thestream--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: US Military Bravely Battles a New Enemy

Even while continuing the fight against terrorism overseas , the United States military has a new enemy : the novel coronavirus , or COVID-19 .
As of Tuesday morning , 1,560 members of the National Guard were on duty to help state and local officials battle the new disease , which has already severely altered the lives of most Americans .
“ We ’ re here screening the community , trying to keep the community safe and trying to stop the spread of the virus , ” U.S. Army Pfc .
Justin Zammit said in New Rochelle , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest hit areas .
While most of the newly activated National Guardsmen are from New York , 21 additional states have called up members of the National Guard for the specific purpose of battling coronavirus , according to the military .
More states are expected to do the same as the crisis deepens .
“ We ’ re just here to help out , hand out food and make sure everybody feels comfortable and safe , ” said U.S. Army Sgt .
Corey Smith .
As of Tuesday , 42 U.S. service members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , according to new Department of Defense statistics shared with reporters .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper , who is working separately from his Pentagon deputy as a precaution , has already banned all non-essential domestic travel for U.S. troops , Pentagon employees and their loved ones until at least May 11 .
This new rule is already having a severe impact on many military families as they try to stay together during a time of crisis .
What about the thousands of U.S. troops overseas ?
Service members who are coming home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days , according to Stars and Stripes .
Over the weekend , the newspaper reported that 300 U.S. Army paratroopers were immediately quarantined after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan .
It ’ s hard to imagine how eager these warriors are to see their loved ones after serving in a war zone for nine months .
Our troops and their families sacrifice so much for the rest of us , especially in times of fear and uncertainty .
Four American heroes died last week while battling ISIS and other terrorists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency due to coronavirus .
The country ’ s border with Iran has also become a major hotspot as the Islamic Republic continues to be one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19 .
In Europe , where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are stationed , American bases in coronavirus-devastated Italy have been locked down and about 100 troops have been quarantined so far in Germany , according to Stars & Stripes .
Several major training exercises have also been cancelled .
In South Korea , where our military also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members appear to be making excellent progress against the disease , according to Task & Purpose .
Since the coronavirus outbreak began there in January , just nine Americans have tested positive out of an estimated 24,000 troops and more than 30,000 family members , with all of those infected living off base , according to the website .
It is impossible fully convey COVID-19 ’ s rapidly evolving impact on our selfless military community in a few hundred words .
One thing is clear , though : U.S. troops and their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as calm and safe as possible during these frightening , dangerous times .
All of us at The Stream are grateful for the work of these heroes and hope you will join us in constantly praying for the safety of all U.S. service members and their loved ones .
As our national treasures who lived through World War II are well aware , our country and its military have been forced to overcome even greater challenges than the current coronavirus outbreak .
Because of the bravery of those who volunteer to protect us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way in fighting and defeating the world ’ s newest enemy .
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 .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Even while continuing the fight against terrorism overseas, the United States military has a new enemy: the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
As of Tuesday morning, 1,560 members of the National Guard were on duty to help state and local officials battle the new disease, which has already severely altered the lives of most Americans.
“We’re here screening the community, trying to keep the community safe and trying to stop the spread of the virus,” U.S. Army Pfc. Justin Zammit said in New Rochelle, New York, one of the country’s hardest hit areas.
While most of the newly activated National Guardsmen are from New York, 21 additional states have called up members of the National Guard for the specific purpose of battling coronavirus, according to the military. More states are expected to do the same as the crisis deepens.
“We’re just here to help out, hand out food and make sure everybody feels comfortable and safe,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Corey Smith.
Risking Their Lives
As of Tuesday, 42 U.S. service members around the world had tested positive for COVID-19, according to new Department of Defense statistics shared with reporters.
42 US military service members test positive for COVID-19,
10 civilians,
17 dependents
5 contractors 14 military labs are up and running.
Only 14,500 tests are available right now.
The US military has a maximum capacity to test 4,263/day. Only 495 people tested so far. — Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) March 17, 2020
Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who is working separately from his Pentagon deputy as a precaution, has already banned all non-essential domestic travel for U.S. troops, Pentagon employees and their loved ones until at least May 11. This new rule is already having a severe impact on many military families as they try to stay together during a time of crisis.
Troops Overseas
What about the thousands of U.S. troops overseas? Service members who are coming home from high-risk areas are being isolated for 14 days, according to Stars and Stripes. Over the weekend, the newspaper reported that 300 U.S. Army paratroopers were immediately quarantined after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan.
It’s hard to imagine how eager these warriors are to see their loved ones after serving in a war zone for nine months. Our troops and their families sacrifice so much for the rest of us, especially in times of fear and uncertainty.
Four American heroes died last week while battling ISIS and other terrorists in Iraq, which is now in a state of emergency due to coronavirus. The country’s border with Iran has also become a major hotspot as the Islamic Republic continues to be one of the countries hardest hit by COVID-19.
In Europe, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are stationed, American bases in coronavirus-devastated Italy have been locked down and about 100 troops have been quarantined so far in Germany, according to Stars & Stripes. Several major training exercises have also been cancelled.
ICYMI: on Friday, Army Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of @USForcesKorea, explained preventative steps being taken at USFK to avoid the coronavirus spreading in a virtual briefing. This helps maintain the readiness of U.S. forces in the region during the outbreak of #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/dPyCUHUoIf — Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) March 17, 2020
In South Korea, where our military also has a massive presence, U.S. service members appear to be making excellent progress against the disease, according to Task & Purpose. Since the coronavirus outbreak began there in January, just nine Americans have tested positive out of an estimated 24,000 troops and more than 30,000 family members, with all of those infected living off base, according to the website.
Pray for Our Military
It is impossible fully convey COVID-19’s rapidly evolving impact on our selfless military community in a few hundred words. One thing is clear, though: U.S. troops and their families are making major sacrifices to keep Americans as calm and safe as possible during these frightening, dangerous times. All of us at The Stream are grateful for the work of these heroes and hope you will join us in constantly praying for the safety of all U.S. service members and their loved ones.
75 years ago today, sugar was still being rationed in the United States as brave American troops fought & died in places like Iwo Jima. Proof that our great country can overcome anything. #SundayThoughts pic.twitter.com/AP0eshKcP4 — Tom Sileo (@TSileo) March 15, 2020
As our national treasures who lived through World War II are well aware, our country and its military have been forced to overcome even greater challenges than the current coronavirus outbreak. Because of the bravery of those who volunteer to protect us, I firmly believe America will lead the way in fighting and defeating the world’s newest enemy.
Look out, COVID-19.
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. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-03-17--God’s Word to His People in Times of Crisis: ‘Come to Me’

How would you like to hear a promise you can count on ?
“ Call on me and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll show you great and mighty things which you could not even imagine.
@ @ @ @ @ that ?
The one who created you and created this world , and all the @ @ @ @ @ of all creation , our Father .
Please watch this brief message of encouragement .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) @ @ @ @

How would you like to hear a promise you can count on? “Call on me and I’ll answer you. And I’ll show you great and mighty things which you could not even imagine.” You know who said that? The one who created you and created this world, and all the magnificent things. The God of all creation, our Father.
Please watch this brief message of encouragement.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-03-17--Reflections on the Mercy of God After the National Day of Prayer

