co-chairman of the Public Health Committee , Murphy sought to pass a law forcing Catholic hospitals to provide the abortifacient Plan B drug .
Papillo stopped him cold in his tracks .
Liberals like Murphy expected that as Victims Advocate , Papillo would be a star witness for the bill .
He got to the microphone as the public heating began .
He shocked the capitol by vigorously testifying against it .
Papillo didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have bad enough .
He called out Murphy and the committee to their faces for targeting the Catholic Church under the pretext of helping rape victims .
“ I see this for what it is .
It is not a victims ’ rights issue .
It is not a victims ’ services issue .
The issue is an attack on the Catholic institutions.
” The building went nuts !
There was pandemonium in the hallways .
The pro-abortion lobbyists that practically live there surrounded Papillo .
They started screaming at him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his own protection .
His career was toast after that .
The Democrat lieutenant governor held a press conference calling for his resignation .
The Republican governor refused to reappoint him .
And the bill still passed the following year .
But he was a hero to pro-lifers in Connecticut .
Now he ’ s gone .
He preached with his life , not just his words .
But he had the last laugh .
In 2009 , Papillo brought 60 seminarians from Holy Apostles College to the state capitol to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of our state court ’ s same-sex marriage ruling .
Thanks in part to him , and the seminarians he brought , we secured some of the strongest religious exemptions in the country .
He Must Have Known The hit against Papillo in the Plan B fight was that he had put his private religious faith above his public duty .
He did no such thing .
He spoke against two things that are wrong whatever you believe : killing the unborn and denying religious freedom .
Jim Papillo must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He knew how to avoid getting in trouble .
Do the Cuomo thing .
He was not intimidated by that stupid fallacy behind which so many other Catholic politicians hid .
No , he didn ’ t lie to keep his job .
He told the truth .
RIP , Jim .
And thank you .
This is the third in our political heroes series .
The first two are David Mills ’ Sargent Shriver , Old-time Democrat , Trusted God , and Shook the Hands of Lepers and Rachel Alexander ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Younger Generations .
Peter Wolfgang is president of Family Institute of Connecticut Action .
He lives in Waterbury , Connecticut , with his wife and their seven children .
The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own .

A hero died last week. He was a Catholic politician, the kind you don’t see much anymore. Especially in New England.
Here are the bare bones facts of his life: He had a doctorate in psychology and a law degree. The governor of Connecticut appointed him the state’s first State Victim Advocate in 1999. He served for eight years before retiring. The Archdiocese of Hartford ordained him a deacon in 2004.
Jim Papillo was not just a deacon. He was a Thomas More in a Nancy Pelosi era. A political paragon of Catholic courage in an age of Catholic cowardice.
Catholic Cowardice
That cowardice is often traced to John F. Kennedy’s speech in 1960 promising that he would not seek to impose his Catholic faith on the United States. In fact, the speech in itself stands up pretty well. He tried to distinguish what he would do as a Catholic and what he would do as president.
But in 1984 then-New York Governor Mario Cuomo weaponized Kennedy’s speech against his fellow Catholics. In an infamous speech at Notre Dame, he argued that to protect the unborn was to impose Catholicism on the United States. In doing that, he misrepresented Catholicism and the Constitution. I took apart Cuomo’s lethal legacy here.
By the 21st century, the question was no longer the possibility that Catholics might impose their faith on the government. It was the reality that the government now sought to impose its radical pro-abortionism on Catholics and Evangelicals alike.
Anyone familiar with the depressing course of recent history knows what I mean. Catholic nuns told to provide abortion drugs. Evangelical adoption agencies told to place children in homes with same-sex couples. Both threatened with ruin if they didn’t agree. And on and on.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
You would think Catholic politicians would have stood up to it. Decades of hiding behind Cuomoism deadened their consciences. They didn’t even notice that this was something new. They stuck with the non sequitur that they were “personally opposed,” but had to promote the law of the land.
He Stood Up
But not all of them. Here in Connecticut, one of them realized that that the culture war against faith in our country had reached a dangerous new phase. He stood up to it. Even though it cost him his job.
He didn’t simply “retire” from his position as State Victims Advocate. He was an early victim of the coming onslaught against religious liberty that we all fought in the 2010s.
In 2006, Chris Murphy was a 32-year-old state senator making a lightning-quick ascent in Connecticut politics. Later that year he would be a congressman. Today, he’s a U.S. Senator.
As co-chairman of the Public Health Committee, Murphy sought to pass a law forcing Catholic hospitals to provide the abortifacient Plan B drug. Papillo stopped him cold in his tracks.
Liberals like Murphy expected that as Victims Advocate, Papillo would be a star witness for the bill. He got to the microphone as the public heating began. He shocked the capitol by vigorously testifying against it.
Papillo didn’t just oppose it. That would have bad enough. He called out Murphy and the committee to their faces for targeting the Catholic Church under the pretext of helping rape victims. “I see this for what it is. It is not a victims’ rights issue. It is not a victims’ services issue. The issue is an attack on the Catholic institutions.”
Pandemonium in the Hallways
The building went nuts! There was pandemonium in the hallways. The pro-abortion lobbyists that practically live there surrounded Papillo. They started screaming at him. The capitol police had to step in for his own protection.
His career was toast after that.
The Democrat lieutenant governor held a press conference calling for his resignation. The Republican governor refused to reappoint him. And the bill still passed the following year. But he was a hero to pro-lifers in Connecticut. Now he’s gone. He preached with his life, not just his words. But he had the last laugh.
In 2009, Papillo brought 60 seminarians from Holy Apostles College to the state capitol to help us lobby for a religious liberty law in the wake of our state court’s same-sex marriage ruling. Thanks in part to him, and the seminarians he brought, we secured some of the strongest religious exemptions in the country.
He Must Have Known
The hit against Papillo in the Plan B fight was that he had put his private religious faith above his public duty. He did no such thing. He spoke against two things that are wrong whatever you believe: killing the unborn and denying religious freedom.
Jim Papillo must have known how the liberals would react. He knew how to avoid getting in trouble. Do the Cuomo thing. He was not intimidated by that stupid fallacy behind which so many other Catholic politicians hid. No, he didn’t lie to keep his job. He told the truth.
RIP, Jim. And thank you.
This is the third in our political heroes series. The first two are David Mills’ Sargent Shriver, Old-time Democrat, Trusted God, and Shook the Hands of Lepers and Rachel Alexander’s William F. Buckley Jr., Lost to the Younger Generations.
Peter Wolfgang is president of Family Institute of Connecticut Action. He lives in Waterbury, Connecticut, with his wife and their seven children. The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own.


