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American Christian Voice Volume 13 No. 4 Contents Don’t Miss These! ABOUT US 4.Yak Bak 5.ACV Mission Statement 5.Impressum 27.Puzzle Page!! 36.Where you can buy a copy of the American Christian Voice... 36.Subscription Info 36.War Room Widow 39.Would you like to join the ministry of the American Christian Voice? FROM THE COVER 7.Dean Cain on Why Trump Is Right to Skip the Kennedy Center Honors 8.The Continuing Meltdown of Liberal Hollywood Celebrities 10.How Conservative Hollywood Became a Liberal Town 30.DirecTV reportedly offering NFL Sunday Ticket refunds 32.Hollywood: A Government Arm 33.Culture and Media Institute studied news broadcasts to see how they covered Hollywood’s influence on politics 37.Good Ol' American Values Trump Hollywood's Agenda In Theaters 38.What NFL Star Benjamin Watson Has to Say About Abortion
38.Andrew Klavan on Conservative Artists: ‘We’re the Rebels Now’ 47.The Beginning of Woes for the NFL CENTERFOLD 17.What is the Feast of Tabernacles? 20.What is Sukkot? 24.These Sponsors Welcome You to the Feast of Tabernacles GOLD STAR ATTENTION 11.RC Boat Competition! 14.Schwan’s for Gold Star Family Inn 19.Gold Star Family Inn information 35.Gold Star Shows/Food Directory 43.Gold Star Business Directory FEATURES 12.Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich 16.Springfield Mayor: Wonders of Wildlife a ‘Game-Changer’ 18.How to Grieve like a Christian 23.The Light Still Shines 23.How Can You Laugh Without Fear of the Future? 29.The Mystery of the Goel 34.What the Roy Moore Victory Means 41.3 Things I Wish I Knew when I was 21 44.Tearing Down Our Statues and History 46.The Eight Hundred Dollar Banana
Dean Cain on Trump & Kennedy Center Honors Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich
How to Grieve HE is the like a Christian AllConsuming
NFL exposes what we have all long suspected... overpaid millionaires with fake educations are a bunch of lemmings.
Fire!
The Mystery of the Goel The Eight Hundred Dollar Banana
ABOUT THE COVER:
Was Hollywood always this liberal? (No, it wasn’t) see article on page 10
editor
The American Christian Voice magazine, Memory Lock Fence and the Gold Star Family Inn are ministries under the nonprofit, 501(c)3 designation, Ozarks Christian Foundation. All contributions in excess of goods and services received are tax deductible. See more details under our websites.
www.AmericanChristianVoice.com www.MemoryLockFence.com www.GoldStarFamilyInn.com VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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yak bak
I found the ACV at a Barnes and Noble in Tulsa. Interesting mix of ideas, opinions and articles. David Stoecker’s take on “Who are the least of these?” leaves out the admonition to love our neighbors as ourselves but all in all a good magazine. Paul Vestigian, Tulsa, OK __________________________ We really appreciated the article on “Who are the least of these” by David Stoecker. That is an eye-opening indictment to Christians who have a “soft spot” for bums and other lazy people that have the ability to do some kind of work but refuse to. We have been trained, falsely, by the church that we should enable the sluggard. Great article! Thanks for your boldness to tell the truth. Justin and Darla Mock, Albany, NY _________________________________________ The article on “Why is health care so expensive?” politely leaves out the elephant in the room. Most sickness and disease is self-imposed. The majority of America and
.Feed Back From Our Readers the west are unhealthy due to atrocious eating and dietary habits. Processed foods, smoking, excessive drinking, consumption of an excessive amount of meat vs. vegetables and commercially grown, pesticide laden harvests, yield the bulk of our health maladies. The other unpleasant truth is we throw billions of dollars at trying to “cure” people of old age. Liver transplants on 82 year olds is akin to putting lip stick on a pig; to what end? I am an arthritic octogenarian myself but otherwise in pretty good shape. When it’s my time to go... no cosmetics please. Randy Shaffer, Padukah, KY _______________________________ “Eliminating the Human” was an unpleasant observation of the decline of human labor. Having employed hundreds of people over the course of 40+ years, it is a welcome relief to the human condition. It eradicates all the flaws, drama and thievery from the work force. Unfortunately, I have to admit, that God could have created us all as robots with no free will and totally programmed to obey and stay out of trouble. But He didn’t. He chose to have fellowship with us instead. Despite all of our flaws. It’s a good thing He has patience with His creation because I would have jettisoned most of them in favor of AI on most days. Cranky in Carthage, Mildrid Balks, Carthage, MO _____________________ Your article with the byline of, “The delusion of believers under the law”, grossly pictures Seventh Day Adventists as a bunch of kooks. I watch you sing the praises of Ben Carson in your publication and you never draw that conclusion about him. Why is that?
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Karen Miles, Shiner, TX __________________________ In your Vol. 13 no. 3 issue, You seem to believe that nationalism is necessary to be a Christian. You suggest that to disrespect the flag is an offense to God. I assure you that all true people of the faith understand that we are not of this world and that to glorify one’s place of origin is actually contrary to the Word of God. Put down your flag and pick up the sword and cross of the Word and you will truly let go of the things that so easily entangles the disciples of Christ. Father Daniel O’Day, Simsbury, CT _______________________________ We saw your fine publication on the internet while searching for Branson attractions. We love visiting there every year or so. As born, bred and die hard citizens of Canada, we too love our nation. However, we quickly drop the politics when spreading the Good News of the Gospel. Our nationalism must never overshadow the great commission. Thomas and Darcy Glenecho, Prince Edward Island, Canada ___________________________________ Our church only has the Christian flag on the church dais. The American flag we leave in the vestibule. When all people come together, there should never be any nationalism this side of heaven. Polly Umbrake, Pulaski, TN ____________________________________ Send your letters to the editor to: American Christian Voice 1030 W. Main St. Hwy 76 Branson, MO 65616 or email: editor@AmericanChristianVoice.com See all articles that were referenced here at:
www.AmericanChristianVoice.com
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ACV Magazine NEW Mission Statement counterfeits, you will know it is not of your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He is good and only does good. He is not "out to get you". He is out to love you. Not because of what you do or do not do but because of what Jesus has already done for you. We encourage our readers to eschew religion and pursue a relationship with God through Jesus Christ as led by the Holy Spirit, thus allowing an open mindedness to differing opinions on complex matters. We strive not to be the fire alarm, but the fire extinguisher.
Please be advised that the contents of this publication often do not represent the positions held by many of the sponsors of the American Christian Voice (or for that matter, the publishers). L R Proof readers Kairos & Yanni (which explains alot), Lorri Sacoulas, Alexis (hidden) and Aysha, the puppy. John took the pic. The puppy is a Cavapoo. (King Charles Cavalier and Mini Poodle.) She came from Kingdom Come Kennels. Thank you, Randy & Debi! See ad below.
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The American Christian Voice magazine is published with the primary purpose being to educate the body of Christ through informative articles (Intelligent), to edify the body of Christ through motivating articles of Christian faith and courage (Inspirational), and to promote the message that disciples of Christ are not under the penalty of sin or condemnation of it (Fun!). It is because of what Christ has done... not what we do that makes us in good standing with God. Our obedience is to Love Him and our fellow sojourners. Now that Christ has cloaked us with His Righteousness, God the Father looks at us as Sons/Daughters, no longer at enmity with Him. We are in training now. That is why this publication focuses on politics. If we are to rule and reign with Jesus Christ we should be very much interested in training here and now. We are dedicated to be Kingdom builders as we realize that our diversity should not impede the method in which God chooses to woo through the Holy Spirit the lost through love. We can err in our theological understanding of doctrine and dogma but love never fails. In the law we find death - in love we find Liberty to obey by desire... not compulsion. We implore all people to call out to God and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. THE Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person. HE will fill your heart, mind and soul with truth; Not some man's opinion of God. In this manner, you when you see the
PUBLISHER Lorraine Sacoulas MANAGING EDITOR John G. Sacoulas PATRONS Kay & Joy Friberg SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Kathy Caruso O’Neil, Jeremy Storch, Marla Woodmansee SYNDICATED WRITERS Tim Challies, Thomas Sowell, Star Parker ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY Roberto Cerini, (714) 3857453 ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Wilma Dunbar, (417) 2131155 GRAPHIC DESIGN Lorraine Sacoulas lorri@americanchristianvoice.com DISTRIBUTION Barnes & Noble, BooksAMillion, EntertainMart Publishers Dist. Group, Allamuchy, NJ David Dunbar, Branson Representative Special thanks to all our prayer warriors that intercede regularly for our sponsors. SUBSCRIPTION/CUSTOMER SERVICE: see page 36 editor@americanchristianvoice.com (417) 3363636 MAILING ADDRESS: American Christian Voice 1030 West Main Street Branson, MO 65616 FREE SUBSCRIPTION ONLINE: www.AmericanChristianVoice.com Any downloading fees charged by news wire providers are for its services only, and do not, nor are they intended to convey to the user any Copyright or License in the material. By publishing this material, The American Christian Voice expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold these providers harmless from any claims, demands or causes of action arising out of or connected in any way with user's publication of the material.
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special thanks to these fine folks
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Hundreds of our fellow citizens are now mourning the sudden loss of a loved one, a parent, a child, a brother or sister. We cannot fathom their pain, we cannot imagine their loss. To the families of the victims, we are praying for you and we are here for you. And we ask God to help see you through this very dark period. Scripture teaches us the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve. To the wounded who are now recovering in hospitals, we are praying for your full and speedy recovery, and pledge to you our support from this day forward. President Donald Trump addressing the Las Vegas massacre
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Dean Cain on Why Trump Is Right to Skip the Kennedy Center Honors
BY ZACHARY LEEMAN
'Hollywood has turned so against this president — it's so en vogue, I'm not surprised this happened' The mere idea of the attendance by President Donald Trump at the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors — where artists are recognized for a lifetime of work — was met with the expected outrage from the Hollywood community. Three of the five people being honored — television producer Norman Lear, musician Lionel Richie, and dancer Carmen de Lavalle — threatened to boycott the event should the president show up, although it’s something American presidents have done regularly for decades. "Hollywood has turned so against this president. It's so en vogue to be against him, I'm not surprised it happened. Kudos to President Trump and the Trump family for just stepping out," actor Dean Cain said on the Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight" about the president's decision to skip the December event. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a recent statement that Trump and his family did not want to take away from the event and wanted "to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction."
