Dying for Jesus

Christians seem to like this meme .
The line usually goes with one of the classic pictures of Christians being martyred .
Like the one above , showing Christians in a Roman coliseum as the hungry lion sees them .
The line is : “ God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
” It ’ s funny , and a good reminder of where your faith can take you .
But only if you really have enough faith to go all the way .
Do we ?
Would we die for Jesus ?
We have one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as we sinful creatures can know .
He Could Have Risen to the Top The meme reminds me of one of the English writer Evelyn Waugh ’ s great passages .
It comes in his biography of Edmund Campion .
Campion was an enormously gifted young man who could have risen to the top of the English establishment , had he not become a Catholic and then a priest .
He did that when England was trying to eliminate Catholicism by imprisoning people who still practiced the old faith and killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knowing this , Campion still chose to become a priest , because he believed God called him to serve that way .
He knew he would almost certainly die brutally .
I ’ m not making any theological point about Protestants and Catholics .
Even if you think Campion made the wrong choice , the way he made it and the way he lived it out give us a model for faithfulness — faithfulness to the end .
Waugh offers an insight into Campion ’ s faith by comparing him with a peer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oxford .
He ’ s writing about a fellow student of Campion ’ s named Tobie Matthew , who seems to have been the other superstar student of the year .
Noticed by Queen Elizabeth when he gave a speech during her visit to Oxford , he rose and rose .
It ’ s a long passage , but I ’ ll quote almost the whole thing .
Waugh writes that “ a splendid career lay before him .
He became Canon of Christ Church four years later ; in 1572 , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was made President of St. John ’ s [ college ] , where he set himself to release the college from its obligation to receive poor scholars elected from the Merchant Taylors [ school ] ; four years later he was Dean of Christ Church , later Vice-Chancellor [ of the university ] ; from there he turned to the greater world , become successively Dean and Bishop of Durham , and , finally , Archbishop of York .
“ He was a talkative little man , always eager to please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witticism ; the best of good fellows , everywhere , except in his own family .
When , on the Council of the North , he was busy hunting down recusants [ people who remained Catholics ] , he was full of little jokes to beguile his colleagues .
He was a great preacher .
.
.
.
He married admirably , a widow of stout Protestant principles and unique place in the new clerical caste , which had sprung naturally from the system of married clergy ; Frances Barlow , widow of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notable in her generation as having a bishop for her father , an archbishop for her father-in-law , an archbishop for her husband , and four bishops for her brothers .
“ Tobie Matthew died full of honours in 1628 .
There , but for the Grace of God , went Edmund Campion.
” The One Way of Knowing Where went Edmund Campion ?
To the gallows .
But not just the gallows .
Execution then was even more violent and gruesome than just hanging a man .
He wasn ’ t dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck and killed him instantly .
He was strangled but not quite to death .
The executioners then cut him down , cut off his “ privy parts , ” cut out his intestines and burned them in front of him , and finally cut off his head .
This was standard operating procedure .
Some executions were even worse , with the victims ’ arms and legs tied to four horses who pulled in different directions .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said we have one way of knowing ( as much as we can ) if we would go all the way to death in serving Jesus .
Campion ’ s life gives the answer .
It ’ s got two parts : the beginning and the middle .
The beginning : He chose to follow Jesus knowing what would happen to him .
He chose with open eyes a work that would mark him for life and make him a target .
But would he persevere when the persecutors finally caught him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t bail to save his life ?
By the way he lived his life .
That ’ s the middle part .
He chose for Jesus over and over and over and over .
Each choice cost him something .
He practiced being faithful , in little things and big things .
He grew both in his love for his Lord and his ability to say no to the world .
When the persecutors threatened to kill him , he loved Jesus too much and was too well-trained to give in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the first commitment that defined our lives since then .
With eyes open , we threw our lot in with Jesus and His people .
But how well do we train ?
Jesus says that he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much .
He seems to mean that he who is not faithful in little will not be faithful in much .
How faithful are we in little ?
Do we walk the second mile , turn the other cheek , forgive those who hurt us , stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stand with Jesus when the world demands we give Him up ?
A lot of that training is really basic , little things we might not even notice .
Like not complaining to yourself about your spouse or children when they annoy you .
And cheerfully doing the little things for them you wish they ’ d do themselves .
Like listening with as much interest as you can manage to the lonely man at the office who tells long , boring stories , because he doesn ’ t know how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the gossip .
Like going to bed early so you can get up earlier to read Scripture and pray .
And reading that tedious book of theology to know your faith better , in case you have to explain it to someone .
Like giving up watching the team you love so you can give the ticket money to people who need it .
And most important , standing up for Jesus when you need to .
That ’ s the best training and the best test .
Will you really face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face the conceited atheist at the office ?
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death .

Christians seem to like this meme. The line usually goes with one of the classic pictures of Christians being martyred. Like the one above, showing Christians in a Roman coliseum as the hungry lion sees them. The line is: “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.”
It’s funny, and a good reminder of where your faith can take you. But only if you really have enough faith to go all the way. Do we? Would we die for Jesus? We have one way of knowing — that is, as much as we sinful creatures can know.
He Could Have Risen to the Top
One of the English writer Evelyn Waugh’s great passages gives the answer. It comes in his biography of Edmund Campion. Campion was an enormously gifted young man who could have risen to the top of the English establishment, had he not become a Catholic and then a priest. He did that when England was trying to eliminate Catholicism by imprisoning people who still practiced the old faith and killing the priests the government could catch.
Knowing this, Campion still chose to become a priest, because he believed God called him to serve that way. He knew he would almost certainly die brutally. By the way, I’m not making any theological point here about Protestants and Catholics. Even if you think Campion made the wrong choice, the way he made it and the way he lived it out give us a model for faithfulness — faithfulness to the end.
Waugh offers an insight into Campion’s faith by comparing him with a peer from his time as a student at Oxford. He’s writing about a fellow student named Tobie Matthew, who seems to have been the other superstar student of the year. Noticed by Queen Elizabeth when he gave a speech during her visit to Oxford, he rose and rose and reached the top of English society. Campion could have done the same.
Matthew’s Splendid Career
It’s a long passage, but I’ll quote almost the whole thing. Waugh writes that “a splendid career lay before him. He became Canon of Christ Church four years later; in 1572, at the unusually early age of twenty-six, he was made President of St. John’s [college], where he set himself to release the college from its obligation to receive poor scholars elected from the Merchant Taylors [school]; four years later he was Dean of Christ Church, later Vice-Chancellor [of the university]; from there he turned to the greater world, become successively Dean and Bishop of Durham, and, finally, Archbishop of York.
“He was a talkative little man, always eager to please, always ready with a neat, parsonic witticism; the best of good fellows, everywhere, except in his own family. When, on the Council of the North, he was busy hunting down recusants [people who remained Catholics], he was full of little jokes to beguile his colleagues. He was a great preacher. . . . He married admirably, a widow of stout Protestant principles and unique place in the new clerical caste, which had sprung naturally from the system of married clergy; Frances Barlow, widow of Matthew Parker, Junior; she was notable in her generation as having a bishop for her father, an archbishop for her father-in-law, an archbishop for her husband, and four bishops for her brothers.
“Tobie Matthew died full of honours in 1628. There, but for the Grace of God, went Edmund Campion.”
The One Way of Knowing
Where went Edmund Campion? To the gallows. But not just the gallows. Execution then was even more violent and gruesome than just hanging a man. He wasn’t dropped suddenly, so the fall broke his neck and killed him instantly. He was strangled but not quite to death. The executioners then cut him down, cut off his “privy parts,” cut out his intestines and burned them in front of him, and finally cut off his head.
This was standard operating procedure. Some executions were even worse, with the victims’ arms and legs tied to four horses who pulled in different directions.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I said we have one way of knowing (as much as we can) if we would go all the way to death in serving Jesus. Campion’s life gives the answer. It’s got two parts: the beginning and the middle. The beginning: He chose to follow Jesus knowing what would happen to him. He chose with open eyes a work that would mark him for life and make him a target.
But would he persevere when the persecutors finally caught him? How could he tell he wouldn’t bail to save his life? By the way he lived his life. That’s the middle part. He chose for Jesus over and over and over and over. Each choice cost him something. He practiced being faithful, in little things and big things. He grew both in his love for his Lord and his ability to say no to the world. When the persecutors threatened to kill him, he loved Jesus too much and was too well-trained to give in.
Life in the Middle
We live in that middle. We made the first commitment that defined our lives since then. With eyes open, we threw our lot in with Jesus and His people. But how well do we train? Jesus says that he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. He seems also to mean that he who is not faithful in little will not be faithful in much.
How faithful are we in little? Do we walk the second mile, turn the other cheek, forgive those who hurt us, stand up for others who need our help, stand with Jesus when the world demands we give Him up?
A lot of that training is really basic, little things we might not even notice. Like not complaining to yourself about your spouse or children when they annoy you. And cheerfully doing the little things for them you wish they’d do themselves. Like listening with as much interest as you can manage to the lonely man at the office who tells long, boring stories, because he doesn’t know how to connect with people. And not joining in the office gossip about him or anyone else.
Like going to bed early so you can get up earlier to read Scripture and pray. And reading that tedious book of theology to know your faith better, in case you have to explain it to someone. Like giving up watching the team you love so you can give the ticket money to people who need it. And volunteering for the church work day when you’d rather sleep in.
And most important, standing up for Jesus when you need to. That’s the best training and the best test. Will you really face the lions if you can’t face the conceited atheist at the office?
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death.