thestream--2020-03-30--This is a Great Time to Test Contemporary Prophetic Words

Because I believe in the Scriptures , I believe the gift of prophecy exists to this day within the Church .
Is the Spirit saying anything to us today about the end of COVID-19 ?
At least two charismatic prophets say that He has spoken , pointing to mid-April as the time of a major “ shift.
” What should we make of this ?
Peter said prophecy would continue throughout “ the last days , ” which speaks of the time from the ministry of Jesus until His return ( see Acts 2:17-21 , 39 ) .
Paul affirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , which is why he encouraged the Corinthians to eagerly seek this gift ( see 1 Corinthians 14:1 , 5 ) .
This is not adding to the Bible , God forbid .
Instead , it is Jesus the Shepherd continuing to speak to His sheep by His Spirit .
What is the Spirit saying ?
But first , I want to go back four years .
Before Donald Trump was elected president , a staunch critic of the charismatic movement contacted me privately .
He wanted to know how I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfilled .
( A number of charismatic prophets said that Trump would be elected president , in some cases , more than 5 years before the election . )
I assured him that if Trump lost to Hillary , I would say publicly and plainly that these words were false .
And I would call for greater accountability in our movement to deal with false , public words .
I then asked him if he would acknowledge these were true prophetic words if Trump was elected , which at that point seemed highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recently , I asked him about this again , and his response came as a shock .
If Trump was not elected , he told me , that would prove the prophecies were false .
If Trump was elected , it would prove nothing , since either Trump or Hillary Clinton were going to win the election .
So , if you get it wrong , you ’ re wrong .
If you get it right , that proves nothing .
I pressed him further , reminding him that some of the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought of Trump being president .
I also gave him an example of a striking prophetic word I had received over 20 years ago , part of which said I would meet with princes .
( Honestly , I don ’ t think that meeting with princes ever crossed my mind once before that . )
Two weeks later , I was sitting in Buckingham Palace , meeting privately with Prince Andrew , even sharing my testimony with him .
And I didn ’ t lift a finger to make it happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to these examples , which could be multiplied almost endlessly ?
He was completely unmoved , since he didn ’ t believe that prophecy existed today .
So much for fruitful dialogue .
So much for responding dispassionately to evidence .
Taking an Objective Look at COVID-19 Prophecies Thankfully , most Christians would take a more objective look at the evidence , perhaps even reevaluating their understanding of Scripture if given sufficient reason .
If the Bible says plainly that prophecy will continue until Jesus returns , where is the evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible is our guide , how do we test alleged prophetic words ?
In the words of Paul , “ Do not quench the Spirit .
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all ; hold on to what is good.
” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 ) Well , today , we have a perfect opportunity to “ test ” prophetic words , since at least two , well-known charismatic prophets ( Chuck Pierce and Tracy Cooke ) have spoken of a clear “ shift ” ( or “ diminishing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of Passover .
( The final day of Passover is April 16 .
For Pierce ’ s word , see here , starting at 49:29 ; for Cooke ’ s word , see here , starting at 6:58 ) Of course , the greatest concern right now is not the accuracy of these words .
Lives are at stake .
People are suffering .
The world is in upheaval .
Those are the great issues of the day , and the first word many of us have heard from God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Spirit is certainly saying that to God ’ s people who love and trust Him .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » But is He also giving a specific word about when a major , noticeable change will come with COVID-19 ?
Is He saying this in advance to get our attention , to build our faith , and even to get us to focus on the Passover-Easter season ?
And how interesting that President Trump has spoken publicly of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Resurrection ) Sunday , which is April 12 .
At this point , very few experts are pointing to a major shift taking place by mid-April .
In fact , one headline announced , “ More than 800,000 doctors plead with Trump not to reopen the country by Easter because it will ‘ gravely jeopardize the health of all Americans ’ .
” So , if something major did happen a few days after Easter , it would certainly be attention-getting , bringing far better news than most health experts foresee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sake of those suffering , I certainly hope it is .
And , putting aside these prophetic words , we continue to pray for mercy and divine intervention , also doing whatever we can to stay healthy and to help others .
But here is a great opportunity to test modern-day prophecy .
If these words come to pass , then skeptics and mockers should take notice while Christians who do not believe in prophecy today should rethink their views and look at the Scriptures afresh .
If these words do not come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do believe in prophecy today should ask some serious questions , including how we deal with inaccurate or false prophecies in our midst .
( And yes , the skeptics and mockers will have more fuel for their fire while non-charismatic Christians will challenge us to rethink our views . )
Again , to reiterate , the greatest issue here is one of human suffering , not the accuracy of prophecies .
But this is an important moment in our history , and we do well to ask what God is saying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And while there are many practical things the Spirit is teaching us during this crisis , we should really keep our eyes open the next couple of weeks .