It is true that God is a righteous Judge who will one day pour out His wrath on a rebellious world .
But the overwhelming emphasis of Scripture is not on the wrath of God but rather on His mercy .
As the psalmist proclaimed , “ The Lord is compassionate and gracious , slow to anger , abounding in love.
” ( Psalm 103:8 ) Can you imagine if God ’ s character was the opposite of this ?
If He was slow to mercy and abounding in anger ?
We would have been wiped out many millennia ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Psalm 103:9‑14 , He will not always accuse , nor will he harbor his anger forever ; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities .
For as high as the heavens are above the earth , so great is his love for those who fear him ; as far as the east is from the west , so far has he removed our transgressions from us .
As a father has compassion on his children , so the Lord has compassion on those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are formed , he remembers that we are dust .
And remember : These words were written long before the cross .
Long before God displayed His love for us through His Son .
Long before the perfect Savior paid for our sins .
Yet the psalmist , David himself , understood the greatness of God ’ s mercy and kindness .
And compassion and longsuffering .
That is who our God is .
The prophet Micah , who had much to say about divine judgment , also said this about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like you , who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance ?
You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
” ( Micah 7:18 ) Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » Similarly , the prophet Ezekiel , who too prophesied about the judgment of God , said this on behalf of the Lord : “ Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed , and get a new heart and a new spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Israel ?
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone , declares the Sovereign Lord .
Repent and live !
” ( Ezekiel 18:31-32 ) Yes , our righteous God looks for opportunities to show mercy .
He desires to demonstrate His compassion .
And while He will not overlook our rebellion and sin — that is , if we refuse to turn away from it — He is longing to forgive .
The Book of Genesis contains a remarkable dialogue between the Lord and Abraham , related as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s in Genesis 18:16-33 .
The Lord is about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness .
But Abraham ’ s nephew , Lot , lives in Sodom , along with his wife and children .
So God , in His incredible condescension , wants to let Abraham know of His plans in advance , prompting Abraham to take a bold step in faith .
As Genesis records , “ Then Abraham approached him and said : ‘ Will you sweep away the righteous with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifty righteous people in the city ?
Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it ?
Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked , treating the righteous and the wicked alike .
Far be it from you !
Will not the Judge of all the earth do right ?
’ ” ( Genesis 18:23-25 ) What an extraordinary prayer .
And what an outrageous appeal .
To paraphrase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have every right to judge these places , but You are a righteous Judge .
And that means You won ’ t destroy the innocent along with the guilty .
So , if you find 50 righteous people there , will You spare the whole population ?
” Remarkably , the Lord — the Creator and Sustainer of the universe — acceded to Abraham ’ s request : “ I will spare the city for the sake of the 50.
” But Abraham wasn ’ t done .
“ What if there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going out on a limb !
Amazingly , the Lord said yes to that request as well .
In fact , He said yes to everyone of Abraham ’ s requests , which ended with God agreeing to spare the entire city of Sodom if He could find just 10 righteous people in it .
Sadly , He could not .
So judgment was poured out .
Let Us Appeal to God for Mercy Yet we get an incredible glimpse into God ’ s heart towards His creation .
He will bend over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give us every chance to repent .
He will be incredibly longsuffering and patient .
Only then will His wrath be poured out .
The ultimate proof of this is found in the cross .
There , rather than God pouring out His judgment on all of us — yes , all of are guilty sinners in His sight — He poured out judgment on His Son .
Jesus took our place .
Jesus bore our guilt .
Jesus paid for our sins .
That is the heart of the gospel .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we pray , then , for the Lord ’ s intervention in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , let us appeal to His mercy and compassion .
God alone knows what caused this viral outbreak , and God alone can dramatically turn the tide .
So we pray , “ Have mercy on us , O Lord !
And grant us repentance from our sins .
We have no hope outside of You.
” Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s War With America : The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

It is true that God is a righteous Judge who will one day pour out His wrath on a rebellious world. But the overwhelming emphasis of Scripture is not on the wrath of God but rather on His mercy. As the psalmist proclaimed, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8)
Can you imagine if God’s character was the opposite of this? If He was slow to mercy and abounding in anger? We would have been wiped out many millennia ago.
As the psalmist continued, in Psalm 103:9‑14,
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
And remember: These words were written long before the cross. Long before God displayed His love for us through His Son. Long before the perfect Savior paid for our sins. Yet the psalmist, David himself, understood the greatness of God’s mercy and kindness. And compassion and longsuffering. That is who our God is.
God is Merciful
The prophet Micah, who had much to say about divine judgment, also said this about the Lord: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18)
Our God delights to show mercy.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Similarly, the prophet Ezekiel, who too prophesied about the judgment of God, said this on behalf of the Lord: “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:31-32)
Yes, our righteous God looks for opportunities to show mercy. He desires to demonstrate His compassion. And while He will not overlook our rebellion and sin — that is, if we refuse to turn away from it — He is longing to forgive.
Abraham Pleads With God
The Book of Genesis contains a remarkable dialogue between the Lord and Abraham, related as a face to face conversation between the two. It’s in Genesis 18:16-33.
The Lord is about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness. But Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lives in Sodom, along with his wife and children. So God, in His incredible condescension, wants to let Abraham know of His plans in advance, prompting Abraham to take a bold step in faith.
As Genesis records, “Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?’” (Genesis 18:23-25)
What an extraordinary prayer. And what an outrageous appeal.
To paraphrase, “God, I know that You have every right to judge these places, but You are a righteous Judge. And that means You won’t destroy the innocent along with the guilty. So, if you find 50 righteous people there, will You spare the whole population?”
Remarkably, the Lord — the Creator and Sustainer of the universe — acceded to Abraham’s request: “I will spare the city for the sake of the 50.” But Abraham wasn’t done.
We get an incredible glimpse into God’s heart towards His creation. He will bend over backwards to withhold judgment.
“What if there are 45 righteous?”
“I’ll spare it,” was the reply.
“How about 40?”
Abraham was really going out on a limb! Amazingly, the Lord said yes to that request as well.
In fact, He said yes to everyone of Abraham’s requests, which ended with God agreeing to spare the entire city of Sodom if He could find just 10 righteous people in it. Sadly, He could not. So judgment was poured out.
Let Us Appeal to God for Mercy
Yet we get an incredible glimpse into God’s heart towards His creation. He will bend over backwards to withhold judgment. He will give us every chance to repent. He will be incredibly longsuffering and patient. Only then will His wrath be poured out.
The ultimate proof of this is found in the cross. There, rather than God pouring out His judgment on all of us — yes, all of are guilty sinners in His sight — He poured out judgment on His Son. Jesus took our place. Jesus bore our guilt. Jesus paid for our sins.
That is the heart of the gospel. That is the heart of God.
As we pray, then, for the Lord’s intervention in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, let us appeal to His mercy and compassion. God alone knows what caused this viral outbreak, and God alone can dramatically turn the tide.
So we pray, “Have mercy on us, O Lord! And grant us repentance from our sins. We have no hope outside of You.”
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Jezebel’s War With America: The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-03-18--Helpful Tips for Working From Home

Helpful Tips for Working From Home

As the coronavirus spreads , more people are telecommuting in an effort to stop the virus .
If you ’ ve had little or no experience telecommuting , here are some helpful tips for working remotely .
Make Sure You Have the Technology First , make sure you have what it takes to work from home .
Do you have a reliable laptop or desk top computer ?
What about WiFi ?
Make sure you have the necessary software as well .
As NPR notes , “ Lots of remote workers are leaning heavily on Slack , Microsoft Teams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out what your team is planning to use ASAP.
” Then do a dry run to make sure everything works correctly .
Check with your IT department to make sure you are set up and ready to go .
Second , set a schedule and hold to it .
When my mom was homeschooling my sisters and me , she set a schedule and stuck to it .
We ’ d have to be at our desks by 8:30 ready to say the Pledge of Allegiance .
We had breaks at set times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea applies here .
Set a schedule that you can realistically stick to .
Build regular breaks in your schedule so you ’ ll know when to rest .
And don ’ t forget to sleep !
“ If my sleep schedule gets out of whack , it ’ s hard to make myself get out of bed — and it ’ s even harder when you don ’ t have to physically go into an office , ” Kimber Streams , an editor at Wirecutter , told The New York Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s harder to do my job .
And if I can ’ t do my job , then I feel guilty outside of work hours , my work / life boundaries melt and the delicate balance unravels .
Burnout .
If I keep a strict schedule , including sleep , it helps me better manage.
” A schedule can also help minimize distractions .
Third , maintain the discipline and motivation needed to work at home , according to Indeed .
Reduce distractions , such as household chores or kids running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( like me ! )
it ’ s important to structure your environment in a way that helps you be productive .
For example , create an office space .
If you are lucky enough to have an actual office , great .
You can shut the door to keep distractions at bay .
If you don ’ t , create a space in an extra bedroom or even a corner in your home where you can focus on your work , make phone calls and keep work documents .
Let others know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while you are there you can not be bothered unless it ’ s an emergency .
Fourth , communicate a lot .
Whether it ’ s checking in with your boss or chatting with co-workers , communication is even more important when working at home , for two reasons .
One , you need realistic expectations of what can be done from home .
Set doable goals with the oversight of your boss .
Talk with him or her about what needs to be done , how you will track progress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company .
Find out when your company schedules meetings and use Skype or Zoom to join in .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » Two , you may battle loneliness or feelings of isolation when working away from the office .
Working from home can be lonely .
“ One undeniable loss is the social , casual ‘ water cooler ’ conversation that connects us to people — if you ’ re not used to that loss , full-time remote work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moneycrashers.com suggests connecting with others during the week .
“ For some , that ’ s as simple as making lunch plans a few days a week or working from a coffee shop or the public library instead of at home .
You can even run errands on your lunch hour so you get out of the house and see other people during the day.
” You get to work from home — not everyone can .
Appreciate the time you have to work around your family , enjoy the flexibility your job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all things .
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances — Philippians 4:11 Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