thestream--2020-08-04--Dangers of the Radical Left: My Interview With Ralph Reed, Part 2

In my last interview with Ralph Reed , we discussed his latest book For God and Country : The Christian @ @ @ @ @ defense of Christians who have stood by an “ unlikely champion ” and why they @ @ @ @ @ .
Today we discuss the dangerous agenda of the radical Left which has infiltrated the @ @ @ @ @ view all the videos in this interview series here .
James Robison is The Stream @ @ @ @ @ .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He @ @ @ @ @ many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .

In my last interview with Ralph Reed, we discussed his latest book For God and Country: The Christian Case for Trump, a defense of Christians who have stood by an “unlikely champion” and why they should continue to do so. Today we discuss the dangerous agenda of the radical Left which has infiltrated the Democratic Party.
You can view all the videos in this interview series here.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-08-04--2020: The Thelma and Louise Election

2020: The Thelma and Louise Election

The 1991 drama Thelma and Louise got hailed as a feminist answer to male “ road ” and “ buddy ” films .
Critics saw it as an updating of the overpraised nihilist “ classic , ” Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid .
In some ways it was .
Both movies depicted not-so-smart Americans making reckless , foolish choices , then getting trapped by the consequences , till finally they think they have no choice but to race face-first to destruction .
And that ’ s what we face in November .
Think of the Democratic and Republican parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each has made choices that were avoidable at the time .
At key turning points , each took the road of least resistance .
If it felt good , they did it .
Now they ’ ve driven the country to the brink of the Grand Canyon , with cop sirens and flashing lights racing right behind us .
Just like Thelma and Louise , we stare down at the abyss .
Going back would mean facing up to the ugly results of all our choices .
It would entail repentance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tab for our sins .
Going forward ?
It promises fiery self-destruction , and a civic death we can hope will be quick and end in oblivion .
But what if it doesn ’ t ?
What if there ’ s a long , grim afterlife in the ruins ?
We ’ ll be leaving our kids and grandkids a country less like the one we inherited , and more like downtown Minneapolis or Portland .
Will they chuckle bitterly as some blue state governor sends plague to our nursing homes ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought us here , in different ways .
The Democrats , by choosing as a party in 1968 to turn away from their blue-collar roots and basic patriotic values .
Instead , the party ’ s leaders — looking outside their Chicago convention at the riots that swept the city — decided to side not with the cops protecting them , but the rioters hurling bricks .
They saw the energy , fury , and raw human excitement of those spoiled , reckless youths .
Then decided they wanted to bottle it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives realized that they liked fighting crusades .
They ’ d gotten addicted to moral superiority , and intended to go overturning more social institutions , even wholesome and worthy ones .
Like … heterosexual marriage , the human family , private property , and America ’ s founding principles .
Just treat each one of those as if they were as evil as the race laws in Jim Crow Mississippi .
Don ’ t let blacks really rise and become middle class .
Keep them tied to the federal government , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s how we got to the point where Black Lives Matter demands we abolish the family and let children be “ raised by the community ” ( i.e.
, the federal government , and street gangs ) .
Republicans made their own series of deals with the devil .
The mainstream leaders of the GOP took far too long to understand — and many haven ’ t yet —that pragmatism isn ’ t practical .
Utilitarianism proves useless .
You can ’ t keep milking a cow if you refuse it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the “ social issues ” again and again , fobbing off Christians with narrow “ carve-outs ” that briefly preserve their religious liberties , is a recipe for … well , Portland .
Or New York City in 1980 , and again in 2020 .
Letting mass immigration hold down the wages of the native-born working class for an entire lifetime , and stack the country demographically to vote for Democrats was good for stock prices .
But then again , the Dow Jones kept booming this year as our cities burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last ties of loyalty to Main Street , and expects to get rich selling rope to its own hangmen , as Lenin once joked .
That man knew a thing or two about evil .
Apathetic or pro-choice , pro-gay , Republicans may have wanted a strong economy .
Or a courageous military that would fight evildoers abroad .
But they weren ’ t willing to make the choices required to save those things .
They wanted easy abortions for their poorly brought up children , and not to get the stinkeye at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They wanted us Christians to shut up and vote as they told us , or else get labeled “ extremists ” and laughed out of the party .
Trump Forced Us to Face Our Ugly Truths When Donald Trump came along , he shocked both party ’ s elites .
He ’ d been a pragmatic pro-choice , pro-business type , with little use for religion .
However , unlike Mitt Romney and his ilk , Trump actually built things .
He talked to and befriended the men who laid the bricks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that the short-sighted , unpatriotic compromises of America ’ s elites had holllowed out the bottom two-thirds of the U.S. population .
He started actually listening to blue collar Americans — who soon introduced him to their pastors .
The Never-Trump faction stalked off in a hissy fit , insisting that its blend of surrender on the social issues and reckless wars abroad was the only “ true conservatism.
” And now to prove it , the same people want the Democrats to take even the Senate in November .
Trump knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever … will not .
It will creak to a halt and stop .
You can ’ t build a nation on constantly churning turmoil , just replacing its population with newcomers , as the natives march off to prison or die of opioid overdose .
So he tried to change course .
A Tough Choice , But an Obvious One Not quickly enough .
Not decisively enough .
Trump let Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell fritter away two years of a GOP-controlled Congress .
He didn ’ t get the Wall built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federalist Society foist Neal Gorsuch on us .
It ’ s only in the past 100 days that Trump has started doing what he should have in his first hundred .
But the alternative is driving headlong into a void .
Quite literally , the Democrats have headed their ticket with a cipher , a shambling senile wreck of a once-mediocre plagiarist and opportunist also-ran .
Democrats won ’ t be pulling the lever for “ Joseph Biden ” as president , but for whoever is on the secret committee that will really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Democrats promise to nuke the filibuster , abolish the Electoral College , pack the Supreme Court , and nullify the Second Amendment .
In one-party states like California and New York , they ’ ve used the virus to close our churches , while endorsing massive riots .
They promise us an America that ’ s one big Portland , Oregon .
And that ’ s what they ’ ll deliver—with no adults in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t believe me , read this shocking , sobering account of what things are like in Portland , Oregon , where a far-left mayor and his pro-gay police are the crumbling face of order and sanity , facing down vicious anarchist mobs .
If Biden wins , expect this nationwide .
Yes , if we re-elect Donald Trump in November , we ’ ll be making the tougher choice .
We ’ ll be accepting the very real prospect of violence sweeping through major cities .
But that will happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because since 1968 they ’ ve been promising everything to everyone , and insisting the check won ’ t come due .
The spoiled , violent thugs burning flags and bibles today will burn Joe Biden tomorrow .
Quite literally , at high noon , on the National Mall .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