Let us watch and pray .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Jezebel ’ s War With America : The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Because I believe in the Scriptures, I believe the gift of prophecy exists to this day within the Church. Is the Spirit saying anything to us today about the end of COVID-19? At least two charismatic prophets say that He has spoken, pointing to mid-April as the time of a major “shift.” What should we make of this?
Peter said prophecy would continue throughout “the last days,” which speaks of the time from the ministry of Jesus until His return (see Acts 2:17-21, 39). Paul affirmed this too (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-12), which is why he encouraged the Corinthians to eagerly seek this gift (see 1 Corinthians 14:1, 5).
This is not adding to the Bible, God forbid. Instead, it is Jesus the Shepherd continuing to speak to His sheep by His Spirit. What is the Spirit saying?
Flashback: The Trump Prophecies
But first, I want to go back four years. Before Donald Trump was elected president, a staunch critic of the charismatic movement contacted me privately. He wanted to know how I would respond if the Trump prophecies were not fulfilled. (A number of charismatic prophets said that Trump would be elected president, in some cases, more than 5 years before the election.) I assured him that if Trump lost to Hillary, I would say publicly and plainly that these words were false. And I would call for greater accountability in our movement to deal with false, public words.
I then asked him if he would acknowledge these were true prophetic words if Trump was elected, which at that point seemed highly unlikely. He did not respond.
Recently, I asked him about this again, and his response came as a shock. If Trump was not elected, he told me, that would prove the prophecies were false. If Trump was elected, it would prove nothing, since either Trump or Hillary Clinton were going to win the election. So, if you get it wrong, you’re wrong. If you get it right, that proves nothing.
Thankfully, most Christians would take a more objective look at the evidence of contemporary prophesy, perhaps even reevaluating their understanding of Scripture if given sufficient reason.
I pressed him further, reminding him that some of the words were delivered years before there was a thought of Trump being president. I also gave him an example of a striking prophetic word I had received over 20 years ago, part of which said I would meet with princes. (Honestly, I don’t think that meeting with princes ever crossed my mind once before that.) Two weeks later, I was sitting in Buckingham Palace, meeting privately with Prince Andrew, even sharing my testimony with him. And I didn’t lift a finger to make it happen.
How, then, did this critic respond to these examples, which could be multiplied almost endlessly? He was completely unmoved, since he didn’t believe that prophecy existed today.
So much for fruitful dialogue. So much for responding dispassionately to evidence.
Taking an Objective Look at COVID-19 Prophecies
Thankfully, most Christians would take a more objective look at the evidence, perhaps even reevaluating their understanding of Scripture if given sufficient reason.
If the Bible says plainly that prophecy will continue until Jesus returns, where is the evidence of such prophecy today? And if the Bible is our guide, how do we test alleged prophetic words? In the words of Paul, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21)
Well, today, we have a perfect opportunity to “test” prophetic words, since at least two, well-known charismatic prophets (Chuck Pierce and Tracy Cooke) have spoken of a clear “shift” (or “diminishing”) that will take place with COVID-19 by the end of Passover. (The final day of Passover is April 16. For Pierce’s word, see here, starting at 49:29; for Cooke’s word, see here, starting at 6:58)
Of course, the greatest concern right now is not the accuracy of these words. Lives are at stake. People are suffering. The world is in upheaval. Those are the great issues of the day, and the first word many of us have heard from God is, “Fear not!” The Spirit is certainly saying that to God’s people who love and trust Him.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But is He also giving a specific word about when a major, noticeable change will come with COVID-19? Is He saying this in advance to get our attention, to build our faith, and even to get us to focus on the Passover-Easter season? And how interesting that President Trump has spoken publicly of his desire to see churches filled on Easter (Resurrection) Sunday, which is April 12.
At this point, very few experts are pointing to a major shift taking place by mid-April. In fact, one headline announced, “More than 800,000 doctors plead with Trump not to reopen the country by Easter because it will ‘gravely jeopardize the health of all Americans’.”
So, if something major did happen a few days after Easter, it would certainly be attention-getting, bringing far better news than most health experts foresee. Could it be true?
For the sake of those suffering, I certainly hope it is. And, putting aside these prophetic words, we continue to pray for mercy and divine intervention, also doing whatever we can to stay healthy and to help others.
But here is a great opportunity to test modern-day prophecy.
If these words come to pass, then skeptics and mockers should take notice while Christians who do not believe in prophecy today should rethink their views and look at the Scriptures afresh.
If these words do not come to pass, those of us who do believe in prophecy today should ask some serious questions, including how we deal with inaccurate or false prophecies in our midst. (And yes, the skeptics and mockers will have more fuel for their fire while non-charismatic Christians will challenge us to rethink our views.)
The Spirit Teaches
Again, to reiterate, the greatest issue here is one of human suffering, not the accuracy of prophecies. But this is an important moment in our history, and we do well to ask what God is saying to us in the midst of it. And while there are many practical things the Spirit is teaching us during this crisis, we should really keep our eyes open the next couple of weeks.
Let us watch and pray.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Jezebel’s War With America: The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-03-30--Military Photo of the Day: Stepping Up to Serve the Community

