thestream--2020-07-04--Declaration of Independence Denounced as ‘Systemically Racist’ at Evangelical Conference

Editor ’ s note : The Stream published this article on June 5 , 2016 , but we believe Mr. Tooley ’ s remarks here on the Declaration of Independence are more relevant than ever , so we ’ re republishing it today.. Last evening Native American activist Mark Charles , as the opening plenary speaker at the evangelical Justice Conference in Chicago , denounced the Declaration of Independence as “ systemically racist.
” The Justice Conference tweeted this comment , to which I responded , leading to other retweets , and resulting in deletion of the original tweet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently also denounced the Constitution as racist and told his audience : “ Everything you own is stolen.
” According to my colleague Chelsen Vicari , who ’ s attending the Justice Conference , the crowd of mostly young evangelicals liked Charles ’ comments , and subsequent speakers approvingly referenced them .
Mark Reddy , the event ’ s executive director , spoke after Charles to encourage everyone to “ sit in it , ” be uncomfortable and “ not allow yourselves to get offended ” by what we heard .
Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any religion who cares about history , human rights and the uplift of humanity should be too .
The Justice Conference is sponsored by World Relief , the global humanitarian arm of National Association of Evangelicals .
Charles is an increasingly popular speaker at events for mostly white , upper middle class , highly educated urban evangelicals who evidently feel empowered and sophisticated by Charles ’ guilt trip .
If Charles wants to provide a scholarly overview of centuries of injustices against American Indians , he could thoughtfully do so without smugly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wicked sham .
The Declaration of Independence and its historically revolutionary affirmation of human equality have uplifted and inspired hundreds of millions of people globally of all races and ethnicities .
Indeed , thanks a great deal to the Declaration and its startling claim , there are few regimes or ideologies today in the world that don ’ t at least pay insincere lip service to human equality .
That claim is rooted in the ethical system and anthropology of Judaism and Christianity , asserting that all humans are of equal value before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice will recognize legal equality for all people .
There are many thousands of human rights advocates who have been persecuted , jailed , tortured and killed , across decades and around the world , continuing even today , because of their direct fidelity to the Declaration and its ideals .
Heroic dissidents in Cuba , China , Vietnam , Sudan , or countless other places , would decidedly not share Charles ’ disdain for America ’ s founding document .
Nor did human rights crusaders like Frederick Douglas , Martin Luther King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As an escaped slave and fearless abolitionist , here ’ s what Douglas said : Here ’ s MLK in his “ I Have a Dream ” speech : The high point of his peroration quoted the Declaration : Here ’ s Nelson Mandela , recently released from prison after decades of resistance to Apartheid , addressing the U.S. Congress : And here ’ s Mother Teresa , the saintly nun who devoted her life to the most wretched poor and sick of Calcutta : In another sense , no one in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can feel anything but a strong kinship with America .
Yours is the one great nation in all of history that was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind , for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest .
As your Declaration of Independence put it , in words that have never lost their power to stir the heart : “ We hold these truths to be self evident : that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that among these are life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness… ” A nation founded on these principles holds a sacred trust : to stand as an example to the rest of the world , to climb ever higher in its practical realization of the ideals of human dignity , brotherhood , and mutual respect .
Your constant efforts in fulfillment of that mission , far more that your size or your wealth or your military might , have made America an inspiration to all mankind .
Pope Francis , speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The writers of the Declaration of Independence were , like all of us , sinners and hypocrites .
They didn ’ t fully live up to their own ideals , and neither does anyone .
But their courage and insight , likely far superior to anybody among us alive today , enriched all humanity .
Charles challenges the Declaration ’ s brief reference to “ merciless savages ” whom the Americans complained the British crown supported in alliance against the colonies .
How does Charles propose to describe the 18th century style of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mutilated men , women and children indiscriminately , comparable to if not worse than ISIS today ?
My own Scots-Irish ancestors , having escaped hardships in Belfast , and living on the Virginia frontier in the 1700s , were attacked one day by warriors from distant Ohio .
He was left for dead , she was kidnapped with her baby , her eye knocked out by one warrior , her crying baby repeatedly threatened with death .
Mother and child were captive in Ohio until rescued months later .
They got off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Conference is devoted especially to advocating for immigrants .
The main victims of Indian attacks in the 1700s weren ’ t the established rich on the east coast but working class recent immigrant families like my ancestors who couldn ’ t afford to live in safer lands .
Charles could correctly critique savagery in European and American warfare , but he should not minimize Indian savagery .
The pagan tribes , like pagan cultures everywhere , from which we all ultimately descend , had their own rough ideas of honor and justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
Values descending from the Ten Commandments and Sermon on the Mount , as expressed in the Declaration ’ s assertion of human equality , however unevenly upheld , should seem infinitely preferable , especially at evangelical conferences .
As to Charles ’ dark claim that “ Everything you own is stolen , ” alas , it is true everywhere among fallen humanity in some sense , and was true in America long before Europeans arrived .
When the first English came to Virginia , the Powhatan Confederacy , founded by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had conquered , dispossessed and wiped out dozens of competing tribes while establishing his own vast empire .
Even more than Europe at the time , pre-European America was a churning cauldron of tribal warfare , shifting alliances , conquests , genocides and constantly fluid boundaries .
Today ’ s America , where millions from many races and ethnicities , constantly joined by arriving new immigrants , live in relative peace and equality , seems vastly preferable to the supposed Arcadia of ancient , constant tribal warfare .
If a Mark Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critique the conquests and rapaciousness of the Powhatan Confederacy , perhaps on a religious speaking circuit across the Virginia tidewater , the old Chief likely would have impatiently had obliging warriors bash the dissident ’ s head against a rock .
Mercifully , thanks to the Declaration and Constitution , every American can speak his or her mind freely , whether wisely or not , to any receptive audience .
But I hope Mark Charles and his various evangelical hosts will consider a broader , less myopic perspective .
It should be based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biases of secular academia , so rich in grievance , but instead on a realistic and generous Christian understanding that all humanity is sinful , with honesty about all our depravities , every culture ’ s , past and present .
And it should also be grateful for our countless , incomparable blessings of today , with appreciation , not just contempt , for past generations who , by divine grace , helped make today possible .

