thestream--2020-06-12--This Week at War: Risking Their Lives

This Week at War: Risking Their Lives

While the national media doesn ’ t seem to be paying as much attention to the coronavirus pandemic as it was a few short weeks ago , the U.S. military is still at war with COVID-19 .
According to the U.S. National Guard , more than 37,000 members were busy fighting the war on coronavirus as of Thursday morning .
From conducting tests and getting supplies to those in need to manning call centers , our country ’ s brave men and women in uniform are performing with quiet brilliance .
Sadly , McClatchy DC reported earlier this week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. National Guard have tested positive for COVID-19 after responding to protests and riots .
“ We can confirm that we have had COVID-19 positive tests with the DCNG , ” D.C. National Guard spokeswoman Lt. Col. Brooke Davis told McClatchy .
“ The safety and security of our personnel is always a concern , especially in light of the COVID-19 era.
” Please pray for these courageous service members and their families .
We ask God to heal these patriots .
More than 32,000 members of the National Guard were activated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recent protests and riots , according to PBS .
Some of those units , including 200 soldiers with the 19th Special Forces Group ( Airborne ) of the Utah National Guard , have returned home from their mission to the nation ’ s capital .
“ Morale was high , and our soldiers wanted to be there , ” Utah Army National Guard Command Sgt .
Maj. Jason Legler said .
“ In fact , I had to turn some volunteers away because we had a limit on how many folks we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the civil unrest in Minnesota , neighbors stepped up to keep watch over the homes of deployed National Guard service members .
“ That ’ s why you move to a small town , you get the great sense of community and stuff like that , ” Troy Bruflat , a public works director in western Minnesota , told WCCO-TV .
“ We want to help them out while they are out helping other people.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the media largely uninterested in the ongoing war on terrorism , here is an update on what ’ s happening on two of the conflict ’ s most crucial battlefields : Afghanistan and Syria .
In Afghanistan , “ the Taliban have not yet met conditions required for a complete U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by next May as envisioned in a U.S.-Taliban deal signed in February , ” according to the Army Times .
The report quotes Gen. Frank McKenzie , head of U.S. Central Command , as saying “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be assured that attacks against us will not be generated there ?
And as of right now … frankly , if asked my opinion , those conditions have not been fully met.
” General McKenzie also confirmed the continuing presence of U.S. troops in Syria , as you may have seen last week in The Stream ‘ s daily Military Photo of the Day feature .
“ Over time , [ Syrian President ] Bashar al-Assad is probably going to turn to the east and increase pressure on us , and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Gen. McKenzie , as quoted by the Military Times .
Please pray for the valiant volunteer warriors fighting America ’ s war on terrorism at this hour in Afghanistan , Syria and other dangerous places around the world .
Tentative dates and times have been set for the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient and U.S. Secret Service agent Ronald J. Shurer II , who passed away in May after bravely battling cancer .
Staff Sgt .
Shurer will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the privilege of speaking with this Afghanistan war hero the day before he was readmitted to the hospital .
Please continue to pray for his wife , Miranda , their sons , loved ones , friends and fellow soldiers .
Ron ’ s selfless legacy will never be forgotten .
U.S. Air Force airmen with the 34th Fighter Squadron are finally back in the arms of their loved ones after an overseas deployment .
Welcome home , heroes !
Thank you for your service .
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 Seconds of Courage , Brothers Forever , Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men : A Navy SEAL , a Green Beret and How Their Marine Brother Became a War ’ s Sole Survivor .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Coronavirus
While the national media doesn’t seem to be paying as much attention to the coronavirus pandemic as it was a few short weeks ago, the U.S. military is still at war with COVID-19.
According to the U.S. National Guard, more than 37,000 members were busy fighting the war on coronavirus as of Thursday morning. From conducting tests and getting supplies to those in need to manning call centers, our country’s brave men and women in uniform are performing with quiet brilliance.
Today, more than 37,000 National Guard members are supporting the COVID-19 response at the direction of their governors. Here's a quick look at how our Soldiers and Airmen have assisted communities across America. #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/DKNuc6SlQK — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) June 11, 2020
Sadly, McClatchy DC reported earlier this week that several members of the Nebraska and Washington, D.C. National Guard have tested positive for COVID-19 after responding to protests and riots.
“We can confirm that we have had COVID-19 positive tests with the DCNG,” D.C. National Guard spokeswoman Lt. Col. Brooke Davis told McClatchy. “The safety and security of our personnel is always a concern, especially in light of the COVID-19 era.”
Please pray for these courageous service members and their families. We ask God to heal these patriots.
Civil Unrest
More than 32,000 members of the National Guard were activated for civil unrest missions in the wake of recent protests and riots, according to PBS. Some of those units, including 200 soldiers with the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) of the Utah National Guard, have returned home from their mission to the nation’s capital.
“Morale was high, and our soldiers wanted to be there,” Utah Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Legler said. “In fact, I had to turn some volunteers away because we had a limit on how many folks we could send out.”
Neighbors Help Take Care Of Deployed National Guard Soldiers' Homes During Unrest https://t.co/heuRJ0J6Uw pic.twitter.com/KyvV52UhFh — WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) June 11, 2020
At the epicenter of the civil unrest in Minnesota, neighbors stepped up to keep watch over the homes of deployed National Guard service members.
“That’s why you move to a small town, you get the great sense of community and stuff like that,” Troy Bruflat, a public works director in western Minnesota, told WCCO-TV. “We want to help them out while they are out helping other people.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Terrorism
With much of the media largely uninterested in the ongoing war on terrorism, here is an update on what’s happening on two of the conflict’s most crucial battlefields: Afghanistan and Syria.
In Afghanistan, “the Taliban have not yet met conditions required for a complete U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by next May as envisioned in a U.S.-Taliban deal signed in February,” according to the Army Times.
The report quotes Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, as saying “those conditions would be: an we be assured that attacks against us will not be generated there? And as of right now … frankly, if asked my opinion, those conditions have not been fully met.”
Taliban have not yet met conditions for complete troop withdrawal, says the top US general in the Mideast https://t.co/uzv1d7Acgn pic.twitter.com/DzowOZEN1N — ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) June 11, 2020
General McKenzie also confirmed the continuing presence of U.S. troops in Syria, as you may have seen last week in The Stream‘s daily Military Photo of the Day feature.
“Over time, [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad is probably going to turn to the east and increase pressure on us, and we’ll deal with that as it happens,” said Gen. McKenzie, as quoted by the Military Times.
Please pray for the valiant volunteer warriors fighting America’s war on terrorism at this hour in Afghanistan, Syria and other dangerous places around the world.
Medal of Honor Hero
Tentative dates and times have been set for the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient and U.S. Secret Service agent Ronald J. Shurer II, who passed away in May after bravely battling cancer. Staff Sgt. Shurer will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 27, barring coronavirus-related changes.
I had the privilege of speaking with this Afghanistan war hero the day before he was readmitted to the hospital. Please continue to pray for his wife, Miranda, their sons, loved ones, friends and fellow soldiers. Ron’s selfless legacy will never be forgotten.
Coming Home
U.S. Air Force airmen with the 34th Fighter Squadron are finally back in the arms of their loved ones after an overseas deployment.
Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for your service.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men: A Navy SEAL, a Green Beret and How Their Marine Brother Became a War’s Sole Survivor. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-12--This “Friend of the Court” is no Friend of Justice for Flynn

