thestream--2020-07-24--Why I Have Faith in Jesus: An Open Letter to Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish is an eighteen-year-old American singer and songwriter .
Earlier this year , she became the youngest ever to win the four main Grammy categories—Best New Artist , Record of the Year , Song of the Year , and Album of the Year—in the same year .
In a new episode of her podcast , me & dad radio , she opened up to her father about her past faith and how it has impacted her views of religion today .
“ I don ’ t know if any of you know—I don ’ t think I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was little , when I was a little kid , I was super religious for no d*** reason , ” she said .
“ My family never was religious .
I didn ’ t know anyone that was religious .
And for some reason , as a little girl , I just was incredibly religious.
” She continued : “ And then at one point , I don ’ t know what happened .
It just completely went away.
” Now , she says , “ I ’ ve loved the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with closed minds , people like me from a couple years ago—I think that ’ s very pathetic to have a closed mind .
It ’ s very lame.
” Eilish described her current place : “ I don ’ t , not believe and I don ’ t do believe .
I ’ m in a very neutral position .
I ’ m open to every belief pretty much.
” She added that she loves “ the idea that there ’ s a God .
So why not ?
How would I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say I know I don ’ t , nobody knows.
” As I note below , Billie Eilish ’ s beliefs are important not just because of her cultural influence but because she speaks for so many people .
I would like to respond to her in a way that I hope is helpful to you as you engage with the people you know who share her beliefs .
In addition , I have long championed the belief that we should not say about people what we are not willing to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
In that spirit , I ’ ll share with you the letter I emailed to her on Wednesday .
I am a Christian minister and writer in Dallas , Texas .
I read about your comments on religion in your latest podcast and wanted to thank you for your honesty in saying what so many people think .
You said that to be religious is to have a “ closed mind ” and that we should be “ neutral ” about belief in God since “ nobody knows ” whether God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt the same way .
My father was very religious when he was a young man , but when he enlisted in the Army during World War II , he experienced such horrible atrocities that he never attended church again .
As a result , I grew up , like you , in a home with no religious practices at all .
I used to stare at the sky at night , wondering if there is a God “ up there.
” I decided that there ’ s no way really to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone ’ s beliefs and tolerant of all viewpoints .
When I was fifteen years old , some friends invited me to attend their church .
For the first time , I heard the message of Christianity : the God who made us loves us so much that he sent his Son to offer us a personal , life-changing relationship with himself .
If we will ask Jesus to forgive us for our mistakes ( which we ’ ve all made ) and invite him to be our Lord , he will give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal life in heaven .
I asked Jesus for this new life , and he heard my prayer .
He changed my life and gave me a hope and peace I have found nowhere else .
However , my new faith in Jesus did not answer all my questions .
Like you , I wondered how we can “ know ” if God exists and whether any religion is the right one .
I have spent the last four decades seeking answers to those questions .
Let me share three discoveries I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is amazing evidence for the existence of God , the historicity of Jesus , and the truthfulness of the Bible .
This evidence does not answer all our questions or remove all our doubts , but it shows us that the Christian faith is reasonable and based on facts .
Second , I learned that to be “ open to every belief , ” as you suggested , is hard to do when these beliefs contradict each other .
If you believe your father is alive and I believe that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be wrong .
In the same way , if Jews are right in saying that Jesus is not the Messiah , Christians are wrong in saying that he is .
If the “ five pillars of Islam ” are the right path to heaven , all other religions are wrong .
Rather than different roads up the same mountain , it ’ s as though there are different keys to heaven ’ s door .
If one works , the others do not .
( To read more , go here . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ us not a religion but a relationship .
Religions teach a path to find God through our efforts , while Christianity teaches that God has come to find us .
Our hope is not based on what we can do , but on what Jesus has done .
The Proof is Found in Experience However , as with every relationship , this relationship can not be proven , only experienced .
I can not prove to you that I love my wife or that she loves me .
You would have to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is the same with knowing whether God exists or not .
The best way to answer the question is to experience him for yourself .
If you will do what I did , asking Jesus to forgive your mistakes ( something we all need to do ) and to become your Lord , he will give you a life filled with hope , purpose , and joy .
It ’ s been said that Christians are beggars helping beggars find bread .
I am honored to share my bread with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to talk about the hope we can experience in Jesus , you can reach me any time through our website .
Dr. Jim Denison is the founder of the Denison Forum .
His Daily Article reaches 1.5 million people monthly with subscribers in 226 countries .
Follow him @ JimDenison .

Billie Eilish is an eighteen-year-old American singer and songwriter. Earlier this year, she became the youngest ever to win the four main Grammy categories — Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year — in the same year.
In a new episode of her podcast, me & dad radio, she opened up to her father about her past faith and how it has impacted her views of religion today. “I don’t know if any of you know — I don’t think I’ve ever talked about it. When I was little, when I was a little kid, I was super religious for no d*** reason,” she said. “My family never was religious. I didn’t know anyone that was religious. And for some reason, as a little girl, I just was incredibly religious.”
She continued: “And then at one point, I don’t know what happened. It just completely went away.” Now, she says, “I’ve loved the idea of other beliefs. And I think people with closed minds, people like me from a couple years ago — I think that’s very pathetic to have a closed mind. It’s very lame.”
My Hope and Intention
Eilish described her current place: “I don’t, not believe and I don’t do believe. I’m in a very neutral position. I’m open to every belief pretty much.” She added that she loves “the idea that there’s a God. So why not? How would I know? I’m not going to say I know I don’t, nobody knows.”
As I note below, Billie Eilish’s beliefs are important not just because of her cultural influence but because she speaks for so many people. I would like to respond to her in a way that I hope is helpful to you as you engage with the people you know who share her beliefs.
In addition, I have long championed the belief that we should not say about people what we are not willing to say to them (cf. Matthew 18:15). In that spirit, I’ll share with you the letter I emailed to her on Wednesday.
My Letter to Billie Eilish
Billie,
I am a Christian minister and writer in Dallas, Texas. I read about your comments on religion in your latest podcast and wanted to thank you for your honesty in saying what so many people think.
You said that to be religious is to have a “closed mind” and that we should be “neutral” about belief in God since “nobody knows” whether God is real. Growing up, I felt the same way.
My father was very religious when he was a young man, but when he enlisted in the Army during World War II, he experienced such horrible atrocities that he never attended church again. As a result, I grew up, like you, in a home with no religious practices at all.
I used to stare at the sky at night, wondering if there is a God “up there.”
I used to stare at the sky at night, wondering if there is a God “up there.” I decided that there’s no way really to know, so we should be open to everyone’s beliefs and tolerant of all viewpoints.
When I was fifteen years old, some friends invited me to attend their church. For the first time, I heard the message of Christianity: the God who made us loves us so much that he sent his Son to offer us a personal, life-changing relationship with himself. If we will ask Jesus to forgive us for our mistakes (which we’ve all made) and invite him to be our Lord, he will give us a new life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
I asked Jesus for this new life, and he heard my prayer. He changed my life and gave me a hope and peace I have found nowhere else.
Why Faith in Jesus
However, my new faith in Jesus did not answer all my questions. Like you, I wondered how we can “know” if God exists and whether any religion is the right one. I have spent the last four decades seeking answers to those questions. Let me share three discoveries I’ve made.
First, I discovered that there is amazing evidence for the existence of God, the historicity of Jesus, and the truthfulness of the Bible. This evidence does not answer all our questions or remove all our doubts, but it shows us that the Christian faith is reasonable and based on facts.
Second, I learned that to be “open to every belief,” as you suggested, is hard to do when these beliefs contradict each other.
If you believe your father is alive and I believe that he is not, one of us must be wrong. In the same way, if Jews are right in saying that Jesus is not the Messiah, Christians are wrong in saying that he is. If the “five pillars of Islam” are the right path to heaven, all other religions are wrong.
Rather than different roads up the same mountain, it’s as though there are different keys to heaven’s door. If one works, the others do not. (To read more, go here.)
Third, I discovered that Jesus offers us not a religion but a relationship.
Religions teach a path to find God through our efforts, while Christianity teaches that God has come to find us. Our hope is not based on what we can do, but on what Jesus has done.
The Proof is Found in Experience
However, as with every relationship, this relationship cannot be proven, only experienced. I cannot prove to you that I love my wife or that she loves me. You would have to know us personally to experience what we experience.
It is the same with knowing whether God exists or not. The best way to answer the question is to experience him for yourself. If you will do what I did, asking Jesus to forgive your mistakes (something we all need to do) and to become your Lord, he will give you a life filled with hope, purpose, and joy.
It’s been said that Christians are beggars helping beggars find bread. I am honored to share my bread with you.
Jim Denison
Dallas, Texas
P.S. If you’d like to talk about the hope we can experience in Jesus, you can reach me any time through our website.
Dr. Jim Denison is the founder of the Denison Forum. His Daily Article reaches 1.5 million people monthly with subscribers in 226 countries. Follow him @JimDenison.
Originally published at Denison Forum. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-07-24--Saul Alinsky and the BLM Movement

