Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 17, 2013

This is a letter to our friends -

Anger

1. A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party. This passion however varies in degrees of violence, and in ingenuous minds, may be attended only with a desire to reprove or chide the offender.

Anger is also excited by an injury offered to a relation, friend or party to which one is attached; and some degrees of it may be excited by cruelty, injustice or oppression offered to those with whom one has no immediate connection, or even to the community of which one is a member. Nor is it unusual to see something of this passion roused by gross absurdities in others, especially in controversy or discussion. Anger may be inflamed till it rises to rage and a temporary delirium. [Noah Webster’s “Dictionary …” 1828]

The word is used only once in the four gospels: Jesus was in the synagogue (church meeting), He, “looked … on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, …”

[Mark 3:5]

Anger is evidently one of the “passions” in the tool-kit we were given with our human nature. REMEMBER – Nothing exists that is not governed by God-given limits (laws). That includes our anger! “Be angry, and sin not, let not the sun go down on your wrath.”

[Ephesians 4:26]

My last column, “2013-05-03 Truth” was misnamed. It was to have been “… Fear” to go with this column “… Anger.” Fear and Anger are the major weapons your enemies will use against you. Both are paper-tigers IF you stay within the God-given limits.

God does not give you a spirit of fear. Thus you are free to rebuke it when it tries to rise up.

On the other hand, there is evidently a time for righteous anger. – BUT — Webster (above) points out the temptation to overstep the God-given limit on anger, “usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party.”

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.”

[Romans 12:19]

For example: You find yourself with a group of people supporting truth and justice. An angry individual approaches you as if to do harm. You rebuke fear and call his bluff (else use self-defense if he is not bluffing). Next he may use foul language, shouts, and other tactics, tempting you to express anger. Succumb to anger and you have lost control of the situation.

Are either of these responses easy? No, not at all. That is the purpose of these columns. I hope they prompt you to consider carefully how you will respond.

The next time fear rises. Rebuke fear. Keep your head. My dear friend Loren Cunningham, often taught, “Learn to respond in the opposite spirit.” Thus – When you are faced with anger, respond with peace.

If you contemplate and think through such things in advance, you will be better prepared to govern your reactions. Further – If you fail, use it as a learning experience to be better prepared the next time.

William Bradford, a leader of the American Pilgrim settlement in 1620 wrote, “All great and

honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be enterprised and

overcome with answerable courages.”

I believe most Americans would do well to prepare themselves for a few “great and

honorable actions!”

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 15, 2013

This is a letter to our friends -

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power,

and of love, and of a sound mind

[2^nd Timothy 1:7]

It has been my honor to write these columns since August 3, 1981 (32 years). Theme topics have, I trust, aimed at presenting sound principles upon which to evaluate our choices and govern out actions.

Our founders were correct in their belief that America could never be brought down by external forces. Rather, they warned, our vulnerability was from “within.” It is wrong to say, “America is a Christian nation because it was formed by Christians.” It is right to say, ”America is a Christian nation because it has a Christian form.”

“In proportion as Americans let go of faith in the absolute power of God,

they have accepted the belief in an all powerful State.”

[Verna M. Hall, “Christian History of the Constitution …” 1960]

Human history is full of examples where groups and nations found themselves in “darkness” (i.e. graft, treason, greed, lies, corruption of all sorts). Many of those examples have joyous conclusions as pockets of people humbly confessed the darkness and turned back to the laws of nature and of nature’s God.

Such darkness is spreading across America faster and faster. Truth is fighting to the surface as it always does. News of Benghazi treason, supplying guns to Mexican drug lords and muslim brotherhood thugs, IRS intimidation of patriotic groups – Things are piling up to the point that more and more folks are saying, “ENOUGH!” There is internet monitoring – I will be embarrassed if my name is left off their list!

All that to say this – Evil people misuse power in an effort to control by fear.

· An “angry” mob seeks to intimidate with threats of violence. Keeping your cool confuses them.

· A bureaucratic agency threatens financial ruin. Doing what is right because it is right often faces them down.

· Police authority knocks to confiscate your firearms. Refusing to comply earns your day in court.