We ’ ve all been waiting for Judge John Gleeson ’ s amicus brief on the Michael Flynn case , and it finally dropped on Wednesday .
Sure enough , this “ friend of the court ” is no friend of Flynn , or apparently of justice being served in this case .
Recall that Judge Emmet Sullivan personally asked Gleeson to write it ; this was just a couple of days after the op-ed Gleeson had co-authored on the subject that happened to appear in the WASHINGTON POST .
Entitled “ The Flynn case is over when the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this commentary told us all we needed to know about where Gleeson was going to stand and why the judge chose him to write the brief .
“ The record reeks of improper political influence , ” Gleeson stated on May 11 , without even bothering to make that case .
In fact , as I said weeks ago after reading the piece , he might as well have just made a copy of that and filed it as his amicus brief .
That ’ s pretty much what he did , except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same .
If you have the time and inclination to read this 80-page pile of nonsense , here ’ s a pdf of the brief filed by Judge Gleeson .
Gleeson asserts in his brief that the DOJ ’ s decision to drop the Flynn case is “ a gross abuse of prosecutorial power ’ and , unbelievably , accuses them of “ attempting to provide special treatment to a favored friend and political ally of the President of the United States.
” This is such a politicized and wrongheaded piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even know where to start .
Byron York , speaking with Martha MacCallum Wednesday evening , pointed out that it ’ s the “ sole responsibility ” of the Department of Justice to withdraw charges if it so chooses .
It is NOT within the judge ’ s authority to deny that .
I ’ ll add this : We ’ ve seen before that judges who don ’ t like the President can ’ t seem to help attributing the worst motives to everything he or his administration does , and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just make it up and go with that .
Where does Judge Gleeson get off with this “ special treatment ” garbage ?
President Trump has stood back and let the wheels of so-called justice turn ever-so-slowly while his “ favored friend and political ally ” was financially and professionally ruined .
If that ’ s “ special treatment , ” I sure wouldn ’ t want it .
The attorney general has solid motives for wanting to drop this case , ample reason to be troubled by what he has seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Flynn .
Gleeson ’ s brief does not speculate about these , even though he has no trouble speculating about the President ’ s motives .
Gleeson makes three arguments : 1 ) that Sullivan ’ s court has the authority to deny the AG ’ s motion to dismiss , 2 ) that it SHOULD deny the AG ’ s motion to dismiss , and 3 ) that in sentencing Flynn , the court should “ consider the defendant ’ s perjury , ” a reference to his earlier guilty plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gleeson must maintain that the predicate for investigating Flynn was sound .
As explained well in a piece at TheConservativeTreehouse.com , he has to defend not only the origins of “ Spygate ” but also everything else that stemmed from that .
How does he do that when so much that has presumably been learned about it by U.S. Attorney John Durham is still under wraps ?
“ When you read the brief , ” this article says , “ if does make you wonder if Gleeson might be attempting to frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of justifying the total Spygate operation .
This approach would be of benefit to the corrupt DOJ and FBI small group who are viewed to have purposefully weaponized their agencies for political intents.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
To counter this , the DOJ might have to open up about why the predicate for the investigation of Flynn is invalid .
After all , that ’ s what the DOJ is claiming in its decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was corrupt , then the questioning of Flynn on January 24 , 2017 , was “ materially and fundamentally flawed.
” I would add that this is especially true considering FBI investigators recommended closing the case on January 4 .
In suggesting that Flynn perjured himself by reversing his guilty plea , Judge Gleeson conveniently avoids the claim that Flynn ’ s plea was coerced .
He ’ s saying Flynn should be punished for lying about a crime he was coerced to plead guilty to .
“ Flynn has indeed committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gleeson says , “ for which he deserves punishment , and the Court has the authority to initiate a prosecution for that crime.
” Yet Another Chance to Damage Trump Oh , but Judge Gleeson doesn ’ t say that Judge Sullivan should go THAT far , even though he could .
Gleeson magnanimously recommends that Sullivan merely “ take Flynn ’ s perjury into account in sentencing him on the offense to which he has already admitted guilt.
” Perhaps the thinking is that this is a good way to justify prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into pardoning him .
Flynn , once again , is collateral damage in the effort to hurt Trump politically .
An article at RedState makes some strong additional points .
For one thing , it points out that Gleeson ’ s brief cites media reports — which “ are sourced to anonymous government officials , which we now know were former Obama administration officials who fed the entire false fantasy “ Trump-Russian ” collusion argument to gullible and willing anti-Trump media for the past nearly four years.
” Also , it notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief was necessarily limited , as “ there is NO DOUBT that DOJ has more information available to it than the information reported in the IG report that Gleeson relies on.
” In other words , Barr knows a lot more about this case than Gleeson does .
Gleeson also relies on that Intelligence Community Assessment from January 2017 , which , as the RedState article says , “ reached certain ‘ conclusions ’ that have been determined to not have been factually accurate.
” As an example I would add that John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fictitious Steele “ dossier ” in that report and was able to get a summary in .
The RedState article goes into legal precedent as well , noting language from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that Judge Gleeson conveniently left out when he cited the case the U.S. v. Hamm : “ As the district judge acknowledged , the prosecutor is the first and presumptively the best judge of where the public interest lies .
The trial judge can not simply substitute his judgment for that of the prosecutor.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ … [ T ] his is a case in which the Government…decided that it would best serve the public interest to dismiss the indictments against the appellants .
Neither this court on appeal nor the trial court may properly reassess the prosecutor ’ s evaluation of the public interest.
” In other words , it ’ s Barr ’ s call .
Perhaps Gleeson ’ s insane , politically-charged argument won ’ t matter except to show the world even more of what is going on in Judge Sullivan ’ s kangaroo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the D.C. Court of Appeals , and oral arguments are set for this Friday .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

