thestream--2020-04-25--5 Reasons to Read Ecclesiastes During the Quarantine

When the quarantine first began , I sent out a tweet that said , “ I ’ ve been studying the book of Ecclesiastes this month .
Given our current predicament , and the nature of Ecclesiastes , starting to think I might want to study a different book.
” After a month of the quarantine , and considerable time spent studying Ecclesiastes nonetheless , I see things very differently .
In fact , I think it is a great book to read during the quarantine ( and I ’ m not the only one ) .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ever since the pandemic hit , people have been discussing and thinking about why God allows evil .
My initial blog on why God might allow the coronavirus went viral .
And quite a few people watched my dialogue with Clay Jones on suffering and evil .
Clearly , COVID-19 has brought the problem of pain to the forefront of reflection and conversation .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
While Ecclesiastes does not attempt a theodicy , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering .
8:14 says , “ There is a futility that is done on the earth : there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve , and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve ” ( CSB ) .
The writer of Ecclesiastes recognizes the limits of our abilities to explain unjust suffering , yet encourages trust in the sovereign God , nonetheless ( 9:1 ) .
Given the current pandemic , we have all been forced to look closely at how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who has not asked , “ Do I really need this ?
” or “ Why am I doing that ?
” Ecclesiastes brings perspective on what really matters in life .
We tend to fill our lives with busy projects , yet the author of Ecclesiastes wants us to ask if many of them are as valuable as we think , or merely a matter of “ vanity.
” 3 .
Ecclesiastes encourages us to live in light of the reality of death .
Daily we are barraged with numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t it be easier to go back to our “ safe ” lives and not have to ponder death so frequently ?
The writer of Ecclesiastes encourages us to recognize the reality of death , and then to live our lives in light of it .
3:19-20 says , “ For the fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same .
As one dies , so dies the other ; they all have the same breath .
People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place ; all come from dust , and all return to dust.
” We all know that death is coming , but as my friend Clay Jones notes in his recent book Immortal , we try to distract ourselves from this reality .
Ecclesiastes can help remind us of the reality of death and point us towards a hopeful way of living because of the resurrection of Jesus .
4 .
Ecclesiastes reminds us that God will judge our lives .
After twelve chapters of wise reflection , the writer of Ecclesiastes closes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all has been heard , the conclusion of the matter is this : fear God and keep his commands , because this is for all humanity .
For God will bring every act to judgment , including every hidden thing , whether good or evil ” ( 12:13-14 ) .
Even though times are dark and difficult , Ecclesiastes reminds us that our choices matter .
It matters how we treat people .
It matters what words we use .
It matters how we use our time and money .
We may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we can control our response .
Even amidst the craziness , Ecclesiastes reminds us that we will all stand before God someday in judgment .
5 .
Ecclesiastes spurs us to seek contentment in the seasons of life .
In perhaps the most famous part of Ecclesiastes , the writer tells us that “ there is a season , and a time for every matter under heaven ” ( 3:1 ) .
There is a time for birth , and a time for death , a time to weep , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ecclesiastes is a realistic book that recognizes the ups and downs of life .
And yet amidst the uncertainty , it encourages readers to find contentment in the Lord .
If Paul can find contentment in jail , we can all find contentment during the quarantine .
Ecclesiastes reminds us that difficulties are part of life , but that contentment can be found in the Lord .
Sean McDowell , Ph.D. , is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University , the National Spokesman for Summit Ministries , a best-selling author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school teacher .
Follow him on Twitter : @ sean_mcdowell and his blog : seanmcdowell.org .

When the quarantine first began, I sent out a tweet that said, “I’ve been studying the book of Ecclesiastes this month. Given our current predicament, and the nature of Ecclesiastes, starting to think I might want to study a different book.”
After a month of the quarantine, and considerable time spent studying Ecclesiastes nonetheless, I see things very differently. In fact, I think it is a great book to read during the quarantine (and I’m not the only one). Here’s five reasons to consider reading it today.
1. Ecclesiastes addresses the problem of evil.
Ever since the pandemic hit, people have been discussing and thinking about why God allows evil. My initial blog on why God might allow the coronavirus went viral. And quite a few people watched my dialogue with Clay Jones on suffering and evil. Clearly, COVID-19 has brought the problem of pain to the forefront of reflection and conversation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
While Ecclesiastes does not attempt a theodicy, it does not shy from addressing evil and suffering. 8:14 says, “There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve” (CSB). The writer of Ecclesiastes recognizes the limits of our abilities to explain unjust suffering, yet encourages trust in the sovereign God, nonetheless (9:1).
2. Ecclesiastes brings life perspective.
Given the current pandemic, we have all been forced to look closely at how we spend our time and our money. Who has not asked, “Do I really need this?” or “Why am I doing that?” Ecclesiastes brings perspective on what really matters in life. We tend to fill our lives with busy projects, yet the author of Ecclesiastes wants us to ask if many of them are as valuable as we think, or merely a matter of “vanity.”
3. Ecclesiastes encourages us to live in light of the reality of death.
Daily we are barraged with numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Wouldn’t it be easier to go back to our “safe” lives and not have to ponder death so frequently? The writer of Ecclesiastes encourages us to recognize the reality of death, and then to live our lives in light of it.
3:19-20 says, “For the fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile. All are going to the same place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.” We all know that death is coming, but as my friend Clay Jones notes in his recent book Immortal, we try to distract ourselves from this reality. Ecclesiastes can help remind us of the reality of death and point us towards a hopeful way of living because of the resurrection of Jesus.
4. Ecclesiastes reminds us that God will judge our lives.
After twelve chapters of wise reflection, the writer of Ecclesiastes closes with these piercing words: “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).
Ecclesiastes is a realistic book that recognizes the ups and downs of life. And yet amidst the uncertainty, it encourages readers to find contentment in the Lord.
Even though times are dark and difficult, Ecclesiastes reminds us that our choices matter. It matters how we treat people. It matters what words we use. It matters how we use our time and money. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our response. Even amidst the craziness, Ecclesiastes reminds us that we will all stand before God someday in judgment.
5. Ecclesiastes spurs us to seek contentment in the seasons of life.
In perhaps the most famous part of Ecclesiastes, the writer tells us that “there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (3:1). There is a time for birth, and a time for death, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, and so on.
Ecclesiastes is a realistic book that recognizes the ups and downs of life. And yet amidst the uncertainty, it encourages readers to find contentment in the Lord. If Paul can find contentment in jail, we can all find contentment during the quarantine. Ecclesiastes reminds us that difficulties are part of life, but that contentment can be found in the Lord.
Sean McDowell, Ph.D., is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, the National Spokesman for Summit Ministries, a best-selling author, popular speaker, and part-time high school teacher. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell and his blog: seanmcdowell.org.
Originally published at SeanMcDowell.org. Reprinted with permission.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-04-27--World Health Organization’s History of Promoting Radical Sex Ed

