Super Donald!

The day that Donald Trump was inaugurated, all my friends were focused on was their pipes not freezing and his inauguration. The weather in much of the United States was in an Arctic freeze. A few weeks before the inauguration, I had gotten a text from a local politician whom I have gotten to know asking me if I would be interested in two tickets to the inauguration. I was ecstatic. These two tickets would enable me a closer view of the proceedings and an expedited security process. 

What a sweet moment this was. Having moved from Westchester County, New York a little over 3 years ago led me to a new vicinity not too far from New York but, in many ways worlds apart. I had to reestablish my life here and build a whole new network of friends. Yet, I had asked God’s guidance in this all important decision. I asked him to show me the place that I should be from the first moment that I even considered moving from my birthplace. 

It was a very difficult decision to make and I could not imagine being able to even do it without the strength that only God can give us. God has confirmed his blessing of my new home at every step of this journey including this moment when a conservative Christian politician full of integrity and faith opened a door to the inaugural proceedings. 

When I was in Westchester County I volunteered to help a number of godly candidates in their campaigns for political office. It was frustration after frustration for me when I saw honest, smart people with great ideas have every type of political dirty trick and smear leveled against them. When I look back, I can say that in microcosm I was seeing the democratic machine of dirty tricks that I would later on see in macrocosm against Trump and his politcal allies. 

Donald Trump became a symbol of hope for many observing their communities, nation and world going stark raving mad. Would anyone have the strength to stand up to the LGBTQ mafia, to transgender madness or child sex change surgeries? DEI? When many Americans wanted gas stoves and gasoline powered automobiles, we had an administration who gave unfair market place advantage to force other choices down our throats. 

This is not capitalism and it will never foster great inventions, innovation or a better future. Further, these technologies are neither proven or wanted by the vast majority of people. When the market place is open, the consumer scrutinizes the product and in that process people have choice and the best technology wins. This was not fair market practice and everyone knows that it made a lot of democratic donors rich. 

Fresh refrains of  “it’s the economy stupid,” also began to resurface in the voters minds as they saw dumb democratic decisions one after the other fell the economy where it hurts for the average American the most. America was hurting and yet there was the sense that Joe and Kamala had a “let them eat cake” philosophy about the whole thing.

Could anyone in U.S. politics stand up for Israel and defy the collegiate mobs of deluded Jew-haters? It would take a lot of moxy that’s for sure. Who has that kind of Chutzpah, not your average Judas kissing politician. The thing that surprised me the most about how the democrats felt about Israel came to light when I did not see one drop of empathy or sympathy for the dead Jewish people on October 7th. 

I kept on waiting for that show of support to be seen when we considered the fate of the hostages so cruelly taken away on that infamous day. I kept waiting and waiting and, like a car wreck on the highway, I just keep watching while people are honking at me to drive a little faster! I was mesmerized or perhaps in a state of shock when I saw nothing, nada, rien. Do we not know right from wrong anymore? The answer is no, a lot of us don’t. I guess it is hard for me to look evil in the eye and accept it. But, that is what Israel has had to do. They have had to act in their own defense in a world hell-bent on their destruction. The United Nations? Useless.

The groundswell of remnant Christian believers who saw the Israeli situation as one of the pivotal issues of our time, brought Donald Trump unto the finish line. There has been a growing number of Christians over the years who actually gave their bible a good read and finally saw the biblical truth of the Israeli situation. It only took us 2000 years or so but who’s counting. The hostages never should have been in captivity that long. It is beyond the pall that in this so-called modern era mankind could conscience that.

Some Christians who came to the forefront to vote Donald Trump into Office had previously been on the sidelines of the political process. A great number uncomfortable with the concept of looking to a politician for hope. Unfortunately many had learned the hard way that staying out of the political process had brought them to a place where their nation had gone in the completely wrong direction. After all, the enemies of God were still voting. They were also free to mess around at polling places with the vote. Some Christians might even be uncomfortable with this blog post talking about the hope in Trump. 

I would say to them, The Lord is my Savior and the rest of us are merely fallen humans. However, does that mean I have no hope in an outcome when I choose a place of employment, a spouse, or a political candidate? We should know that God is perfect and we are not and adjust our expectations. Hence, vigilance, and work towards goals at the job, in the home and in our community.