We’ve all been waiting for Judge John Gleeson’s amicus brief on the Michael Flynn case, and it finally dropped on Wednesday. Sure enough, this “friend of the court” is no friend of Flynn, or apparently of justice being served in this case.
Recall that Judge Emmet Sullivan personally asked Gleeson to write it; this was just a couple of days after the op-ed Gleeson had co-authored on the subject that happened to appear in the WASHINGTON POST. Entitled “The Flynn case is over when the judge says it’s over,” this commentary told us all we needed to know about where Gleeson was going to stand and why the judge chose him to write the brief.
“The record reeks of improper political influence,” Gleeson stated on May 11, without even bothering to make that case. In fact, as I said weeks ago after reading the piece, he might as well have just made a copy of that and filed it as his amicus brief. That’s pretty much what he did, except the brief is a LOT more of the same.
If you have the time and inclination to read this 80-page pile of nonsense, here’s a pdf of the brief filed by Judge Gleeson.
Special Treatment?
Gleeson asserts in his brief that the DOJ’s decision to drop the Flynn case is “a gross abuse of prosecutorial power’ and, unbelievably, accuses them of “attempting to provide special treatment to a favored friend and political ally of the President of the United States.” This is such a politicized and wrongheaded piece of bilge, it’s hard to even know where to start.
Byron York, speaking with Martha MacCallum Wednesday evening, pointed out that it’s the “sole responsibility” of the Department of Justice to withdraw charges if it so chooses. It is NOT within the judge’s authority to deny that.
I’ll add this: We’ve seen before that judges who don’t like the President can’t seem to help attributing the worst motives to everything he or his administration does, and this case is one more example. They just make it up and go with that. Where does Judge Gleeson get off with this “special treatment” garbage? President Trump has stood back and let the wheels of so-called justice turn ever-so-slowly while his “favored friend and political ally” was financially and professionally ruined. If that’s “special treatment,” I sure wouldn’t want it. The attorney general has solid motives for wanting to drop this case, ample reason to be troubled by what he has seen in the prosecution –- and persecution –- of General Flynn. Gleeson’s brief does not speculate about these, even though he has no trouble speculating about the President’s motives.
Three Ridiculous Arguments
Gleeson makes three arguments: 1) that Sullivan’s court has the authority to deny the AG’s motion to dismiss, 2) that it SHOULD deny the AG’s motion to dismiss, and 3) that in sentencing Flynn, the court should “consider the defendant’s perjury,” a reference to his earlier guilty plea. Unbelievable.
To make this argument, Gleeson must maintain that the predicate for investigating Flynn was sound. As explained well in a piece at TheConservativeTreehouse.com, he has to defend not only the origins of “Spygate” but also everything else that stemmed from that. How does he do that when so much that has presumably been learned about it by U.S. Attorney John Durham is still under wraps?
“When you read the brief,” this article says, “if does make you wonder if Gleeson might be attempting to frame the current Flynn argument from the perspective of justifying the total Spygate operation. This approach would be of benefit to the corrupt DOJ and FBI small group who are viewed to have purposefully weaponized their agencies for political intents.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
To counter this, the DOJ might have to open up about why the predicate for the investigation of Flynn is invalid. After all, that’s what the DOJ is claiming in its decision to drop the case. If the investigation was corrupt, then the questioning of Flynn on January 24, 2017, was “materially and fundamentally flawed.” I would add that this is especially true considering FBI investigators recommended closing the case on January 4.
In suggesting that Flynn perjured himself by reversing his guilty plea, Judge Gleeson conveniently avoids the claim that Flynn’s plea was coerced. He’s saying Flynn should be punished for lying about a crime he was coerced to plead guilty to. “Flynn has indeed committed perjury in these proceedings,” Judge Gleeson says, “for which he deserves punishment, and the Court has the authority to initiate a prosecution for that crime.”
Yet Another Chance to Damage Trump
Oh, but Judge Gleeson doesn’t say that Judge Sullivan should go THAT far, even though he could. Gleeson magnanimously recommends that Sullivan merely “take Flynn’s perjury into account in sentencing him on the offense to which he has already admitted guilt.” Perhaps the thinking is that this is a good way to justify prison for Flynn, which goads President Trump into pardoning him. Flynn, once again, is collateral damage in the effort to hurt Trump politically.
An article at RedState makes some strong additional points.
For one thing, it points out that Gleeson’s brief cites media reports — which “are sourced to anonymous government officials, which we now know were former Obama administration officials who fed the entire false fantasy “Trump-Russian” collusion argument to gullible and willing anti-Trump media for the past nearly four years.”
Also, it notes that the IG report Gleeson used in his brief was necessarily limited, as “there is NO DOUBT that DOJ has more information available to it than the information reported in the IG report that Gleeson relies on.” In other words, Barr knows a lot more about this case than Gleeson does.
Gleeson also relies on that Intelligence Community Assessment from January 2017, which, as the RedState article says, “reached certain ‘conclusions’ that have been determined to not have been factually accurate.” As an example I would add that John Brennan argued strongly in favor of including the fictitious Steele “dossier” in that report and was able to get a summary in.
Legal Precedent and What’s Next
The RedState article goes into legal precedent as well, noting language from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that Judge Gleeson conveniently left out when he cited the case the U.S. v. Hamm: “As the district judge acknowledged, the prosecutor is the first and presumptively the best judge of where the public interest lies. The trial judge cannot simply substitute his judgment for that of the prosecutor.”
And this, from the same ruling: “…[T]his is a case in which the Government…decided that it would best serve the public interest to dismiss the indictments against the appellants. Neither this court on appeal nor the trial court may properly reassess the prosecutor’s evaluation of the public interest.” In other words, it’s Barr’s call.
Perhaps Gleeson’s insane, politically-charged argument won’t matter except to show the world even more of what is going on in Judge Sullivan’s kangaroo court. The case now goes to the D.C. Court of Appeals, and oral arguments are set for this Friday.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-06-12--Military Photo of the Day: Eagles Over England

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England on June 2 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ happy weekend , everyone !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .

Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fly over Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England on June 2, 2020.
Have a safe and happy weekend, everyone!
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thestream--2020-06-11--When MS Attacks the Brain, Let God Renew the Mind

Having a neurological disease like multiple sclerosis , I ’ ve become acutely aware of the brain and its power over the body and the mind .
I have also become aware of the colossal power of the mind and its profound influence over the body .
Most of all , I have become very , very aware of God ’ s power over the human mind and body .
I had to .
Violent MS attacks took away my physical functions such as vision and speech .
It caused paralysis , spasticity , loss of balance , incontinence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for me to clearly separate functions of the mind from functions of the brain and body .
Why is This Important Why was this so important to me ?
During my darkest times of neurological terror that could not be stopped , it was very important that I valued my mind over my brain .
My mind was all I could rely upon : It could reason and discern .
The human mind is intricately connected with the heart and soul .
That ’ s distinctly different from functions of the brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body .
The mind receives messages from the heart and soul .
The brain is capable of understanding the science of art , the mind can understand the art of science .
It learns about the universe while the mind can know the Creator of the universe .
The brain calculates and understands , the mind perceives and can know .
It understands what makes a human being live , but the mind is able to understand what gives life purpose , and meaning of being .
In the midst of catastrophic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quadriplegia , A desperate and risky medical therapy was taken to prevent it .
I could not reason about what was unreasonable .
Defeat and a sense of hopelessness threatened to overtake me .
Thinking with my brain alone , I would have given up and committed suicide .
It was my mind — with its connection to my heart and soul — to which God appealed .
I spent hours , days and months on my sickbed praying , seeking , listening with my heart , not my ears , for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to look beyond my electric wheelchair , my creeping paralysis , and calm my sense of panic and terror to listen for that still small voice whispering to my soul , like a gentle breeze : “ Be not afraid , I am with you.
” Seeing With Our Hearts At such moments , we descend into the sweet spiritual abyss of the soul to see with our hearts , rather than through the blur of tear-filled eyes .
It is then that a human being can truly begin to comprehend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even for those Christians afflicted with dementia or Alzheimers , they and their loved-ones can rest assured their memories and faith are safe in Christ ’ s keeping .
Nothing is lost .
While Christians are to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God , some of us have little more to offer than a living carcass .
The body degenerates with time .
The mind continues to grow with time .
It has been my mind that renews according to God ’ s will , gradually revealing inklings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you ) .
The renewing of our minds involves prayerfully seeking God and His plan for us .
Each of us was created for a purpose .
When we discover that purpose , everything else — even multiple sclerosis — becomes a diversion and an irrelevance .
Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God and His glory .

Having a neurological disease like multiple sclerosis, I’ve become acutely aware of the brain and its power over the body and the mind. I have also become aware of the colossal power of the mind and its profound influence over the body.
Most of all, I have become very, very aware of God’s power over the human mind and body. I had to. Violent MS attacks took away my physical functions such as vision and speech. It caused paralysis, spasticity, loss of balance, incontinence, and other frightening symptoms. It was important for me to clearly separate functions of the mind from functions of the brain and body.
Why is This Important
Why was this so important to me? During my darkest times of neurological terror that could not be stopped, it was very important that I valued my mind over my brain. My mind was all I could rely upon: It could reason and discern.
The human mind is intricately connected with the heart and soul. That’s distinctly different from functions of the brain.
I came across a website that gave an excellent distinction between the brain and the mind. I don’t know where I saw it so my apologies to whoever wrote it. I can’t give proper credits. The brain sends electrical signals to the body. The mind receives messages from the heart and soul.
The brain is capable of understanding the science of art, the mind can understand the art of science. It learns about the universe while the mind can know the Creator of the universe. The brain calculates and understands, the mind perceives and can know. It understands what makes a human being live, but the mind is able to understand what gives life purpose, and meaning of being.
In the midst of catastrophic circumstances, I faced the possibility of quadriplegia, A desperate and risky medical therapy was taken to prevent it. I could not reason about what was unreasonable. Defeat and a sense of hopelessness threatened to overtake me. Thinking with my brain alone, I would have given up and committed suicide.
It was my mind — with its connection to my heart and soul — to which God appealed. I spent hours, days and months on my sickbed praying, seeking, listening with my heart, not my ears, for that still small voice of God. I had to look beyond my electric wheelchair, my creeping paralysis, and calm my sense of panic and terror to listen for that still small voice whispering to my soul, like a gentle breeze: “Be not afraid, I am with you.”
Seeing With Our Hearts
At such moments, we descend into the sweet spiritual abyss of the soul to see with our hearts, rather than through the blur of tear-filled eyes. It is then that a human being can truly begin to comprehend and understand the meaning of being human.
Even for those Christians afflicted with dementia or Alzheimers, they and their loved-ones can rest assured their memories and faith are safe in Christ’s keeping. Nothing is lost.
While Christians are to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God, some of us have little more to offer than a living carcass. The body degenerates with time. The mind continues to grow with time. It has been my mind that renews according to God’s will, gradually revealing inklings of the liberty and healing that awaits me (and you).
The renewing of our minds involves prayerfully seeking God and His plan for us. Each of us was created for a purpose. When we discover that purpose, everything else — even multiple sclerosis — becomes a diversion and an irrelevance. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God and His glory.
Mark Davis Pickup is a Canadian pro-life activist. You can read more of his thoughts and story at his blog, Human Life Matters. For more on his life, see Nancy Flory’s profile, Man With Severe MS Walks Again. See also her interview with him about his pro-life work, Fighting Euthanasia.


