An Extraordinary Journey (2018)

“I never wanted to be a preacher.  I’d rather be anything but being a clergyman.” – Billy Graham

“The fruit of the Spirit is love!”

God was calling me.  And I knew that, so I got on my knees and I said, “Lord, I will go where You want me to go… and I will be what You want me to be.” – Billy Graham

“Who is this unique Person who comes across the pages of history?” – Billy Graham (about Jesus Christ).

“You always knew that it was about the message and not about the man.” – Mr. Gibson

He had a burden to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as he could. –

“This is the way, and the truth, and the life.”

“Jesus said, “Follow Me.  Come and change the world with Me.”

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My husband and I watched this movie two nights ago.  It was better than I even expected!  I cried…a lot!  Have some tissues handy.

You get a glimpse of how Billy Graham preached throughout many decades in history.  There was no one else like him, and will never be another like him.  His unique way to share the gospel was actually in its simplicity.  We are told in Scripture that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is easy enough to be understood by a child.  But as Billy tells us in the movie, the journey will not always be easy.  However, it is always worth it!

I learned many things that I didn’t know before about Graham’s extraordinary journey.  I highly recommend this film to everyone!

~ Christine

The movie is available on iTunes, or view on Amazon for $5.99 (rent).

Amazon.com: Billy Graham – An Extraordinary Journey

Amidst A Hostile World

While scanning my reader feed this morning, the phrase “amidst a hostile world” jumped out at me.  It was mentioned in a post regarding the political, social, and even religious climate here in the United States.  There is no doubt about that fact.  There seems to be no end to the hostilities.

But before I get to that post, I wanted to share a text conversation with my daughter that includes sadness about one of the prevailing social ills that plagues us more and more as the years go on.

She wrote:

“I’m so sad today over this news (the killings at the CA country music club).  I’m so scared for my babies to grow up in this world.  It’s just so horrible.  You aren’t safe anywhere.”

My response:

I know, honey.  I’m sad too and I worry about our family – especially the children.

You are a wonderful mom!  You keep Lucy close and safe.  You never take chances and I’m so glad you are smart about that.  You all are always in my prayers for protection.

It’s especially unnerving because it happened so close to your home.

She wrote:

Thank you mama.  Being a mom is so wonderful but it also fills you with worry.  You just want to protect your little ones!  Thinking of all the moms who lost their college-aged children.  I can’t even imagine how they feel.

You’re right it is especially unnerving because it’s so close.  Tyler said he grew up going there all the time.

My response:

I know that kind of worry so well.  When you went off to college, it was really tough.  But I didn’t want to hover over you so you could grow.

So sorry to hear that Tyler knew the place and went there years ago.  Terribly sad!

I think there are too many people (ex military too) with mental disorders not getting treatment and help.

Too much killing and violence is glorified on TV, in movies, video games etc.

Personal relationships suffer because of devices and social media being substituted for genuine interaction.

Too much hate is being spewed at people who disagree politically and/or otherwise.

In my early years, there weren’t so many fears as today.  But I’ll never forget when it started – it was when President Kennedy was killed (I was 9 yrs. old), then Martin Luther King Jr., then Bobby Kennedy.  America went downhill from there, IMHO.

She wrote:

You’re so right!  It just continues to get worse.  I think it’s gotten much worse since I was a kid.  I remember Columbine but don’t remember any other school shootings when I was a child.  And then it seems like after 9/11 we just have tragedy after tragedy.  The last 5-7 years have been insane.  So much violence and hatred.  Everyone just needs love.  Love is the answer!  Love and God!

My response:

You’re attitude is wonderful!  God is love so keep believing and sharing your love.

It’s tough when we only see the here and now.  But in eternity, all will be made right and understood.  (Hope I’m not too preachy today.)

Here’s a quote I recently read:

“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

She wrote:

That’s one of my favorite quotes!

My response:

You gave me an instant smile!

She wrote:

Love you mama.

There is a bit more to add to that conversation, but I’m waiting until a proper time to share it.

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Lately, the political divide has been ratcheted up between the differing beliefs (mostly political) of leftist Christians vs. Christians on the right.

Here’s a good (but sad) example:

Religious Left Thinkers: “No Middle Ground” with Nationalists

I suggest reading it all.  These excerpts do give us an idea of why the “religious left thinkers”  think the way they do.

Snyder and Burton condemned a form of nationalism that Snyder in his book labeled “Christian Fascism.” Advocates claim their nation is part of Christendom, and then assert, “We just are a Christian country no matter what we do,” said Snyder. He said this ideology is used to justify attitudes and actions that are anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican, and anti-immigrant. Snyder warned that these ideas have become ascendant in Russia, Poland, and Hungary, but now, “there’s an awful lot of that going on in the U.S.”