Editor’s note: The Stream published this article on June 5, 2016, but we believe Mr. Tooley’s remarks here on the Declaration of Independence are more relevant than ever, so we’re republishing it today..
Last evening Native American activist Mark Charles, as the opening plenary speaker at the evangelical Justice Conference in Chicago, denounced the Declaration of Independence as “systemically racist.” The Justice Conference tweeted this comment, to which I responded, leading to other retweets, and resulting in deletion of the original tweet, presumably to avoid further controversy. Charles apparently also denounced the Constitution as racist and told his audience: “Everything you own is stolen.”
According to my colleague Chelsen Vicari, who’s attending the Justice Conference, the crowd of mostly young evangelicals liked Charles’ comments, and subsequent speakers approvingly referenced them. Mark Reddy, the event’s executive director, spoke after Charles to encourage everyone to “sit in it,” be uncomfortable and “not allow yourselves to get offended” by what we heard.
Well, I’m offended, and anyone of any religion who cares about history, human rights and the uplift of humanity should be too. The Justice Conference is sponsored by World Relief, the global humanitarian arm of National Association of Evangelicals. Charles is an increasingly popular speaker at events for mostly white, upper middle class, highly educated urban evangelicals who evidently feel empowered and sophisticated by Charles’ guilt trip.
If Charles wants to provide a scholarly overview of centuries of injustices against American Indians, he could thoughtfully do so without smugly denouncing the whole American project as a wicked sham. The Declaration of Independence and its historically revolutionary affirmation of human equality have uplifted and inspired hundreds of millions of people globally of all races and ethnicities. Indeed, thanks a great deal to the Declaration and its startling claim, there are few regimes or ideologies today in the world that don’t at least pay insincere lip service to human equality. That claim is rooted in the ethical system and anthropology of Judaism and Christianity, asserting that all humans are of equal value before God, and that all societies seeking justice will recognize legal equality for all people.
There are many thousands of human rights advocates who have been persecuted, jailed, tortured and killed, across decades and around the world, continuing even today, because of their direct fidelity to the Declaration and its ideals. Heroic dissidents in Cuba, China, Vietnam, Sudan, or countless other places, would decidedly not share Charles’ disdain for America’s founding document. Nor did human rights crusaders like Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela or Mother Teresa.
As an escaped slave and fearless abolitionist, here’s what Douglas said:
I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation’s destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.
Here’s MLK in his “I Have a Dream” speech:
When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The high point of his peroration quoted the Declaration:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
Here’s Nelson Mandela, recently released from prison after decades of resistance to Apartheid, addressing the U.S. Congress:
We could not have made an acquaintance through literature with human giants such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and not been moved to act, as they were moved to act. We could not have heard of and admired John Brown, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr. and others. We could not have heard of these and not be moved to act as they were moved to act. We could not have known of your Declaration of Independence and not elected to join in the struggle to guarantee the people’s life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And here’s Mother Teresa, the saintly nun who devoted her life to the most wretched poor and sick of Calcutta:
In another sense, no one in the world who prizes liberty and human rights can feel anything but a strong kinship with America. Yours is the one great nation in all of history that was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest. As your Declaration of Independence put it, in words that have never lost their power to stir the heart: “We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” A nation founded on these principles holds a sacred trust: to stand as an example to the rest of the world, to climb ever higher in its practical realization of the ideals of human dignity, brotherhood, and mutual respect. Your constant efforts in fulfillment of that mission, far more that your size or your wealth or your military might, have made America an inspiration to all mankind.
Pope Francis, speaking last year in Philadelphia, said:
One of the highlights of my visit is to stand here, before Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States of America. It was here that the freedoms which define this country were first proclaimed. The Declaration of Independence stated that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that governments exist to protect and defend those rights. Those ringing words continue to inspire us today, even as they have inspired peoples throughout the world to fight for the freedom to live in accordance with their dignity.
The writers of the Declaration of Independence were, like all of us, sinners and hypocrites. They didn’t fully live up to their own ideals, and neither does anyone. But their courage and insight, likely far superior to anybody among us alive today, enriched all humanity.
Charles challenges the Declaration’s brief reference to “merciless savages” whom the Americans complained the British crown supported in alliance against the colonies. How does Charles propose to describe the 18th century style of Indian warfare that unashamedly kidnapped, tortured and mutilated men, women and children indiscriminately, comparable to if not worse than ISIS today? My own Scots-Irish ancestors, having escaped hardships in Belfast, and living on the Virginia frontier in the 1700s, were attacked one day by warriors from distant Ohio. He was left for dead, she was kidnapped with her baby, her eye knocked out by one warrior, her crying baby repeatedly threatened with death. Mother and child were captive in Ohio until rescued months later. They got off easy compared to many others.
The Justice Conference is devoted especially to advocating for immigrants. The main victims of Indian attacks in the 1700s weren’t the established rich on the east coast but working class recent immigrant families like my ancestors who couldn’t afford to live in safer lands. Charles could correctly critique savagery in European and American warfare, but he should not minimize Indian savagery. The pagan tribes, like pagan cultures everywhere, from which we all ultimately descend, had their own rough ideas of honor and justice that are rightly abhorrent to nearly everyone today. Values descending from the Ten Commandments and Sermon on the Mount, as expressed in the Declaration’s assertion of human equality, however unevenly upheld, should seem infinitely preferable, especially at evangelical conferences.
As to Charles’ dark claim that “Everything you own is stolen,” alas, it is true everywhere among fallen humanity in some sense, and was true in America long before Europeans arrived. When the first English came to Virginia, the Powhatan Confederacy, founded by the great chief who was father to Pocahontas, had conquered, dispossessed and wiped out dozens of competing tribes while establishing his own vast empire. Even more than Europe at the time, pre-European America was a churning cauldron of tribal warfare, shifting alliances, conquests, genocides and constantly fluid boundaries. Today’s America, where millions from many races and ethnicities, constantly joined by arriving new immigrants, live in relative peace and equality, seems vastly preferable to the supposed Arcadia of ancient, constant tribal warfare.
If a Mark Charles of the early 1600s had sought to critique the conquests and rapaciousness of the Powhatan Confederacy, perhaps on a religious speaking circuit across the Virginia tidewater, the old Chief likely would have impatiently had obliging warriors bash the dissident’s head against a rock. Mercifully, thanks to the Declaration and Constitution, every American can speak his or her mind freely, whether wisely or not, to any receptive audience.
But I hope Mark Charles and his various evangelical hosts will consider a broader, less myopic perspective. It should be based not on the fashionable, reflexively anti-Western biases of secular academia, so rich in grievance, but instead on a realistic and generous Christian understanding that all humanity is sinful, with honesty about all our depravities, every culture’s, past and present. And it should also be grateful for our countless, incomparable blessings of today, with appreciation, not just contempt, for past generations who, by divine grace, helped make today possible.


thestream--2020-07-04--This Independence Day, It’s More Crucial Than Ever to Know Our History

“ There is no good crying about the matter , ” Horace Walpole told the House of Commons when news of the American Revolution arrived in England .
“ Cousin America has run off with the Presbyterian parson , and that is the end of it.
” The parson Walpole was referring to was John Witherspoon .
Witherspoon was the president of the College of New Jersey , which would later become Princeton .
He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence .
He was also a descendant of the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland , John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Revolutionary Army , Historian Estimates Our ignorance of history has sent much about America ’ s origins down the memory hole .
“ John Calvin , ” the eminent historian Leopold von Ranke once observed , “ was the virtual founder of America.
” Not long ago , this statement would have seemed uncontroversial , especially amongst historians .
Consider the following : The population of the colonies at the time of the Revolution was about three million .
Historian Paul R. Carlson estimates that of that number : “ 900,000 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were Puritan English .
[ O ] ver 400,000 were of Dutch , German Reformed , and Huguenot descent .
That is to say , two thirds of our Revolutionary forefathers were trained in the school of Calvin.
” Presbyterian clergy joined the Revolution in droves .
As Carlson observed : “ When Cornwallis was driven back to ultimate retreat and surrender at Yorktown , all of the colonels of the Colonial Army but one were Presbyterian elders .
It is estimated that more than one half of all the soldiers and officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were Presbyterian.
” King George III and Others Called it a “ Presbyterian War ” One historian noted that many Presbyterian pastors led the Revolution from the pulpit .
King George III himself concurred , calling it a “ Presbyterian war.
” Hearing of the American rebel leaders , he exclaimed : “ Are they not Presbyterians ?
” British historian George Trevelyan stated that “ political agitation against the Royal Government had been deliberately planned by Presbyterians.
” Further , the Revolution “ was fostered and abetted by Presbyterians in every colony.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In fact , in 1776 Tory William Jones announced that this “ has been a Presbyterian war … and accordingly the first firing against the King ’ s troops [ at Lexington Green ] was from a Massachuset [ sic ] meeting house.
” A Hessian captain fighting with the British agreed .
In 1778 , he told a friend “ call this war … by whatsoever name you may .
Only call it not an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than an Irish-Scotch Presbyterian Rebellion.
” There was one particularly stark example of this .
During a five-to-one battle in Springfield , New Jersey , the colonists were getting pushed back .
The battle waxed hot .
Then , they ran out of wadding paper for their gunpowder .
Without wadding paper , they couldn ’ t shoot .
Disaster loomed .
Rev .
James Caldwell sprang into action .
He raced on horseback to the church .
There , he grabbed a stack of hymnbooks by Isaac Watts .
Racing back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Give ‘ em Watts , boys !
” he roared as they ripped out the pages .
“ Put Watts into ‘ em !
” With Watts ’ hymns , the Redcoats were beaten back .
The Battle of Springfield was won on June 23 , 1780 .
Famous American historian George Bancroft summed it up this way : Calvin , wrote Bancroft , was “ the father of America.
” Bancroft was not a Calvinist , but he was a historian .
“ He who will not honor the memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but little of the origin of American liberty , ” he stated .
He pointed to the Presbyterian synod in Philadelphia in 1775 .
The synod publicly called for a break from England and urged prayer for the Congress .
Bancroft credits the Presbyterians with making the first move towards independence .
This shouldn ’ t be surprising .
Colonial America had been convulsed by Great Awakenings under George Whitefield , Jonathan Edwards and others .
These took place just prior to the Revolution .
Many Presbyterians had fled to America to worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had little love for the British crown .
They believed in liberty under a sovereign God .
They were fiercely independent .
And the American Republic was their gift to the world .
The Second American Revolution is being waged by a different sort of people .
Those purging history from our streets are already coming for the Founders .
John Witherspoon ’ s statue in Washington , D.C. has been left alone — but that ’ s because they don ’ t know who he is .
They do not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most do not believe in God .
They believe in collective responsibility , not individual responsibility .
Comparisons have been made between the rioters and the Patriots .
It is only being made by the staggeringly ignorant .
American democracy was born of Christianity .
Without that lifeblood sustaining the Republic , she is living on borrowed time .
It is significant that the French Revolution has gained popularity amongst the rioters .
These people seek no continuity with the past .
They do not recognize God ’ s sovereignty .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Independence Day , it is more important to fight them tooth and nail than ever .
The soul of America is at stake .
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker , writer and pro-life activist .
He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing : Why Our Culture Must Face the Victims of Abortion , and co-author of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide .

“There is no good crying about the matter,” Horace Walpole told the House of Commons when news of the American Revolution arrived in England. “Cousin America has run off with the Presbyterian parson, and that is the end of it.”
The parson Walpole was referring to was John Witherspoon. Witherspoon was the president of the College of New Jersey, which would later become Princeton. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a descendant of the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, John Knox.
Presbyterians Made Up Half of the Revolutionary Army, Historian Estimates
Our ignorance of history has sent much about America’s origins down the memory hole. “John Calvin,” the eminent historian Leopold von Ranke once observed, “was the virtual founder of America.” Not long ago, this statement would have seemed uncontroversial, especially amongst historians. Consider the following:
The population of the colonies at the time of the Revolution was about three million. Historian Paul R. Carlson estimates that of that number: “900,000 were of Scotch or Scotch-Irish origin. 600,000 were Puritan English. [O]ver 400,000 were of Dutch, German Reformed, and Huguenot descent. That is to say, two thirds of our Revolutionary forefathers were trained in the school of Calvin.”
They believed in liberty under a sovereign God. They were fiercely independent. And the American Republic was their gift to the world.
Presbyterian clergy joined the Revolution in droves. As Carlson observed: “When Cornwallis was driven back to ultimate retreat and surrender at Yorktown, all of the colonels of the Colonial Army but one were Presbyterian elders. It is estimated that more than one half of all the soldiers and officers of the American Army during the Revolution were Presbyterian.”
King George III and Others Called it a “Presbyterian War”
One historian noted that many Presbyterian pastors led the Revolution from the pulpit. King George III himself concurred, calling it a “Presbyterian war.” Hearing of the American rebel leaders, he exclaimed: “Are they not Presbyterians?”
British historian George Trevelyan stated that “political agitation against the Royal Government had been deliberately planned by Presbyterians.” Further, the Revolution “was fostered and abetted by Presbyterians in every colony.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In fact, in 1776 Tory William Jones announced that this “has been a Presbyterian war … and accordingly the first firing against the King’s troops [at Lexington Green] was from a Massachuset [sic] meeting house.”
A Hessian captain fighting with the British agreed. In 1778, he told a friend “call this war … by whatsoever name you may. Only call it not an American Revolution. It is nothing more nor less than an Irish-Scotch Presbyterian Rebellion.”
“Give ‘Em Watts, Boys!”
There was one particularly stark example of this. During a five-to-one battle in Springfield, New Jersey, the colonists were getting pushed back. The battle waxed hot. Then, they ran out of wadding paper for their gunpowder. Without wadding paper, they couldn’t shoot. Disaster loomed.
Rev. James Caldwell sprang into action. He raced on horseback to the church. There, he grabbed a stack of hymnbooks by Isaac Watts. Racing back, he tossed hymnbooks to the soldiers. “Give ‘em Watts, boys!” he roared as they ripped out the pages. “Put Watts into ‘em!” With Watts’ hymns, the Redcoats were beaten back. The Battle of Springfield was won on June 23, 1780.
To Worship in Freedom
Famous American historian George Bancroft summed it up this way:
The Revolution of 1776, so far as it was affected by religion, was a Presbyterian measure. It was a natural outgrowth of the principles which the Presbyterianism of the Old World planted in her sons, the English Puritans, the Scotch Covenanters, the French Huguenots, the Dutch Calvinists, and the Presbyterians of Ulster.
Calvin, wrote Bancroft, was “the father of America.” Bancroft was not a Calvinist, but he was a historian. “He who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty,” he stated. He pointed to the Presbyterian synod in Philadelphia in 1775. The synod publicly called for a break from England and urged prayer for the Congress. Bancroft credits the Presbyterians with making the first move towards independence.
The soul of America is at stake.
This shouldn’t be surprising. Colonial America had been convulsed by Great Awakenings under George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards and others. These took place just prior to the Revolution. Many Presbyterians had fled to America to worship in freedom. As such, as they had little love for the British crown. They believed in liberty under a sovereign God. They were fiercely independent. And the American Republic was their gift to the world.
American Democracy Was Born of Christianity
The Second American Revolution is being waged by a different sort of people. Those purging history from our streets are already coming for the Founders. John Witherspoon’s statue in Washington, D.C. has been left alone — but that’s because they don’t know who he is. They do not believe in liberty and individual responsibility under God. Most do not believe in God. They believe in collective responsibility, not individual responsibility. Comparisons have been made between the rioters and the Patriots. It is only being made by the staggeringly ignorant.
American democracy was born of Christianity. Without that lifeblood sustaining the Republic, she is living on borrowed time. It is significant that the French Revolution has gained popularity amongst the rioters. These people seek no continuity with the past. They do not recognize God’s sovereignty. And they do not know their own history.
On Independence Day, it is more important to fight them tooth and nail than ever. The soul of America is at stake.
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer and pro-life activist. He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing: Why Our Culture Must Face the Victims of Abortion, and co-author of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide.


thestream--2020-07-04--The Fight for Independence Day 2020

The Fight for Independence Day 2020

“ The arc of history bends towards justice , ” some like to say .
Well , on July 4 , 1776 , that arch didn ’ t bend .
It took a U-turn .
On that day , when declaring independence from England , the Founders of the United States laid down an indelible mark for liberty .
They completely rewrote the relationship between government and the governed .
This Declaration led directly to the emancipation and inspiration of more people of more races than any act in history .
Apart from the Resurrection of Christ .
Compare the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AOC to the Declaration ’ s text .
Today , the man who wrote those words is a target of the cancel culture .
So are the other founders and freedom lovers who sweated and died to build a more perfect union .
The Marxists marching in the streets , tearing down statues , frothing on cable news , walking the halls of Congress , want them erased .
They do not want this glorious moment in human history celebrated .
The Democratic Party spent the first 140 years of its existence defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Civil Rights .
It actually tweeted that celebrating the founders ( memorialized on Mount Rushmore ) of the United States is celebrating white supremacy .
Democrats , do you believe that ?
As you pull out the red , white and blue plates for your backyard picnic , do you believe you are partying for the Klan ?
The Father of Our Country Is that what you believe , average Democrat voter ?
Do you want Mount Rushmore demolished ?
Do you also smear red paint on the statue of George Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
George Washington did what no human had ever done before in history .
He turned down the opportunity to be king in favor of being a public servant , and walked away from power .
TWICE .
He got a newborn democratic republic with power in the hands of the people up and running .
He established the remarkable and almost unique concept of “ peaceful transfer of power.
” He personally set an example by freeing his slaves upon his wife ’ s death .
Consider the historic revisionists peddling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first slaves — is the actual birth of the United States .
One step below Holocaust Deniers , they build this new version of American history with silly putty .
Those slaves were brought by British ships to what would become a British colony ruled by a British government that General George Washington ended up defeating !
Yet he is their enemy .
Then again , why be surprised when a movement hostile to the traditional family tries eliminating our Founding Fathers from the American Family ?
With his words in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of slavery in the United States inevitable .
For those still with ears to hear , listen .
Slavery had been a fixture for thousands and thousands of years of human history .
The United States got rid of it within 90 .
My God , that is something amazing .
But inevitable once Jefferson wrote the words , “ We hold these truths to be self-evident , all men are created equal.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jefferson had slaves .
He was a product of his era .
How petty to target him for that , rather than acknowledge his monumental role in creating the new era .
To pull down their statues , protesters are standing on the foundation he and Washington built .
Yet it ’ s not Jefferson or Washington , the “ slave owners , ” these protesters ( and CNN ) hate .
( For one thing , if you acting out that much hatred directed toward people who ’ ve been dust for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental issues . )
No , these philosophical and political midgets hate the huge ideas these giants brought to humankind .
The Founders Vs The Frenzied Mom No , some are more equal to others .
And if you don ’ t say it , we ’ ll destroy your livelihood .
As Marxists , we reject God .
There is only “ our truth ” and the force we wield to it on you .
“ Government derived from the consent of the governed.
” We know better than the people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle-aged black man and lecture him on racism .
He never studied Zinn .
We certainly know more than he does about where his money should go .
And if we don ’ t like who the governed have chosen to lead them , we will launch a violent resistance .
We will use all tools of social media to rig it so it can ’ t happen again .
We will dox and frighten anyone who might speak up .
What about unalienable rights ?
They don ’ t have use for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the womb or in our way .
Not if you aren ’ t fully on board .
We will go after your job , your home , your bank account , your family .
( even your dog . )
Your freedom to speak .
Your freedom to worship .
Your freedom to practice your faith .
In New York we can march in the streets , burn businesses to our hearts content .
You Jews can ’ t even take your kids to a local park .
Happiness ?
As white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you happiness is a white privilege .
And we insist you be as miserable as we .
Look at this clip of people taunting officers .
Or this white snowflake screaming at black officers .
Watch George Washington burn .
And the American flag .
The flag that covered the coffins of our fathers and grandfathers , and mothers , and sisters and wives of all colors .
The flag that was carried into battle in the fight against slavery , against tyranny , against fascism , against imperialism , against Islamic terrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 4th parades in towns small and big , from Hartford to Honolulu , Juneau to Jacksonville .
Watch these people burn that flag and desecrate that memorial .
Is that who you are , Democratic voter ?
Because that ’ s who your leaders are .
That ’ s who your candidates back and let run wild .
“ I have no way of judging of the future but by the past , ” said founding father Patrick Henry .
By erasing its past , these vandals hope to leave America with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark a choice .
Between the American flag and the flag of surrender ( with the hammer-and-sickle at the ready ) .
Will you celebrate the birth of our nation ?
Or encourage its death ?
Do you look at Mount Rushmore and see Jefferson ’ s historic call for equality ?
Washington ’ s historic nobility and leadership ?
Lincoln ’ s heroic effort to bring forth a “ new birth of freedom ” ?
Or do you see figures deserving of the incinerator of history ?
Do you see George Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or a sire of something evil ?
This July 4th , are you with those who at this moment are screaming and cursing America and its founding ?
Or are you with those singing “ America , the Beautiful ” ?
Just weeks after 9/11 , with the rubble of the Twin Towers still smoldering , Brother Ray Charles sat down at his piano before the 2nd game of the World Series .
On this 4th of July , in the face of enemies just as determined to see our nation crumble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And watch closely .
For in this clip , we find the beauty that is America that we can let no one steal .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

