American Exceptionalism and the Roots of the Approaching American Revolution
I have updated and revised this post inspired by the “pro-choice” people who, in NY and VA, now extend their choice to the murder of living babies as they exit the womb. Back in the 60s, Francis Schaeffer forewarned Americans that the slippery slope of abortion on demand would lead to both infanticide and geronticide. Pro-choice advocates laughed at him and dismissed him.
Unfortunately, Linus can’t have a real conversation with Lucy. It’s practically impossible. There is no firm, reasonable starting place because Lucy will not admit the inconsistencies in her thinking. Her worldview, based on emotion, cannot allow for reasonable honesty. So rather than laugh at her inconsistency and be willing to reevaluate and alter her view, Lucy has to bully, name-call, and shame her friend. Bullies want control. They intend to deprive others of their liberty and crush their rights.
BOTH extremes–Right and Left in our country–operate this way.
This is not about Democrat vs. Republican–although Bullies exist in both parties. This is about liberty versus slavery and it has been going on for thousands of years. This is about Unity versus disunity. Polarization begins with those who depart from the foundations of what made us great and United. Only one thing kept the United States from going the way of every other nation-state or Empire in history.
American Exceptionalism Rooted in Christ
Backdrop is WWII. The totalitarian socialists knows as the National Sozialistiche Deutsche Arbeitpartei (National Socialist German Party–NAZI party for short), had invaded Europe. Their storm troopers crushed and were rounding up and killing their enemies, which included political enemies, Jews, and the Christians who helped rescue both. Dr. E. Stanley Jones, noted missionary and theologian-statesman serving in India at the time said this regarding our UNITED STATES and American freedom:
What a Christ this is! taking the energies and pioneering spirit of a people gathered from all climes and all races, and in spite of all their sins and prejudices welding them into a living whole until they become perhaps the most united nation on earth, and perhaps the greatest.
Christ has done this? Yes, for without his Spirit working in the hearts of this American Civilization–cleansing, inspiring, uniting,–this civilization would not have been possible. He is the cement that holds it together. Through its centrifugal forces and its dividing sins it would fall to pieces tomorrow without him. He is the most cleansing, constructive, potent force working within the soul of this people–and its one hope.**
Given the contemporary hatred of Christ and his family in our American civilization today. Given the polarization of those who love liberty and those who want power to force their Christless worldview upon the people. What is the future of our union?
My hope is that God will heal our nation on behalf of our forefathers and their sacrifice–that Lucy & Linus will get tired of the polarization that separates them and find ways to listen to one another. My fear is that it’s too late. Lucy likes bullying and controlling Linus. And Linus won’t give up his freedom to her control. Thus, unless the nation repents, we, our children and our grand-children will experience a revolution unlike any in previous history as political parties polarize, our unity unravels, and our economy implodes. The revolution will center around religion, because Christ and Yahweh are the ONLY source of Freedom and unity.
The only way out is a return to what made us great–honoring Christ and loving God and people made in His image. Can it be that simple? Oh, yes!
I pray that I’m wrong about the Revolution, because I’m absolutely right about the root and the deterrent.
QUESTION: What do you think?
**quote from E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of the American Road, Cokesbury Press, 1944, p. 15.
Peanuts dialog (c)2013, Dixon Diaz; except “Peanuts” characters are (c) United Features Syndicate
For Those Who Feel Angry and Afraid Following the Election of 2016
President-elect Trump has said that it’s “Time for us to come together as one united people.” President Obama agrees. So does Hillary Clinton. You can see their videos at my author Facebook page.
America has elected a new President, and given him a united House of Representatives, and Senate.
This is Democracy at its best in a Democratic republic. We survived President Obama’s reign and, while continuing to pray for him, we worked hard to prepare for the 2016 election.