While Snyder and Burton never precisely identified the agents of Christian Fascism in America, they referred to them variously as the Christian right, Christian nationalists, white nationalists, people who listen to Fox News, and “people like Mr. Trump.” They spent less time discussing the opponents of this group, but usually referred to them with the labels “we” and “us.”

So, those of us who believe in protecting our borders from illegal immigration should be accused as being “anti – (fill in the blank)”?

So, born-again Christians are now being re-labeled as “Christian Fascists?”

I think that what the “religious left thinkers” are missing are some very important facts!  The term “evangelicals” can (and does) include a myriad of people who profess to be Christians.  Some have very different political views.  Sadly, not all of them may hold to the truths of the Bible; especially those truths that have been taught to us by Jesus in God’s Word.

[For a good example, please read Evangelicals Earn “F” on Beliefs about the Trinity]

Excerpt:
In Hebrews 4:14 and 10:23, Christians are exhorted to “hold fast our confession” amidst a hostile world. Evangelicals across the U.S. need to engage more deeply with the theological truths of Christianity, so we will recognize false doctrines when they come.

The book of Jude warns us that the closer we get to the end times, the more that all different types of people will “have crept in unnoticed” in order to “turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[fn] and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christianity Today shares even more from the survey. I appreciate this conclusion:

Snyder blamed the overall lack of orthodoxy on the fact that “most evangelicals churches have largely abandoned catechesis (or a functional equivalent). … Theologically informed discipleship is mostly absent from churches.”

“The survey underscores our desperate need for sound doctrinal teaching in the local church,” agreed Jones. “I fear that we’re spending too much time in cults of personality around charismatic superstar pastors, who often focus more on their personal theological idiosyncrasies and pet ideas than on basic Christian orthodoxy.”

She found the results of the survey to be a call to action: “People are hungry for orthodoxy. Church leaders need to feed them.”

I would add that the importance of studying the Bible will help Christians to discern truth from error.

Hat tips to all links.

Last Night’s Split Win For President Trump And His Agenda Is Exactly How It’s Supposed To Work In Our Unique Constitutional Republic

While not getting close to what they wanted and even needed to get last night, Democrats were able to obtain a limited victory. But make no mistake about it, President Trump and his policies are still very much alive and well. The American people did not vote last night to refute the Trump agenda, but they did vote exactly how our Founding Fathers intended, with checks and balances. Now it’s time for our leaders in Washington to get busy about doing the business of the American people in Washington.

Now The End Begins: Last Night’s Split Win For President Trump And His Agenda Is Exactly How It’s Supposed To Work In Our Unique Constitutional Republic

Out of all the posts that I have seen this morning, the link above is one of the best!  I highly recommend making “Now The End Begins” a daily read for everyone; especially Christians.

First and foremost, it would be REALLY NICE to have our leaders in Washington GET BUSY ABOUT DOING THE BUSINESS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

We can hope and PRAY for such a thing to FINALLY happen.  Sadly, and unfortunately, I think that the gridlock might still go on and on.

However, it was nice to read NTEB post!  You can click on the link above to view several videos, too.

Copy of post:

For those of you who understand how our Constitutional Republic was created to function, and who are also students of American history, you understand quite well the magnitude and scope of the win last night for President Trump and his agenda

The year was 1994, and Midterm Elections were being held in America back then just as they were held again last night. William Jefferson Clinton, still some years away from his intern sex scandal, was riding high. He had won a hard fought election two years earlier, nearly lost, and his victory was so stunning they called him the ‘comeback kid’.

“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy? A Republic, if you can keep it.” – Benjamin Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention of 1787

After 8 years of victories with Ronald Reagan beginning in 1980, and another 4 with George Bush Sr., Republicans suddenly found themselves out of power. Winning the Midterms didn’t bode well as Democrats had controlled Congress for nearly 40 prior to 1994. Yet as implausible as it seemed, along comes Newt Gingrich and his ‘Contract With America’, and shocker of all shockers, Republicans won both the House and the Senate, effectively nullifying Bill Clinton’s presidency and forcing him to become partners with the Republicans if he wanted to get anything done at all.

History refers to this watershed moment as the ‘Republican Revolution‘ and it was a stunning reversal of fortune for President Clinton and his agenda. That is not what took place last night, not by a country mile. Though Republicans lost the House, which nearly every once had already concede would happen well before election night, Republicans were able to defeat Democrats at nearly every place Dems were desperately needing to win.

Despite some losses, Republicans held the line where it counted

DEMOCRATS LOSE FLORIDA: Andrew Gillum was touted as both a savior of the Democrat Party, and more important, he was the face of the new direction Socialist Democrats were attempting to take the party. A win in a huge state like Florida would resound across the country in terms of pushing forward Democrat policies and agenda, and they didn’t get it.

“Ron DeSantis was elected governor of Florida on Tuesday, handing President Trump an important victory and extending the Republican Party’s dominance in the nation’s third-largest state.

