Fit For Ministry

It seems a debate has been raging online concerning a certain Bible Study and Prophecy teacher’s fitness for the ministry. This summer, I have been so busy with all the details of a kitchen remodel that I barely had a minute to breathe let alone catch the latest Christian cat fight. 

Two years ago, I moved into the house of my dreams, all except for the kitchen that is. It had old, outdated appliances and wallpaper. There was a countertop broken in several places and there was some questionable flooring under a 1980’s style carpet. Even with all those problems, the day that I first viewed the house I saw a kitchen bathed in light from three different directions and one hundred year old wood begging to be restored. 

The day my appliances were delivered signaled the end of my month long remodel project and was also the day the scandal broke. It was that day that I noticed Pastor H***** H***** placed an article on his website to defend himself against accusations made of drinking, womanizing and tax evasion. I knew something had been brewing for a while, but the guy is so gosh, darn entertaining. This man’s ministry has been growing by leaps and bounds and while he appears to be doing good works, sometimes he seemed to lack some good old-fashioned Christian maturity. You know that thing that you need in order to be FIT FOR MINISTRY.

It appears that a few young Christian men called out a certain older Christian man on allegations that he had hooked up with various married and single women over the years and may have been a serial womanizer. He may have even been kicked out of a few churches for this behavior. Perhaps, a ministry partnership was quietly severed over inappropriate conduct and the police even investigated the Pastor for recording a woman in a compromising position without her consent.  If that is possibly true, this man is not FIT FOR MINISTRY.

Christians can get very emotional when a beloved ministry head is accused of wrong-doing. Sometimes, there is even a knee-jerk reaction to defend him rather than to begin by reflecting on what the word of God, the Bible has to say about these things. That is the case in this instant where Pastor H’s legions of fans are coming to his defense but, in the process of doing that, their own spiritual journey is being compromised. There are checks and balances written in the Bible which are there to protect the integrity of the church. 

It is easier than ever to start a ministry on YouTube or on a website and escape the close scutiny that being in a church building and meeting face to face might entail. Therefore, more than ever we must use some biblical knowledge and spiritual discernment before we go down that road. The Holy Spirit “will guide you into all truth”-John 16:13 

With the advent of quick money collecting sites such as “Go Fund Me” and even the Christian alternative  “Way Giver,” a person or ministry can quickly accrue huge amounts of money often based on very questionable criteria. A friend of a friend on facebook says donate. Often a very emotional appeal will get even strangers to donate.

It looks like Pastor H has appealed to his radio audience on multiple occasions. He once asked for personal financial aid with very nebulous reasons to explain why he needed the money. How could a Pastor ask for help with a personal problem without telling his listeners what the money is for? Also, he asked people to help a woman and her children with costs associated with relocation and now that woman is his wife. This woman and children lived as his friend, according to him, in his apartment for a year before that marriage. Many things here appear to give the impression or possibility of sin. The Bible tells us to be careful not to leave that impression. 

People are trusting of a Pastor but, the Bible doesn’t teach us to be fools about it. Jesus warned, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name”- Luke 21:8 The  Bible tells us many appear innocent but, are not. The Bible can not help us if we don’t listen to its’ advice.

Other times Pastor H is asking for money to give bibles to people in prison. Who wouldn't want to give to such a cause? That is, if it is all going to that cause or at least an appropriate amount. There is nothing wrong with earning money and a congregation is charged with supporting its’ ministers fairly. However, since we are talking millions of dollars, shouldn’t there be plenty of accountability to answer any financial questions? It is easy today to hire a Christian firm which can certify that the ministry is meeting the financial Christian mark. After knowing the facts, there is then a clear choice if you or I wish to contribute. 

The Bible is pretty clear that the standard for leadership is high. “Not many should teach” for example, which Pastor H does do. The Bible cautions those called to ministry not to take it lightly. It also says that one in ministry should be blameless. It doesn't say sinless because as the Bible explains none but Jesus were sinless. It says blameless. 

Another thing that is hinted at in the allegations against H**** H***** is a pattern of behavior. The Bible talks about the continuation of sin as a red flag. “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”-1 John 3:6. So, all in all, I think it is incumbent upon each of us to hold the leaders in our Christian Community to the biblical standards as the Lord has asked us to. I believe that not doing this will take away the anointing that God has placed upon a group that we are involved with. 

Below are some scriptures that I am pondering and praying over as I contemplate this situation. 

1 Timothy 3:1-7: Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now, the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

1 Corinthians10:19: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

Mark 9:35 and he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Matthew 7:15-20: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

1 Timothy 5:19: Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 18:15-17: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But, if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

James 3:1: Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

****  The name is changed. I wondered if I should identify this Pastor by name. However, the overriding principle of holding all Christian leaders accountable is the real issue. 

Culture of Silence

I had a run in with my Pastor recently. He did not want to talk about a recent murder-suicide that had occurred. I thought it strange that on a social visit that he got hugely bent out of shape when I brought up the question of why the guy did it? Let me back up. Several days ago, I received a call from my Pastor’s wife concerning the passing of a woman at the hands of her own husband. He then took his own life in short order.

The man was related to a dear sweet woman in my church. I feel awful for her and for all who are suffering because of this terrible crime. I think I am in trouble with my pastor though. When I received a call about the murder-suicide from his wife, I was upset. Whenever something like this happens I ask myself why. It seems so unnecessary and terrible. 

But, somehow as I was trying to work through my feelings by bringing up the question of why this happened, he accused me of being judgmental or a gossip. I did debate him on these points. I told him that it is natural to feel wronged as a community and wonder how these things happen and what we can do about them.

He countered that it has nothing to do with me so why would I even be concerned. He stated that the conversation was putting this man on trial when we don’t know what happened. Of course, the irony is that had this man lived he would be going on trial. The medical examiner has determined the cause of death to be stabbing for the wife and a gun shot for the husband. So, does that make the medical examiner judgemental or just a scientist?

From what my Pastor said, I see that he is concerned that the family left behind not be labeled and judged. He seemed emotional when he thought that people would treat the family cruelly over what one of their members had done. It seemed clear that he thought even discussing it would be gossip. As we all know, and I covered in a long ago post, gossip is something that every Christian needs to try to avoid.

However, is it wrong to question who might be involved in a crime? I think it would be wrong not to. Is it possible that family members could be complicit in a crime that a family member has committed? The answer is yes. Is it possible that a family member had no knowledge or nothing to do with their family member’s crime? The answer is yes to that to. 

Here is a recent example dealing with this concept. There was a lesbian couple by the names of Echo and Marie. They lived in Pennsylvania in a trailer with Echo’s parents. Marie had been divorced and had entered that relationship with three children from that union. They all resided together in that trailer.  Over the course of many years, two of the children were neglected, abused and died of starvation. Both women and the parents living in the trailer had various charges leveled against them. The father’s lawyer tried to wiggle his client (Echo’s father) out of any culpability to which the prosecuting attorney replied that in a trailer that small, the father most certainly knew what was going on and bears responsibility. 