Saul Alinsky and the BLM Movement

While Saul Alinsky can be connected directly to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama , I ’ m not aware that such a clear connection exists between the founders of the BLM movement and Alinsky , who died in 1972 .
But there is no doubt that they share his philosophy of cultural revolution .
In his insightful , 2009 mini-book , Barack Obama ’ s Rules for Revolution : The Alinsky Model , David Horowitz quoted an SDS radical who wrote , “ The issue is never the issue .
The issue is always the revolution.
” As Horowitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause — whether inner city blacks or women — is never the real cause , but only an occasion to advance the real cause which is the accumulation of power to make the revolution .
That was the all-consuming focus of Alinsky and his radicals.
” When it comes to BLM , the purported issue , namely , that Black Lives Matter , is not the ultimate issue .
Instead , a larger cultural revolution is the ultimate issue .
( As many have noted , the founders of BLM are both Marxists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three women identifying as queer activists . )
And so , the mantra that “ Black Lives Matter ” specifically means blacks who are victims of white police brutality .
Black lives in the womb do not matter .
Blacks getting gunned down in gang violence do not matter .
Black toddlers killed in random shootings do not matter .
Not even blacks killed by black police officers matter — at least not nearly as much as blacks killed by white officers .
Those white officers , in turn , represent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told , is fundamentally racist .
And it is that system that needs to be overthrown .
Thus , “ The issue is never the issue .
The issue is always the revolution.
” If the issue was the issue , then BLM should have been applauding President Trump ’ s efforts to introduce police reform .
Instead , Trump is vilified as a white supremacist and racist , and BLM wants him removed .
In fact , that is one of their stated goals .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
As for the police , their very existence is part of the oppressive system .
They must be defunded and abolished , and attacks on them are justified .
Of course , it doesn ’ t take a sociology professor to understand that the BLM movement is not primarily focused on the well-being of the black American community .
After all , what is the connection between police brutality and statues of Christopher Columbus ?
There is no connection , other than the revolutionary logic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of America ’ s racist heritage , which started with slavery .
And Christopher Columbus , who discovered America , enslaved native inhabitants of the West Indies .
Therefore , in the name of BLM , his statue must be destroyed ( along with many other statues ) .
And what is the connection between police brutality and the vandalizing of synagogues and burning of church buildings ?
There is no connection , other than the revolutionary logic which sees church buildings as symbols of an oppressive , discriminatory religious system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not forget the statues of a white Jesus and a white Mary .
They too must be toppled .
As for the synagogues , that ’ s easy .
The Jews are always part of the oppressive system .
The Jews are always evil .
Everyone hates the Jews .
Terry Crews was right to say to Don Lemon that , “ There are some very militant type forces in Black Lives Matter and what I was issuing was a warning ” that “ extremes can really go far and go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild extremes on the streets of our cities every day .
And plenty of the extremists are young whites , some of whom are more into revolution than into justice .
Diamond and Silk were right to tweet , “ If What Don Lemon say is true about BLM being only about police brutality , then why are they still protesting ?
We don ’ t see police killing black lives .
It ’ s black lives killing black lives.
” Ah , but black lives are not the primary issue .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over time , the concern about blacks being killed by the police will be drowned out by the larger call to overthrow America as we know it .
After all , America is depicted as the world ’ s hotbed of racism and oppression , the evil empire that must be brought down , especially when compared to … well , especially when compared to a utopian Marxism .
BLM is playing by the book .
Alinsky ’ s book .
For good reason Gregory A. wrote on Medium.com , “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-American organization that is working to sow division , spread lies , and destroying the country .
Their playbook comes straight from Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky who dedicated his book to Lucifer .
They aren ’ t looking for unity , but to destroy anyone who doesn ’ t agree with their radical Marxist philosophy .
Black Lives Matter leaders know how to cause chaos and to turn us against each other .
Individuals and corporations must stop pandering to this organization that is working to tear the country apart.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

While Saul Alinsky can be connected directly to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, I’m not aware that such a clear connection exists between the founders of the BLM movement and Alinsky, who died in 1972. But there is no doubt that they share his philosophy of cultural revolution.
The Revolution
In his insightful, 2009 mini-book, Barack Obama’s Rules for Revolution: The Alinsky Model, David Horowitz quoted an SDS radical who wrote, “The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.”
As Horowitz explained, “In other words the cause — whether inner city blacks or women — is never the real cause, but only an occasion to advance the real cause which is the accumulation of power to make the revolution. That was the all-consuming focus of Alinsky and his radicals.”
When it comes to BLM, the purported issue, namely, that Black Lives Matter, is not the ultimate issue. Instead, a larger cultural revolution is the ultimate issue. (As many have noted, the founders of BLM are both Marxists and radical feminists, with two of the three women identifying as queer activists.)
And so, the mantra that “Black Lives Matter” specifically means blacks who are victims of white police brutality. Black lives in the womb do not matter. Blacks getting gunned down in gang violence do not matter. Black toddlers killed in random shootings do not matter. Not even blacks killed by black police officers matter — at least not nearly as much as blacks killed by white officers.
Those white officers, in turn, represent the larger system, which, we are told, is fundamentally racist. And it is that system that needs to be overthrown.
Thus, “The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.”
Police Brutality and Statues
If the issue was the issue, then BLM should have been applauding President Trump’s efforts to introduce police reform.
Instead, Trump is vilified as a white supremacist and racist, and BLM wants him removed. In fact, that is one of their stated goals.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As for the police, their very existence is part of the oppressive system. They must be defunded and abolished, and attacks on them are justified.
Of course, it doesn’t take a sociology professor to understand that the BLM movement is not primarily focused on the well-being of the black American community.
After all, what is the connection between police brutality and statues of Christopher Columbus?
There is no connection, other than the revolutionary logic which says: white police brutality is part of America’s racist heritage, which started with slavery. And Christopher Columbus, who discovered America, enslaved native inhabitants of the West Indies. Therefore, in the name of BLM, his statue must be destroyed (along with many other statues).
Police Brutality and Vandalizing Houses of Worship
And what is the connection between police brutality and the vandalizing of synagogues and burning of church buildings?
There is no connection, other than the revolutionary logic which sees church buildings as symbols of an oppressive, discriminatory religious system that also must be overthrown.
And let’s not forget the statues of a white Jesus and a white Mary. They too must be toppled.
As for the synagogues, that’s easy. The Jews are always part of the oppressive system. The Jews are always evil. Everyone hates the Jews.
Terry Crews was right to say to Don Lemon that, “There are some very militant type forces in Black Lives Matter and what I was issuing was a warning” that “extremes can really go far and go wild.” Absolutely.
Back to the Revolution
We see the wild extremes on the streets of our cities every day. And plenty of the extremists are young whites, some of whom are more into revolution than into justice.
Diamond and Silk were right to tweet, “If What Don Lemon say is true about BLM being only about police brutality, then why are they still protesting? We don’t see police killing black lives. It’s black lives killing black lives.”
Ah, but black lives are not the primary issue. Instead, the issue is revolution.
Thus, over time, the concern about blacks being killed by the police will be drowned out by the larger call to overthrow America as we know it.
After all, America is depicted as the world’s hotbed of racism and oppression, the evil empire that must be brought down, especially when compared to … well, especially when compared to a utopian Marxism.
Alinsky’s Book
BLM is playing by the book. Alinsky’s book.
For good reason Gregory A. wrote on Medium.com, “It’s time to stop supporting this anti-American organization that is working to sow division, spread lies, and destroying the country. Their playbook comes straight from Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky who dedicated his book to Lucifer. They aren’t looking for unity, but to destroy anyone who doesn’t agree with their radical Marxist philosophy. Black Lives Matter leaders know how to cause chaos and to turn us against each other. Individuals and corporations must stop pandering to this organization that is working to tear the country apart.”
Precisely so.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-07-24--How Do We Choose Between Imperfect Candidates?