“The arc of history bends towards justice,” some like to say. Well, on July 4, 1776, that arch didn’t bend. It took a U-turn.
On that day, when declaring independence from England, the Founders of the United States laid down an indelible mark for liberty. They completely rewrote the relationship between government and the governed. This Declaration led directly to the emancipation and inspiration of more people of more races than any act in history. Apart from the Resurrection of Christ.
Compare the graffiti in CHAZ and the tweets of AOC to the Declaration’s text.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Today, the man who wrote those words is a target of the cancel culture. So are the other founders and freedom lovers who sweated and died to build a more perfect union. The Marxists marching in the streets, tearing down statues, frothing on cable news, walking the halls of Congress, want them erased. They do not want this glorious moment in human history celebrated.
The Democratic Party spent the first 140 years of its existence defending slavery, then slamming shut the door on Civil Rights. It actually tweeted that celebrating the founders (memorialized on Mount Rushmore) of the United States is celebrating white supremacy.
Democrats, do you believe that? As you pull out the red, white and blue plates for your backyard picnic, do you believe you are partying for the Klan?
The Father of Our Country
Is that what you believe, average Democrat voter? Do you want Mount Rushmore demolished? Do you also smear red paint on the statue of George Washington? Want him torn away? Erased? George Washington did what no human had ever done before in history. He turned down the opportunity to be king in favor of being a public servant, and walked away from power. TWICE. He got a newborn democratic republic with power in the hands of the people up and running. He established the remarkable and almost unique concept of “peaceful transfer of power.” He personally set an example by freeing his slaves upon his wife’s death.
Consider the historic revisionists peddling the fiction that 1619 — and the arrival of the first slaves — is the actual birth of the United States. One step below Holocaust Deniers, they build this new version of American history with silly putty. Those slaves were brought by British ships to what would become a British colony ruled by a British government that General George Washington ended up defeating! Yet he is their enemy.
Then again, why be surprised when a movement hostile to the traditional family tries eliminating our Founding Fathers from the American Family?
The Author of Liberty
With his words in the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson made the end of slavery in the United States inevitable.
For those still with ears to hear, listen. Slavery had been a fixture for thousands and thousands of years of human history. The United States got rid of it within 90. My God, that is something amazing. But inevitable once Jefferson wrote the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, all men are created equal.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Yes, Jefferson had slaves. He was a product of his era. How petty to target him for that, rather than acknowledge his monumental role in creating the new era. To pull down their statues, protesters are standing on the foundation he and Washington built.
Yet it’s not Jefferson or Washington, the “slave owners,” these protesters (and CNN) hate. (For one thing, if you acting out that much hatred directed toward people who’ve been dust for generations, you’ve got serious mental issues.)
No, these philosophical and political midgets hate the huge ideas these giants brought to humankind.
The Founders Vs The Frenzied Mom
“All men are created equal.”
No, some are more equal to others. And if you don’t say it, we’ll destroy your livelihood.
“God-given rights.”
As Marxists, we reject God. There is only “our truth” and the force we wield to it on you.
“Government derived from the consent of the governed.”
We know better than the people. We can stand in front of a middle-aged black man and lecture him on racism. He never studied Zinn. We certainly know more than he does about where his money should go. And if we don’t like who the governed have chosen to lead them, we will launch a violent resistance. We will use all tools of social media to rig it so it can’t happen again. We will dox and frighten anyone who might speak up.
What about unalienable rights? They don’t have use for them either.
“Life.”
Not if you are in the womb or in our way.
“Liberty.”
Not if you aren’t fully on board. We will go after your job, your home, your bank account, your family. (even your dog.) Your freedom to speak. Your freedom to worship. Your freedom to practice your faith. In New York we can march in the streets, burn businesses to our hearts content. You Jews can’t even take your kids to a local park.
“Pursuit of Happiness”
Happiness? As white Social Justice Worriers, let us tell you happiness is a white privilege. And we insist you be as miserable as we.
Look at this clip of people taunting officers. Or this white snowflake screaming at black officers. Watch George Washington burn. And the American flag. The flag that covered the coffins of our fathers and grandfathers, and mothers, and sisters and wives of all colors. The flag that was carried into battle in the fight against slavery, against tyranny, against fascism, against imperialism, against Islamic terrorism. The flag that was carried in July 4th parades in towns small and big, from Hartford to Honolulu, Juneau to Jacksonville.
Antifa rioters on Sandy Blvd. in Portland draped a US flag over a George Washington statue & set it on fire. They then toppled the statue. “Genocidal colonist” & “f— cops” are sprayed on monument. Rioters have began to build another autonomous zone nearby. pic.twitter.com/TrZkhPK9zp — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 19, 2020
Watch these people burn that flag and desecrate that memorial. Is that who you are, Democratic voter? Because that’s who your leaders are. That’s who your candidates back and let run wild.
The Choice
“I have no way of judging of the future but by the past,” said founding father Patrick Henry. By erasing its past, these vandals hope to leave America with no future.
This Independence Day will mark a choice. Between the American flag and the flag of surrender (with the hammer-and-sickle at the ready). Will you celebrate the birth of our nation? Or encourage its death? Do you look at Mount Rushmore and see Jefferson’s historic call for equality? Washington’s historic nobility and leadership? Lincoln’s heroic effort to bring forth a “new birth of freedom”? Or do you see figures deserving of the incinerator of history?
Do you see George Washington as the Father of Our Country. Or a sire of something evil?
This July 4th, are you with those who at this moment are screaming and cursing America and its founding?
Or are you with those singing “America, the Beautiful”?
Just weeks after 9/11, with the rubble of the Twin Towers still smoldering, Brother Ray Charles sat down at his piano before the 2nd game of the World Series. On this 4th of July, in the face of enemies just as determined to see our nation crumble, let us listen. And sing along. And watch closely. For in this clip, we find the beauty that is America that we can let no one steal.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-04--Do Not be a Cow Ashamed He Can’t Fly