An Ohio National Guard soldier stocks shelves at the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank on March 25 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ be as thrilling as images of fighters jets and tanks , it is every bit @ @ @ @ @ to the brave men and women of our military community for stepping up during this @ @ @ @ @ a safe week !
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human @ @ @ @ @ »

An Ohio National Guard soldier stocks shelves at the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank on March 25, 2020.
While this photo might not be as thrilling as images of fighter jets and tanks, it is every bit as important. Thank you to the brave men and women of our military community for stepping up during this ongoing coronavirus crisis. Have a safe week!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-03-30--No Easter Parade. Trump Extends Stay-at-Home Orders to April 30

“ Nothing could be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won.
” President Trump announced Sunday evening that stay-at-home orders will stay in place until April 30 .
This puts an end to Trump ’ s goal of reopening the country by Easter .
( On the plus side , Jesus is still risen . )
Trump said his Easter goal was “ just an aspiration , ” and he didn ’ t want to see a spike in cases if restrictions were lifted too soon .
The peak of the virus is still about two weeks away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can expect by June 1 we will be well on the way to recovery.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci called the president ’ s action a “ wise and prudent decision.
” He says the administration didn ’ t want to prematurely pull back on the fight against the virus .
Earlier in the day Dr. Fauci said between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans could die from the coronavirus .
He included several qualifiers , which the media and Twitterverse generally ignored .
At Sunday ’ s Rose Garden press conference , Dr. Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers.
“ You could make a big soundbite about it , ” he said , “ But the fact is , it is possible .
What we are trying to do is not let that happen.
” Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue , Nancy Pelosi was proving just how low a politician can go .
On Sunday , Pelosi directly blamed Trump for the rising death toll .
Speaker Pelosi told CNN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dying.
” Sen. Lindsay Graham called the comment “ the most shameful , disgusting statement by any politician in modern history.
” Making the statement even more shameful , Pelosi was the one who recessed the House in the middle of an international crisis , flew home for a week , then returned to scuttle the Senate ’ s bipartisan relief bill .
She then held it up another week while trying to stuff it with a progressive wish-list of items .
It ’ s also important to note that in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim at America , Pelosi was spending all her time attempting to impeach the President .
And even after the virus hit our shores , she was pushing legislation aimed at stopping Trump ’ s travel bans .
Speaking of fiddles , one thing Pelosi insisted on was $ 25 million for the Kennedy Center .
Just hours after President Trump signed the stimulus bill giving the Kennedy Center the money , the Kennedy Center told members of the National Symphony Orchestra they ’ ll stop getting paid April 3 .
The Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musicians .
Despite that sour note , there is some good news .
French researchers announced that a combination of hydroxchloroquine and azithromycin has been found effective in treating patients with the COVID-19 coronavirus .
The study involved 80 patients .
78 recovered from the virus within six days .
One 74-year-old remains in ICU .
And one 84-year-old patient died .
New York is currently conducting a wider study on 1100 patients , using both hydroxchloroquine , chloroquine and azithromycin .
President Trump said we should know if the treatment works “ @ @ @ @

“Nothing could be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won.”
President Trump announced Sunday evening that stay-at-home orders will stay in place until April 30. This puts an end to Trump’s goal of reopening the country by Easter. (On the plus side, Jesus is still risen.)
Trump said his Easter goal was “just an aspiration,” and he didn’t want to see a spike in cases if restrictions were lifted too soon. The peak of the virus is still about two weeks away, he said. However, “we can expect by June 1 we will be well on the way to recovery.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci called the president’s action a “wise and prudent decision.” He says the administration didn’t want to prematurely pull back on the fight against the virus.
Earlier in the day Dr. Fauci said between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans could die from the coronavirus. He included several qualifiers, which the media and Twitterverse generally ignored. At Sunday’s Rose Garden press conference, Dr. Fauci was not happy with the media sensationalizing the numbers.“You could make a big soundbite about it,” he said, “But the fact is, it is possible. What we are trying to do is not let that happen.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Pelosi’s Ghastly Political Game
On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, Nancy Pelosi was proving just how low a politician can go. On Sunday, Pelosi directly blamed Trump for the rising death toll. Speaker Pelosi told CNN, “As the president fiddles, people are dying.”
Sen. Lindsay Graham called the comment “the most shameful, disgusting statement by any politician in modern history.”
Making the statement even more shameful, Pelosi was the one who recessed the House in the middle of an international crisis, flew home for a week, then returned to scuttle the Senate’s bipartisan relief bill. She then held it up another week while trying to stuff it with a progressive wish-list of items.
It’s also important to note that in January, while the coronavirus was taking dead aim at America, Pelosi was spending all her time attempting to impeach the President. And even after the virus hit our shores, she was pushing legislation aimed at stopping Trump’s travel bans.
Speaking of fiddles, one thing Pelosi insisted on was $25 million for the Kennedy Center. Just hours after President Trump signed the stimulus bill giving the Kennedy Center the money, the Kennedy Center told members of the National Symphony Orchestra they’ll stop getting paid April 3. The Washington Free Beacon uncovered the email sent to musicians.
There is Good News
Despite that sour note, there is some good news. French researchers announced that a combination of hydroxchloroquine and azithromycin has been found effective in treating patients with the COVID-19 coronavirus. The study involved 80 patients. 78 recovered from the virus within six days. One 74-year-old remains in ICU. And one 84-year-old patient died.
New York is currently conducting a wider study on 1100 patients, using both hydroxchloroquine, chloroquine and azithromycin. President Trump said we should know if the treatment works “fairly soon.”