“ How do we choose between imperfect candidates ?
” This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Christians Engaged .
But really , how do we , as Christians , make a choice between flawed candidates ?
Let me first say that I wish JESUS was on our ballot .
Unfortunately He is not , so we have to pick between flawed candidates in deciding who will best represent us in the White House , Congress , state legislatures , county governments , and city governments .
Here are the considerations that I take in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they will be of help to you .
In partisan races , I first look at the party they represent and what are the core beliefs and values of that party .
Although it isn ’ t always palatable to us as voters , our officials go to Washington and our state capitals and they have to work within ‘ team one ’ or ‘ team two.
’ They have leadership , and though they might occasionally go against their party affiliations on a vote , most of the time they won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the major parties believe and where you are with those beliefs .
When I was first choosing what party I wanted to get involved with , I printed off my state ’ s party platform for each party .
I then went paragraph by paragraph and marked a check or an ‘ X ’ beside each issue to see what I agreed with .
One platform was close to a 90 % ‘ YES ’ and the other one was close to 35 % ‘ YES ’ ( that was back in 2004 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then ) .
Another way that I used discernment to determine which party was more aligned with my values was by identifying the top three issues ( pro-life , biblical marriage , government spending and debt ) that I cared about as a Christian and highlighted each party ’ s respective stance on each issue .
This is an effective way to assist you in making your voting choices .
2 ) What Do They Say Themselves About the Issues ?
Research .
It doesn ’ t take very long and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right decision and feel confident when casting a vote .
An uneducated vote is not what we are going for here .
It takes mere minutes to download your ballot from your county elections department website and print it off .
By entering a few details ( your name , address and/or birthday ) , your county website will show you exactly who is on your ballot .
Take a few minutes to pull each of the candidates up on the search engine of your choice .
Type in their name and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their campaign website will likely come up .
( If they don ’ t have a website , you probably don ’ t want to vote for them . )
Check their Facebook pages as well .
You can learn a lot about a candidate by simply reading their ‘ ABOUT ’ and ‘ ISSUES ’ pages .
See if their beliefs align with the Bible and your biblical values .
It doesn ’ t matter if they say they are a Christian if the issues they promote don ’ t follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself , “ Does the person running have the qualifications for this office ?
” Have they run for office or been elected previously ?
They don ’ t have to be a “ politician ” to be a good elected official , but they need to be a proven leader in some realm , have good character , and not be a criminal .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Look at what they have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office they are seeking .
Experience is something we many times overlook but is very important when looking at nonpartisan races and deciding between candidates in primaries .
Not everyone who puts their name on a ballot is remotely qualified to be a member of Congress , a state representative , or a member of city council , etc .
Notice that my list DOES NOT include questions such as , “ Who do I like more ?
” , “ Who do I want to go get a coffee with ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like me or looks more like me ?
” It is imperative that we , as believers , take emotion out of our voting decisions .
If we are truly following God and obeying Him by doing our civic duty to vote for “ the righteous , ” then we must discount the emotional part of politics and elections , by kicking them to the curb , and instead vote BIBLICAL VALUES .
Our cities , our states , and our nation need us to take this responsibility seriously .
What does America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YOU — praying , voting , and engaging .
Our nation needs Christians who vote biblical values , not personalities .
In doing so , we can be instrumental in changing America for the better .
Bunni Pounds is President of Christians Engaged .
She is a former congressional candidate , fifteen-year political consultant , and motivational speaker .

“How do we choose between imperfect candidates?”
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Christians Engaged. But really, how do we, as Christians, make a choice between flawed candidates?
Let me first say that I wish JESUS was on our ballot. Unfortunately He is not, so we have to pick between flawed candidates in deciding who will best represent us in the White House, Congress, state legislatures, county governments, and city governments.
Here are the considerations that I take in making my decisions, and I hope that they will be of help to you.
1) Parties Matter, Unfortunately
In partisan races, I first look at the party they represent and what are the core beliefs and values of that party.
Although it isn’t always palatable to us as voters, our officials go to Washington and our state capitals and they have to work within ‘team one’ or ‘team two.’ They have leadership, and though they might occasionally go against their party affiliations on a vote, most of the time they won’t. You MUST know what the major parties believe and where you are with those beliefs.
Our nation needs Christians who vote biblical values, not personalities.
When I was first choosing what party I wanted to get involved with, I printed off my state’s party platform for each party. I then went paragraph by paragraph and marked a check or an ‘X’ beside each issue to see what I agreed with. One platform was close to a 90% ‘YES’ and the other one was close to 35% ‘YES’ (that was back in 2004, and party platforms have changed since then).
Another way that I used discernment to determine which party was more aligned with my values was by identifying the top three issues (pro-life, biblical marriage, government spending and debt) that I cared about as a Christian and highlighted each party’s respective stance on each issue. This is an effective way to assist you in making your voting choices.
2) What Do They Say Themselves About the Issues?
Research. It doesn’t take very long and it is SO important! You want to make the right decision and feel confident when casting a vote. An uneducated vote is not what we are going for here.
It takes mere minutes to download your ballot from your county elections department website and print it off. By entering a few details (your name, address and/or birthday), your county website will show you exactly who is on your ballot.
Take a few minutes to pull each of the candidates up on the search engine of your choice. Type in their name and the office they are seeking, and their campaign website will likely come up. (If they don’t have a website, you probably don’t want to vote for them.) Check their Facebook pages as well.
You can learn a lot about a candidate by simply reading their ‘ABOUT’ and ‘ISSUES’ pages. See if their beliefs align with the Bible and your biblical values.
It doesn’t matter if they say they are a Christian if the issues they promote don’t follow the Bible.
3) Qualifications & Experience
One last question to ask yourself, “Does the person running have the qualifications for this office?”
Have they run for office or been elected previously?
They don’t have to be a “politician” to be a good elected official, but they need to be a proven leader in some realm, have good character, and not be a criminal.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Look at what they have done and how that has prepared them for the office they are seeking. Experience is something we many times overlook but is very important when looking at nonpartisan races and deciding between candidates in primaries. Not everyone who puts their name on a ballot is remotely qualified to be a member of Congress, a state representative, or a member of city council, etc.
Notice that my list DOES NOT include questions such as, “Who do I like more?”, “Who do I want to go get a coffee with?”, or “Who is more like me or looks more like me?”
It is imperative that we, as believers, take emotion out of our voting decisions. If we are truly following God and obeying Him by doing our civic duty to vote for “the righteous,” then we must discount the emotional part of politics and elections, by kicking them to the curb, and instead vote BIBLICAL VALUES.
Our cities, our states, and our nation need us to take this responsibility seriously.
What does America need in this hour?
America needs YOU — praying, voting, and engaging. Our nation needs Christians who vote biblical values, not personalities. In doing so, we can be instrumental in changing America for the better.
Bunni Pounds is President of Christians Engaged. She is a former congressional candidate, fifteen-year political consultant, and motivational speaker.
Originally published at Christians Engaged. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-07-24--Let God be Wiser Than Man

Let God be Wiser Than Man

In this passage from his classic book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God , the late J.I .
Packer explains that we must believe God is Lord and King to share the Good News .
It ’ s the belief that will keep us going when people don ’ t listen .
But some Christians speak as if they don ’ t believe God is in control .
Professor Packer had been one of the great leaders of world Evangelicalism for over fifty years .
He died last Friday , July 16th , at the age of 93 .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he writes .
We can tell from the way we pray .
This conviction , which animates your intercessions , is God ’ s own truth , written on your heart by the Holy Spirit .
In prayer , then ( and the Christian is at his sanest and wisest when he prays ) , you know that it is God who saves men ; you know that what makes men turn to God is God ’ s own gracious work of drawing them to himself ; and the content of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thus , by your practice of intercession , no less than by giving thanks for your conversion , you acknowledge and confess the sovereignty of God ’ s grace .
And so do all Christian people everywhere .
… If that ’ s true , why do some Christians say they don ’ t believe it ?
The root cause is the same as in most cases of error in the church — the intruding of rationalistic speculations , the passion for systematic consistency , a reluctance to recognize the existence of mystery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , and a consequent subjecting of Scripture to the supposed demands of human logic .
People see that the Bible teaches man ’ s responsibility for his actions ; they do not see ( man , indeed , can not see ) how this is consistent with the sovereign lordship of God over those actions .
They are not content to let the two truths live side by side , as they do in the Scriptures , but jump to the conclusion that , in order to uphold the biblical truth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject the equally biblical and equally true doctrine of divine sovereignty , and to explain away the great number of texts that teach it .
The desire to oversimplify the Bible by cutting out the mysteries is natural to our perverse minds , and it is not surprising that even good people should fall victim to it .
… How , then , do you pray ?
Do you ask God for your daily bread ?
Do you thank God for your conversion ?
Do you pray for the conversion of others ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sovereignty of God no less firmly than anyone else .
On our feet we may have arguments about it , but on our knees we are all agreed .