Cain said the urge to simply boycott the president is representative of the level of critical thinking in Hollywood right now when it comes to politics. "Hollywood is locked into a really strong groupthink right now," the "Supergirl" star said. He added that whenever he manages to get into a discussion with others about policies or the president, his opinion is met with "vitriol." "They look at me as if I'm an alien," he said. The former Superman said what many are likely thinking of Hollywood: that the Trump
hysteria is out of control and that these people do not allow room for rational conversation.
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Express your love with a quality monument of faith Everyone remotely supportive of the president is seen as an immediate enemy and labeled an extremist. "I don't support every policy of the president's ... but it's crazy. If you like one thing or you come out and you're supporting him, you're certainly aligned with that," said Cain. The actor addressed the political bias in Hollywood and the growing amount of proof that it is holding people back from getting work. Cain said he's doing fine getting jobs — but that's likely because he was already "established" before he began speaking about politics.
(800) 3469875 “The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance.” Cicero, 55 BC
"I'm sure there are some forces at work that aren't real happy that I would say these things," he said. "Now your true rebels are those who support the president." Asked what exactly it is many in Hollywood hate so much about the president, Cain theorized it came down to simple presentation. He said the president is a very "inartful speaker" who can often "offend a lot of people's sensibilities" because he speaks off the cuff and is not trained to communicate smoothly like so many actors and entertainers in Hollywood. However, Cain added, it also means he gives people the "truth they don't want to hear sometimes."
VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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so much talent/so much idiocy
The continuing meltdown of liberal Hollywood celebrities Whining actors, comedians and music performers compete in the Rage and Ruin Derby
BY TAMMY BRUCE
D
uring the election and after the inauguration of President Trump we’ve been swamped with vile, sanctimonious lectures from the smug smart set, a privileged class of superrich celebrities, actors, television comedians and music performers. We’ve had screeds from Meryl Streep, Madonna and Ashley Judd. Robert De Niro assured us earlier in the month that he still wants to punch Mr. Trump in the face. Lena Dunham continues to whine, Susan Sarandon and Cher remain bereft for the nation, and want us to know how horrible they feel. Because it’s their feelings that matter. The most revealing aspect of the continuing liberal meltdown is how antiwoman the so-called feminist movement has really become. Instead of reflecting on how and why the Democratic Party has been reduced to a coastal club, liberals (all of whom are feminists, of course) decided attacking the president’s daughter would be a really good idea. Their first line of attack: threaten retail stores that carried the Ivanka Trump product line with a boycott if they continued to sell her products. This, of course, does nothing to promote what the left says they care about, but it does expose what they really are: a gang of vapid and petty bullies, drunk on the vindictiveness that now drives the American liberal political machine. So what’s at the core of the feminist Democrats, liberals and leftist machines targeting the daughter of the president? Because she, by her existence, counteracts their only argument against her father — that he’s Hitler. And not just any Hitler, an especially bad woman-hating, fascist, evil Hitler.
Ivanka Trump’s style and grace, and her likely moderate politics, put the lie to the liberal arguments against her father, which amount to the most juvenile of character assassinations. Moreover, someone like Ivanka Trump should be on their side, but she’s not. That upsets them because instead of Ivanka, they get Rosie, Ashley “Nasty Woman” Judd and, well, Hillary Clinton. And then there’s Melania Trump, the nation’s first lady. A remarkable woman whose own story is one a genuine feminist movement would celebrate. An immigrant, having become an American citizen just a decade ago, is now the first lady of her adopted country, and one of the most powerful women in the world when it comes to influence and access. Hers is a story only possible in America.
Meryl Streep was recently overheard screaming at an expired parking meter: Don’t you know who I am?” (That’s sarcasm, snowflake)
It’s one thing for her husband to be attacked as he decided to enter the political arena, but Mrs. Trump has obviously became and remained a target of the socalled feminist liberal establishment and the Democratic Party. And with what did they attack her? With the accusation that she’s a prostitute. Not entirely surprising considering the Democrats are the party of the Kennedys and the Clintons (and the occasional Weiner). The left’s cup of misogyny is so full it’s bound to overflow onto everyone else. And it did. Politico reports, “Editors at The New York Times have reprimanded a reporter for referring to first lady Melania Trump as a ‘hooker’ at an event Sunday night, calling the remarks ‘completely inappropriate.’ The reporter in question, features writer Jacob Bernstein, came under fire Monday morning after supermodel Emily 308 E Republic Rd. • Springfield, MO • 4178827788 Ratajkowski made the www.ComputerInnovations.net reporter’s remarks public in a series of tweets. Ms.
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Ratajkowski, who said the reporter made the remarks while sitting next to her at a New York Fashion Week event, called the comment ‘disgusting sexist bull–t.’ “ Lovely, no? Still The New York Times, in their admonition, referred to his remark as a comment on an “unfounded rumor.” Really? When did lies become unfounded rumors? The reporter eventually apologized on Twitter. Liberal feminists have either been silent about Mrs. Trump or have attacked her. In this case we saw the feminism of the young woman who was subjected to the remark publicly expose the reporter while defending Mrs. Trump. The first lady, in the meantime, stepped up and thanked the woman on Twitter: “Applause to all women around the world who speak up, stand up and support other women! It’s never been more clear, the attacks on the Trump women have nothing to do with feminism and everything to do with jealousy and envy. Through all of this, liberal feminists refuse to admit that they stand for nothing, and now participate in the marginalizing of women with whom they disagree. The good news is a young woman in the decidedly liberal world of fashion and Hollywood knew to step up, at what will be considerable risk to herself. Speaking of women who take risks and, no, I’m not referring to Meryl Streep or other Hollywood women who parrot the accepted party line while at awards shows. Meet Joy Villa, the singer and actress who wore the “Make America Great Again” gown to the music industry’s Grammy Awards. Spouting the party line does not take courage. Wearing a dress to the Grammys that expresses your support for the president when he is loathed by most at the party, is speaking truth, her truth, to power. That’s courage and feminism in action. An added element that enrages the liberal establishment? Ms. Villa’s dress was designed by a gay fashion designer Andre Soriano. As the old liberal feminist establishment continues their plunge into irrelevance, smearing women they deem the enemy, the future belongs to people like Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump, Emily Ratajkowski, Joy Villa, Andre Soriano, and their friends and supporters. These radical nonconformists are the authentic feminists, the genuine heroes, and bravely free individuals. • Tammy Bruce, author and Fox News contributor, is a radio talk show host.
Thursday, October 12th 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM session Friday, October 13th 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM session Saturday, October 14th 10:00 AM session Call (417) 5981231 to save your spot!
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Opportunity to Unite the Body of Christ ‘Come Early and Stay Late’ to build and maximize our relationships with peers Speakers to be Announced Meal Served from 11:00 AM 1:00PM PLEASE call (417) 5981231 to RSVP by Saturday, December 9th to allow for meal preparation Located & Brought to you by:
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Did you know that consistant financial difficulties in your ministry or work place is a sign that you might be working for God but not with God? It was the information given to us from a prior Kings and Priests meeting that we applied to our ministry that led to the national distribution of the American Christian Voice magazine. We highly recommend your attendance. You will be blessed! John & Lorri Sacoulas, publisher and editor, ACV.
maybe it’s guilt over exorbitant pay? Un-American Activities Committee and questioned about their “communist activities.” Ceplair points out that the conservative Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals provided the committee with names of so-called "subversives." Members of the alliance testified before the committee as "friendly” witnesses.
How Conservative Hollywood Became a Liberal Town
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BY MARCUS HAWKINS
hile it may seem as though Hollywood has always been liberal, it hasn’t. Very few people today realize that at one point in the development of American cinema, conservatives ruled the movie-making industry. Santa Monica College Professor Larry Ceplair, co-author of "The Inquisition in Hollywood," wrote that during the ‘20s and ‘30s, most studio heads were conservative Republicans who spent millions of dollars to block union and guild organizing. Likewise, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the Moving Picture Machine Operators, and the Screen Actors Guild were all headed by conservatives, as well.
postmaster general, Will Hays, to address the problem. THE HAYS CODE In their book, Thompson and Bordwell say Hays appealed to the studios to remove objectionable content from their films and in 1927, he gave them a list of material to avoid, called the “Don’ts and Be Carefuls” list. It covered most sexual immorality and the depiction of crime activity. Nevertheless, by the early 1930s, many of the items on Hays’ list were being ignored and with Democrats controlling Washington, it seemed more likely than ever that a censorship law would be implemented. In 1933, Hays pushed the film industry to adopt the Production Code, which explicitly forbids depictions of crime
HOLLYWOOD SCANDALS AND CENSORSHIP In the early 1920s, a series of scandals rocked Hollywood. According to authors Kristin Thompson and David Bordwell, silent film star Mary Pickford divorced her first husband in 1921 so that she could marry the attractive Douglas Fairbanks. Later that year, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was accused (but later acquitted) of raping and murdering a young actress during a wild party. In 1922, after director William Desmond Taylor was found murdered, the public learned of his lurid love affairs with some of Hollywood’s best-known actresses. The final straw came in 1923, when Wallace Reid, a ruggedly handsome actor, died of a morphine overdose. In themselves, these incidents were a cause for sensation but taken together, studio bosses worried they would be accused of promoting immorality and self-indulgence. As it was, a number of protest groups had successfully lobbied Washington and the federal government was looking to impose censorship guidelines on the studios. Rather than losing control of their product and face the involvement of the government, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of American (MPPDA) hired Warren Harding’s Republican
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methodology and sexual perversion. Films that abide by the code received a seal of approval. Although the “Hays Code,” as it came to be known helped the industry avoid stiffer censorship at the national level, it began to erode in the late 40s and early ‘50s. HOLLYWOOD & THE HOUSE UN AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE Although it was not considered unAmerican to sympathize with the Soviets during the 1930s or during World War II, when they were American allies, it was considered un-American when the war was over. In 1947, Hollywood intellectuals who had been sympathetic to the communist cause during those early years found themselves being investigated by the House
WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM | VOL.13 #4
Other “friendlies,” such as Jack Warner of Warner Bros. and actors Gary Cooper, Ronald Reagan, and Robert Taylor either fingered others as “communists” or expressed concern over liberal content in their scripts. After a four-year suspension of the committee ended in 1952, former communists and soviet sympathizers such as actors Sterling Hayden and Edward G. Robinson kept themselves out of trouble by naming others. Most of the people named were script-writers. Ten of them, who testified as “unfriendly” witnesses became known as the“Hollywood Ten” and were blacklisted – effectively ending their careers. Ceplair notes that following the hearings, guilds, and unions purged liberals, radicals, and leftists from their ranks, and over the next 10 years, the outrage slowly began to dissipate. Liberalism Seeps into Hollywood Due in part to a backlash against abuses perpetrated by the House Un-American Activities Committee, and in part to a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1952 declaring films to be a form of free speech, Hollywood began to slowly liberalize. By 1962, the Production Code was virtually toothless. The newly formed Motion Picture Association of America implemented a rating system, which still stands today. In 1969, following the release of Easy Rider, directed by liberal-turned-conservative Dennis Hopper, counter-culture films began to appear in significant numbers. By the mid-1970s, older directors were retiring, and a new generation of
filmmakers was emerging. By the late 1970s, Hollywood was very openly and specifically liberal. After making his last film in 1965, Hollywood director John Ford saw the writing on the wall. “Hollywood now is run by Wall St. and Madison Ave., who demand ‘Sex and Violence,’” author Tag Gallagher quotes him as writing in his book, “This is against my conscience and religion.” Hollywood Today
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Things are not much different today. In a 1992 letter to the New York Times, screenwriter and playwright Jonathan R. Reynolds lament that “… Hollywood today is as fascistic toward conservatives as the 1940's and 50's were liberals … And that goes for the movies and television shows produced.” It goes beyond Hollywood, too, Reynolds argues. Even the New York theater community is rampant with liberalism.