By the results of this historic 2016 election, a great portion of America has said:
- “No” to corruption
- “No” to the the entrenched “powers that be” on both sides of the aisle
- “No” to politically correct buzzwords and clichés that have categorized and defamed fellow citizens who disagreed with the liberal agenda and its extreme positions
- “No” to involuntarily disarming our citizens and quashing the 2nd Amendment
- “No” to illegal immigration at the expense of Veterans and our own poor people
- “No” to the violence and horror of ISIS and Apocalyptic Islamic terror worldwide
- “No” to circumventing the American Constitution and the Legislative branch of government
- “No” to radical socialism/communism–we are not going to be another Europe
- “No” to the attack on the freedom of biblical religions
- “No” to lawlessness, violence, and looting in the streets of America
- “No” to the disrespect toward the rule of law
- “No” to a continued erosion of our military readiness in light of increasing threats worldwide
- “No” to apologizing around the world for our great nation
- “No” to faulty and deeply flawed treaties and trade agreements
- “No” to the irresponsible spending that places the burden of our national debt onto the backs of our children and grandchildren
- “No” to the weight of governmental bureaucracy and bloated Federal offices
- “No” to increased regulations that drive small businesses out of existence
- “No” to the erosion of free speech
- “No” to the unwillingness of politicians unwilling to cooperate in order to make America excellent for ALL its citizens
Shortly after the election, one of our young adult relatives wrote a scathing post on FB toward those who did not vote as she did. When my wife gave her a gentle admonition to not allow politics to instill in her bitterness, or resentment, our relative tore into my wife with disrespectful vitriol. It felt to my wife as though she had been slapped in the face.
This young adult was not brought up to treat family members that way–or anyone for that matter. I’d be surprised to find out that the adults around her modeled disrespect for elders or anger and hatred toward those with whom we disagree. Yet her own political agenda meant more to her than hurting or accusing her family member in a mean-spirited response. We can only hope that her heart will soften as she matures. I’m hoping that this was just a bad moment for her and not her typical way of treating people with whom she does not see eye to eye.
For those of you who are angry and afraid, we hope that your maturity and your love for this nation will overcome your anger and disappointment at the results of this hard-fought election and that you will help to tone down the shaming, name-calling, hatred, bullying and fear-factor. Political beliefs should not triumph over love of friends and family. I mistrust any worldview that treats people with hatred and anger, or that devalues or objectifies its opponents.
We can agree to disagree amiably yet still value and respect one another. As Hillary Clinton and President Obama have said in post-election speeches: Support the new President-elect. Give him and his team an opportunity to fulfill the office that the nation has elected him to.
Listen to Trump’s acceptance speech and help him to fulfill it for ALL Americans:
As one who voted for Trump-Pence, I am celebrating America’s victory, but not your defeat. All gloating is birthed and nurtured in an evil disposition.
May God Bless you . . . and the United States of America
QUESTION: Honestly, how would you have hoped that Trump supporters would respond if Hillary had won the election?
©2016, David C Alves (davidcalves.com)
Religious Freedom vs. LGBT Rights? It’s More Complicated
Religious Freedom vs. LGBT Rights? It’s More Complicated | Christianity Today
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I’m really interested in the response of my readers.
Please read the above article which appeared in Christianity Today this week. Then, instead of commenting on the article on the CT site, come back here to this post and comment. Thanks.
QUESTION: What strikes you as helpful or problematic in the article?
The REAL Hate Crime
“They hated me without cause.”
–Jesus Christ
I find it interesting that in our current culture, those who cry “hate” the loudest are non-believers, atheists, and the religious Christmas and Easter crowd. In reality, they are the haters.
They hate the followers of Jesus who must speak the truth. How the guilty project upon the innocent is an interesting psychological phenomenon. But since I am no psychologist or psychiatrist, I’ll stick with the Son of God’s evaluation. His perspective cannot be improved upon and proves, after all, to not be limited to a time in history. Hating has been going on for a very long time. However, Jesus tells us who the real haters are, giving us also the reason behind the hatred.
““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’” (John 15:18–25, ESV)
Here Jesus warns his disciples—those who know and love Him. He tells them in advance the many strange things that are going to come upon them so that they won’t lose heart as they stand in a sinful culture holding out to a hateful world the word of life and love.
