thestream--2020-06-06--Ancient Wisdom for Living When the World Hates You

He ’ d preached the Gospel , and infuriated lots of the powerful people in the city .
Including the empress herself .
She wanted him gone .
She probably wanted him dead , but he was too popular to kill .
He even angered his own clergy , by telling them to do their jobs .
Rarely has a Christian minister made so many enemies .
And why ?
Because he kept telling people that Jesus meant what He said .
John Chrysostom led the Christian Church in the eastern part of the Roman empire in the late fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a preacher in Antioch .
( You can find his sermons and other ancient Christian works here . )
He found himself made the archbishop of Constantinople , though no one asked him if he wanted the job .
He didn ’ t .
Suddenly he was the most prominent Christian in the capital of the whole empire .
John preached very practical sermons , going deep into the Scriptures to tell his people what God wanted from them .
He preached grace , but he didn ’ t let anyone think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the life .
In particular , he constantly told his people to serve the poor .
Their lives of luxury and indulgence he condemned .
John kept speaking truth to power , as we say nowadays .
The people loved him .
The ruling classes , not so much .
They kept sending him into exile .
Finally , in the year 407 , ten years after he began his work in Constantinople , he was sent in exile again .
He was 60 years old and worn out from his tireless work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent him this time , but as far as we can tell , his enemies wanted to make sure he never came back .
And he didn ’ t .
He died on the way .
John preached a final sermon before he left .
He tells his people that the world would win — but not really .
Not eternally .
The Church , God ’ s people on earth , would win .
But here ’ s the thing about John Chrysostom .
John was was a flat-out , damn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Jesus , 100 percent Christian .
He expected every other Christian to be as well .
Inspiring , at a distance of 1600 years .
But were we sitting in front of him as he preached , many of us would get angry too .
We ’ d feel judged .
And most of us should .
I look at my own life , and I have to admit to being a watch out for the torpedoes , don ’ t go too fast Christian .
Even so , the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 50 percent too much Christian .
25 percent .
10 percent .
All more than the world wants .
Some of that hate we deserve , because we ’ re not 100 percent Christian .
We don ’ t practice what we preach .
And the world that hates us ?
It includes Christians .
Christians sent John into the desert for preaching Christ .
Here ’ s what John Chrysostom said just before he went into exile .
He spoke to his people , but he speaks to us as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , shortened and put into modern language .
The storm rages , but it doesn ’ t scare us , because we stand upon the Rock .
The raging ocean can not break it .
The storm can not sink the ship of Jesus .
Tell me , what should we fear ?
Death ?
To me to live is Christ and to die gain .
Exile ?
The earth is the Lord ’ s , and the fullness of it .
The loss of our property ?
We brought nothing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can take nothing away with us .
I despise what the world fears , and hold its good things in derision .
I do not fear poverty , nor do I desire riches .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
And I am not afraid of death .
I do not pray to live , unless I can continue to live for your good .
This is why I tell you what ’ s happening , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man shall be able to separate us .
No man can part that which God has joined together .
God says of man and wife : That which God has joined together man shall not separate .
If you can not dissolve marriage , how much less can you break up the Church of God .
You may fight her , but you can ’ t hurt her .
ts on the new role !
Wage not war against Heaven .
You can ’ t win .
For God is stronger than all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order He established ?
If you distrust words , believe in facts .
How many tyrants have tried to defeat the Church !
How many Christians have they burned to death or fed to wild animals or killed with the sword !
Yet they have not succeeded .
Where are they now ?
Everyone ’ s forgotten them .
But where is the Church ?
It is more dazzling than the sun .
Their deeds are no more , hers are immortal .
Be not disturbed by anything that has taken place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith .
See you not Peter walking upon the waters , beginning to doubt and being on the point of drowning , not through the surging waves , but through the weakness of his faith ?
Did we come here by vote of man ?
Did a man bring us in , that a man might displace us ?
I say this , not out of pride , nor to boast — God forbid !
— but wishing to give courage to what is faint in you .
The devil aimed at disturbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demon , you could not master walls .
Do you think to shake the Church ?
The Church is in the multitude of the faithful .
What an array of immutable pillars , not clasped by iron , but bound by faith !
I say not that so vast a multitude is more ardent than fire , but if it consisted of one , you would not overcome that one .
You know what wounds the martyrs inflicted on you .
Many a time a tender maiden has been brought into court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she became harder than a rock .
You tore her sides , yet you took not her faith .
The body was being spent , the spirit was renewed .
The physical frame was perishing , yet piety endured .
You have not conquered a single woman , and do you hope to conquer so numerous a people ?
Do you not hear the Lord saying , Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name , there I am in the midst of them ?
Where is not this people whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
Am I in good heart by my own strength ?
I hold His written word .
This is my staff , this is my courage , this is to me a calm harbor .
Even if the world be troubled , I hold that written word ; I look up to those words , they are a wall of strength to me .
What are they ?
I am with you always until the consummation of the world .
Christ is with me , what shall I fear ?
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the powerful rage against me , that ’ s less significant than a cobweb .
This is my tower of defense , this is my immutable rock , this is my sure staff .
If this be God ’ s will , so be it .
If He wish me to remain here , I am grateful to Him .
Wherever it may be , I give Him thanks .
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “ Last Things ” column for the New Oxford Review .
He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press .

He’d preached the Gospel, and infuriated lots of the powerful people in the city. Including the empress herself. She wanted him gone. She probably wanted him dead, but he was too popular to kill. He even angered his own clergy, by telling them to do their jobs. Rarely has a Christian minister made so many enemies.
And why? Because he kept telling people that Jesus meant what He said.
Truth to Power
John Chrysostom led the Christian Church in the eastern part of the Roman empire in the late fourth century. He’d become famous as a preacher in Antioch. (You can find his sermons and other ancient Christian works here.) He found himself made the archbishop of Constantinople, though no one asked him if he wanted the job. He didn’t. Suddenly he was the most prominent Christian in the capital of the whole empire.
John preached very practical sermons, going deep into the Scriptures to tell his people what God wanted from them. He preached grace, but he didn’t let anyone think he could accept the grace without living the life. In particular, he constantly told his people to serve the poor. Their lives of luxury and indulgence he condemned. John kept speaking truth to power, as we say nowadays. The people loved him. The ruling classes, not so much.
They kept sending him into exile. Finally, in the year 407, ten years after he began his work in Constantinople, he was sent in exile again. He was 60 years old and worn out from his tireless work. We don’t know who sent him this time, but as far as we can tell, his enemies wanted to make sure he never came back. And he didn’t. He died on the way.
John preached a final sermon before he left. He tells his people that the world would win — but not really. Not eternally. The Church, God’s people on earth, would win.
100 Percent Christian
But here’s the thing about John Chrysostom. John was was a flat-out, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, sold out to Jesus, 100 percent Christian. He expected every other Christian to be as well.
Inspiring, at a distance of 1600 years. But were we sitting in front of him as he preached, many of us would get angry too. We’d feel judged. And most of us should. I look at my own life, and I have to admit to being a watch out for the torpedoes, don’t go too fast Christian.
Even so, the world can hate us. 50 percent Christian is 50 percent too much Christian. 25 percent. 10 percent. All more than the world wants. Some of that hate we deserve, because we’re not 100 percent Christian. We don’t practice what we preach. And the world that hates us? It includes Christians. Christians sent John into the desert for preaching Christ.
Here’s what John Chrysostom said just before he went into exile. He spoke to his people, but he speaks to us as well. The rest of this is from him, shortened and put into modern language.
The Storm Rages
The storm rages, but it doesn’t scare us, because we stand upon the Rock. The raging ocean cannot break it. The storm cannot sink the ship of Jesus.
Tell me, what should we fear? Death? To me to live is Christ and to die gain. Exile? The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it. The loss of our property? We brought nothing with us into the world, and we can take nothing away with us.
I despise what the world fears, and hold its good things in derision. I do not fear poverty, nor do I desire riches.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And I am not afraid of death. I do not pray to live, unless I can continue to live for your good. This is why I tell you what’s happening, and urge you to be cheerful.
No man shall be able to separate us. No man can part that which God has joined together. God says of man and wife: That which God has joined together man shall not separate. If you cannot dissolve marriage, how much less can you break up the Church of God. You may fight her, but you can’t hurt her.
Wage not war against Heaven. You can’t win. For God is stronger than all. Who will try to subvert the order He established?
The Church Wins
If you distrust words, believe in facts. How many tyrants have tried to defeat the Church! How many Christians have they burned to death or fed to wild animals or killed with the sword! Yet they have not succeeded.
Where are they now? Everyone’s forgotten them. But where is the Church? It is more dazzling than the sun. Their deeds are no more, hers are immortal.
Be not disturbed by anything that has taken place. Gain me the grace of an immutable faith. See you not Peter walking upon the waters, beginning to doubt and being on the point of drowning, not through the surging waves, but through the weakness of his faith?
Did we come here by vote of man? Did a man bring us in, that a man might displace us? I say this, not out of pride, nor to boast — God forbid! — but wishing to give courage to what is faint in you.
The devil aimed at disturbing the Church. Wretched and most wicked demon, you could not master walls. Do you think to shake the Church? The Church is in the multitude of the faithful. What an array of immutable pillars, not clasped by iron, but bound by faith! I say not that so vast a multitude is more ardent than fire, but if it consisted of one, you would not overcome that one.
You know what wounds the martyrs inflicted on you. Many a time a tender maiden has been brought into court. She was softer than wax, and she became harder than a rock. You tore her sides, yet you took not her faith. The body was being spent, the spirit was renewed. The physical frame was perishing, yet piety endured.
You have not conquered a single woman, and do you hope to conquer so numerous a people? Do you not hear the Lord saying, Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them? Where is not this people whom charity binds?
I Hold God’s Word
I have a proof of it. Am I in good heart by my own strength? I hold His written word. This is my staff, this is my courage, this is to me a calm harbor. Even if the world be troubled, I hold that written word; I look up to those words, they are a wall of strength to me.
What are they? I am with you always until the consummation of the world. Christ is with me, what shall I fear? If waves are raging against me, if the powerful rage against me, that’s less significant than a cobweb.
This is my tower of defense, this is my immutable rock, this is my sure staff. If this be God’s will, so be it. If He wish me to remain here, I am grateful to Him. Wherever it may be, I give Him thanks.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-06-06--Now Above All, We Must Trust in Jesus No Matter What