“Any play that suggests that racism is a twoway street or that socialism is degrading simply won't be produced,” Reynolds writes. “I defy you to name any plays produced in the last 10 years that intelligently espouse conservative ideas. Make that 20 years.” The lesson Hollywood still has not learned, he says, is that repression of ideas, regardless of political persuasion, “should not be rampant in the arts.” The enemy is repression itself.
Saturday, Oct. 28 @9:30am
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2 Categories - 5 years old to 8 years old & 9 years old to 12 years old. Bring your remote control boats to this friendly competition and test your skills on maneuvering through the obstacle course in our swimming pool! The entry fee is only $15.00 and includes two slices of delicious Godfather’s Pizza. The date is Saturday, October 28 at 9:30 am. The competition will start at 10 am with two 30 minute heats. The Pizza Party will commence after the competition. Every registered participant will receive a gift bag with valuable coupons and show attractions. The winners will receive cool prizes. Location is 1030 West Main Street Hwy 76 next to Godfather’s Pizza. Call 417-336-3636 to register early no later than Wednesday, October 25. VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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people in need vs. people in greed the private sector. Some of my most progressive friends send their children to $30,000-a-year high schools. The surprise is not that they do it. It is that they do it without so much as a murmur of moral disquiet.
Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich
BY RICHARD REEVES
W
hen I was growing up, my mother would sometimes threaten my brother and me with elocution lessons. It is no secret that how you talk matters a lot in a class-saturated society like the United Kingdom. Peterborough, our increasingly diverse hometown, was prosperous enough, but not upscale. Six in 10 of the city’s residents voted for Brexit — a useful inverse poshness indicator. (In a general election, Peterborough returned a Labour MP for the first time since 2001.) Our mother, from a rural working-class background herself, wanted us to be able to rise up the class ladder, unencumbered by the wrong accent. The elocution lessons never materialized, but we did have to attend ballroom dancing lessons on Saturday mornings. She didn’t want us to put a foot wrong there, either. As it turned out, my brother and I did just fine, in no small part because of the stable, loving, middle-class home in which we were raised. Any lingering working-class traces in my own accent were wiped away by three disinfectant years at Oxford. My wife claims they resurface when I drink, but she doesn’t know what she’s talking about — she’s American. I always found the class consciousness of Britain depressing. It is one of the reasons we brought our British-born sons to America. Here, class is quaint, something to observe in wonder through imported TV shows like “Downton Abbey” or “The Crown.” So imagine my horror at discovering that the United States is more calcified by class than Britain, especially toward the top. The big difference is that most of the people on the highest rung in America are in denial about their privilege. The American myth of meritocracy allows them to attribute their position to their brilliance and diligence, rather than to luck or a rigged system. At least posh people in England have the decency to feel guilty. In Britain, it is politically impossible to be prime minister and send your children to the equivalent of a private high school. Even Old Etonian David Cameron couldn’t do it. In the United States, the most liberal politician can pay for a lavish education in
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to go there. Oxford and Cambridge ditched legacy preferences in the middle of the last century. The existence of such an unfair hereditary practice in 21st-century America is startling in itself. But I have been more shocked by the way that even supposedly liberal members of the upper middle class seem to have no qualms about benefiting from it.
Beneath a veneer of classlessness, the American class reproduction machine operates with ruthless efficiency. In particular, the upper middle class is solidifying. This favored fifth at the top of the income distribution, with an average annual household income of $200,000, has been separating from the 80 percent below. Collectively, this top fifth has seen a $4 trillion-plus increase in pretax income since 1979, compared to just over $3 trillion for everyone else. Some of those gains went to the top 1 percent. But most went to the 19 percent just beneath them. The rhetoric of “We are the 99 percent” has in fact been dangerously self-serving, allowing people with healthy six-figure incomes to convince themselves that they are somehow in the same economic boat as ordinary Americans, and that it is just the so-called super rich who are to blame for inequality. Politicians and policy wonks worry about the persistence of poverty across generations, but affluence is inherited more strongly. Most disturbing, we now know how firmly class positions are being transmitted across generations. Most of the children born into households in the top 20 percent will stay there or drop only as far as the next quintile. As Gary Solon, one of the leading scholars of social mobility, put it recently, “Rather than a poverty trap, there seems instead to be more stickiness at the other end: a ‘wealth trap,’ if you will.” There’s a kind of class double-think going on here. On the one hand, upper-middleclass Americans believe they are operating in a meritocracy (a belief that allows them to feel entitled to their winnings); on the other hand, they constantly engage in antimeritocratic behavior in order to give their own children a leg up. To the extent that there is any ethical deliberation, it usually results in a justification along the lines of “Well, maybe it’s wrong, but everyone’s doing it.” The United States is the only nation in the world, for example, where it is easier to get into college if one of your parents happened
WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM | VOL.13 #4
The upper middle class is also doing lots right, not least when it comes to creating a stable family environment and being engaged parents. These are behaviors we want to spread, not stop. Nobody should feel bad for working hard to raise their kids well. Things turn ugly, however, when the upper middle class starts to rig markets in its own favor, to the detriment of others. Take housing, perhaps the most significant example. Exclusionary zoning practices allow the upper middle class to live in enclaves. Gated communities, in effect, even if the gates are not visible. Since schools typically draw from their surrounding area, the physical separation of upper-middleclass neighborhoods is replicated in the classroom. Good schools make the area more desirable, further inflating the value of our houses. The federal tax system gives us a handout, through the mortgageinterest deduction, to help us purchase these pricey homes. For the upper middle classes, regardless of their professed political preferences, zoning, wealth, tax deductions and educational opportunity reinforce one another in a virtuous cycle.
discontenment is a matter of comparison
Or look at 529 college savings plans, another boondoggle. These are tax-exempt vehicles for putting money aside for educational expenses. Thanks to legislation signed by George W. Bush in 2001, any capital gains in these plans are free of all federal taxes. Most states also allow savings up to a certain level to be deducted from state income tax. Almost all the benefits of 529 plans go to upper-middle-class families. But when Barack Obama proposed to end the federal tax break in 2015, uproar ensued, and not just from Republicans. Liberal democrats representing affluent districts killed the idea stone dead. Progressive policies, whether on zoning or school admissions or tax reform, all too often run into the wall of upper-middleclass opposition. Self-interest is natural enough. But the people who make up the American upper middle class don’t just want to keep their advantages; armed with their faith in a classless, meritocratic
BY THE CITIZENS BLOGSPOT
It takes a brave politician to question the privileges enjoyed by the upper middle class. Recently, there have been failed attempts to make zoning laws more inclusive in supposedly liberal cities like Seattle and states like California and Massachusetts. The handout on mortgage interest appears to be an indestructible deduction (unlike in Britain, where the equivalent tax break was phased out under both Conservative and Labour governments by 2000).
society, they think they deserve them. The strong whiff of entitlement coming from the top 20 percent has not been lost on everyone else. I see now that English class consciousness has an important silver lining. At least there we know that class is a real fact of social life. Posh Brits are more likely to see that their position is at least in part the result of good fortune. For Americans to solve the problem of their deepening class divisions, we will have to start by admitting their existence and our complicity in maintaining them. We need to raise our consciousness about class. And yes, I am looking at you. Richard V. Reeves (@RichardvReeves) is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the author of the forthcoming book, “Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Middle Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That Is a Problem, and What to Do About It.”
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you can’t tell by the roles they play... I guess that makes them a good actor?
BY MICHAEL BARONE
This is a sampling of conservatives in Hollywood. The red denotes a national celebrity who has most recently professed a Christian faith publically. (Outside of the Duck Dynasty Clan) LOL Arnold Schwarzenegger Clint Eastwood Vince Vaughn Fred Thompson Jon Voight Chuck Norris Adam Sandler Kelsey Grammer Gary Sinise Tom Selleck James Caan Tony Orlando Dennis Miller Patricia Heaton Sylvester Stallone Laura Prepon Janine Turner Jim Belushi Larry Miller Steve Harvey David Lynch Yakov Smirnoff Angie Harmon George Hamilton Drew Carey
Mathew McConaughey Lorne Michaels Jessica Simpson Kathy Ireland Cheryl Ladd Bill Engvall Andy García Mel Gibson Tom Berenger Tony Sirico Jim Caviezel Dennis Franz Leslie Nielsen Ben Stein Jeff Foxworthy Stephen Baldwin James Woods Heather Locklear Adam Baldwin Kirk Cameron Craig T. Nelson Kurt Russell Paul Sorvino Ron Silver Gail O'Grady
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Chad Everett Scott Baio William Holden Dean Cain Candace Cameron Bure Kevin Sorbo Jim Nabors Gerald McRaney Jaclyn Smith Larry the Cable Guy(Daniel Whitney) Joe Pesci Mike Connors Tracy Scoggins Connie Stevens Dwight Schultz Tim Allen Sean Astin
Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Whitney) shares how his dad was a Baptist preacher and that he became a Christian as a young boy. He points out how he never did drugs or alcohol, but in this area of work, as he describes, “you get in the entertainment business, it just pulls you in.” As he points out, two years ago, he rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. His heart begins to pour out as he shares his thoughts and concerns about so many of the things that he has done in his life. “I just feel horrible about some of the things that I’ve done; and unlike other people, everything that I did and said, is on tape for everybody to see. I’m proud of some things that I’ve done…but there are things that I’ve done onstage, now that I’m back in the fold, now that I’m back with my Savior, there’s things that I look back on and I wish I wouldn’t have done it.” Whitney continues to point out this important truth, “Men don’t forgive you, and I don’t care if men forgive me, Jesus forgives me.”