If you understand that your life, liberty and property are gifts from God – what have you to fear? Your choice is liberty under God, or slavery under men. That’s a no-brainer choice!

God has given you a “spirit of power”. [2Tim 1:7 above] If Power is flowing from within you then stand firm in it. Rebuke fear!

God has given you a “spirit of love”. [2Tim 1:7 above] If Love is flowing from within you then get your focus off of yourself and begin desiring the best for others! Rebuke fear!

God has given you a “spirit of a sound mind”. [2Tim 1:7 above] Observation and Reason are associated with your mind. Use it or lose it. Rebuke fear!

Nothing so confuses the enemy as a group of Christians rejoicing over the victory BEFORE the battle has begun!

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

Does Benghazi matter to you?

Major news coverage and analysis is shameful. I offer my notes on the “Glen Beck Program” in contrast – 5PM ET May 9 (the day after the Benghazi Congressional hearings. —

Lead item – Did an Imam really use Arabic prayer to covertly damn fallen Seal Team 6 members to hell during their memorial service? Military – NOT families – scheduled the Imam. More follows. GB program had video and audio of prayer. NOTE – No press coverage.

Benghazi hearings -

What we learned:

· Eye witness, Greg Hicks, who had informed State Dept. of “Terrorist attack that he (Hicks) received a 2AM call from Hillary Clinton to evacuate.

· Support teams were ordered to stand down – while the attack was in progress.

· Video you-tube story was a lie.

· Witness, Greg Hicks, intimidated and demoted after questioning U.N. Amb. Susan Rice’s talking points.

· Hillary Clinton’s lawyers told witnesses not to speak to House investigators.

· There was advance warning that an attack on Benghazi was imminent.

· All the men and women who serve this country are brave and courageous people and should watch their back!

Note- the witnesses were under oath.

The question is – “Does the Benghazi story really matter?”

Sit down with your family tonight and ask these questions:

· Does it matter that the President lies?

1. How about your boss lies?

2. Your bank lies?

3. Your police lie?

4. Your children? – your parents?

5. Why does it matter?

· What happens when you can no longer trust others?

· Who do you trust?

The Benghazi story is filled with heroism, immense tragedy, deception, cover ups, intimidation, retaliation at the highest levels of our government!

Does Benghazi matter to you?

Whire House

Lied:

• “No one told to stand down” is a lie.
• President blamed American people and their Freedom over Islamists.
• Abandoned men in fire fight.
• Sent you-tube man to jail for cover
• Cover up purpose:

1. Further Election agenda
2. Further Moslem Brotherhood agenda

State Department

Lied:

• Changed Talking Points.
• Left co-workers to die.
• Left co-workers unprotected.
• Lied to allies, the world, co-workers, and you,
• Cover up purpose:

1. Further Election agenda
2. Further Moslem Brotherhood agenda

Media

Lied:

• Smeared.
• Destroyed.
• Covered for Admin & State
• And are still doing it.

Military

• Remained Silent.

Items 1 & 2 are logical conclusions. The bullet points are supported by sworn testimony and public events.

This represents a fundamental change of American culture! This can not stand, or we have nothing left!

How the media covered the hearings – 11:36 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Blaze carried the hearings until 5 a few minutes were left.

Fox News – 108 minutes of coverage.

CNN – 17 minutes

MSNBC – zero minutes!

At 2PM all the networks cut away for the Jody Areias trial!

Question – How does the Areias story compare with our President lying about the death of an Ambassador and three Americans serving our country?

_________end of my program notes_________

There is an Islamic civil discord between Wahabi and Suni factions. If I understand correctly, the Suni faction is financed and tied to Saudi Arabia and the Muslam Brotherhood, while the Wahabi faction is associated with Iran and al Qadea. It appears to me that we have permitted America to become a pawn in the factions’ battle for power. America appears to have sided with the Suni faction and Ambassador Stevens appears to have been in Benghazi negotiating a ship load of arms salvaged from the Lybian conflict to depart for Turkey then the rebels in Syria.

Why do I associate my blog posts with all this?