The 1991 drama Thelma and Louise got hailed as a feminist answer to male “road” and “buddy” films. Critics saw it as an updating of the overpraised nihilist “classic,” Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In some ways it was. Both movies depicted not-so-smart Americans making reckless, foolish choices, then getting trapped by the consequences, till finally they think they have no choice but to race face-first to destruction.
And that’s what we face in November. Think of the Democratic and Republican parties as “buddies” from either movie. Each has made choices that were avoidable at the time. At key turning points, each took the road of least resistance. If it felt good, they did it. Now they’ve driven the country to the brink of the Grand Canyon, with cop sirens and flashing lights racing right behind us.
Oblivion, We Hope
Just like Thelma and Louise, we stare down at the abyss. Going back would mean facing up to the ugly results of all our choices. It would entail repentance, renouncing illusions we fostered, and paying the tab for our sins. Going forward? It promises fiery self-destruction, and a civic death we can hope will be quick and end in oblivion.
But what if it doesn’t? What if there’s a long, grim afterlife in the ruins? We’ll be leaving our kids and grandkids a country less like the one we inherited, and more like downtown Minneapolis or Portland. Will they chuckle bitterly as some blue state governor sends plague to our nursing homes? Will we deserve it?
The Democrats Chose Anarchy
Both parties brought us here, in different ways. The Democrats, by choosing as a party in 1968 to turn away from their blue-collar roots and basic patriotic values. Instead, the party’s leaders — looking outside their Chicago convention at the riots that swept the city — decided to side not with the cops protecting them, but the rioters hurling bricks. They saw the energy, fury, and raw human excitement of those spoiled, reckless youths. Then decided they wanted to bottle it.
With the Civil Rights battle won, progressives realized that they liked fighting crusades. They’d gotten addicted to moral superiority, and intended to go overturning more social institutions, even wholesome and worthy ones. Like … heterosexual marriage, the human family, private property, and America’s founding principles. Just treat each one of those as if they were as evil as the race laws in Jim Crow Mississippi.
They’ve driven the country to the brink of the Grand Canyon, with cop sirens and flashing lights racing right behind us.
Don’t let blacks really rise and become middle class. Keep them tied to the federal government, and keep on stoking their rage. And that’s how we got to the point where Black Lives Matter demands we abolish the family and let children be “raised by the community” (i.e., the federal government, and street gangs).
The Republicans Chose Denial
Republicans made their own series of deals with the devil. The mainstream leaders of the GOP took far too long to understand — and many haven’t yet —that pragmatism isn’t practical. Utilitarianism proves useless. You can’t keep milking a cow if you refuse it healthy food. Letting the left win on the “social issues” again and again, fobbing off Christians with narrow “carve-outs” that briefly preserve their religious liberties, is a recipe for … well, Portland. Or New York City in 1980, and again in 2020.
Letting mass immigration hold down the wages of the native-born working class for an entire lifetime, and stack the country demographically to vote for Democrats was good for stock prices. But then again, the Dow Jones kept booming this year as our cities burned. Maybe Wall Street has cut its last ties of loyalty to Main Street, and expects to get rich selling rope to its own hangmen, as Lenin once joked. That man knew a thing or two about evil.
Apathetic or pro-choice, pro-gay, Republicans may have wanted a strong economy. Or a courageous military that would fight evildoers abroad. But they weren’t willing to make the choices required to save those things. They wanted easy abortions for their poorly brought up children, and not to get the stinkeye at country clubs from their gay acquaintances. They wanted us Christians to shut up and vote as they told us, or else get labeled “extremists” and laughed out of the party.
Trump Forced Us to Face Our Ugly Truths
When Donald Trump came along, he shocked both party’s elites. He’d been a pragmatic pro-choice, pro-business type, with little use for religion. However, unlike Mitt Romney and his ilk, Trump actually built things. He talked to and befriended the men who laid the bricks and poured the concrete. And he figured out that the short-sighted, unpatriotic compromises of America’s elites had holllowed out the bottom two-thirds of the U.S. population. He started actually listening to blue collar Americans — who soon introduced him to their pastors.
The Never-Trump faction stalked off in a hissy fit, insisting that its blend of surrender on the social issues and reckless wars abroad was the only “true conservatism.” And now to prove it, the same people want the Democrats to take even the Senate in November.
Trump knew that something that cannot go on forever … will not. It will creak to a halt and stop. You can’t build a nation on constantly churning turmoil, just replacing its population with newcomers, as the natives march off to prison or die of opioid overdose. So he tried to change course.
A Tough Choice, But an Obvious One
Not quickly enough. Not decisively enough. Trump let Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell fritter away two years of a GOP-controlled Congress. He didn’t get the Wall built. He let the leaders of the Federalist Society foist Neal Gorsuch on us. It’s only in the past 100 days that Trump has started doing what he should have in his first hundred.
But the alternative is driving headlong into a void. Quite literally, the Democrats have headed their ticket with a cipher, a shambling senile wreck of a once-mediocre plagiarist and opportunist also-ran. Democrats won’t be pulling the lever for “Joseph Biden” as president, but for whoever is on the secret committee that will really run the country.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Democrats promise to nuke the filibuster, abolish the Electoral College, pack the Supreme Court, and nullify the Second Amendment. In one-party states like California and New York, they’ve used the virus to close our churches, while endorsing massive riots. They promise us an America that’s one big Portland, Oregon. And that’s what they’ll deliver—with no adults in the room to stop them.
If you don’t believe me, read this shocking, sobering account of what things are like in Portland, Oregon, where a far-left mayor and his pro-gay police are the crumbling face of order and sanity, facing down vicious anarchist mobs. If Biden wins, expect this nationwide.
Yes, if we re-elect Donald Trump in November, we’ll be making the tougher choice. We’ll be accepting the very real prospect of violence sweeping through major cities. But that will happen anyway, even if the Democrats win. Because since 1968 they’ve been promising everything to everyone, and insisting the check won’t come due. The spoiled, violent thugs burning flags and bibles today will burn Joe Biden tomorrow. Quite literally, at high noon, on the National Mall.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-08-04--Minneapolis Police Department Says It’s ‘Fully Operational’ as Crime Surges, Police Activity Decline

Minneapolis Police Department Says It’s ‘Fully Operational’ as Crime Surges, Police Activity Declines