thestream--2020-03-29--DON’T PANIC: A Homeschooler’s Guide to the Quarantine

If you ’ re a parent of a child whose school is closing for the summer , congratulations !
You have become a member of a group that laughs and cries in extra-curriculars , dances while teaching division , and is fully capable of accomplishing a day ’ s work while wearing pajamas .
Welcome to the world of homeschooling .
A few things before we begin .
Remember .
You know your kids — you ’ ve been teaching them all along .
You just have a few more subjects to teach for the next few weeks .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to share child care with a friend to pull it off around work .
Always know where you keep your towel — and your sense of humor .
These last few weeks have been especially tense for all of us , and your kids are feeling it too .
If you have a chance to laugh , enjoy it !
Have all the fun you possibly can while you learn with your kids .
Homeschooling is quite the journey , and it carries with it its own challenges and stresses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laughter will carry you a long way .
Laughter also has the added benefit of strengthening your immune system and relieving stress and anxiety .
So , laugh .
Laugh and keep yourself and your family healthy and happy during this season of self isolation .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » When you can ’ t laugh , just breathe .
Take deep breaths , frequently .
Parents and children alike can benefit from taking deep , cleansing breaths as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and regaining self-control and focus .
There ’ s an added benefit to this too : the extra oxygen helps brain function , and deep breathing keeps your lungs healthy .
If you ’ re laughing and breathing , that ’ s great !
The next step is to add some learning into the mix .
Here are some tried and true homeschool strategies and tips .
• Read together !
If you don ’ t fancy yourself a great teacher , that ’ s okay .
Books are better teachers than most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new ones , red books , and blue ones .
Read aloud together as a family and pass the book around — older kids or a parent can help the littles read their passages .
Make a blanket fort or some cozy reading nooks , and give your kids some books to choose from for some quiet reading time , and be sure to pick up a book yourself .
Your children are watching you more than ever , and the younger ones especially will start to follow the examples you set .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ School at home is different .
Thank heavens !
You choose the start time .
You might be finished in 3 or 4 hours , and that is just fine .
( Well , Latin and Logic add some time here . )
PJs and cozy blankets work fine !
Math probably needs progress to move on to next year ’ s level , but many courses stand alone .
Relax about those .
Consider Life Skills 101 as a new Unit Study .
Cooking is a great way to learn fractions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of math card games out there .
• Move and Give People Space !
Earphones with MP3 players and their favorite tunes reduces stress and increases mental space for my family .
Find and respect those retreat spots and times .
Exercise , movement , and sunshine reduces stress .
Timers are key to our homeschooling survival .
The Pomodoro Technique requires a fun break after a fairly short work time .
“ Class breaks ” here might involve 10 laps in the yard , or two bags of leaves !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Find which one works for you .
A checklist on a clipboard or the fridge can give hope that the work day will end .
Rewards can be earned screen time , or pulling a slip of paper from the “ Reward jar.
” Board games ?
Cooking ?
Tossing a ball ?
• Keep hydrated and fed .
They help everyone stay friendly .
One child wilts away in sadness or anger when hydration is low .
Snacks ?
Second Breakfast ?
One mother was explaining that snacks need to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the grocery store as often .
“ Just like in ‘ The Long Winter.
’ Right , mommy ?
” Laura Ingalls Wilder to the rescue !
• Break up screen time .
Screens can be your best friend and your worst enemy .
We mix book learning with online classes .
Cyber meetings have been great for study and games .
Museums and performance artists are creating free content for our stranded students daily .
The internet offers great resources , but our family has to break up the time online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tempers rise dramatically .
• Use the technology .
Your kids might hate me , but — my well-intentioned but highly distractible teen projects his school work onto the living room TV .
Chromecast or an HDMI cable work fine for this option .
We use a free Google Chrome extension called “ StayFocusd.
” I supervise while my son selects “ Khan Academy , Quizlet , and Spotify ” for two hours .
At that point he is locked into those three options .
Whenever he forgets his work and looks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ SHOULDN ’ T YOU BE STUDYING ?
” So , welcome aboard the homeschool journey .
We ’ re ALL missing our weekly classes , clubs , and concerts and coffee shops .
Be kind .
Allow do-overs .
Laugh .
This is uncharted territory for us all , but we ’ ll get through it .
Sanitize your phone .
Grab your towel ( or blankie ) , and we ’ re going to make it out of this alive .
Mikki Marugg Bates is a wife and homeschool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeschooling adventure began thirteen years ago with her Classical Conversations community .
She has successfully launched two children to college , a violinist and a writer , and is homeschooling a cello-playing Boy Scout .
Previously , she worked in technical support and sales .
Her family shares a love of music , history , travel , classic British comedy , and Western Swing .
Her husband , Michael Bates , blogs at batesline.com .
Kat Bates is a writer and language-lover currently reading roughly all of the western canon at St. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credits include : teaching her younger brother how to read , learning Latin , diagramming sentences , and falling in love with the history and the classics .
Platonist , not Aristotelian .