Another issue that has been going on for far too long is the Russian and Ukrainian war. How could the world be so cold to the suffering of the Ukrainian population.? I am incredulous. Bombings of apartment blocks, on purpose. Energy shut off so civilians have no heat in winter, on purpose. Systematic rape and torture that goes to the very heart of the nature of evil, on purpose. Well, in video games it’s not real so……wrong. People just woke up and realized that the administration in charge was the reason that this was all happening and they had another reason to go out to vote.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Super Donald! He may be rough, he may be abrasive but, that is exactly what is called for in a day when smooth and slimy politicians just slither into office and run their cold-blooded operation. We needed to get rid of the nest of vipers masquerading as our public servants. This is a dirty job and someone had to do it. It won’t be easy and he is fighting a nest of vipers so there are no guarantees. Don’t forget that the prayer of the righteous availeth much so, pray everyday that some wrongs can be righted. Pray for the strength of those who are fighting this political war, most of all stay engaged in the political process if you can. So many things are happening that will change our world forever and you don’t want to feel that you did not try to help in what ever small way that you can advance the godly agenda in our day to day lives. 

I never did get to go to the inauguration. It is just one more decision that I prayed to God to guide me through. Should I accept the offer and celebrate this moment of history? The answer came in a rather brutal way. My husband tripped and broke a rib. I felt that this was God’s answer and I accepted it. We had already researched hotels and driving directions when the X-ray felled those plans. Life goes on and because I did not attend the inauguration in person, I was able to take advantage of a local painters schedule and have him come to work on a much needed project. Furthermore, maybe God just took me down a notch which I needed too. 

The Ghost & Mrs. McConnell

I met Mrs. McConnell, Maddie* on the soccer field of life. I met a lot of people when I was driving my daughter to and from practice and watching the game. Maddie was warm and funny and we struck up a friendship right away. She was a divorced, gutsy, working class Irish woman from Long Island. She had previously worked laying heavy cable. She was probably the first woman in our area actually doing that job at the time. She took pride in doing the job with no modifications. 

In some ways she was a fish out of water in her new home in Westchester County, New York. She had been married to her Irish sweetheart who ended up to be a drinker and a drugger. When she divorced him, she ended up raising her son Connor* all by herself. 

She was always more shanty Irish than lace curtain Irish and that showed when she took up with a local contractor from Eastern Europe. He was married at the time to a wonderful woman and they had two children. His wife Lana,* also Irish, was heartbroken. This is an Irish story.

Anyway, I was going through some of my own marital problems at the time and trying to stay close to God, when I first struck up a friendship with this lady. At first, it was one of those relationships that you form when your children are involved in extra-curriculums but, it soon grew into something more. Maddie and I were the most unlikely of friends. I always contended that I would have been afraid of her if we met in elementary school. I am pretty sure she would not have liked me and would definitely have given me a hard time. She was and is a bit of a “bad girl.’ I was always the “goody-goody.” Like many Long Island Irish families that I knew, she had relatives who were both New York’s finest (police) and New York’s bravest (firefighters). Her brother was a retired detective of note. She and he always bickered as children because he was a goody-goody child too! 

When she took up with Andrei* she became pregnant with their daughter Joy* which quickly ended his marriage. Maddie and Andrei soon moved in together and began to raise their daughter. Joy, like her father, was an amazing soccer player and it was not a little bit due to her father’s coaching. 

Maddie’s parents, whom she revered, were staunchly Catholic. Although she never set foot in church in her adulthood, she felt it an obligation to pay homage to the religion that her Irish ancestors suffered to practice. In fact, she had a lot of Catholic guilt when she divorced her husband so much so, that she made a decision that she would never marry Andrei while Connor Senior was still alive because it would be a sin. I won’t get into why she did not notice some of the other sins that she seemed to ignore at the time (like sleeping with a married man) because that is another blog post.

This is where Maddie was when I met her. On my side, I had just left the Catholic Church and was now attending a spirit-filled bible centered church. I had always felt something was missing when I was in the Catholic Church. I always had this gnawing feeling that there was more than what I had and I continually prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill my heart. Finally, I got what I had always desired, that blessed assurance in salvation when I left the Catholic Church.