When President Donald Trump pushed the pause button on funding the World Health Organization this past week , most people ’ s only experience with the group was as a harmless arm of the United Nations .
But the “ watchdog ” of the global health is a lot more than the world ’ s disease and infection police .
It ’ s also , as more Americans are starting to learn , one of the biggest promoters of abortion and peddlers of radical sex ed .
At this point , it ’ s undeniable .
And it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Americans are upset about anything , it shouldn ’ t be that the president temporarily cut the WHO ’ s funding .
It should be the incredible injustice that ’ s been done to taxpayers by sending billions of dollars to a group that doesn ’ t share most people ’ s values .
Sharon Slater of Family Watch International exposes this shameful history in a recent publication on the WHO .
If you ’ re still not convinced , Slater offers additional damning evidence from the WHO-supported learning objectives for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education that encourage everything from gender and sexual experimentation to abortion , shocking acts of sexual pleasure , and departures from their parents ’ more traditional views .
Slater also explains that “ the WHO ’ s CSE standards for European children , which are even worse , start by teaching toddlers about masturbation .
They also refer 9-year-olds to [ the International Planned Parenthood Federation ] to learn about their ‘ sexual rights , ’ which is further evidence of WHO ’ s deep partnership with IPPF.
” Support The Stream : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
The World Health Organization has been promoting dangerous and irresponsible ideologies in the name of sexual health for many years .
The WHO does this in concert with many other international organizations who are shameless promoters of abortion on demand .
More recently , these same international organizations have begun to push for the legalization of prostitution as part of HIV policy and have promoted transgender ideology and protections in international law .
Slater continues : For example , [ WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a mental health condition .
He renamed the condition ‘ gender incongruence ’ while making sure that it still remained in the 11th edition of the International Statistical Classification of Disease so that transgender persons could still demand insurance coverage for ‘ gender affirming ’ health care , a euphemism for expensive cross-sex hormones and genital mutilating surgeries .
Tedros also approved WHO ’ s entry into the legal debate asserting also that ‘ legal gender recognition , represented through documents reflecting a person ’ s gender identity , is important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Further , WHO continues ‘ to work towards a more enabling environment , including the adoption of protective laws and policies , the decriminalization of consensual same-sex behavior and legal recognition of transgender identities.
’ ” Slater adds : “ Tedros also has worked ‘ toward the decriminalization of cross-dressing , same-sex behaviour , sex work and drug use.
’ ” She points to the WHO ’ s “ Values and Preferences of Transgender People ” study as further evidence , and a “ WHO fact sheet reveals that the organization has bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ‘ important to recognize identities that do not fit into the binary male or female sex categories.
’ ” Clearly , the American taxpayer should not foot the bill for these kinds of policies .
They are a danger to public health , promulgated by an international organization designed to protect health .
The Family Research Council is grateful that Trump has stopped funding for the WHO .
Its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic is just the latest egregious example of the problem with the WHO .
As Family Watch International exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit support for this organization , even before this latest crisis .
True to form , Trump has protected American interests and also issued an alert to other countries to reconsider their relationships and oversight of the WHO .
Originally published in Tony Perkins ’ Washington Update , which is written with the aid of Family Research Council senior writers .

When President Donald Trump pushed the pause button on funding the World Health Organization this past week, most people’s only experience with the group was as a harmless arm of the United Nations.
But the “watchdog” of the global health is a lot more than the world’s disease and infection police. It’s also, as more Americans are starting to learn, one of the biggest promoters of abortion and peddlers of radical sex ed.
At this point, it’s undeniable. And it’s been its agenda for many years. If Americans are upset about anything, it shouldn’t be that the president temporarily cut the WHO’s funding. It should be the incredible injustice that’s been done to taxpayers by sending billions of dollars to a group that doesn’t share most people’s values.
Sharon Slater of Family Watch International exposes this shameful history in a recent publication on the WHO.
According to Family Watch:
In 2018, WHO co-published with other UN agencies and the help of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) the radical ‘International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education.’ This guide purports to set the sexual health education standards for all of the world’s children. Please note that WHO defines ‘sexuality’ to encompass ‘sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction,’ and thus, WHO supports such controversial topics being taught to children.
If you’re still not convinced, Slater offers additional damning evidence from the WHO-supported learning objectives for children from the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education that encourage everything from gender and sexual experimentation to abortion, shocking acts of sexual pleasure, and departures from their parents’ more traditional views.
Slater also explains that “the WHO’s CSE standards for European children, which are even worse, start by teaching toddlers about masturbation. They also refer 9-year-olds to [the International Planned Parenthood Federation] to learn about their ‘sexual rights,’ which is further evidence of WHO’s deep partnership with IPPF.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The World Health Organization has been promoting dangerous and irresponsible ideologies in the name of sexual health for many years.
The WHO does this in concert with many other international organizations who are shameless promoters of abortion on demand.
More recently, these same international organizations have begun to push for the legalization of prostitution as part of HIV policy and have promoted transgender ideology and protections in international law.
Slater continues:
For example, [WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus] oversaw the declassification of gender dysphoria as a mental health condition. He renamed the condition ‘gender incongruence’ while making sure that it still remained in the 11th edition of the International Statistical Classification of Disease so that transgender persons could still demand insurance coverage for ‘gender affirming’ health care, a euphemism for expensive cross-sex hormones and genital mutilating surgeries. Tedros also approved WHO’s entry into the legal debate asserting also that ‘legal gender recognition, represented through documents reflecting a person’s gender identity, is important for protection, dignity and health.’
“Further, WHO continues ‘to work towards a more enabling environment, including the adoption of protective laws and policies, the decriminalization of consensual same-sex behavior and legal recognition of transgender identities.’”
Slater adds: “Tedros also has worked ‘toward the decriminalization of cross-dressing, same-sex behaviour, sex work and drug use.’”
She points to the WHO’s “Values and Preferences of Transgender People” study as further evidence, and a “WHO fact sheet reveals that the organization has bought into unscientific transgender ideology, stating it is ‘important to recognize identities that do not fit into the binary male or female sex categories.’”
Clearly, the American taxpayer should not foot the bill for these kinds of policies. They are a danger to public health, promulgated by an international organization designed to protect health.
The Family Research Council is grateful that Trump has stopped funding for the WHO. Its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic is just the latest egregious example of the problem with the WHO.
As Family Watch International exposed, there has been plenty of reason to limit support for this organization, even before this latest crisis. True to form, Trump has protected American interests and also issued an alert to other countries to reconsider their relationships and oversight of the WHO.
Originally published in Tony Perkins’ Washington Update, which is written with the aid of Family Research Council senior writers.


thestream--2020-04-27--Military Photo of the Day: Home at the End of the Rainbow

Firefighters ( and a rainbow ) welcome home a jet carrying Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers with a water salute @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan on April 15 , 2020 , at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in @ @ @ @ @ at The Stream thank these American heroes for the sacrifices they ’ ve made for @ @ @ @ @ !
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith @ @ @ @ @

Firefighters (and a rainbow) welcome home a jet carrying Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers with a water salute after a year-long deployment in Afghanistan on April 15, 2020, at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
All of us at The Stream thank these American heroes for the sacrifices they’ve made for our freedom. Welcome home!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-04-27--Gen Z is Finding the World Isn’t Safe. What Do They Need to Hear From Christians?