Being a Christian is a contact sport, we should not be bystanders on the sidelines of life. When we see something we have to say something or do something. Can we help in a situation? If so, then how? The Bible tells the story of virtue, of faith and also of crime and evil. It does not waver in telling this story. Should we? Sin has entered the world and exists until that time where God shall once and for all vanquish it. We need to stand up to evil. Domestic abuse is one of those evils. Domestic violence is made perfect in a Culture of Silence. 

Silence is tacit approval. Silence in our hearts and in our communities ensures that we learn nothing from a situation. We can’t even apply biblical truths to our lives if we don’t deal with the uncomfortable truths of life. The violence of a murder-suicide needs to be discussed. The Bible teaches accountability to God and to one another. It was a young man’s realization of that which allowed him to reach out to me when he was about to beat up his wife. 

In his new found faith in Jesus he suddenly broke the hold that domestic violence had upon him and had persisted for generations of his family. It began for Joachim* by exploring the difference between right and wrong in his Bible. Then, he was able to confess his sins “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” -James 5:16.  He called me up and told me that he wanted to hurt his wife. I told him to walk out the door of his home and I continued to talk to him. In his mind, she was the reason he was so angry and the answer for that was to hit her. I explored that with him and that began to tear at his previous preconceptions of his situation.

Sharing how angry he was at his wife and the violence that he had previously done in his marriage began the process of repenting and learning new ways to live his life without the violence. Joachim now helps other men to work through these issues at his church through prayer, biblical teachings and accountability to a men’s group. Joachim’s family had been silent when they suspected his father and grandfather of similar things. There were broken bones, blood, and flat tires, The truth is, many people are trained in their homes or in their culture to think that beating or even killing your wife is okay. 

I am praying for my Pastor. I believe his over the top attempt to shut me down from speaking could perhaps indicate a personal history or struggle with some of these issues. Maybe, there was some deep shaming in his own family because of a crime that occurred. Shame comes because we have still yet to normalize the truth of mankind’s sinful and fallen nature. If we were honest, we would understand that within our hearts, within our family history there is a Jack the Ripper, a domestic abuser, a bank robber or a horse thief. It is not always a man either. In Westchester County, New York people are grieving the loss of a four month old baby and her mother. That baby was killed at the hands of its’ own mother, a doctor no less.

Rather than deny it, why aren’t we trying to be part of the godly solution to this all? One of the chilling parts of my discussion with my Pastor was his total condemnation of me over asking why this husband did it. He looked like he wanted to kill me. I felt a very strong anger coming my way. I heard no condemnation of the act of stabbing his wife. I heard not a touch of sympathy concerning this poor woman meeting a violent death at the hands of her husband. I think he is part of the Culture of Silence.

Stabbing someone is a hateful and a very personal way to kill. Yet, all he spoke of was how this man probably loved his wife and I did not know what he was going through. Why could he not see the hate and sin in the situation and address it? I think when you pick up a knife and stab someone repeatedly that it does indicate something other than love and we should not ignore that. I wondered if he was going to ask me to leave the church? That did not happen. Instead, when I attended church last Sunday I noticed that he seemed to still be trying to argue his points to the captive audience that exists when he is sermonizing from the pulpit. No one is going to answer him that way are they? One thing is for certain, I am not going to be part of the Culture of Silence.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.-Matthew 5:14

* the name was changed.

Death Penalty

The topic of the death penalty has recently popped up in news headlines around the world. In the United States, there is the case of Brian Kohberger. He stands accused of killing four college students in their off campus beds. The horrific loss of life and brutality has shocked the community and the nation. This case has many people calling for the death penalty. The crime took place in the state of Idaho where the death penalty is legal and could be administered by a firing squad. 

In the United States, individual States of the Union have the legal authority to decide if they want a death penalty. In general, the liberal states are against it, while more conservative states are for it. Take the place that I was born, New York State for example. The death penalty was legal there for most of its’ history but, then it was overturned. In the modern era, the issue was resurrected from time to time by Governors or courts who were passionate about the topic. As of today, the death penalty is no longer used in the state. Therefore, any criminals convicted of a crime will instead face life imprisonment. 

In India, many have taken to the streets in protest of the brutal gang rape of two minority Kuki Christian women from the State of Manipur. Four men have been arrested and President Modi of India insists, “No guilty will be spared.” Protesters are calling for the death penalty. What of the executions scheduled for this week in Singapore? Ah Singapore, my Singapore! Shout out to my readers in Singapore either that or greetings A.I. Overlord! 

Since early Spring, my blog statistics have shown that I am getting a lot of traffic from Singapore. At first, I thought it could be artificial intelligence learning from my blog. That would be cool because maybe then, the A.I. could be taught some Christian values. 

“Confessions of a Westchester Christian Housewife” has readership all over the world. There is the United States of course, Canada, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands. I get regular readers from France, Belgium, Ukraine, Russia, India and Japan. I get occasional readers from other countries too. But, Singapore readership has went through the roof lately and I asked myself why? As I thought about it, it made complete sense. I think that I share many values with Singaporeans. Now, that I think of it, I am surprised it hasn’t happened sooner.

Now, I am trying to read various news stories about Singapore and learn more. One of the recent headlines concerned a man, and a woman both due to receive the death penalty for drug possession. The country and the world seem to be asking questions about what should be done in their cases. Protesters have erupted specifically to stay the execution of the first woman in 20 years to be executed. 

Amnesty International, has asked Singapore to stop executions and claim it does not deter crime. The United Nations Human Rights Council has also requested that Singapore stop executions.They point out that many nations in the world are pursuing sentencing reforms. You must always take advice from whence it comes, and what I have learn about both these groups alarms me. I have never met an Amnesty International member who is not against religious faith communities or who doesn’t believe in anarchy. That could just be my New York acquaintances?! Then, there is the United Nations, what can I say about them, except they seem to be taking over national sovereignty. If that doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will.

But, what does the Bible say about capital punishment? As I perused my bible today, through my blurry left eye. Note: As I write this blog post, I am waiting for a doctor’s call to assist me in the matter. Even though my vision is a little cloudy, it is quite clear that the Bible says a lot on the topic of capital punishment. In fact, if my eye was not blurry I might have to conclude that this could be a three part series. I could start writing about the first murder in the Bible, that of Cain killing his brother Abel. It seemed that Cain had a mark on him for his crime, but God said he was not to be killed. There are instances where murder (Exodus 21:12), adultery (Leviticus 20:10) and kidnapping (Exodus 21:16) are all punishable by death in the Bible. But, then we also see instances where God afforded mercy. Such as in the case of to King David even though he was a murderer and an adulterer (2 Samuel 11:15, 14-17, 2 Samuel 12:13). 