The Minneapolis Police Department is facing a severe staffing shortage as it struggles to keep up with rapidly increasing crime rates .
The department ’ s staff has decreased by more than 10 % , the Star Tribune reported , since the death of George Floyd who died on May 25 after an officer kneeled on his neck , video of the incident shows .
Anonymous officials within the department said the force could lose a third of its officers by 2021 .
“ The numbers through the city ’ s human resources do not support that , ” John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Caller News Foundation in an email .
About 40 officers have resigned , been fired or are leaving the department while 75 officers are on medical leave for post-traumatic stress disorder related to the riots that ensued in the wake of Floyd ’ s death , according to the Star Tribune .
However , not a single Minneapolis Police Academy recruit has dropped out .
Meanwhile , 39 people have been killed in Minneapolis this year , a 95 % increase compared to last year , CBS affiliate WCCO-TV reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use-of force are down compared to last summer , the Star Tribune reported .
Further , the police have been accused of establishing no-go zones , where officers will not respond to calls , according to The New York Times .
One such zone is the intersection where Floyd died and where a memorial has been set up , which has seen an uptick in shootings and drug overdoses .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not experiencing slow response , they ’ re experiencing no response .
They ’ re being told that this is called a no-go zone by MPD , ” Council Member Andrea Jenkins said at a City Council meeting Friday , according to the Star Tribune .
But Elder said these allegations are false and denied the existence of so-called no-go zones .
“ The MPD is fully operational and responding to calls in all areas of the city — without exception , ” Elder said .
He added that police incidents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do self-initiated work and are “ tied up on calls.
” This sentiment , that police officers are responding to all calls , but not initiating on their own while patrolling , was backed up by Rich Walker Sr. , the director of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis , WCCO reported .
“ Cops are relatively reserved right now .
They ’ re answering their calls but they ’ re not going that extra mile , ” Walker Sr. said , according to WCCO .
The Minneapolis city council voted to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The Minneapolis Police Department is facing a severe staffing shortage as it struggles to keep up with rapidly increasing crime rates.
The department’s staff has decreased by more than 10%, the Star Tribune reported, since the death of George Floyd who died on May 25 after an officer kneeled on his neck, video of the incident shows. Anonymous officials within the department said the force could lose a third of its officers by 2021.
“The numbers through the city’s human resources do not support that,” John Elder, Minneapolis Police Department spokesman told the Daily Caller News Foundation in an email.
About 40 officers have resigned, been fired or are leaving the department while 75 officers are on medical leave for post-traumatic stress disorder related to the riots that ensued in the wake of Floyd’s death, according to the Star Tribune. However, not a single Minneapolis Police Academy recruit has dropped out.
Meanwhile, 39 people have been killed in Minneapolis this year, a 95% increase compared to last year, CBS affiliate WCCO-TV reported. Yet, police incidents, stops and use-of force are down compared to last summer, the Star Tribune reported.
Further, the police have been accused of establishing no-go zones, where officers will not respond to calls, according to The New York Times. One such zone is the intersection where Floyd died and where a memorial has been set up, which has seen an uptick in shootings and drug overdoses.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“People in this area, they’re not experiencing slow response, they’re experiencing no response. They’re being told that this is called a no-go zone by MPD,” Council Member Andrea Jenkins said at a City Council meeting Friday, according to the Star Tribune.
But Elder said these allegations are false and denied the existence of so-called no-go zones.
“The MPD is fully operational and responding to calls in all areas of the city — without exception,” Elder said.
He added that police incidents are down because police have less time to do self-initiated work and are “tied up on calls.”
This sentiment, that police officers are responding to all calls, but not initiating on their own while patrolling, was backed up by Rich Walker Sr., the director of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, WCCO reported.
“Cops are relatively reserved right now. They’re answering their calls but they’re not going that extra mile,” Walker Sr. said, according to WCCO.
The Minneapolis city council voted to “dismantle” its police department following Floyd’s death.
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--2020-08-05--I’m So Woke I Cannot Sleep

I’m So Woke I Cannot Sleep

I am woke .
I am so woke I can not sleep .
Turn on your TV , see how woke I am .
In the morning , I berate an innocent kid and treat his abuser like a king .
In the afternoon , I keep the president off my show because he ’ s a horrible person , but treat my own staff and guests like rats .
In the evening , I make my fortune with blood and guts and shoot ’ em ups , then tweet about how we must confiscate guns .
In the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood than laughs .
And 24/7 , I celebrate “ peaceful protests , ” as buildings burn , bricks fly , and officers are blinded .
I am so woke I can not sleep .
So I take to the streets .
I gather to burn Bibles , but won ’ t let you gather to read a Bible .
I burn buildings to protest racism , but call black cops the n-word .
I tear down statues to protest slavery , including that of the man who ended slavery .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While defacing the monument to the black soldiers who fought for him .
I scream “ Defund the police , ” then scream when a cop ’ s not around to protect me .
I scream “ Black Lives Matter , ” and ignore the cries of bullet-ridden black children .
I ’ m so woke math is racist , and classical music is even more racist .
But saying white people must die is not racist .
I scream “ Defund the Police , ” but order my city to up my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marxists destroy small businesses , but won ’ t let Jewish kids play in a park .
I force you to quarantine if you take one step in another state , but give exemptions to Congress if they attend a funeral .
I allow massive funerals for the chosen .
But for your family , no .
I order my citizens to stay home .
But for my family , no .
I order elderly sick COVID patients into nursing homes .
But pull my own mother out .
I mandate masks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow murderers out of jail , but jail people for not wearing a mask .
I let you spray paint “ Black Lives Matter ” on buildings , but arrest students for writing Black Unborn Lives Matter in chalk .
I call for universal mail-in ballots , then call you a racist if you try to clean up the voter registration rolls .
I have the players in my league kneel for the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities , while richly partnering with a country that enslaves minorities .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I call for tolerance , then get you fired .
I call for “ a national discussion , ” then when you talk I hound you .
And hunt you .
And hurt you .
And sometimes drive you to your grave .
Then dance on it .
I ’ m so woke I won ’ t rest ’ til I get to you too .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

I am woke. I am so woke I cannot sleep.
I’m so woke, I celebrate unrest.
On TV
Turn on your TV, see how woke I am.
In the morning, I berate an innocent kid and treat his abuser like a king.
In the afternoon, I keep the president off my show because he’s a horrible person, but treat my own staff and guests like rats.
In the evening, I make my fortune with blood and guts and shoot ’em ups, then tweet about how we must confiscate guns.
In the late night, I’d rather draw blood than laughs.
And 24/7, I celebrate “peaceful protests,” as buildings burn, bricks fly, and officers are blinded.
I am so woke I cannot sleep.
So I take to the streets.
In the Street
I gather to burn Bibles, but won’t let you gather to read a Bible.
I burn buildings to protest racism, but call black cops the n-word.
I tear down statues to protest slavery, including that of the man who ended slavery. And the general who helped him do it. While defacing the monument to the black soldiers who fought for him.
I scream “Defund the police,” then scream when a cop’s not around to protect me.
I scream “Black Lives Matter,” and ignore the cries of bullet-ridden black children.
I’m so woke math is racist, and classical music is even more racist. But saying white people must die is not racist.
In Leadership
I scream “Defund the Police,” but order my city to up my own security protection.
I allow Nazi-mimicking Marxists to destroy small businesses, but won’t let Jewish kids play in a park.
I force you to quarantine if you take one step in another state, but give exemptions to Congress if they attend a funeral.
I allow massive funerals for the chosen. But for your family, no.
I order my citizens to stay home. But for my family, no.
I order elderly sick COVID patients into nursing homes. But pull my own mother out.
I mandate masks for everyone, but exempt lawmakers.
I allow violent rioters to walk, but prosecute those who defend themselves from the mob.
I allow murderers out of jail, but jail people for not wearing a mask.
I let you spray paint “Black Lives Matter” on buildings, but arrest students for writing Black Unborn Lives Matter in chalk.
I call for universal mail-in ballots, then call you a racist if you try to clean up the voter registration rolls.
I have the players in my league kneel for the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities, while richly partnering with a country that enslaves minorities.
In Life
I call for unity, then defriend you.
I call for tolerance, then get you fired.
I call for “a national discussion,” then when you talk I hound you. And hunt you. And hurt you. And sometimes drive you to your grave. Then dance on it.
I’m so woke I won’t rest ’til I get to you too.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-05--Our Evangelical Forebears’ Two Big Mistakes