People graduating college this spring might not get jobs .
Young adults who ’ ve just started their careers may lose their jobs .
Many already have .
High school students are left in the lurch , not sure when they ’ ll go back to school , or whether any of their dreams will pan out the way they planned .
The world ’ s been turned upside down , for none more so than members of Generation Z , those born after 1996 .
“ I think for Gen Z this pandemic is leading many to believe at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time that the world isn ’ t safe , ” author Ben Bennett told The Stream .
Bennett is the Director of Resolution at Josh McDowell Ministry , a new initiative “ to help hurting youth find hope , healing , and freedom.
” Working frequently with members of Gen Z , he ’ s well acquainted with the issues they face , and how they ’ re handling the current crisis .
Members of Gen Z ( sometimes called “ iGen ” ) already battle alarming rates of mental illness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ depression “ major problems ” among their peers .
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10-24 .
“ Words like ‘ anxious ’ come up all the time in conversation , ” Bennett said .
He noted mental illness wasn ’ t something much talked about in the past .
Psychologist Jean Twenge called the pandemic Gen Z ’ s 9/11 .
She worries it “ will cement an attitude I ’ ve found was already prevalent among iGen : The world is not a kind or fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Bennett agrees the pandemic could negatively affect Gen Z ’ s view of the world .
But he thinks it ’ s a “ completely different experience ” than 9/11 was for Millennials .
One big difference is its comprehensive nature .
“ Every single person is experiencing some kind of individualistic loss or suffering , ” he said .
“ It ’ s as if , to some extent , their worldview … is being rocked , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking to for identity are being stripped out of their hands.
” Bennett expects an “ increase in trauma , mental health issues , suicide , [ and ] porn addiction ” for Gen Z as a result .
The Problem of Evil is a Problem for Gen Z Another hallmark of Gen Z is their lack of religious faith .
A 2018 Barna report found that today ’ s youth identify as atheist at double the rate of U.S. adults .
For Gen Z , “ the problem of evil and suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t bad news for Christians evangelizing the next generation , Bennett said .
“ I think the evil we are seeing now presents an opportunity for compassionate response.
” The problem of evil is something “ that both the Christian and non-Christian need to wrestle with.
” “ In my exploration I ’ m convinced that the Christian worldview offers the most hope , answers , and relief to the problem of evil , ” he added .
He also pointed out the different way Gen Z approaches questions about faith .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get to Heaven , or even whether Christianity is true .
“ They ’ re asking , ‘ Is Christianity good ?
’ And ‘ How does Christianity change life here and now ? '
” “ I see this pandemic as an opportunity for us to compassionately engage and answer those questions and have spiritual conversations while also taking action and helping alleviate suffering , ” he said .
Bennett predicted that the pandemic and resulting crises will push some members of Gen Z into deeper cynicism .
But it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those philosophical and spiritual questions.
” Despite a lack of religious faith , Gen Z is “ connecting around social issues and collectively crying out for justice.
” The pandemic will only increase those tendencies .
That , in turn , could lead them on a quest for real answers .
He explained : “ Purpose will be born from crisis , ” he said .
That could also be true for the rest of us .
The COVID-19 pandemic created a wrestling ring for a generation already fighting mental illness and spiritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it created a mission field .
Liberty McArtor , former staff writer for The Stream , is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas , where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son .
Follow Liberty on Twitter @ LibertyMcArtor , or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com .

People graduating college this spring might not get jobs. Young adults who’ve just started their careers may lose their jobs. Many already have. High school students are left in the lurch, not sure when they’ll go back to school, or whether any of their dreams will pan out the way they planned. The world’s been turned upside down, for none more so than members of Generation Z, those born after 1996.
“I think for Gen Z this pandemic is leading many to believe at a deep, deep level for the first time that the world isn’t safe,” author Ben Bennett told The Stream.
Burdened With More Depression, Anxiety
Bennett is the Director of Resolution at Josh McDowell Ministry, a new initiative “to help hurting youth find hope, healing, and freedom.” Working frequently with members of Gen Z, he’s well acquainted with the issues they face, and how they’re handling the current crisis.
Members of Gen Z (sometimes called “iGen”) already battle alarming rates of mental illness. Seven in 10 teens consider anxiety and depression “major problems” among their peers. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10-24.
“Words like ‘anxious’ come up all the time in conversation,” Bennett said. He noted mental illness wasn’t something much talked about in the past.
Psychologist Jean Twenge called the pandemic Gen Z’s 9/11. She worries it “will cement an attitude I’ve found was already prevalent among iGen: The world is not a kind or fair place.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Bennett agrees the pandemic could negatively affect Gen Z’s view of the world. But he thinks it’s a “completely different experience” than 9/11 was for Millennials. One big difference is its comprehensive nature.
“Every single person is experiencing some kind of individualistic loss or suffering,” he said. “It’s as if, to some extent, their worldview … is being rocked, and the things that they might have been looking to for identity are being stripped out of their hands.”
Bennett expects an “increase in trauma, mental health issues, suicide, [and] porn addiction” for Gen Z as a result.
The Problem of Evil is a Problem for Gen Z
Parents, youth, and youth leaders interested in effectively sharing Jesus with Gen Z can follow the new Resolution Movement, headed by Ben Bennett and Josh McDowell. Resources will include digital content, videos, small group curriculum, a podcast, and future live events. Resources are “informed by biblical truth, brain science, psychology, and research,” Bennett said.
Another hallmark of Gen Z is their lack of religious faith. A 2018 Barna report found that today’s youth identify as atheist at double the rate of U.S. adults. For Gen Z, “the problem of evil and suffering is a deal breaker.”
This isn’t bad news for Christians evangelizing the next generation, Bennett said. “I think the evil we are seeing now presents an opportunity for compassionate response.” The problem of evil is something “that both the Christian and non-Christian need to wrestle with.”
“In my exploration I’m convinced that the Christian worldview offers the most hope, answers, and relief to the problem of evil,” he added.
He also pointed out the different way Gen Z approaches questions about faith. Their primary question isn’t how to get to Heaven, or even whether Christianity is true. “They’re asking, ‘Is Christianity good?’ And ‘How does Christianity change life here and now?'”
“I see this pandemic as an opportunity for us to compassionately engage and answer those questions and have spiritual conversations while also taking action and helping alleviate suffering,” he said.
Purpose From Crisis
Bennett predicted that the pandemic and resulting crises will push some members of Gen Z into deeper cynicism. But it could also “drive some to exploration of those philosophical and spiritual questions.”
Despite a lack of religious faith, Gen Z is “connecting around social issues and collectively crying out for justice.” The pandemic will only increase those tendencies. That, in turn, could lead them on a quest for real answers. He explained:
For some I think this will drive them to a trajectory of wanting to find solutions and meaning and purpose in life. [They will ask] questions like, “If life is random and there is no purpose, then why do we care so much about pain and alleviating suffering and helping others?” “Why does my blood boil when I see injustice?” “Why do we want to help our fellow man who is suffering?”
“Purpose will be born from crisis,” he said. That could also be true for the rest of us. The COVID-19 pandemic created a wrestling ring for a generation already fighting mental illness and spiritual uncertainty. For Christians of every generation, it created a mission field.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