God Almighty is truth and his Bible is truth for us to live by. Therefore, to say the death penalty is bad is not true since it is abundantly clear the Bible has prescribed its’ use. To quote that old-fashioned wedding vow, “what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” It is God who calls sin evil and according to him, it is to be punished by death. In mankind’s vanity and stupidly, they think they can solve the problem of sin without God. They think they can heal deep societal problems without God. 

It is not working out well. Needle exchanges, drug offenders being loosed upon their communities with light sentencing guidelines is wreaking havoc on the liberal nations. Light sentences for murder and rape results in offenders being released and hurting and destroying more people’s lives when they re-offend. The Bible is very clear. All wrongdoing should be punishable by death, spiritual death (Romans 6:23). The solution is choosing the Savior Jesus to take your place and to follow him in your life.

It is also a nations’ responsibility and right to determine their use of capital punishment, including applying mercy in their decisions at times. However, no earthly justice can be as perfect as godly justice. In that, God will always have the final say. 

Summer Reading-Part 2

When murder hit Westchester County, New York in 1998, it took many by surprise. In the land of never ending possibilities, and where one write’s their own ticket for success, this was so unexpected. Where “control, control, control your own destiny” is a mantra, the question of how it could be that a man, born and breed in the perfectly marinated liberal culture of New York could ever do what Cain did to Abel.

After all, this guy was brilliant. He had the love of a talented and devoted woman, not to mention a $600,000 advance on a book deal he had made, plus a 2.1 million dollar movie deal. Leonardo DiCaprio could not star in the movie due to a schedule conflict, it was then decided that Brad Pitt would step in with Ron Howard directing the story of Michael Laudor’s life. What could have went wrong?

That question is answered in Jonathan Rosen’s book, “The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions.” In his book, he does a deep dive into the murder of Caroline Costello and answers that question with all the communist leaning references that you could imagine an elite N.Y. man capable of. The writer honed his liberal views from those bastions of such thought, Yale and Berkeley, and tells his story from that point of view. He is a skilled writer and storyteller whether I agree with everything that he says or not. 

However, at least I know what I am getting as I read Mr. Rosen’s book. He makes no secret of his beliefs and neither do I. I just wish that he didn’t have to hit me over the head with his overbearing liberalness with the constant barrage that he did. Still, I have always wanted to know more about what happened to beautiful and intelligent Caroline Costello in 1998. Did I say “deep dive”? I mean an exhaustive, if not exhausting. dig into the inner sanctums of the elite liberal royal life that he and his friend, Michael led. I wish that he stuck to the story a tad more, but to be fair I can go off on any number of tangents myself, can’t I?

When anything bad happens in Westchester County, mum’s the word. Secrets are hidden lest any tiny gems of reality should emerge and get in the way of the westchester county perfect life bubble. People don’t deal well with the truth in Westchester. They don’t want to hear that their husband is not really a good lawyer or that their son is not cut out for medical school. Your kid’s not a bully, the teacher is not stimulating him enough and he is bored, or else the other kid started it. That other kid started it last year too.

When I first moved to Westchester County, there was so much that I did not know about the place that I was moving to. I wanted to raise my children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, as I knew that to be then. I was also looking for the perfect place to raise my children. I was hoping for a kind and nurturing community. I was looking for an intellectually rich environment. The schools had a reputation for excellence in Westchester, the village I chose was charming, and the county is strategically located right next to Manhattan, what could go wrong? If only I knew then the dangers to Christians living in that County I would have moved elsewhere, maybe to Texas or Singapore.

What could go wrong? Well, with Michael Laudor, mental illness could descend upon his brain and mock all of his hard work and dreams for the future. In my experience, mental Illness is poorly dealt with in Westchester County. Many families I know with mentally ill members have felt shunned and alone there. A lot of mentally ill people stick out like a sore thumb in Westchester. Many, end up going to New York City where they blend into the big city drama already present. 

When murder hit the small community of Westchester the news coverage did not tell you much. Whatever source you turned to essentially said the same thing. It seemed like journalism was already dead in 1998. I had the sense that only the pretty news made the headlines or the news that aggrandizes the liberal values of the community are promoted. News like this murder was heavily sanitized before it reached the public. The censorship of today was already beginning then. Like in any dictatorship the only worthy news is through “word-of-mouth” because the news media is no longer a source of the truth. 

There was a time in the past where the news media in Westchester had police and fire news accurately depicted. This news coverage allowed me to identify those arrested for pedophilia and drunk driving. That proved helpful in one of two cases in my life. One was when a man slated to drive on an upcoming class trip was identified as a drunk driver. I got to witness first hand the deep levels of denial and delusion that overtake such individuals when I confronted him about it. He immediately made excuses for his actions and had not one once of guilt or shame when I saw him two weeks later at high noon purchasing two six packs of beer from a local deli. Needless to say, I saw to it that another parent filled in for him.

One day, as if by decree, the local newspaper stopped publishing names and addresses and severely cut back on what crime stories were covered. There was talk of stigmatizing people charged with crimes. The public’s safety was now second best. This condition existed when Caroline Costello was killed by her fiancée in the small village of Hastings on Hudson in 1998. The killer, Michael Laudor, a childhood genius of some sort, graduated in three years from Yale University, summa cum laude. His life before and up to this point had been inhabited by influential liberal and illustrious people nurturing him along. 

Even when that terrible disease of schizophrenia hit him he reinvented himself. He fought back to complete law school. He had some serious problems manifest during his college years but through it all, his friends, family and the university tried to do everything possible to help him through it. The problem is that in life, we have to attain our own degree, we have to live with certain circumstances and despite what people do, there are realities that we all must regrettably accept. 

Major cities in the United States are not dealing with mental health realities correctly. How are they handling it?  Unrealistically. Right now, the mentally ill are allowed to run rampant and create all kinds of havoc. Everything from terrorizing people to stabbing and murder are happening in the name of not stigmatizing the mentally ill. This is not civilization but some misguided and misplaced altruism.

I don’t think that it is an accident that Michael never worked as a lawyer. He seemed to be fudging quite a lot, or faking it until he could make it as they say. People with love in their hearts helped him and maybe even gave him a pass on certain things. Trouble is, that is not thriving. Jesus spent quite a lot of time touching the lives of those afflicted with any number of ailments during his earthly ministry. He still does, but healing does not always include having all of our wishes fulfilled. Sometimes, there is a new direction that we have to go in and we have to accept that. Michael Laudor now lives in a mental health facility with a barbed wire fence. He did not beat the illness, it beat him. Part of our fallen human state includes the harsh reality of locking people up for their own and other people’s safety.

My belief as a Christian is that we need to have mental health facilities that keep the patients, the staff and the community at large safe from the effects of what mental disease sometimes does. Many psychiatric patients are not dangerous but, we can not ignore the fact that delusions can and do cloud their decision-making faculties at times. We must be on guard for those signs and act to protect those who would be victimized by such ideations. 