thestream--2020-06-12--The Road to Hell is Paved With Virtue Signaling

At least one thing is confirmed by my news feed and the events unfolding in cities around the country : Many people who claim “ justice !
” as their battle cry have no idea what it means .
Virtue signaling and vengeance are the best they can come up with .
I expect that kind of foolishness from the secular world , but it has become glaringly apparent that many modern Christians also embrace folly as long as it results in a pat on the back .
Virtually everyone , no matter where they are on the political spectrum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , and that is the correct response .
Police brutality should always be condemned and corrected .
However , because the issue has been exploited by the social justice movement , the problem has been twisted into something else entirely .
For weeks now , I ’ ve watched secular people ( and Christians ) compare looting and rioting to the American Revolution .
I ’ ve watched secular people ( and Christians ) defend the murders of black and white bystanders as “ necessary ” for change .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whine endlessly about their skin color .
I ’ ve watched secular people ( and Christians ) harass and bully anyone who dares to question overly simplistic narratives on systemic racism and victimhood .
Brave Christians who dared to interject truth were told “ now is not the time for that.
” Apparently , now is the time to “ listen ” to cultural voices that , by and large , reject the authority of God .
Apparently , those voices will finally eradicate evil and save the world .
God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of class or ethnicity , matters enough that He died to save us from our sins if we submit to Him — can wait .
I guess reading a book about “ white [ insert negative quality ] ” or posting a black square on Instagram are far more effective ways to change the human heart .
Sarcasm aside , I have a serious question for the more “ woke ” Christians among us .
Does it not trouble you that your understanding of justice is identical to those who have rejected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , most of the assertions being made about racial discrimination in policing have been empirically debunked ( by a leftist economist , no less ) .
Is that not a compelling enough reason to stop repeating trendy falsehoods ?
If not , perhaps the fruits of death , destruction , and endless demands might suggest that something within this particular “ justice ” movement is amiss .
I ’ m disappointed to see so many deceived Christians , but I ’ m not terribly surprised .
For too long , the modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripture in favor of feelings and personal experience .
Believers parroting popular talking points about poorly theorized concepts of “ fragility ” or “ privilege ” is the inevitable result .
For decades , American Christians have been told to simply be kind and win people over with vague , doughy niceness because anything more severe might offend someone .
Such poor instruction has created a weak-willed Church full of people who have no idea what it means to truly be virtuous .
Instead , they only know how to virtue signal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why this is dangerous ( for both believers and those they hope to influence ) .
I ’ ll address two of the most important ones .
Righteousness and the Cost of Real Virtue The first issue is that real virtue ( we could also call it godliness or righteousness ) is based on understanding the nature of God , since He is the ultimate moral authority .
Those who understand the gospel know that there is no way to achieve righteousness apart from Christ .
No amount of activism , systemic reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone “ good ” or worthy of God ’ s approval .
Nor will it change the world in any significant way .
Why ?
Because sin is mingled in with every human motivation unless it ’ s actively being rooted out .
And how is a particular sin ( whether it be hatred , pride or envy ) rooted out ?
Only by submitting to God and conforming your thoughts and actions to His , rather than whatever happens to feel right or be advantageous at the time .
Please Support The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The second reason virtue signaling is dangerous is because it is shallow .
Cultivating true virtue requires understanding the truth and applying it consistently .
True virtue can not be detached from deeper , God-given principles .
As disciples of Christ , we are called to cultivate His qualities .
That includes a willingness to speak against injustice even when it is costly , not just when it is mainstream or fits within a particular narrative .
We have a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular notion of oppressors versus the oppressed .
“ Do not pervert justice ; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great , but judge your neighbor fairly.
” ( Leviticus 19:15 ) I realize that for some this may be shocking to realize , but there are many other injustices plaguing our nation besides police brutality .
Those include but are not limited to the slaughter of the unborn , mass exploitation of human beings for sexual gratification , bloated bureaucracies that forcibly take people ’ s money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and increasing prejudice towards those who don ’ t affirm progressive doctrines of race or gender .
Which begs the question , Christians — are you passive about justice-related issues except when it comes to popular ones ?
Why might that be ?
Have you pondered the fact that over 1,000 people were shot and killed by police last year , but you and your friends only care about a single incident after “ the system ” instructed you to ?
Apparently “ silence is violence , ” so if you remain silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what might that say about the depth of your convictions ?
I realize many Christians do risk their reputations ( and sometimes their lives ) to fight injustice in various forms .
But many more are content to take safe , non-controversial cues from corporate media outlets and celebrities rather than apply any consistent principle for “ speaking out ” against injustice .
Jesus told his disciples , “ If the world hates you , keep in mind that it hated me first .
If you belonged to the world , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is , you do not belong to the world , but I have chosen you out of the world .
That is why the world hates you.
” Rest assured , then , that if every major institution , popular influencer , and irreligious friend nods along in agreement with your convictions , you have almost certainly exchanged conformity with God for conformity with your peers .
Reject the Lies of the World Reject these fruitless , inconsistent virtues .
They will not save anyone from suffering .
Humbly recognize that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whoever they might be , are just as damned as those you deem villains .
Only then will you be able to look upon injustice without a hypocritical or prideful spirit and take action .
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only true equalizer .
If you find yourself unwilling to make that point during conversations about justice , repent .
You and your progressive friends are not better arbiters of justice than God .
It ’ s time for Christians to reject the lie that in order to win the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jesus said the opposite .
Worldly voices clamor devotion , but they will fail you .
Instead , look to the One who is worthy .
His justice will not disappoint .
Carmen Schober is the Editor-in-Chief of Staseos .
She is a wife , mother , fiction writer , cultural commentator , and MMA fan .
She earned her Master ’ s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015 , and she enjoys writing about theology , culture , and storytelling .