On the way out, I tried to plant seeds of the truth with the ladies of C.C.D (Catholic children’s education) of which I had been a part of. I even went toe to toe with the Parish priest Father Tom* as I hoped that I could point to some biblical truths that I thought our Church was missing. I had a heart for Catholics who were biblically illiterate since a good read of the Bible is what lead me to the truth along with God’s grace.

Maddie and Andrei knew so much about soccer, and they endeavored to teach me more than the rudimentary knowledge that I had of the sport. I always encouraged Andrei to volunteer as an assistant coach with our daughter’s team but his lack of eloquence in the English language always made him feel as if he came up short. As the three of us got to know each other, we began to share other conversations rather than just about the game. 

Andrei was a very good local contractor and as such had flexible time within his day. That is how I got to know him better. However, on those days when work would not allow Andrei to attend games, Maddie and I began our friendship. We bonded over sewing and knitting projects. We gave each other recipes and household tips. Eventually, we talked about the state of the school system, local politics and oh yes, religion. 

Our first conversation about the Bible shook me from the malaise that I felt watching two well-matched soccer teams not being able to score a single point. It was a hot day when Maddie mentioned she was tired because, “the ghost made quite a ruckus last night.” Taking a big swig of water from my water bottle, I immediately looked up. “What did you say Maddie?” Maddie went on to tell me that from what she can surmise, a ghost wearing what looks like a World War 1 uniform is still in residence at her home. Oh yeah, and Joy was afraid of it but, I told her ghosts can not hurt you.” I was in a state of shock and wondered where I could begin to explain what was actually happening.

This was the first of many conversations that I would have with Maddie over the years concerning ghosts. Each and every time this topic would come up I tried to lay the biblical groundwork for some answers. I started out with the story of Lazarus. I thought she understood but a few years later the topic arose again, no pun intended. Every time she had a question I tried to answer that question by relating a verse or chapter from the Bible for her clarification. 

The topic has again resurfaced and for a very unfortunate reason, i.e. her partner Andrei just died suddenly this past September. It took us all by surprise and it rocked Maddie’s world. She is not a well woman due to back injuries that she sustained in her work at the cable company. Andrei took care of Maddie like she was a queen. He made it look easy too. She has a lot to deal with on her own now. 

Since Andrei passed away, I have been cognizant of her pain and I am trying be a supportive friend. It is so hard to say the right thing to someone who has lost a loved one. She is not physically or spiritually strong and I am worried about her. However, I have been praying that this could be the time in her life that that she would get off the fence and finally make a decision for Christ. She has been close over the years. Oh, so very close but, then she pulls back because of having to give up some long-held habit or belief, such as the occult.

But, this time she went too far. For days, she was hinting at something, It started out when she told me that her dish washer was going on by itself in the middle of the night. Next, it was her mixer. I kept cool and held any biblical advice instead telling her that she should turn her breaker on and off because it was either an electric problem or maybe her dish washer control board was shot and she needed to replace it. I was biding my time until she absolutely came out with what I was pretty sure was on her mind. 

In several days, she came out with it: “ Did I tell you, there’s been more activity around here? There’s been snoring from his chair, and it ain’t Clyde (the dog).” Horrified that somehow Andrei had been reduced to running appliances in the middle of the night or being a phantom snorer, I was taken aback. I guess on some level even if she could just have the noise of his snoring she would be happy but, that just made me incredibly sad. 

As Maddie went on and on about her belief in her dead husband’s return, I just could not keep silent any longer. (Note: did anybody doubt that I could not keep silent?) More careful than I usually was on this Irish brawler, I said, “Maddie you know that you have many friends who believe in ghosts. You also know that as a Christian I do not. You could just go to them if you want to get no push-back on these beliefs, but you came to me so, would you allow me to just have equal time to tell you what the Bible says about this?”