Avoid the Drains

Some years ago I went to a seminar about relationships .
The speaker ’ s catchphrase was , “ Avoid the drains.
” By “ drains ” he meant a certain type of negative person in your life .
A “ drain ” is a person who , like a drain , sucks you into a downward spiral .
A drain sucks you dry .
A drain leaves you empty .
A drain drains you .
They drain your emotions , drain your peace , drain your spiritual life , drain your mental life , drain your time , drain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first category is the whiner drain .
This person is not just a “ half empty instead of half full ” personality type .
It ’ s worse than that .
For whatever reason they do nothing but complain .
They complain about their health , about the weather .
They complain about their boss , their spouse , the government and the church .
They blame others all the time , and their blaming and complaining drains you dry because you feel you must listen to their whining .
The whiners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give them sympathy .
The drains are good at that .
They know how to latch on to the sympathetic people and suck them in .
The whiner drain makes you realize they have serious problems .
If you ’ re not careful they will drain you with their complaining so that eventually you become worried about them all the time .
But the whiner drain will never do anything about their problems and furthermore–the really strange thing is— they don ’ t really want you to do anything about the problem either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complain .
They actually like being miserable .
The sooner you realize this about the whiner drain and avoid the drain the better off you will be .
The second type is the arguer drain .
The arguer is always looking for a fight .
He ’ s wants someone to disagree with because he gets a buzz from being right .
Stop and think .
The arguer drain doesn ’ t actually want to win the fight .
You ’ ll discover this when you agree with him .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure what to do about you agreeing with him .
There will be a pause then he ’ ll start another argument .
He ’ s the arguer drain .
He argues because that ’ s how he gets attention .
If you allow yourself to get sucked in , you will find yourself obsessed with thinking up how to answer him and how to get the better of him .
Don ’ t go there .
Avoid the arguer drain .
The third type of drain is the self-pitying drain .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re fare more manipulative .
They wallow in their self pity and put on a mournful and sad expression .
If you ask how they are they will pretend they are okay , but their self pitying look says it all .
They are sucking you in .
They want your sympathy .
They want you to do something for them .
They want you to cheer them up .
But they ’ re the self pitying drain .
They don ’ t really want to be cheered up .
They don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solved .
They get attention with their self pity .
They wouldn ’ t know how to live without their self pity .
They want to suck you in with you sympathy and good will .
Don ’ t go there .
Avoid the drains .
A fourth type of drain is the angry drain .
The angry drain is usually also the self righteous drain .
They are angry with the rest of the world for being so sinful , so depraved , so selfish and proud .
They are the angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and invite you to share their anger and their accusation of others .
They want you to participate in their anger and share their self righteousness .
If you listen to them you will be drawn in and soon you will share their anger , their fear and their suspicion of others .
My advice to avoid the drains may sound harsh .
Aren ’ t we supposed to help people in need ?
Should we really avoid those we find unpleasant ?
Isn ’ t that a cop out ?
If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yes , you should avoid the drains , and here ’ s why : the drains don ’ t want to be helped .
They are happy being miserable .
They self dramatize .
Their complaining , self pity , arguing and anger makes them feel good .
It makes them feel important and most of all it makes them shift the responsibility for their problems to someone else .
So how should you avoid the drains ?
I ’ m not suggesting that you would be unkind .
Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclude them or make the feel guilty .
Don ’ t reject them .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
There is a simple trick to avoid the drains : When they complain argue or indulge in self pity , when they are angry and blaming others , when they are demanding… Listen politely and kindly to their problem , then ask , “ Well , what are you going to do about that ?
” That ’ s right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are you going to do about that ?
” This simple question forces them to stop shifting the blame and take responsibility for the problem .
If they come up with a plan of action , they are not a drain .
If they are prepared to do something about the problem , then roll up your sleeves and volunteer to help in any way you can .
If you ask that question and they do not come up with a plan of action you will not have to do anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Go here to check out Dwight Longenecker ’ s new book Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness .

Some years ago I went to a seminar about relationships. The speaker’s catchphrase was, “Avoid the drains.”
By “drains” he meant a certain type of negative person in your life. A “drain” is a person who, like a drain, sucks you into a downward spiral. A drain sucks you dry. A drain leaves you empty. A drain drains you. They drain your emotions, drain your peace, drain your spiritual life, drain your mental life, drain your time, drain your money. They are drains.
Four Kinds of Drains
The Whiner Drain
The first category is the whiner drain. This person is not just a “half empty instead of half full” personality type. It’s worse than that. For whatever reason they do nothing but complain. They complain about their health, about the weather. They complain about their boss, their spouse, the government and the church. They blame others all the time, and their blaming and complaining drains you dry because you feel you must listen to their whining.
The whiners have spotted you as someone who will give them sympathy. The drains are good at that. They know how to latch on to the sympathetic people and suck them in. The whiner drain makes you realize they have serious problems. If you’re not careful they will drain you with their complaining so that eventually you become worried about them all the time.
But the whiner drain will never do anything about their problems and furthermore–the really strange thing is— they don’t really want you to do anything about the problem either. That’s because they like to complain. They actually like being miserable. The sooner you realize this about the whiner drain and avoid the drain the better off you will be.
The Arguer Drain
The second type is the arguer drain. The arguer is always looking for a fight. He’s wants someone to disagree with because he gets a buzz from being right. Stop and think. The arguer drain doesn’t actually want to win the fight. You’ll discover this when you agree with him. He’ll stop for a moment, not sure what to do about you agreeing with him. There will be a pause then he’ll start another argument. He’s the arguer drain. He argues because that’s how he gets attention. If you allow yourself to get sucked in, you will find yourself obsessed with thinking up how to answer him and how to get the better of him. Don’t go there. Avoid the arguer drain.
The Self-Pitying Drain
The third type of drain is the self-pitying drain. They are like the complainer, but they’re fare more manipulative. They wallow in their self pity and put on a mournful and sad expression. If you ask how they are they will pretend they are okay, but their self pitying look says it all. They are sucking you in. They want your sympathy. They want you to do something for them. They want you to cheer them up. But they’re the self pitying drain. They don’t really want to be cheered up. They don’t want their problem to be solved. They get attention with their self pity. They wouldn’t know how to live without their self pity. They want to suck you in with you sympathy and good will. Don’t go there. Avoid the drains.
The Angry Drain
A fourth type of drain is the angry drain. The angry drain is usually also the self righteous drain. They are angry with the rest of the world for being so sinful, so depraved, so selfish and proud. They are the angry drain. They will draw you in and invite you to share their anger and their accusation of others. They want you to participate in their anger and share their self righteousness. If you listen to them you will be drawn in and soon you will share their anger, their fear and their suspicion of others.
Cleaning Out the Drains
My advice to avoid the drains may sound harsh. Aren’t we supposed to help people in need? Should we really avoid those we find unpleasant? Isn’t that a cop out? If we don’t help them who will?
Yes, you should avoid the drains, and here’s why: the drains don’t want to be helped. They are happy being miserable. They self dramatize. Their complaining, self pity, arguing and anger makes them feel good. It makes them feel important and most of all it makes them shift the responsibility for their problems to someone else.
So how should you avoid the drains? I’m not suggesting that you would be unkind. Don’t cut them off. Don’t exclude them or make the feel guilty. Don’t reject them.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
There is a simple trick to avoid the drains:
When they complain argue or indulge in self pity, when they are angry and blaming others, when they are demanding…
…Do one thing.
Listen politely and kindly to their problem, then ask, “Well, what are you going to do about that?”
That’s right. Listen carefully then inquire, “What are you going to do about that?”
This simple question forces them to stop shifting the blame and take responsibility for the problem. If they come up with a plan of action, they are not a drain. If they are prepared to do something about the problem, then roll up your sleeves and volunteer to help in any way you can.
If you ask that question and they do not come up with a plan of action you will not have to do anything to avoid them…
..Because they will avoid you.
Go here to check out Dwight Longenecker’s new book Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness.


thestream--2020-04-26--Am I Overwhelmed by the Right Thing?

Am I Overwhelmed by the Right Thing?