I ’ m typing this inside Panera Bread near Dayton , Ohio .
It ’ s almost noon , and the place is strangely quiet ; hardly anyone ’ s in here .
Those who aren ’ t actively eating or drinking are wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other .
If I ’ d dreamt up a scene like this at the start of 2020 I ’ d have woken up in a cold sweat .
It ’ s a living nightmare .
The crazy thing is how grateful I am to be here : It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop in months .
We ’ ve been living a genuinely bad dream , multiplied now by the anger , protests , and violence following George Floyd ’ s murder , which has opened up a raw wound across the whole world .
But when is it going to start getting better again ?
Did I mention they ’ re predicting a stronger than average Atlantic hurricane season this year ?
Do we remember there ’ s a U.S. election coming ?
And let ’ s not forget how Australia was ravaged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying food crops in much of Africa and India .
So you can hope for things to improve , but this is not the time to count on it .
This is the time to get in practice instead — practice at the one life skill that will carry you through in good times or bad .
It ’ s the skill of letting your life , your mind , your hopes , and your heart focus on Jesus , no matter what .
Jesus is worthy of that focus .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our worship , for He is the only one who was also God .
As for me , though , I had almost become too used to that doctrine .
I accepted it as a teaching , to be sure , and if you ’ d asked me I ’ d have said I worshiped Him .
Not until I got into researching and writing my book Too Good To Be False , though , did I really begin to grasp just how extraordinarily worthy He is .
He lived the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever been lived : a life truly for others , an astonishing blend of authority and humility , of brilliance and simplicity , of sacrifice and joy .
My worship of Jesus moved from a matter of doctrine , to falling on my face gladly before Him and crying out , “ Jesus , you are my God !
” He Supplies Our Needs He ’ s the greatest leader of all time , and He has the greatest resources to offer : joy , peace , love and hope , no matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap it all .
The apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote his letter to the Philippians , a letter suffused with joy because its author was filled with Christ .
He wrote , We Can Be Confident In Him If one thing has become certain in our world lately , it ’ s that nothing is certain ; nothing but the word of God and His promises .
My favorites : “ Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you ” ( Heb .
13:5 ) , and “ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the world ” ( or “ the end of the age ” ) ( Matt .
28:20 ) .
Millions of Christians have counted on Jesus ’ promises , and have not been let down .
But His word secure from the beginning , when he died and rose again — a historical fact of which we can also be confident , for the evidence supports it firmly .
And forgive me for returning to my book again , but as I ’ ve written in it , the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises are worth counting on .
It ’ s no mere story , you see ; it ’ s too unique , too consistent , and too good for that .
None like it has ever been conceived , and it ’ s inconceivable that this would be the single exception — especially by way of the distorted story-building legend-growing processes the skeptics suppose .
Jesus is literally too good to be false .
He ’ s worthy , he supplies what we need , and we can count on it .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s enough to rest our whole lives on .
The world is trending in a direction where we may be forced to prove how true that is .
This bad dream we ’ re in could get better , sure , but it could get worse , too .
Which will it be for our communities , our churches , our lands ?
No one knows , though as I read events , I suspect we ’ re at a dark tipping point , the kind at which civilizations totter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not , the one thing certain is the faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
And suppose the world became suddenly easier to live in again after all .
Individual lives go their own directions , too , some of them better , some worse .
Which will it be for you ?
And how will it end for you ?
Here there are two things certain : The inevitably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God to carry you even through that .
Are you ready to rely on Jesus , no matter what ?
Now ’ s the time to get in practice .
Now ’ s the time to be sure you ’ re pursuing Him with all you ’ ve got , so you can say yes to that question — no matter what .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His Reality .

I’m typing this inside Panera Bread near Dayton, Ohio. It’s almost noon, and the place is strangely quiet; hardly anyone’s in here. Those who aren’t actively eating or drinking are wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other.
If I’d dreamt up a scene like this at the start of 2020 I’d have woken up in a cold sweat. It’s a living nightmare. The crazy thing is how grateful I am to be here: It’s my first visit to a coffee shop in months.
We’ve been living a genuinely bad dream, multiplied now by the anger, protests, and violence following George Floyd’s murder, which has opened up a raw wound across the whole world.
But when is it going to start getting better again? Did I mention they’re predicting a stronger than average Atlantic hurricane season this year? Do we remember there’s a U.S. election coming? And let’s not forget how Australia was ravaged by fire this year, and locusts are destroying food crops in much of Africa and India.
So you can hope for things to improve, but this is not the time to count on it. This is the time to get in practice instead — practice at the one life skill that will carry you through in good times or bad. It’s the skill of letting your life, your mind, your hopes, and your heart focus on Jesus, no matter what.
Jesus is Worthy
Jesus is worthy of that focus. He’s the one human in history worthy of our worship, for He is the only one who was also God. As for me, though, I had almost become too used to that doctrine. I accepted it as a teaching, to be sure, and if you’d asked me I’d have said I worshiped Him.
Not until I got into researching and writing my book Too Good To Be False, though, did I really begin to grasp just how extraordinarily worthy He is. He lived the one fully perfect human life that’s ever been lived: a life truly for others, an astonishing blend of authority and humility, of brilliance and simplicity, of sacrifice and joy. My worship of Jesus moved from a matter of doctrine, to falling on my face gladly before Him and crying out, “Jesus, you are my God!”
He Supplies Our Needs
He’s the greatest leader of all time, and He has the greatest resources to offer: joy, peace, love and hope, no matter the circumstances. And eternal life to cap it all.
The apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote his letter to the Philippians, a letter suffused with joy because its author was filled with Christ. He wrote,
It is my eager hope and expectation that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:20-21)
We Can Be Confident In Him
If one thing has become certain in our world lately, it’s that nothing is certain — nothing but the word of God and His promises. My favorites: “Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5), and “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (or “the end of the age”) (Matt. 28:20).
Millions of Christians have counted on Jesus’ promises, and have not been let down. But His word secure from the beginning, when he died and rose again — a historical fact of which we can also be confident, for the evidence supports it firmly.
Are you ready to rely on Jesus, no matter what? Now’s the time to get in practice. Now’s the time to be sure you’re pursuing Him with all you’ve got, so you can say yes to that question — no matter what.
And forgive me for returning to my book again, but as I’ve written in it, the story of Jesus itself tells us His life and promises are worth counting on. It’s no mere story, you see; it’s too unique, too consistent, and too good for that. None like it has ever been conceived, and it’s inconceivable that this would be the single exception — especially by way of the distorted story-building legend-growing processes the skeptics suppose. Jesus is literally too good to be false.
Jesus, No Matter What
He’s worthy, he supplies what we need, and we can count on it. That’s enough to bank on. That’s enough to rest our whole lives on.
The world is trending in a direction where we may be forced to prove how true that is. This bad dream we’re in could get better, sure, but it could get worse, too. Which will it be for our communities, our churches, our lands? No one knows, though as I read events, I suspect we’re at a dark tipping point, the kind at which civilizations totter and fail. Whether that’s true or not, the one thing certain is the faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And suppose the world became suddenly easier to live in again after all. Individual lives go their own directions, too, some of them better, some worse. Which will it be for you? And how will it end for you? Here there are two things certain: The inevitably of death, and the faithfulness of God to carry you even through that.
Are you ready to rely on Jesus, no matter what? Now’s the time to get in practice. Now’s the time to be sure you’re pursuing Him with all you’ve got, so you can say yes to that question — no matter what.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-06-06--Sharing Our Faith: What If I Am Rejected?