Do Not be a Cow Ashamed He Can’t Fly

It ’ s an old proverb that may teach us more than it taught people in the past .
“ Friends are like fiddle-strings , they must not be screwed too tight.
” When people feel so lonely and so disconnected from family , community , church , they ’ re going to lean too hard on their friends .
And that usually backfires , leaving them lonelier than them were .
The nineteenth century great Charles Spurgeon warned , “ We must not expect unreasonable things of them , nor provoke them , even in jest , nor exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this in a book called Salt-cellars , published in 1892 .
( We would say “ salt shakers.
” ) A Baptist , and one of the giants of his age , he collected hundreds of proverbs and gives his own take on them .
He ’ s usually insightful , often striking , and sometimes funny .
The text of the book can be found here if you want to copy sections from it and here if you want read the original .
This is the third article sharing his insights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he wrote this way .
And learn from the great preacher “ How to Speak Like a Christian ( and Not Like a Fool , a Bully , or a Buffoon ) .
” See the second article for his instructions on “ How to Live Like a Christian ( and Be Happy , Not Miserable ) .
” For more from the wise men and women of the past , see # StreamChristianClassics .
Here are a few of his insights on living the good life .
They ’ re true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not religious .
More good common sense .
A cow is not ashamed because it can not fly Let no man blush because he can not do what he was never made for .
The coachman on the Bath coach could not tell the names of the gentry who owned the mansions along the road , but he gave a fine answer to the angry passenger who asked , “ What do you know ?
” when he replied , “ I know how to drive this coach to Bath.
” Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it well .
Even to keep it is not easy .
Many of the silliest investments have been made by men who , in their own business , were shrewd to the highest degree .
It is harder to weave than to gather wool .
Fire begins with little sparks : crime begins with evil thoughts Farmer !
Don ’ t rake your fields with a small-tooth comb Some would do so , if they could , to get up the last ear of corn from the gleaner .
This is a wretched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel or physic till he asks it He will not value it even if it should prove to be wise , and you will have the blame if it turns out to be unsuitable .
Advice gratis Seldom great is .
The best harvest is the longest in being reached Archbishop Whateley said , “ The man who is in a hurry to see tho full effects of his own tillage must cultivate annuals and not forest trees.
” Only children will be in such foolish haste .
Maidens should be mild and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak .
The advice will apply to men also ; but the men like advising the women , better than doing right themselves .
A fault confessed is half redressed By the confession of it , the man has begun to undo the mischief of his action .
Let us hope he will redress the other half .
A fault once excused is twice committed By the excuse you try to justify the wrong , and so you do it again .
By the fault you commit a trespass , but by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of claim to a right of way ; and this is a worse injury than the first offense .
Make home happy , and you will be happy at home .
A golden sentence .
When anyone ceases to care for his home , it is one of the worse possible signs of moral sickness .
Fair and softly goes far in a day Hurry exhausts itself ; a judicious pace is best for traveling and working .
Begin as you hope to go on , and then go on , and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes down .
Feel for others — in your pocket Practical , pecuniary sympathy is more useful than mere talk .
“ I feel for the poor man , ” said one .
“ Friend , how much does thou feel ?
” said the Quaker .
“ Dost thou feel five shillings for him ?
If so , I will put my feelings along with thine.
” The arm is the stronger , but the tongue is the longer When the strong arm is weary , the nimble tongue still runs its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pity .
Fools run in packs ; the wise oft walk alone Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Zeal without knowledge is like haste to a man in the dark It leads to blunders and accidents .
Give to the poor and you shall have more Generosity is not a waster of man ’ s substance , but an improver of it .
“ We all can do better than yet we have done , And not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never was loving that emptied the heart , Nor giving that emptied the purse.
” For a dead opportunity there is no resurrection Sir Richard Baker saith : “ To let time slip is a reverseless crime : You may have time again , but not the time.
” Fore-think , though you can not foretell Give the benefit of doubt Till the truth is fully out .
This is what you would choose if it were your own case , and therefore act thus towards others .
The adviser is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who gives advice as a general rule has nothing to lose in the matter .
Be chary of the counsel of one who carefully keeps on shore but exhorts you to go to sea .
Fools think that others do not think A little oil may save a deal of friction Just a kind word and a yielding manner , and anger and complaining will be avoided .
Gentle words are hard to answer A company of drinking men in Boston , New England , saw Mr. Cotton , the venerable pastor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go , ” said one of them , “ and put a trick upon old Cotton.
” Crossing over the road the rude fellow whispers into the minister ’ s ear : “ Cotton , thou art an old fool.
” Mr. Cotton replied , “ I am afraid I am so .
The Lord make both thee and me wiser than we are , even wise to salvation.
” The fellow returned to his companions thoroughly ashamed ; and , when they had forced him to repeat good Mr. Cotton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end .
Hard language would have set them on reply , but the soft word silenced them .
That man is surely badly bred , who ’ s strong in the arm but weak in the head Of this bad breed there are many .
Giants in muscle and dwarfs in mind .
Men weak in the head are generally head strong .
Fight , but fight only with yourself Self-conquest is the greatest of victories .
Many have vanquished all others , and yet have been slaves to their own passions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife A gracious disposition in the one influences the other , and little faults are almost insensibly cured .
The proverb is equally true in reference to the wife , but she has harder material to work upon , and sometimes she fails to make her husband what he should be .
Friends are like fiddle-strings , they must not be screwed too tight We must not expect unreasonable things of them , nor provoke them , even in jest , nor exact excessive esteem from them .
Good fences make good neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be respected between friends as well as foes .
Meum and tuum [ mine and thine ] must be rigidly distinguished among the dearest relatives .
A dear separation of properties and a keeping out of strays , are both very needful for harmony .
Even a wandering hen may scratch up a quarrel , and a hog may uproot an old friendship .
Go after wisdom , or it will never come to you .
A suggestive preacher once said , “ Do not suppose that wisdom is so much flattered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she will set you easy lessons , and yet give you the gold medal.
” Feed a bear , and his claws will grow Feed a quarrel by saying fresh words of strife , and the result will be more anger and malice than at the first .
The difficult thing is to get your foot in the stirrup To begin is the difficult matter .
Once mounted , riding will be simple enough .
To get some men really into the stirrups is the hard matter ; they hesitate and remain undecided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great thing for a young man to get his foot on the ladder , even if it be the lowest rung .
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “ Last Things ” column for the New Oxford Review and a weekly column for the English Catholic Herald .
He is finishing a book on death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute Press .

It’s an old proverb that may teach us more than it taught people in the past. “Friends are like fiddle-strings, they must not be screwed too tight.” When people feel so lonely and so disconnected from family, community, church, they’re going to lean too hard on their friends.
And that usually backfires, leaving them lonelier than them were. The nineteenth century great Charles Spurgeon warned, “We must not expect unreasonable things of them, nor provoke them, even in jest, nor exact excessive esteem from them.”
In Salt-Cellars
Spurgeon wrote this in a book called Salt-cellars, published in 1892. (We would say “salt shakers.”) A Baptist, and one of the giants of his age, he collected hundreds of proverbs and gives his own take on them. He’s usually insightful, often striking, and sometimes funny. The text of the book can be found here if you want to copy sections from it and here if you want read the original.
This is the third article sharing his insights. See the first for an explanation of why he wrote this way. And learn from the great preacher “How to Speak Like a Christian (and Not Like a Fool, a Bully, or a Buffoon).” See the second article for his instructions on “How to Live Like a Christian (and Be Happy, Not Miserable).” For more from the wise men and women of the past, see #StreamChristianClassics.
Here are a few of his insights on living the good life. They’re true for the Christian, of course, but not religious. More good common sense.
A cow is not ashamed because it cannot fly
Let no man blush because he cannot do what he was never made for. The coachman on the Bath coach could not tell the names of the gentry who owned the mansions along the road, but he gave a fine answer to the angry passenger who asked, “What do you know?” when he replied, “I know how to drive this coach to Bath.”
Many can get money; few can use it well.
Even to keep it is not easy. Many of the silliest investments have been made by men who, in their own business, were shrewd to the highest degree. It is harder to weave than to gather wool.
Fire begins with little sparks: crime begins with evil thoughts
Farmer! Don’t rake your fields with a small-tooth comb
Some would do so, if they could, to get up the last ear of corn from the gleaner. This is a wretched form of economy.
Give no man counsel or physic till he asks it
He will not value it even if it should prove to be wise, and you will have the blame if it turns out to be unsuitable.
Advice gratis
Seldom great is.
The best harvest is the longest in being reached
Archbishop Whateley said, “The man who is in a hurry to see tho full effects of his own tillage must cultivate annuals and not forest trees.” Only children will be in such foolish haste.
Maidens should be mild and meek,
Swift to hear and slow to speak.
The advice will apply to men also; but the men like advising the women, better than doing right themselves.
A fault confessed is half redressed
By the confession of it, the man has begun to undo the mischief of his action. Let us hope he will redress the other half.
A fault once excused is twice committed
By the excuse you try to justify the wrong, and so you do it again. By the fault you commit a trespass, but by an excuse you set up a sort of claim to a right of way; and this is a worse injury than the first offense.
Make home happy, and you will be happy at home.
A golden sentence. When anyone ceases to care for his home, it is one of the worse possible signs of moral sickness.
Fair and softly goes far in a day
Hurry exhausts itself; a judicious pace is best for traveling and working. Begin as you hope to go on, and then go on, and on, and on, till your sun goes down.
Feel for others — in your pocket
Practical, pecuniary sympathy is more useful than mere talk. “I feel for the poor man,” said one. “Friend, how much does thou feel?” said the Quaker. “Dost thou feel five shillings for him? If so, I will put my feelings along with thine.”
The arm is the stronger, but the tongue is the longer
When the strong arm is weary, the nimble tongue still runs its race. The more’s the pity.
Fools run in packs; the wise oft walk alone
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Zeal without knowledge is like haste to a man in the dark
It leads to blunders and accidents.
Give to the poor and you shall have more
Generosity is not a waster of man’s substance, but an improver of it.
“We all can do better than yet we have done,
And not be a whit the worse;
It never was loving that emptied the heart,
Nor giving that emptied the purse.”
For a dead opportunity there is no resurrection Sir Richard Baker saith:
“To let time slip is a reverseless crime:
You may have time again, but not the time.”
Fore-think, though you cannot foretell
Give the benefit of doubt Till the truth is fully out.
This is what you would choose if it were your own case, and therefore act thus towards others.
The adviser is not the payer
That is to say, he who gives advice as a general rule has nothing to lose in the matter. Be chary of the counsel of one who carefully keeps on shore but exhorts you to go to sea.
Fools think that others do not think
A little oil may save a deal of friction
Just a kind word and a yielding manner, and anger and complaining will be avoided.
Gentle words are hard to answer
A company of drinking men in Boston, New England, saw Mr. Cotton, the venerable pastor, coming along the street. “I will go,” said one of them, “and put a trick upon old Cotton.” Crossing over the road the rude fellow whispers into the minister’s ear: “Cotton, thou art an old fool.” Mr. Cotton replied, “I am afraid I am so. The Lord make both thee and me wiser than we are, even wise to salvation.” The fellow returned to his companions thoroughly ashamed; and, when they had forced him to repeat good Mr. Cotton’s words, their frolic came to an end. Hard language would have set them on reply, but the soft word silenced them.
That man is surely badly bred, who’s strong in the arm but weak in the head
Of this bad breed there are many. Giants in muscle and dwarfs in mind. Men weak in the head are generally head strong.
Fight, but fight only with yourself
Self-conquest is the greatest of victories. Many have vanquished all others, and yet have been slaves to their own passions.
A good husband makes a good wife
A gracious disposition in the one influences the other, and little faults are almost insensibly cured. The proverb is equally true in reference to the wife, but she has harder material to work upon, and sometimes she fails to make her husband what he should be.
Friends are like fiddle-strings, they must not be screwed too tight
We must not expect unreasonable things of them, nor provoke them, even in jest, nor exact excessive esteem from them.
Good fences make good neighbors.
Experience has proved that all rights must be respected between friends as well as foes. Meum and tuum [mine and thine] must be rigidly distinguished among the dearest relatives. A dear separation of properties and a keeping out of strays, are both very needful for harmony. Even a wandering hen may scratch up a quarrel, and a hog may uproot an old friendship.
Go after wisdom, or it will never come to you.
A suggestive preacher once said, “Do not suppose that wisdom is so much flattered at having you for a pupil that she will set you easy lessons, and yet give you the gold medal.”
Feed a bear, and his claws will grow
Feed a quarrel by saying fresh words of strife, and the result will be more anger and malice than at the first.
The difficult thing is to get your foot in the stirrup
To begin is the difficult matter. Once mounted, riding will be simple enough. To get some men really into the stirrups is the hard matter; they hesitate and remain undecided. To get a livelihood it is a great thing for a young man to get his foot on the ladder, even if it be the lowest rung.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review and a weekly column for the English Catholic Herald. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-07-05--Spiritual Warfare: Lessons From a Champion