Do you remember the last time you felt overwhelmed ?
I do — last week .
Twice in one day .
And it ’ s embarrassing what led to those overwhelmed feelings .
One was a run-in with my nemesis ( aka computer ) , and the other was simply an uncomfortable , unfamiliar situation .
Nothing life-threatening in the least .
Nothing even remotely bad .
I just let them get the best of me .
Until I sensed God saying to me , “ Pam , you ’ re overwhelmed by these things , because you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get back to that place of being overwhelmed by who I am — for you , in you , and through you.
” As I type this , I ’ m reminded of when Jesus said , “ ‘ Martha , Martha , you are worried and bothered about so many things ; but only one thing is necessary , for Mary has chosen the good part , which shall not be taken away from her ’ ” ( Luke 10:41-42 ) .
( And we all know what Mary chose . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ breath and refocus on Him who should overwhelm me completely .
Every pore of our being needs to be overwhelmed by our God and the truth of all that He is .
Otherwise when those stressful times blind-side us , all of the dry , cracked , weary , God-thirsty space inside us will quickly become overwhelmed by all the wrong things instead .
The truth is — the center of our focus will always get the best of us .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If I ’ m diligent to make sure that my focus stays on God , then He will constantly give me way more of His overwhelmingly indescribable self and His promises to dwarf any situation in comparison .
It puts everything in perspective according to who He is .
And I know my God well enough to know that even in those times of my life when I ’ ve been overwhelmed by much greater life-altering situations , He has always provided the hope , peace , wisdom , and victory that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is always faithful .
Always loving .
Always forgiving .
Always here .
“ Why are you in despair , O my soul ?
And why have you become disturbed within me ?
Hope in God , for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence ” ( Psalm 42:5 ) .
Being overwhelmed by God needs to be my priority so that I will live a life that never fails to worship Him – both on my knees and in how I live my life .
It will propel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not there yet ?
That ’ s OK .
Ask God to reveal more of Himself to you and to help you wait , see , and respond with all you are .
He loves answering our seeking prayers .
The song “ Overwhelmed ” by Big Daddy Weave has become one of my favorites .
Take a few minutes to listen to it so you can be overwhelmed with me by the truth of who our God is !
When was the last time you felt overwhelmed , and how did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a musician who ’ s been both a worship leader and a missionary with music , and she ’ s the author of Worship and the Word : a Bible Study .
She and her husband , John , live near Grand Rapids , Michigan .

Do you remember the last time you felt overwhelmed?
I do — last week. Twice in one day.
And it’s embarrassing what led to those overwhelmed feelings. One was a run-in with my nemesis (aka computer), and the other was simply an uncomfortable, unfamiliar situation. Nothing life-threatening in the least. Nothing even remotely bad. I just let them get the best of me.
Until I sensed God saying to me, “Pam, you’re overwhelmed by these things, because you’re not overwhelmed by Me right now. Get back to that place of being overwhelmed by who I am — for you, in you, and through you.”
As I type this, I’m reminded of when Jesus said, “‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42). (And we all know what Mary chose.)
It was time to take a deep breath and refocus on Him who should overwhelm me completely.
Overwhelmed by God
Every pore of our being needs to be overwhelmed by our God and the truth of all that He is. Otherwise when those stressful times blind-side us, all of the dry, cracked, weary, God-thirsty space inside us will quickly become overwhelmed by all the wrong things instead.
The truth is — the center of our focus will always get the best of us.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
If I’m diligent to make sure that my focus stays on God, then He will constantly give me way more of His overwhelmingly indescribable self and His promises to dwarf any situation in comparison. It puts everything in perspective according to who He is.
And I know my God well enough to know that even in those times of my life when I’ve been overwhelmed by much greater life-altering situations, He has always provided the hope, peace, wisdom, and victory that I so needed in the moment. He is always faithful. Always loving. Always forgiving. Always here.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).
A Life of Worship
And worship?
Being overwhelmed by God needs to be my priority so that I will live a life that never fails to worship Him – both on my knees and in how I live my life. It will propel me into a life of worship!
Not there yet? That’s OK. Ask God to reveal more of Himself to you and to help you wait, see, and respond with all you are. He loves answering our seeking prayers.
The song “Overwhelmed” by Big Daddy Weave has become one of my favorites. Take a few minutes to listen to it so you can be overwhelmed with me by the truth of who our God is!
When was the last time you felt overwhelmed, and how did you deal with it?
Originally published at pamelahaddix.com. Reprinted with permission.
Pamela Haddix is a musician who’s been both a worship leader and a missionary with music, and she’s the author of Worship and the Word: a Bible Study. She and her husband, John, live near Grand Rapids, Michigan.


thestream--2020-04-26--The Media Outdid Themselves This Week

The Media Outdid Themselves This Week

Friday , much of the media outdid themselves in their hair-on-fire anti-Trump hysterics , giving us a double dose of Trump Derangement Syndrome idiocy .
First , by claiming that President Trump told people to inject Lysol to kill the virus .
No , he did not .
They went so bat-poop crazy over that one that some of them were even calling it “ Lysolgate.
” Here ’ s a great primer in how not to write a headline .
But wait : what about “ Labradoodle-gate ?
” I assume that ’ s the name they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another false claim that Brian Harrison , whom Trump appointed as chief of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services , is heading up HHS ’ s coronavirus response and he ’ s just a “ labradoodle breeder ” from Dallas .
No , he ’ s not handling HHS ’ virus response .
Dog breeding is his family business , but as the Dallas Morning News , hardly a Trump-supporting paper , reports , he ’ s a serious public servant who ’ s “ served three Administrations in high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House and the Pentagon.
” The media ’ s idiotic overreactions to everything Trump says and does , and their apparent inability to do even the most basic research before reporting a story , have become so wearying that they ’ re no longer even worth correcting , scolding or even talking about .
Adults are dealing with real problems now .
Were it in my power , I would send the entire lot of these hyperactive brats to their rooms without supper until they learned how to behave themselves .
How Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidents FDR : “ We have nothing to fear but fear itself !
” MSNBC : “ FDR now claims that we should actually fear ‘ fear ’ itself !
Is he attempting to gin up fear purely for political advantage ?
Or has he become so disconnected from reality , he believes that an abstract concept is personally threatening him ?
We ’ ll have a panel of psychiatrists who ’ ve never met him but hate him nonetheless explain why we might have to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” CNN : “ Roosevelt has just openly endorsed clubbing other world leaders with a big stick !
We ’ ll have a panel of experts explain why this demonstrates that he is a childish , unhinged , crazy , war-like authoritarian who needs to be removed from office immediately.
” Harrisburg Patriot & Union newspaper : “ We pass over the silly remarks of the President .
For the credit of the nation , we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Actually , that last quote was what a reporter actually wrote about Lincoln ’ s Gettysburg Address , now considered one of the greatest speeches in US history .
In his time , Lincoln was also called dishonest , an “ unshapely man , ” a yahoo , a barbarian , a gorilla and an idiot .
At least the Harrisburg newspaper finally retracted its pan of the Gettysburg Address on its 150th anniversary .
Wonder how long it will take the media to admit that , in fact , Trump was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people covering him were .
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 .

Friday, much of the media outdid themselves in their hair-on-fire anti-Trump hysterics, giving us a double dose of Trump Derangement Syndrome idiocy. First, by claiming that President Trump told people to inject Lysol to kill the virus. No, he did not.
They went so bat-poop crazy over that one that some of them were even calling it “Lysolgate.” Here’s a great primer in how not to write a headline.
But wait: what about “Labradoodle-gate?” I assume that’s the name they’ll give to the non-scandal arising from Thursday another false claim that Brian Harrison, whom Trump appointed as chief of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services, is heading up HHS’s coronavirus response and he’s just a “labradoodle breeder” from Dallas. No, he’s not handling HHS’ virus response. Dog breeding is his family business, but as the Dallas Morning News, hardly a Trump-supporting paper, reports, he’s a serious public servant who’s “served three Administrations in high level posts at HHS, the White House and the Pentagon.”
[donations_prompt]
The media’s idiotic overreactions to everything Trump says and does, and their apparent inability to do even the most basic research before reporting a story, have become so wearying that they’re no longer even worth correcting, scolding or even talking about. Adults are dealing with real problems now. Were it in my power, I would send the entire lot of these hyperactive brats to their rooms without supper until they learned how to behave themselves.
How Today’s Media Would Have Handled Past Presidents
FDR: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself!”
MSNBC: “FDR now claims that we should actually fear ‘fear’ itself! Is he attempting to gin up fear purely for political advantage? Or has he become so disconnected from reality, he believes that an abstract concept is personally threatening him? We’ll have a panel of psychiatrists who’ve never met him but hate him nonetheless explain why we might have to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office over his latest insane comment.”
Teddy Roosevelt: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
CNN: “Roosevelt has just openly endorsed clubbing other world leaders with a big stick! We’ll have a panel of experts explain why this demonstrates that he is a childish, unhinged, crazy, war-like authoritarian who needs to be removed from office immediately.”
Abraham Lincoln: “Four-score and seven years ago…”
Harrisburg Patriot & Union newspaper: “We pass over the silly remarks of the President. For the credit of the nation, we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall be no more repeated or thought of.”
Actually, that last quote was what a reporter actually wrote about Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, now considered one of the greatest speeches in US history. In his time, Lincoln was also called dishonest, an “unshapely man,” a yahoo, a barbarian, a gorilla and an idiot.
At least the Harrisburg newspaper finally retracted its pan of the Gettysburg Address on its 150th anniversary. Wonder how long it will take the media to admit that, in fact, Trump was not an idiot, but quite a few of the people covering him were.
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--2020-04-26--What First Century Christians Could Teach Us Today