What if I am rejected ?
This is probably the biggest excuse not to evangelize .
There is always a possibility that you could get rejected when you talk to someone about Jesus .
In the rest of life , we realize that getting rejected or receiving “ no ’ s ” is not always a loss .
But why are we scared of being rejected for Christ ’ s sake so much ?
Many young guys have been rejected by a girl he was deeply interested in and pursuing , but later meet someone who is more suitable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off her engagement with a young Billy Graham at Florida Bible Institute because “ She wanted to marry a man who was going to amount to something.
” An article in Time Magazine said : For Billy , romantic rejection was not the end of the story .
Not only would he work hard to become better at his preaching , but he later transferred to Wheaton College where he would meet the love of his life , Ruth Bell , who would be his wife for 64 years .
We Should Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numerous other professionals face rejection .
Many teachers have been frustrated with certain students who seemed disengaged , but continued in persistence with those students and watched them eventually change their attitudes and grow into maturity .
I have met many physicians who will try every method available to help a suffering patient .
If the patient does not get better , good doctors don ’ t give up their practice .
People in sales have to take rejection all the time … and take it with poise .
If we share our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to be rejected , and it is often the hardest when it comes from a close friend or relative .
Young adults , you especially must choose who will be most important in your life — your friends or Jesus .
But , consider this : If your best friend had cancer and you had the cure , would you not share it ?
Well , you have the cure for eternal damnation , which is a relationship with Jesus Christ .
If you truly loved your friend , why would you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could ever give ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
We should never fear rejection for the sake of Christ .
In fact , Jesus said that you will be blessed and receive true happiness when you are rejected because of him .
Evangelist Mark Cahill says , “ Do you realize that when you get rejected in the name of Jesus , God has rewards waiting in Heaven that will make any earthly reward seem like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” No matter the results , evangelist Mark Cahill says you win !
First , if you share the Gospel with an unbeliever , and they receive it , you win !
But , second , let ’ s suppose that the person you ’ re talking to is a backslidden believer .
God may use you to awaken them , and they may feel convicted by seeing your boldness and decide to start following Jesus .
Scripture says , “ Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multitude of sins.
” ( James 5:20 ) Third , maybe the person is not ready to receive Christ or fully embrace your ideas , but God may be using you to “ plant a seed.
” God may be using you as the one to plant an idea in their mind to make them reconsider their current position .
Paul wrote , “ I planted the seed , Apollos watered it , but God has been making it grow.
” In God ’ s eyes , that ’ s a win !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you could get rejected .
With that rejection , you could lose a friend or even get insulted .
In the world ’ s eyes , this may seem like a loss , but it ’ s not .
It ’ s a win !
Jesus said that you are “ blessed ” or “ happy ” when people insult you or persecute you because of him .
( Matthew 5:11-12 ) I like Eugene Peterson ’ s translation that says : Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to discredit me .
What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable .
You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer , even !
— for though they don ’ t like it , I do !
And all heaven applauds .
And know that you are in good company .
My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble .
( Matthew 5:11-12 , The Message ) 1 .
Mark Cahill , One Thing You Can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

What if I am rejected? This is probably the biggest excuse not to evangelize. There is always a possibility that you could get rejected when you talk to someone about Jesus. In the rest of life, we realize that getting rejected or receiving “no’s” is not always a loss. But why are we scared of being rejected for Christ’s sake so much? Many young guys have been rejected by a girl he was deeply interested in and pursuing, but later meet someone who is more suitable. A young woman named Emily Cavenaugh broke off her engagement with a young Billy Graham at Florida Bible Institute because “She wanted to marry a man who was going to amount to something.” An article in Time Magazine said:
The disappointment planted in Graham a determination to prove her wrong; it ripened alongside his commitment to discerning and obeying God’s will. He would practice sermons aloud in old sheds or in a canoe in the middle of a lake. He ate a quarter-pound of butter a day to try to spread some bulk across his lanky frame, and he worked on his gestures and facial expressions as he traveled to tiny churches or declaimed outside saloons frequented by drunkards and prostitutes, sharing the Gospel.
For Billy, romantic rejection was not the end of the story. Not only would he work hard to become better at his preaching, but he later transferred to Wheaton College where he would meet the love of his life, Ruth Bell, who would be his wife for 64 years.
We Should Never Fear Rejection for the Sake of Christ
Numerous other professionals face rejection. Many teachers have been frustrated with certain students who seemed disengaged, but continued in persistence with those students and watched them eventually change their attitudes and grow into maturity. I have met many physicians who will try every method available to help a suffering patient. If the patient does not get better, good doctors don’t give up their practice. People in sales have to take rejection all the time … and take it with poise.
If we share our faith at all, we can almost expect to be rejected, and it is often the hardest when it comes from a close friend or relative. Young adults, you especially must choose who will be most important in your life — your friends or Jesus. But, consider this: If your best friend had cancer and you had the cure, would you not share it? Well, you have the cure for eternal damnation, which is a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you truly loved your friend, why would you hold back the most wonderful gift you could ever give?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We should never fear rejection for the sake of Christ. In fact, Jesus said that you will be blessed and receive true happiness when you are rejected because of him.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. … Woe to you when all men speak well of you for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. (Luke 6:22-26)
No Matter the Results
Evangelist Mark Cahill says, “Do you realize that when you get rejected in the name of Jesus, God has rewards waiting in Heaven that will make any earthly reward seem like chump change? That is truly amazing.” No matter the results, evangelist Mark Cahill says you win!
First, if you share the Gospel with an unbeliever, and they receive it, you win!
But, second, let’s suppose that the person you’re talking to is a backslidden believer. God may use you to awaken them, and they may feel convicted by seeing your boldness and decide to start following Jesus. Scripture says, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)
Jesus said that you are “blessed” or “happy” when people insult you or persecute you because of him.
Third, maybe the person is not ready to receive Christ or fully embrace your ideas, but God may be using you to “plant a seed.” God may be using you as the one to plant an idea in their mind to make them reconsider their current position. Paul wrote, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” In God’s eyes, that’s a win!
[1]The fourth possibility is that you could get rejected. With that rejection, you could lose a friend or even get insulted. In the world’s eyes, this may seem like a loss, but it’s not. It’s a win! Jesus said that you are “blessed” or “happy” when people insult you or persecute you because of him. (Matthew 5:11-12) I like Eugene Peterson’s translation that says:
Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer, even! — for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:11-12, The Message)
Originally published on Disruptive Truth. Reprinted with permission.
1. Mark Cahill, One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven, 33.


thestream--2020-06-06--What’s the Latest About Young People Leaving Christianity?