Should homes for mentally challenged people be places of care, learning and entertainment? Should family, church and community be encouraged to participate in the life of the mentally ill at these facilities? Yes, we should try to create humane treatment centers and give care which will afford the best quality of life that is possible. There should be transparency and accountability too. We need to respect human life from birth to death upholding the dignity that God afforded each person in his creation. This is not always easy and is an act of service at times. 

As I continue trying to finish the books on my summer reading list I am struck with the blessing of being able to think about this crazy and beautiful life that we all live and that I have the Bible and Holy Spirit helping me to understand it all. My heart goes out to people struggling with schizophrenia like a family that I knew in Westchester County with two schizophrenic daughters. One would stop by my home from time to time dirty, disheveled with poor fitting clothes on. I would find something in my wardrobe to fit her. Make her a meal and talk her into calling her social worker and getting back on her medicine. 

My neighbors and family were not always happy about me doing this and asked me why I would give time to this “crazy woman.” Honestly, they were afraid of her. This crazy woman is a sister in Christ who endeavored always to try to follow Jesus amid the confusion that engulfed her mind. Also, she struggled with reality frequently. I thought it was important to gently point her back unto the right course for many reasons. The most important being she did not have any believers in her family or in her group home. Was I ever scared of her? A few times but, when she was at her best, we discussed books. nature and Jesus. She was able to do so with some clarity. I think she might have been like Michael Laudor had I known her before her diagnosis, brilliant and on a trajectory for success. Quick note: she contacted me by letter after not stopping by for a long while. She moved into a new assisted care home a few towns away from where we had both lived and through a back and forth letter writing exchange, she seemed more stabilized in her condition then I had seen her in a long time. I believe that in her heavenly form she will once again be made whole mentally. I like forward to when that times comes. Until then, Lord have mercy.

Summer Reading-Part 1

“Summer Reading” is special to me. That habit harkens back to the childhood joy felt, especially in the summer months when reading. When the school season was over and vacation began, it was then that I could embark upon my own adventures in reading. No teachers directing my every reading move. I could be on the South China Sea one second, and the next moment be in the laboratory of Marie Curie. I imagined myself living in biblical times. I was a dreamer alright and reading took me everywhere that I wanted to go. 

Even though it has been a while since those good old school days, I still get excited every year when it comes to deciding what books to pick up during the summer. I usually go overboard and choose a bevy of books and topics to delve into. This year is no different. With all the very confusing news coming out about the Russian-Ukrainian War, I decided on two books that could give me some insight into that situation. One is David Browder’s book, “Freezing Order.” The other is a recent Pushkin Literary Award winning book entitled, “Overreach” by Owen Matthews. 

Both books offer huge prospective on the history behind the current events unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. Little did I know that a third book that I was recently gifted with, would also have bearing upon the study of this war, i.e. “Laptop From Hell” by Miranda Devine. 

Another book that I have almost completed, is about a murder that occurred in Westchester County, New York. It has the long title of, “The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen. More about that later.

If that is not enough, I am also tackling “Dombey and Son” by Charles Dickens. This is yet another book that has themes that touch upon another summer reading choice that I have made. Specifically, “Dombey and Son” has analysis of the parent-child relationship. It helped me to gain further insight into the relationships of Hunter, Beau and their father Joe Biden as outlined in Miranda Devine’s book. 

Many rumors of corruption and influence peddling have swirled about the Biden family for years. These scandals largely factor into current world events, such as the Russian-Ukranian War and should be examined. The security of the United States has been compromised by the Biden family and world wide calamity has ensued. 

So there you have it, my five summer reading choices. These I will ponder, agree and disagree with, and philosophize about. I will probably struggle with concepts and meaning but, in the end, as with any book I hope to gain some knowledge about events and the world around me. I feel some scriptural clarification coming soon..

Suddenly, a “staycation” is not so confining after all. This summer I can finally get a remodel done in my kitchen. It seems wonderful of course but, with all the work involved in refurbishing my kitchen, a beach holiday is out of the question. International travel? Not now.

Before my contractors could touch my kitchen I had to pack up all the stuff that was loaded in there and move it elsewhere. This has taken weeks to accomplish and it will take weeks more to get my kitchen back in working order.  I would guess that my kitchen is the most densely packed room in my house. There are big items and small items. I have a crêpe maker, a raclette maker and two or three fondue makers. That’s just my Swiss/French stuff.  My philosophy, biblical in nature, always reminds me not to have more than I need and to only buy that which I will use. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”-Matthew 6:19-21. So, it is not like I have overstuffed my cupboards and draws but, there is a lot of organizational work to be done for sure.

Work began this week on my kitchen. Bang-bang, whoosh-whoosh go the machines but, besides my usual duties at home, I can always escape the work zone through my “Summer Reading.” Let’s explore these books a little further. It is interesting reading a variety of books all from different perspectives. The above authors are about as different as different gets. 

What can Charles Dickens a nineteenth century British author have to say about familial relationships of today? Say, for example Joe, Hunter and Beau Biden? If you don’t let yourself think about Ivy League Schools and their censorship of such materials then it gets interesting. “Dombey and Son,” explores a wealthy man’s relationship with his two children. One is the child, Paul, that he places all his hopes and dreams upon. Then there is his other child, Florence. His exchanges and treatment of Florence causes feminists to cry evil male Patriarch! However, Dickens, ever the keen social observer, always saw deeply into all that was going on around him. 

There are so many factors in parenting which can add up to the appearance, if not the actual favoritism or one child over another. So many reasons for this, come to mind. There is always the parent-child fit to keep in mind. For example, is it easier to love and be proud of the athletically inclined child if I myself am a sports enthusiast? Or, what of parent burnout when a particular child is born? How does that affect the treatment of the child? As a Christian I know that we can not be perfect parents. We strive with God’s help to do what is right and try to help our children to do the same. For all of our moral failures we must make a decision to go to God in earnest repentance.

Miranda Devine’s book about the abandoned laptop of Hunter Biden contains emails between him (Hunter) and his father (Joe) showcasing a very dysfunctional relationship. Hunter felt used and abused financially by his father.  And, Joe Biden appears to have had plans for his children. His son Beau, would be the golden child. He was to have a stellar political career with a trajectory to the White House. Hunter, was to do all the dirty work so, that Joe and Beau would not be implicated. 

Charles Dickens main character Mr. Dombey has a similar path in mind for his son Paul. Paul embodied all of Mr. Dombey’ s hopes and dreams for his posterity. Paul was to be groomed to join his father in his business, hence the book title “Dombey and Son.” What of Florence’s role, what of Hunter’s role? They were to be taken care of for sure, but not emotionally. 