In the past few weeks I have met several patriotic, truly dedicated individuals who have forsaken newspapers, TV or internet news and completely tuned out current events. We are to be “in the world, but not of the world”. God has given Americans a precious gift. Such people appear to me to be tacitly exchanging it for a mess of poisonous pottage.

It is reported that fewer church folk bothered to vote in 2012 than voted in Obama’s first race in 2008! Their votes would likely have changed the outcome. Human history proves that uninformed people will tacitly surrender their God given liberty to tyrants.

An informed America can NEVER be defeated. I suggest TheBlaze.com

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

Let’s all grow up

Desta Garrett, a dear friend and American scholar and patriot sent me the following e-mail –

From decades ago, I’ve never forgotten this passage. I wanted to read it again and found it still marked with highlighter in my copy of the book. It is one of the best statements of "Christian self-government" I know of! So I thought to share this reminder of "liberty":

Passage from Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Ch.8 Fourth of July

(At their picnic celebration, The Declaration of Independence was read aloud, ending….)

"…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

No one cheered. It was more like a moment to say, "Amen." ….

Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing, "My country, ’tis of thee…."

The crowd was scattering away then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought. The Declaration and the song came together in her mind.

She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who has a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself be good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. "Our father’s God, author of liberty–" The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free. …

[emphasis added]

What can anyone add to that!

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

Truth

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

[John 8:32]

Truth is going to be the buzz word in American news this coming week.

Websters definition of TRUTH in his 1828 Dictionary of the English Language is too rich not to share with you

TRTH, n. [Sax treowth, truth, and troth; G. treue; D. getrouwheid, fidelity, from trouw, trust, faith, fidelity, whence trouwen, to marry.]

1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.

My mouth shall speak truth. Prov. 8.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John 17.

2. True state of facts or things. The duty of a court of justice is to discover the truth. Witnesses are sworn to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

3. Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth.

Shall truth fail to keep her word? Milton.

4. Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth; as when we say, a man is a man of truth.

5. Correct opinion. Harte.

6. Fidelity constancy.

The thoughts of past pleasure and truth,

The best of all blessings below. Song.

7. Honesty; virtue.

It must appear

That malice bears down truth. Shak.

8. Exactness; conformity to rule.

Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the iron work. [Not in use.] Mortimer.

9. Real fact or just principle; real state of things. There are innumerable truths with which we are not acquainted.

10. Sincerity.

God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4.

11. The truth of God, is his veracity and faithfulness. Ps. 71.

Or his revealed will.

I have walked in thy truth. Ps. 26.

12. Jesus Christ is called the truth. John 14.

13. It is sometimes used by way of concession.

She said, truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumsMatt. 15.

That is, it is a truth; what you have said, I admit to be true.

In truth, in reality; in fact.

Of a truth, in reality; certainly.

To do truth, is to practice what God commands. John 3

Dont you wish modern dictionaries had such rich definitions!

I have written before about the fact that truth is always fighting to get into the light. Those who honor the Bible believe that all truth will eventually be revealed at the judgment seat of God.

We also understand the fact that all creation is shouting the truth to those who will observe and reason. Further We also understand that ungodly and unrighteous men are struggling to hold under the truth. Professing themselves to be wise, they become fools!

This week will mark another giant step in uncovering what appears to me to be blatant treason in the Administrative branch of our government. Perhaps that light will spread just as darkness has been spreading.

Each of us can do our part by rebuking ignorance and apathy (I dont know & I dont care). We begin overcoming ignorance by paying attention (ask questions, observe, reason use it or lose it!). We begin overcoming apathy by prayer and obedience (get out of your comfort zone).

Remember Liberty costs more than slavery, because it is worth more! [Ben Gilmore]. The enslavers are addicted to power. They will not easily yield it.

However The power they are misappropriating, is power We The People yielded to them by our own ignorance and apathy. Ultimately it is the power placed into our stewardship (i.e. endowed) by our Creator. Power our forefathers wrested from other enslavers with their blood and treasure.

If we are to be worthy of that stewardship, we must once again earn it. A long time ago, God told a nation of people, There is the promised land. I give it to you. Now Go and fight for it!