If you ’ re not a boxing fan , you may not be familiar with Tyson Fury .
But every Christian can learn something about spiritual warfare from the prolific British heavyweight world champion .
The fiery Catholic boxer has been increasingly vocal about his faith over the course of his career , but some of his most powerful statements were made in 2018 during exchanges ( both in and out of the ring ) with fellow fighter Deontay Wilder .
As you can see in this video , Wilder claims that on the night of their upcoming fight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking to Deontay Wilder anymore.
” Instead , according to Wilder , Fury will be talking to the “ Bronze Bomber ” instead .
That comment intrigues and amuses Fury , and he asks Wilder asks if the Bronze Bomber is an alter ego or a spirit .
Wilder says that it could be an “ ancestral spirit.
” Fury ’ s calm , sincere voice is striking throughout their exchange .
He is passionate , but clear-headed , as he explains to Wilder that he welcomes no spirit but the Spirit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference between me and you , you explore it [ spirituality ] narrowly .
I am open-minded person , ” Wilder retorts .
Such a statement brings to mind these words of Jesus : “ Enter through the narrow gate .
For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction , and many enter through it.
” ( Matthew 7:13-14 ) Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
After suggesting that Fury is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly antagonistic and begins to repeat strange , incoherent chants .
His favorite is “ speak it , believe it , receive it , ” and Wilder repeats it in an effort to drown out Fury ’ s voice .
Fury remains resolute .
“ You ’ re looking at a man who stands in the light , ” Fury says firmly .
As Fury talks , Wilder ’ s expression becomes increasingly irate and his chants grow louder and boastful .
“ No man can ever beat me , ” Wilder finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to baptize you and put my spirit inside you , Tyson .
It ’ s going to be my god against your God [ in the ring ] .
” Fast forward to the night of their long-awaited fight .
In the twelfth round , Wilder hit Fury with a brutal combination , and Fury fell to the ground , apparently unconscious .
It seemed that Wilder had won as he blew a kiss to Fury ’ s lifeless body and celebrated tauntingly … until Fury stunned the crowd and rose to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own Michael Brown wrote about this incredible event in 2018 ! )
Even Wilder himself was so shocked by Fury ’ s recovery that during an interview he remarked , “ If you don ’ t believe in God and think He ’ s real … look at that.
” When asked about the incident , Fury had a similar response .
“ I truly believe God brought me off the canvas to fight on , ” he explained .
“ When I got back up [ Wilder ] hit me with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve ever seen .
It should ’ ve knocked me out cold , but it was like I was bulletproof after that .
If that ain ’ t divine intervention , I don ’ t know what is.
” Against all odds , Fury finished the round , and the judges declared the fight a draw .
A rematch was scheduled , and Wilder ’ s prideful attitude quickly returned .
He tweeted , “ I told you before our first fight that I was going to baptize you .
And I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you the second time around .
I promise you that.
” In the weeks leading up to their rematch , Wilder also remarked that Fury “ has pillows as fists.
” During the seventh round of their final fight — a fight that would determine a new world champion — Fury hit Wilder with one of his “ pillowy ” fists , and Wilder fell to the ground .
Wilder recovered fast enough to resume fighting , but he was visibly shaken .
Fury knocked him down a second time , then trapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own coaches threw in the towel and called the fight .
Tyson Fury was declared the new WBC champion .
“ I want to say thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ , ” Fury said sincerely into the microphone .
“ I said those who bring evil against me will not prosper .
All praise be to the only true God , Jesus Christ.
” Behind him , his team also praised God with loud cheers .
Ear bleeding , Deontay Wilder was taken directly to a hospital after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the press conference later that night .
The video that chronicled these sensational events ends with an important warning to everyone : “ Be not deceived .
God is not mocked.
” What can Christians Learn From This ?
Tyson Fury is by no means a perfect man , and I realize not everyone is inspired by combative sports like I am , but , regardless , Christians can learn a few things from this specific story of triumph .
Fury ’ s objections to Wilder ’ s claims about vague , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He did not entertain or ignore Wilder ’ s incoherent ramblings .
Instead , he asked incisive questions and then , unintimidated , made his own bold statements of faith .
Paul aptly used multiple athletic metaphors in the Bible .
Comparing one ’ s spiritual preparations to the preparations of an athlete vividly portrays the need for discipline and endurance .
Fury was confident in his ability to win the fight because he was confident in the power of God .
The only way for believers to trust in this power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God they serve .
This is accomplished by reading the scriptures and applying them to every area of life , no matter how many foes may mock you for it .
In this culture of loud , insistent mockers and quiet , passive Christians , it ’ s easy to believe that God will not be victorious .
Perhaps you wrongly believe that Jesus is a timid , nonconfrontational God , and that His “ love ” entails passively letting his Church be swept away by whatever happens to be popular .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and destroy the wicked , but you ’ ve let yourself become too distracted by other forces that seem much more powerful than they truly are .
Whatever your particular misstep may be , realize that Tyson Fury was right when he said that Jesus Christ is the one true God , and no weapon formed against His people will prosper — as long as they are willing to fight .
Carmen Schober is the editor-in-chief of Staseos .
She is a wife , mother , fiction writer , cultural commentator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Master ’ s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015 , and she enjoys writing about theology , culture , and storytelling .