As the coronavirus spreads, more people are telecommuting in an effort to stop the virus. If you’ve had little or no experience telecommuting, here are some helpful tips for working remotely.
Make Sure You Have the Technology
First, make sure you have what it takes to work from home. Do you have a reliable laptop or desk top computer? What about WiFi? Make sure you have the necessary software as well. As NPR notes, “Lots of remote workers are leaning heavily on Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom or GoToMeeting. Iron out what your team is planning to use ASAP.”
Then do a dry run to make sure everything works correctly. Check with your IT department to make sure you are set up and ready to go.
Set a Schedule
Second, set a schedule and hold to it. When my mom was homeschooling my sisters and me, she set a schedule and stuck to it. We’d have to be at our desks by 8:30 ready to say the Pledge of Allegiance. We had breaks at set times and lunch at noon. The same idea applies here. Set a schedule that you can realistically stick to.
Build regular breaks in your schedule so you’ll know when to rest. And don’t forget to sleep! “If my sleep schedule gets out of whack, it’s hard to make myself get out of bed — and it’s even harder when you don’t have to physically go into an office,” Kimber Streams, an editor at Wirecutter, told The New York Times.
“If I’m tired, it’s harder to do my job. And if I can’t do my job, then I feel guilty outside of work hours, my work / life boundaries melt and the delicate balance unravels. Burnout. If I keep a strict schedule, including sleep, it helps me better manage.” A schedule can also help minimize distractions.
Keep Distractions to a Minimum
Third, maintain the discipline and motivation needed to work at home, according to Indeed. Reduce distractions, such as household chores or kids running around. Or if you have ADD (like me!) it’s important to structure your environment in a way that helps you be productive.
For example, create an office space. If you are lucky enough to have an actual office, great. You can shut the door to keep distractions at bay. If you don’t, create a space in an extra bedroom or even a corner in your home where you can focus on your work, make phone calls and keep work documents. Let others know that is your dedicated work space and that while you are there you cannot be bothered unless it’s an emergency.
Communication is Key
Fourth, communicate a lot. Whether it’s checking in with your boss or chatting with co-workers, communication is even more important when working at home, for two reasons. One, you need realistic expectations of what can be done from home. Set doable goals with the oversight of your boss. Talk with him or her about what needs to be done, how you will track progress, and how you will report back to the company. Find out when your company schedules meetings and use Skype or Zoom to join in.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Two, you may battle loneliness or feelings of isolation when working away from the office. Working from home can be lonely. “One undeniable loss is the social, casual ‘water cooler’ conversation that connects us to people — if you’re not used to that loss, full-time remote work can feel isolating.”
Marisa Bell-Metereau of Moneycrashers.com suggests connecting with others during the week. “For some, that’s as simple as making lunch plans a few days a week or working from a coffee shop or the public library instead of at home. You can even run errands on your lunch hour so you get out of the house and see other people during the day.”
Be Happy!
You get to work from home — not everyone can. Appreciate the time you have to work around your family, enjoy the flexibility your job allows and focus on being content in all things.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances — Philippians 4:11
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-03-18--Military Photo of the Day: Helocast Training in Hat Yao

A U.S. Marine recently counts personnel out of the back of a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter during helocast training in @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to Cpl .
Isaac Cantrell for capturing this remarkable image .
Help us champion @ @ @ @ @ government and human dignity .
Support The Stream »

A U.S. Marine recently counts personnel out of the back of a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter during helocast training in Hat Yao, Thailand.
Thanks to Cpl. Isaac Cantrell for capturing this remarkable image.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-03-18--What I Saw at Bernie’s Revolution Rally

What I Saw at Bernie’s Revolution Rally

Two Fridays ago I attended a bona fide Bernie rally here in Columbia , South Carolina .
Having seen Bernie in person , even though it looks like he ’ s on the ropes in his fight to become the Democratic nominee , the rally showed the power of his message to shape our political future .
Vice-President Biden has looked so intermittently confused and muddled over the course of his campaign that many have wondered , is he mentally fit for the most challenging job in the world ?
Well , Sunday night in CNN ’ s debate he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders and proved that on a good night he looks almost as strong as Bernie , although he faded a bit in the second hour .
What we see happening is that Bernie ’ s message is so strong within the new Democratic Party that Biden is adopting key points with moderation , such as free public college for everyone whose parents make under $ 125K .
How strong is Bernie and his appeal to voters ?
Here ’ s what I heard from Bernie and his dedicated supporters : What I Saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game was clearly in evidence at his rally in a large park close to the University of South Carolina and downtown Columbia .
Since the Democratic vote in South Carloina is 60 % black , all the entertainment and surrogates who spoke before Bernie were African-American .
Even so , the crowd only filled up maybe 50 % of the area fenced off — a clear signal of Bernie ’ s difficulty in winning the support of Black voters .
Several friends had cautioned me about going to the afternoon rally alone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had preceded the candidate .
But the brisk sunny-day crowd could not have been friendlier or more helpful .
Upon hearing me tell the security guy wanding us as we entered that I have two artificial knees , a campaign worker quickly asked me if I would like a seat in their ADA ( Americans with Disabilities ) section .
There I found a row of empty chairs very close to the platform .
An A+ on being warm and welcoming .
Supporters Said Bernie is ‘ Consistent and Authentic ’ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had come to the rally .
Why they supported an old Jewish guy from Brooklyn in his bid to become president .
The first women I talked to replied , “ We ’ re Bernie fans .
Have been for years .
First heard him in a community center here in Columbia in 2004 or -5 .
He ’ s been coming here ever since .
Sometimes speaking to 15 or 20 of us about what we need .
We need healthcare .
Bernie ’ s been on it from the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is what he ’ s always been speaking about .
He ’ s consistent .
Authentic.
” The “ consistent and authentic ” label was repeated again and again as I interviewed two men speaking with an Indian accent , a diverse assortment of adults and many university students ( who also mentioned tuition debt forgiveness as their main reason for attending ) .
For other younger voters climate change was issue No .
1 .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised in a moderate Republican home , but at the University he began to hear many different points of view and stories of disparity and unfairness .
His values have changed .
He now values social justice far more and he was drawn to Bernie because of his stand on Medicare for all and taking on Wall Street .
A young woman who had lived in D.C. and now directs a gym program in a disadvantaged Columbia neighborhood asked , “ Why should all the advantages go to big money and powerful senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issues or his personality ?
” I often asked .
“ Both !
” many responded .
He truly has endeared himself to many in the crowd .
Blackillac Rapped About Taking From the Rich to Give to the Poor A massive thump-thumping soundtrack gradually drowned out conversations and the rap duo Blackillac from Austin , Texas echoed the concerns I heard the voters expressing : I ’ m not exactly fluent in rap lyrics but another song mentioned Trump and repeated “ See the shark ?
Shoot the shark !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point : Whether it was Trump or Wall Street or a one percenter , some shark out there definitely needed to be shot .
Several surrogates preceded Bernie at the podium — all of a fairly revolutionary bent : Rep. Ivory Thigpen : “ Are you ready to take back our democracy ?
… There are two types of power — organized money and organized people … we can do it.
” The Black Nationalist mayor of Berkley , California , was followed by the Black Mayor from Jackson , Mississippi , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the most radical city on the planet [ watch out Berkeley ] … we aim for restorative justice … if you ’ ve come here to help me you ’ re wasting your time .
If your liberation is bound up with mine , join me.
” As he did in 2016 , actor Danny Glover was there to support Bernie ’ s “ movement to transform America.
” And Rapper Killer Mike told us that “ if you are progressive we have to progress like we did 50 years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to progress that old guy right into the White House.
” Bernie Blasts Trump as ‘ the Most Dangerous President in History ’ As Killer Mike turned around , with no fanfare or accolades or hoopla , Bernie quickly moved up the steps to the mic and began with a solemn , emphatic , “ We have to defeat the most dangerous president in American history.
” Before he settled in to his stump speech he took another swipe at Trump for leaving DC and the management of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Charleston , “ He is here in South Carolina for one reason — to disrupt the Democratic primary — that ’ s why he ’ s here .
He hopes he can get a little media attention taken away from the Democratic candidates .
How petty , how pathetic is that ?
” Bernie blasted Trump saying , “ Do your job.
” “ Don ’ t worry about the Democratic primary because we ’ re going to beat you.
” How Can Healthcare Be a ‘ Human Right ’ ?
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the perceived wrongs he wanted to right , beginning with Medicare for all .
He insisted that healthcare is a “ human right.
” The same assertion that no interviewer has ever questioned .
With a long history of rheumatoid arthritis I totally empathize with the need for a new system of healthcare .
But I ’ ve wondered how health care can be a right .
Have we been endowed by our Creator with an inalienable right to healthcare ?
Who has declared that health care is a right ?
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea that America should redistribute the wealth of her citizens in our Constitution ?
Our Declaration ?
Bernie ’ s List of Proposed Handouts Went On and On I listened for about 25 minutes as , in addition to Medicare for all , Sanders proposed college tuition for all , housing for all , free child care and pre-K for all , embracing the $ 16 trillion green new deal to stop climate change , eliminating medical debt … I had to leave early , but it was about a 15 minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked along the lake Bernie proposed legalizing marijuana , welcoming refugees , asylum seekers and those displaced by climate change … As I climbed the stairs up the hill the loudspeaker still carried his voice promising a prisoners ’ bill of rights , an economic bill of rights … Unlocking my car I could still hear him promising all teachers would be paid $ 60K a year , promising kids year-round free universal school meals … I rolled down my windows and Bernie ’ s voice , now unintelligible , followed me as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parking lot .
As I pulled out into the street , best I could tell the list was still going on … Will Bernie ’ s Wish List Succeed in Taking Over the Democratic Party ?
As I write this I ’ m remembering how Bernie ’ s charisma and energy were just as strong as his voice .
In last night ’ s substantive debate it was clear that the power of his message was pulling Biden further into his socialist orbit .
Will Bernie ’ s list — his revolution — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party ?
If Biden remains as mentally strong and becomes the nominee , how much of Bernie ’ s list will he have to appropriate to capture the Bernie vote ?
We stand on the brink of a socialist Revolution while , as in HG Wells ’ War of the Worlds , an unseen , microscopic force is ravaging free market capitalism .
Bernie says again and again that he is against authoritarian government .
But we have a difficult time imagining how socialism prevails without our government becoming far more authoritarian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsides , will we find ourselves at the end of War of the Worlds , rebuilding a battered but free market and society ?
Or at the prologue to 1984 , with a Big-Brotherish government demanding we redistribute our money , embrace the green new deal , open our borders and whatever else the revolution requires ?
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently , Faith and Culture : The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith .

Two Fridays ago I attended a bona fide Bernie rally here in Columbia, South Carolina. Having seen Bernie in person, even though it looks like he’s on the ropes in his fight to become the Democratic nominee, the rally showed the power of his message to shape our political future.
Vice-President Biden has looked so intermittently confused and muddled over the course of his campaign that many have wondered, is he mentally fit for the most challenging job in the world? Well, Sunday night in CNN’s debate he certainly went toe to toe with Senator Sanders and proved that on a good night he looks almost as strong as Bernie, although he faded a bit in the second hour.
What we see happening is that Bernie’s message is so strong within the new Democratic Party that Biden is adopting key points with moderation, such as free public college for everyone whose parents make under $125K. How strong is Bernie and his appeal to voters? Here’s what I heard from Bernie and his dedicated supporters:
What I Saw and Heard
Bernie’s terrific ground game was clearly in evidence at his rally in a large park close to the University of South Carolina and downtown Columbia. Since the Democratic vote in South Carloina is 60% black, all the entertainment and surrogates who spoke before Bernie were African-American. Even so, the crowd only filled up maybe 50% of the area fenced off — a clear signal of Bernie’s difficulty in winning the support of Black voters.
Several friends had cautioned me about going to the afternoon rally alone. The rowdy reputation of the Bernie Bros had preceded the candidate. But the brisk sunny-day crowd could not have been friendlier or more helpful. Upon hearing me tell the security guy wanding us as we entered that I have two artificial knees, a campaign worker quickly asked me if I would like a seat in their ADA (Americans with Disabilities) section. There I found a row of empty chairs very close to the platform. An A+ on being warm and welcoming.
Supporters Said Bernie is ‘Consistent and Authentic’
I’d come early to ask people why they had come to the rally. Why they supported an old Jewish guy from Brooklyn in his bid to become president. The first women I talked to replied, “We’re Bernie fans. Have been for years. First heard him in a community center here in Columbia in 2004 or -5. He’s been coming here ever since. Sometimes speaking to 15 or 20 of us about what we need. We need healthcare. Bernie’s been on it from the beginning. What he’s speaking about now is what he’s always been speaking about. He’s consistent. Authentic.”
The “consistent and authentic” label was repeated again and again as I interviewed two men speaking with an Indian accent, a diverse assortment of adults and many university students (who also mentioned tuition debt forgiveness as their main reason for attending). For other younger voters climate change was issue No. 1.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
A USC junior said he was raised in a moderate Republican home, but at the University he began to hear many different points of view and stories of disparity and unfairness. His values have changed. He now values social justice far more and he was drawn to Bernie because of his stand on Medicare for all and taking on Wall Street.
A young woman who had lived in D.C. and now directs a gym program in a disadvantaged Columbia neighborhood asked, “Why should all the advantages go to big money and powerful senators?
“Are you here because of the issues or his personality?” I often asked. “Both!” many responded. He truly has endeared himself to many in the crowd.
Blackillac Rapped About Taking From the Rich to Give to the Poor
A massive thump-thumping soundtrack gradually drowned out conversations and the rap duo Blackillac from Austin, Texas echoed the concerns I heard the voters expressing:
And so we takin’ on the government
Hot as an oven mitt
We take on the one percent…
We take from the rich and give to the poor…
Juice it up…
I’m not exactly fluent in rap lyrics but another song mentioned Trump and repeated “See the shark? Shoot the shark!” long enough for everyone to get the point: Whether it was Trump or Wall Street or a one percenter, some shark out there definitely needed to be shot.
Revolutionary Voices Proceeded Bernie on the Stage
Several surrogates preceded Bernie at the podium — all of a fairly revolutionary bent:
Rep. Ivory Thigpen: “Are you ready to take back our democracy? … There are two types of power — organized money and organized people … we can do it.”
The Black Nationalist mayor of Berkley, California, was followed by the Black Mayor from Jackson, Mississippi, who declared that, “We wanted to be the most radical city on the planet [watch out Berkeley] … we aim for restorative justice … if you’ve come here to help me you’re wasting your time. If your liberation is bound up with mine, join me.”
As he did in 2016, actor Danny Glover was there to support Bernie’s “movement to transform America.” And Rapper Killer Mike told us that “if you are progressive we have to progress like we did 50 years ago. We want progress NOW! … We’re going to progress that old guy right into the White House.”
Bernie Blasts Trump as ‘the Most Dangerous President in History’
As Killer Mike turned around, with no fanfare or accolades or hoopla, Bernie quickly moved up the steps to the mic and began with a solemn, emphatic, “We have to defeat the most dangerous president in American history.”
Before he settled in to his stump speech he took another swipe at Trump for leaving DC and the management of the COVID-19 virus to fly in for a rally in Charleston, “He is here in South Carolina for one reason — to disrupt the Democratic primary — that’s why he’s here. He hopes he can get a little media attention taken away from the Democratic candidates. How petty, how pathetic is that?”
Bernie blasted Trump saying, “Do your job.” “Don’t worry about the Democratic primary because we’re going to beat you.”
How Can Healthcare Be a ‘Human Right’?
Sanders focused the rest of his speech on all the perceived wrongs he wanted to right, beginning with Medicare for all. He insisted that healthcare is a “human right.” The same assertion that no interviewer has ever questioned.
Who has declared that health care is a right? Where did it come from?
With a long history of rheumatoid arthritis I totally empathize with the need for a new system of healthcare. But I’ve wondered how health care can be a right. Have we been endowed by our Creator with an inalienable right to healthcare? Who has declared that health care is a right? Where did it come from? Where is the idea that America should redistribute the wealth of her citizens in our Constitution? Our Declaration?
Bernie’s List of Proposed Handouts Went On and On
I listened for about 25 minutes as, in addition to Medicare for all, Sanders proposed college tuition for all, housing for all, free child care and pre-K for all, embracing the $16 trillion green new deal to stop climate change, eliminating medical debt …
I had to leave early, but it was about a 15 minute walk to my car. As I walked along the lake Bernie proposed legalizing marijuana, welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and those displaced by climate change …
As I climbed the stairs up the hill the loudspeaker still carried his voice promising a prisoners’ bill of rights, an economic bill of rights …
Unlocking my car I could still hear him promising all teachers would be paid $60K a year, promising kids year-round free universal school meals …
I rolled down my windows and Bernie’s voice, now unintelligible, followed me as I made my way out of the parking lot. As I pulled out into the street, best I could tell the list was still going on …
Will Bernie’s Wish List Succeed in Taking Over the Democratic Party?
As I write this I’m remembering how Bernie’s charisma and energy were just as strong as his voice. In last night’s substantive debate it was clear that the power of his message was pulling Biden further into his socialist orbit.
Will Bernie’s list — his revolution — succeed? At least in the Democratic party? If Biden remains as mentally strong and becomes the nominee, how much of Bernie’s list will he have to appropriate to capture the Bernie vote?
Will Bernie’s list — his revolution — succeed? At least in the Democratic party?
We stand on the brink of a socialist Revolution while, as in HG Wells’ War of the Worlds, an unseen, microscopic force is ravaging free market capitalism. Bernie says again and again that he is against authoritarian government. But we have a difficult time imagining how socialism prevails without our government becoming far more authoritarian and our freedom shrinking.
When the virus subsides, will we find ourselves at the end of War of the Worlds, rebuilding a battered but free market and society? Or at the prologue to 1984, with a Big-Brotherish government demanding we redistribute our money, embrace the green new deal, open our borders and whatever else the revolution requires?
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently, Faith and Culture: The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith.
Originally published at laelarrington.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-03-18--A Meaningful Conversation Between James Robison and Pastor Chris Hodges