Mr. DeSantis, a 40-year-old former congressman, fended off his opponent, Andrew Gillum, one of the strongest candidates Florida Democrats had fielded in years. Republicans have now won every election for governor since 1998.

“Every two years there’s one day in November where elites don’t call the shots, don’t craft the narrative or set the agenda,” Mr. DeSantis told jubilant supporters festooned in confetti in an Orlando hotel ballroom late on Tuesday night. “On Election Day, it’s the voice of the people that rules.” – The New York Times

DEMOCRATS LOSE TEXAS: Beto O’Rourke raised so much money during his campaign, he outpaced Ted cruz nearly 2-to-1 in fundraising. He had the ‘Kennedy mojo’, he had the youth vote, he had the ‘cool factor’, in short he had everything but enough votes to win. Like Gillum, his win would have be instrumental in pushing forward the ‘new Socialism’ of the Democratic Party and this was another win the Democrats so desperately needed.

“A visibly exhausted Beto O’Rourke conceded the Texas Senate race Tuesday night, saying he was “grateful” for his millions of supporters in the race against Republican incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz.

“I’m as inspired, I’m as hopeful as I’ve ever been in my life,” the Democrat told supporters gathered at Southwest University Park stadium in his hometown of El Paso. “Tonight’s loss does nothing to diminish how I feel about Texas or this country.” – The Huffington Post

REPUBLICAN MAINTAIN THE ALL-IMPORTANT SENATE: In the 1994 Midterms, Democrats lost both the Congress and the Senate to Republicans, effectively hamstringing President Clinton’s effectiveness. Last night they needed to win them both back, and were denied. Yes they have the Congress now, but without the Senate and with the veto power of President Trump, Democrats won’t be able to do much more than a lot of showboating.

“Republicans may have lost the House on Tuesday night, but they secured a valuable consolation prize: a larger Senate majority. With help from Donald Trump, the GOP advantage in the upper chamber will grow by at least two seats and by as many as five, giving the party a crucial buffer as it tries to extend a conservative imprint on the federal judiciary over the next two years.

Republicans captured Democratic seats in Missouri, Indiana, and North Dakota, as conservative challengers seized on Trump’s enduring popularity with the party base to easily oust incumbents whose tilt to the center was no match for their state’s GOP lean. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri fell to state Attorney General Josh Hawley in her bid for a third term, while Senators Joe Donnelly and Heidi Heitkamp could not repeat their surprising victories from six years ago. The businessman Mike Braun defeated Donnelly in Indiana, while Representative Kevin Cramer ousted Heitkamp in North Dakota. Republicans won a fourth seat in Florida, where the two-term governor, Rick Scott, defeated the three-term incumbent, Senator Bill Nelson, by a narrow margin.

On Tuesday night, the president ignored the GOP’s defeat in the House entirely. “Tremendous success tonight,” he tweeted. “Thank you to all!” – The Atlantic

Our Constitutional Republic was designed to work this way

We do not live in a democracy, America is a Constitutional Republic set up with a system of ‘checks and balances’ designed to forced the different branches of government to work with each other.  The system of checks and balances in government was developed to ensure that no one branch of government would become too powerful. The framers of the U.S. Constitution built a system that divides power between the three branches of the U.S. government—legislative, executive and judicial—and includes various limits and controls on the powers of each branch.

The Democrats now have the House, and if they so choose, they can do nothing but attempt to stymie President Trump, but as previously noted, they lost the Senate, so the best they can do is battle to a draw in many areas. Do they really want to take last night’s limited victory and blow it all on revenge?

It is very tempting for the enemies of Trump, like Pelosi and Waters, to spend the next two years getting their revenge for their stunning loss in 2016, but Democrats should take note. The American people will be voting again in 2020, and if Democrats just play games and get nothing done for the American people, they could easily be looking at another 4 years of President Trump.

After the 1994 Midterms, both the Republican and Democratic parties were forced to work with each other, and guess what? They did! What followed was a Reaganesque time of prosperity for America that included, among other things, the creation of the public Internet which revolutionized the entire world.

While not getting close to what they wanted and even needed to get last night, Democrats were able to obtain a limited victory. But make no mistake about it, President Trump and his policies are still very much alive and well. The American people did not vote last night to refute the Trump agenda, but they did vote exactly how our Founding Fathers intended, with checks and balances. Now it’s time for our leaders in Washington to get busy about doing the business of the American people in Washington.

Hat tip:
Now The End Begins
Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last days before the Rapture of the Church.

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More commentary to come later in this post.

I saw President Trump’s news conference with reporters this morning. I thought that Jim Acosta (as usual) was rude, very disrespectful and a buffoon bloviator! What I just found out tonight via Tucker Carlson’s show was that this despicable man aggressive ly mistreated the intern who was there to pass the microphone around to the reporters.

Gateway Pundit has the details:

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/11/breaking-jim-acostas-press-pass-suspended/