At least one thing is confirmed by my news feed and the events unfolding in cities around the country: Many people who claim “justice!” as their battle cry have no idea what it means. Virtue signaling and vengeance are the best they can come up with. I expect that kind of foolishness from the secular world, but it has become glaringly apparent that many modern Christians also embrace folly as long as it results in a pat on the back.
Virtually everyone, no matter where they are on the political spectrum, has condemned the murder of George Floyd, and that is the correct response. Police brutality should always be condemned and corrected. However, because the issue has been exploited by the social justice movement, the problem has been twisted into something else entirely.
For weeks now, I’ve watched secular people (and Christians) compare looting and rioting to the American Revolution. I’ve watched secular people (and Christians) defend the murders of black and white bystanders as “necessary” for change. I’ve watched secular people (and Christians) whine endlessly about their skin color. I’ve watched secular people (and Christians) harass and bully anyone who dares to question overly simplistic narratives on systemic racism and victimhood.
Brave Christians who dared to interject truth were told “now is not the time for that.” Apparently, now is the time to “listen” to cultural voices that, by and large, reject the authority of God. Apparently, those voices will finally eradicate evil and save the world. God’s message — that every person, regardless of class or ethnicity, matters enough that He died to save us from our sins if we submit to Him — can wait. I guess reading a book about “white [insert negative quality]” or posting a black square on Instagram are far more effective ways to change the human heart.
True Christian Virtue and Justice
Sarcasm aside, I have a serious question for the more “woke” Christians among us. Does it not trouble you that your understanding of justice is identical to those who have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ? The fact is, most of the assertions being made about racial discrimination in policing have been empirically debunked (by a leftist economist, no less). Is that not a compelling enough reason to stop repeating trendy falsehoods? If not, perhaps the fruits of death, destruction, and endless demands might suggest that something within this particular “justice” movement is amiss.
I’m disappointed to see so many deceived Christians, but I’m not terribly surprised. For too long, the modern Church has rejected intellectualism and commitment to scripture in favor of feelings and personal experience. Believers parroting popular talking points about poorly theorized concepts of “fragility” or “privilege” is the inevitable result.
No amount of activism, systemic reform, or personal growth will ever make anyone “good” or worthy of God’s approval.
For decades, American Christians have been told to simply be kind and win people over with vague, doughy niceness because anything more severe might offend someone. Such poor instruction has created a weak-willed Church full of people who have no idea what it means to truly be virtuous. Instead, they only know how to virtue signal and avoid discomfort. There are many reasons why this is dangerous (for both believers and those they hope to influence). I’ll address two of the most important ones.
Righteousness and the Cost of Real Virtue
The first issue is that real virtue (we could also call it godliness or righteousness) is based on understanding the nature of God, since He is the ultimate moral authority. Those who understand the gospel know that there is no way to achieve righteousness apart from Christ. No amount of activism, systemic reform, or personal growth will ever make anyone “good” or worthy of God’s approval. Nor will it change the world in any significant way. Why? Because sin is mingled in with every human motivation unless it’s actively being rooted out. And how is a particular sin (whether it be hatred, pride or envy) rooted out? Only by submitting to God and conforming your thoughts and actions to His, rather than whatever happens to feel right or be advantageous at the time.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The second reason virtue signaling is dangerous is because it is shallow. Cultivating true virtue requires understanding the truth and applying it consistently. True virtue cannot be detached from deeper, God-given principles.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to cultivate His qualities. That includes a willingness to speak against injustice even when it is costly, not just when it is mainstream or fits within a particular narrative. We have a clear biblical mandate, and it rejects the popular notion of oppressors versus the oppressed. “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15)
Inconsistent Outrage
I realize that for some this may be shocking to realize, but there are many other injustices plaguing our nation besides police brutality. Those include but are not limited to the slaughter of the unborn, mass exploitation of human beings for sexual gratification, bloated bureaucracies that forcibly take people’s money without providing anything valuable in return, and increasing prejudice towards those who don’t affirm progressive doctrines of race or gender.
Which begs the question, Christians — are you passive about justice-related issues except when it comes to popular ones? Why might that be? Have you pondered the fact that over 1,000 people were shot and killed by police last year, but you and your friends only care about a single incident after “the system” instructed you to? Apparently “silence is violence,” so if you remain silent about other important instances of injustice, what might that say about the depth of your convictions?
I realize many Christians do risk their reputations (and sometimes their lives) to fight injustice in various forms. But many more are content to take safe, non-controversial cues from corporate media outlets and celebrities rather than apply any consistent principle for “speaking out” against injustice.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only true equalizer. If you find yourself unwilling to make that point during conversations about justice, repent.
Jesus told his disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Rest assured, then, that if every major institution, popular influencer, and irreligious friend nods along in agreement with your convictions, you have almost certainly exchanged conformity with God for conformity with your peers.
Reject the Lies of the World
Reject these fruitless, inconsistent virtues. They will not save anyone from suffering.
Humbly recognize that you and your favorite group of people, whoever they might be, are just as damned as those you deem villains. Only then will you be able to look upon injustice without a hypocritical or prideful spirit and take action.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the only true equalizer. If you find yourself unwilling to make that point during conversations about justice, repent. You and your progressive friends are not better arbiters of justice than God.
It’s time for Christians to reject the lie that in order to win the world, we must be like it. Jesus said the opposite. Worldly voices clamor for devotion, but they will fail you. Instead, look to the One who is worthy. His justice will not disappoint.
Carmen Schober is the Editor-in-Chief of Staseos. She is a wife, mother, fiction writer, cultural commentator, and MMA fan. She earned her Master’s in Creative Writing and English Literature in 2015, and she enjoys writing about theology, culture, and storytelling.


thestream--2020-06-12--The Outrage Mob: Shame, Bullying and Social Abuse in America’s Cancel Culture