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live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds from 800 species. The aquarium itself has 1.5 million gallons of water. Mayor Ken McClure told the Springfield News-Leader that his city has already been “on the map,” but the museum and aquarium create a “game-changer” that takes Springfield to another level. Residents agreed.
SPRINGFIELD NEWSLEADER, WWW.NEWSLEADER.COM/ASSOCIATED PRESS
“I think it’s something Springfield can be very proud of,” Springfield resident Bruce Nasby said. “I hope the message gets out around the world that they need to come to Springfield to see this museum and aquarium.”
Springfield mayor: Wonders of Wildlife a ‘gamechanger’ SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A massive new museum and aquarium in the southwest Missouri city of Springfield is a “game-changer,” the mayor said. The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium opened last week in a celebration more common in Hollywood or New York, not the Ozarks. Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were there, along with celebrities like Mark Wahlberg and Kevin Costner, and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. In fact, Wahlberg and Zinke scuba-dived into the aquarium. The $290 million, 350,000-square-foot conservation-focused venue was envisioned by John Morris, CEO of Springfield-based Bass Pro Shops. It is a not-for-profit facility that includes 35,000
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ironically, Christians have substituted these rich, wonderful Holy Days with shallow, pagan holidays
he Feast of Tabernacles is one of the seven annual biblical festivals (holy days) of God, introduced to Israel at the time of the Exodus (see Leviticus chapter 23). The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the annual pilgrimage festivals, when the people journeyed from all over the nation of Israel to keep the Feast in Jerusalem. It was to be a joyous celebration, to be observed throughout the generations.
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All of the annual holy days are rich with meaning and symbolism. Taken together, they reveal the progressive fulfillment of God’s plan for mankind, and they present a framework or model showing the individual believer’s growth and salvation. A study into the annual holy days can be both fascinating and rewarding, and reveals a definite Christology. That is, the annual holy days join with the Messianic prophecies to bring into sharper focus the plan of God and the reason for Christ’s first and second coming. There is a definite Christian application to God’s annual holy days! What does the Feast of Tabernacles represent? At its most basic level, it is a fall festival, celebrating the abundance of God’s blessings in connection with the ingathering of the fall harvest. It is also a memorial of the Exodus, when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, living in tabernacles, or tents, en route to the Promised Land. It is, therefore, a representation of faith in God’s protection and promises. In addition, the Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the great ingathering of believers after the return of Christ, during the time of His millennial rule on earth. Comparing scriptures and history, it appears that Jesus the Messiah, at his first coming, was born during the fall holy day period. Just as the tabernacles, or tents, represented temporary dwelling places, the Messiah was made manifest in a temporary dwelling (body) as He came to tabernacle among us (John 1:14). The symbolism of Tabernacles may ultimately be fulfilled at His second coming, when He will once
again tabernacle among men, this time as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the mighty Ruler, finally providing a millennial rest for all mankind and the earth (see Hebrews chapter 4). Interest in the annual holy days, and their deep meaning and rich symbolism, has enjoyed something of a revival in recent years. More church groups and individuals are rediscovering the holy days and are attempting to recognize and observe them in some fashion, in order to learn and benefit from them. These holy days are instructional aids to help us learn the deeper truths of God. Many of the various Sabbatarian Churches of God have been observing these holy days, including the Feast of Tabernacles, for years. The basic tradition currently extant among most of the Church of God groups involves an eight-day observance (including seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles plus an eighth day commonly referred to as “The Last Great Day”) held at designated sites around the world. Site attendance may range from a few dozen to a few thousand, depending on the location and the sponsoring group. The object of meeting at designated sites is to observe the pilgrimage festival, to leave our homes to meet together as one before God. We cannot help but notice the corresponding symbolism of living in temporary dwellings, as we look to the future and the triumphant return of our Lord and Savior. The daily format at the Feast varies among different groups and organizations. Typically the format includes an opening prayer; praise and worship in the form of singing, praying, and reading of scriptures; some announcements as needed; a main message (often followed by open discussion); some closing songs; and a prayer. Some groups also offer praise dancing (sometimes called Davidic dancing) and other offerings and celebrations. Services seldom run more than two hours, and the remainder of the day is usually free for individuals to spend
the time as they wish with their families. There are usually a number of optional activities scheduled throughout the week, including workshops, Bible studies, talent shows, fellowship evenings, dances, special youth events and activities, etc.
THE UNITED CHURCH OF GOD/WWW.UCG.ORG
What is the Feast of Tabernacles?
During services, the speaker may wish to conduct his teaching sessions in the traditional sermon format, or he may decide to lead a seminar, providing some opportunity for the audience to interact and to ask questions of the presenter during the presentation. Depending on the group, additional activities might include such things as: building a sukkah (booth), daily Torah readings (the five books of Moses), Davidic dance instruction, instructional reenactments of some of the Festival-related events of the first century (such as the Water Pouring Ceremony, during which Jesus presented his Living Water message, John chapter 7), or perhaps an “Israel Night” banquet, providing an opportunity to sample some traditional foods and to learn more about the land and people of Israel. Some Feast sites have a distinctively Messianic flavor, some are set up like a church retreat, and others are conducted with traditional formal church services. Many Feast sites are located in areas that can serve a variety of needs in terms of lodging, from campgrounds to cabins, lodges, and conventional hotel / motel rooms. Services during the Feast can range from the informal to the very formal, depending on which Feast site you attend. All Feast sites are filled with happy, purposeful people who have gathered together to worship God and fellowship before His throne.
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because Jesus conquered death
How to Grieve like a Christian
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his life is full of loss and full of grief. Though there are times we experience great swells of joy, we also experience deep depths of sorrow. No sorrow is deeper than the sorrow of loss. At such times it is important to consider how Christians grieve. Christ has Lordship over all of life, even grief. The gospel informs all we do,
do. What is this Christian form of grieving? Christians experience grief but without despair, sorrow but without defeat, sadness but without hopelessness. It’s true sorrow and true hope. These things don’t cancel out one another. We feel the great weight of sorrow and the great thrill of hope. In moments of deep sadness, we feel both. But why? How? How is it that we can have hope? The reason we have hope is that Christians grieve temporarily. We grieve genuinely but hopefully because we grieve temporarily. Our grief will come to an end. Paul proves this by pointing back in time, then pointing forward: “For since we believe that [in the past] Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will [in the future] bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Paul anchors future hope in past reality. He first points back in time to the historical events of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus truly died and truly returned to life and his resurrection is a promise, a proof, and a down payment that we, too, will return to life. What happened to him will happen to us. If it wasn’t for Jesus we’d have no hope! But Jesus rose so we have the greatest hope!
BY TIM CHALLIES
including our grieving. When dealing with the loss of a fellow believer, it is a privilege to grieve in a distinctly Christian way—to grieve in one way instead of being left to grieve in another way. What is that way? How do Christians grieve? Paul provides helpful instruction and begins with these words: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The first thing is this: Grieve! It’s good and right to grieve. We grieve genuinely and unapologetically. Death is tragic; death is sorrowful; it is good to grieve and this text gives us permission to do so. While it’s always important to ask “what does a text say?” it’s equally important to ask, “what does a text not say?” In this verse Paul could have said something like, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve.” He could have ended his sentence there are forbidden all grief. He could have been a good Stoic and insisted that Christians must not waste their time and emotional energy in crying. But no, he doesn’t say that. He doesn’t tell us we must not grieve at all. Rather, he tells us we must not grieve in a certain way. There is a way that Christians must grieve. What is that way?
Christians experience grief but without despair, sorrow but without defeat, sadness but without hopelessness. Grieve hopefully. When Paul says, “you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” he is really saying something like, “we grieve, but not in the same way as all those other people who have no hope.” Or, “even though we do grieve, we grieve differently from those other hopeless people.” Again, we see there’s a distinctly Christian way to express grief. We must not grieve like unbelievers
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Having pointed back, Paul points forward. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” He goes from the past to the future. He points forward to the time when Christ will return. He points forward to the time when the great promise will be fulfilled. At that time those who are dead and those who are alive will be reunited. They will be united to Jesus and live together forever. Here is how the passage continues: “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” Our hope for the future is that we will be with the Lord. We will be with the Lord together and forever. Those who have gone before and those who remain will be reunited in the presence of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus conquered death, they will conquer death. Because Jesus lives, they live. While our loved ones have left us, they have not ceased to be. They’ve simply gone on ahead. Because Jesus rose again, they will rise again. Because Jesus conquered death, they will conquer death. Because Jesus lives, they live. And so we grieve. We grieve in times of loss and our grief may last many days, weeks, or years. The pain is real, the sorrow is real, so the grief is real. But we grieve hopefully 417.699.8685 because we are convinced we grieve temporarily. No wonder, then, Paul concludes Email: todrab777@hotmail.com in this way: “Therefore encourage one another with Come see us at: these words.”
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We would love to come to your Inn. What a wonderful tribute. We feel Gold Star parents have been forgotten in most places. Thanks for what you do! parents of CWO2Christopher Johnson who was kia in Iraq, 2007.
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FROM RABBI JEREMY STORCH
Ask the Rabbi What is Sukkot?