In this passage from his classic book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, the late J.I. Packer explains that we must believe God is Lord and King to share the Good News. It’s the belief that will keep us going when people don’t listen. But some Christians speak as if they don’t believe God is in control.
Professor Packer had been one of the great leaders of world Evangelicalism for over fifty years. He died last Friday, July 16th, at the age of 93.
Every Christian really believes God is in control, he writes. We can tell from the way we pray.
This conviction, which animates your intercessions, is God’s own truth, written on your heart by the Holy Spirit. In prayer, then (and the Christian is at his sanest and wisest when he prays), you know that it is God who saves men; you know that what makes men turn to God is God’s own gracious work of drawing them to himself; and the content of your prayers is determined by this knowledge. Thus, by your practice of intercession, no less than by giving thanks for your conversion, you acknowledge and confess the sovereignty of God’s grace. And so do all Christian people everywhere. …
For a tribute to J. I. Packer, see his friend David Mills’s J.I. Packer, Man Who Told Us a Difficult Truth, RIP.
If that’s true, why do some Christians say they don’t believe it?
The root cause is the same as in most cases of error in the church — the intruding of rationalistic speculations, the passion for systematic consistency, a reluctance to recognize the existence of mystery and to let God be wiser than men, and a consequent subjecting of Scripture to the supposed demands of human logic. People see that the Bible teaches man’s responsibility for his actions; they do not see (man, indeed, cannot see) how this is consistent with the sovereign lordship of God over those actions.
They are not content to let the two truths live side by side, as they do in the Scriptures, but jump to the conclusion that, in order to uphold the biblical truth of human responsibility, they are bound to reject the equally biblical and equally true doctrine of divine sovereignty, and to explain away the great number of texts that teach it. The desire to oversimplify the Bible by cutting out the mysteries is natural to our perverse minds, and it is not surprising that even good people should fall victim to it. …
How, then, do you pray? Do you ask God for your daily bread? Do you thank God for your conversion? Do you pray for the conversion of others? … In your heart you believe in the sovereignty of God no less firmly than anyone else. On our feet we may have arguments about it, but on our knees we are all agreed.


thestream--2020-07-24--‘Fascist’: What Top Democrats Say About Federal Law Enforcement Help for Their Cities

Democratic mayors and other leaders of some large cities have grown edgier in opposing President Donald Trump ’ s push to use federal agents to quell violence , using terms such as “ resist ” and “ fascist.
” Some elected Democrats in affected cities have vowed to sue and even arrest federal agents as they criticize federal action to protect government property in Portland , Oregon .
For “ Operation Legend , ” the White House has announced plans to send federal law enforcement officials to Chicago ; Kansas City , Missouri ; and Albuquerque , New Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department intends to expand the effort into Cleveland , Detroit , and Milwaukee .
Democratic mayors and other leaders in these and other cities mostly object , according to news reports .
Marching with protesters Wednesday night in Portland , Mayor Ted Wheeler was tear-gassed by federal agents .
Wheeler said he was “ pissed off ” and called the situation “ flat-out urban warfare ” wrought by the president .
Cities across the nation have seen various levels of unrest and violence since the May 25 death of a black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis .
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot , who heads one of America ’ s most violent cities , previously opposed intervention by federal officials .
However , after Trump ’ s announcement Wednesday of “ Operation Legend , ” Lightfoot offered a more diplomatic comment .
“ I ’ ve been very clear that we welcome actual partnership , ” Lightfoot said .
“ But we do not welcome dictatorship .
We do not welcome authoritarianism , and we do not welcome unconstitutional arrest and detainment of our residents .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schmitz , chief of public safety at the Cook County Sheriff ’ s Office , attended the White House event Wednesday announcing “ Operation Legend.
” His jurisdiction includes Chicago .
Before his announcement on putting down violent crime in cities , Trump had mentioned the possibility of sending federal law enforcement to New York , Philadelphia , Detroit , Baltimore , and Oakland , California , which are among U.S. cities with the highest crime rates .
“ I ’ m going to do something — that I can tell you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oval Office .
“ Because we ’ re not going to let New York and Chicago and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore and all of these — Oakland is a mess .
We ’ re not going to let this happen in our country .
All run by liberal Democrats.
” That same day , Philadelphia officials provided some of the most aggressive rhetoric , even threatening to arrest federal officials in the city , making fascist comparisons , and vowing to “ resist.
” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II to fight fascism , like most of my uncles , so we would not have an American president brutalizing and kidnapping Americans for exercising their constitutional rights and trying to make America a better place , which is what patriots do.
” “ Anyone , including federal law enforcement , who unlawfully assaults and kidnaps people will face criminal charges from my office .
At trial , they will face a Philadelphia jury , ” added Krasner , who was elected in 2018 with the help of a super PAC funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the least we can do to honor those who fought fascism , including those who are fighting it even now.
” In another interview with Democracy Now , Krasner said : These are Pennsylvania offenses over which the district attorney in Philly has jurisdiction over that area , and we can bring those charges .
The law is very clear .
We can proceed with those charges in state court .
Under certain circumstances , they might end up being processed in federal court .
But , initially , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursue them .
And as much as possible , we can put those individuals in front of a Philadelphia jury , who might have something to say about those tactics .
… I would say President Trump is definitely a wannabe fascist .
I ’ m not sure he can spell the word , but he definitely is someone who ’ s in love with dictators .
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney didn ’ t push back quite as hard , but still resisted the idea of federal law enforcement assistance .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many levels , ” Kenney said .
“ To send federal agents to police U.S. cities that have not requested such aid can only impede the work of local governments and exacerbate already heightened tensions in these cities .
And to target cities that are led by Democratic mayors is clearly a politicization of federal resources that should outrage all taxpayers.
” “ While the city of Philadelphia has not received any formal notification that federal agents will be sent here , ” the mayor said , “ we would use all available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and abuse of power.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the city would sue to keep federal law enforcement out , Fox News reported .
“ I want to be very , very clear that we will not allow this to happen , ” de Blasio said , adding : “ We are New Yorkers and we won ’ t take lightly if we see federal officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , we ’ ll be in court.
” Trump said “ Operation Legend ” is named for 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro of Kansas City , who was shot and killed in late June .
His killer hasn ’ t been found .
Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith was among those attending the White House event Wednesday where Trump announced the operation .
“ What we don ’ t support is an expanded and broadened mission , which is what we ’ ve seen in Portland and what we ’ ve seen hinted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look like a federal takeover of policing in Kansas City , ” Lucas said , according to The Kansas City Star .
Sheriff Manuel Gonzales of Bernalillo County , New Mexico , a top law enforcement official in the Albuquerque area , also attended the White House event .
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller , however , told CNN that the law enforcement operation is “ about inciting violence.
” “ You almost know that something is up because one , the president is talking about Albuquerque , which doesn ’ t usually happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , we ’ ve been told nothing and usually we get formal MOUs [ memos of understanding ] , we get details , there ’ s task forces that are put in place .
We have received no formal documentation on this at all.
” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said a federal presence would be divisive , the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported .
“ With few exceptions , protests in Milwaukee have been peaceful , ” Barrett said in a statement .
“ It is preposterous to suggest Milwaukee needs federal agents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their presence at this time could be counterproductive.
” After Trump named Cleveland as one city that would get assistance from federal law enforcement , Mayor Frank Jackson ’ s administration told the Plain Dealer newspaper that it “ has not been made aware of any additional federal law enforcement resources coming to the city.
” “ The Cleveland Division of Police has in the past and will continue to partner with federal , state and local law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime in our neighborhoods , ” the statement reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Division of Police announced the Relentless Pursuit initiative , which is designed to combat violent crimes in our neighborhoods with our federal , state and local partners.
” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan told local media : “ Early on , we made the decision [ that ] the bond between the Detroit Police Department and the community was strong enough we could handle the protests ourselves.
” Separately , Duggan issued a joint statement with Detroit Police Chief James Craig opposing federal assistance , which said : Although Trump mentioned Baltimore earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C. “ Jack ” Young told the Baltimore Sun that the city had no indication that the Trump administration had moved on any plans to send federal law enforcement .
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from COVID-19 .
“ I don ’ t need law enforcement in Oakland ; I need testing , I need personal protective equipment , ” Schaaf said .
“ We need direct income support for people who are out of work , that ’ s what we need .
This president seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of “ Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections.
” Send an email to Fred .