If you’re a parent of a child whose school is closing for the summer, congratulations! You have become a member of a group that laughs and cries in extra-curriculars, dances while teaching division, and is fully capable of accomplishing a day’s work while wearing pajamas. Welcome to the world of homeschooling.
A few things before we begin. Remember. You know your kids — you’ve been teaching them all along. You just have a few more subjects to teach for the next few weeks. You’ve got this, even if you have to share child care with a friend to pull it off around work.
First Things First
Always know where you keep your towel — and your sense of humor. These last few weeks have been especially tense for all of us, and your kids are feeling it too. If you have a chance to laugh, enjoy it! Have all the fun you possibly can while you learn with your kids.
Homeschooling is quite the journey, and it carries with it its own challenges and stresses. An attitude of love, grace, and laughter will carry you a long way. Laughter also has the added benefit of strengthening your immune system and relieving stress and anxiety. So, laugh. Laugh and keep yourself and your family healthy and happy during this season of self isolation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When you can’t laugh, just breathe. Take deep breaths, frequently. Parents and children alike can benefit from taking deep, cleansing breaths as a method of calming high emotions, and regaining self-control and focus. There’s an added benefit to this too: the extra oxygen helps brain function, and deep breathing keeps your lungs healthy.
Strategies and Tips
If you’re laughing and breathing, that’s great! The next step is to add some learning into the mix. Here are some tried and true homeschool strategies and tips.
Read together! If you don’t fancy yourself a great teacher, that’s okay. Books are better teachers than most of us. Read fun books, new ones, red books, and blue ones. Read aloud together as a family and pass the book around — older kids or a parent can help the littles read their passages. Make a blanket fort or some cozy reading nooks, and give your kids some books to choose from for some quiet reading time, and be sure to pick up a book yourself. Your children are watching you more than ever, and the younger ones especially will start to follow the examples you set.
Lighten up your school day. School at home is different. Thank heavens! You choose the start time. You might be finished in 3 or 4 hours, and that is just fine. (Well, Latin and Logic add some time here.) PJs and cozy blankets work fine! Math probably needs progress to move on to next year’s level, but many courses stand alone. Relax about those. Consider Life Skills 101 as a new Unit Study. Cooking is a great way to learn fractions and to feed your family. There are a lot of math card games out there.
Move and Give People Space! Earphones with MP3 players and their favorite tunes reduces stress and increases mental space for my family. Find and respect those retreat spots and times. Exercise, movement, and sunshine reduces stress. Timers are key to our homeschooling survival. The Pomodoro Technique requires a fun break after a fairly short work time. “Class breaks” here might involve 10 laps in the yard, or two bags of leaves!
Use checklists and schedules with rewards. Find which one works for you. A checklist on a clipboard or the fridge can give hope that the work day will end. Rewards can be earned screen time, or pulling a slip of paper from the “Reward jar.” Board games? Cooking? Tossing a ball?
Keep hydrated and fed. They help everyone stay friendly. One child wilts away in sadness or anger when hydration is low. Snacks? Second Breakfast? One mother was explaining that snacks need to last longer since we’re not going to the grocery store as often. “Just like in ‘The Long Winter.’ Right, mommy?” Laura Ingalls Wilder to the rescue!
Break up screen time. Screens can be your best friend and your worst enemy. We mix book learning with online classes. Cyber meetings have been great for study and games. Museums and performance artists are creating free content for our stranded students daily. The internet offers great resources, but our family has to break up the time online. If we don’t, tempers rise dramatically.
Use the technology. Your kids might hate me, but — my well-intentioned but highly distractible teen projects his school work onto the living room TV. Chromecast or an HDMI cable work fine for this option. We use a free Google Chrome extension called “StayFocusd.” I supervise while my son selects “Khan Academy, Quizlet, and Spotify” for two hours. At that point he is locked into those three options. Whenever he forgets his work and looks for amusement online, a banner pops up saying, “SHOULDN’T YOU BE STUDYING?”
Welcome Aboard
So, welcome aboard the homeschool journey. We’re ALL missing our weekly classes, clubs, concerts and coffee shops. Be kind. Allow do-overs. Laugh. This is uncharted territory for us all, but we’ll get through it. Sanitize your phone. Grab your towel (or blankie), and we’re going to make it out of this alive.
Need more tips? Check out DON’T PANIC Part Two: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Online Resources.
Mikki Marugg Bates is a wife and homeschool mom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her homeschooling adventure began thirteen years ago with her Classical Conversations community. She has successfully launched two children to college, a violinist and a writer, and is homeschooling a cello-playing Boy Scout. Previously, she worked in technical support and sales. Her family shares a love of music, history, travel, classic British comedy, and Western Swing. Her husband, Michael Bates, blogs at batesline.com.
Kat Bates is a writer and language-lover currently reading roughly all of the western canon at St. John’s College, Annapolis. Homeschool credits include: teaching her younger brother how to read, learning Latin, diagramming sentences, and falling in love with the history and the classics. Platonist, not Aristotelian.


thestream--2020-03-30--Why Is New York’s Mayor Threatening to Seize Churches?