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he Feast of Tabernacles is called in Hebrew “Sukkot” (Feast of Booths). Some of the basic scripture references for the Feast of Tabernacles are found in Lev. 23.34-44 & Deut. 16:11-16. Sukkot is one of the most joyful feasts of the Lord celebrated for 7 days, from the 15th -21st of the month of Tishrei, which is the 7 month of the year(during the fall) according to the Hebrew calendar. Yeshua (Jesus) Himself attended the Feast of Tabernacles according to John 7 and on the last & greatest day of the Feast, He stood up in the midst of the people and cried out “if anyone is thirsty, let him come unto Me and from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water”, speaking of the Holy Spirit (John 7:3739) THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES HAS DIFFERENT NAMES AND THEMES GIVEN TO IT: It is called in Hebrew “Chag Ha-asif” – “The Feast of Ingathering” because it celebrates the “ingathering” of the fall harvest. It is called “Z’man Simchateynu” – “ the Season of our Rejoicing”. It is also called the “Feast of Dedication” – because it was during the Feast of Tabernacles that the Temple of Solomon was dedicated (2nd Chron. 7) It is also called the “Festival of Lights” (“Chag Ha Orim” in Hebrew) because of the “glory” of God that filled the Temple of Solomon. IN ADDITION IT IS CALLED “CHAG HA GOYIM” (THE FEAST OF THE NATIONS) This is very interesting, because once again we see that the biblical Jewish feasts of the Lord are not just for the Israelites, but for all the nations. In Deut. 16:11-16 , God commanded any “strangers” living amongst the Israelites to celebrate Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles) with them. The word for “stranger” reads in Hebrew “geyr” which can also mean a foreigner, and alien, a non – Israelite or a Gentile, from the word “geyr” we get the plural word “goyim” – which means “the nations’
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NOT ONLY DOES GOD WANT GENTILE BELIEVERS IN JESUS TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES WITH JEWISH BELIEVERS TODAY – IT ALSO HAS GREAT PROPHETIC APPLICATION TOWARD THE FUTURE Zech 14.16 says that after the 2nd coming of the Messiah and the battle of Armageddon, it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations shall go up year after year to worship the King ( that’s Yeshua) the Lord of Hosts, and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Yeshua is going to rule and reign the whole earth from Jerusalem for a 1000 years, and each and every year we will all (Jew & Gentile alike) celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles together in the presence of the King. When the thousand years are over, there will be a new heaven and a new earth, a new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, and the “tabernacle” of God will be with us forever. (REV. 21:13) Aren’t you glad that we are all the “bride of Messiah? And aren’t you glad that God ordained not only the Feast of Tabernacles, but all of His Feasts for us to celebrate together – Jew & Gentile alike.
To contact Jeremy for ministry in your congregation, for a radio or television interview or other special event, or for information on his albums or teachings, please call or email:
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The Tabernacle Branson’s Messianic Congregation 256 Church Road Branson, MO 65616 (417) 334-7373 info@thetabernacleinbranson.com TheTabernacleInBranson.com
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STOP SAYING WE ARE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS WE ARE NOT. If you are an American born in the USA you are NOT an immigrant. Immigrants are people NOT BORN in the USA who come here to become Americans. If your parents or grandparents immigrated here, but you were born here you are NOT an immigrant. 13 percent of the US population is made up of immigrants. That means 87 percent of the population is NATIVE BORN. Almost 90%. That means we are a nation of native-borns. We are NOT a nation of immigrants.
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words of wisdom
The Light Still Shines
BY KATHLEEN CARUSO O’NEIL
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hose of us who saw the eclipse on August 21, of this year, stood with one accord and our eyes lifted to the sky. No one looked at a cellphone but remained intent on what was happening in the heavens. As we watched, the world turned dark, but it was really just an illusion as the corona of the sun splashed out followed by the flare that gave way to the return of the light. The sun never stopped shining. We just watched as another object got in the way. I believe that this is what is happening in our country today. Our country is in an uproar right now and the most positive of us are filled with a spirit of fear. Over and over in the Bible we are commanded not to fear – in truth, ‘do not fear’ appears 365 times in Scripture and you will notice there is one for each day of the year. In John 14, Jesus tells us, “Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You believe in God, believe also in Me.”
My life verse is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path,’ Proverbs 3:5,6. I watch the nightly news and realize that we are in a conflict with the forces of darkness and we, as Christians, must not sit idly by. It is important to remember that we do not fight the battle with guns, knives,
Truly, if we turn our faces and our hearts with trust toward God, there is nothing that can defeat us. During the eclipse, when the moon got out of the way, the sun shone forth in all of its glory and we returned to our normal activities. Often it is darkest when the Light is about to burst forth. Those of us who are believers in our great and glorious Savior, Jesus Christ, are now the light of the world. As we get our focus off of current events and look to Christ, the only way through this dark time, we will shine with the light that God has placed within us. Shine on for the darkness will pass just as it did during the eclipse. ______________________________________
How Can You Laugh Without Fear of the Future? “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) “Dad, I’m scared!” My son’s voice echoed through the clouds, bouncing off the treetops all the way to the pit of my soul. I wanted to save him or help him or reassure him everything would be okay. But all I could do was watch. Minutes before, I’d marched away with several of my young children for a bathroom break while my husband, Luke, and our older kids shuffled down the sidewalk with smiles stretched across their faces. We’d stumbled upon a new ropes course at our local zoo, and since it was near a birthday, what better way to celebrate than to dangle in the air four stories high. Right? When the little kids and I returned, we stood and watched the scene unfold. Everyone strapped on their safety gear: harnesses, helmets and ropes. Then, with eager confidence, a few of our boys darted off ahead of their dad. They navigated the course pretty well. But the higher they climbed, the harder it became, and before he knew it, my son Jonah found himself higher than he could manage on his own. He clenched the ropes and choked back tears as he cried out, “Dad, I’m scared!”
In today’s key verse we meet a woman whom the Bible says “is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future” (Proverbs 31:25). I think we each long to be described like this, but I doubt we’d choose these words to define ourselves. Instead we wonder, how can she possibly laugh without fear of the future? When threats swirl around us, is it realistic to think this is possible? I believe it is. More than that, I believe God wants all His daughters to live clothed with strength and dignity and laugh without fear of the future. A few verses later, we find a clue into this woman’s freedom. Proverbs 31:30 describes her not only as a woman who laughs without fear of the future, but also as “a woman who fears the LORD.” (NIV) To laugh without fear of the future, we must replace fear of the future with fear of the Lord. When my son found himself frozen in fear he took two very brave and wise steps. First, he cried out to his father, then he listened for his daddy’s voice. “Jonah, I’m right here,” his dad said. “I see you, and I’m going to help you. “You need to let go of the rope with your right hand, then reach forward and grab the other rope.” And Jonah did. “Great job, son, you’re doing great. Now with your right foot, step onto the platform in front of you.” And Jonah did. Dad continued these gentle, patient, step-by-step instructions until Jonah safely reached the landing. With each step Jonah’s heart grew braver as he heard his father’s voice and trusted his choices. The funny thing is, Jonah never actually saw Luke, who stood behind him the entire time. And yet, Jonah knew exactly whom he was following. He knew the voice wasn’t a ropes course instructor or one of his brothers. He knew it was his father’s voice, and that made it easy to trust him.
VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
BY KATY MCCOWN
While doing a search on Apple music, I ran across an amazing group named Passion. They were worshipping the Lord. When I looked to see who they were, I discovered it was 55,000 college age young people in a stadium in Atlanta, GA, earlier this year. I was riveted. As I researched it, I found that more than 1 million young adults have participated in these events. Louie Giglio, the sponsor, has a ‘passion’ to see the 16 million college students come to know Christ. In North Carolina, Elevation Church is leading a youth revolution with multiple campuses. There are young people all across this country who are tired of all the protests and division and are turning to God. This is our future. Young people who have discovered that God loves them because that is who He is. They can rest in His love as they learn not to fear but to trust.
destruction of monuments or radicalizing of people groups. Be encouraged.” 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds 2 Cor 10:3,4
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Online readers, we’ve included a link to printable PDF puzzle page!
ACROSS 1 Dorothy's dog 5 Hand dye 10 6th month (Jewish calendar) 14 Father of Cain 15 Tight at the top, flaring at the bottom (2 wds.) 16 Soft cheese 17 Turning away from sin 19 Fold 20 Received 21 Musical production 23 Man shall not live by __ alone 26 Peaks 28 Traveler's aid 31 Cereal grain 32 NT church leaders 33 Employ 34 Word games 37 I am the __ and the Omega 39 Not yours 40 Soybean 42 Instruments to guide oxen 45 Information magazine 49 Holy woman 50 Cruel 53 Street abbr. 54 School group 55 Adult insect 56 Ahoy there __!
58 Parable of the sheep and __ 60 Mayan language 61 You must be __ again 63 Leaf derived pastry 69 Small ground plot 70 A vacation (2 wds.) 71 Time periods 72 Reminder 73 Types 74 Ancient empire capital DOWN 1 Sticky black substance 2 Lyric poem 3 Faucet 4 I am the Alpha and the __ 5 Sheet of matted cotton 6 Chicken __ __ king 7 Container 8 What you earn 9 Am I my brother's __? 10 Shorten (abbr.) 11 Hatch (2 wds.) 12 Old Testament city 13 Scarlet 18 Cain fled to this land 22 School writings 23 Scarf 24 Fled 25 Terminal abbr. 26 Charity 27 Disks 29 Fire remains
30 Pod vegetable 32 Serving of corn 35 The Creator 36 Moscow's country 38 Statute 40 Sego lily’s bulb 41 To be in debt 42 Gross national product (abbr.) 43 Away 44 Word game 45 Pester 46 Dine 47 Adam's wife 48 Legend 51 Commuter train company 52 Wife of Ahasuerus 56 Deface 57 Shade of yellow 59 Upon 60 Charts 61 Metronome marking 62 Bullfight cheer 64 Pot 65 Offer 66 Not against 67 A name of God 68 Compass point
Dear Lord, Help me not despise the things I do not know or understand. ~William Penn
puzzle page
Answers to CrossWord Puzzle on Page 45
Answers to Sudoku Puzzle on Page 21
God Loves you just the way you are, not the way you should be. Because no one is as they should be. - Brennan Manning
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Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
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humility isn’t necessary with your Uncle American that needs to humble themselves as a prodigal can instead run to their rich Uncle Sam who requires no humility, repentance or contrition. Hmmm, how’s that working for You do not need us? to apologize for your behavior... I have plenty of money, food stamps and welfare for you!