“Freezing Order” takes us back to the beginnings of the post Soviet era with the story of Bill Browder and his battle with Vladimir Putin. As the Soviet Union crumbled into the pages of history, the industries which were once state owned got parceled out to political allies and thus were born the current Russian oligarchs. 

Men like Bill Browder, with knowledge and connections to Russia, as well as financial expertise rush in to make money in this new market. He started the hedge fund Hermitage Fund. His detailed descriptions of corruption in the Putin regime, and the communist legacy of brutality weigh heavily upon my mind as I try to make sense of the current war. The sanction game that the West has been playing with Putin may have had its’ beginnings in the international legislation that Bill Browder helped enact to financially punish Russia for its’ role in the death of his Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. 

No analysis of the current Russian-Ukrainian War would be complete without a look at the coming end-times line up of allies and how the current crises lines up. For instance, Iran, China and Turkey have rushed in to support Vladimir Putin’s war efforts against Ukraine. “Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel.” -Ezekiel 39:1-2. 

The current realignment of worldwide alliances lines up perfectly with end-time prophesy.  Gog is associated with Russia, Meschech and Tubal appear to be associated with Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. Meshech and Tubal were grandsons of Noah, see Genesis 10:1-2. The region of Meschech going by ancient descriptions and names refers to areas north of the Black Sea. This is geography that we are now very familiar with since the war began between Russia and Ukraine. Meschech refers to Russia, Ukraine and probably Georgia. Is it any wonder that worldwide action is happening there? Tubal by the same metric of ancient description would be associated with what is now Turkey. Other prophesy points to Persia, or current day Iran being in the coalition against God too.

The Bible’s predictions are 100 % correct  because it is the Word of God. I would stay tuned for Bible prophesy to be fulfilled if I were you. Proverb 3:25–26- Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. 

Next week: Summer Reading-Part 2.

Wildfires

About 11 am. Tuesday morning I was getting a haircut. I had to rush right back home afterwards because, my Pastor’s wife, Tracy* had called a day earlier to ask if she and the Pastor could stop by around 1:30 pm. Although this was after lunch, I wanted to serve desert and some cold-brewed iced tea. All summer long, I fill individual mason jars with water and two tea bags, then place them in the refrigerator overnight so that I can enjoy a refreshing beverage throughout the summer. 

At the moment, my favorites flavors are mint tea, raspberry hibiscus and the classic black tea and lemon combo. Knowing that my Pastor enjoys a warm cup of Lady Grey tea in the colder months, I also decided to include a Lady Grey of the iced variety for the choices. I settled on some dark chocolate covered nuts and a few other small summery confections. I purchased them at a local chocolatier since I did not have any time to do my usual homemade fare. 

I packed up the lovely chocolates in an antique chocolate box, along with iced tea-filled masons jars, sweeteners and serving implements. I placed everything in a wicker basket to haul out to my garden to serve picnic-style. We wiled away the afternoon talking about all things spiritual, political and had a discussion of recent books that we had read.  When that was done, I tidied up, washed the dishes, and took a little leisure time before dinner.

After dinner, it is common when the weather warms up, to water the garden if necessary. On this particular Tuesday it was not to be. Upon opening the door, I immediately noticed a noxious odor which smelt vaguely chemical. I quickly went indoors to check the internet. After about five minutes, the news had hit, wildfires out of control in Canada were hitting the northeastern United States. 

Over the next several days, the air quality was at its’ highest danger level and people in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey were advised to stay indoors. It felt like a covid lockdown all over again. I felt trapped. A lot of thoughts went through my mind at first. I was angry, scared, and feeling vulnerable. 

I had volunteered to help at an outdoor event Friday and Saturday and I wondered if that event would be held, and if it would be safe. I prayed for God’s comfort and protection. (Comfort ye, comfort ye my people saith your God-Isaiah 40:1) I prayed for understanding of these and so many other world events.. One of those events is the Russian and Ukrainian war. I have a Christian friend in Russia and I have hoped and prayed that our friendship would survive our two countries and their differences concerning this war. 

So many things are at risk of dying when wildfires erupt. Birds, and other wildlife. The air quality could impact people to the point of death. The fire fighters risk their lives and have health consequences as a result of the exposure to a wildfire. As I contemplated the risk to my husband and myself, friends and family I began to remember that at moments like this I am challenged to confirm what I believe in, and that is life eternal with Jesus Christ. ( I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die- John 11:25-26.) 

Reports have emerged that due to long-term neglect of forest conditions and management of those conditions that could mitigate the results of a forest fire, that this may happen again and again throughout the summer of 2023. (The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant-Isaiah 24:5).

I sure hope not but, it gets me to wondering about the meaning and purpose of enduring suffering. I also wonder about these wildfires, because something doesn’t seem right. (This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come-2Timothy 3:1)

The Power of a Boycott

The term “boycott” derived from an historical event that took place in County Mayo, Ireland in 1880. It was there that a protest sprung up to oppose certain policies being implemented by Charles Boycott, an estate agent for an English farm landlord in the region. Those policies included; too high rents for tenant farmers, as well as their evictions when they couldn’t pay. 

It was during the Irish land agitation of 1880 that the leader Charles Parnell suggested combatting these policies and other injustices by essentially putting the landlord out of business. By refusing to farm his land, work in his house and cutting off trade to his farm it would effectively shut down his farm. 

The term “boycott” was born in this way and continues to refer to an act of protest and an instrument of financial war against someone or something that you don’t agree with either religiously, politically or economically. I am calling 2023 “the summer of the woke boycott,” because it seems like in the United States a boycott of woke corporations has begun. It all started with the spontaneous boycott of Anheuser-Busch for its’ support of trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. But, unlike the land agitation of 1880, there was no politician recommending this action. It just rose up spontaneously. 

It seemed to emerge among people who were sick and tired of having values shoved down their throats that they do no believe in. Musicians took to the stage and poured out cans of the usual summertime favorite beverage. Then, average folks were passing up Budweiser light beers at their liquor stores. Very quickly the market cap of the company was plunging-score!

Next, there was Nike (BeTrue), Target, North Face and Kohl’s pushing products promoting the gay lifestyle onto baby and children’s clothing lines. It is clear the woke corporate executives are not backing down from their aberrant and anti-Christian agenda no matter how much money they lose. This is a war and they know it. The corporation of today has become a hub of political activism. Let me repeat that: the corporate executive of today is motivated by bringing their spiritual and political beliefs to life, and that belief system is a hateful rebellion against all things good and godly. 

These companies and their executives hire people like Erik Carnell, an English designer. He is behind the recent Pride campaign at Target department store. He makes no secret of his anti-God approach. He has created books with titles such as “Bye, Bye Binary.” He was also involved in making tuck friendly women’s bathing suits sold at Target. Tuck friendly bathing suits are women’s bathing suits designed for men who wish to hide their male genitalia. By the way, this is not even healthy. Didn’t I even see a logo on one of Erik’s products which read, Satan Respects Pronouns? 