Growing up in a country like America where we get to vote and influence the government , it ’ s difficult to imagine what it would feel like to live under an absolute monarchy .
Or a tyrannical dictatorship .
Or an oppressive , all-controlling regime .
Yet the early followers of Jesus not only lived in such environments , but they flourished and grew .
What can we learn from these early believers ?
What would they each us today ?
First , they would teach us that no matter who leads the nation , no one can stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of government we have , the church can grow and thrive .
I do imagine these Christians would be amazed at the liberties we enjoy .
( Obviously , they would be amazed by a lot of other things too . )
They would like tell us to do our best to guard these liberties .
But they would remind us to put our trust in God not in government and not to confuse patriotism with the kingdom of God .
Second , they would encourage us not to get caught up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been largely unknown to them .
You see , in the Roman Empire , there were not rival political parties , with your vote making a difference between which candidate would come into power .
You did not have Democrat vs. Republican ( or the equivalent ) .
And while there were different social and philosophical factions , there was not a political divide .
For the most part , the emperor was supreme .
For the early Christian , then , the divisions were more basic .
There was light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world .
There was the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan .
There was heaven and hell .
And there was saved people and lost people .
That is how they saw their world , and that is how they saw their mission .
Put another way , although they brought about powerful cultural change through the gospel , their focus was not on reforming the Roman Empire .
Their focus was the Great Commission .
They still had to deal with the distractions of the flesh and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But partisan politics did not vie for their attention .
Or consume their emotions .
Or divide them as believers .
That ’ s why I say that they would encourage us not to get caught up in partisan politics .
Again , they might well encourage us to exploit our democratic liberties to the full and even to run for office , if some of us were called to do so .
But I believe they would help us to step above the political frenzy that so dominates and divides our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that the church is not a building , especially at a time like this when our church buildings are shut during the COVID-19 crisis .
In my just-released book When the World Stops , I have an entire chapter devoted to this subject , titled , “ What Is Church and How Do We Do It ?
” And I am convinced this is one of the major lessons we must learn during this forced lockdown : the church is not a building and Christianity is not a spectator sport .
Support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
I would think that these first believers would be stunned to see our large church buildings and cathedrals .
But it would not be because they had never seen magnificent buildings .
To the contrary , those who were alive to see the Second Temple ( which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD ) would have seen something far more spectacular than our largest megachurch facility .
And the Romans themselves knew had to build .
It ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
There was no such thing as a church building .
Consequently , a greater emphasis was put on being the church more than on going to church ( although they certainly emphasized the importance of meeting together ) .
In this context , they would remind us that the preacher is not a performer .
And the Body is not an audience .
And , to say it again , Christianity is not a spectator sport .
This doesn ’ t mean that they wouldn ’ t welcome church meetings of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s just that their emphasis would be put on every member of the Body being connected and activated .
It would be on the priesthood of every believer .
The Power of the Spirit Can Rock the World Fourth , these early Christians would remind us of the need to rely on the power of the Spirit .
While they would rejoice in the many ways the gospel can spread today , ways that would have been unimaginable to them , they would encourage us not to lean on technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques .
Instead they would urge us to remember the words of Jesus , who said , “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you ; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the ends of the earth.
” ( Acts 1:8 ) It is by the power of the Spirit that they rocked their world .
It is by the power of the Spirit that we can rock ours .
What other lessons do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
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 .

Growing up in a country like America where we get to vote and influence the government, it’s difficult to imagine what it would feel like to live under an absolute monarchy. Or a tyrannical dictatorship. Or an oppressive, all-controlling regime. Yet the early followers of Jesus not only lived in such environments, but they flourished and grew.
What can we learn from these early believers? What would they each us today?
Focus on the Great Commission
First, they would teach us that no matter who leads the nation, no one can stop the gospel. And no matter what form of government we have, the church can grow and thrive.
I do imagine these Christians would be amazed at the liberties we enjoy. (Obviously, they would be amazed by a lot of other things too.) They would like tell us to do our best to guard these liberties.
But they would remind us to put our trust in God not in government and not to confuse patriotism with the kingdom of God.
Second, they would encourage us not to get caught up in partisan politics, a concept that would have been largely unknown to them.
You see, in the Roman Empire, there were not rival political parties, with your vote making a difference between which candidate would come into power. You did not have Democrat vs. Republican (or the equivalent). And while there were different social and philosophical factions, there was not a political divide. For the most part, the emperor was supreme.
For the early Christian, then, the divisions were more basic. There was light and darkness. There was the church and the world. There was the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. There was heaven and hell. And there was saved people and lost people.
That is how they saw their world, and that is how they saw their mission. Put another way, although they brought about powerful cultural change through the gospel, their focus was not on reforming the Roman Empire. Their focus was the Great Commission.
They still had to deal with the distractions of the flesh and the world, just as we do today. But partisan politics did not vie for their attention. Or consume their emotions. Or divide them as believers.
That’s why I say that they would encourage us not to get caught up in partisan politics.
Again, they might well encourage us to exploit our democratic liberties to the full and even to run for office, if some of us were called to do so. But I believe they would help us to step above the political frenzy that so dominates and divides our nation.
Christianity is Not a Spectator Sport
Third, they would remind us that the church is not a building, especially at a time like this when our church buildings are shut during the COVID-19 crisis.
In my just-released book When the World Stops, I have an entire chapter devoted to this subject, titled, “What Is Church and How Do We Do It?” And I am convinced this is one of the major lessons we must learn during this forced lockdown: the church is not a building and Christianity is not a spectator sport.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I would think that these first believers would be stunned to see our large church buildings and cathedrals. But it would not be because they had never seen magnificent buildings. To the contrary, those who were alive to see the Second Temple (which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD) would have seen something far more spectacular than our largest megachurch facility. And the Romans themselves knew had to build.
It’s just that the believers met in homes back then. There was no such thing as a church building. Consequently, a greater emphasis was put on being the church more than on going to church (although they certainly emphasized the importance of meeting together).
In this context, they would remind us that the preacher is not a performer. And the Body is not an audience. And, to say it again, Christianity is not a spectator sport.
This doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t welcome church meetings of all sizes and buildings of all sizes. It’s just that their emphasis would be put on every member of the Body being connected and activated. It would be on the priesthood of every believer.
The Power of the Spirit Can Rock the World
Fourth, these early Christians would remind us of the need to rely on the power of the Spirit. While they would rejoice in the many ways the gospel can spread today, ways that would have been unimaginable to them, they would encourage us not to lean on technology. Or human personality. Or worldly techniques.
Instead they would urge us to remember the words of Jesus, who said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
It is by the power of the Spirit that they rocked their world. It is by the power of the Spirit that we can rock ours.
What other lessons do you think these first believers could teach us today?
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.
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.