The first 7 minutes of this informative video will update you on the latest info about young people leaving Christianity @ @ @ @ @ — as we think it should — the rest of the video gives resources you @ @ @ @ @ that tide in your church or home .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians @ @ @ @ @ Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .

The first seven minutes of this informative video will update you on the latest info about young people leaving Christianity. If that motivates you — as we think it should — the rest of the video gives resources you can use to help stem that tide in your church or home.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-06-06--Without Training, the Church Will Create More Jon Steingards

Recently Jon Steingard made headlines after he announced over Instagram that he had lost his faith .
Steingard was the lead vocalist of the Christian music group Hawk Nelson , which became popular in the early 2000s .
Since they had so many fans , this obviously sent shock waves over social media .
In the post , Steingard gives several reasons why he no longer believes .
He does ask some challenging questions when he writes , “ If God is all-loving and all-powerful , why is there evil in the world ?
Can he not do anything about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Is the evil in the world a result of his desire to give us free will ?
OK then , what about famine and disease and floods and all the suffering that isn ’ t caused by humans and our free will ?
” Philosophers call this the problem of natural evil , and I think it ’ s one of the bigger challenges out there .
That said , I think it ’ s been addressed successfully .
But I do get that not everyone is going to be convinced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But what I want to address is another objection Jon brought up , because it raised a red flag .
He wrote : Twisting Texts 1 : “ Why is God nice in the Old Testament , but always angry in the New Testament ?
” So there ’ s inconsistency with the mean God of the OT and the nice , friendly Jesus of the New .
Or is there ?
Let me run a similar argument to Steingard ’ s : “ Why is God always ticked in the New Testament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Old ?
Why does Jesus say not to kill , but then he turns around and says “ I will throw her onto a sickbed , and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation unless they repent of her works , and I will strike her children dead .
And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart , and I will give to each of you according to your works.
” And why does God kill Ananias and Sapphira , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property to the church ?
!
Why does he allow Paul to turn a man over to Satan for “ the destruction of his flesh ” just because a man was in a relationship outside of marriage ?
( Is this some kind of sick bet ? )
And why does God allow the Corinthians to become sick and die young , ( more killing again ) because they took communion wrong ?
Or why does Jesus call a Syrophoenician woman a dog ?
Or why does he curse an innocent fig tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t come to bring peace , but a sword ?
In the Old Testament God ’ s a loving husband , who even stays with Israel even though she ’ s accurately depicted as a faithless prostitute in Hosea .
He says he ’ d tattoo her on the palms of his hands , and sing over her with joy .
He even just forgives the Ninevites even though they had done terrible things in the book of Jonah .
In the Old Testament , he ’ s a good shepherd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mercy all the days of their life .
Twisting Texts 2 , or , How Could Steingard Not Know ?
So you see , we can easily twist the texts and run this argument of Steingard ’ s in reverse .
But here ’ s what ’ s confusing to me .
His father and father-in-law are both pastors .
Steingard was a Christian his entire life .
How can he not be aware of these verses ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I bring this up to say there ’ s no disconnect between Yahweh of the Old Testament and the Jesus of the New .
The reason God seems harsh under both covenants is that he doesn ’ t change , he always hates sin .
But he still delights in showing mercy .
He ’ s patient and kind in both testaments , not willing that any should perish .
( 2 Peter 3:9 ) As Paul writes in Romans 11:22 , “ Note then the kindness and the severity of God : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but God ’ s kindness to you , provided you continue in his kindness .
Otherwise , you too will be cut off.
” I can ’ t say for sure , but judging from his statements , it ’ s as if Steingard had only considered one side of God ’ s character .
Indeed , when you look at a lot of the seeker-friendly movement , all you hear is the side of love .
So perhaps reading these passages in the Old Testament came as a shock .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read the entire New Testament .
It also seems that in our Western-democratic culture , our belief and confidence in the powers of our intellect has increased dramatically .
We think we can play armchair God .
We assume we know and would do better .
As Charles Taylor has observed , only in our modern era do we get “ the certainty that we have all the elements we need to carry out a trial of God.
” Steingard is Sawing Off the Branch He ’ s Sitting On But we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond our understanding can ’ t exist .
Not without begging the question .
By abandoning faith in God , Steingard has put his faith instead in his ability to reason and judge God .
But this isn ’ t a better foundation .
In other words , Steingard has tragically sawn off the branch he was sitting on .
… If atheism is true , we ’ re all dancing to the music of our DNA , as Richard Dawkins says .
… The Church Needs To Do Better As Christians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : We need to poke holes in atheism and show where the greater absurdities lie .
Hint : Not with Christianity .
Naturalism removes the foundation for reason and morality that secularists so greatly cherish .
( A book I ’ d highly recommend for this topic is Mitch Stokes ’ How to Be An Atheist . )
We also need to defend the character of God .
We need not hide from difficult passages in both the Old and New Testament .
… We need to go a step further and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the OT and NT .
( On this topic , I highly recommend Paul Copan ’ s book Is God a Moral Monster ? )
It ’ s also notable that Steingard said nothing about the evidence for the resurrection .
It doesn ’ t matter if we always like what we find in the Bible if Jesus rose from the dead .
We have to teach on these bedrock truths of our faith .
And finally , pastors can no longer only preach 20-minute sermons on the love of God in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get me wrong , I think we should absolutely major on the love of God .
After all , God is love .
But even love gets angry at sin , and we need to stop minimizing God ’ s wrath .
Otherwise , I ’ m afraid we ’ re going to create many more Jon Steingards .
Republished with permission from Is Jesus Alive ?