Editor ’ s Note : The Stream ’ s founder , James Robison , first met Pastor Chris Hodges in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina .
Here , they discuss the coronavirus crisis and how God is using The Church of the Highlands in Birmingham , Alabama , to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community .
James Robison : Chris , you ’ ve been chosen as a leader , like an apostolic or New Testament voice , in this age .
I believe with all my heart you will be as instrumental as a channel of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction as anybody in the country .
Yesterday morning , the Lord showed me that coronavirus is a visible manifestation of what ’ s happening in the invisible realm of the Spirit .
Satan , the enemy of everything pertaining to life and godliness has lost ground .
He lost ground he controlled as it relates to the preciousness of every life ; all aspects of godliness including marriage , family , sex ( including gender ) ; true freedom ; limited government and the foolishness of depending on any form of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter of the Father and the guidance of the Shepherd .
Satan is furious and is trying to take back ground he has lost .
This virus shows that the elders and people who are older are like a remnant that have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying and revealing to the church for the glory of God and the benefit of the people Jesus died for .
It is very important for people to see that the enemy is attacking the kingdom purpose of God in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Body of Christ , the church .
The sooner we show people how special they are in the eyes of God , they will realize why the enemy has targeted the kingdom purpose of God in and through their life .
Chris , tell me what you are seeing through your church — The Church of the Highlands — that we need to hear right now — not only in the spiritual realm , but in the physical .
Chris Hodges : I think the Lord has been offended at what has happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our prosperity , we tend to run away from God .
I don ’ t think God created this [ coronavirus ] .
I think He has allowed this to create a shaking to remind us where our true sustenance , our life comes from .
I think it ’ s interesting that it started in an area of the world , China , where the government was cracking down on the underground church .
We know of places where they were imprisoning and executing pastors in some places .
At our church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never been open to the Lord who are running to God .
This past Sunday , during spring break , we would typically have been down 20 % to about 40,000 people — and we had 250,000 people watch the service live .
My message to pastors and leaders : Don ’ t be part of the fear .
It ’ s real , but be part of the hopeful message of turning people to God in their desperation .
James : Let me respond to what you said as it relates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside the Word of God and no longer glorifies Him as God .
They change His truth into a lie and are given over to appetites beyond their control .
Then given over to reprobate thinking to where they can ’ t think straight , determine right from wrong , or good from evil .
They are persecuting the church that is praying for a miracle of God .
The enemy wants to destroy everything pertaining to life and godliness .
It appears the Chinese government wants that .
There are other governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government leaders don ’ t care if many people die .
In fact , they often eliminate people rapidly on purpose .
Be assured , there is a great remnant of people who are serious about God , just like the underground Christians in China are .
So what is it that God wants to accomplish in spite of how bad things are ?
He shares in Romans 8 that He , “ Works all things together for good ( including the bad ) to fulfill His kingdom purpose.
” He desires to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Him .
As believers , we are to be yielded clay in the hands of the Master Potter , God Himself , allowing Him to shape Christlikeness into us .
Jesus prayed in John 17 that all believers would come together in supernatural unity and the world would recognize we are truly His disciples , God ’ s family .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » My prayer is that the shepherds and pastors will show God ’ s family — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing Him to accomplish His will .
Chris , The Church of the Highlands is becoming an answer to the prayer and the needs of the community , and an example of the unity God wants in the family and that we desperately need in our nation .
Can you explain what have you done to try to help people in your community during this time of crisis ?
I think you have set a great example for all of us , and I am so grateful .
Chris : Thank you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into place before this happened .
We trained more than 26,000 volunteers and put ourselves in a position financially where we have margins so that when crises like this happen , we can step up .
We haven ’ t had to take an offering , we haven ’ t had to train volunteers — they were already ready .
We have a medical clinic downtown that we started and funded .
It ’ s under a separate 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) , but it is our medical clinic called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using our largest location as a drive-through testing site for coronavirus .
Because we had lines of cars for miles , we had to move the location to another place due to the overwhelming response .
As people get within three miles of the campus , they are directed to tune into a short-wave FM radio station .
It is playing worship music , playing the Word of God , telling them God loves them , letting them know fear isn ’ t of God and giving them instructions about what the procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medical professionals .
We ’ re letting people know that we ’ re trying to take care of their physical needs , but I think people have spiritual and emotional needs as great as the physical ones right now .
The fear , panic and hysteria that is in people ’ s hearts is grounded on a reality , but it can pollute the soul of a person while they are trying to deal with their physical needs .
Doctors can address the physical , but it takes the gospel to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combine those two together , James , you have a powerful thing that happens , and the city is really responding to it .
In addition to that , we are assisting our local schools to provide meals not only to the children who are out of school , but also to the elderly who can ’ t even get to the store right now .
We ’ re going through our widows ’ list and elderly list to care for those who need it at this time .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am grateful for the opportunity for the church to arise and do what only the church can do .
My son was taping a television program with my wife , Betty , and me yesterday for “ LIFE Today , ” and he said , “ You know , God didn ’ t give us a spirit of fear .
What did He give us ?
In that same passage [ 2 Timothy 1:7 ] , it says He gave us “ power , love and a sound mind.
” Chris , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing .
If there are pastors who bear witness with the Father ’ s heart expressed through you and want to help in their community , is there any source they can go to expedite their ability to also do some of the things you are doing ?
Chris : My strongest calling in life is to serve churches .
On growleader.com and arcchurches.com , we have already uploaded everything we know about serving communities , the resources needed to do church services and a virtual online kind of way that even smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re doing , we automatically uploaded to these two sites for pastors and churches to download .
Everything is “ white-labeled , ” meaning we take off our own logo so they can put their logo on it , and it even looks like they created it .
We don ’ t want any credit , and they don ’ t have to mention where they got it .
We just want them to get out there and let their local church shine in the middle of this crisis .
James : Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much I hear the heart of the Father expressed through you — even in only wanting the credit and glory to go to God .
We ’ re a family that is supposed to show people what the perfect Father looks like .
I pray that everybody who reads this will realize that God has placed in us the ability , when we are connected to one another , to express His love and life and transforming truth through us like a river .
This is an opportunity for the love of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than in any time in history .
What would you like the church to hear from you as a pastor and shepherd ?
Chris : The first thing I would want them to hear is that the Bible was written during times of uncertainty and crisis .
They can lean on the power and comfort that comes from God ’ s Word .
We truly need to “ cast our cares on Him ” because He cares for us .
I ’ m getting ready to send a video message to our entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it says God has both a “ hope and a future ” for us , and it ’ s good .
He has “ plans for us , ” to “ prosper us , ” to “ give us a hope and a future.
” We don ’ t know what it is , but God does .
I ’ m completely comforted , knowing that the One in control of my life has the plan .
In fact , I ’ m glad I ’ m not the one with the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plans for my life .
I ’ m telling my church to balance the amount of information you ’ re allowing in your mind that you need to be informed … with God ’ s Word , worship and prayer , and fear will not be able to overtake your life while you are being informed about this crisis .
James : God tells us to pray for those in authority , and we know there is one King who can move all kings and all powers .
Since you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been up close and observed our national leadership , even in the White House , do you believe the prayers of God ’ s people would actually move in a positive way this present king and our national leadership ?
Chris : Oh , 100 % .
There were several of us who asked President Trump to call a National Day of Prayer .
The proclamation , which I would urge every American to read , quotes scripture three times .
This is the time to pray , and I really do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks we are going to see this thing turn because of prayer .
That is the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 : “ If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven , will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
” Our land needs healing now on many different dimensions , and I believe prayer is what ’ s going to turn it .
James : I really do want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If people want to hear the message you are putting online , how would they find it ?
Chris : The easiest one is on my Instagram site , pastorchrishodges .
It ’ s going to be uploaded by the end of the day , and I believe it will be a tremendous encouragement to our church family and to everyone who watches .
James : I really want to thank you for your friendship and for being yielded clay in the hands of the Master Potter .
Let ’ s pray that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the Master Potter ’ s hand , and that the pressure that shapes us all either comes from His fingers or is filtered through His fingers .
We need to be grateful for the shaping process , even though pressure oftentimes feels very uncomfortable .
Do you agree that this would be a good prayer for us to pray together ?
Chris : Absolutely .
And I want to thank you for not only being a father to me and so many pastors and leaders , but you really have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comforted by your leadership .
We need you , we need what your ministry does , and I ’ m grateful for you .
What you ’ ve done , James , is consistently modeled your own pliability and the softening of that clay in the Master ’ s hands , and it inspires the rest of us .
We ’ re grateful to God for you .
James : Thank you , Chris .
You ’ re a wonderful family member .
Anything else you would like to close with ?
Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is 2 Chronicles 7:14 .
We need to humble ourselves .
We ’ re all being humbled — we ’ re being forced to stay home .
And that is not all bad .
I am being humbled , and it ’ s making me cry out to God .
God is going to hear our prayers , and it is time for the church to rise up in that kind of calling out to God .
James : You and I both love sports and the outdoors , including golf .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Super Bowl ” of our sports year was coming up at the Masters Golf Tournament , and we ’ re not going to get to watch that .
Since we can ’ t be watching the Masters , we should just spend more time talking to the Master .
Wouldn ’ t that be a good suggestion ?
Chris : Yes , that ’ s awesome .
You ’ re the best .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .

Editor’s Note: The Stream’s founder, James Robison, first met Pastor Chris Hodges in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Here, they discuss the coronavirus crisis and how God is using The Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community.
James Robison: Chris, you’ve been chosen as a leader, like an apostolic or New Testament voice, in this age. I believe with all my heart you will be as instrumental as a channel of God’s insight, wisdom and direction as anybody in the country.
Yesterday morning, the Lord showed me that coronavirus is a visible manifestation of what’s happening in the invisible realm of the Spirit. Satan, the enemy of everything pertaining to life and godliness has lost ground. He lost ground he controlled as it relates to the preciousness of every life; all aspects of godliness including marriage, family, sex (including gender); true freedom; limited government and the foolishness of depending on any form of power outside of the wisdom, shadow and shelter of the Father and the guidance of the Shepherd. Satan is furious and is trying to take back ground he has lost.
This virus shows that the elders and people who are older are like a remnant that have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying and revealing to the church for the glory of God and the benefit of the people Jesus died for. It is very important for people to see that the enemy is attacking the kingdom purpose of God in the life of every believer and the Body of Christ, the church. The sooner we show people how special they are in the eyes of God, they will realize why the enemy has targeted the kingdom purpose of God in and through their life.
Chris, tell me what you are seeing through your church — The Church of the Highlands — that we need to hear right now — not only in the spiritual realm, but in the physical.
Chris Hodges: I think the Lord has been offended at what has happened globally. A lot of times in our prosperity, we tend to run away from God.
I don’t think God created this [coronavirus]. I think He has allowed this to create a shaking to remind us where our true sustenance, our life comes from. I think it’s interesting that it started in an area of the world, China, where the government was cracking down on the underground church. We know of places where they were imprisoning and executing pastors in some places.
At our church, we’ve seen people who have never been open to the Lord who are running to God. This past Sunday, during spring break, we would typically have been down 20% to about 40,000 people — and we had 250,000 people watch the service live. My message to pastors and leaders: Don’t be part of the fear. It’s real, but be part of the hopeful message of turning people to God in their desperation.
James: Let me respond to what you said as it relates to China and any nation that casts aside the Word of God and no longer glorifies Him as God. They change His truth into a lie and are given over to appetites beyond their control. Then given over to reprobate thinking to where they can’t think straight, determine right from wrong, or good from evil. They are persecuting the church that is praying for a miracle of God. The enemy wants to destroy everything pertaining to life and godliness. It appears the Chinese government wants that. There are other governments who want that too. The Chinese government leaders don’t care if many people die. In fact, they often eliminate people rapidly on purpose.
Be assured, there is a great remnant of people who are serious about God, just like the underground Christians in China are. So what is it that God wants to accomplish in spite of how bad things are? He shares in Romans 8 that He, “Works all things together for good (including the bad) to fulfill His kingdom purpose.”
He desires to shape us into a vessel that honors Him. As believers, we are to be yielded clay in the hands of the Master Potter, God Himself, allowing Him to shape Christlikeness into us. Jesus prayed in John 17 that all believers would come together in supernatural unity and the world would recognize we are truly His disciples, God’s family.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
My prayer is that the shepherds and pastors will show God’s family — the church — the heart of the Father allowing Him to accomplish His will.
Chris, The Church of the Highlands is becoming an answer to the prayer and the needs of the community, and an example of the unity God wants in the family and that we desperately need in our nation. Can you explain what have you done to try to help people in your community during this time of crisis? I think you have set a great example for all of us, and I am so grateful.
Chris: Thank you. What we have done, we put into place before this happened. We trained more than 26,000 volunteers and put ourselves in a position financially where we have margins so that when crises like this happen, we can step up. We haven’t had to take an offering, we haven’t had to train volunteers — they were already ready.
We have a medical clinic downtown that we started and funded. It’s under a separate 501(c)(3), but it is our medical clinic called Christ Health Center, and we are using our largest location as a drive-through testing site for coronavirus. Because we had lines of cars for miles, we had to move the location to another place due to the overwhelming response.
As people get within three miles of the campus, they are directed to tune into a short-wave FM radio station. It is playing worship music, playing the Word of God, telling them God loves them, letting them know fear isn’t of God and giving them instructions about what the procedures are like when they pull up to the medical professionals.
We’re letting people know that we’re trying to take care of their physical needs, but I think people have spiritual and emotional needs as great as the physical ones right now. The fear, panic and hysteria that is in people’s hearts is grounded on a reality, but it can pollute the soul of a person while they are trying to deal with their physical needs. Doctors can address the physical, but it takes the gospel to address the emotional and spiritual. When you combine those two together, James, you have a powerful thing that happens, and the city is really responding to it.
In addition to that, we are assisting our local schools to provide meals not only to the children who are out of school, but also to the elderly who can’t even get to the store right now. We’re going through our widows’ list and elderly list to care for those who need it at this time.
I don’t like what is happening, but I am grateful for the opportunity for the church to arise and do what only the church can do.
James: I love that.
My son was taping a television program with my wife, Betty, and me yesterday for “LIFE Today,” and he said, “You know, God didn’t give us a spirit of fear. What did He give us? In that same passage [2 Timothy 1:7], it says He gave us “power, love and a sound mind.” Chris, you are demonstrating that in what you are doing.
If there are pastors who bear witness with the Father’s heart expressed through you and want to help in their community, is there any source they can go to expedite their ability to also do some of the things you are doing?
Chris: My strongest calling in life is to serve churches. On growleader.com and arcchurches.com, we have already uploaded everything we know about serving communities, the resources needed to do church services and a virtual online kind of way that even smaller churches can use. Everything we’re doing, we automatically uploaded to these two sites for pastors and churches to download. Everything is “white-labeled,” meaning we take off our own logo so they can put their logo on it, and it even looks like they created it. We don’t want any credit, and they don’t have to mention where they got it. We just want them to get out there and let their local church shine in the middle of this crisis.
James: Chris, I can’t tell you how much I hear the heart of the Father expressed through you — even in only wanting the credit and glory to go to God. We’re a family that is supposed to show people what the perfect Father looks like. I pray that everybody who reads this will realize that God has placed in us the ability, when we are connected to one another, to express His love and life and transforming truth through us like a river.
This is an opportunity for the love of God to flow more freely and clearly than in any time in history. What would you like the church to hear from you as a pastor and shepherd?
Chris: The first thing I would want them to hear is that the Bible was written during times of uncertainty and crisis. They can lean on the power and comfort that comes from God’s Word. We truly need to “cast our cares on Him” because He cares for us.
I’m getting ready to send a video message to our entire church, quoting Jeremiah 29:11, where it says God has both a “hope and a future” for us, and it’s good. He has “plans for us,” to “prosper us,” to “give us a hope and a future.” We don’t know what it is, but God does. I’m completely comforted, knowing that the One in control of my life has the plan. In fact, I’m glad I’m not the one with the plan. I’m glad God has the plans for my life.
I’m telling my church to balance the amount of information you’re allowing in your mind that you need to be informed … with God’s Word, worship and prayer, and fear will not be able to overtake your life while you are being informed about this crisis.
James: God tells us to pray for those in authority, and we know there is one King who can move all kings and all powers. Since you’ve been praying for those in authority and have been up close and observed our national leadership, even in the White House, do you believe the prayers of God’s people would actually move in a positive way this present king and our national leadership?
Chris: Oh, 100%. There were several of us who asked President Trump to call a National Day of Prayer. The proclamation, which I would urge every American to read, quotes scripture three times. This is the time to pray, and I really do believe that even in the next few weeks we are going to see this thing turn because of prayer. That is the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Our land needs healing now on many different dimensions, and I believe prayer is what’s going to turn it.
James: I really do want to thank you for your leadership. If people want to hear the message you are putting online, how would they find it?
Chris: The easiest one is on my Instagram site, pastorchrishodges. It’s going to be uploaded by the end of the day, and I believe it will be a tremendous encouragement to our church family and to everyone who watches.
James: I really want to thank you for your friendship and for being yielded clay in the hands of the Master Potter. Let’s pray that the entire church body would realize they are in the Master Potter’s hand, and that the pressure that shapes us all either comes from His fingers or is filtered through His fingers. We need to be grateful for the shaping process, even though pressure oftentimes feels very uncomfortable. Do you agree that this would be a good prayer for us to pray together?
Chris: Absolutely. And I want to thank you for not only being a father to me and so many pastors and leaders, but you really have a prophetic, apostolic voice. I feel comforted by your leadership. We need you, we need what your ministry does, and I’m grateful for you. What you’ve done, James, is consistently modeled your own pliability and the softening of that clay in the Master’s hands, and it inspires the rest of us. We’re grateful to God for you.
James: Thank you, Chris. You’re a wonderful family member. Anything else you would like to close with?
Chris: The message for the church right now is 2 Chronicles 7:14. We need to humble ourselves. We’re all being humbled — we’re being forced to stay home. And that is not all bad. I am being humbled, and it’s making me cry out to God. God is going to hear our prayers, and it is time for the church to rise up in that kind of calling out to God.
James: You and I both love sports and the outdoors, including golf. Probably for you and me, the “Super Bowl” of our sports year was coming up at the Masters Golf Tournament, and we’re not going to get to watch that. Since we can’t be watching the Masters, we should just spend more time talking to the Master. Wouldn’t that be a good suggestion?
Chris: Yes, that’s awesome. You’re the best.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-03-18--6-Year-Old Girl Teaches Autistic Little Brother Bible Verse to Calm His Fears About Coronavirus