Democratic mayors and other leaders of some large cities have grown edgier in opposing President Donald Trump’s push to use federal agents to quell violence, using terms such as “resist” and “fascist.”
Some elected Democrats in affected cities have vowed to sue and even arrest federal agents as they criticize federal action to protect government property in Portland, Oregon.
For “Operation Legend,” the White House has announced plans to send federal law enforcement officials to Chicago; Kansas City, Missouri; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Over the next three weeks, the Justice Department intends to expand the effort into Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee.
Democratic mayors and other leaders in these and other cities mostly object, according to news reports.
Marching with protesters Wednesday night in Portland, Mayor Ted Wheeler was tear-gassed by federal agents. Wheeler said he was “pissed off” and called the situation “flat-out urban warfare” wrought by the president.
Cities across the nation have seen various levels of unrest and violence since the May 25 death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody in Minneapolis.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who heads one of America’s most violent cities, previously opposed intervention by federal officials. However, after Trump’s announcement Wednesday of “Operation Legend,” Lightfoot offered a more diplomatic comment.
“I’ve been very clear that we welcome actual partnership,” Lightfoot said. “But we do not welcome dictatorship. We do not welcome authoritarianism, and we do not welcome unconstitutional arrest and detainment of our residents. That is something I will not tolerate.”
Leo Schmitz, chief of public safety at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, attended the White House event Wednesday announcing “Operation Legend.” His jurisdiction includes Chicago.
Before his announcement on putting down violent crime in cities, Trump had mentioned the possibility of sending federal law enforcement to New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore, and Oakland, California, which are among U.S. cities with the highest crime rates.
“I’m going to do something — that I can tell you,” Trump told reporters Monday in the Oval Office. “Because we’re not going to let New York and Chicago and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore and all of these — Oakland is a mess. We’re not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats.”
That same day, Philadelphia officials provided some of the most aggressive rhetoric, even threatening to arrest federal officials in the city, making fascist comparisons, and vowing to “resist.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said: “My dad volunteered and served in World War II to fight fascism, like most of my uncles, so we would not have an American president brutalizing and kidnapping Americans for exercising their constitutional rights and trying to make America a better place, which is what patriots do.”
“Anyone, including federal law enforcement, who unlawfully assaults and kidnaps people will face criminal charges from my office. At trial, they will face a Philadelphia jury,” added Krasner, who was elected in 2018 with the help of a super PAC funded by liberal billionaire George Soros. “It’s the least we can do to honor those who fought fascism, including those who are fighting it even now.”
In another interview with Democracy Now, Krasner said:
These are Pennsylvania offenses over which the district attorney in Philly has jurisdiction over that area, and we can bring those charges. The law is very clear. We can proceed with those charges in state court. Under certain circumstances, they might end up being processed in federal court. But, initially, we can bring those charges. We can pursue them. And as much as possible, we can put those individuals in front of a Philadelphia jury, who might have something to say about those tactics. … I would say President Trump is definitely a wannabe fascist. I’m not sure he can spell the word, but he definitely is someone who’s in love with dictators.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney didn’t push back quite as hard, but still resisted the idea of federal law enforcement assistance.
“The president’s threat is wrong on many levels,” Kenney said. “To send federal agents to police U.S. cities that have not requested such aid can only impede the work of local governments and exacerbate already heightened tensions in these cities. And to target cities that are led by Democratic mayors is clearly a politicization of federal resources that should outrage all taxpayers.”
“While the city of Philadelphia has not received any formal notification that federal agents will be sent here,” the mayor said, “we would use all available means to resist such a wrongheaded effort and abuse of power.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the city would sue to keep federal law enforcement out, Fox News reported.
“I want to be very, very clear that we will not allow this to happen,” de Blasio said, adding: “We are New Yorkers and we won’t take lightly if we see federal officers in New York City. If we do, we’ll be in court.”
Trump said “Operation Legend” is named for 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro of Kansas City, who was shot and killed in late June. His killer hasn’t been found.
Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith was among those attending the White House event Wednesday where Trump announced the operation.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, however, called the law enforcement initiative “dog-whistling.”
“What we don’t support is an expanded and broadened mission, which is what we’ve seen in Portland and what we’ve seen hinted at in interviews from the president that look like a federal takeover of policing in Kansas City,” Lucas said, according to The Kansas City Star.
Sheriff Manuel Gonzales of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, a top law enforcement official in the Albuquerque area, also attended the White House event.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, however, told CNN that the law enforcement operation is “about inciting violence.”
“You almost know that something is up because one, the president is talking about Albuquerque, which doesn’t usually happen,” Keller said, “but two, we’ve been told nothing and usually we get formal MOUs [memos of understanding], we get details, there’s task forces that are put in place. We have received no formal documentation on this at all.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said a federal presence would be divisive, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.
“With few exceptions, protests in Milwaukee have been peaceful,” Barrett said in a statement. “It is preposterous to suggest Milwaukee needs federal agents to quell unrest or manage peaceful protests. Their presence at this time could be counterproductive.”
After Trump named Cleveland as one city that would get assistance from federal law enforcement, Mayor Frank Jackson’s administration told the Plain Dealer newspaper that it “has not been made aware of any additional federal law enforcement resources coming to the city.”
“The Cleveland Division of Police has in the past and will continue to partner with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime in our neighborhoods,” the statement reads. “In [December], the Division of Police announced the Relentless Pursuit initiative, which is designed to combat violent crimes in our neighborhoods with our federal, state and local partners.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan told local media: “Early on, we made the decision [that] the bond between the Detroit Police Department and the community was strong enough we could handle the protests ourselves.”
Separately, Duggan issued a joint statement with Detroit Police Chief James Craig opposing federal assistance, which said:
There could be no possible justification for such an action. The Detroit Police Department has had the support of the Detroit community in making sure our city did not have a single store looted or a single fire started during the protests. Unlike nearly every other major city in the country, the Detroit Police Department never requested assistance from the National Guard — we handled our issues as a community. We definitely have no need for any federal presence being sent in now.
Although Trump mentioned Baltimore earlier this week, a spokesman for Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young told the Baltimore Sun that the city had no indication that the Trump administration had moved on any plans to send federal law enforcement.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from COVID-19.
“I don’t need law enforcement in Oakland; I need testing, I need personal protective equipment,” Schaaf said. “We need direct income support for people who are out of work, that’s what we need. This president seems to confuse a political bent.”
Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Right Side of History” podcast. Lucas is also the author of “Tainted by Suspicion: The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections.” Send an email to Fred.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-07-24--Study Finds That Full Lockdowns Did Not Reduce Coronavirus Mortality Rate

A study published Tuesday in The Lancet medical journal found that full lockdowns , border closures and high rates of coronavirus testing are not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the total number of critical cases or the virus ’ s overall mortality rate .
However , the study , which was based on data from the 50 countries with the most reported cases as of May 1 , noted that lockdowns and border closures are likely associated with better overall health outcomes , as the measures helped drive down the rate of the virus ’ s transmission and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In our study , an increasing number of days to border closures was associated with a higher caseload , and more restrictive public health measures ( such as a full lockdown compared to partial or curfew only measures ) were associated with an increase in the number of recovered cases per million population , ” the researchers reported .
“ These findings suggest that more restrictive public health practices may indeed be associated with less transmission and better outcomes.
” “ However , in our analysis , full lockdowns and wide-spread COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of critical cases or overall mortality , ” the researchers added .
The study found two factors that were significantly associated with increased coronavirus mortality rate : the prevalence of obesity among the population , and a higher per capita gross domestic product .
“ Countries with a higher per capita GDP had an increased number of reported critical cases and deaths per million population , ” the researchers reported .
“ This may reflect more widespread testing in those countries , greater transparency with reporting and better national surveillance systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association might include increase [ sic ] accessibility to air travel and international holidays in wealthier countries.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The study did not address whether mask-wearing mandates have any effect on curbing the spread or reducing the mortality rate of coronavirus .
Much of the United States went under temporary lockdowns in the spring predicated on the goal of “ flattening the curve , ” or reducing the number of active cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduces the overall strain on hospital systems .
Many states were in the process of lifting coronavirus restrictions as cases began surging again in June .
Governors across the country have implemented a number of measures in an attempt to cut down the spread of the virus , including delaying their reopening plans and introducing expanded mask mandates , according to a tracker by The Washington Post .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A study published Tuesday in The Lancet medical journal found that full lockdowns, border closures and high rates of coronavirus testing are not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the total number of critical cases or the virus’s overall mortality rate.
However, the study, which was based on data from the 50 countries with the most reported cases as of May 1, noted that lockdowns and border closures are likely associated with better overall health outcomes, as the measures helped drive down the rate of the virus’s transmission and reduce the load on hospital systems.
“In our study, an increasing number of days to border closures was associated with a higher caseload, and more restrictive public health measures (such as a full lockdown compared to partial or curfew only measures) were associated with an increase in the number of recovered cases per million population,” the researchers reported. “These findings suggest that more restrictive public health practices may indeed be associated with less transmission and better outcomes.”
“However, in our analysis, full lockdowns and wide-spread COVID-19 testing were not associated with reductions in the number of critical cases or overall mortality,” the researchers added.
The study found two factors that were significantly associated with increased coronavirus mortality rate: the prevalence of obesity among the population, and a higher per capita gross domestic product.
“Countries with a higher per capita GDP had an increased number of reported critical cases and deaths per million population,” the researchers reported. “This may reflect more widespread testing in those countries, greater transparency with reporting and better national surveillance systems. Other potential putative reasons for the association might include increase [sic] accessibility to air travel and international holidays in wealthier countries.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The study did not address whether mask-wearing mandates have any effect on curbing the spread or reducing the mortality rate of coronavirus.
Much of the United States went under temporary lockdowns in the spring predicated on the goal of “flattening the curve,” or reducing the number of active cases at any given time which in turn reduces the overall strain on hospital systems.
Many states were in the process of lifting coronavirus restrictions as cases began surging again in June. Governors across the country have implemented a number of measures in an attempt to cut down the spread of the virus, including delaying their reopening plans and introducing expanded mask mandates, according to a tracker by The Washington Post.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reimposed major restrictions on his state in July, including ordering all bars to close statewide and closing indoor gyms, places of worship and other businesses in 30 counties across the state.
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--2020-07-24--Trump Must Directly Appeal to African Americans