thestream--2020-04-26--‘I Want the Same Equal Treatment’: Biden Accuser Tears Into Media, Women’s Groups and Democratic Par

‘I Want the Same Equal Treatment’: Biden Accuser Tears Into Media, Women’s Groups and Democratic Party

• Media , women ’ s groups , and Democratic politicians that defended Christine Blasey Ford have kept silent regarding Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault accusation against former Vice President Joe Biden .
• Reade worked as a senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
Biden ’ s campaign has denied the accusations .
• “ I ’ m sorry that I ’ m politically inconvenient but my perpetrator was Joe Biden , ” Reade told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” Tara Reade condemned the media ’ s silence regarding her sexual assault allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden in an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation and demanded equal treatment as “ other survivors ” like Christine Blasey Ford .
56-year-old Reade lamented that her sexual assault accusation has become a “ partisan tool , ” saying that Republicans have weaponized her and Democrats have both ignored and discredited her .
“ It ’ s inexcusable , ” she told the DCNF .
“ I ’ m sorry that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrator was Joe Biden .
And people need to deal with it.
” Reade worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her , touching her , and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
Biden ’ s 2020 presidential campaign , which did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF , has denied the assault and said it “ absolutely did not happen.
” Silence And A “ Shroud Of Non-Commitment ” From The Media Between March 24 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , and April 15 , Biden faced over 81 questions and over 20 hours of interviews with media without being asked to comment on the sexual assault accusation , a recent analysis by the Washington Free Beacon found .
Though Biden ’ s former rival Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked about the allegations last week , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has yet to address the accusations .
Read told the DCNF that major media outlets treat her with a “ shroud of non-commitment ” and silence .
She compared her treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were written about Blasey Ford , who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her .
“ My question is : why ?
Are they being told not to by the campaign ?
” she said .
Media outlets probe into every aspect of her life when she interviews with them , Reade told the DCNF .
By contrast , she pointed out , stories only publish denials from Biden ’ s campaign without getting details from the former vice president himself .
“ Their campaign didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade told the DCNF .
“ Their campaign didn ’ t have their hands underneath my clothes and then arrange for me to be fired.
” Biden ’ s accuser criticized CNN anchor Anderson Cooper , who has hosted Biden multiple times since her story broke , but has not asked him about her allegations .
She described how CNN , which did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF , will call her and ask to interview her , saying they will “ consider doing a story ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to me when you know you ’ re doing a story , ” Reade said she tells CNN , “ and then I ’ ll complete the interview.
” According to Reade , ABC News reporter Sasha Pezenik interviewed her immediately after Reade went public with her accusation .
But she said Pezenik sat on the story .
“ She has never done a story , ” Reade said .
“ When I ’ ve asked her , she basically just says her producer ’ s not interested right now.
” Reade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their Silence Women ’ s groups that backed Blasey Ford ’ s sexual assault accusations against Kavanaugh , including pro-abortion women ’ s groups like Planned Parenthood , Emily ’ s List , the National Abortion Right ’ s Action League , have been silent regarding Reade ’ s accusations Reade said it would have meant “ so much ” to her to have a women ’ s movement or platform that supported her during this time .
“ I say back to these women ’ s organizations , I want the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no matter who the perpetrator is , ” Reade told the DCNF .
She singled out Emily ’ s List and activist Gloria Steinem , both of which whom she says she interacted as an “ active Democrat.
” “ Emily ’ s List , where are you ?
” she asked .
“ Gloria Steinem ?
Where are you ?
Where are these people ?
” Neither Emily ’ s List nor Steinem responded to requests for comment from the DCNF .
Multiple organizations said that , as nonprofits , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics , including sexual assault accusations against a presidential candidate .
The Time ’ s Up Legal Defense Fund , a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit administered by the National Women ’ s Law Center ( NWLC ) and established in the wake of the # MeToo movement , reportedly told Reade in February that it would not support her .
NWLC spokeswoman Maria Patrick said in a statement to the Intercept that the group ’ s nonprofit status restricts “ how it can spend its funds , including restrictions that pertain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman for the Center for Reproductive Rights also told the DCNF in April that CRR does “ not comment on elections or candidates as we are a non-partisan 501©3.
” Pressed as to why CRR actively commented on Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation , the spokeswoman said “ judicial appointees are not candidates and are not elected , ” and added , “ [ w ] e do not and have never commented on candidates for public elections.
” Reade told the DCNF that women ’ s groups that blame their silence on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She speculated that many of these women ’ s groups rely on funding that comes from the Violence Against Women Act , which Biden introduced in 1990 , and believes that these organizations worry they will lose this funding if Biden becomes president and they have spoken ill of him .
“ I think there ’ s all kinds of reasons , ” she adds .
” There ’ s economic , there ’ s just fear of who he is and how powerful he is .
I ’ m 56 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pushed beyond fear , I ’ m getting attacked I am getting harassed .
But I think it ’ s important I stay strong and stay firm.
” “ I ’ m Not Voting In A National Election ” : Reade Disowns Her Life-Long Party Reade recognizes that Biden is a pro-abortion candidate facing President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2020 election — and that many of the women ’ s groups are anxious to preserve abortion access in the United States .
But Biden has “ a pretty sketchy history on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing to the former vice president ’ s flip-flops on abortion stances throughout his political career .
If the Democratic Party marginalizes her or discredits her , she warns , this “ lessens the credibility for women to come forward.
” “ I ’ m strongly pro-choice , ” she said .
“ I have no problem saying that .
But what I would say is that sexual assault and sexual harassment are equally as important.
” “ Joe Biden is like a wolf in sheep ’ s clothing , ” she adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s rights but in his personal life that is not the way he ’ s conducted himself.
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Faith .
And No Fear .
She named several Democratic figures who have touched on her allegations against Biden , including Sanders , Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , and former 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar .
None of these politicians responded to requests for comment from the DCNF .
“ Bernie Sanders would have no concept of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of who I was in 1993 , ” she told the DCNF , referring to Sanders discussing her accusations against Biden on CBS This Morning .
“ He had nothing to do with it .
How could he have an opinion when he doesn ’ t know ?
” The Vermont senator has not reached out to her on the matter , she added .
She pointed out that Klobuchar , a Minnesota Democrat , said recently on MSNBC that Reade ’ s alleged sexual assault had been investigated .
Reade said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” noting that her assault has “ never been investigated.
” “ My case is open and active with the metro D.C. police , ” she said .
She added that she found it “ very upsetting ” to hear Klobuchar go on to discuss Biden ’ s record on domestic violence prevention during that MSNBC hit .
As for Ocasio-Cortez , Reade noted that the the Democratic congresswoman said April 14 that Reade ’ s allegations against Biden are “ legitimate to talk about.
” “ What you ’ re voicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ That ’ s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.
” “ I think it ’ s legitimate to talk about these things , ” the congresswoman added .
“ And if we want , if we again want to have integrity , you can ’ t say , you know — both believe women , support all of this , until it inconveniences you , until it inconveniences us.
” Though Reade originally thanked Ocasio-Cortez for her initial support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that the New York representative proceeded to endorse Biden on April 23 .
“ She still had to toe the line , ” Reade said .
Reade said she is a third generation Democrat with a suffragette grandmother and a Democratic activist mother committed to fighting racism , but she no longer wishes to be associated with the Democratic party .
She won ’ t be voting Republican , either .
“ I will never be part of the Democratic Party again , ” she told the DCNF .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Reade added .
“ There is no democracy for me .
I think , in my case , that democracy died in that corridor in 1993 .
”