Our Evangelical forebears made two mistakes about the relationship between the church and the culture in which it finds itself .
Unfortunately , they bequeathed them to us .
They made those mistakes because they failed to ask this question : Is the church successfully reaching our culture with the Gospel , or is it being corrupted by it ?
It can be hard to tell , because the influence inevitably flows both ways .
Therefore , we must always be reassessing our relationship to the culture in which we find ourselves .
Only so can we hope to fulfill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world but not of it .
And avoid our forebears ’ mistakes .
What mistakes did our Evangelical forbears bequeath us ?
First , they overestimated the depths of the Christian influence on American culture .
Traditional morality and the family were in the 1950s being maintained out of habit , while commitment to their foundations was being hollowed out .
Our failure to practice the Great Commission ( to make disciples rather than merely converts ) meant that the foundations of Christian culture were being undermined even while it looked like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Gospel .
Too many of our “ converts ” were not truly born again , and hardly any were being taught the Christian worldview , much less sound doctrine .
The second mistake was a superficial understanding of the Lordship of Christ .
Christian truth does not exist in a sealed chamber called “ religion.
” It is true truth about the world because God is the Creator of the world .
Therefore , Christ is Lord not just of my religion but of my life .
No distinction can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secular.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
C.S .
Lewis expressed it accurately : “ There is no neutral ground in the universe ; every square inch , every split second , is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.
” As J. Gresham Machen put it , “ The field of Christianity is the world .
The Christian can not be satisfied so long as any human activity is either opposed to Christianity or out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is true , the Gospel should make a difference in every area of life .
That is how we correct those mistakes .
The Gospel should transform how we relate to our family , our fellow man , work , the state , education , athletics , the arts — everything .
Every area of private life , every arena of public life , must now be seen in relation to Christ .
It is , in other words , to be redeemed by His grace , informed by His Word , brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursued for His glory .
Most of our churches do not even make an effort to teach such things .
That means they are making no effort to be disciple-making communities .
Discipleship was defined by our Lord Himself when He gave the Great Commission .
As we go into all the world , we are to make disciples .
We are to baptize them in the name of the Father , the Son , and the Holy Spirit .
We are to teach them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a baptized believer who is learning to obey all of Jesus ’ commandments .
This would include those given by His Apostles on His behalf in the rest of the New Testament .
What would such a life look like ?
What would a community of such lives look like ?
It would be a subculture , a counterculture bringing salt and light to the secular culture around it .
Salt is a preservative and a seasoning .
So the Christian subculture should retard the natural slide of secular society toward corruption and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is good in it .
Light shows the way .
So the Christian subculture should keep the Way of salvation open and visible as a Way of Life that provides an alternative to the death on every side .
What would such a way of life look like ?
What would you notice as different about it ?
Would it have families in which male headship was a medium of love rather than oppression ?
Would work not just be something done for a paycheck but rather an opportunity to serve one ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salt and light means growing up “ In all aspects into the head , who is Christ ” ( Eph .
4:15 ) .
It can mean nothing less than that the Church is trying to grow people who think like the One who designed the stars , astounded the rabbis , and defeated the Pharisees .
It is trying to grow people who imagine the world like the One who wrote the parables .
It is trying to grow people who make choices like the One whose meat and drink was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is trying to grow people who serve like the One who washed his disciples ’ feet .
It is trying to grow people who love like the One who died on Calvary .
It is trying to grow people who see all these acts as essential parts of an indissoluble unity whose Center is the very character of its Lord .
Getting saved , accepting Christ as one ’ s Savior and Lord , means setting out on that road .
What else could it mean ?
If then we are satisfied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of rules or train them to buy the approved style of kitsch or move them to cry at altar calls , our ministry is less than authentic Christianity .
It is a false spirituality that has denied the faith .
We have been content to have it so .
And that is how we got to the sorry place we occupy in the Year of our Lord 2020 .
Donald T. Williams is professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College .
He is the author of twelve books , including Deeper Magic : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S. Lewis and The Young Christian ’ s Survival Guide : Common Questions Young Christians are Asked about God , the Bible , and the Christian Faith Answered .

Our Evangelical forebears made two mistakes about the relationship between the church and the culture in which it finds itself. Unfortunately, they bequeathed them to us.
They made those mistakes because they failed to ask this question: Is the church successfully reaching our culture with the Gospel, or is it being corrupted by it? It can be hard to tell, because the influence inevitably flows both ways.
Therefore, we must always be reassessing our relationship to the culture in which we find ourselves. Only so can we hope to fulfill the biblical mandate to be simultaneously in the world but not of it. And avoid our forebears’ mistakes.
The Forebears’ Mistakes
What mistakes did our Evangelical forbears bequeath us? First, they overestimated the depths of the Christian influence on American culture. Traditional morality and the family were in the 1950s being maintained out of habit, while commitment to their foundations was being hollowed out.
Our failure to practice the Great Commission (to make disciples rather than merely converts) meant that the foundations of Christian culture were being undermined even while it looked like we were being successful in reaching people with the Gospel. Too many of our “converts” were not truly born again, and hardly any were being taught the Christian worldview, much less sound doctrine.
The second mistake was a superficial understanding of the Lordship of Christ. Christian truth does not exist in a sealed chamber called “religion.” It is true truth about the world because God is the Creator of the world. Therefore, Christ is Lord not just of my religion but of my life. No distinction can be made between “sacred” and “secular.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
C.S. Lewis expressed it accurately: “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” As J. Gresham Machen put it, “The field of Christianity is the world. The Christian cannot be satisfied so long as any human activity is either opposed to Christianity or out of connection with Christianity.”
If this is true, the Gospel should make a difference in every area of life. That is how we correct those mistakes. The Gospel should transform how we relate to our family, our fellow man, work, the state, education, athletics, the arts — everything. Every area of private life, every arena of public life, must now be seen in relation to Christ.
It is, in other words, to be redeemed by His grace, informed by His Word, brought into submission to His Lordship, and pursued for His glory.
Making No Effort
Most of our churches do not even make an effort to teach such things. That means they are making no effort to be disciple-making communities. Discipleship was defined by our Lord Himself when He gave the Great Commission.
As we go into all the world, we are to make disciples. We are to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are to teach them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us. Everything! So a disciple is a baptized believer who is learning to obey all of Jesus’ commandments. This would include those given by His Apostles on His behalf in the rest of the New Testament.
What would such a life look like? What would a community of such lives look like? It would be a subculture, a counterculture bringing salt and light to the secular culture around it. Salt is a preservative and a seasoning. So the Christian subculture should retard the natural slide of secular society toward corruption and bring out the flavor of all that is good in it. Light shows the way. So the Christian subculture should keep the Way of salvation open and visible as a Way of Life that provides an alternative to the death on every side.
What would such a way of life look like? What would you notice as different about it? Would it have families in which male headship was a medium of love rather than oppression? Would work not just be something done for a paycheck but rather an opportunity to serve one’s neighbor out of love?
Being Salt and Light
Being salt and light means growing up “In all aspects into the head, who is Christ” (Eph. 4:15). It can mean nothing less than that the Church is trying to grow people who think like the One who designed the stars, astounded the rabbis, and defeated the Pharisees. It is trying to grow people who imagine the world like the One who wrote the parables. It is trying to grow people who make choices like the One whose meat and drink was to do the will of his Father.
It is trying to grow people who serve like the One who washed his disciples’ feet. It is trying to grow people who love like the One who died on Calvary. It is trying to grow people who see all these acts as essential parts of an indissoluble unity whose Center is the very character of its Lord. Getting saved, accepting Christ as one’s Savior and Lord, means setting out on that road. What else could it mean?
If then we are satisfied simply to teach people to follow a set of rules or train them to buy the approved style of kitsch or move them to cry at altar calls, our ministry is less than authentic Christianity. It is a false spirituality that has denied the faith. We have been content to have it so.
And that is how we got to the sorry place we occupy in the Year of our Lord 2020.
Donald T. Williams is professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College. He is the author of twelve books, including Deeper Magic: The Theology behind the Writings of C. S. Lewis and The Young Christian’s Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered.


thestream--2020-08-05--Military Photo of the Day: Night at Fort Pickett

U.S. Marines prepare to bed down for the night after a live fire exercise at Fort Pickett in Virginia on @ @ @ @ @ “ This photo was created by stacking 75 images taken over the span of 45 @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. Marine Corps .
Wow !
Thank you to Sgt .
Niles Lee @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ Day .