During the 2016 presidential campaign , Donald Trump directly appealed to African American voters for their vote , asking them , “ What do you have to lose ?
” Trump should have received more credit for this , as Republicans have often been criticized for not wooing African Americans from Democrats , who crucially depend on their overwhelming support yet take their votes for granted .
Trump ’ s message was that blacks had entrusted their improvement exclusively to the Democratic Party , but it had failed to produce .
He highlighted two critical areas in which Democrats had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said that blacks “ are living in poverty ” and their “ schools are no good , ” and he pledged to do better by them , unlike Democrats , who offered nothing but empty promises .
The Democrats have never bothered to show how their policies are superior to the Republicans ’ because they can ’ t .
Instead , they ’ ve cynically cast Republicans as uncompassionate and , in many cases , racist .
I ’ ve always assumed their scheme worked , because I can find no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice grip on African Americans than the latter ’ s distrust of Republicans .
Nothing else makes sense .
It ’ s no coincidence that Democrats have played the race card with even greater intensity in response to President Trump ’ s undeniable policy successes for African Americans and other minorities .
Under Trump , African American unemployment was at a record low , and their wages were greatly improving prior to the virus-induced downturn .
Democrats always cite the same phony examples to make their case , such as that Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t like Mexicans and other non-Americans .
It ’ s all bogus , but it works , and it sure beats having to explain away their own policy failures and Trump ’ s policy successes .
It is despicable and destructive .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Falsely accusing people of racism is a particularly egregious sin , not just because there are few smears more harmful to one ’ s reputation but also because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slander , like the sin of racism itself , is applied with a broad brush to an entire group of people — in this case , the Republican Party .
But why fool ourselves ?
The Democratic Party isn ’ t going to change anytime soon on this score , as evidenced by Joe Biden ’ s ghastly remark that African Americans not supporting him aren ’ t black .
As such , a good friend of mine suggested to me that President Trump must follow up on his 2016 challenge to African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m reluctant for Republicans to target African Americans or other specific voter groups because it smacks of race consciousness and identity politics , and could be seen as patronizing and pandering , none of which has ever stopped Democrats .
But as sensitive as the race issue has become , and as much as Democrats have painted Trump and Republicans as racist , it ’ s time this is addressed head-on .
Trump Needs to Tout His Record Now he has a concrete record to tout , but he needs to sharpen his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually lifting African Americans out of poverty , and how the Democrats ’ active neglect of black children in inferior inner-city schools has doomed many of them to lives of poverty , violence and crime .
Trump is particularly suited to this task because he has fulfilled his campaign promises to African Americans and he speaks from the heart , avoiding the double speak used by many politicians .
President Trump must accentuate the economic and education issues on which he campaigned , but he should also point to the civil unrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our cities today , and tailor his law and order agenda to black families who crave domestic tranquility as much as anyone else does .
Cities are imploding throughout the nation under mostly Democratic leadership , and they are inflamed with violence .
Trump should turn the tables on Democratic politicians and make them answer for their abject policy failures and explain why they turn a blind eye to black lives lost to inner-city violence .
Black families living in these troubled neighborhoods surely want law and order and peace and liberty as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists ’ exclusive focus on instances of police misconduct .
As for these rogue cops , which are a very small minority , it ’ s time that Democrats explain their unwavering support for the police unions that protect them .
African Americans understand that defunding the cops would be disastrous , yet the Democrats ’ answer is less law enforcement rather than more , which guarantees more arson , looting and death .
Trump should demand that Democrats answer why they aggressively oppose charter schools , school choice and other initiatives aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all people .
Here again , are the Democrats working for African Americans or teachers unions ?
My friend is right .
President Trump , please take your case directly to African Americans and contrast your record with the Democrats ’ incendiary and opportunistic rhetoric , and failed policies .
Point out that , in fact , African Americans have very much to lose by supporting a party that has no answers for them , and that would enable more lawlessness and ensure greater inequality of outcomes .
David Limbaugh is a writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump directly appealed to African American voters for their vote, asking them, “What do you have to lose?”
Trump should have received more credit for this, as Republicans have often been criticized for not wooing African Americans from Democrats, who crucially depend on their overwhelming support yet take their votes for granted.
Trump’s Message
Trump’s message was that blacks had entrusted their improvement exclusively to the Democratic Party, but it had failed to produce. He highlighted two critical areas in which Democrats had let them down: education and poverty.
He said that blacks “are living in poverty” and their “schools are no good,” and he pledged to do better by them, unlike Democrats, who offered nothing but empty promises.
The Democrats have never bothered to show how their policies are superior to the Republicans’ because they can’t. Instead, they’ve cynically cast Republicans as uncompassionate and, in many cases, racist. I’ve always assumed their scheme worked, because I can find no other explanation for the Democrats’ electoral vice grip on African Americans than the latter’s distrust of Republicans. Nothing else makes sense.
Democrats Playing the Race Card
It’s no coincidence that Democrats have played the race card with even greater intensity in response to President Trump’s undeniable policy successes for African Americans and other minorities. Under Trump, African American unemployment was at a record low, and their wages were greatly improving prior to the virus-induced downturn.
Democrats always cite the same phony examples to make their case, such as that Trump is an immigration hawk because he doesn’t like Mexicans and other non-Americans. It’s all bogus, but it works, and it sure beats having to explain away their own policy failures and Trump’s policy successes. It is despicable and destructive.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Falsely accusing people of racism is a particularly egregious sin, not just because there are few smears more harmful to one’s reputation but also because it damages race relations, especially when the slander, like the sin of racism itself, is applied with a broad brush to an entire group of people — in this case, the Republican Party.
But why fool ourselves? The Democratic Party isn’t going to change anytime soon on this score, as evidenced by Joe Biden’s ghastly remark that African Americans not supporting him aren’t black. As such, a good friend of mine suggested to me that President Trump must follow up on his 2016 challenge to African American voters.
Normally, I’m reluctant for Republicans to target African Americans or other specific voter groups because it smacks of race consciousness and identity politics, and could be seen as patronizing and pandering, none of which has ever stopped Democrats. But as sensitive as the race issue has become, and as much as Democrats have painted Trump and Republicans as racist, it’s time this is addressed head-on.
Trump Needs to Tout His Record
Now he has a concrete record to tout, but he needs to sharpen his message to demonstrate how his policies were actually lifting African Americans out of poverty, and how the Democrats’ active neglect of black children in inferior inner-city schools has doomed many of them to lives of poverty, violence and crime.
Trump is particularly suited to this task because he has fulfilled his campaign promises to African Americans and he speaks from the heart, avoiding the double speak used by many politicians.
President Trump must accentuate the economic and education issues on which he campaigned, but he should also point to the civil unrest, crime, lawlessness and anarchy that dominates our cities today, and tailor his law and order agenda to black families who crave domestic tranquility as much as anyone else does.
Democrats’ Abject Policy Failures
Cities are imploding throughout the nation under mostly Democratic leadership, and they are inflamed with violence. Trump should turn the tables on Democratic politicians and make them answer for their abject policy failures and explain why they turn a blind eye to black lives lost to inner-city violence. Black families living in these troubled neighborhoods surely want law and order and peace and liberty as much as anyone else, despite the activists’ exclusive focus on instances of police misconduct. As for these rogue cops, which are a very small minority, it’s time that Democrats explain their unwavering support for the police unions that protect them. African Americans understand that defunding the cops would be disastrous, yet the Democrats’ answer is less law enforcement rather than more, which guarantees more arson, looting and death.
Trump should demand that Democrats answer why they aggressively oppose charter schools, school choice and other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education for all people. Here again, are the Democrats working for African Americans or teachers unions?
Much to Lose
My friend is right. President Trump, please take your case directly to African Americans and contrast your record with the Democrats’ incendiary and opportunistic rhetoric, and failed policies. Point out that, in fact, African Americans have very much to lose by supporting a party that has no answers for them, and that would enable more lawlessness and ensure greater inequality of outcomes.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-07-27--Stadium Revival Draws Over 1,000 Worshipers in California