Recently Jon Steingard made headlines after he announced over Instagram that he had lost his faith. Steingard was the lead vocalist of the Christian music group Hawk Nelson, which became popular in the early 2000s. Since they had so many fans, this obviously sent shock waves over social media.
In the post, Steingard gives several reasons why he no longer believes. He does ask some challenging questions when he writes, “If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why is there evil in the world? Can he not do anything about it? Does he choose not to? Is the evil in the world a result of his desire to give us free will? OK then, what about famine and disease and floods and all the suffering that isn’t caused by humans and our free will?”
Philosophers call this the problem of natural evil, and I think it’s one of the bigger challenges out there. That said, I think it’s been addressed successfully. But I do get that not everyone is going to be convinced by every answer given for natural evil.
But what I want to address is another objection Jon brought up, because it raised a red flag. He wrote:
“Why does God seem so p***sed off in most of the Old Testament, and then all of a sudden he’s a loving father in the New Testament? Why does he say not to kill, but then instructs Israel to turn around and kill men, women, and children to take the promised land? Why does God lead Job to suffer horrible things just to win a bet with Satan?! Why does he tell Abraham to kill his son (more killing again), and then basically says, “Just kidding, that was a test”?”
Twisting Texts 1: “Why is God nice in the Old Testament, but always angry in the New Testament?”
So there’s inconsistency with the mean God of the OT and the nice, friendly Jesus of the New. Or is there? Let me run a similar argument to Steingard’s:
“Why is God always ticked in the New Testament, but a loving husband in the Old? Why does Jesus say not to kill, but then he turns around and says “I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”
And why does God kill Ananias and Sapphira, even though they gave away half of their property to the church?! Why does he allow Paul to turn a man over to Satan for “the destruction of his flesh” just because a man was in a relationship outside of marriage? (Is this some kind of sick bet?) And why does God allow the Corinthians to become sick and die young, (more killing again) because they took communion wrong?
Even Jesus
Or why does Jesus call a Syrophoenician woman a dog? Or why does he curse an innocent fig tree? Or why does Jesus say he hasn’t come to bring peace, but a sword?
In the Old Testament God’s a loving husband, who even stays with Israel even though she’s accurately depicted as a faithless prostitute in Hosea. He says he’d tattoo her on the palms of his hands, and sing over her with joy. He even just forgives the Ninevites even though they had done terrible things in the book of Jonah. In the Old Testament, he’s a good shepherd who will follow Israel with goodness and mercy all the days of their life.
Twisting Texts 2, or, How Could Steingard Not Know?
So you see, we can easily twist the texts and run this argument of Steingard’s in reverse. But here’s what’s confusing to me. His father and father-in-law are both pastors. Steingard was a Christian his entire life. How can he not be aware of these verses?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I bring this up to say there’s no disconnect between Yahweh of the Old Testament and the Jesus of the New. The reason God seems harsh under both covenants is that he doesn’t change, he always hates sin. But he still delights in showing mercy. He’s patient and kind in both testaments, not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9) As Paul writes in Romans 11:22, “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off.”
A Cultural Recipe for Apostasy
I can’t say for sure, but judging from his statements, it’s as if Steingard had only considered one side of God’s character. Indeed, when you look at a lot of the seeker-friendly movement, all you hear is the side of love. So perhaps reading these passages in the Old Testament came as a shock. But it shouldn’t; not when you read the entire New Testament.
It also seems that in our Western-democratic culture, our belief and confidence in the powers of our intellect has increased dramatically. We think we can play armchair God. We assume we know and would do better. As Charles Taylor has observed, only in our modern era do we get “the certainty that we have all the elements we need to carry out a trial of God.”
Steingard is Sawing Off the Branch He’s Sitting On
But we can’t just assume that a God beyond our understanding can’t exist. Not without begging the question. By abandoning faith in God, Steingard has put his faith instead in his ability to reason and judge God. But this isn’t a better foundation.
As Douglas Wilson has written,
If there is no God, then all that exists is time and chance acting on matter. If this is true then the difference between your thoughts and mine corresponds to the difference between shaking up a bottle of Mountain Dew and a bottle of Dr. Pepper. You simply fizz atheistically and I fizz theistically. This means that you do not hold to atheism because it is true, but rather because of a series of chemical reactions. … We have no reason for assigning truth and falsity to the chemical fizz we call reasoning or … morality. If no God, mankind is a set of bi-pedal carbon units of mostly water. And nothing else.”
In other words, Steingard has tragically sawn off the branch he was sitting on. … If atheism is true, we’re all dancing to the music of our DNA, as Richard Dawkins says. …
The Church Needs To Do Better
As Christians, we can do better in several areas: We need to poke holes in atheism and show where the greater absurdities lie. Hint: Not with Christianity. Naturalism removes the foundation for reason and morality that secularists so greatly cherish. (A book I’d highly recommend for this topic is Mitch Stokes’ How to Be An Atheist.)
We also need to defend the character of God. We need not hide from difficult passages in both the Old and New Testament. … We need to go a step further and be able to deal with difficult passages in both the OT and NT. (On this topic, I highly recommend Paul Copan’s book Is God a Moral Monster?)
It’s also notable that Steingard said nothing about the evidence for the resurrection. It doesn’t matter if we always like what we find in the Bible if Jesus rose from the dead. We have to teach on these bedrock truths of our faith.
And finally, pastors can no longer only preach 20-minute sermons on the love of God in hopes of attracting crowds. Don’t get me wrong, I think we should absolutely major on the love of God. After all, God is love. But even love gets angry at sin, and we need to stop minimizing God’s wrath. Otherwise, I’m afraid we’re going to create many more Jon Steingards.
Republished with permission from Is Jesus Alive?


thestream--2020-06-06--I’ll Never Take a Knee, But I Will Reach Out My Hand

I was chilled to the very bone by the images I saw of policemen and national guardsmen taking a knee in front of Black Lives Matters activists .
These are the forces of public order , the State .
They ’ re our last line of defense against mobs of rampaging looters .
If they stand down , and refuse to follow orders , we ’ re on our own .
Worse yet , if they side with the mob , the whole game is over .
It ’ s true , President Trump could send in the U.S. military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his orders ?
The whole Kabuki dance General Mattis is performing to seduce our media makes me … worry on that score .
Is he trying another coup against Trump , this time by signaling serving generals not to follow lawful orders ?
Whatever his military record , what Mattis is doing to the president now at a moment of national crisis should sicken American patriots .
Compare how the left now fawns on Mattis with their treatment of innocent General Mike Flynn .
It shows you what happens to those who cooperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who resist it .
What if that worked ?
If the Army stood down too ?
Then what would we be left with ?
In free states where the Second Amendment is actually still in force , you ’ d hope for citizen militias to organize themselves .
Block the entrance to shopping malls and neighborhoods .
Maybe guard their own churches from harm .
I certainly hope that patriots across the country are organizing for that grim , last necessity .
But it ’ s in the very blue states where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or threatening to dissolve them ) that gun bans have mostly happened .
My old friends in New York City would be absolutely helpless , dependent like Sohrab Ahmari of The New York Post for their families ’ safety on … the courage of their buildings ’ doormen .
I ’ ve worked as a New York City doormen .
They ’ re neither armed , nor trained for crowd control .
What exactly are the citizens of Minneapolis supposed to do , if the city really does dissolve the police ?
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police or military units , led by opportunists or carefully planted leftists , swap flags and join the radicals ?
Remember that the long national nightmares of the French and Russian revolutions really began at the moment when the military switched sides .
The relentless propaganda against our country and institutions , blared out of most media and many church pulpits might help accomplish that .
The blood libel against our country that is the 1619 Project has told millions that our very flag stands for slavery — a claim that would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Civil War : We ’ d then be in one .
Not even a neatly regional one like last time , but something much more chaotic and savage , more like the one fought in Spain .
And there ’ s no guarantee that the good guys would win again this time .
The fact that most private firearms are held by constitutional conservatives gives me some hope .
But who wants to put that to the test ?
Their Demands Are Secret .
Ask Yourself Why .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write what sounds like a bad end-times novel to talk about current events .
That our cities are burning thanks to carefully pre-planned and stage-managed chaos .
After all , the policemen who abused George Floyd and caused his death are all in jail .
Facing serious charges , as they should be .
So what exactly do the rioters , and the protesters who give them political cover , want ?
They don ’ t know , or refuse to say .
They know they have the whip hand .
Why limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ?
Would they then have to go home , suspend all the fun , stop collecting flatscreen TVs and couture dresses ?
I faced violent bullies as a kid .
They don ’ t want to stop hitting you .
They don ’ t want your lunch money , they want your absolute degradation , your total surrender .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
And that ’ s what taking a knee means , whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrender in advance to a secret set of demands , which will be named later once the far left has us tied to the chair in an interrogation room .
But students of history don ’ t need to sit in suspense .
We ’ ve seen in Cuba and Venezuela , in Cambodia and China , how the radical left wields power .
When radicals in America talk and act exactly like their forefathers and role models , we know precisely what to expect .
Secret arrests and public denunciations , show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” sessions and slavery .
Real slavery , here and now , and applied to the whole population , except a corrupt elite .
I am glad to extend a hand to any patriotic citizen who wants to diminish police violence against civilians .
I won ’ t listen to gibberish about “ systemic racism ” or “ whiteness.
” Those are just buzzwords covering falsehoods and long-discredited claims .
They ’ re crafted to fool the naïve , intimidate the weak , and goad the mob .
We ’ ve seen all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there ’ s zero excuse now to give them one more shot at building Utopia out of their victims ’ bones and skulls .
Pastors or prelates who collaborate with these radicals have betrayed the gospel , and us .
But Utopia isn ’ t the point for the real radicals , the ones pulling the strings .
Power is , the power to dominate and terrorize their neighbors .
To repay the godless universe they think they inhabit for every petty frustration they ever suffered .
If you want to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be making an omelet .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