My conversation on the topic was a summation of all that I had shared with her over the years now put in one cozy package. The first question that needed to be addressed was the veracity of ghosts. Was this complete nonsense or is she having some sort of experience? I cut right to the chase and then doubled back to give some more details. “Yes, Maddie, you are experiencing something. Is it your husband or a World War I soldier? The answer Maddie is that there are spirits that are around you. The Bible is abundantly clear that there is a physical realm and a spiritual realm. In the spiritual realm demons and angels have their domain. Demons are angels who have rejected God and follow Satan. Angels are loyal to God and serve as messengers for Him.”

“The Bible does not support the idea that our loved one’s come back to commune with us. The bad news is that as much as you love Andrei, he is not sitting in his chair as he used to nodding off and snoring. He is not trying to give you a sign of his presence by running appliances in the middle of the night. More bad news: the angels would not lie and pretend to be a World War I soldier or your partner. The worse news of all: you have demons in your house and they have been there for a long time.”

“They are there to trick you and to ultimately mislead you.The main goal they always have is interfering with you trusting in God Almighty with your life. They will do whatever thing that can that will lead you away from Jesus. Also, you misled your daughter when you told her that these spirit beings could not harm her.” In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 we find demons masquerading as “angels of light” and as “servants of righteousness.” So, when Maddie told me that she wasn’t afraid of this World War I soldier because he looked lost, I told her that he is only pretending that he is a sweet presence in order to hoodwink her. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”

As far as the dearly departed Andrei is concerned, the Bible says, “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement”-Hebrews 9:27. Andrei is not free to do whatever he pleases. The story of Lazarus and the rich man can help to clarify some of Maddie’s misconceptions. Jesus told the story of a rich man in Hades wanting to come back after death to warn his brothers of the judgment day. He is told that he can not return to help his brothers. (Luke 16:19-31)

The time to do things for our loved ones is while we are alive. We should all keep that in mind. Andrei, just like the rich man in the story, could not come back and help Maddie overcome her grief or share time with her even if he wanted to. If the rich man could not come back, why would Andrei be able to? Verse 26-“between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”

As comforting as it would be for Maddie or any of us to soften the blow of our loved one’s passing by believing that they are really still with us, it is a dangerous and unbiblical concept steeped in the occult. I love Maddie too much to let her find false hope. Now, will she finally seek real comfort in Jesus Christ? I hope so, but since our conversation, I have not heard from Maddie. 

* the names are changed to protect privacy but, the story is true.

Ozempic Claus

“Few people have the imagination for reality.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Elon Musk probably doesn’t know that he helped me come up with a topic for my “Confessions of a Westchester Christian Housewife” Annual New Year’s Blog Post. Ever since I began my blog, the Annual New Year’s Post always has some of the highest readership numbers. I guess we are all looking for a little inspiration as an old year ends and a new year begins. I know I am. But, this year I had writer’s block until a picture of Elon Musk dressed up as a Skinny Santa Claus was making news. What was this all about I wondered? 

It ends up, the story coincides with one of the topics I never fail to cover for the New Year, i.e.weight loss. Elon Musk threw down the gauntlet as he brings to debate the topic of just how one should approach weight loss. The concept of dieting brings up issues of spirituality, willpower, discipline, and humanity’s relevancy in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Mr. Musk wondered aloud if Ozempic and drugs like it are the solution to America’s obesity problem. This is in direct opposition to one of President-elect DonaldTrump’s nominees point of view concerning the topic. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is slated to hold a post in Health and Human Services has a mission to inspire and assist people to make healthy food choices. He firmly believes in a healthy diet and exercise as the gold standard for better health. 

One person represents a modern pharmaceutical approach to health and the other person recommends a traditional diet and exercise regimen. My recent bout with gallstones has had me begin to eat a lower fat diet. I have already lost five pounds no small feat during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. However, when I came face to face with the pain and the possibility of averting a surgical removal of my gall bladder, I had to take some action. But, what action would that be?

Many people think action means taking a pill or getting a surgical intervention when maybe there is another option. Some recent conversations that I have had with people highlight some thinking on the topic. Hudson* told me some good news recently about his health. Hudson had become diabetic after his marriage ended. His eating and schedule was turned upside down and I advised him to stop eating junk food. Even after his diagnosis, he still continued to make excuses for eating cherry cheesecake and high carb meals. It was like he couldn’t listen to his doctor or me. 