“ What ’ s going on in California ?
” is the question I ’ ve been asked a lot this month .
With the beach gatherings in Huntington Beach , along with Pastor Jack Hibbs ’ and John MacArthur ’ s bold stances ( thank you , both ) , we decided to launch a Saturday night service in Lancaster , California , at JetHawks Stadium .
We ’ re tagging it The Stadium Revival .
Although the event was primarily for our local body as a way to come together , word quickly spread , and over 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking an offering , collecting names for a database , or trying to elevate our church ; it ’ s simply a time to elevate Christ .
We witnessed salvations , recommitments and powerful personal testimonies under the prayer tent .
It showed how hungry people are to be encouraged and uplifted and even convicted .
The message can be heard here , and the entire service here .
The Stadium Revival was an incredible event that will continue to run through September 2020 ( God willing ) .
As a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking , “ With so much phoniness out there , what is true revival ?
” Simply stated , a genuine revival is God reviving His people — “ Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in thee ?
” ( Psalm 85:6 KJV ) .
Revival is our only hope , and repentance is the true mark of genuine revival .
This was reflected in the life of Griffith Jones , who preached during the Welsh revivals of the 18th century , and said , “ The tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow in streams down their cheeks .
Soon , they wept openly , and cried out , ‘ What shall we do to be saved ?
’ ” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Further , it was not uncommon for people to tremble and weep or shout for joy under the anointed preaching of George Whitefield .
Whitefield was the primary evangelist during the Great Awakening that occurred in the mid-1700s .
During this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morality improved , many were added to the church and there was a greater sense of the fear of the Lord .
Those who use past revivals in an attempt to validate odd events today perhaps have not truly researched revivals .
In reading Charismatics and Calvinists , Pentecostals and Puritans and Acts and Azusa , as well as countless biographies of leaders such as Martin Luther , John Calvin , John Knox , John Wesley , Robert Murray M ’ Cheyne , Charles Spurgeon and D. L. Moody , and Puritans such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Owen , and Richard Baxter , nowhere do these leaders encourage hysteria or outright weirdness that sometimes follows “ revivals.
” Granted , there were times of strong conviction , such as when people held on to trees thinking that they were falling into the abyss of hell during the famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards .
And people did cry out to God , or fall on the ground under the strong conviction of sin during the revivals of George Whitefield , John Wesley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because sin , righteousness and holiness were preached — “ falling down on his face , he will worship God and report that God is truly among you ” ( 1 Corinthians 14:25 ) .
This is true revival .
Perhaps a balance can be found in an excerpt from Duncan Campbell ’ s book , The Price and Power of Revival : Do You Truly Want Revival ?
The Church needs spiritual power more than ever , not entertainment .
This is what we are seeking at # TheStadiumRevival .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s Word with genuine power if we are to experience true revival .
Without God ’ s authority and power , words are lifeless .
The one thing that all of the great revivals in church history had is the one thing that we often lack — the genuine power of the Holy Spirit .
The very thing that we need is the very thing that we are afraid of .
Many do not truly want revival because of fear of what it may involve .
For example , a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bring revival to the churches.
” I was not ready for the response that followed .
I felt impressed with these words : “ You don ’ t want revival — it will ruin your schedule , your dignity , your image and your reputation as a person who is ‘ well balanced.
’ Men will weep throughout the congregation .
Women will wail because of the travail of their own souls .
Young adults will cry like children at the magnitude of their sin.
” I continue , “ With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team will cease playing .
Time will seem to stand still .
You won ’ t be able to preach because of the emotions flooding your own soul .
You ’ ll struggle to find words , but only find tears .
Even the most dignified and reserved among you will be broken and humbled as little children .
The proud and self righteous will not be able to stand in My presence .
The doubter and unbeliever will either run for fear or fall on their knees and worship Me — there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church will never be the same again.
” Do you truly want revival ?
Again , this is America ’ s only hope .
Are you willing to pay the price ?
There is a cost .
We are reminded that God is merciful and slow to anger , but we must stop confusing His patience with His approval .
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network .
His program , Regaining Lost Ground , points us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although times change , truth does not .
His books , blogs , and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com .

“What’s going on in California?” is the question I’ve been asked a lot this month. With the beach gatherings in Huntington Beach, along with Pastor Jack Hibbs’ and John MacArthur’s bold stances (thank you, both), we decided to launch a Saturday night service in Lancaster, California, at JetHawks Stadium. We’re tagging it The Stadium Revival.
Although the event was primarily for our local body as a way to come together, word quickly spread, and over 1,000 people showed up. We are not taking an offering, collecting names for a database, or trying to elevate our church; it’s simply a time to elevate Christ. We witnessed salvations, recommitments and powerful personal testimonies under the prayer tent. It showed how hungry people are to be encouraged and uplifted and even convicted. The message can be heard here, and the entire service here.
The Stadium Revival was an incredible event that will continue to run through September 2020 (God willing).
What is True Revival?
As a result of this California renewal, many have been asking, “With so much phoniness out there, what is true revival?” Simply stated, a genuine revival is God reviving His people — “Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6 KJV). Revival is our only hope, and repentance is the true mark of genuine revival. This was reflected in the life of Griffith Jones, who preached during the Welsh revivals of the 18th century, and said, “The tears [of the congregation] began to flow in streams down their cheeks. Soon, they wept openly, and cried out, ‘What shall we do to be saved?’”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Further, it was not uncommon for people to tremble and weep or shout for joy under the anointed preaching of George Whitefield. Whitefield was the primary evangelist during the Great Awakening that occurred in the mid-1700s. During this time, old grudges and debts were forgiven, morality improved, many were added to the church and there was a greater sense of the fear of the Lord.
A Look at Past Revivals
Those who use past revivals in an attempt to validate odd events today perhaps have not truly researched revivals. In reading Charismatics and Calvinists, Pentecostals and Puritans and Acts and Azusa, as well as countless biographies of leaders such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, Charles Spurgeon and D. L. Moody, and Puritans such as Thomas Goodwin, John Bunyan, John Owen, and Richard Baxter, nowhere do these leaders encourage hysteria or outright weirdness that sometimes follows “revivals.”
Granted, there were times of strong conviction, such as when people held on to trees thinking that they were falling into the abyss of hell during the famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards. And people did cry out to God, or fall on the ground under the strong conviction of sin during the revivals of George Whitefield, John Wesley and Evan Roberts, but this is because sin, righteousness and holiness were preached — “falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you” (1 Corinthians 14:25). This is true revival.
The Power of God
Perhaps a balance can be found in an excerpt from Duncan Campbell’s book, The Price and Power of Revival:
How is it that while we make such great claims for the power of the Gospel, we see so little of the supernatural in operation? Is there any reason why the Church today cannot everywhere equal the Church at Pentecost? I feel this is a question we ought to face with an open mind and an honest heart. What did the early Church have that we do not possess today? Nothing but the Holy Spirit; nothing but the power of God.
He continues,
Here I would suggest that one of the main secrets of success in the early Church lay in the fact that the early believers believed in unction from on high and not entertainment from men … How did the early Church get the people? By publicity projects, by bills, by posters, by parades, by pictures? No! The people were arrested and drawn together and brought into vital relationship with God, not by sounds from men, but by sounds from heaven.
Do You Truly Want Revival?
The Church needs spiritual power more than ever, not entertainment. This is what we are seeking at #TheStadiumRevival. There is a desperate need to preach and proclaim God’s Word with genuine power if we are to experience true revival. Without God’s authority and power, words are lifeless. The one thing that all of the great revivals in church history had is the one thing that we often lack — the genuine power of the Holy Spirit. The very thing that we need is the very thing that we are afraid of.
Do you truly want revival? This is America’s only hope, but are you willing to pay the price? There is a cost.
Many do not truly want revival because of fear of what it may involve. For example, a few years ago I prayed, “Lord, bring revival to the churches.” I was not ready for the response that followed. I felt impressed with these words: “You don’t want revival — it will ruin your schedule, your dignity, your image and your reputation as a person who is ‘well balanced.’ Men will weep throughout the congregation. Women will wail because of the travail of their own souls. Young adults will cry like children at the magnitude of their sin.”
I continue, “With the strength of My presence, the worship team will cease playing. Time will seem to stand still. You won’t be able to preach because of the emotions flooding your own soul. You’ll struggle to find words, but only find tears. Even the most dignified and reserved among you will be broken and humbled as little children. The proud and self righteous will not be able to stand in My presence. The doubter and unbeliever will either run for fear or fall on their knees and worship Me — there can be no middle ground. The church will never be the same again.”
Do you truly want revival? Again, this is America’s only hope. Are you willing to pay the price? There is a cost. We are reminded that God is merciful and slow to anger, but we must stop confusing His patience with His approval.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network. His program, Regaining Lost Ground, points us back to God and reminds us that although times change, truth does not. His books, blogs, and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com.


thestream--2020-07-27--‘Peaceful’: This Word. I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means.