I was chilled to the very bone by the images I saw of policemen and national guardsmen taking a knee in front of Black Lives Matters activists. These are the forces of public order, the State. They’re our last line of defense against mobs of rampaging looters. If they stand down, and refuse to follow orders, we’re on our own. Worse yet, if they side with the mob, the whole game is over.
It’s true, President Trump could send in the U.S. military.
But would his underlings carry out his orders? The whole Kabuki dance General Mattis is performing to seduce our media makes me … worry on that score. Is he trying another coup against Trump, this time by signaling serving generals not to follow lawful orders?
Whatever his military record, what Mattis is doing to the president now at a moment of national crisis should sicken American patriots. Compare how the left now fawns on Mattis with their treatment of innocent General Mike Flynn. It shows you what happens to those who cooperate with the Deep State, and to those who resist it.
Citizen Militias?
What if that worked? If the Army stood down too? Then what would we be left with? In free states where the Second Amendment is actually still in force, you’d hope for citizen militias to organize themselves. Block the entrance to shopping malls and neighborhoods. Maybe guard their own churches from harm. I certainly hope that patriots across the country are organizing for that grim, last necessity.
What exactly do the rioters, and the protesters who give them political cover, want? They don’t know, or refuse to say. They know they have the whip hand. Why limit their demands?
But it’s in the very blue states where mayors are standing down the police (or threatening to dissolve them) that gun bans have mostly happened. My old friends in New York City would be absolutely helpless, dependent like Sohrab Ahmari of The New York Post for their families’ safety on … the courage of their buildings’ doormen. I’ve worked as a New York City doormen. They’re neither armed, nor trained for crowd control.
What exactly are the citizens of Minneapolis supposed to do, if the city really does dissolve the police?
Our Very Own Red Army
And what if police or military units, led by opportunists or carefully planted leftists, swap flags and join the radicals? Remember that the long national nightmares of the French and Russian revolutions really began at the moment when the military switched sides. The relentless propaganda against our country and institutions, blared out of most media and many church pulpits might help accomplish that. The blood libel against our country that is the 1619 Project has told millions that our very flag stands for slavery — a claim that would have confused liberated blacks in 1865.
Speaking of the Civil War: We’d then be in one. Not even a neatly regional one like last time, but something much more chaotic and savage, more like the one fought in Spain. And there’s no guarantee that the good guys would win again this time. The fact that most private firearms are held by constitutional conservatives gives me some hope. But who wants to put that to the test?
Their Demands Are Secret. Ask Yourself Why.
It’s madness that I’m having to write what sounds like a bad end-times novel to talk about current events. That our cities are burning thanks to carefully pre-planned and stage-managed chaos. After all, the policemen who abused George Floyd and caused his death are all in jail. Facing serious charges, as they should be. So what exactly do the rioters, and the protesters who give them political cover, want?
They don’t know, or refuse to say. They know they have the whip hand. Why limit their demands? What if we met them? Would they then have to go home, suspend all the fun, stop collecting flatscreen TVs and couture dresses? I faced violent bullies as a kid. They don’t want to stop hitting you. They don’t want your lunch money, they want your absolute degradation, your total surrender.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And that’s what taking a knee means, whatever fools tell themselves. It’s surrender in advance to a secret set of demands, which will be named later once the far left has us tied to the chair in an interrogation room. But students of history don’t need to sit in suspense. We’ve seen in Cuba and Venezuela, in Cambodia and China, how the radical left wields power. When radicals in America talk and act exactly like their forefathers and role models, we know precisely what to expect. Secret arrests and public denunciations, show trials and murder squads, “struggle” sessions and slavery. Real slavery, here and now, and applied to the whole population, except a corrupt elite.
Don’t Repeat Their Lies. Don’t Accept Their False Premises.
I am glad to extend a hand to any patriotic citizen who wants to diminish police violence against civilians. I won’t listen to gibberish about “systemic racism” or “whiteness.” Those are just buzzwords covering falsehoods and long-discredited claims. They’re crafted to fool the naïve, intimidate the weak, and goad the mob. We’ve seen all the left’s tricks before, and there’s zero excuse now to give them one more shot at building Utopia out of their victims’ bones and skulls. Pastors or prelates who collaborate with these radicals have betrayed the gospel, and us.
But Utopia isn’t the point for the real radicals, the ones pulling the strings. Power is, the power to dominate and terrorize their neighbors. To repay the godless universe they think they inhabit for every petty frustration they ever suffered.
If you want to break some eggs, you must claim to be making an omelet.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-06-07--Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff Murdered in Ambush by Suspect Who’d Stockpiled Bombs

A Santa Cruz County sheriff ’ s deputy was killed and other officers were injured after a man who was stockpiling an arsenal of bombs and guns opened fire on them Saturday , according to local media reports .
Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller , 38 , was fatally shot after officers while responding to reports of a suspicious van near Ben Lamond , California , Sheriff Jim Hart told reporters Saturday night , according to ABC7 News .
The person who called in the report said they saw a cache of guns and bomb-making devices inside the van , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express the pain we feel for Damon and his family , ” Hart said during a news conference , referring to Gutzwiller , who is survived by his wife and young child .
“ He was the kind of person we all hope to be .
Today , we lost a hero .
We are grateful to have known him and we mourn with his family.
” Gutzwiller and other officers followed the van and finally located it at a Ben Lamond home , Hart said .
The suspect , identified as Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterward with home-made bombs and guns , according to Hart .
Gutzwiller was shot in the altercation and then transported to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
A second deputy was hit by a car as Carrillo was allegedly fleeing the scene , according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel .
Carrillo , a 32 years-old and an active duty U.S. Air Force sergeant , was arrested and will face murder charges , among other felony counts , Hart said .
Carrillo was treated at a hospital Saturday night after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ABC7 News reported .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
According to an ABC7 News investigation , Carrillo posted a Facebook meme on May 31 in which he wrote : “ I ’ ll never let racist white people make me forget about the dope white people I know exist .
I love y ’ all.
” The post included different colored fist emojis , with the white fists in the meme crossed out , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County ’ s sheriff ’ s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Gutzwiller ’ s death came on the heels of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man who died May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , video of the incident shows .
The police officer , Derek Chauvin , was immediately fired after the incident and faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
Gutzwiller was shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis Police Department Captain David Dorn was fatally shot on June 2 trying to defend a local pawn from suspected looters .
Dorn died in the middle of the street after suspected rioters shot him in the torso , reports show .

A Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputy was killed and other officers were injured after a man who was stockpiling an arsenal of bombs and guns opened fire on them Saturday, according to local media reports.
Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, was fatally shot after officers while responding to reports of a suspicious van near Ben Lamond, California, Sheriff Jim Hart told reporters Saturday night, according to ABC7 News. The person who called in the report said they saw a cache of guns and bomb-making devices inside the van, according to Hart.
“Words cannot express the pain we feel for Damon and his family,” Hart said during a news conference, referring to Gutzwiller, who is survived by his wife and young child. “He was the kind of person we all hope to be. Today, we lost a hero. We are grateful to have known him and we mourn with his family.”
Gutzwiller and other officers followed the van and finally located it at a Ben Lamond home, Hart said. The suspect, identified as Steven Carrillo, allegedly ambushed the officers shortly afterward with home-made bombs and guns, according to Hart.
Gutzwiller was shot in the altercation and then transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A second deputy was hit by a car as Carrillo was allegedly fleeing the scene, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Carrillo, a 32 years-old and an active duty U.S. Air Force sergeant, was arrested and will face murder charges, among other felony counts, Hart said. Carrillo was treated at a hospital Saturday night after being shot with return fire during the shootout, ABC7 News reported.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
According to an ABC7 News investigation, Carrillo posted a Facebook meme on May 31 in which he wrote: “I’ll never let racist white people make me forget about the dope white people I know exist. I love y’all.” The post included different colored fist emojis, with the white fists in the meme crossed out, the ABC7 investigation team reported.
Santa Cruz County’s sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Gutzwiller’s death came on the heels of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, video of the incident shows. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was immediately fired after the incident and faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Gutzwiller was shot and killed less than a week after retired St. Louis Police Department Captain David Dorn was fatally shot on June 2 trying to defend a local pawn from suspected looters. Dorn died in the middle of the street after suspected rioters shot him in the torso, reports show.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
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thestream--2020-06-07--Do Not Let the Extreme Voices Push You Away from the Real Issues