The reports of cancelled , socially abused people are nearly non-stop in the news day after day .
Educators suspended , athletes humiliated , actors fired , television shows cancelled , statues toppled , history rewritten .
This is the fruit of today ’ s wicked , unrelenting cancel culture .
Shaming , bullying and abusing those who aren ’ t promoting certain promoted narratives is a primary offensive weapon of ruthless outrage mobs .
President Obama , speaking on the socially abusive cancel culture said , “ [ T ] he way of me making change is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… You see how woke I was , I called you out .
That ’ s not activism .
That ’ s not bringing about change.
” When your ideologies , questions and even your silence are threatening to those who are vigorously advancing their cause , whatever it may be , social abuse becomes an option .
The penance they demand is determined not by an absolving priest but by a self-appointed jury seeking your destruction .
The outrage mob rises up en force against the detractors and nothing short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their character will do .
In America ’ s cancel culture , blood-lust drives self-appointed moral revolutionaries to strip you of your dignity and parade you naked across social media .
A curse was the result of this shaming of Noah ( which pales in comparison to today ’ s hateful exposing ) .
We have a choice as a nation .
Cover in love and be blessed or report another ’ s nakedness to the world and be cursed .
Hateful uncovering and blacklisting is an ironic tactic people utilize against those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hateful .
It ’ s the white-collar equivalent of the outrage mobs in the streets , rioters who are destroying businesses and lives with firebombs and violence in the name of eventual peace .
They are attempting to drive out hate with hate , and not only will that never work , but it exposes their hypocrisy .
The socially abusive cancel culture has stricken another victim , future Hall of Famer , NFL quarterback Drew Brees .
Drew heroically maintained his stand ( a stand that millions of Americans applaud ) that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inappropriate .
Skip Bayless tweeted , “ Drew ’ s comments represented an elite , white insensitivity where you just live in your own world .
It goes back to the question of whether he can do enough to be accepted as reformed.
” So , one of the NFL ’ s most authentic and truly good guys now has to be reformed because of a single , non-controversial statement that the majority of Americans hold to ?
After receiving death threats and hateful retorts , his wife Brittany relented and confessed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayless also attacked actor Mark Wahlberg and said , “ These racial incidents have been hiding in plain sight on Mark Wahlberg ’ s Wikipedia page since Wikipedia was born .
Shannon ( Sharpe ) has always taught me that once you ’ re a racist , you ’ re a racist , and I ’ ll never quite trust you again.
” Skip , I implore you to examine the absolute love and forgiveness of Jesus .
A haunting past is the fuel for the social abuse movement in our nation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no hope , and Skip , you yourself are doomed .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
You have to ask ( at risk of being socially abused ) just what is the purpose of kneeling during the National Anthem ?
People defend the action by saying it has nothing to do with the flag .
That ’ s interesting , because the exact moment they chose to protest was when we are standing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not at the coin toss , not during player announcements ( of course not ) , not when the game has finished ( as praying Christian players do at the 50-yard-line ) .
The protest is during our National Anthem .
The protest is about our flag .
They say it ’ s to bring attention to racism and police brutality .
I don ’ t believe there ’ s a single solitary soul in America that isn ’ t aware of that endeavor .
It ’ s said that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d argue there are very few who would oppose the annihilation of racism and violence .
Yes , it ’ s true that change must come , and it ’ s a rare few who would not agree with that statement .
Thankfully , Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson said , “ players might not kneel if they believe they are listened to when they speak about use of force by police and a variety of other social issues .
… ” Players , we hear you .
We really do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shaming actually do great damage to the cause , and it crushes the spirit of our nation .
It should be obvious that we can highly value our black brothers and sisters and the change we are all pursuing and also highly honor our veterans and the flag of our great nation .
It ’ s not either/or , it ’ s both/and .
Social Abuse and Cancel Culture is Ramping up The cancel culture protagonists are relentlessly attacking any and all who don ’ t rally around narratives that have been determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The classic television show COPS was cancelled .
Elmer Fudd turned in his gun .
“ Gone With The Wind ” was removed by HBO Max .
Children ’ s show Paw Patrol apparently spews pro-police propaganda .
( Not propaganda , folks .
It ’ s pure , overt pro-police appreciation .
Nearly every single one of America ’ s police officers are heroes . )
Wichita State University President Jay Golden cancelled an Ivanka Trump speech after a squeaky-wheeled outrage mob of 500 demanded she not be allowed to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same discrimination at college campuses .
Gonzaga University has cancelled his appearance twice .
Grand Canyon University cancelled Ben too as have Cal State Los Angeles and Middlebury College .
Gordon Klein , a professor at UCLA was suspended from his job for a shocking violation : he required his students to take their finals .
A demand that is shockingly similar to segregation of old was forced upon him .
Due to the crisis surrounding the murder of George Floyd , an outrage mob called for black students alone to be exempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t believe I just wrote that sentence .
I can ’ t believe I ’ m going to write this next one .
UCLA suspended Gordon Klein for three weeks because of this .
The New York Post reports , “ Klein — whom students slammed as “ racist ” and “ dismissive ” — was also placed under police protection at his Malibu home after receiving threats from critics .
… ” “ The Flash ” actor Hartley Sawyer was fired after some of his old tweets were discovered .
While he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for today ’ s hyper-sensitive and hypocritical outrage mob ( who doesn ’ t have some sort of a past ? )
.
Fired .
Terminated .
Destroyed .
Success .
If Skip Bayless has his way , no racist will ever be able to repent , apologize and change .
They might as well just remain diseased by hatred for the rest of their lives .
It would seem that others are equally hopeless , never able to learn from mistakes , always paying for their deeds and tweets and philosophies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were naive children or if years of lessons leading to maturity have passed .
No forgiveness , no grace to grow .
A punitive response is the only response the outrage mob has to offer .
Hartley Sawyer offered this heartfelt apology , “ My words , irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor , were hurtful , and unacceptable .
I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time .
I regret them deeply .
I am incredibly sorry , ashamed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
I want to be very clear : this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now.
” Not enough it seems .
Let the outrage continue .
Vigilante justice reigns supreme .
FOX News political commentator Lisa Boothe tweeted , “ I feel like we are all one tweet away from getting fired these days.
” That ’ s the terror cancel culture wants us all to carry .
The cancel culture elite make the rules and we must tremble in fear at their great power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federalist publisher Ben Domenech on Wednesday addressed the issue of the so-called cancel culture hitting the media .
“ Within the industry , they ’ re able to weaponize social media to essentially create these rage mobs and drive talented people from their positions.
” Comedian Kevin Hart has had enough of the nonsense too .
“ We can ’ t be so persistent with the search to find and destroy .
Although some things are warranted and I understand , it ’ s just us as people have got to be smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whatever has happened , has happened , but people deserve a chance to move on , ” he said .
“ Life isn ’ t over because people say it is , and that ’ s what ’ s been happening as of late .
It ’ s like people determine when your end button is pushed , but that ’ s not how it works .
We need to lose that attitude and feeling and let people grow.
” In an interview with Megyn Kelly , Bill Maher said the irony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who hate bullying are always bullying.
” “ All they care about is getting a scalp on the wall , ” he continued .
“ They don ’ t care if you ’ re really a racist , which you ’ re not .
They don ’ t care about a million things .
That ’ s what they care about , and they always want to find the worst version of what any person is.
” And finally , Demi Lovato , who admits to being cancelled many times , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel culture for something called “ forgiveness culture.
” This , she said , would involve a person apologizing for what they might have done so they can be a good role model for others .
I agree .
Maybe agree to disagree culture would be healthy too .
John is a sought out teacher , prophetic messenger and revivalist .
He has authored ten books , is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine , and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP ) in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry .

Canceled. Shamed. Bullied. Rejected. Outed. Hated. Destroyed.
The reports of cancelled, socially abused people are nearly non-stop in the news day after day. Educators suspended, athletes humiliated, actors fired, television shows cancelled, statues toppled, history rewritten. This is the fruit of today’s wicked, unrelenting cancel culture.
Shaming, bullying and abusing those who aren’t promoting certain promoted narratives is a primary offensive weapon of ruthless outrage mobs.
President Obama, speaking on the socially abusive cancel culture said, “[T]he way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people. … You see how woke I was, I called you out. That’s not activism. That’s not bringing about change.”
When your ideologies, questions and even your silence are threatening to those who are vigorously advancing their cause, whatever it may be, social abuse becomes an option.
The penance they demand is determined not by an absolving priest but by a self-appointed jury seeking your destruction. The outrage mob rises up en force against the detractors and nothing short of renunciation of their values or destruction of their character will do. In America’s cancel culture, blood-lust drives self-appointed moral revolutionaries to strip you of your dignity and parade you naked across social media.
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. (Genesis 9:22, ESV)
A curse was the result of this shaming of Noah (which pales in comparison to today’s hateful exposing). We have a choice as a nation. Cover in love and be blessed or report another’s nakedness to the world and be cursed.
Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. (Genesis 9:23, ESV)
Hateful uncovering and blacklisting is an ironic tactic people utilize against those they believe to be, well, hateful. It’s the white-collar equivalent of the outrage mobs in the streets, rioters who are destroying businesses and lives with firebombs and violence in the name of eventual peace. They are attempting to drive out hate with hate, and not only will that never work, but it exposes their hypocrisy.
The Futility of Taking a Knee
The socially abusive cancel culture has stricken another victim, future Hall of Famer, NFL quarterback Drew Brees. Drew heroically maintained his stand (a stand that millions of Americans applaud) that kneeling during the National Anthem was profoundly inappropriate.
Call in the outrage mob.
Skip Bayless tweeted, “Drew’s comments represented an elite, white insensitivity where you just live in your own world. It goes back to the question of whether he can do enough to be accepted as reformed.”
So, one of the NFL’s most authentic and truly good guys now has to be reformed because of a single, non-controversial statement that the majority of Americans hold to? After receiving death threats and hateful retorts, his wife Brittany relented and confessed, “We are the problem.”
Skip Bayless also attacked actor Mark Wahlberg and said, “These racial incidents have been hiding in plain sight on Mark Wahlberg’s Wikipedia page since Wikipedia was born. Shannon (Sharpe) has always taught me that once you’re a racist, you’re a racist, and I’ll never quite trust you again.”
Skip, I implore you to examine the absolute love and forgiveness of Jesus. A haunting past is the fuel for the social abuse movement in our nation. If our past seals our future, there is no hope, and Skip, you yourself are doomed.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
You have to ask (at risk of being socially abused) just what is the purpose of kneeling during the National Anthem? People defend the action by saying it has nothing to do with the flag. That’s interesting, because the exact moment they chose to protest was when we are standing up for the flag. Not at halftime, not at the coin toss, not during player announcements (of course not), not when the game has finished (as praying Christian players do at the 50-yard-line). The protest is during our National Anthem. The protest is about our flag.
They say it’s to bring attention to racism and police brutality. I don’t believe there’s a single solitary soul in America that isn’t aware of that endeavor.
It’s said that it’s to promote change. I’d argue there are very few who would oppose the annihilation of racism and violence. Yes, it’s true that change must come, and it’s a rare few who would not agree with that statement.
Thankfully, Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson said, “players might not kneel if they believe they are listened to when they speak about use of force by police and a variety of other social issues. …” Players, we hear you. We really do.
Divisive actions such as kneeling and shaming actually do great damage to the cause, and it crushes the spirit of our nation. It should be obvious that we can highly value our black brothers and sisters and the change we are all pursuing and also highly honor our veterans and the flag of our great nation. It’s not either/or, it’s both/and.
Social Abuse and Cancel Culture is Ramping up
The cancel culture protagonists are relentlessly attacking any and all who don’t rally around narratives that have been determined by a few to be absolute truth. The classic television show COPS was cancelled. Elmer Fudd turned in his gun. “Gone With The Wind” was removed by HBO Max. Children’s show Paw Patrol apparently spews pro-police propaganda. (Not propaganda, folks. It’s pure, overt pro-police appreciation. Nearly every single one of America’s police officers are heroes.)
Wichita State University President Jay Golden cancelled an Ivanka Trump speech after a squeaky-wheeled outrage mob of 500 demanded she not be allowed to speak.
Ben Shapiro has regularly experienced the same discrimination at college campuses. Gonzaga University has cancelled his appearance twice. Grand Canyon University cancelled Ben too as have Cal State Los Angeles and Middlebury College.
Gordon Klein, a professor at UCLA was suspended from his job for a shocking violation: he required his students to take their finals. A demand that is shockingly similar to segregation of old was forced upon him. Due to the crisis surrounding the murder of George Floyd, an outrage mob called for black students alone to be exempt from the test. I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence. I can’t believe I’m going to write this next one. UCLA suspended Gordon Klein for three weeks because of this.
The New York Post reports, “Klein — whom students slammed as “racist” and “dismissive” — was also placed under police protection at his Malibu home after receiving threats from critics. …”
“The Flash” actor Hartley Sawyer was fired after some of his old tweets were discovered. While he apologized, that wasn’t enough for today’s hyper-sensitive and hypocritical outrage mob (who doesn’t have some sort of a past?). Fired. Terminated. Destroyed. Success.
Grace to Grow
If Skip Bayless has his way, no racist will ever be able to repent, apologize and change. They might as well just remain diseased by hatred for the rest of their lives. It would seem that others are equally hopeless, never able to learn from mistakes, always paying for their deeds and tweets and philosophies. It doesn’t matter if they were naive children or if years of lessons leading to maturity have passed. No forgiveness, no grace to grow. A punitive response is the only response the outrage mob has to offer.
Hartley Sawyer offered this heartfelt apology, “My words, irrelevant of being meant with an intent of humor, were hurtful, and unacceptable. I am ashamed I was capable of these really horrible attempts to get attention at that time. I regret them deeply. I am incredibly sorry, ashamed and disappointed in myself for my ignorance back then. I want to be very clear: this is not reflective of what I think or who I am now.”
Not enough it seems. Let the outrage continue. Vigilante justice reigns supreme.
FOX News political commentator Lisa Boothe tweeted, “I feel like we are all one tweet away from getting fired these days.” That’s the terror cancel culture wants us all to carry. The cancel culture elite make the rules and we must tremble in fear at their great power.
Thankfully We Have Some Competing Voices
The Federalist publisher Ben Domenech on Wednesday addressed the issue of the so-called cancel culture hitting the media.
“Within the industry, they’re able to weaponize social media to essentially create these rage mobs and drive talented people from their positions.”
Comedian Kevin Hart has had enough of the nonsense too.
“We can’t be so persistent with the search to find and destroy. Although some things are warranted and I understand, it’s just us as people have got to be smart enough to go … you know what, whatever has happened, has happened, but people deserve a chance to move on,” he said.
“Life isn’t over because people say it is, and that’s what’s been happening as of late. It’s like people determine when your end button is pushed, but that’s not how it works. We need to lose that attitude and feeling and let people grow.”
In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Bill Maher said the irony of cancel culture is “that the people who hate bullying are always bullying.”
“All they care about is getting a scalp on the wall,” he continued. “They don’t care if you’re really a racist, which you’re not. They don’t care about a million things. That’s what they care about, and they always want to find the worst version of what any person is.”
And finally, Demi Lovato, who admits to being cancelled many times, said that she would like to switch out cancel culture for something called “forgiveness culture.” This, she said, would involve a person apologizing for what they might have done so they can be a good role model for others.
I agree. Maybe agree to disagree culture would be healthy too.
John is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.


thestream--2020-06-12--Insights From Some Black Christian Friends on Social Media

One of the great benefits of hosting a daily talk radio show for the last 12 years is that you learn a lot from your callers , gaining new and different perspectives .
That ’ s why I regularly solicit input from my social media audiences as well .
This way , we can learn from each other instead of passing each other likes ships in the night .
In that spirit , on June 10 , I posted this on the AskDrBrown Facebook page : To my black brothers and sisters in Jesus , please share your thoughts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of the same family and one together in Jesus .
If you ’ ve been following my articles and broadcasts , you know I take strong exception to the BLM movement because of its radical social agenda , and I refuse to bow my knee to mobocracy .
At the same time , I absolutely want to show my solidarity to my black friends in times of pain and frustration , and I want to be an ally to combat racism wherever we find it .
But I have friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this a very difficult line to walk , since their rejection of the BLM movement and the mob mentality is being perceived as lack of solidarity in standing against injustice .
So , what would you say to your white friends who stand with you against racism and injustice but will not bow down to the BLM movement ?
Thanks for your input and your solidarity as we stand united in Jesus .
As of this writing , we received almost 800 comments , so I could barely begin to share some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this one ( which merited deletion ) were extremely rare : “ I would say you are a racist and good riddance .
You are no longer a valid participant in my life .
It ’ s quite apparent you are ignorant beyond belief and it is not my job to educate you .
FYI you saying you stand with me and not back BLM says you don ’ t really stand for me at all .
# canceled ” So much for reaching out !
But overwhelmingly , the comments were very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many expressed appreciation that I took the time to hear the hearts of those who are hurting .
When white Christians deny the ongoing issues of racism in America , that only adds to the pain .
Others were glad that my colleagues and I had not bowed down to radical political ideologies .
At the same time , they urged , “ Let your statement that black lives matter be louder than your opposition to the BLM movement.
” Still others pointed to our unity in Jesus and our need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , urging us to Christian deeds of compassion .
Samuel said , “ Simply speak out against injustice .
Preachers who preach the bible properly and understand social issues should already be doing this.
” Shaniqua noted that , “ We should always handle sin issues with Jesus as the cure , because he is the only cure.
” And Derrick offered this plea : “ Stop worrying about BLM group .
Most of us don ’ t support the liberal component….but right now…right now….the MAJOR issue is racial injustice & police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main issue please .
Black folk are TIRED… of trying to explain the frustration of seeing OVER 400 years of abuse….please brothers & sisters in Christ… .
listen and don ’ t be easily offended as scripture says….and help people that are around you .
Speak up when off color remarks are made .
We will get through this with Jesus help…the time now…calls for listening , mourning & understanding of the black experience in America…..not focusing on groups who don ’ t hold biblical views anyway.
” This just give us a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which , I encourage you to read for yourself .
But I ’ ll end with a lengthy comment from Terrence , who captured a lot of the key ideas .
He wrote : # 1 .
When 99 % of the black people I know say BLM we ’ re NOT talking about some organization formed a few years ago in response to one killing ; which seems to be the consensus thought of many white people.
” Talk to 100 black people and realize that BLM is the IDEA that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black person and get away with it .
It ’ s the STATEMENT that we feel needs to be told to every law enforcement officer that applies the law and their authority unfairly to black people .
THEY need to hear it even if you don ’ t .
So , when some of us hear the words “ black lives matter ” we immediately think of the radical leftist organization .
According to Terrence , that is not the case with the vast majority of American blacks .
We Must All Shout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter ” # 2 .
We ’ ve heard the analogies .
Cancer awareness supporters don ’ t need to hear ‘ all diseases matter ’ and save the whales groups don ’ t need to hear ‘ all sea life matters.
’ ” We know it was 100 % legal from 1619-1964 to legal discriminate against people of color in every way possible .
That was accepted in society .
Though some laws have changed NOT ALL HEARTS HAVE .
The spirit of racism is still in every industry in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove it .
So don ’ t rebut with ‘ all lives matter ’ when we ’ re focusing on the lives effected by the residuals of 350 yrs of legalized systemic racism .
Again , when some of us hear the words “ black lives matter , ” we say , “ But don ’ t all lives matter ?
And what about blacks killing blacks ?
Or what about black babies being aborted ?
What about those lives ?
The analogies Terrence offers are useful , with the bottom line being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt that their lives did not matter to white Americans .
We must shout out , “ Yes , your lives do matter to us !
Black lives do matter.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
And rather than dispute some of the specifics of this comment , take in the overall point that is being made .
Recognize That There ’ s Sill Work to Do “ # 3 .
If you eat bad & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yrs then decide to get in shape it won ’ t happen overnight .
It ’ ll take time .
America has eaten bad for 350 yrs then decided to get some areas healthy .
Race is one area .
We see signs of things getting better but there ’ s still work to do .
STOP acting like racism magically went away with the civil rights movement .
Doesn ’ t help.
” So , even if many laws have changed and steps have been taken to bring about positive change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even over the course of decades .
Changing hearts is what matters the most .
Pour Yourself Out For Those Who Are Suffering Finally , Terrence wrote , “ As Christians , start programs for these kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods many of whom have parents who have been generationally victims of the biased systems in this country .
BE CHRISTIANS .
See the need , meet the need in minority areas .
REMEMBER white men who weren ’ t racist STILL got economic advantages for generations when black men couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generationally benefited even if they weren ’ t racist themselves .
Now use your heart , time , funds to help those who were victims ( instead of beneficiaries ) … .
” Terrence ’ s point is not to lay a guilt trip on someone who has not been guilty of sin .
Instead , he is saying , “ Hey , if your life has been blessed and prosperous , and if you have good Christian foundations , reach out to others in need and be a blessing to them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