It is like one day people just got sick of all this insanity. I was just planning to drive down to Kohl’s Department store the other day to pick up a new slow-cooker, summer flip-flops and some slippers when the headlines broke about the type of deranged merch they were promoting. As I watched TicTok videos of children’s clothing racks stuffed with tee shirts saying things like: “Belong, Believe Be Proud” (with a gay rainbow and a Mickey Mouse head in the background), and a baby Sonoma brand onesie with a group of children holding the gay flag like it was their nation state, I just knew that I could not shop there anymore. 

Folks, Kohl’s is all in, Disney is all in too. If we don’t have the gumption to stay away from stores and amusement parks that support this anti-God agenda then we are supporting it with our cash dollars and giving it our tacit approval. What about some of my readers around the world, are you seeing the rush to this new queer world order yet? Not for nothing, but I believe that Satan does respect pronouns and those who respect pronouns are following Satan’s evil agenda. God created us male and female, Satan is messing with God’s design.

“I will be like the most high.”Isaiah 14:14b. 

It has usually been said that Christians have not been good at political and economic boycotts. Instead, people of faith have preferred to work hard, go to church and raise their children with godly values. That has not been working for us for a long time because, as we were doing that the educational system has slowly and systemically deconstructed the Judeo-Christian world view and robbed our children of their faith. 

Hollywood and the entertainment community has also drawn our children into their values with catchy tunes and slick visuals which contradict every area of our Faith. Now, the gloves are completely off and we see corporations brazenly telling their customers to support the transgender movement. Now in a reversal of things corporations no longer cater to the values of their clientele, but we are expected to cater to theirs for the privilege of their services. Only we are the ones paying them for their services, how does that even make sense? We are supposed to pay for our values to be assaulted and smile?

Target executives even told their employees that those who oppose the LGBTQ agenda are extremists and violent. Nothing could be farther away from the truth. In fact, it appears the LGBTQ has been increasingly turning to violent slogans. In Hyde Park a group of protestors disrupted a feminist gathering by unfurling a banner which read, “Arm Trans Kids.” The police had to step in to stop violence. A Christian school in Tennessee was shot up by a trangender person resulting in children and their teachers being killed. What a tragedy and the public has yet to hear about the police evidence of a violent transgender manifesto. 

Yet, with all the crime, murder and mayhem that this cultural and spiritual war has caused, Christians and conservatives seem more likely to use the power of Parnell’s weapon,”The Power of a Boycott.” Will I be buying my favorite Nike sneakers so I can be comfortable when I walk in Disneyland? Will I be buying my next slow-cooker at Kohl’s while wearing a summer dress from Target? The answer is no, and I am proud to be boycotting these ungodly places. I hope that we can put these spiritually dead companies out of business. I also pray that we can plant a seed of truth about God’s ways with these deluded corporate staffers because there is still hope for them.

Make no mistake about it, this boycott will be hard. Can you tell your children no to Disneyland and why you have made that decision? I read that the new woke “Little Mermaid “movie killed it at the box office last weekend. A lot of people have to take their children to all the Disney movies and buy all the merch attached to every production. What is that really doing to our kids? What could our kids be doing instead. I assure you, they could be doin something better. They can be exploring nature, starting a garden, reading a bible. What about sports, or reading a good godly book? Knitting, crocheting or exploring a musical instrument. They could be learning how to help mom or dad or even build something. So many things beyond their phone or video game to do. 

I already sourced tee shirts made by some local Christian ladies to wear. I bought some slippers from a small local merchant. I bought another brand of sneakers too. I can’t sell my soul for access to a sneaker or clothing. I can’t see my Lord mocked for sixty pieces of silver and be part of that. Can we defeat the corporations pulling this evil on us? I know that what matters is the way we conduct our lives. There will be a show of gay political muscle in Disney World in Orlando for June Pride festivities. They will be out in force to enforce their agenda for us. The battle lines are drawn and we all have to ask ourselves just whose side we are on, God or the Devil. If we are on God’s side there are biblical directives for what we must do and how we must do it. If we are on the side of the Devil there is no holds barred in this battle. 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”- Ephesians 6:10-12

Our methods are of the godly type. We are not arming children, bombing or shooting up schools, heaven forbid. We know that eventually God will defeat the evil one but, until then we must represent what we believe and no longer think that it is okay to not get involved in the public discourse. We must stand up for biblical marriage, and biblical gender identity. We must preach to the unchurched, and teach repentance, forgiveness, and the resurrection and victory through Jesus the Savior. Are you in?

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Christian Housewife Reviews “Jesus Revolution” Movie

The story of the founding of Calvary Chapel comes into focus against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1960’s in the United States. It is the intersection of Chuck Smith, Lonnie Frisbee and the growing youth culture that created the story of the “Jesus Revolution.” Was God involved, or was it a pivot away from the truth? You decide.

Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen series stars as Lonnie Frisbee and Kelsey Grammer of Frazier fame stars as Calvary Chapel’s Chuck Smith. The rest of the ensemble is well cast and provide excellent support for the powerful pairing of Roumie and Grammer. This movie tells the story of just what happened to Christianity in the United States during the years when the culture was being shaken by forces that continue to reverberate today. More about those forces later.

The movie opens with the juxtaposition of a business suit clad Chuck Smith shepherding a 25 small church of retirees while a Jesus-like Lonnie Frisbee clad in Jesus-like robes is cavorting among hippies, and druggies with his own unique shepherding style. The two would come together and help inaugurate the so-called “Jesus Revolution,” which for better or worse was a shaking of the established church experience.

This movie has caused a lot of infighting among the family of believers. The Bible does leave room for believers to challenge one another as regards the life and death spiritual dance that, like it or not, we all must dance. In fact, so many people were down on this movie, that I even contemplated if it would be a good idea for me to see it at all. The objections were numerous. Did the so-called Jesus Revolution help usher in a church experience of emotionalism rather than rational faith and worship? Were the people being baptized in the waters off Newport Beach really converted? 

I did decide to see the movie because I thought the Jesus Revolution, starting in California, was a historically powerful moment in the life of the church and of the world. While many in Western Civilization were turning to Eastern religions, the Jesus Revolution sought to make Jesus relevant to a new generation of people. The Jesus Movement also has a lot to do with the current spiritual climate of Christian churches and music today. It also spawned many young pastors who went on to add more Calvary Chapels and other non-denominational churches around the country. Greg Laurie,who has one of the largest churches in the U.S.A, is one of them.

This movie is based on the book of the same name by Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie with Ellen Vaughn. The movie tells the story of young Greg Laurie struggling with an alcoholic mother and searching for some meaning in life. 