U.S. Marines prepare to bed down for the night after a live fire exercise at Fort Pickett in Virginia on July 19, 2020. “This photo was created by stacking 75 images taken over the span of 45 minutes together,” according to the U.S. Marine Corps.
Wow! Thank you to Sgt. Niles Lee for this breathtaking image.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-08-05--Enough is Enough: My Interview With Samuel Rodriguez

Samuel Rodriguez is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference , the world ’ s largest Hispanic Christian @ @ @ @ @ churches across the U.S .
I thank God for his incredible passion and leadership in @ @ @ @ @ discuss how the church must stand up against the prevailing darkness and stop bowing before @ @ @ @ @ You can view all the videos in this interview series here .
James Robison is @ @ @ @ @ and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today @ @ @ @ @ author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed @

Samuel Rodriguez is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization with more than 45,000 churches across the U.S. I thank God for his incredible passion and leadership in our nation. Today we discuss how the church must stand up against the prevailing darkness and stop bowing before a culture of death.
You can view all the videos in this interview series here.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-08-05--The Devastating Explosions in Lebanon and the End of the World

The scene was absolutely shocking as massive explosions rocked the city of Beirut , Lebanon .
One moment , life was totally normal .
Seconds later , and without any warning , scores of people were dead , thousands were injured , buildings were flattened , and parts of the landscape were wiped bare .
It is devastating enough just to watch the video of the blasts on our small cell phone screens , thousands of miles from Beirut .
But what was it like to be there ?
In the words of eyewitness Bachar Gattas , “ You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Beirut , glass all over the place , cars are damaged , it is like an apocalypse.
” Apocalypse was the right word to use , as the images emerging from the port of Beirut could have been taken right out the Apocalypse itself — the Book of Revelation .
A foreign news outlet described things in similar terms , “ Apocalyptic scenes saw a thick red-orange mushroom cloud envelop streets surrounding the port , where buildings burned and emergency crews frantically searched the rubble for survivors.
” Martin Chulov , covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted a quote stating , “ ‘ Scenes from the apocalypse that is # Beirut tonight .
We ’ re cursed ’ : shock and despair as explosion devastates city.
” Apocalypse is the operative word , repeated in headline after headline and story after story .
How should we respond to such horrific , painful news ?
There is still no word as to the exact cause of the explosions , although there is all kinds of speculation .
But whatever ( or , perhaps , whoever ) caused the blasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering remains the same .
And the fact this happened in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis makes the hardship all the more acute .
How , then , should we respond ?
The first thing we can do is pray .
Pray for mercy .
Pray for healing .
Pray for hope to arise out of despair and for light to arise out of darkness .
Pray that somehow , something redemptive can come of this terrible event , both on a personal and national level .
And , if this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the uprooting of such evil .
The second thing we can do is help .
In the days ahead relief agencies will be offering tangible support on the ground , and many of them could use financial help , at the least .
If there are organizations we know to be authentic that will be serving the hurting people of Beirut , they are worthy of our support .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect .
One day a rebellious world will be leveled .
One day , God ’ s wrath will be poured out on unrepentant sinners .
One day everything will be shaken .
( To be perfectly clear , I am not suggesting the tragedy in the port of Beirut was due to the wrath of God .
Absolutely , categorically not .
But at a sobering moment like this — an agonizing , shocking moment — it is good to engage in serious reflection . )
I devoted a whole chapter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world in When the World Stops : Words of Hope , Faith , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
It was sobering to write and it is sobering to read .
And at times like this , when the images of a mushroom cloud and the sounds of the explosion are fresh in our minds , we do well to stop , consider and reflect .
Look at this devastating description from the Book of Isaiah : See , the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scatter its inhabitants — it will be the same for priest as for people , for the master as for his servant , for the mistress as for her servant , for seller as for buyer , for borrower as for lender , for debtor as for creditor .
The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered .
The LORD has spoken this word .
The earth dries up and withers , the world languishes and withers , the heavens languish with the earth .
The earth is defiled by its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant .
Therefore a curse consumes the earth ; its people must bear their guilt .
Therefore earth ’ s inhabitants are burned up , and very few are left .
( Isaiah 24:1-6 ) And consider how often Paul wrote about the coming wrath , with words like these : “ Let no one deceive you with empty words , for because of such things God ’ s wrath comes on those who are disobedient ” ( Ephesians 5:6 ) .
And reflect on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself : “ I watched as he opened the sixth seal .
There was a great earthquake .
The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair , the whole moon turned blood red , and the stars in the sky fell to earth , as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind .
The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up , and every mountain and island was removed from its place .
Then the kings of the earth , the princes , the generals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and everyone else , both slave and free , hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains .
They called to the mountains and the rocks , ‘ Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb !
For the great day of their wrath has come , and who can withstand it ?
’ ” ( Revelation 6:12-17 ) One Day a Final Judgement Will Come and God Alone Will be Our Refuge Certainly , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these passages , especially from Revelation .
But what seems clear is that final , terrifying judgment will come to this planet , and the only refuge will be found in a right relationship with God .
Yet one day , after the Lord ’ s return , paradise will be restored , right here on planet earth .
And Lebanon , once famed for its natural beauty and resources , will serve as an image for the blessing of God .
“ The desert and the parched land will be glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like the crocus , it will burst into bloom ; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy .
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it , the splendor of Carmel and Sharon ; they will see the glory of the LORD , the splendor of our God .
“ Strengthen the feeble hands , steady the knees that give way ; say to those with fearful hearts , ‘ Be strong , do not fear ; your God will come , he will come with vengeance ; with divine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped .
Then will the lame leap like a deer , and the mute tongue shout for joy .
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert .
The burning sand will become a pool , the thirsty ground bubbling springs .
In the haunts where jackals once lay , grass and reeds and papyrus will grow .
“ And a highway will be there ; it will be called the Way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who walk on that Way .
The unclean will not journey on it ; wicked fools will not go about on it .
No lion will be there , nor any ravenous beast ; they will not be found there .
But only the redeemed will walk there , and those the LORD has rescued will return .
They will enter Zion with singing ; everlasting joy will crown their heads .
Gladness and joy will overtake them , and sorrow and sighing will flee away ” ( Isaiah 35:1-12 ) .
May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may He bring healing , hope , and redemption to the hurting people of Lebanon today .
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 .