First he makes it crystal clear: When you are hated, recognize what is really going on underneath that hatred. The world does not recognize you as its own. You are not seen as a part. Since you are not of their world any longer, they hate you. When you were with them in their sinful, self-directed lifestyle, they loved you . . . or not. But now that you have been rescued from that way of life, you no longer belong—as you grow in Christlikeness. You are no longer under their control. You don’t have to perform to prove your value. Your value is intrinsic in your relationship to Christ.
The reason
They hate Christ. His righteous life shows the decadence of theirs or at least does not recognize their self-made “goodness.” But beyond that . . . why do they hate Jesus? Because, Jesus says: “all these things they will do ON ACCOUNT OF MY NAME (because of Jesus), because THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.” (That would be God, the Father). Nor do they want to know Him.
Think of the immense danger their souls are in. In hating you and me, they hate Jesus and in hating Jesus, they hate God the Father. They are lost to the uttermost and until they turn from their hatred—instead of falsely accusing us of hate—they will remain lost and forfeit immortality.
So . . . what’s our response as disciples and followers of Jesus—sons of the Father? We are to continue to love them. Jesus said to love those who persecute and despitefully abuse you. We must love them. We must pray (as someone prayed for us), that the veil that covers their hearts and minds from seeing who Jesus really is and who they were meant to be will be removed. In doing this, we ransack the kingdoms of this world which are under the operation of the enemy. We displace darkness with light, lies with truth until all of God’s children know that they are loved by Him and find their way home.
QUESTION: What do you think?
Stripping Chioce, Truth, and Free Speech from Young People in Virginia as Homosexuals Advocate Bullying
Op Ed
As a group of people, Gays have experienced the horrors and terror of being bullied. Yet . . . a law being newly proposed in Virginia by Patrick Hope (D–Arlington) would tear “choice,” truth, and free-speech away from young people and care givers. Under this proposed law, the state would clamp a hand over the mouths of minors. They would be forbidden to speak to caring adults regarding their questions or confusion regarding homosexual tendencies or behaviors. Doctors, Nurses, Family counselors, School counselors, caring professions, and faith communities will be silenced along with the minors with regard to helping young Virginians understand the options from which they can choose when they experience confusion about their same-sex desires.
I’ve always sought to know the truth. Most adults of my generation used to encourage truth. However, the truth is that we live in a society that has taught two or three generations that truth is relative. We were taught to know the difference between good and evil. Now we’re taught that evil is good, and good is evil. Forces of evil have so influenced the masses that they have many willing adherents to their whitewashing of sin and their war against what is good and right in God’s eyes.
The unrighteous masses teach:
There is no black or white, only grey. Your shade of grey will be different than someone else’s shade. Accept and love yourself. Hang on to your shade of grey because that’s your truth. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Gay advocates have made the most of relativism for their cause. So have abortionists. Simply rename or invent a euphemism and your evil is transformed into our good.
The proposed Virginia law is such an evil masquerading as good. It intends to squash a young person’s right to his or her own truth–that something’s amiss in their mixed heterosexual/homosexual behaviors and desires. As I understand this law, it would prohibit any adult in professional services from counseling a minor regarding homosexual confusion or “conversion therapy.” [“conversion” from homosexual confusion to heterosexual normality, not from sinner destined for destruction to follower of Jesus cleansed from all sin and empowered to walk a holy life]
Gender confusion is a normal human experience. And if people were honest, we know that many people have experienced it at some point in their lives–especially in adolescence. Those of us who have come through that confusion and were able to express it to a non-judgmental, caring adult, were able to place those normal, adolescent desires in proper perspective. As we matured, we learned to live healthy, normal heterosexual lives. For several decades, male and female homosexuals have sought to normalize their choices. In doing so, they want to shove them down the throats of others who don’t agree to their version of “truth.” Wait a minute! Isn’t this what they accuse Christians of doing? That’s another topic for another time.
Forcing others to accept your worldview, your truth, is BULLYING! Marginalizing and mocking those who don’t agree with homosexuals is precisely what they have fought against. The abused have become the abusers.