BY JONATHON CAHN
creation was barren, taken from “The Book of Mysteries” by Jonathon Cahn cut off from the Creator One of the most unique commandments God gave Israel “said the teacher concerned and unable to bear its fruit it was meant to what was called the “goel.” When a woman bear. So God himself became the Goel. For was left a widow and with no children, the only the intervention of God in this world law of the goel decreed that if a nearby could cause the barren to bear its fruit and relative could redeem her house by be redeemed. Listen to these words from Isaiah: For your Creator is marrying her, providing for your Husband. The Lord of her, and giving her children, Host is His Name. And the he would be called the goel. Holy One of Israel is your The Bible records the Redeemer.” But in Hebrew, fulfillment of this law more it doesn’t say ‘your than once. These fulfillments Redeemer.’ It says ‘the Holy or redemptions are all focused One of Israel is your Goel.’ on one specific tribe, the tribe So the mystery is this … of Judah, and one specific line, We’ve all become barren, the line of David. The man of unable to bear the fruit Judah became the goel of the that our lives were called widow Tamar and fathered to bear, unable to become her child. From that child and what we were created to line was born the man Boaz. become. So God Boaz, in turn, became the goel intervenes…in our lives. of the widow Ruth and And if you will receive it, fathered her child Obed. From God will become… your Goel.” Obed came King David” The Mission: What in your life has never “So King David only existed because of the borne the promise and purpose you were law of the goel” “Yes. He was born of a genealogy that saw meant to bear? Give it to God today. Let Him the goel’s intervention, a substitute become your Goel. fathering—not once, but twice. And it Ruth 3:9; Psalm103:4; Isaiah 54:5 would be his line that would see one more __________________________________ intervention, one more substitute fathering From the editor: Seriously, if you have not yet ...and one more goel. And it would happen bought this book , you need to order it from in the same place where Boaz redeemed Barnes and Noble or BooksAMillion. We use it every morning for a daily morning Ruth…Bethlehem.” devotional at the Gold Star Group. We love “The Nativity?” “Yes,” said the teacher. “It was at the nativity it! On the Goel note: I find it interesting that that God Himself became the Goel. It was God set up a system for single moms and now God Himself intervening in that same widows to be taken care of. It was a blessing line, God Himself becoming the substitute to women and many were blessed to escape destitution. But the family members who father…the virgin birth”. were prodigal sought out their Uncle Sam. “But Mary wasn’t a widow,” I said. “No,” said the teacher. ”the widow was He stepped in and eliminated the need for Israel, humanity, and the creation itself. The family reconciliation... think about it. Any
THE MYSTERY OF THE GOEL
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how do we block the NFL from our cable?
DirecTV reportedly offering NFL Sunday Ticket refunds to fans angered by protests
BY JARED DUBIN
DirectTV is willing to refund its $280 nonrefundable Sunday Ticket package to fedup fans NFL Sunday Ticket is a service offered by DirecTV that allows football fans to watch every NFL game, every week. It costs $280. Ordinarily, you cannot get a refund for the service once the season starts. This year, however, DirecTV is offering an unprecedented refund for at least some subscribers who are canceling their subscription due to anger over players protesting during the national anthem. The Wall Street Journal originally reported on the change in policy.
began last season when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick declined to stand during the anthem as a protest against systemic racism and policy brutality. Teammate Eric Reid joined him in kneeling for the anthem after that, and several players on other teams, such as Malcolm Jenkins of the Eagles, Michael Bennett of the Seahawks, and several members of the Miami Dolphins demonstrated in some way during the anthem as well.
ESPN.com spoke to a spokesman from AT&T, which owns DirecTV, who declined to confirm the change in policy and said the company would not be sharing any statistics on the number of subscribers who canceled for this reason and received refunds. The New York Post spoke to one such subscriber, who claimed that a customer service representative told him that there were already five similar cancellation calls to his own.
The protests have spilled over into this season as Kaepernick has been left without a job and several other incidents of violence have taken place, including an alleged incident of racial profiling and policy brutality against Bennett himself. At the start of the season, a small group of players were either kneeling, sitting or raising a fist in the air during the anthem, while several other players lent support by wrapping their arm around a protesting teammate's shoulder.
The protests during the national anthem
Protests and "demonstrations of unity"
exploded in number after the president called for NFL owners to fire any "son of a b****" that kneeled during the anthem. Almost every team locked arms during the anthem as a show of unity, but others had a large group of kneelers, and others remained in the locker room until after the anthem was played. On Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys' entire staff including owner Jerry Jones kneeled before the anthem as a demonstration of unity and equality, then stood up for the playing of the actual national anthem. The protests have drawn praise in some quarters and derision in others, but have been met with a chorus of boos in most NFL stadiums.
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birds fly, fish swim, reprobates...... their hearts and minds will be stayed on Him. I also encourage you to.take your children out of public schools, as they are being spoon fed unthinkable Godless material.
Hollywood: A Government Arm
BY APRIL SHENANDOAH
N
ot only has the arena of politics gone off the rails, so has Hollywood and much of the entertainmemt business. When I started speaking with young Millennials about what is happening to America and the loss of freedom's, I soon learned that they do not want to hear it. The conservative rhetoric stirs them to anger. Films, TV, Liberal News and Socialist Universities, are stealing our children. Why are we surprised? The Communists told us long ago they were going to get us through our children. They also said they would take over our country without firing a shot. So...here we are! The saddest thing in my life is watching America crumble before my eyes. My Grandmother knew it was coming, she said to me many years ago, "One day you will wake up and wonder where America went." In her time there was no cable news such as CNN, FOX or the many news outlets of today, including the Internet. How did she know? Perhaps she read None Dare Call it Conspiracy. Maybe she simply saw the political decline of her day, the way we have been experiencing major changes since prayer and Bible reading were removed from our schools in 1963. The younger generation does not have anything to compare to a different way of life. They only know what they are presently living. Two of my favorite young family members are deaf and blind to our 200 year history and the radical changes on the horizon that we have tried to educate them about. Infact, they think it's crazy-talk. Like Gramy I say, "One day they will wake up, but it may be too late." They swallow the liberal bait as fact and do not have a clue what they are in for. Parents, pray that your children will learn God's truth and that
Hollywood Infiltration Presently our beloved country has been infiltrated from one end to the other with the One World Socialist agenda, especially the political arena.and the world of entertainment. The movers and shakers who seem to be under a mind altering spell are aligned, and brilliant, at subliminal messages that bombard our minds. Young people have little chance of escaping the subtle brainwashing as they are the main targets. Sadly, most parents are totally unaware that their children's opinions are being formed to bow down to the State and become "citizens of the world." A plethora of movies, television shows, and video games are designed to seduce these young impressionable minds. When foreign corporations started buying into Hollywood, most of us never even noticed. Chinese investors went on a buying spree flooding the entertaunment business. The Liberal infiltration of Hollywood has become the `sixth estate' of government. For the last 25 years investors from Japan, France and India have drawn deals with Warner Brothers. Because revenue from films is one of the most important aspects of the business, excellence in script writing and movie making are rare. Technology with bigger-than-life special affects have taken the place of good content. The almighty dollar along with liberal messages, take presidence. The United Nations is also in the movie making business - propaganda at it's best. Their Godless tenacles have been reaching into Hollywood for years - including using celebrities for Ambassador's and
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advertising. [The UN is also involved in writing and approving our text books.] Where are the Singing in the Rain type movies,which starred "the girl next door" Debbie Reynolds, also starring Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor? As a child, that movie steered me towards Show Business - I was hooked! All through school, I lived and breathed Hollywood, with visions of Academy Awards dancing in my head. It was the era of musicals, comedy's and uplifting films. When I finally moved to California, I met Roy Rogers and Dale Evans who were role models for the entire country. They were Patriots and they loved God. Mama Dale, as she was referred to by many, took me under her wing and was a major blessing in my life. Sorry to say, the profession I chose and loved, is now an embarrasment to the Christian community, as is the political temperature of the country whose flag I honor. The good people of the USA are still hanging on, however, how long can we get away with shaking our fists in the face of a Holy God? During the time of the "studio system" when actors were under contract, the actors had to keep a moral public image. The end of the "studio system" marked the end of Classic Hollywood. The late 20's to the early 60's was known as the Hollywood's Golden Age. Today anything goes! Bad behavior is what gets the publicity. In the early days of film the good guys always won. Many film makers had core Biblical principals. Cecil B. DeMille is legendary for his epic films such as Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, and The Robe, just to name a few of his 70 film classics. Today in Hollywood religious themes are frowned upon. When the Protestant Film Office closed it's doors in 1966, the slippery slope of unacceptable language, nudity, excessive violence and demonic depictions took root. When I did a spot on Sweethearts, a TV game show hosted by Charles Nelson Reilly, we were instructed not to say "Thank the Lord" or "Thank you God" because this was not the place for it. As I mentioned, most shows discourage any form of religion. The exception is when they mock God. Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). The Hollywood atmosophere appears extremely liberal and biased, however, there are many Believers in the shadows.
However, regardless of all the wonderful prayer meetings and folks with good intentions to influence major studios, most entertainment continues to entertain the darkside. Yes, we do have many wonderful Christian films, but most were not made by Hollywood studios. The Bible tells us that there will be a time that good will appear as evil, and evil as good - that time is here. We may be living with the evil in this world, but we do not have to participate! Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8) Ambassador of Prayer Ministries/aprilshenandoah.com ________________________________
Hollywood Activism Remains on the Cutting Room Floor – More than 95 percent of network stories mentioning Hollywood or actors and actresses (106 of 111) ignored celebrity activism or lobbying. Just one story mentioned Hollywood’s cash value to President Obama and other
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The (Blue) Color of Money – There’s no shortage of network coverage of campaign cash – except when it comes to Hollywood political donations. Open Secrets’ report on the 2011 Oscar nominees is just the tip of the industry’s liberal money mountain. Open Secrets lists the TV, movie and music industry as giving $48.7 million in political contributions in 2008 – 78 percent of it to Democrats. Those are numbers the networks should be interested in, but aren’t. Not Ready for Primetime? – The networks are covering many of these stories, just not on their flagship news shows. For instance, in the case of the Halloween party, both ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today” reported it – Matt Lauer even interviewed author Jodi Kantor about it. But the evening shows were different. Only ABC bothered with a single, 30-word mention on “World News.” Fit to Print – Other news outlets aren’t shy about documenting where issues, celebrity and politics intertwine. When Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had an Oval Office meeting with President Obama in January, it made the front page of The Washington Post. The Washington Times reported that actors like Danny DeVito and Jamie Foxx and Hollywood moneyman Jeffrey Katzenberg helped the Obama Campaign raise $7 million in a single evening in Hollywood in September. The networks didn’t. The Plot Thickens – The Obama administration’s cozy relationship with Hollywood allowed it to make repeated overtures to entertainers about helping get its messages across to the public – from a film about the killing of Osama Bin Laden to help with health care advocacy ads to using the National Endowment for the Arts to ask artists to push Obama’s “recovery” agenda. None of it made the evening news shows.