Media, women’s groups, and Democratic politicians that defended Christine Blasey Ford have kept silent regarding Tara Reade’s sexual assault accusation against former Vice President Joe Biden.
Reade worked as a senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. Biden’s campaign has denied the accusations.
“I’m sorry that I’m politically inconvenient but my perpetrator was Joe Biden,” Reade told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “And people need to deal with it.”
Tara Reade condemned the media’s silence regarding her sexual assault allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden in an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation and demanded equal treatment as “other survivors” like Christine Blasey Ford.
56-year-old Reade lamented that her sexual assault accusation has become a “partisan tool,” saying that Republicans have weaponized her and Democrats have both ignored and discredited her.
“It’s inexcusable,” she told the DCNF. “I’m sorry that I’m politically inconvenient but my perpetrator was Joe Biden. And people need to deal with it.”
Reade worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her, touching her, and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, which did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF, has denied the assault and said it “absolutely did not happen.”
Silence And A “Shroud Of Non-Commitment” From The Media
Between March 24, the day when Reade made her allegations public, and April 15, Biden faced over 81 questions and over 20 hours of interviews with media without being asked to comment on the sexual assault accusation, a recent analysis by the Washington Free Beacon found. Though Biden’s former rival Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked about the allegations last week, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has yet to address the accusations.
Read told the DCNF that major media outlets treat her with a “shroud of non-commitment” and silence. She compared her treatment to the “hundreds of stories” that were written about Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her.
“My question is: why? Are they being told not to by the campaign?” she said.
Media outlets probe into every aspect of her life when she interviews with them, Reade told the DCNF. By contrast, she pointed out, stories only publish denials from Biden’s campaign without getting details from the former vice president himself.
“Their campaign didn’t have their hands up my skirt,” Reade told the DCNF. “Their campaign didn’t have their hands underneath my clothes and then arrange for me to be fired.”
Biden’s accuser criticized CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, who has hosted Biden multiple times since her story broke, but has not asked him about her allegations. She described how CNN, which did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF, will call her and ask to interview her, saying they will “consider doing a story” on her allegations.
“Well, get back to me when you know you’re doing a story,” Reade said she tells CNN, “and then I’ll complete the interview.”
According to Reade, ABC News reporter Sasha Pezenik interviewed her immediately after Reade went public with her accusation. But she said Pezenik sat on the story.
“She has never done a story,” Reade said. “When I’ve asked her, she basically just says her producer’s not interested right now.”
Reade Calls Out Women’s Groups For Their Silence
Women’s groups that backed Blasey Ford’s sexual assault accusations against Kavanaugh, including pro-abortion women’s groups like Planned Parenthood, Emily’s List, the National Abortion Right’s Action League, have been silent regarding Reade’s accusations
Reade said it would have meant “so much” to her to have a women’s movement or platform that supported her during this time.
“I say back to these women’s organizations, I want the same equal treatment that other survivors have received, no matter who the perpetrator is,” Reade told the DCNF. She singled out Emily’s List and activist Gloria Steinem, both of which whom she says she interacted as an “active Democrat.”
“Emily’s List, where are you?” she asked. “Gloria Steinem? Where are you? Where are these people?”
Neither Emily’s List nor Steinem responded to requests for comment from the DCNF.
Multiple organizations said that, as nonprofits, they couldn’t weigh in on partisan topics, including sexual assault accusations against a presidential candidate.
The Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit administered by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and established in the wake of the #MeToo movement, reportedly told Reade in February that it would not support her.
NWLC spokeswoman Maria Patrick said in a statement to the Intercept that the group’s nonprofit status restricts “how it can spend its funds, including restrictions that pertain to candidates running for election.”
A spokeswoman for the Center for Reproductive Rights also told the DCNF in April that CRR does “not comment on elections or candidates as we are a non-partisan 501©3.”
Pressed as to why CRR actively commented on Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the spokeswoman said “judicial appointees are not candidates and are not elected,” and added, “[w]e do not and have never commented on candidates for public elections.”
Reade told the DCNF that women’s groups that blame their silence on their nonprofit status do so out of fear.
She speculated that many of these women’s groups rely on funding that comes from the Violence Against Women Act, which Biden introduced in 1990, and believes that these organizations worry they will lose this funding if Biden becomes president and they have spoken ill of him.
“I think there’s all kinds of reasons,” she adds. ” There’s economic, there’s just fear of who he is and how powerful he is. I’m 56 years old, and I’ve kind of pushed beyond fear, I’m getting attacked I am getting harassed. But I think it’s important I stay strong and stay firm.”
“I’m Not Voting In A National Election”: Reade Disowns Her Life-Long Party
Reade recognizes that Biden is a pro-abortion candidate facing President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2020 election — and that many of the women’s groups are anxious to preserve abortion access in the United States.
But Biden has “a pretty sketchy history on reproductive rights,” she said, pointing to the former vice president’s flip-flops on abortion stances throughout his political career. If the Democratic Party marginalizes her or discredits her, she warns, this “lessens the credibility for women to come forward.”
“I’m strongly pro-choice,” she said. “I have no problem saying that. But what I would say is that sexual assault and sexual harassment are equally as important.”
“Joe Biden is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” she adds. “He’s championing supposedly women’s rights but in his personal life that is not the way he’s conducted himself.”
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She named several Democratic figures who have touched on her allegations against Biden, including Sanders, Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar. None of these politicians responded to requests for comment from the DCNF.
“Bernie Sanders would have no concept of who I am, of this incident, of who I was in 1993,” she told the DCNF, referring to Sanders discussing her accusations against Biden on CBS This Morning. “He had nothing to do with it. How could he have an opinion when he doesn’t know?”
The Vermont senator has not reached out to her on the matter, she added.
She pointed out that Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said recently on MSNBC that Reade’s alleged sexual assault had been investigated. Reade said that statement is false and “irresponsible,” noting that her assault has “never been investigated.”
“My case is open and active with the metro D.C. police,” she said. She added that she found it “very upsetting” to hear Klobuchar go on to discuss Biden’s record on domestic violence prevention during that MSNBC hit.
As for Ocasio-Cortez, Reade noted that the the Democratic congresswoman said April 14 that Reade’s allegations against Biden are “legitimate to talk about.”
“What you’re voicing is so legitimate and real,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “That’s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.”
“I think it’s legitimate to talk about these things,” the congresswoman added. “And if we want, if we again want to have integrity, you can’t say, you know — both believe women, support all of this, until it inconveniences you, until it inconveniences us.”
Though Reade originally thanked Ocasio-Cortez for her initial support, she pointed out to the DCNF Friday that the New York representative proceeded to endorse Biden on April 23.
“She still had to toe the line,” Reade said.
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is literally the first member of Congress to address publicly what happened to me when I worked for Joe Biden. Thank you @AOC https://t.co/TuN43vpQKq — taratweets ( Alexandra Tara Reade) (@ReadeAlexandra) April 15, 2020
Reade said she is a third generation Democrat with a suffragette grandmother and a Democratic activist mother committed to fighting racism, but she no longer wishes to be associated with the Democratic party. She won’t be voting Republican, either.
“I will never be part of the Democratic Party again,” she told the DCNF.
“I’m not voting in a national election,” Reade added. “There is no democracy for me. I think, in my case, that democracy died in that corridor in 1993.”
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thestream--2020-04-26--God Can Lead Us Out of Any Valley

God Can Lead Us Out of Any Valley

James Robison appeared on America ’ s Voice News Network this morning , speaking with Tim Clinton about how the @ @ @ @ @ midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and @ @ @ @ @ of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ s the author @ @ @ @ @ Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .

James Robison appeared on America’s Voice News Network this morning, speaking with Tim Clinton about how the Church should respond in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.
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