However, Hudson did listen when his doctor said that he would be a good candidate for Ozempic. Hudson has told me that this drug has “changed his life!” He couldn’t say enough good things about it. There was a time not that long ago that Hudson waxed poetic about all Jesus had done for him but, now he was practically worshipful of this drug. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy that Hudson has now been taken off his diabetes meds but, is he a mere spectator in the drama of his life?

Then there was Tyler* a Sushi Chef who was a young guy with high cholesterol. He started the diet and was wholly successful in eliminating the problem. But, a few years later his numbers were edging up and he told me, “ I decided to take the cholesterol lowering medication because I don’t want to have to worry about every little thing that I eat.” Translation: he wants to eat whatever he wants whenever he wants it.

Is it worth it and what about the side-effects? Will* had some of those. Will used to be a lot more active but, that was before he got married and had a family, now he has a dad bod. He knew that he needed to change his diet but instead his doctor said why not try Ozempic? He quickly lost 25 pounds and was thrilled. About six months later, digestive and sexual problems began to occur. His doctor took him off the medication and Will put back all 25 pounds and then some.

Then there is Remy.* This past Sunday when I arrived at church, I ran to the church buffet table. I was running late, and I had to lay out my New Year’s smorgasbord before the service began. I sign up to bring in church refreshments abour once a month. My January treats included ham with pineapple, monkey bread, a variety of dried and fresh organic fruits and some amaretti cookies. 

Remy, whom I had not seen since Christmas came over to show me a picture of the amaryllis which I had gifted his family with for the holidays. It had grown nicely. When I looked up from my work in order to greet him, I was shocked. His appearance had changed dramatically. He was practically skeletal. 

He used to be a devoted body-builder in years past but, when he gave that up but continued to eat the same foods, then his muscles turned to fat. Remy was always the life of the Christian party, a sweet and funny man. However, now he looked drawn and lacked a certain gusto that he was known for. 

Chemicals coming together to make us feel full or to erase the effects of eating too much tempura are life-altering solutions that we ought to give some thought to.The Bible tells the story of passions, lusts, and teaches us how to handle them but, we have to take its’ advice. The Bible speaks of choosing the right path and relates stories of people who make the right choices and those who have made the wrong choices. There is forgiveness, change and growth at each stage of our life if we ask for it.  But, we are entreated to study, to take appropriate action, and deal with the consequences of our decision-making.

Yet, I have this sinking feeling that mankind is becoming irrelevant in making this happen and instead is looking for a pill or a surgery to create the change in their life. People are losing their drive and don’t want to work too hard, they don’t want to think too hard, nor are they motivated to see the spiritual meaning in their everyday decisions. Every moment, every decision is so important and yet many people are bored, or living in a virtual world disconnected from more immediate problems.

Perhaps, with the strides in artificial intelligence people are already experiencing lower intelligence. People seem to prefer relying on artificial intelligence rather than reading a book or finding a solution through experimentation. They ask Siri to answer a question or have an A.I. app write papers for them. Are we just spectators in the game of life now? 

Taking a weight lose drug such as Ozempic is all the rage right now. Hollywood actors and actresses who were already skinny look anorexic. So many people feel powerless over their own lives and are desperate to lose weight but, instead of fighting for their health, they are giving up without a fight. Remy did. He had supportive family, friends and hospital staff to help him fight diabetes the natural way but, he resisted everyone’s help and instead continued to eat foods that were killing him. His blood sugar monitor would be telling him as much but, all he did was make excuses. Now, he is letting a drug that mimics a hormone run his diet for him. He is often not hungry at all these days. That’s like throwing the baby out with the bath water. He seems like a zombie a lot. 

I mean, aren’t we suppose to enjoy our food, marital sex and other pleasurable things? When we stop enjoying these things it is because we are not well. The Bible teaches us to be moderate in all those things because our nature is to overindulge and we must develop godly character by taking control of our life and living it for the Lord. We need to have godly relationships which challenge us in all the right ways. It is God who will strengthen us for the battles that we must face. Let’s go to God and ask him strengthen us to change our lives in 2025.

All things are possible with God. I think 2025 should be the year when we stop being a spectator in our own life, our church, our community and our world. Let’s get in the game! 

* the story is true but the name is changed to protect privacy.