I confess .
When I was in school I didn ’ t pay much attention in English class .
I suspect the cloakroom would have gotten more votes than me in a “ Most Likely to Become a Professional Writer ” contest .
I consider diagramming sentences to be a form of torture worse than waterboarding .
Even my Cliff Notes of the classics needed Cliff Notes .
Still , I think I had a decent handle on basic vocabulary .
For example , the word “ peaceful.
” I could grasp the dictionary meaning .
“ 1 .
free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving war or violence.
” I could use it in a sentence : “ After the angst and chaos of finals week , I ’ m looking forward to a peaceful weekend.
” Though I wasn ’ t huge on the Eagles , I could still sing , “ I ’ ve got a peaceful , easy feeling.
” The definition of “ peaceful ” has been radically altered by the Left and media .
Now I have a very uneasy feeling .
The media tells us the protests in Portland ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best “ mostly peaceful , ” which is one awful euphemism .
Read this tweet from ABC News carefully .
“ Protesters in California set fire to a courthouse , damaged a police station and assaulted officers after a peaceful demonstration intensified.
” That ’ s like tweeting , “ Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor After Peaceful Flight Intensifies.
” It ’ s not just Orwellian .
It ’ s Swiftian .
This is peaceful .
From the Portland Police Bureau : “ On July 26 , 2020 while Portland Police were investigating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a passerby pointed out a suspicious bag to them .
Police examined the bag and found that it contained loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails.
” Rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails are “ peaceful.
” This is peaceful .
Three federal agents blinded for life is “ peaceful.
” This is peaceful : 49 Chicago police officers injured is “ peaceful.
” This is peaceful .
A protester hoping “ someone kills your whole family ” is peaceful .
( Warning : Foul Language ) This is peaceful .
A driver accelerates into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado .
Meanwhile , a truly peaceful protester , noted black Trump supporter Bernie Trammel was assassinated in Milwaukee in cold blood .
This is peaceful .
From Associated Press reporter Mike Balsamo , who was camped inside the federal courthouse in Portland this weekend : And yet , Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler , one of the most powerful members of congress , calls this violent uprising a “ myth.
” Yesterday , the body of civil rights pioneer Rep. John Lewis was carried across the rose-strewn Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a peaceful movement .
One dedicated to non-violence .
Their peace , born out of the church and based on Jesus Christ , was met with violence .
But they didn ’ t answer violence with violence .
Or gouge out an eye for an eye .
And they changed our nation for the better .
As Lewis and Rev .
Martin Luther King proved 60 years ago , truly peaceful protest can bring peace .
Today , resurrection power can defeat insurrection violence .
It takes time and bravery .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch these believers walk the Brooklyn Bridge for last Wednesday ’ s “ Jericho March.
” Watch these believers at a BLM rally .
Read Louis Capet ’ s story on The Stream about a brave group took on the mob in St. Louis armed only with God and prayer .
Return to the intersection where George Floyd was killed , and the gospel is preached and people are healed .
The lesson is clear .
But for the intervention of the Prince of Peace , there will not be peace .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

I confess. When I was in school I didn’t pay much attention in English class. I suspect the cloakroom would have gotten more votes than me in a “Most Likely to Become a Professional Writer” contest. I consider diagramming sentences to be a form of torture worse than waterboarding. Even my Cliff Notes of the classics needed Cliff Notes.
Still, I think I had a decent handle on basic vocabulary. For example, the word “peaceful.”
I could grasp the dictionary meaning. “1. free from disturbance; tranquil. 2. not involving war or violence.”
I could use it in a sentence: “After the angst and chaos of finals week, I’m looking forward to a peaceful weekend.”
Though I wasn’t huge on the Eagles, I could still sing, “I’ve got a peaceful, easy feeling.”
No longer.
The definition of “peaceful” has been radically altered by the Left and media. Now I have a very uneasy feeling.
“Peaceful Protests”
The media tells us the protests in Portland (and elsewhere) are peaceful. Or at best “mostly peaceful,” which is one awful euphemism. Read this tweet from ABC News carefully. “Protesters in California set fire to a courthouse, damaged a police station and assaulted officers after a peaceful demonstration intensified.” That’s like tweeting, “Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor After Peaceful Flight Intensifies.” It’s not just Orwellian. It’s Swiftian.
Protesters in California set fire to a courthouse, damaged a police station and assaulted officers after a peaceful demonstration intensified. https://t.co/fUZTABUM21 — ABC News (@ABC) July 26, 2020
This is peaceful. From the Portland Police Bureau: “On July 26, 2020 while Portland Police were investigating a shots fired call near Lownsdale Square Park a passerby pointed out a suspicious bag to them. Police examined the bag and found that it contained loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails.” Rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails are “peaceful.”
This is peaceful. Three federal agents blinded for life is “peaceful.”
These are the types of high powered lasers rioters have used to damage the eyes of law enforcement. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/Es5bieo2LO — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 26, 2020
This is peaceful: 49 Chicago police officers injured is “peaceful.”
Chicago Police attacked with bottles and fireworks by people who are at a Christopher Columbus statue. pic.twitter.com/9rwZEOmcK4 — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 18, 2020
This is peaceful. A protester hoping “someone kills your whole family” is peaceful. (Warning: Foul Language)
This is peaceful. A driver accelerates into a crowd at a pro-police rally in Colorado. Meanwhile, a truly peaceful protester, noted black Trump supporter Bernie Trammel was assassinated in Milwaukee in cold blood.
This is peaceful. From Associated Press reporter Mike Balsamo, who was camped inside the federal courthouse in Portland this weekend:
Mortars were being fired off repeatedly, fireworks & flares shot into the lobby, frozen bottles, concrete, cans & bouncy balls regularly whizzed over the fence at high speeds.
I spent the weekend inside the Portland federal courthouse w/ the US Marshals. Mortars were being fired off repeatedly, fireworks & flares shot into the lobby, frozen bottles, concrete, cans & bouncy balls regularly whizzed over the fence at high speeds. https://t.co/PU4xbzwniY — Mike Balsamo (@MikeBalsamo1) July 27, 2020
And yet, Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, one of the most powerful members of congress, calls this violent uprising a “myth.”
I ran into Jerry Nadler in DC and asked him to disavow the Antifa violence/rioting in Portland. His response? “THATS A MYTH” pic.twitter.com/veImyE2rju — Fleccas 🇺🇸 (@fleccas) July 27, 2020
A Reminder
Yesterday, the body of civil rights pioneer Rep. John Lewis was carried across the rose-strewn Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in tribute. The civil rights movement was a peaceful movement. One dedicated to non-violence. Their peace, born out of the church and based on Jesus Christ, was met with violence. But they didn’t answer violence with violence. Or gouge out an eye for an eye. And they changed our nation for the better.
As Lewis and Rev. Martin Luther King proved 60 years ago, truly peaceful protest can bring peace. Today, resurrection power can defeat insurrection violence. It takes time and bravery. And the courage to step onto the bridge.
Watch these believers walk the Brooklyn Bridge for last Wednesday’s “Jericho March.”
Watch these believers at a BLM rally.
A group of about 20 Christians have entered the BLM rally in DTLA today and started praying over the protestors and stating BLM is a “Satanic” Organization. The group is consistently being attacked and assaulted but they continue to pray over the crowd. pic.twitter.com/xOBdJXqCey — Anthony (@realanthonyc) July 26, 2020
Read Louis Capet’s story on The Stream about a brave group took on the mob in St. Louis armed only with God and prayer.
Return to the intersection where George Floyd was killed, and the gospel is preached and people are healed.
The lesson is clear. But for the intervention of the Prince of Peace, there will not be peace. No matter how you word it.
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.