I have some good news for you .
You can stand against racial inequality without embracing the entire platform of Black Lives Matter .
You can oppose racism without making Al Sharpton your spokesman .
You can decry police brutality without calling for the defunding of the police .
You can stand for what is right while rejecting what you feel is wrong .
Put another way , there ’ s no reason to let the extreme voices push you way from the real issues .
Separating the Value of Black Lives from Black Lives Matter An increasing number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize that something is broken in our American system .
They understand that something is deeply wrong , and they want to right that wrong .
But how ?
What will it take ?
What questions need to be asked in order to come up with the right answers ?
Then they hear some radical leftist voice on cable TV , allegedly speaking for the oppressed classes of America .
Or they listen to a speech delivered by an extremist leader from Black Lives Matter .
Or they read some inane , mindless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they recoil .
That ’ s why , on August 31 , 2016 I wrote the article , “ Separating the Value of Black Lives From the Black Lives Matter Movement.
” And I started by saying , “ Did you know that if you support the Black Lives Matter movement — as in the official , BlackLivesMatter.com website — you are not only standing with black Americans but also standing with a radical social agenda including queer and transgender activism along with the disrupting of the nuclear family ?
” Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-putting to conservatives , and if standing with black Americans means standing with Black Lives Matter , then we have a problem .
And so I wrote that 2016 article “ with the goal of standing with my African-American brothers and sisters for true and full equality in America while encouraging them to distance themselves from leaders and movements who do as much harm ( if not much more harm ) than good.
” In the same way , you can stand against systemic racial inequality in America without embracing critical race theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are troubled by the facts — at least , as they understand the facts .
They will point to articles by Ben Shapiro , an Orthodox Jew , and Matt Walsh , a conservative Catholic , questioning whether there is systemic injustice in America and whether blacks are hunted down by cops .
They will point to well-researched books like Heather Mac Donald ’ s The War on Cops and say , “ A higher percentage of whites are killed each year by cops than blacks.
” So , these same conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plight of their black fellow-Americans , are afraid that they are getting duped by the leftwing media .
They feel terrible about the killing of George Floyd .
But they agree with Rush Limbaugh ’ s claim during an interview on Charlemagne tha God ’ s show that if Floyd had been a white man killed by a cop , no one would have noticed .
Ask Yourselves These Questions To my fellow-conservatives stuck in this place today , wanting to do what is right but not wanting to be a tool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself these questions .
First , do you believe that millions of black Americans have also bought into a lie about systemic injustice ?
That their anger and pain and frustration are manufactured ?
That they have all tacitly agreed on the same false narrative ?
Really now , do you honestly think they have they all been brainwashed ?
Do you genuinely think they are making all this up ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people tend to perceive things through the lens of their own experience ?
So , if my childhood and upbringing was blissful and secure , I tend to assume that this was the experience of others ( until I find out that this was not the case with everyone ) .
In that light , can you see how Drew Brees ’ perception of the American flag is different than the perception of some of his black teammates ?
Fellow New Orleans Saint Malcolm Jenkins explained that when his grandfathers returned from serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not greeted as heroes , the way Brees ’ s grandfathers were .
They had to return to a segregated country where they could get into trouble for wearing their military uniforms in public .
( For Jenkins ’ s positive response to Brees ’ s apology , see here . )
And speaking of New Orleans , a 2015 report indicated that , “ African American households in New Orleans lag across multiple measures of financial security .
Median income among African American households is only $ 25,806 , compared to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are six times as many African American households living in income poverty than white households .
Moreover , African American workers are three times more likely to be unemployed than white workers ( 15.3 % and 5.1 % , respectively ) , and a full 71 % of African-American households are liquid asset poor , meaning they lack the savings necessary to live above the poverty level for just three months if they lose a job , face a medical crisis or suffer another income disruption.
” I am neither an economist nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated the root causes of these large disparities .
But I don ’ t have to buy into all the talking points about “ white supremacy ” or “ white privilege ” to agree that something is terribly wrong with this picture .
And , as a follower of Jesus who believes that racism is sinful and that the gospel brings a message of reconciliation , I must be determined to pursue justice while ignoring the radical voices .
Pursuing Justice With My Own Voice The fact is , we do this all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us .
If we support President Trump but his son Donald Jr. posts a mean-spirited , juvenile tweet , we say , “ I didn ’ t vote for Donald Jr. ” If the president himself says something we find offensive , we reply , “ I don ’ t like that either , but I appreciate all the good he is doing.
” Why , then , can ’ t we do the same when it comes to issues of racial equality in America ?
Calling for social justice is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police is not .
Emphasizing that black lives matter is praiseworthy , but not everything Black Lives Matter stands for is praiseworthy .
Peaceful protests can be important vehicles of social change .
Rioting and looting and vandalizing can not .
Al Sharpton may speak for others .
He doesn ’ t speak for me .
At the same time , I will not be silent .
You better believe I will speak for myself .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

I have some good news for you. You can stand against racial inequality without embracing the entire platform of Black Lives Matter. You can oppose racism without making Al Sharpton your spokesman. You can decry police brutality without calling for the defunding of the police. You can stand for what is right while rejecting what you feel is wrong. Put another way, there’s no reason to let the extreme voices push you way from the real issues.
Separating the Value of Black Lives from Black Lives Matter
An increasing number of conservatives (including prominent white conservatives) recognize that something is broken in our American system. They understand that something is deeply wrong, and they want to right that wrong. But how? What will it take? What questions need to be asked in order to come up with the right answers?
Then they hear some radical leftist voice on cable TV, allegedly speaking for the oppressed classes of America. Or they listen to a speech delivered by an extremist leader from Black Lives Matter. Or they read some inane, mindless tweet from a woke Hollywood celebrity, and they recoil.
That’s why, on August 31, 2016 I wrote the article, “Separating the Value of Black Lives From the Black Lives Matter Movement.”
And I started by saying, “Did you know that if you support the Black Lives Matter movement — as in the official, BlackLivesMatter.com website — you are not only standing with black Americans but also standing with a radical social agenda including queer and transgender activism along with the disrupting of the nuclear family?”
Obviously, this radical social agenda is totally off-putting to conservatives, and if standing with black Americans means standing with Black Lives Matter, then we have a problem.
And so I wrote that 2016 article “with the goal of standing with my African-American brothers and sisters for true and full equality in America while encouraging them to distance themselves from leaders and movements who do as much harm (if not much more harm) than good.”
In the same way, you can stand against systemic racial inequality in America without embracing critical race theory or intersectionality.
Is There Systemic Injustice?
Other conservatives, however, are troubled by the facts — at least, as they understand the facts.
They will point to articles by Ben Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew, and Matt Walsh, a conservative Catholic, questioning whether there is systemic injustice in America and whether blacks are hunted down by cops.
They will point to well-researched books like Heather Mac Donald’s The War on Cops and say, “A higher percentage of whites are killed each year by cops than blacks.”
So, these same conservatives, who want to be sympathetic to the plight of their black fellow-Americans, are afraid that they are getting duped by the leftwing media. They feel terrible about the killing of George Floyd. But they agree with Rush Limbaugh’s claim during an interview on Charlemagne tha God’s show that if Floyd had been a white man killed by a cop, no one would have noticed.
Ask Yourselves These Questions
To my fellow-conservatives stuck in this place today, wanting to do what is right but not wanting to be a tool of a radical leftist agenda, ask yourself these questions.
First, do you believe that millions of black Americans have also bought into a lie about systemic injustice? That their anger and pain and frustration are manufactured? That they have all tacitly agreed on the same false narrative?
Really now, do you honestly think they have they all been brainwashed? Do you genuinely think they are making all this up?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Second, do you agree that most people tend to perceive things through the lens of their own experience? So, if my childhood and upbringing was blissful and secure, I tend to assume that this was the experience of others (until I find out that this was not the case with everyone). In that light, can you see how Drew Brees’ perception of the American flag is different than the perception of some of his black teammates?
Fellow New Orleans Saint Malcolm Jenkins explained that when his grandfathers returned from serving in World War II, they were not greeted as heroes, the way Brees’s grandfathers were. They had to return to a segregated country where they could get into trouble for wearing their military uniforms in public. (For Jenkins’s positive response to Brees’s apology, see here.)
And speaking of New Orleans, a 2015 report indicated that, “African American households in New Orleans lag across multiple measures of financial security. Median income among African American households is only $25,806, compared to $64,377 for white households, and there are six times as many African American households living in income poverty than white households.
Moreover, African American workers are three times more likely to be unemployed than white workers (15.3% and 5.1%, respectively), and a full 71% of African-American households are liquid asset poor, meaning they lack the savings necessary to live above the poverty level for just three months if they lose a job, face a medical crisis or suffer another income disruption.”
I am neither an economist nor a sociologist, and I have never investigated the root causes of these large disparities. But I don’t have to buy into all the talking points about “white supremacy” or “white privilege” to agree that something is terribly wrong with this picture. And, as a follower of Jesus who believes that racism is sinful and that the gospel brings a message of reconciliation, I must be determined to pursue justice while ignoring the radical voices.
Pursuing Justice With My Own Voice
The fact is, we do this all the time with causes that are important to us.
If we support President Trump but his son Donald Jr. posts a mean-spirited, juvenile tweet, we say, “I didn’t vote for Donald Jr.”
If the president himself says something we find offensive, we reply, “I don’t like that either, but I appreciate all the good he is doing.”
Why, then, can’t we do the same when it comes to issues of racial equality in America?
Calling for social justice is good. Calling for the defunding of the police is not.
Emphasizing that black lives matter is praiseworthy, but not everything Black Lives Matter stands for is praiseworthy.
Peaceful protests can be important vehicles of social change. Rioting and looting and vandalizing cannot.
Al Sharpton may speak for others. He doesn’t speak for me.
At the same time, I will not be silent. You better believe I will speak for myself.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