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

We are in this together

Is there an uncreated creator we call God? The answer must be either “YES” or “NO”. You have no alternative! Answering “present,” or “I don’t know,” is the same as answering, “NO”. You must choose to ignore a word of evidence to answer, “NO”.

Every other thing that is “true” rests upon that truth.

If you choose to ignore the evidence and deny there is an uncreated creator (i.e. God), You are obliged to live consistently with that belief. Trying to do so is absurd!

God created a set of rules to govern everything that exists. Outside those boundaries is chaos. Within them is peace. Humans are created with the choice to stay within, or violate those, “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Violating them releases chaos, which, in turn, disturbs the peace of others.

Thus, all human conflict results from violating “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

Sing unto the Lord a new song,

sing unto the Lord, all the earth. …

Declare his glory among the heathen, (those choosing not to believe) …

He is to be feared (reverenced) above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

But the Lord made the heavens. …

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the people with his truth. [Psalm 96]

These thoughts are prompted by my understanding of the rapid decline of American culture. In Old Testament history, when enough people cried out to God for help – God intervened, He raised up a righteous leader around whom the people could rally.

Many of you enjoyed Glenn Beck’s TV show on FOX NEWS. He made a fortune and invested it into building his own network. That business is debt free and is beholden to no other investors. The other networks, even FOX NEWS, are beholden to outside investors. Beck’s news broadcasts and reports are available through

TheBlaze.com

His reports are covering stories the other networks will not touch. As is to be expected the other networks are attempting to smear him as a “conspiracy nut.” I am convinced “The Blaze” reporting is among the best news sources available. Currently, he is exposing sound documentation of what appears to me to be treasonous administration involvement with Saudi Arabia.

Is Glenn Beck “the” righteous leader around whom the people could rally? I believe he would say, “No.” He is just another American like, so many of us, desperately concerned for the loss of what God has done in America, to give hope to a world in darkness.

Our kids, their parents, and many of their grand-parents have little understanding of what we have lost. They do not understand the “news”, such as it is, and decide to ignore it. I know MANY really good men – fathers, business men, teachers, even pastors – who appear to me to have no clue about the cause of the chaos around them, or the price they and their family are about to pay for their ignorance and apathy. I am using these posts to shout from the house-tops! If you wish – circulate them.

The solution – Humble prayer; Seek God’s will for yourself; Replace ignorance and apathy with understanding and action. [2^nd Chronicles 7:14]

A Disclaimer

In American colonial days, our “founding pastors” were used mightily in teaching biblical principles of government to their flocks. That does not appear to me to be the case today. Were our churches ablaze with righteous liberty and understanding, I believe America would again be an inspiration to the dark world. I pray that God would again raise up such men.

Pastors are a special group of people. They are servants of a different Master. One day, they must answer to the Lord, for the condition of their flock. We, you and I, are not aware of how the Lord may be leading them. I caution – Use care before criticizing a pastor.

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

Radicalization

"My ardent desire is, and my aim has been … to comply strictly with all our engagements foreign and domestic; but to keep the United States free from political connections with every other Country. To see that they may be independent of all, and under the influence of none. In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home."

–George Washington, letter to Patrick Henry, 1775

Granted: It is too late to follow the wise thoughts of President Washington. (Emphasis above is mine.)

“Radicalization” has become the buzz-word of the TV talking heads since last weekend in Boston. What does it mean? Webster associates “radical” with “root” and “fundamental”. Thus – Not to be “radical” is to be “compromised”, “complex”.

Washington wrote of an “American character”. That unique character has its “roots” in “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”.

When the talking heads speak of “the radicalization of Americans”, they appear to mean the switch from “American character” to another character with different “roots” and “fundamentals”.

If one has little understanding of his own “roots and fundamentals” (i.e. principles) – It should be an easy transition to a more attractive set of principles. One of which friends, teachers and mentors approve. With little understanding of America’s “roots” what have we to compare?

It should be expected that state-run education is going to train its students in things important to the state – State perpetuation and state power.

It is to be expected that church-run education is going to train its students in things important to the church – Church perpetuation and doctrine.

It should be expected that family-run education is going to train its students in things important to the family – Character and independence.