No , it ’ s not time to panic .
God is still with us .
And in case your faith is shaky , remember that most of the millions of private firearms in America are still in the hands of … Second Amendment supporters .
People who certainly support our First Amendment religious rights as well .
The last backstop against tyranny that our Founders built into the Constitution guaranteed us the means for volunteer militias ( like the Minutemen , not the National Guard ) to resist autocratic crackdowns .
That ’ s still in place , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one presidential election and a few more Sotomayors on the Supreme Court away from getting dismantled . )
That said , this virus and the ripples of chaos it ’ s spreading are tearing off the masks of some really ugly trends in our country .
They say that your truest , deepest character emerges during a crisis .
It strips off your “ surface ” personality and priorities , which you might even think are real , but in fact are really your “ public ” face , maintained out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Get someone good and scared , and his “ inner man ” stands exposed .
Remember Seinfeld ’ s George Costanza ?
His true self pops out when he thinks a room is on fire — so he shoves aside an old woman with a walker , and practically climbs over women and children to be the first person out of the room .
That ’ s the effect I ’ m talking about .
But it isn ’ t just cowardice ( or courage ) that can emerge during a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the Black Plague struck Europe , over and over again with staggering force ( imagine one third to one half of the people you know suddenly dying ) , people ’ s real selves got exposed .
Saintly doctors , priests , monks and nuns remained with the dying , offering care and prayers till the end .
More worldly ones … ran away .
They weren ’ t obeying quarantine orders , but trying to save their skin .
Even worse , some rabble-rousers got the idea that the plague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These “ aliens ” in Christendom ’ s midst might be poisoning wells .
Or using Kabbalistic magic , to afflict their Christian neighbors .
Perhaps God was punishing countries simply for letting Jews live there peacefully , so it was time to expel them all .
Or force them into baptismal fonts at the point of a sword .
Pope after pope , bishop after bishop , denounced such scapegoating as sinful superstition , sadly to little avail .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t repeat itself , but it rhymes , as Mark Twain wrote .
And what we ’ re seeing now sure does .
The one group which our current elites feel best about bashing is evangelical Christians .
Michael Brown already unpacked here at The Stream an article at The New York Times that tried , essentially , to blame them for the coronavirus .
Not that evangelicals actually caused it , of course .
( The people who caused it were Chinese Communist officials who reopened cruel , filthy wet markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel for Chinese New Year — but it ’ s “ racist ” even to mention any of that . )
No , but evangelicals are somehow to blame for President Trump not taking the virus seriously enough , soon enough .
Because they distrust “ Science ” or something .
Now , I ’ ve never met or read about any Christian who denies the germ theory of diseases .
Nor one who believes that his faith makes him immune to any infection .
I know plenty who reject the claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theories such as Darwinism .
Or who deny that “ Science ” has recently discovered the existence of 47 genders .
But how does any of that spread the coronavirus ?
What ’ s more , the people who were the slowest to accept the seriousness of this new virus weren ’ t President Trump , his team , or even the pastors who pray for him and with him .
They were New York City officials , especially Mayor Bill de Blasio .
See National Review ’ s timeline of their fiddling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It wasn ’ t Jerry Falwell , Jr. who joined the crowds in Chinatown , celebrating Chinese New Year in February .
That was Mayor de Blasio up there on the stage , along with Senator Chuck Schumer and the City ’ s Health Commissioner , who also urged New Yorkers not to worry , and to keep on coming to Chinatown .
It took until March 5 , when Italy was already succumbing to the pandemic , for de Blasio to stop claiming that casual contact couldn ’ t spread the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the last people in New York City to go to the gym , mere hours before the city closed them .
What ’ s de Blasio doing now ?
He ’ s threatening church and synagogue-goers with arrest if they show up and pray .
Virtually all religious leaders have canceled services , so this point ought to be moot .
But de Blasio got on television just to single religious believers out and threaten them .
As LifesiteNews reports : Watch the press conference for yourself .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment , ” where his true self pops out , in all its squalor .
The Bath Houses Were Open for Years , Spreading AIDS Now , I was one of the first people calling for churches to cancel services if need be to slow the spread of the Wuhan virus .
But where in the world does a mayor get off threatening to permanently close a church ?
For a one-time violation of quarantine ?
I doubt there ’ s any existing law he could cite .
But expect him to torture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court .
Keep in mind that it took not weeks or months , but several years for New York City to close the homosexual bath-houses that were spreading the AIDS contagion , killing hundreds of thousands of people and costing society billions .
In fact , many of them simply went broke as their customers died off , before the city got around to shuttering the last ones .
But Mayor de Blasio is up in front of the cameras , just a few weeks after his last gym visit , threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York : No Place for Christians ?
What ’ s going on ?
Keep in mind how anti-Christian the atmosphere in New York has become .
Governor Andrew Cuomo said publicly that his entire state was no place for pro-lifers or believers in natural marriage .
Such Christians ought to just … leave .
Now de Blasio is pretending that believers are a threat to public health .
Just as the New York Times did , on equally slender evidence .
Might it be that de Blasio has been fantasizing about closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing the Sandinistas were doing in Nicaragua back in the 1980s , when he traveled there to volunteer in implementing their leftist dictatorship .
Is de Blasio just suffering from an acute case of … nostalgia ?
I get it , Mayor , I get it .
We all miss the 1980s , albeit for different reasons .
I ’ d really like a comeback album from DEVO .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholicism .

No, it’s not time to panic. God is still with us. And in case your faith is shaky, remember that most of the millions of private firearms in America are still in the hands of … Second Amendment supporters. People who certainly support our First Amendment religious rights as well. The last backstop against tyranny that our Founders built into the Constitution guaranteed us the means for volunteer militias (like the Minutemen, not the National Guard) to resist autocratic crackdowns. That’s still in place, for now. (Though it might be just one presidential election and a few more Sotomayors on the Supreme Court away from getting dismantled.)
That said, this virus and the ripples of chaos it’s spreading are tearing off the masks of some really ugly trends in our country. They say that your truest, deepest character emerges during a crisis. It strips off your “surface” personality and priorities, which you might even think are real, but in fact are really your “public” face, maintained out of habit and in response to social pressure. Get someone good and scared, and his “inner man” stands exposed.
The George Costanza Moment
Remember Seinfeld’s George Costanza? His true self pops out when he thinks a room is on fire — so he shoves aside an old woman with a walker, and practically climbs over women and children to be the first person out of the room.
That’s the effect I’m talking about. But it isn’t just cowardice (or courage) that can emerge during a crisis. Sometimes it’s tribal intolerance. When the Black Plague struck Europe, over and over again with staggering force (imagine one third to one half of the people you know suddenly dying), people’s real selves got exposed. Saintly doctors, priests, monks and nuns remained with the dying, offering care and prayers till the end. More worldly ones … ran away. They weren’t obeying quarantine orders, but trying to save their skin.
Hey, Let’s Blame a Religious Minority!
Even worse, some rabble-rousers got the idea that the plague was the fault of … the Jews. These “aliens” in Christendom’s midst might be poisoning wells. Or using Kabbalistic magic, to afflict their Christian neighbors. Perhaps God was punishing countries simply for letting Jews live there peacefully, so it was time to expel them all. Or force them into baptismal fonts at the point of a sword. Pope after pope, bishop after bishop, denounced such scapegoating as sinful superstition, sadly to little avail.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes, as Mark Twain wrote. And what we’re seeing now sure does. The one group which our current elites feel best about bashing is evangelical Christians. Michael Brown already unpacked here at The Stream an article at The New York Times that tried, essentially, to blame them for the coronavirus. Not that evangelicals actually caused it, of course. (The people who caused it were Chinese Communist officials who reopened cruel, filthy wet markets, then let millions of sick people travel for Chinese New Year — but it’s “racist” even to mention any of that.)
No, but evangelicals are somehow to blame for President Trump not taking the virus seriously enough, soon enough. Because they distrust “Science” or something. Now, I’ve never met or read about any Christian who denies the germ theory of diseases. Nor one who believes that his faith makes him immune to any infection. I know plenty who reject the claim that “Science” has proved highly speculative theories such as Darwinism. Or who deny that “Science” has recently discovered the existence of 47 genders. But how does any of that spread the coronavirus?
NYC’s Fiddlers Play at Being Firemen
What’s more, the people who were the slowest to accept the seriousness of this new virus weren’t President Trump, his team, or even the pastors who pray for him and with him. They were New York City officials, especially Mayor Bill de Blasio. See National Review’s timeline of their fiddling, while their city began to burn.
It wasn’t Jerry Falwell, Jr. who joined the crowds in Chinatown, celebrating Chinese New Year in February. That was Mayor de Blasio.
It wasn’t Jerry Falwell, Jr. who joined the crowds in Chinatown, celebrating Chinese New Year in February. That was Mayor de Blasio up there on the stage, along with Senator Chuck Schumer and the City’s Health Commissioner, who also urged New Yorkers not to worry, and to keep on coming to Chinatown. It took until March 5, when Italy was already succumbing to the pandemic, for de Blasio to stop claiming that casual contact couldn’t spread the disease. Indeed, de Blasio was one of the last people in New York City to go to the gym, mere hours before the city closed them.
Closing Churches Permanently?
What’s de Blasio doing now? He’s threatening church and synagogue-goers with arrest if they show up and pray. Virtually all religious leaders have canceled services, so this point ought to be moot. But de Blasio got on television just to single religious believers out and threaten them. As LifesiteNews reports:
“I want to say to all those who are preparing the potential of religious services this weekend — if you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told so often not to, our enforcement agents will have no choice but to shut down those services,” de Blasio announced during a press conference streamed online. In case of disobedience, law enforcement “will take additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently,” de Blasio added.
Watch the press conference for yourself. It’s de Blasio’s “George Costanza moment,” where his true self pops out, in all its squalor.
The Bath Houses Were Open for Years, Spreading AIDS
Now, I was one of the first people calling for churches to cancel services if need be to slow the spread of the Wuhan virus. But where in the world does a mayor get off threatening to permanently close a church? For a one-time violation of quarantine? I doubt there’s any existing law he could cite. But expect him to torture health code provisions to tie churches up in court.
Keep in mind that it took not weeks or months, but several years for New York City to close the homosexual bath-houses that were spreading the AIDS contagion, killing hundreds of thousands of people and costing society billions. In fact, many of them simply went broke as their customers died off, before the city got around to shuttering the last ones. But Mayor de Blasio is up in front of the cameras, just a few weeks after his last gym visit, threatening to shutter and padlock historic churches.
New York: No Place for Christians?
What’s going on? Keep in mind how anti-Christian the atmosphere in New York has become. Governor Andrew Cuomo said publicly that his entire state was no place for pro-lifers or believers in natural marriage. Such Christians ought to just … leave. Now de Blasio is pretending that believers are a threat to public health. Just as the New York Times did, on equally slender evidence.
Might it be that de Blasio has been fantasizing about closing churches anyway? That’s one thing the Sandinistas were doing in Nicaragua back in the 1980s, when he traveled there to volunteer in implementing their leftist dictatorship. Is de Blasio just suffering from an acute case of … nostalgia?
I get it, Mayor, I get it. We all miss the 1980s, albeit for different reasons. I’d really like a comeback album from DEVO.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-03-31--Stop the Nonsense, Media!

Stop the Nonsense, Media!

James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) @ @ @ @

James Robison is The Stream’ s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today . He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed .
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