The scene was absolutely shocking as massive explosions rocked the city of Beirut, Lebanon. One moment, life was totally normal. Seconds later, and without any warning, scores of people were dead, thousands were injured, buildings were flattened, and parts of the landscape were wiped bare.
It is devastating enough just to watch the video of the blasts on our small cell phone screens, thousands of miles from Beirut. But what was it like to be there? In the words of eyewitness Bachar Gattas, “You can see injured people all over the streets in Beirut, glass all over the place, cars are damaged, it is like an apocalypse.”
Apocalypse was the right word to use, as the images emerging from the port of Beirut could have been taken right out the Apocalypse itself — the Book of Revelation.
A foreign news outlet described things in similar terms, “Apocalyptic scenes saw a thick red-orange mushroom cloud envelop streets surrounding the port, where buildings burned and emergency crews frantically searched the rubble for survivors.”
How should we respond to such horrific, painful news?
Martin Chulov, covering the tragic events for the Guardian, tweeted a quote stating, “‘Scenes from the apocalypse that is #Beirut tonight. We’re cursed’: shock and despair as explosion devastates city.”
Apocalypse is the operative word, repeated in headline after headline and story after story.
How should we respond to such horrific, painful news?
There is still no word as to the exact cause of the explosions, although there is all kinds of speculation.
But whatever (or, perhaps, whoever) caused the blasts, the loss of life and the terrible suffering remains the same. And the fact this happened in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis makes the hardship all the more acute.
How, then, should we respond?
Pray, Help, Reflect
The first thing we can do is pray. Pray for mercy. Pray for healing. Pray for hope to arise out of despair and for light to arise out of darkness. Pray that somehow, something redemptive can come of this terrible event, both on a personal and national level. And, if this was a terrorist attack, pray for justice and for the uprooting of such evil.
The second thing we can do is help. In the days ahead relief agencies will be offering tangible support on the ground, and many of them could use financial help, at the least. If there are organizations we know to be authentic that will be serving the hurting people of Beirut, they are worthy of our support.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The third thing we can do is reflect. One day a rebellious world will be leveled. One day, God’s wrath will be poured out on unrepentant sinners. One day everything will be shaken. (To be perfectly clear, I am not suggesting the tragedy in the port of Beirut was due to the wrath of God. Absolutely, categorically not. But at a sobering moment like this — an agonizing, shocking moment — it is good to engage in serious reflection.)
Wisdom for Times of Crisis
I devoted a whole chapter to this subject of the end of the world in When the World Stops: Words of Hope, Faith, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. It was sobering to write and it is sobering to read. And at times like this, when the images of a mushroom cloud and the sounds of the explosion are fresh in our minds, we do well to stop, consider and reflect.
Look at this devastating description from the Book of Isaiah:
See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants — it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The LORD has spoken this word. The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. (Isaiah 24:1-6)
And consider how often Paul wrote about the coming wrath, with words like these: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 5:6).
And reflect on this scene from the Book of Revelation itself:
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?’” (Revelation 6:12-17)
One Day a Final Judgement Will Come and God Alone Will be Our Refuge
Certainly, we can debate the exact interpretation and application of these passages, especially from Revelation. But what seems clear is that final, terrifying judgment will come to this planet, and the only refuge will be found in a right relationship with God.
Yet one day, after the Lord’s return, paradise will be restored, right here on planet earth. And Lebanon, once famed for its natural beauty and resources, will serve as an image for the blessing of God.
As Isaiah also wrote:
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:1-12).
May the Lord hasten that day! And may He bring healing, hope, and redemption to the hurting people of Lebanon today.
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--2020-08-05--Anarchy Explained, or, Maybe Your Head Will Implode

I was exchanging comments with an anarchist on my blog when he got impatient with me for not doing him the courtesy of reading a FAQ on anarchism .
I do like to be courteous except I counted , and no kidding , this FAQ was 1.73 million words long .
That ’ s just a bit shorter than The Lord of the Rings .
Plus War and Peace .
Plus the entire King James Bible .
All added together .
It ’ s probably longer now .
But hey , if that ’ s what it takes to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I guess it ’ s no wonder Donald Trump was off track when he portrayed Portland and Seattle “ protesters ” ( his quotes ) as anarchists .
That ’ s the charge , anyway , at a Mic.com article by a young writer named Vanessa Taylor .
Apparently a lot of us need to read that FAQ .
“ In the American imagination , ” she writes , “ anarchy is nothing more than chaos for chaos ’ sake , detached from any political analysis or meaningful struggle for liberation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Want to know the real truth ?
In less than three months of reading time ?
Taylor quotes a top source on the subject , labor journalist Kim Kelly .
Anarchism is actually “ a radical , revolutionary leftist political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of government , hierarchy , and all other unequal systems of power.
” Well , I stand corrected .
And here I ’ d been thinking it was chaos “ detached from any political analysis.
” What a relief to know the truth .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revolutionary leftist political philosophy .
I feel much better now .
But hey , I ’ m just an opinion columnist .
Gim me a break .
I can ’ t know everything about every political movement .
The president , though ?
Shouldn ’ t he have known ?
Shouldn ’ t he have read those bazillion words ?
Couldn ’ t he at least have read Teen Vogue for Kim Kelly ’ s deep professional analysis ?
( Yes , that ’ s where Taylor found it . )
Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , it ’ s different “ from person to person , ” says Taylor .
Maybe that ’ s why it takes thirty or forty pounds of paper to print out the answers to just the most frequent questions .
One black anarchist Taylor quotes says it ’ s about “ fully embracing the life that is denied us ” — a life that was formed by anarchy ?
I don ’ t think so .
It means “ living in total conflict with the forces that subjugate , exploit , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get them the life that was denied them .
It ’ s worth noting that “ only ” about five-of-six black Americans support the police in their communities .
The rest of Taylor ’ s article continues along the same lines .
Building “ non-hierarchical communities ” — which on full analysis is a contradiction in terms .
“ Having my cake and eating it , too ” — which is a proverb precisely because it ’ s a contradiction in terms .
Anarchy , she says , “ harkens back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communist ’ was thrown around as haphazardly as Trump ’ s use of ‘ anarchists.
’ ” No , actually much more haphazardly .
The label “ communist ” was overused in the McCarthy era .
Designating “ protesters ” ( Trump ’ s quotes again ) who burn , smash , loot , and kill as anarchists is right on the mark .
But then again , Trump hasn ’ t read that FAQ , and neither have I .
How are we supposed to know ?
Why should we worry ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out of ignorance , I guess .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The fight will go on , though .
One of Taylor ’ s sources predicts “ there is going to be an intense crackdown on anarchists , probably on a level we haven ’ t seen since the Earth Liberation Front was active in the early ’ 90s and 2000 ’ s. ” That ’ s quite a comparison .
The ELF were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the late 1990s , setting fires , bombing my alma mater ( Michigan State ) , sabotaging power lines , and more .
And my goodness , can you believe it , the government waged an intense crackdown on them .
The gods forbid we ’ d do anything so unjust to anarchists today !
Why , they ’ re helping organize protesters !
Or Maybe Your Head Would Explode They ’ re even practicing street medicine , says Taylor .
“ These skills are vital during protests , ” she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one harming people and calling 911 for medical assistance is no longer an option.
” It was no longer an option inside Seattle ’ s CHAZ or CHOP .
Now , though ?
I think they still try to get through to help .
Even when anarchists are doing their best to block them , stop them , threaten them , harass them , and otherwise fulfill their own prediction that calling 911 is no help .
Here ’ s the point of it all , though : This all comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain the value and goodness of anarchy , especially black anarchy .
But it ’ s only 1/1000 as long as the FAQ .
Maybe if you read the whole thing it would make more sense .
Or maybe your head would implode on you .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the just-released Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