If you’re not a boxing fan, you may not be familiar with Tyson Fury. But every Christian can learn something about spiritual warfare from the British heavyweight world champion.
The fiery Catholic boxer has been increasingly vocal about his faith over the course of his career, but some of his most powerful statements were made in 2018 during exchanges (both in and out of the ring) with fellow fighter Deontay Wilder.
An Unconventional Evangelist
As you can see in this video, Wilder claims that on the night of their upcoming fight, Tyson Fury “won’t be talking to Deontay Wilder anymore.” Instead, according to Wilder, Fury will be talking to the “Bronze Bomber” instead. That comment intrigues and amuses Fury, and he asks Wilder asks if the Bronze Bomber is an alter ego or a spirit. Wilder says that it could be an “ancestral spirit.”
Fury retorts:
I don’t believe in all that stuff. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. If God is with me, no one can be against me, and if you’re letting spirits enter your body, you can’t win. You’ve already lost. I sit here today a sincere man who tells the truth who hides nothing behind no curtains. I’m beating you. You can’t beat me. And ten more like you can’t beat me.
Fury’s calm, sincere voice is striking throughout their exchange. He is passionate, but clear-headed, as he explains to Wilder that he welcomes no spirit but the Spirit of God.
“That’s the difference between me and you, you explore it [spirituality] narrowly. I am open-minded person,” Wilder retorts. Such a statement brings to mind these words of Jesus: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
After suggesting that Fury is too “narrow,” Wilder turns increasingly antagonistic and begins to repeat strange, incoherent chants. His favorite is “speak it, believe it, receive it,” and Wilder repeats it in an effort to drown out Fury’s voice. Fury remains resolute.
“You’re looking at a man who stands in the light,” Fury says firmly.
I want people to know the truth. You want them to know nothing. You say “speak it, believe it, receive it,” but I don’t know what you believe. We don’t believe in the same things … I look to nothing to come inside me and help me win fights except the power of God above.
As Fury talks, Wilder’s expression becomes increasingly irate and his chants grow louder and boastful. “No man can ever beat me,” Wilder finally thunders. “I’m going to baptize you and put my spirit inside you, Tyson. It’s going to be my god against your God [in the ring].”
A Spiritual Battle
Fast forward to the night of their long-awaited fight. In the twelfth round, Wilder hit Fury with a brutal combination, and Fury fell to the ground, apparently unconscious. It seemed that Wilder had won as he blew a kiss to Fury’s lifeless body and celebrated tauntingly … until Fury stunned the crowd and rose to his feet. (The Stream’s own Michael Brown wrote about this incredible event in 2018!)
Even Wilder himself was so shocked by Fury’s recovery that during an interview he remarked, “If you don’t believe in God and think He’s real … look at that.”
It seemed that Wilder had won as he blew a kiss to Fury’s lifeless body and celebrated tauntingly … until Fury stunned the crowd and rose to his feet.
When asked about the incident, Fury had a similar response. “I truly believe God brought me off the canvas to fight on,” he explained. “When I got back up [Wilder] hit me with one of the best left hooks I’ve ever seen. It should’ve knocked me out cold, but it was like I was bulletproof after that. If that ain’t divine intervention, I don’t know what is.”
Against all odds, Fury finished the round, and the judges declared the fight a draw. A rematch was scheduled, and Wilder’s prideful attitude quickly returned. He tweeted, “I told you before our first fight that I was going to baptize you. And I did. But not even God can save you the second time around. I promise you that.” In the weeks leading up to their rematch, Wilder also remarked that Fury “has pillows as fists.”
During the seventh round of their final fight — a fight that would determine a new world champion — Fury hit Wilder with one of his “pillowy” fists, and Wilder fell to the ground. Wilder recovered fast enough to resume fighting, but he was visibly shaken. Fury knocked him down a second time, then trapped him in the corner until Wilder’s own coaches threw in the towel and called the fight. Tyson Fury was declared the new WBC champion.
“I want to say thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Fury said sincerely into the microphone. “I said those who bring evil against me will not prosper. All praise be to the only true God, Jesus Christ.” Behind him, his team also praised God with loud cheers.
Ear bleeding, Deontay Wilder was taken directly to a hospital after the fight and unable to talk during to the press conference later that night. The video that chronicled these sensational events ends with an important warning to everyone: “Be not deceived. God is not mocked.”
What can Christians Learn From This?
Tyson Fury is by no means a perfect man, and I realize not everyone is inspired by combative sports like I am, but, regardless, Christians can learn a few things from this specific story of triumph.
1. Be Bold
Fury’s objections to Wilder’s claims about vague, selfish spirituality were presented calmly but forcefully. He did not entertain or ignore Wilder’s incoherent ramblings. Instead, he asked incisive questions and then, unintimidated, made his own bold statements of faith.
2. Have a Fighting Spirit
Paul aptly used multiple athletic metaphors in the Bible. Comparing one’s spiritual preparations to the preparations of an athlete vividly portrays the need for discipline and endurance.
Fury was confident in his ability to win the fight because he was confident in the power of God. The only way for believers to trust in this power is to understand the character of the God they serve. This is accomplished by reading the scriptures and applying them to every area of life, no matter how many foes may mock you for it.
3. Remember: God is Not Mocked
In this culture of loud, insistent mockers and quiet, passive Christians, it’s easy to believe that God will not be victorious. Perhaps you wrongly believe that Jesus is a timid, nonconfrontational God, and that His “love” entails passively letting his Church be swept away by whatever happens to be popular. Or perhaps you know that Jesus will deliver justice and destroy the wicked, but you’ve let yourself become too distracted by other forces that seem much more powerful than they truly are.
Whatever your particular misstep may be, realize that Tyson Fury was right when he said that Jesus Christ is the one true God, and no weapon formed against His people will prosper — as long as they are willing to fight.
Carmen Schober is the editor-in-chief of Staseos. She is a wife, mother, fiction writer, cultural commentator, and MMA fan. She earned her Master’s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015, and she enjoys writing about theology, culture, and storytelling.


thestream--2020-07-05--Why Conservatives Should Love Hamilton

Why Conservatives Should Love Hamilton

EDITORS NOTE : This article originally ran in 2018 .
However , with the movie version of Hamilton premiering this weekend on Disney+ and the current effort to tear down and erase our Founding Fathers , this article is even more timely than it was then .
Enjoy and share .
I get why my fellow conservatives don ’ t like the huge hit musical Hamilton .
Lin-Manuel Miranda is a liberal who has , at times , leveraged his cultural power to serve his politics .
There was that thing with the Vice President .
But I saw it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , guys , you ’ re missing it .
Heck , even Lin-Manuel Miranda is missing it .
Like the novelist Marilynne Robinson , his art is enormously better than his politics .
In fact , whether he knows it or not , he has given us the greatest conservative artistic achievement of our lifetime .
Come on .
A play glorifying our Founding Fathers set to rap music ?
A cultural phenomenon that makes them better known and more loved by today ’ s population than any book could ?
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation that actually celebrates the American Founding instead of tearing it down ?
And in the 2010s ?
And popular with Millennials as much as with their parents ?
The leftwing historian Howard Zinn must be turning over in his grave .
His books describing American history as one atrocity after another are hugely popular textbooks in our universities .
Efforts like his have had incredible impact .
They ’ ve done incredible damage to the morale of our young .
Today ’ s Left isn ’ t supposed to love a musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Left isn ’ t just about “ social justice.
” It ’ s about teaching our young to hate their own culture , their own nation .
They ’ re supposed to hate its founding , when the rot supposedly started .
And then along comes Hamilton .
Glorifying not just any Founding Father , but Alexander Hamilton !
The first Secretary of the Treasury !
The Founding Father more responsible than any other for making the United States of America the capitalist colossus that it is today .
“ We never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he gave us ” says , I think , Miranda ’ s Jefferson after Hamilton ’ s death .
It could be said of Millennials in general toward the American Founders .
And about the unhistoricity of ethnic minorities playing our Founding Fathers : I loved it .
In fact — hear me out on this — it was more than conservative .
It was downright Trumpian .
Recall the rap against “ America First ” Trumpism : that it is white nationalism .
And recall the response of Trumpists : No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
We are not white nationalists .
We are economic nationalists .
The thing that appeals to me , a Trump voter , about Hamilton — aside from being about the Founding Father who is the original America First economic nationalist — is that the casting of racial and ethnic minorities in the role of our Founding Fathers makes them part of our national story .
Of course , they are already part of our national story .
But oftentimes as its victims .
When ethnic minorities assume the role of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way of saying , “ This is our story too .
We are part of this .
We are Americans .
And we are proud of it.
” Prior to the 1960s , that is what most oppressed minorities in the USA tried to do .
The stories of our wars are filled with chapters on African-Americans who served their country out of patriotic duty and in the hope that their sacrifice would cause their countrymen to accept them as equals .
It was only with the radical turn of the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a desire to be scorned .
By casting minorities as our Founders , Miranda is putting nation above ethnic or racial identity .
That is , again , about as far away from modern liberalism as you can get .
Modern liberalism always prizes identity over nation .
Trumpism puts nation first .
So does Lin-Manuel Miranda and his musical , even if he doesn ’ t know it or won ’ t — perhaps , can ’ t — acknowledge it .
Hamilton is a great big glorious tribute not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country he built .
Hamilton ‘ s patriotism is an inclusive patriotism in the best sense of the word .
It says to every tribe in our land : You are more than your tribe .
You are an American .
You should be proud of this story too .
That is why I took my kids to see Hamilton .
If I were a billionaire , I would pay for every child in the country to see it .