One of the great benefits of hosting a daily talk radio show for the last 12 years is that you learn a lot from your callers, gaining new and different perspectives. That’s why I regularly solicit input from my social media audiences as well. This way, we can learn from each other instead of passing each other likes ships in the night.
In that spirit, on June 10, I posted this on the AskDrBrown Facebook page:
To my black brothers and sisters in Jesus, please share your thoughts with your white brothers and sisters here, as part of the same family and one together in Jesus. If you’ve been following my articles and broadcasts, you know I take strong exception to the BLM movement because of its radical social agenda, and I refuse to bow my knee to mobocracy. At the same time, I absolutely want to show my solidarity to my black friends in times of pain and frustration, and I want to be an ally to combat racism wherever we find it. But I have friends of mine who are pastors and are finding this a very difficult line to walk, since their rejection of the BLM movement and the mob mentality is being perceived as lack of solidarity in standing against injustice. So, what would you say to your white friends who stand with you against racism and injustice but will not bow down to the BLM movement? Thanks for your input and your solidarity as we stand united in Jesus.
As of this writing, we received almost 800 comments, so I could barely begin to share some of the excellent feedback. And comments like this one (which merited deletion) were extremely rare: “I would say you are a racist and good riddance. You are no longer a valid participant in my life. It’s quite apparent you are ignorant beyond belief and it is not my job to educate you. FYI you saying you stand with me and not back BLM says you don’t really stand for me at all. #canceled”
So much for reaching out!
Helpful Interracial Discussion
But overwhelmingly, the comments were very useful, leading to helpful interracial discussion. Many expressed appreciation that I took the time to hear the hearts of those who are hurting. When white Christians deny the ongoing issues of racism in America, that only adds to the pain.
Others were glad that my colleagues and I had not bowed down to radical political ideologies. At the same time, they urged, “Let your statement that black lives matter be louder than your opposition to the BLM movement.”
Still others pointed to our unity in Jesus and our need to work together for the betterment of our country, urging us to Christian deeds of compassion.
“Simply speak out against injustice.”
Samuel said, “Simply speak out against injustice. Preachers who preach the bible properly and understand social issues should already be doing this.”
Shaniqua noted that, “We should always handle sin issues with Jesus as the cure, because he is the only cure.”
And Derrick offered this plea: “Stop worrying about BLM group. Most of us don’t support the liberal component….but right now…right now….the MAJOR issue is racial injustice & police brutality…stop looking around and focus on the main issue please. Black folk are TIRED… of trying to explain the frustration of seeing OVER 400 years of abuse….please brothers & sisters in Christ…. listen and don’t be easily offended as scripture says….and help people that are around you. Speak up when off color remarks are made. We will get through this with Jesus help…the time now…calls for listening, mourning & understanding of the black experience in America…..not focusing on groups who don’t hold biblical views anyway.”
A Comment From Terrance: Understanding What “Black Lives Matter” Means
This just give us a glimpse of the some of the feedback, which, I encourage you to read for yourself. But I’ll end with a lengthy comment from Terrence, who captured a lot of the key ideas. He wrote:
#1. When 99% of the black people I know say BLM we’re NOT talking about some organization formed a few years ago in response to one killing; which seems to be the consensus thought of many white people.” Talk to 100 black people and realize that BLM is the IDEA that law enforcement cannot unjustly murder a black person and get away with it. It’s the STATEMENT that we feel needs to be told to every law enforcement officer that applies the law and their authority unfairly to black people. THEY need to hear it even if you don’t.
So, when some of us hear the words “black lives matter” we immediately think of the radical leftist organization. According to Terrence, that is not the case with the vast majority of American blacks.
We Must All Shout, “Yes, Black Lives Do Matter”
#2. We’ve heard the analogies. Cancer awareness supporters don’t need to hear ‘all diseases matter’ and save the whales groups don’t need to hear ‘all sea life matters.’” We know it was 100% legal from 1619-1964 to legal discriminate against people of color in every way possible. That was accepted in society. Though some laws have changed NOT ALL HEARTS HAVE. The spirit of racism is still in every industry in this country and lawsuits and statistics and social media prove it. So don’t rebut with ‘all lives matter’ when we’re focusing on the lives effected by the residuals of 350 yrs of legalized systemic racism.
Again, when some of us hear the words “black lives matter,” we say, “But don’t all lives matter? And what about blacks killing blacks? Or what about black babies being aborted? What about those lives? The analogies Terrence offers are useful, with the bottom line being this: for centuries, black Americans felt that their lives did not matter to white Americans. We must shout out, “Yes, your lives do matter to us! Black lives do matter.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And rather than dispute some of the specifics of this comment, take in the overall point that is being made.
Recognize That There’s Sill Work to Do
“#3. If you eat bad & don’t work out for 20 yrs then decide to get in shape it won’t happen overnight. It’ll take time. America has eaten bad for 350 yrs then decided to get some areas healthy. Race is one area. We see signs of things getting better but there’s still work to do. STOP acting like racism magically went away with the civil rights movement. Doesn’t help.”
So, even if many laws have changed and steps have been taken to bring about positive change, hearts do not change overnight — or, even over the course of decades. Changing hearts is what matters the most.
Pour Yourself Out For Those Who Are Suffering
Finally, Terrence wrote, “As Christians, start programs for these kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods many of whom have parents who have been generationally victims of the biased systems in this country. BE CHRISTIANS. See the need, meet the need in minority areas. REMEMBER white men who weren’t racist STILL got economic advantages for generations when black men couldn’t so that privilege existed and their families generationally benefited even if they weren’t racist themselves. Now use your heart, time, funds to help those who were victims (instead of beneficiaries) … .”
Terrence’s point is not to lay a guilt trip on someone who has not been guilty of sin. Instead, he is saying, “Hey, if your life has been blessed and prosperous, and if you have good Christian foundations, reach out to others in need and be a blessing to them.”
That sounds like the gospel to me.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.