Family, church and state each have vested interests in educating your child!

Our current public school system appears to me, to be the definition of “child abuse!” Children are being used as lab mice in various indoctrination techniques!

My experience with many church-run schools are little better than public schools, with “Jesus” and “prayer” rubber-stamped on the outside!

It is imperative we once again radicalize American youth in the roots and fundamentals of

our unique American character.

The ACH three-month online course in “Principles of American Government” begins on Monday, June 3rd and again on Monday, September 9th. Any adult or teen will profit by this course.

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 10, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

Cross-examine your faith

One of the Glenn Beck TV shows featured an hour long discussion about faith in God. It featured three nationally known authorities – a Rabbi; a Mormon; and an Atheist.

I found the discussion interesting. Each was an accomplished “defender” of his position, and understanding of the God of the Bible, or the “myth” of the Bible (the atheist view). It is important to have these discussions on national TV (Channel #212, if you subscribe to Dish Network).

I was disappointed. I felt that each position broke down under the others’ cross-examination. That prompts my thoughts on the subject. Will my faith in God stand up to a similar test?

Without a move of God, our nation, and the whole world, appear headed into a darkness that will make the holocaust look like a grade B movie! Your relation with, and understanding of, the God of the Bible is about to be severely tested. Will your faith withstand cross-examination?

Is God the uncreated creator?

The question has been around a long time. Roman Governor, Pontius Pilot, asked, “What is truth?” [around 33 A.D.] “They who assert that a blind fatality (i.e. evolution) produced the various effects we behold in this world talk very absurdly; for can anything be more unreasonable than to pretend that a blind fatality (i.e. random events) could be productive of intelligent beings?” [Charles Montesquieu around 1750 A.D.]

John Locke wrote, “Reason is a gift to humans from God.” [around 1690 A.D.] It was God Himself who said, “Come now, and let us reason together.” [Isaiah 1:18]

Thus – The God, which the Bible states is the uncreated creator, is reported to have encouraged, and apparently given us the ability to, reason about him. Why should anyone accept, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it!” Where is the reasoning to support that? Why should anyone hear that and believe?

The product demands a producer. The existence of intelligent design demands an intelligent first cause. We may study any product and discover attributes of the producer.

Wholesome means of fulfillment. We are provided a wholesome means of fulfilling every need. That is an indication of the concern of this uncreated creator. Consider the alternative!

Love God and love your neighbor. To “love” is to unselfishly will the very best for the loved one. I know of no better standard by which to evaluate my choices.

The problem is that pride and selfishness encourage us to resist our consciences and push aside truth. “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them (men holding under truth); for God hath shown it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Think about it. –If one will only stop and consider the evidence – God is doing every thing He can to teach us about Himself and how to get along. In our hearts, we know that is true. We can choose to accept it and seek His will, or we can, “pretend that a blind fatality” is in charge and “hold under the truth.”

Until the existence of The Uncreated Creater is discovered – Nothing else matters. Man becomes the ultimate authority. Unless there is a “Law of Nature and of Nature’s God” to govern our will and appetite we will be lost in a sea of chaos!

On the other hand – If we submit our individual will and appetite to that “Law of Liberty” we will discover peace and security in the midst of chaos.

Among those discoveries, I submit – Will be the divinity of Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace.”

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

April 8, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends – username histbuff

“Christians should not be distracted by government!”

That sentiment, my fellow Christian, is the greatest impediment to world-wide evangelism!

Christ was asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” And Jesus answered, “The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord’: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

He continued, “And the second is this: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’. There is none other commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:28-31]

I find ONLY three human organizations in the Bible, created by God, and through which He has worked: the family; the church; and the state (i.e. civil government).

All three are governmental, i.e. all three have rules for direction, regulation, control, restraint.

There is yet a forth category of government: self-government. The quality of family-government, church-government, and civil-government rests squarely upon the corporate quality of its members’ self-government.

Both natural law (discovered through observation and reason), and revealed law (found ONLY in the Holy Scriptures) originate with God. These laws contain direction, regulation, control and restraint rules for governing self, family, church, and state.