He ’ d just watched news about COVID-19 .
And he was terrified .
But his sister knew just what to do .
Teach him a Bible verse .
Comedian and writer Sheletta Brundidge ’ s autistic son , Brandon , was terrified after he saw news about the coronavirus on television .
“ We watch the news every day and he was watching it and was taking in all the fear and panic … it just made him so scared.
” Her daughter , Cameron , also has autism .
She knew what to do to help her baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told him to repeat after her .
Word by word , she taught him 2 Timothy 1:7 : “ But God did not give me a spirit of fear , but power , love , and a sound mind.
” Plead the Blood , Pray and Wash Your Hands Brundidge posted on Twitter , “ My son has crippling fear cause of his # autism .
His sister taught him a scripture she learned at @ FellowshipMiss2 Church to help .
Stop letting your fear of # Coronavirus be bigger than your faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pray and wash your hands .
Amen !
” Brundidge praised her daughter .
“ While the world is stocking up on toilet paper and mayonnaise , jars of pickles and bottled water , she realized — at 6 years old — that it was only his faith that was going to get him through this.
” Cameron ’ s mom says she prays for everybody .
She ’ d learned the verse at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis .
“ Just from the mouth of a child to another child , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” Brundidge told Fox News .
“ We don ’ t have to be afraid of this .
There ’ s been worse .
We just have to rely on our faith , take the precautions we need to take and continue to live our lives.
” Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » She added that their family is a family of faith .
“ We just believe in faith and we believe in Jesus and we ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verse is “ The joy of the Lord is my strength.
” “ We choose to laugh .
We choose to be happy , and laughter and joy has gotten us through a lot of dark days before , so we spread that.
” Brundidge ’ s children ’ s book Cameron Goes to School will be released at the end of the month .
The book was written to “ empower young boys and girls who have autism and educate their classmates.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

He’d just watched news about COVID-19. And he was terrified. But his sister knew just what to do. Teach him a Bible verse.
Comedian and writer Sheletta Brundidge’s autistic son, Brandon, was terrified after he saw news about the coronavirus on television. “We watch the news every day and he was watching it and was taking in all the fear and panic … it just made him so scared.”
Her daughter, Cameron, also has autism. She knew what to do to help her baby brother. She held his hand and told him to repeat after her. Word by word, she taught him 2 Timothy 1:7: “But God did not give me a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind.”
Plead the Blood, Pray and Wash Your Hands
Brundidge posted on Twitter, “My son has crippling fear cause of his #autism. His sister taught him a scripture she learned at @FellowshipMiss2 Church to help. Stop letting your fear of #Coronavirus be bigger than your faith in God. Plead The Blood, pray and wash your hands. Amen!”
My son Brandon has crippling fear cause of his #autism. His sister taught him a scripture she learned at @FellowshipMiss2 Church to help. Stop letting your fear of #Coronavirus be bigger than your faith in God. Plead The Blood, pray and wash your hands. Amen! pic.twitter.com/R2nnSDo3EA — Sheletta Brundidge (@ShelettaIsFunny) March 13, 2020
Brundidge praised her daughter. “While the world is stocking up on toilet paper and mayonnaise, jars of pickles and bottled water, she realized — at 6 years old — that it was only his faith that was going to get him through this.” Cameron’s mom says she prays for everybody. She’d learned the verse at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis.
“Just from the mouth of a child to another child, it transformed the way I looked at it,” Brundidge told Fox News. “We don’t have to be afraid of this. There’s been worse. We just have to rely on our faith, take the precautions we need to take and continue to live our lives.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
She added that their family is a family of faith. “We just believe in faith and we believe in Jesus and we’re not afraid to say it.” Her favorite verse is “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Choose to Laugh
“We choose to laugh. We choose to be happy, and laughter and joy has gotten us through a lot of dark days before, so we spread that.”
Brundidge’s children’s book Cameron Goes to School will be released at the end of the month. The book was written to “empower young boys and girls who have autism and educate their classmates.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-03-18--Infringement of Our Rights or Love Your Neighbor as Yourself?

As Americans , we are fiercely independent .
We are not like a collectivist society like China , which can mandate the behavior of an entire nation ( note the quote here about China from a S. Korean professor ) .
We are individualists , and we prize our freedoms .
How , then , should we respond when our government restricts these freedoms in the name of public safety ?
Is this an infringement of our constitutional rights ?
Or is it an opportunity to love our neighbor ?
What is at Stake Before answering these questions , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at stake .
The New York Times paints this grim picture from Italy : And what , exactly , does this look like ?
“ ‘ Unfortunately , we don ’ t know where to put them , ’ said Brother Marco Bergamelli , one of the priests at the church .
He said that with hundreds dying each day , and with each body taking more than an hour to cremate , there was an awful backlog .
‘ It takes time and the dead are many.
’ ” This is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time .
This is what we could be facing in America .
One more glimpse from the Times : At around midnight on Wednesday , Renzo Carlo Testa , 85 , died from the coronavirus in a hospital in the northern Italian town of Bergamo .
Five days later , his body was still sitting in a coffin , one of scores lined head-to-toe in the church of the local cemetery , which is itself closed to the public .
His wife of 50 years , Franca Stefanelli , would like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional funeral services are illegal throughout Italy now , part of the national restrictions against gatherings and going out that have been put in place to try to stem the spread of Europe ’ s worst outbreak of the coronavirus .
In any case , she and her sons could not attend anyway , because they are themselves sick and in quarantine .
Would you like this to happen to your family ?
Your city ?
In short , this is not about me or my freedoms .
It is about caring for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government feels the need to put reasonable , mandatory restrictions on the populace in order to save lives , then as much as possible , I will comply .
I am willing to be restricted so as not to be a potential carrier of the disease to others .
Concerns that the Restrictions are Part of a Nefarious Plot “ But , ” someone will surely say , “ this opens the door for the government to do anything .
This is just a trial run to see how we will respond .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The restrictions are part of a larger , national ( or , even international ) plot.
” ( For related thoughts from an evangelical leader , see here . )
To be sure , I do not put absolute trust in our government .
Not a chance .
I do not believe in Washington the way I believe in God .
( Not within a million miles . )
But do we honestly think that President Trump is part of this conspiracy ?
That his entire administration is part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to a one-world government ?
That Trump will be coming for our guns next ?
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » I could understand some conservatives being up in arms if George H. W. Bush were our current president , with his frequent references to a “ New World Order.
” And I could understand more skepticism from the right if this was happening under President Barack Obama ( or , more scarily , under a President Bernie Sanders ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is nobody ’ s puppet .
And he is no friend of the “ New World Order.
” It was German ’ s Angela Merkel who complained about the damage Trump was doing to this very order .
And the Foreign Policy website noted on December 27 , 2018 that , “ From his earliest days on the campaign trail , U.S. President Donald Trump made clear his disdain for the international organizations that have regulated trade , promoted human rights , and advanced international peace since the end of World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject the idea that the restrictions being placed on us are part of a larger , nefarious plot .
Our Leaders Are Doing Their Best to Prevent Deaths It ’ s possible that some leaders want to exploit this crisis to advance their own , controlling agendas .
( That is certainly the case in China . )
But I truly believe that our health experts are doing their best to prevent millions of deaths and our national leaders are doing their best to respond with wisdom .
If and when the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will stand up say , “ We must obey God rather than man ” ( Acts 5:29 ) .
This , however , is not that time .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Jezebel ’ s War With America : The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