Compelled to Speak

There comes a time when we must speak up and speak out .
Failure to do so is a denial of who we are and what we believe .
The New Testament Christians had a kind of boldness that betrayed normal human demeanor .
They were emboldened to confront systemic evil with effectiveness .
One such occasion is recorded in Acts , chapter four .
A cripple man had been healed in the name of Jesus as Peter and John walked in the temple area .
It caused a stir .
The leaders of religion gone bad were demanding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their response was classic and the effect was miraculous .
“ Whether it is right in God ’ s sight to listen to you rather than to God , you must judge ; for can not keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.
” — Acts 4:19-20 Walking in the Authority of Christ What made them so bold ?
They were radicalized by hearing the shocking announcement that the long-awaited kingdom of heaven had arrived in their day .
Since the Garden of Eden , humans had longed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trapped by sin and tossed by confusion , all of mankind longed for a day of restoration .
Universally , people knew something had gone wrong and needed to be fixed .
For centuries Israel ’ s prophets had foretold such a glorious time .
Speculation had been rampant among the Jewish teachers about what it would look like .
It was the object of their hope .
They were looking for the climax of history .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Jesus that day had arrived , but in a different form than they expected .
He taught his students to pray , “ Thy kingdom come , they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
” Though it was a radical prayer , it resonated with the hope that lingered deep in their hearts .
They had seen the simple carpenter ’ s son who lived righteously , taught insightfully , died unjustly , and raised from the grave miraculously .
He was exalted to the place of authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was this authority that healed the cripple man by the gates to the temple .
They somehow knew that they were working with God to displace the kingdoms of darkness that tormented the world .
They were not Old Testament saints still waiting for a kingdom to invade the world .
It was time and they knew it .
When the tentacles of systemic evil tried to stop the spread of new life , they would not stand down .
Since they believed firmly that death was not final , they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith .
They were single minded in their zeal to declare the good news of Jesus ’ s complete work .
Getting that done was more important than physical life and exalting him more urgent than personal survival .
They were dangerous to the kingdoms that used death as a leverage and fear as their weapon .
They were aware that they had been sent by the ultimate authority , and thus had no fear of lesser authorities .
Though humanly weak and unrecognized , they spoke the confidence of those assured of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those early Christians were heroic , but they don ’ t represent an unreachable ideal .
Their behavior is normal for those who have seen the available kingdom of God .
We have the same life ebbing in us that they enjoyed .
The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead has brought new life into us .
We too live for something greater than our own pleasure .
We have been commissioned to start where we are and move throughout the earth praying for the kingdom of heaven to displace the powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Lord over all .
When opportunities to speak up and speak out arrive , we are to gladly step forward .
With the love that conquers hate , and the mercy that forgives wrongs filling in our hearts , we call out injustice and offer a kind of peace that stills all storms .
We have been given one of those opportunities recently in our land .
While some are expressing their anger and fear in destructive ways , it is time we stood up and affirmed what our Father is exposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , the first answer is that we must not do nothing .
A cup of cold water , a word of encouragement , a kind gesture — these will open doors for deeper conversation and longer relationships .
When we align with what God is doing , he will lead us .
First , we must recognize that this is our time .
The kingdom of God is available and we are compelled to speak .
Love never fails .
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a sought-after speaker , an engaging preacher , an effective consultant , and a trusted spiritual father .
Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works , Incense & Thunder , Glad to be Left Behind , Men In Their Own Skin , Orphans No More , When Hard Times Come , Follow Me and his latest , a children ’ s book laced with gospel truth : Shorty the Substitute Ram .

There comes a time when we must speak up and speak out. Failure to do so is a denial of who we are and what we believe. The New Testament Christians had a kind of boldness that betrayed normal human demeanor. They were emboldened to confront systemic evil with effectiveness. One such occasion is recorded in Acts, chapter four. A cripple man had been healed in the name of Jesus as Peter and John walked in the temple area. It caused a stir. The leaders of religion gone bad were demanding that they stop using the name of Jesus. Their response was classic and the effect was miraculous.
“Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:19-20
Walking in the Authority of Christ
What made them so bold?
They were radicalized by hearing the shocking announcement that the long-awaited kingdom of heaven had arrived in their day. Since the Garden of Eden, humans had longed for order to be restored in creation. Trapped by sin and tossed by confusion, all of mankind longed for a day of restoration.
Universally, people knew something had gone wrong and needed to be fixed. For centuries Israel’s prophets had foretold such a glorious time. Speculation had been rampant among the Jewish teachers about what it would look like. It was the object of their hope. They were looking for the climax of history.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
According to Jesus that day had arrived, but in a different form than they expected. He taught his students to pray, “Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Though it was a radical prayer, it resonated with the hope that lingered deep in their hearts. They had seen the simple carpenter’s son who lived righteously, taught insightfully, died unjustly, and raised from the grave miraculously. He was exalted to the place of authority which he dispensed to his disciples. It was this authority that healed the cripple man by the gates to the temple.
Assured of Divine Justice
They somehow knew that they were working with God to displace the kingdoms of darkness that tormented the world. They were not Old Testament saints still waiting for a kingdom to invade the world. It was time and they knew it.
When the tentacles of systemic evil tried to stop the spread of new life, they would not stand down. Since they believed firmly that death was not final, they did not shrink back from dying for their faith. They were single minded in their zeal to declare the good news of Jesus’s complete work. Getting that done was more important than physical life and exalting him more urgent than personal survival. They were dangerous to the kingdoms that used death as a leverage and fear as their weapon. They were aware that they had been sent by the ultimate authority, and thus had no fear of lesser authorities. Though humanly weak and unrecognized, they spoke the confidence of those assured of divine justice.
We Have Been Commissioned
Those early Christians were heroic, but they don’t represent an unreachable ideal. Their behavior is normal for those who have seen the available kingdom of God. We have the same life ebbing in us that they enjoyed.
When we align with what God is doing, he will lead us. First, we must recognize that this is our time. The kingdom of God is available and we are compelled to speak.
The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead has brought new life into us. We too live for something greater than our own pleasure. We have been commissioned to start where we are and move throughout the earth praying for the kingdom of heaven to displace the powers of evil, and proclaiming that Jesus is Lord over all. When opportunities to speak up and speak out arrive, we are to gladly step forward. With the love that conquers hate, and the mercy that forgives wrongs filling our hearts, we call out injustice and offer a kind of peace that stills all storms.
Compelled to Speak
We have been given one of those opportunities recently in our land. While some are expressing their anger and fear in destructive ways, it is time we stood up and affirmed what our Father is exposing.
When people ask what we should do, the first answer is that we must not do nothing. A cup of cold water, a word of encouragement, a kind gesture — these will open doors for deeper conversation and longer relationships. When we align with what God is doing, he will lead us. First, we must recognize that this is our time. The kingdom of God is available and we are compelled to speak. Love never fails.
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest, a children’s book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.