Active Christians are well founded in rules for self, family, and church government. That does not appear to be the case with God-ordained rules for civil-government.

Thus, because we have forfeited the field, through ignorance and apathy (“I don’t know and I don’t care”), ungodly forces have taken dominion of the rules of civil-government. Civil-government, in the hands of the ungodly, is the greatest impediment to world-wide evangelism!

It is nothing new. Civil-government was involved in the crucifixion of Christ. Civil-government was involved in the exodus, and even at the Tower of Babble!

What IS NEW is a God-ordained nation, the U.S.A., founded upon Christian self-government, and purposely subscribing to “the laws of Nature, and of Nature’s God” (natural law and revealed law).

These laws are far superior to the “laws” of ungodly humanists.

Let’s look at fundamentals. Everything for a happy, healthy, productive life is on the earth. A man is placed in this garden. He is designed to be at perfect liberty, within the laws of nature. Then another person is introduced. The laws of nature now restrict each from violating the other’s liberty.

A guy and a gal make a baby and we have a family and the rules that govern it. The built-in desire of each family member for a relationship with something greater (God) manifests itself as worship and we have church. Families join together for mutual benefits and we have state.

Families are the building blocks of every society. There will develop a corporate relationship with some sort of god – or with the God. That corporate relationship will ALWAYS determine the horizontal relationship (civil-government).

NOW

Please re-read the words of Christ (above) and ask your Lord if it is important for us to retake the field of civil-government for Christ.

Afterthought – The phrase, “in the world, but not of the world” comes to mind. While we are in this world, I think we should learn and apply the biblical rules for horizontal relationships.

Another, “So heavenly minded – no earthly good!” Granted: We should focus upon our vertical relationship – but – That also involves our horizontal relationships while here!

What follows is a sincere plea from my heart to yours.

Once we were a people who prided themselves upon being unique. Has it ever occurred to you that, nothing God creates is a duplicate? Further – nothing exists without a set of rules that limit and govern it.

Reason is a gift from God to humans. It is among the items in each life-adventure “tool chest.” Use it or lose it!

Let’s begin –

God is the uncreated creator.

Have you ever paused to reason why that is a true statement? Once “We the people” understood and focused on that. If we are not to live in confusion, frustration, anger, and ultimate hopelessness – We MUST first apply our individual reason to the above statement. It is not enough to accept the word of a trusted parent, religious leader, or friend.

If you are to experience your life-adventure as you were placed here to do, you MUST think this through for yourself! God has no step-children! Such reasoning has been removed nibble by nibble, until we are no longer challenged to reason for ourselves. Others are happy to do it for us!

· Wisdom may be found in the Bible (biblically).

· Wisdom may be found in history (historically).

· Wisdom may be found through observation and reason (governmentally).

Why do you trust wisdom from the Bible? It is NOT enough to say, “I trust the one who told me the Bible is God’s word.” Have you observed the evidence and applied your own reason to draw a wise conclusion? Would your conclusion hold up under cross examination?

Are you prepared to illustrate wisdom in His-story? Discussing evidence of providential history has become rare these days. If we are to see our current situation as it truly is – We must see it in the context of God’s hand in human history.

Are you prepared to demonstrate wisdom through observation and reason? There is a cause and effect to everything. I label it, “Thinking governmentally.” Others might call it, “critical thinking.”

All three of these sources of wisdom are valid and useful – if – we will study them and use them. Things of value come with a price! That is one way of judging value!

It appears to me – American society in general, is ill-informed and almost illiterate in all three of these forms of wisdom. We have been lulled into our individual “comfort zones” and we will fight to defend them! In doing so – I guarantee – You will be missing the exciting adventures available to you! You may also be failing to fulfill your part in His-story.

A Challenge

On June 3rd, We will begin our next online course in PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (PAG). This is NOT a course on the Constitution. This is a course in building wisdom –and understanding – upon a solid first cause.

I guarantee – This course is outside your “comfort zone.” That is the “challenge.”

Read the syllabus and student comments on our web site. Phone or e-mail to chat about it.

You are encouraged to forward this “challenge” to other adults and teens.