Bullying and bigotry of every sort should be anathema to us as Americans, yet those are the tactics of the gay rights advocates. Everyone MUST accept their choice and lifestyle. And though I respect and grant the right for a homosexual to make that choice for him or herself, I do not have to embrace that choice. However, I expect every American’s rights to free speech and free choices–that do not harm the community–to be respected and safeguarded.
The APA (American Psychological Association) has historically considered homosexuality as abnormal behavior. They considered it mentally unhealthy. Yet, it has worked recently to revise their historic position under the pressure of anti-heterosexual, gay forces. What changed? Someone has sold them (and the practicing homosexuals) the lie that tries to convince them this is how you were made. It’s a genetic thing. It’s in your DNA. Go with it. Don’t let others make you feel bad about yourself.
In a recent newsletter from a trends research group, the author said this:
Western society has gotten used to believing that same-sex attraction is genetic and innate, and that’s the end of it. People are told they were born gay, just as though they were born left-handed or freckled. That’s not what the science says. The APA has worked to remove the stigma associated with homosexuality, but it still states that a variety of factors are involved. The APA website states, “[N]o findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles.”
Yet, people with same-sex attraction are told repeatedly (and simplistically), “You were born that way. Learn to love yourself. Embrace it.” The gay and lesbian lobby seeks to silence ther options, to tear away our right to know the truth.
Isn’t it amazing that the proponents of a law to keep minors from the truth, are themselves willing to shut down free-speech, eliminate “choice,” (the choice of the young person who wants guidance and help), and FORCE (bully) young people to accept a worldview that is already causing them significant stress and anxiety and is forbidden by God. The law as proposed and its proponents advocate a disguised form of child-abuse. Amazing! Since God himself has pronounced judgment on the roots of homosexuality and the practice itself, how do they think they can hide this from young people. Young people have a right to know what their Creator says about not only the source of homosexuality, but its inevitable results–which by the way are eternal unless this abnormal, and sinful behavior is turned from and renounced.
What do YOU think?
Here’s what God says, by the Holy Spirit about gay and lesbian behaviors and lifestyles:
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Neither sexually immoral people, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor passive homosexual partners, nor dominant homosexual partners,” (1 Corinthians 6:9, LEB)
According to the Word of God, practicing homosexuals (both active and passive) and those encouraging homosexuality will be shut out of the kingdom. And again, of the downward spiral that leads to homosexuality. Pay particular attention to what the Holy Spirit says about their MINDS:
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings and birds and quadrupeds and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to immorality, that their bodies would be dishonored among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for eternity. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to degrading passions, for their females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature, and likewise also the males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, were inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males committing the shameless deed, and receiving in themselves the penalty that was necessary for their error.” (Romans 1:22–27, LEB)
If I were counseling a young person on a law that would silence them in seeking help from adult caregivers, I would counsel them to fight such a law. If it is passed, submit to the state in areas where the state does not cause you to sin. However, if the state proposes anything in that law which opposes what God has already commanded in His revealed will, YOU MUST RESPECTFULLY ACT FOR GOD AGAINST THE STATE. When the state no longer allows free speech or protects all the people, no matter what their age (including life in the womb), they are apostate and have abandoned their God-given right to rule.
Anyone who disagrees with God–including the state–is not in touch with Reality and is to be respectfully ignored on that point:
. . . “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:28–29, ESV)
QUESTION: What are your thoughts?
WORD FROM THE AUTHOR ABOUT MOTIVES: I write this as a Witness of the Compassion and Rule of the Kingdom of the living God. I speak here of the God of Israel and the Church–Yahweh–and His Son–the Messiah–Jesus the Christ. I do NOT write to please men and women or tickle their ears with things that appeal to them. I share my opinions based upon my understanding of what God has revealed to ALL in His Truth. My motive is singularly God’s love; it constrains me to be a voice crying in the wilderness. I desire that none should be lost. I plead for people to turn from unreality– from the Matrix-life–to God. Embrace His “Good News” that all your sin and sickness has been taken away by Christ, for everyone who believes. Escape this culture’s values and immorality while you still can, before the GREAT DECEPTION comes upon the world just prior to Christ’s Return.
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