EDITORS NOTE: This article originally ran in 2018. However, with the movie version of Hamilton premiering this weekend on Disney+ and the current effort to tear down and erase our Founding Fathers, this article is even more timely than it was then. Enjoy and share.
I get why my fellow conservatives don’t like the huge hit musical Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a liberal who has, at times, leveraged his cultural power to serve his politics. There was that thing with the Vice President.
But I saw it with my kids a few days ago and, guys, you’re missing it. Heck, even Lin-Manuel Miranda is missing it. Like the novelist Marilynne Robinson, his art is enormously better than his politics. In fact, whether he knows it or not, he has given us the greatest conservative artistic achievement of our lifetime.
Glorifying the Founding Fathers
Come on. A play glorifying our Founding Fathers set to rap music? A cultural phenomenon that makes them better known and more loved by today’s population than any book could? A huge artistic event in the life our nation that actually celebrates the American Founding instead of tearing it down? And in the 2010s?
And popular with Millennials as much as with their parents? The leftwing historian Howard Zinn must be turning over in his grave. His books describing American history as one atrocity after another are hugely popular textbooks in our universities. Efforts like his have had incredible impact. They’ve done incredible damage to the morale of our young.
Today’s Left isn’t supposed to love a musical about the Founding Fathers. Today’s Left isn’t just about “social justice.” It’s about teaching our young to hate their own culture, their own nation. They’re supposed to hate its founding, when the rot supposedly started.
And then along comes Hamilton. Glorifying not just any Founding Father, but Alexander Hamilton! The first Secretary of the Treasury! The Founding Father more responsible than any other for making the United States of America the capitalist colossus that it is today.
“We never gave him credit for all the credit he gave us” says, I think, Miranda’s Jefferson after Hamilton’s death. It could be said of Millennials in general toward the American Founders.
More Than Conservative
And about the unhistoricity of ethnic minorities playing our Founding Fathers: I loved it. In fact — hear me out on this — it was more than conservative. It was downright Trumpian.
Recall the rap against “America First” Trumpism: that it is white nationalism. And recall the response of Trumpists: No, it’s not about race for us. We are not white nationalists. We are economic nationalists.
The thing that appeals to me, a Trump voter, about Hamilton — aside from being about the Founding Father who is the original America First economic nationalist — is that the casting of racial and ethnic minorities in the role of our Founding Fathers makes them part of our national story.
Of course, they are already part of our national story. But oftentimes as its victims. When ethnic minorities assume the role of the Founding Fathers, though, it is a way of saying, “This is our story too. We are part of this. We are Americans. And we are proud of it.”
Prior to the 1960s, that is what most oppressed minorities in the USA tried to do. The stories of our wars are filled with chapters on African-Americans who served their country out of patriotic duty and in the hope that their sacrifice would cause their countrymen to accept them as equals. It was only with the radical turn of the late 1960s that wanting to be an American became a desire to be scorned.
By casting minorities as our Founders, Miranda is putting nation above ethnic or racial identity. That is, again, about as far away from modern liberalism as you can get. Modern liberalism always prizes identity over nation.
Trumpism and Hamilton
Trumpism puts nation first. So does Lin-Manuel Miranda and his musical, even if he doesn’t know it or won’t — perhaps, can’t — acknowledge it. Hamilton is a great big glorious tribute not just to the man but to America, the country he built.
Hamilton‘s patriotism is an inclusive patriotism in the best sense of the word. It says to every tribe in our land: You are more than your tribe. You are an American. You should be proud of this story too.
That is why I took my kids to see Hamilton. If I were a billionaire, I would pay for every child in the country to see it.


thestream--2020-07-05--‘I Was a Walking Dead Man’: Ex-New York Drug Lord Finds Jesus

Herman Mendoza was once a New York drug lord with the world at his fingertips .
With millions of dollars , women and worldly possessions , Mendoza thought he had it all — until his arrests and detainments led him on a path to discovering God and transforming his life .
Mendoza , author of the new book Shifting Shadows : How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected , is now a Christian pastor in New York City .
And he recently told “ The Pure Flix Podcast ” about his foray into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with drugs as a teenager .
But it wasn ’ t until Mendoza ’ s 20 ’ s when he couldn ’ t find employment that he really dove deep into the drug trade , following in the footsteps of his brothers .
“ I was married and living with my wife and I was laid off from a job that I was working at , ” Mendoza said .
“ And so I was desperate for money.
” Listen to Mendoza reveal how he went from a New York drug lord to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe and finding faith , hope and encouragement : So , Mendoza joined his brothers in distributing cocaine .
It didn ’ t take long for him to feel untouchable , as money came flooding in and he began to party and enjoy his newfound riches .
“ I thought that , ‘ Hey , this is an easy way to make money and get rich , ' ” he said , noting , though , that his riches and fun were halted when cops found loads of cocaine in the trunk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing life in prison — a reality that left him reeling .
“ My mind was racing .
My heart was like in my throat .
It really struck a chord with me because the reality of what I was involved in hit home , ” he said .
“ I was facing 25 years to life , and at the time I had one child .
And I was thinking about my child , you know , ‘ What ’ s going to be of my daughter ? '
” Mendoza struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison before being released and jumping right back into the crime mix .
“ I was a fool … and I went right back into what they call in the streets , ‘ the game , ' ” he said .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Once again , Mendoza found himself arrested and behind bars , with his legal conundrum becoming even more complex and troubling .
But then something life-altering happened : his brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a Christian and set off on a mission to bring Mendoza to faith .
Remarkably , Mendoza ’ s brother saw his prayers answered .
“ I gave my life to the Lord … there was no other recourse , ” Mendoza said .
“ I said , I need to try God , I ’ ve tried everything else .
… I had millions of dollars , I had all these things , but it was never satisfying.
” Despite his legal problems and past mistakes , Mendoza decided to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and profoundly impact his heart and mind .
“ I felt this warmth that enveloped me .
I felt the presence of God , ” he said , noting that he suddenly wanted to heal his past mistakes and relationships .
“ I realized that Jesus paid the price for my sin … I was a walking dead man and now I ’ m alive in Christ.
” After Mendoza ’ s release , he started traveling the globe to share the gospel .
And today he ’ s a pastor who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City area .
For more of his incredible story , read his new book , Shifting Shadows : How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected .
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider .
Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows .
You can get a free trial here .

Herman Mendoza was once a New York drug lord with the world at his fingertips. With millions of dollars, women and worldly possessions, Mendoza thought he had it all — until his arrests and detainments led him on a path to discovering God and transforming his life.
Mendoza, author of the new book Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected, is now a Christian pastor in New York City.
And he recently told “The Pure Flix Podcast” about his foray into narcotics, explaining that he started experimenting with drugs as a teenager. But it wasn’t until Mendoza’s 20’s when he couldn’t find employment that he really dove deep into the drug trade, following in the footsteps of his brothers. “I was married and living with my wife and I was laid off from a job that I was working at,” Mendoza said. “And so I was desperate for money.”
Listen to Mendoza reveal how he went from a New York drug lord to a pastor preaching the gospel across the globe and finding faith, hope and encouragement:
So, Mendoza joined his brothers in distributing cocaine. It didn’t take long for him to feel untouchable, as money came flooding in and he began to party and enjoy his newfound riches. “I thought that, ‘Hey, this is an easy way to make money and get rich,'” he said, noting, though, that his riches and fun were halted when cops found loads of cocaine in the trunk of his car.
Suddenly, Mendoza was facing life in prison — a reality that left him reeling. “My mind was racing. My heart was like in my throat. It really struck a chord with me because the reality of what I was involved in hit home,” he said. “I was facing 25 years to life, and at the time I had one child. And I was thinking about my child, you know, ‘What’s going to be of my daughter?'”
Mendoza struck a deal and ended up going to prison before being released and jumping right back into the crime mix. “I was a fool … and I went right back into what they call in the streets, ‘the game,'” he said.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Once again, Mendoza found himself arrested and behind bars, with his legal conundrum becoming even more complex and troubling. But then something life-altering happened: his brother, who was also behind bars, became a Christian and set off on a mission to bring Mendoza to faith.
Remarkably, Mendoza’s brother saw his prayers answered. “I gave my life to the Lord … there was no other recourse,” Mendoza said. “I said, I need to try God, I’ve tried everything else. … I had millions of dollars, I had all these things, but it was never satisfying.”
Despite his legal problems and past mistakes, Mendoza decided to become a Christian — an experience that deeply and profoundly impact his heart and mind.
“I felt this warmth that enveloped me. I felt the presence of God,” he said, noting that he suddenly wanted to heal his past mistakes and relationships. “I realized that Jesus paid the price for my sin … I was a walking dead man and now I’m alive in Christ.”
After Mendoza’s release, he started traveling the globe to share the gospel. And today he’s a pastor who is ministering to people in the New York City area.
For more of his incredible story, read his new book, Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected.
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider. Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows. You can get a free trial here.