I was exchanging comments with an anarchist on my blog when he got impatient with me for not doing him the courtesy of reading a FAQ on anarchism. I do like to be courteous except I counted, and no kidding, this FAQ was 1.73 million words long. That’s just a bit shorter than The Lord of the Rings. Plus War and Peace. Plus the entire King James Bible. All added together. It’s probably longer now.
But hey, if that’s what it takes to get through anarchism’s frequently asked questions, I guess it’s no wonder Donald Trump was off track when he portrayed Portland and Seattle “protesters” (his quotes) as anarchists.
That’s the charge, anyway, at a Mic.com article by a young writer named Vanessa Taylor. Apparently a lot of us need to read that FAQ. “In the American imagination,” she writes, “anarchy is nothing more than chaos for chaos’ sake, detached from any political analysis or meaningful struggle for liberation.”
I Stand Corrected
That’s wrong, says Taylor. Want to know the real truth? In less than three months of reading time? Taylor quotes a top source on the subject, labor journalist Kim Kelly. Anarchism is actually “a radical, revolutionary leftist political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of government, hierarchy, and all other unequal systems of power.”
Well, I stand corrected. And here I’d been thinking it was chaos “detached from any political analysis.” What a relief to know the truth. It’s actually chaos coming from a radical, revolutionary leftist political philosophy. I feel much better now.
But hey, I’m just an opinion columnist. Gimme a break. I can’t know everything about every political movement. The president, though? Shouldn’t he have known? Shouldn’t he have read those bazillion words? Couldn’t he at least have read Teen Vogue for Kim Kelly’s deep professional analysis? (Yes, that’s where Taylor found it.)
Black Anarchism is “Different”
Black anarchism is different, though. That is, it’s different “from person to person,” says Taylor. Maybe that’s why it takes thirty or forty pounds of paper to print out the answers to just the most frequent questions.
One black anarchist Taylor quotes says it’s about “fully embracing the life that is denied us” — a life that was formed by anarchy? I don’t think so. It means “living in total conflict with the forces that subjugate, exploit, and kill us.” Yeah, that will get them the life that was denied them.
It’s worth noting that “only” about five-of-six black Americans support the police in their communities.
The rest of Taylor’s article continues along the same lines. Building “non-hierarchical communities” — which on full analysis is a contradiction in terms. “Having my cake and eating it, too” — which is a proverb precisely because it’s a contradiction in terms.
What, Me Worry?
Anarchy, she says, “harkens back to the Red Scare,” when “‘communist’ was thrown around as haphazardly as Trump’s use of ‘anarchists.’” No, actually much more haphazardly. The label “communist” was overused in the McCarthy era. Designating “protesters” (Trump’s quotes again) who burn, smash, loot, and kill as anarchists is right on the mark.
But then again, Trump hasn’t read that FAQ, and neither have I. How are we supposed to know? Why should we worry? Why should we even fight it? Out of ignorance, I guess.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The fight will go on, though. One of Taylor’s sources predicts “there is going to be an intense crackdown on anarchists, probably on a level we haven’t seen since the Earth Liberation Front was active in the early ’90s and 2000’s.”
That’s quite a comparison. The ELF were a top domestic terror threat in the U.S. in the late 1990s, setting fires, bombing my alma mater (Michigan State), sabotaging power lines, and more. And my goodness, can you believe it, the government waged an intense crackdown on them. The gods forbid we’d do anything so unjust to anarchists today! Why, they’re helping organize protesters!
Or Maybe Your Head Would Explode
They’re even practicing street medicine, says Taylor. “These skills are vital during protests,” she says, “when the state is often the one harming people and calling 911 for medical assistance is no longer an option.”
It was no longer an option inside Seattle’s CHAZ or CHOP. Now, though? I think they still try to get through to help. Even when anarchists are doing their best to block them, stop them, threaten them, harass them, and otherwise fulfill their own prediction that calling 911 is no help.
Here’s the point of it all, though: This all comes from an article that’s trying to explain the value and goodness of anarchy, especially black anarchy. But it’s only 1/1000 as long as the FAQ. Maybe if you read the whole thing it would make more sense. Or maybe your head would implode on you.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the just-released Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-08-05--New Milwaukee Policies Banning Police Teargas and Other Tools for Crowd Control Sets ‘the Police Off

New Milwaukee Policies Banning Police Teargas and Other Tools for Crowd Control Sets ‘the Police Officers up for Failure’

A Wisconsin Police Department withdrew from an agreement to provide security at the Democratic National Convention ( DNC ) after the Milwaukee Police Department made changes to its policy , banning the use of chemical irritants including pepper spray .
Over 100 police agencies have reportedly withdrawn from agreements to provide officers for security at the upcoming DNC .
“ Our withdrawal from the DNC security detail is about safety and the fact that the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is setting the police officers up for failure , ” Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb told the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I can not in good conscience send the members of my department to be a part of that.
” The Franklin , Greendale , and Menomonee Falls Police Departments all withdrew after a lack of resources led to security concerns , they told the DCNF .
The Madison Police Department withdrew in early July citing depleted internal resources , a spokesperson told the DCNF .
The Franklin Police Department withdrew eight officers because “ it is apparent there is a lack of commitment to provide the Milwaukee Police Department with the resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful protesters , attendees , citizens and police personnel , ” Chief Rick Olivia told the DCNF .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The Wisconsin State Police , Green Bay , and Glendale Police Departments will honor their commitments to provide security to the DNC , they told the DCNF .
Glendale will send five officers and Green Bay will provide 15 officers , two supervisors , and one SWAT team .
Both the Fox Point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DCNF that they had not committed to sending any officers to the DNC .
Fox Point Chief Christopher Freedy said that one officer will respond to help the Milwaukee Police Department if a mutual aid request is made .
The Brookfield , Brown Deer , Butler , Elm Grove , Greenfield , Hales , Mequon , Milwaukee , New Berlin , Oak Creek , River Hill , Thiensville , West Allis , and Whitefish Police Departments did not respond to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .
Content created by The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A Wisconsin Police Department withdrew from an agreement to provide security at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) after the Milwaukee Police Department made changes to its policy, banning the use of chemical irritants including pepper spray.
Over 100 police agencies have reportedly withdrawn from agreements to provide officers for security at the upcoming DNC.
“Our withdrawal from the DNC security detail is about safety and the fact that the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission is setting the police officers up for failure,” Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb told the Daily Caller News Foundation. Lamb said, “I cannot in good conscience send the members of my department to be a part of that.”
At least 3 police departments in Wisconsin have pulled out of sending officers to the DNC in Milwaukee, citing an order by the city’s Fire and Police Commission for the Milwaukee Police Department to stop using tear gas and pepper spray on protestershttps://t.co/2Fhx3EjqNv — The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) July 28, 2020
The Franklin, Greendale, and Menomonee Falls Police Departments all withdrew after a lack of resources led to security concerns, they told the DCNF. The Madison Police Department withdrew in early July citing depleted internal resources, a spokesperson told the DCNF.
The Franklin Police Department withdrew eight officers because “it is apparent there is a lack of commitment to provide the Milwaukee Police Department with the resources it needs to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters, attendees, citizens and police personnel,” Chief Rick Olivia told the DCNF.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Wisconsin State Police, Green Bay, and Glendale Police Departments will honor their commitments to provide security to the DNC, they told the DCNF. Glendale will send five officers and Green Bay will provide 15 officers, two supervisors, and one SWAT team.
Both the Fox Point and Wauwatosa Police Department Chiefs told the DCNF that they had not committed to sending any officers to the DNC. Fox Point Chief Christopher Freedy said that one officer will respond to help the Milwaukee Police Department if a mutual aid request is made.
The Brookfield, Brown Deer, Butler, Elm Grove, Greenfield, Hales, Mequon, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Oak Creek, River Hill, Thiensville, West Allis, and Whitefish Police Departments did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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].