He was caught up in the sex, drug, and rock and roll culture of Southern California. Then, he meets a bad drug trip, his future wife Cathe, Lonnie Frisbee which all conspired together. by God’s grace,  to lead him towards his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

This movie honestly showcases a clash of great significance. That of  the established church which, although it had perhaps a dated formality, also had a sense of the sacred. As opposed to a casual, come as you are relevant context which some have come to think veered away from the biblical definition of worship.

The movie shows the behind the scene making of a 1971 Time magazine cover story announcing the “Jesus Revolution.” A reporter from that magazine was dispatched to find out what was  going on with a growing number of hippies and surfers in Southern California who were giving up drugs, and getting baptized. The movement had grown so large that its’ adherents were doing bible study and worship service under a big circus tent serving to cast a comic light on the situation. It didn’t help that the moniker of “Jesus Freaks” were associated with them too. 

So what are some of the consequences and implications of the “Jesus Movement” for today? I would have to say that introduction of youthful music changed the course of Christian music and made it the billion dollar industry that it is today.

That music has penetrated every denomination in one way or the other. Either people hear at least some of that music in their church, on a local christian music station or follow the music and musicians and purchase their music. 

Whether you like rap, pop, country or any number of other musical styles, you can probably find christian music being made in that genre. There are a number of Christian music award shows which are every bit up to all the other established musical entertainment awards shows. Some Christians feel that the music doesn’t always meet the standards of orthodoxy. That is true, sometimes it does not.

But, what it does do is get people thinking, singing and perhaps meets them where they are in their life and try’s to bring those listeners closer to Jesus. From there I would suggest that you join a bible-centered church, learn what it means to accept and follow Jesus. After that, there might be some songs that you come to learn are not worth your time. As far as other effects of the movement, one might say the casual dress mode of most churches in the USA and the coffee culture that has sprung up in many a church lobby can be traced back to it. 

However, the timing of this movie’s release leads me to wonder if those involved in its’ production were hoping that a  similar movement of the Holy Spirit might again ignite a new generation of people to know and follow the Savior of the world Jesus Christ. That some might be saved from the increasing anarchy, and evil which have invaded our world and destroyed family, truth and justice. 

I recommend this movie to my readers. It might help bring some much needed dialogue to the body of believing Christians as concerns where the church is and where it should be two thousand years after the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ..

AI OK?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making huge headlines lately. This is a topic that I never liked thinking about or debating. For a person like myself whose whole blog is dedicated to life experiences and faith intersections that attitude may seem improbable. But, I have indeed went to extraordinary lengths to avert my eyes when the topic of advances in artificial intelligence come up on a news site. I have even been known to immediately shut the television off or switch channels when the ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence are about to be discussed.

As much as I hate that dude Sigmund Freud, it is pretty clear that in this case, he got my number when he discussed the mechanism of avoidant behavior. Avoidant behavior occurs when in response to a difficult problem or situation one just does everything they can to avoid dealing with it. Why would the topic of artificial intelligence be that overwhelming for me? Why don’t I applaud the progress that AI promises? 

I got a bad feeling about AI the first time that I ever heard of it. Artificial Intelligence origins go back to the early 1950’s when scientists at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Stanford University began to conceive of the future advances that would be made possible by computers. Two names that were pivotal in moving forward the science of AI were John McCarthy and Marvin Minsky. 

They were both professors at MIT at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. They are credited with being some of the earliest researchers interested in creating a machine based intelligence. MIT engineers had simultaneously created an early version of a “robotic arm” that could play ping-pong. As far as Stanford University goes, it had S.A.I.L. That stands for Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Both of these laboratories had an enormous amount of military and government funding with which to work. Red flag maybe? 

The visions and dreams espoused by AI researchers always seemed less humanity enhancing and more humanity enslaving whenever I thought about them. Also, some of the scientists in this field seemed more like cult followers than scientists. The proximity of machine intelligence and robotic capabilities goes back to the very early days of research, and therein lies the rub. Then came a time after the initial excitement on the topic that it was no longer garnering the attention nor the funding it needed to continue. In the early 1970’s the AI community overpromised and underdelivered. In fact, a number of companies with AI in their names went out of business. This  time is often referred to as “AI winter.” During that time, disciples akin to some sort of demonic Star Wars Jedi knights went underground and kept the dream alive of machine learning and continued to contribute to its’ research. 

Now, this body of research has advanced so much that AI is poised to control every aspect of our life. It will be involved in health care doing surgery, it will run our airplanes and other modes of transportation. It can write better books than we can and beat us in Jeopardy and Chess. Robotic dogs with artificial intelligence just went into a collapsed parking garage in New York CIty to search for survivors. AI fire fighters fight chemical blazes that would kill us, isn’t that great? Yes, if we used this as a proper tool but, the scuttlebutt is that ain’t gonna happen!

Let’s think about what a good tool is. A tool is something that we invent that makes a job easier and supplements our intellectual or physical abilities. So, something might be too heavy for us to lift but, the invention of the wheel means that we can use a wedge, another great simple machine and foist it onto that cart with wheels and the burden is light enough for us to move. Brilliant. You know what I love about the invention of the first car, the Model T? That when you were done with it, you could shut it off and it wasn’t tracking you all the time!

Our tools have always had the capability of backfiring, but never like with AI. The best of the science fiction writers saw this coming as did the biblical prophecy scholars. Sin is like dust, it gets into everything even our precious inventions. In our God rejecting world, the dangers of technology going awry are at the highest threat level. The movement that says science will answer all the questions and they don’t need God, are moving us towards societal disaster. God leads us to holiness and mitigates our sin nature whether we are scientists, sanitation workers, teachers or preachers.  

The atheist scientists that brought you COVID, are working on artificial intelligence for our lives. Oh boy. God in the equation of science equals order and sanity but without God, the temptations are too great. The promise of what AI can do for the non-believer remind me of the Gollum character in “Lord of the Rings,” and Eve in the Garden of Eden. All this you can have, just follow Satan. 

Do I believe the devil is in the details? Yes, he always is. Those who don’t know that and don’t recognize how he operates are victims of the evil he is perpetuating. Do you really want to have nuclear launches controlled with AI? ChatGBT has already been shown to have a liberal bias in matters of politics, gender issues, and a morally relativistic bent. In that fact, AI is already leading people away from the one true God and the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ. Don’t be fooled AI is not as smart as you think or it is smarter than you think. 

Every nation with a modicum of power is going after precious AI. Vladimir Putin once said, that the country that led in technologies using artificial intelligence will dominate the world. Follow the rolling ball, rule the world who wants to do that? The common thinking that I have heard is whoever leads in AI in 2030, will rule the world until 2100. This all perfectly fits in with end times biblical prophecy. It fits like a glove actually.

In the fight for world dominance we know that Satan will appear at some point soon. But right now it is like an AI prize fight. It’s China in the first round hitting hard but the USA floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. The E.U. is waiting to fight the winner. Just like any prize fight each competitor has their strengths and weaknesses and each country has attributes which could bring it into the ascendency. 