As Americans, we are fiercely independent. We are not like a collectivist society like China, which can mandate the behavior of an entire nation (note the quote here about China from a S. Korean professor). We are individualists, and we prize our freedoms.
How, then, should we respond when our government restricts these freedoms in the name of public safety? Is this an infringement of our constitutional rights? Or is it an opportunity to love our neighbor?
What is at Stake
Before answering these questions, we would do well to consider what is at stake. The New York Times paints this grim picture from Italy:
Hospital morgues there are inundated. Bergamo’s mayor, Giorgio Gori, issued an ordinance that closed the local cemetery this week for the first time since World War II, though he guaranteed that its mortuary would still accept coffins. Many of them had been sent to the Church of All Saints in Bergamo, located in the closed cemetery, where scores of waxed wooden coffins form a macabre line for cremations.
And what, exactly, does this look like?
“‘Unfortunately, we don’t know where to put them,’ said Brother Marco Bergamelli, one of the priests at the church. He said that with hundreds dying each day, and with each body taking more than an hour to cremate, there was an awful backlog. ‘It takes time and the dead are many.’”
This is what happens when the coronavirus is not checked in time. This is what we could be facing in America.
One more glimpse from the Times:
At around midnight on Wednesday, Renzo Carlo Testa, 85, died from the coronavirus in a hospital in the northern Italian town of Bergamo. Five days later, his body was still sitting in a coffin, one of scores lined head-to-toe in the church of the local cemetery, which is itself closed to the public. His wife of 50 years, Franca Stefanelli, would like to give him a proper funeral. But traditional funeral services are illegal throughout Italy now, part of the national restrictions against gatherings and going out that have been put in place to try to stem the spread of Europe’s worst outbreak of the coronavirus. In any case, she and her sons could not attend anyway, because they are themselves sick and in quarantine.
Would you like this to happen to your family? Your city?
In short, this is not about me or my freedoms. It is about caring for my neighbor.
Consequently, if the government feels the need to put reasonable, mandatory restrictions on the populace in order to save lives, then as much as possible, I will comply. I am willing to be restricted so as not to be a potential carrier of the disease to others.
Concerns that the Restrictions are Part of a Nefarious Plot
“But,” someone will surely say, “this opens the door for the government to do anything. This is just a trial run to see how we will respond. There is nothing random or unplanned about it. The restrictions are part of a larger, national (or, even international) plot.” (For related thoughts from an evangelical leader, see here.)
To be sure, I do not put absolute trust in our government. Not a chance. I do not believe in Washington the way I believe in God. (Not within a million miles.)
But do we honestly think that President Trump is part of this conspiracy? That his entire administration is part of a plot to steal our liberties and subject us to a one-world government? That Trump will be coming for our guns next?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I could understand some conservatives being up in arms if George H. W. Bush were our current president, with his frequent references to a “New World Order.” And I could understand more skepticism from the right if this was happening under President Barack Obama (or, more scarily, under a President Bernie Sanders).
But let’s be realistic.
This is happening under Donald Trump. He is nobody’s puppet. And he is no friend of the “New World Order.”
It was German’s Angela Merkel who complained about the damage Trump was doing to this very order. And the Foreign Policy website noted on December 27, 2018 that, “From his earliest days on the campaign trail, U.S. President Donald Trump made clear his disdain for the international organizations that have regulated trade, promoted human rights, and advanced international peace since the end of World War II.”
That’s why I reject the idea that the restrictions being placed on us are part of a larger, nefarious plot.
Our Leaders Are Doing Their Best to Prevent Deaths
It’s possible that some leaders want to exploit this crisis to advance their own, controlling agendas. (That is certainly the case in China.) But I truly believe that our health experts are doing their best to prevent millions of deaths and our national leaders are doing their best to respond with wisdom.
If and when the government illegitimately seeks to steal our rights, we will stand up say, “We must obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29).
This, however, is not that time.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Jezebel’s War With America: The Plot to Destroy Our Country and What We Can Do to Turn the Tide. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-03-18--How Much Coronavirus News is Enough News?

Does anyone remember the primaries ?
What primaries ?
Is there a coronavirus primary going on ?
Because there ’ s nothing else on the news .
If it isn ’ t the coronavirus , no one ’ s talking about it .
It ’ s all coronavirus , all the time .
TV news stations are good at hooking us in , whether we need to be watching or not .
They know what grabs viewers and keeps them .
For many of us , though , the constant flow of breathless virus reporting multiplies the stress , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need .
There ’ s got to be a limit somewhere , but where ?
How much news is enough ?
When is it time to turn it off ?
Here are principles flowing from three questions : What Kind of News Are You Watching ?
There ’ s news , and there ’ s sensationalized news .
We all need to stay appropriately up to date on what ’ s going on , but we don ’ t need it hyped up for us .
Here at The Stream we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , but we ’ re committed to maintaining hope throughout all our reporting .
We ’ re also not attempting to be your primary news source , so for that you ’ ll want to turn to the most thorough , up-to-the-minute yet reasonable reporting you can find .
Why Are You Watching ?
Why do you watch it ?
Other than staying generally informed , that is ?
Is it because the news station ’ s hooks have grabbed you ?
( Don ’ t be embarrassed , you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just because the TV is turned on ?
Or is it because , “ I always watch the evening news , and if the constant coronavirus coverage is stressing me out , well , nuts , I always watch it so I ’ m going to keep on watching it !
” Sometimes even a good habit can be harmful .
It might be time to think about why you ’ re watching .
We don ’ t often ask ourselves that question , and the TV news sources don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important , but few of us are in danger of being under-informed on this virus anymore .
More of us are at risk of being overwhelmed by too much information , too much focus , too much obsessive attention paid to it .
Some of us would probably admit to having trouble pulling away from it .
I can think of two good reasons to watch : First , to be generally well-informed , and second , to make decisions we ’ re responsible to make .
The level of responsibility varies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us have had to decide whether to shut down shops or restaurants ; all of us need to decide what we ’ re going to do about social distancing and special hygiene precautions .
We need enough information to be able decide responsibility .
Once we ’ ve got that , it ’ s probably okay to turn off the news .
What ’ s It Doing To Your Spirit ?
Finally , what ’ s happening to your spirit as you watch the news ?
Everyone is different on this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when my team is playing poorly .
The rest of my family can , but I can ’ t , and they all breathe easier when I leave the room .
Help us champion truth , freedom , limited government and human dignity .
Support The Stream » Some folks don ’ t react to the news a bit .
I ’ m glad for them ; may their tribe increase ; but we ’ re not all likewise blessed .
So listen to your thoughts , not just the words from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just the images on the screen .
Are you feeling stressed ?
Is anxiety rising ?
Again , you need not be embarrassed if it is .
You ’ re certainly not the only one .
You ’ re also not tied to your couch , and you don ’ t have to keep watching .
So here ’ s how I ’ d put all this together : Choose a news source that reports reasonably , without sensationalizing .
Watch until it starts turning from information-providing to anxiety-provoking .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , keep watching anyway — but only until you ’ re confident you have what you need .
Otherwise , it ’ s perfectly okay to turn it off .
The whole nation might just breathe easier if we ’ d all do that once in a while .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

Does anyone remember the primaries? What primaries? Is there a coronavirus primary going on? Because there’s nothing else on the news. If it isn’t the coronavirus, no one’s talking about it. It’s all coronavirus, all the time.
TV news stations are good at hooking us in, whether we need to be watching or not. They know what grabs viewers and keeps them. For many of us, though, the constant flow of breathless virus reporting multiplies the stress, when more stress is exactly what we don’t need.
There’s got to be a limit somewhere, but where? How much news is enough? When is it time to turn it off? Here are principles flowing from three questions:
What Kind of News Are You Watching?
There’s news, and there’s sensationalized news. We all need to stay appropriately up to date on what’s going on, but we don’t need it hyped up for us.
Here at The Stream we’re reporting on the coronavirus, too, but we’re committed to maintaining hope throughout all our reporting. We’re also not attempting to be your primary news source, so for that you’ll want to turn to the most thorough, up-to-the-minute yet reasonable reporting you can find.
Why Are You Watching?
Why do you watch it? Other than staying generally informed, that is? Is it because the news station’s hooks have grabbed you? (Don’t be embarrassed, you’re not the only one.) Is it just because the TV is turned on? Or is it because, “I always watch the evening news, and if the constant coronavirus coverage is stressing me out, well, nuts, I always watch it so I’m going to keep on watching it!”
Sometimes even a good habit can be harmful. It might be time to think about why you’re watching. We don’t often ask ourselves that question, and the TV news sources don’t want us to.
You’re not tied to your couch, and you don’t have to keep watching.
Being well-informed is important, but few of us are in danger of being under-informed on this virus anymore. More of us are at risk of being overwhelmed by too much information, too much focus, too much obsessive attention paid to it. Some of us would probably admit to having trouble pulling away from it.
I can think of two good reasons to watch: First, to be generally well-informed, and second, to make decisions we’re responsible to make. The level of responsibility varies from one person to the next. Some of us have had to decide whether to shut down shops or restaurants; all of us need to decide what we’re going to do about social distancing and special hygiene precautions. We need enough information to be able decide responsibility. Once we’ve got that, it’s probably okay to turn off the news.
What’s It Doing To Your Spirit?
Finally, what’s happening to your spirit as you watch the news? Everyone is different on this. I can’t stand watching football when my team is playing poorly. The rest of my family can, but I can’t, and they all breathe easier when I leave the room.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Some folks don’t react to the news a bit. I’m glad for them; may their tribe increase; but we’re not all likewise blessed. So listen to your thoughts, not just the words from the tube. Pay attention to your spirit, not just the images on the screen. Are you feeling stressed? Is anxiety rising? Again, you need not be embarrassed if it is. You’re certainly not the only one. You’re also not tied to your couch, and you don’t have to keep watching.
Putting It Together
So here’s how I’d put all this together: Choose a news source that reports reasonably, without sensationalizing. Watch until it starts turning from information-providing to anxiety-provoking. If you need the information to make necessary decisions, keep watching anyway — but only until you’re confident you have what you need.
Otherwise, it’s perfectly okay to turn it off. The whole nation might just breathe easier if we’d all do that once in a while.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.