Is it China with its’ army from the East (Rev 16:12-The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its’ water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.) or is the anti-Christ emerging from the E.U.? (Rev 13 :2-And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.) Will New York being a contender for the whore of Babylon affect the United States standing? (Rev 17:1b-2-the great prostitute who sits by many waters. With the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries)

However it plays out, we know that AI is not OK. While good achievements will emanate from this technology, it appears to me to be the technology that has the greatest capability of being a tool for controlling the entire world. Yet, I believe that we have reached the point of no return, this genie ain’t going back in its’ bottle. At the beginning of the nuclear age, people had a sense of the power of this invention and an understanding that this was bigger than anything that had come before. As he watched the first successful nuclear weapon detonation physicist Robert Oppenheimer famously remarked, that “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” 

Artificial Intelligence is the next big step that mankind will embark upon and many people have varying reactions to that. That is how it was at Los Alamos when the first nuclear weapon exploded. There were varying reactions. Some were reconciled to its’ inevitability on the world stage, some cried, and some even laughed. As a Christian, I am ready for what is written in the Bible to occur. That which is written will come about and it is incumbent upon each and every one of us to keep close to God, tell others about Jesus. Don’t be bowled over by all the promises of AI, there may be some blessings in it but be wary of its’ dark side. 

Banking, Trump and Easter

What do I know about banking? After all, I am an average Christian housewife who is more concerned with what snacks I will make to bring to church for the next bible study than the status of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). When the news came in about the failure of SVB, I was doing my daily rotation of the meat I was curing for my Ode to Ireland church snack menu. I was making Irish Soda bread, and Irish Spiced Beef (a dish that is usually served at Christmas time on the old sod). That would be accompanied by Dubliner Cheese and some chocolate shamrocks. 

Irish Spice Beef has been made for nearly 300 years. I went Irish spiced beef crazy several weeks before St. Patrick’s Day watching every video and reading every article that I could get my hands on outlining variations on that classic recipe. As I was blissfully ensconced in food history, reality had a stark way of butting in. This time in a big way. The markets roiled along with my investments with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Next, Credit Suisse, who has been doing a swan dance for a long time, finally breathed its’ last breath and it too collapsed. Could Deutsch Bank be next? What after that?

Whenever there is a bank or financial institution in its’ death knells, it is a rare opportunity to observe what goes on behind the scences. Always, there are those insiders who advised you to buy shares of that stock while they themselves were dumping it. Nothing to see there! People getting their bonuses in the middle of March, just before the institution goes belly up, nothing to see there either.

Since COVID hit, nothing has been normal. Don’t get me wrong, I believe the agenda that we see front and center now, was brewing like a wicked tea in the background for years. When people were at their very weakest it was then time to bring out all the wicked dinners and force-feed them to the world. The world has eaten of it.

The banking system is something that the average person depends on everyday to build their life both now and in the future. Have you noticed that all the things that we depend upon can not be trusted anymore?The banking system is one of those things. The fiscal policies of bank executives and nations don’t seem to make sense yet we are powerless to do anything about it. Silicon Valley Bank had only one investment banker on the bank board. That does not seem correct to me. The rest of the board were people who were given their cushy, lucrative positions because they were Obama and/or Democratic Party donors. Is that any way to run a bank? 

And while the bank may have funded some good tech start-ups and the California wine industry, it could not do so without leaving the distinct impression of doing business based on political nepotism. SVB bank had a way of supporting the wineries of their friends such as the governor of California or of the green agenda even if those projects were a poor investment. The bank gave over seven million dollars to Black Lives Matters and other anarchist causes. 

Why can’t banks just focus on the business of banking and stop being social activists? Why couldn’t they carefully scrutinize the loans they gave out? Why have banks abandoned age old wisdom about how to keep customers money safe? The answer is that banks have either been forced by governments to loan money out in unsafe ways or the bankers were trained by anti-capitalist universities. These once higher places of learning have turned into communist party finishing schools teaching radical philosophy whilst deconstructing traditional thought and reason. 

Then, the circus came to New York City. I don’t mean Cirque du Soleil or the new and re-imagined Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus. That might be fun. I am talking about the crazy circus. The type of circus that gives you nightmares. Where crazy soul-stealing clowns come out of a little car. When Donald Trump was indicted I was horrified but not surprised. 

The powers that are running things have been after him since he was first elected the 45th President of the United States. By doing what the voters wanted him to do and not following along with the evil clown culture of political usurpation that has swept over the United States he put himself in the crosshairs of evil.

If Donald Trump had just continued his life as a business man, he would be on easy street right now. As soon as he got it into his mind to listen to people and try to fulfill the mandate that he was elected to fulfill, his fate was sealed. It would be just a matter of time before he got arrested, investigated, fined or worse. Even though I knew it was coming, seeing the obvious abuse of power to stop Donald Trump from running in the next presidential election was more than I could take. I was just starting to come down with something on top of all that. 

I was embarrassed for New York State, which is the place that I was born and raised. The corruption was over the top and it saddened me greatly to see how far a once great city could fall. It was like going to the circus and watching all the crazy goings on when reality is temporarily suspended during the performance. Only now it was not a day of fantasy, it was a reality and Donald Trump was getting arrested. If they can weaponize the FBI, and the New York CIty’s Attorney General against a former President of the United States there is nothing they can not do. 

Meanwhile, Hunter Biden and the current President have skated past every allegation or authentically proven corruption scandal with narry a mention of it in the mainstream media. The current president does not seem fit to conduct the duties of his Office yet there is no journalistic interest in exploring that topic. I know that the free press is dead.  A press that used to be known for its’ scrutiny. When tyranny descends the free press is one of the first things to go and it has. 

As the Trump case was beginning to unfold, I came down with a cold, flu or perhaps COVID. It was a weird illness. Why couldn’t I even get a normal cold or flu? We are definitely living in an age where novel illnesses abound. It is written in the Bible that in the end times that there would be pestilence. Marburg is out breaking in Africa, a crazy rare fungus that has only been present in hospital settings is now poised to break that barrier on the eastern coast of the United States. The list goes on and on. None of this is normal. Thinking of all of this culminated in what had to be defined as a spiritual battle of sorts for me.

The answer to all my questions and the end of my spiritual battle came as Easter approached. The message of the Bible directs and guides us towards all things holy and righteous. It gives us clarity on everything that we see that doesn’t make sense. The truth of our changing world hurts sometimes. The banking system is in trouble, the political system is in trouble but Jesus has overcome. He will bring us through the persecution, the injustice and ultimately will judge the wrong-doers.

I am grateful for the direction my relationship with Jesus Christ has given me. Although God will allow people to sin if they want, he will not allow it to go on forever. As I stated earlier, all the things that we depend upon can no longer be trusted, that is all except God, who is the same yesterday, today and always. I know that, like the old song said, because he lives, I can face tomorrow.