Baba’s Burgers & Gyros www.BabasBurgers.com of celebrities, they may sometimes be doing so against the broader company’s interests. ABC might report the inflammatory statements of an actress on an ABC sitcom or the director of Disney film. But thorough journalism demands nothing less. Go for “Gritty Realism” – From environmental extremists like Robert Redford and Darryl Hanna to socialist dictator admirers like Sean Penn and Danny Glover, to gay rights advocates and anti-war agitators, entertainers often take positions at least half their audience find repellent. Some are more extreme than others. Their audiences have a right to know it. Follow the Money – Few industries give as heavily to one side of the political aisle as does entertainment, and none have anywhere near the glamour that would get the attention of the political establishment. A news organization that explored the implications of loading all that money and star power on one side of the political divide would be doing the nation a service, and presenting viewers with compelling journalism.
WWW.MRC.ORG
Executive SummaryThe Media Research Center’s Culture and Media Institute studied the network evening news broadcasts for the year between Feb. 1, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012, to see how they covered Hollywood’s influence on politics. CMI found:
Democrats.
CONTINUED
Sadly, most Christians in the business stay in the closet because they do not want to lose their jobs. For several years I attended the Media Focus prayer meeting at NBC with Pastor John Probst and Jack Dabner - until the studio shut it down. A few years back, actress Dyan Cannon held God Parties at CBS Studio Center. My friend Lee Benton now conducts a similar meeting at CBS. Pastor Bob Rieth, founder of Media Fellowship, has a very prominate presence in Hollywood, as does Mastermedia founder Larry Poland.
Recommendations When Celebrities Act Like Politicians, Report it – Hollywood is full left-wing activists. They have every right to their opinions, but when their celebrity and wealth allow them access to politicians that most Americans don’t enjoy, networks should let viewers know. Disclose Fully and Report Bravely – If networks faithfully report on the activism VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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the pendulum swings Republicans across the country: "We've had it with your compromising and your political games. We've had it with career politicians in general. You represent what we reject. You represent one of the major reasons we voted for Donald Trump. Your time in DC is over." If recent headlines on Breitbart.com are to be believed—and note that Breitbart was all-in in support of Moore—then establishment GOP candidates up for reelection in 2018 are quaking in fear. (If Breitbart is also to be believed, Jared Kushner strongly advised the president to endorse Strange, providing another alleged example of Kushner counseling the president to do the opposite of what his base would expect.) Third, Moore's victory reminds us that there remain strongly conservative pockets throughout our country for whom biblical values are a positive, not a negative. Let's not forget that Roy Moore is known as the Ten Commandments judge, and for the last 20 years, he has been involved in legal battles to keep these commandments in central, public view. It began when he hung a homemade version of the commandments in his courtroom in Alabama, refusing to remove them after the ACLU successfully sued him. Then, when he became Chief Justice of Alabama, he "installed a 5,280-pound granite block that featured Constitutional quotes and two large tablets with the 10 Commandments outside the state Judicial Building. The move prompted a lawsuit from the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center, among other groups, which Moore dismissed, saying the 10 Commandments were the "moral foundation of U.S. law" and therefore appropriate in a judicial setting." He was ultimately removed from office after refusing to comply with court orders, only to be reelected as chief justice in 2013, "but served only three years before being suspended again, this time for directing probate judges to continue to enforce the state's ban on same-sex marriage despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Moore appealed his removal but then opted to resign and announced he was running for the Senate to replace Jeff Sessions, who had been named U.S. attorney general." This is the man who just crushed establishment candidate Luther Strange, despite the endorsement of President Trump and a flood of establishment money. In his victory speech, Moore said, "As
What the Roy Moore Victory Means
BY MICHAEL BROWN
I
t's often said that you can know a man by his enemies. That being the case, we can know a lot about Judge Roy Moore by a blaring headline on Huffington Post: "Alabama Earthquake: GOP Picks Outsider Bigot." Translated, this means, "GOP Picks Conservative Christian, Anti-Establishment Candidate." Sounds good to me. What does Moore's victory mean in national, political terms? What does it mean in social and cultural terms? First, Moore's victory reminds us that the same anti-establishment wave that brought President Donald Trump into office brought Moore the GOP victory. To the extent Trump is associated with the establishment, to that extent he loses much of his appeal. Conversely, to the extent a candidate is perceived to be antiestablishment, to that extent the candidate is embraced by the core of Trump's base. That's why the president's endorsement of establishment candidate Luther Strange Roy Moore with his wife, Kayla.
only went so far. That's why the investment of $30 million in GOP advertising funds only went so far. Who wants the endorsement of the swamp? Who wants to be part of the swamp? That's why the crowd that attended the Trump rally last Friday in Alabama chanted, "USA, USA" more than "Luther Strange, Luther Strange." And that's why the president had to hedge his bets, with statements like, "I'll be honest, I might have made a mistake." And, "If his opponent wins, I'm going to be here campaigning like (obscenity) for him." That's also why Trump immediately tweeted out congratulations to Judge Moore after his victory was announced, also deleting his earlier tweets supporting Strange. Second, Moore's victory sends a message to the GOP establishment from fed-up
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long as it's constitutional, as long as it advance[s] our society, our culture, our country, I will be supportive. As long as it's constitutional. But we have to return to knowledge of God and the Constitution of the United States to the United States Congress. "I believe we can make America great, but we must make America good, and you cannot make America good without acknowledging the sovereign source of that goodness, the sovereign source of our law, liberty and government, which is Almighty God. We have become a nation that has distanced ourselves from the very foundation. Washington said that of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." Moore also "spoke of protests, demonstrations, mobs and racial strife, but that "we're all made in the image of God." Yes, this is the man who will likely be the next senator from Alabama. To be candid, it sounded like his speech came straight from the pages of Saving a Sick America, where I wrote, "Now, there is a widely circulated, powerful quote attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, a quote that scholars agree does not originate with him. But regardless of who first uttered these words—if not Tocqueville, then one of his contemporaries— I wholeheartedly affirm the sentiments they reflect: "'America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.'" These words underlie the central argument of this book: America can be great only to the extent that America is good, and for America to be good, it must recapture its biblical heritage. Stated another way, a theocracy is not the answer; returning to God's Word is the answer. That was the message of Judge Roy Moore, and that is the message that still resonates with many Americans today. Could it be that the tide is beginning to turn? That we are getting sick and tired of radical liberalism? Could it be? The message from conservative Alabama is loud and clear. Dr. Michael Brown is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Saving a Sick America: A Prescription for Moral and Cultural Transformation.
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Apparently the message is out. More than 3,000 people attended the grand opening of the museum, which is larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Advertising has been big-time too — the venue was advertised in Times Square in New York.
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WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM | VOL.13 #4
follow the money
Good Ol' American Values Trump Hollywood's Agenda In Theaters
The impact was felt overseas and on home video as well.
INNOCENTS, THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, QUEEN OF KATWE, FORSAKEN, HILLARY'S AMERICA, BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT, EQUITY, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016), PO, BEN-HUR (2016), FINDING DORY, THE FINEST HOURS, HIDDEN FIGURES, THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016), RISEN, PATRIOTS DAY, TROLLS, EDDIE THE
Every year, Movieguide速, the family guide to movies and entertainment, conducts a comprehensive study of the content of the major movies released by Hollywood and the major independent film studios to see what kind of content moviegoers in the United States and overseas prefer. Movieguide速's annual study of the political content in more than 275 movies shows that movies with strong pro-American, patriotic, capitalist, antisocialist, anti-communist, and anti-statist content and values make much more money per movie than movies with strong Anti-American, anti-patriotic, welfare statist, Marxist, secular, atheist, leftist, radical feminist and/or very strong perverse content or values reflecting a radical, anti-human view. In fact, movies with at least some strong conservative values and content in 2016 made nearly six times more money overall last year as movies with at least some strong leftist, socialist or statist values and content, $71.09 million per movie versus only $12.45 million per movie. Movies with strong conservative content also totaled $7.85 billion cumulatively at the box office in 2016, compared to only $0.83 billion in 2016 for movies with strong liberal or leftist content. The box office figures don't include the $119 million that the patriotic movie HIDDEN FIGURES from 2016 made in 2017. The more conservative movies released in 2016 included SULLY, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, HACKSAW RIDGE, DENIAL, OPERATION CHROMITE, SING, ZOOTOPIA, ARRIVAL, HAIL, CAESAR!, THE
EAGLE, FREE STATE OF JONES, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, RACE, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, LONDON HAS FALLEN and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, among others. Movies reflecting some strong or very strong Anti-American, left-wing, anticapitalist, politically correct, socialist, atheist, radical feminist, pro-homosexual, and/or pro-communist content or values included CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, MONEY MONSTER, THE HANDMAIDEN, BIRTH OF A NATION (2016), BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK, THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, MISS SLOANE, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, VIVA, DOUGH, THE FOUNDER, JACKIE, A MAN CALLED OVE, EMBRACE OF THE SPIRIT, THE MERMAID, GOLD, NERUDA, DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID, DE PALMA, EAT THAT QUESTION, DESIERTO, WIENER DOG, HIGH-RISE, 20TH-CENTURY WOMEN, MOONLIGHT (2016), THE NEON DEMON and SAUSAGE PARTY, among others. "Movies with more conservative values not only do better in the United States," said Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of Movieguide速, who presented highlights from Movieguide速's 2017 Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry at the 25th Annual Faith & Values
Awards Gala Feb. 10 at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. "They also do better overseas." For example, 50 percent of the Top 10 Movies Overseas in 2016 had at least some strong conservative content or values, but only 20 percent of them had any strong leftist or politically correct content or values at all. The percentage difference was even better among the Top 10 Home Video Sales of 2016 as of Nov. 1, 2016, where 80 percent of the top 10 movie sales on home video had at least some strong conservative values compared to 0 percent for movies with strong leftist values.
BY CHARISMA NEWS.COM, MOVIE GUIDE
An annual box office study shows that in 2016, American moviegoers still preferred movies with strong conservative content or values over movies with strong liberal or leftist values, by about 6-to-one.
"The success of movies with at least some conservative values in 2016 is no fluke," Dr. Baehr said. "It's been true ever since we began doing our comprehensive political analysis 13 years ago in 2003." He pointed out that the combined conservative versus leftist categories are particularly important because they factor out any anomalies in the database. They also show that, overall, conservative movies with solid or strong traditional, patriotic or capitalist moral and political values can usually earn at least four to as much as 12 times more money than leftist movies with solid or strong non-traditional, secular humanist, anti-capitalist, statist or politically correct moral and political values. "People want good to overcome evil, justice to prevail over injustice and liberty to conquer tyranny," Dr. Baehr concluded. "They respond to strong heroes and even strong heroines, but they are turned off by radical anti-capitalist, social engineering schemes, left-wing political correctness and big government programs full of faceless bureaucrats."
VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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his teammates are ruining the game
What NFL Star Benjamin Watson Has to Say About Abortion Athlete and father of five does not hold back on defending the lives of the unborn
BY KATIE NATIONS
NFL
tight end Benjamin Watson of the Baltimore Ravens called out Planned Parenthood for its racist roots and the atrocity of abortion. He gave an interview with LifeSiteNews in which he shared his views. Watson is a self-professed born-again Christian and the married father of five children. He said, “If you are someone who cares about life, period, then you have to care about it from conception all the way up to death. To me, being pro-life means that you hold all life very dear and you understand that all life was created by God and that because of that, life has internal, intrinsic value, whether it’s capable of living on its own at that point or whether it is capable of living on its own at the end of its life.” Planned Parenthood was founded by Margaret Sanger in 1916. Although you won't read about it on the Planned Parenthood website, Sanger once spoke at a KKK rally and believed in negative
eugenics. In a letter written in 1939 to Dr. Clarence Gamble, supporter of both birth control and eugenics, Sanger wrote, "We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population." This is an issue that Benjamin Watson is concerned about — and is not afraid to discuss. "I do know that blacks kind of represent a large portion of the abortions, and I do know that honestly the whole idea with Planned Parenthood and Sanger in the past was to exterminate blacks," Watson told the Turning Point Pregnant Resource Center in San Diego. "And it's kind of ironic that it's working." "We (as minorities) support candidates, and overwhelmingly support the idea of having Planned Parenthood and the like, and yet, that is why she created it. We are buying it hook, line, and sinker," he continued. Benjamin Watson's conviction is that
abortion is wrong. As he wrote on Facebook in response to the Planned Parenthood videos that were released last year — videos that detailed the bartering that allegedly took place over infant body parts — "As horrific as it is, the issue isn't really the sale of human parts. It's the legal practice that allows this to even be a possibility. Killing children and simply discarding the leftovers is not any more acceptable than profiting [from] them." And he is right. Not only is Planned Parenthood founded on evil, racist and corrupt ideology, the allowance of abortions by society is, in and of itself, horrifying. There are other like-minded players in the NFL; however, people are reluctant to discuss controversial issues. The typical response from the Left is to publicly shame, ridicule, and bully those who disagree into silence. Yet the truth must be argued in an effort to literally save the lives of the next generation. Life is a gift bestowed by God the creator. The ideology that innocent life should somehow be deemed worthy or not based on a person's level of convenience is an outright insult to God, who created life. If more Christians bravely and boldly spoke the truth about Planned Parenthood and abortion in general, the opportunity to educate those who have been sold a lie would grow exponentially. The truth would allow an educated choice between life and death, freedom and restraint. Imagine the possibilities. Katie Nations, married for 15 years, is a working mother of three young children. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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Author talks about 'Gosnell,' his own Christianity, and why the culture is stacked against the Right “Why haven’t we made a conservative ‘Comedy Central’? Why haven’t we made a conservative entertainment channel?” asked writer Andrew Klavan during a discussion of today’s pop culture with LifeZette. Klavan is a best-selling novelist who has had his books turned into films like “True Crime” starring Clint Eastwood and “Don’t Say a Word” starring Michael Douglas. He’s familiar with fighting the culture wars, as he has always been open about his conservative leanings, which he now mainly expresses through a podcast called “The Andrew Klavan Show” for Daily Wire. Despite Klavan’s successful writing career, he has faced setbacks in an entertainment industry that contains “no infrastructure to support” conservatives — and is loaded to the Left. Klavan has faced setbacks in an entertainment industry that contains “no infrastructure to support” conservatives. One of his books, “Empire of Lies,” was even temporarily canceled due to politics. “I got a really good contract for it in France and then the editor, who was conservative, left the publishing house. They canceled the publication of the book even though they couldn’t get the money back,” Klavan said in an exclusive interview. He also revealed a company in England requested he remove all Bible references from a novel in his young adult “Homelander” series. “I had to turn them down five times before they left me alone,” said Klavan. The company told him they wouldn’t order as many copies of his book if he refused, and it turned out they weren’t
get invited to parties."
“They’re not preachy books,” said Klavan of his popular young adult series. “The heroes are openly Christian.” He described the faith in the books as an “aspect of character.”
He continued, "Movies are where they were just before the '60s hit, when they were still making movies for the '50s, but they didn't realize that this rebellion was on the way. I think that's happening now. They [people on the Left] are all speaking with one voice, but it's the voice of another generation. They're being rebels for the time of the '60s, while we (the conservatives) are the rebels now."
Klavan's latest book took on faith much more directly. "The Great Good Thing" was released in September of last year and "it's basically the story of why I became a Christian."
BY ZACHARY LEEMAN
Andrew Klavan on Conservative Artists: ‘We’re the Rebels Now’
bluffing.
Klavan was born into the Jewish faith. He became agnostic and even atheist during different periods of his life before turning to Christianity. "By logical thought, I became a Christian," he said. Despite being comfortable with "hiding behind fiction," Klavan decided the story of his conversion was worth telling. "What really did occur to me after a while was that my personal story spoke into this world, where more and more atheism and materialism were becoming the default setting." Klavan said his story of logical thought and how it led him to his newfound faith battles the cultural beliefs put forth that people of faith are "idiots." "My story speaks against that," he said. Along with his latest book, Klavan also took part in the writing of the upcoming film "Gosnell," a movie about the abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell — who was convicted of murder. The film raised over $2 million through crowdfunding and recently screened at CPAC. Despite positive word of mouth and a cast that includes actors like Dean Cain, the movie is having trouble finding distribution, which Klavan believes is a direct result of how today's pop culture is skewed against conservatives. Klavan said conservative films like "Gosnell" face challenges in getting entertainment industry support because the major powers that be and influencers all fit one mold — and it's one unfriendly to anything conservative or against the grain.
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"They [the liberals] have really taken over the flow of information and it's damaging," said Klavan. Supporting a film like "Gosnell" means "you won't get an Oscar. You won't VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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there’s a reason he’s a winner
3 Things I Wish I Knew when I was 21
But the reason I was born with a silver spoon; my dad had only gone to the third grade. That’s all the education he had. But why was I born with a silver spoon in my mouth? Because I was taught by my parents, that life is a matter of making choices, wherever you are, good or bad, it’s because of choices you made. Don’t blame anybody else. But if you get an education, you’re willing to work, and overcome problems and difficulties, in this great country you can amount to something. That’s why I was born with a silver spoon. I was born in this country, and I was taught personal responsibility for choices you make. When we talk about a commitment to excellence, that’s a choice you make. What do you want to do? Having hopes, and dreams and ambition – see I think I was absolutely critical, and don’t make the mistake I made. I’ve done a lot of dumb things, but let me tell you the one thing I regret. We were with the University of Notre Dame, we took a program on the bottom and we took it to the very top. And for nine straight years, we went to a January 1 bowl: the Sugar, the Cotton, the Orange and the Fiesta. Nobody’s done it before. Nobody’s done it since. We put it on top and we maintained it. That’s the thing I regret the most. See there’s a rule a rule in life that says you’re either growing or you’re dying. The tree’s either growing or its dying. So’s grass. So’s a marriage. So’s a business. So’s a person. Doesn’t have a thing to do with age. My birthday candles cost more than the cake. But it has everything to do with my trying to get better. My trying to prove we got on top and say, “You know, this is
When I left Notre Dame, I never thought I’d coach again. Where do you go after Notre Dame? According to my mother, you go directly to heaven and you sit by the Pope. You don’t coach anymore. And then I went to live in a town where the average age was deceased. And what I found out, I wasn’t tired of coaching. You have to have something to hope for, something to dream. Even though you’ve done great things so far, what’s going to happen now?
fun. You’re going to have problems, you’re going to have difficulties. That’s part of life. And don’t tell people about your problems. Do you know that 90% of the people don’t care? And the other 10% are glad you got them, so you’re better off keeping them to yourself. You’re going to have problems. But have fun with what you’re doing. People say, “Did you have fun doing ESPN?” Not really. But if you have fun being there, people have fun being around you. Doesn’t mean I don’t do dumb things. And sometimes I wasn’t real honest.
BY LOU HOLTZ
I
was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I know! I was born in Follansbee, West Virginia. And I went by where I was born last night, about 10:30. I was born in a cellar, at home. Delivered by Dr. McGraw. We had one bedroom for my sister, myself, and my parents. We had a half bath and a kitchen. Seven and a half years we lived in that place. There was no welfare. There were no food stamps. There was no safety net. But I always had plenty to eat, because every time I asked for seconds, my dad would say, “No. You had plenty.”
pretty good, let’s maintain it. Let’s not take any risks.” We finished second in the country at Notre Dame and everybody called me an idiot. Guy finishes last in medical school, they call him doctor. That doesn’t seem fair.
Do everything to the best of your ability with time allotted. You know, ladies and gentlemen, not all of us can be AllAmerican. Not everybody can be first team. Everybody can be the best you’re capable of being. And I want to tell you. If you want to fail, you have the right to fail. That’s what’s great about this country. You do not have the right to cause other people to fail because you don’t do everything to the best
I want to give you a simple plan. Life doesn’t have to be complicated. I try to keep life simple. Do you realize, there are only seven colors of the rainbow? Only seven! Look what Michelangelo did with those seven colors! There’s only seven musical notes. Look what Beethoven did with those seven notes! There’s only 10 numbers. Look what Bernie Lou Holtz Madoff did with those 10 numbers. The point I make is, it doesn’t of your ability. When you join a spouse, you have to be complicated. bring a child into the world, you join a business, you join a team, you have See, you need four things in your life. If you obligations and responsibilities, and you don’t have any of these things in your life, owe it to other people to do the maximum you’re going to have a tremendous void. you can at each and everything you do. It’s See, everybody needs something to do. not complicated. Number two, everybody needs someone to love. Number three, everybody needs And the last rule is show people you care. someone to believe in. In my case, it’s Jesus When you walk into a room, is your attitude Christ, our Lord and Savior. But the fourth “Hey, here I am. Look at me.”? It’s like, no. thing you need in your life is you need Or is your attitude, there you are, how can something to hope for. There’s never a right I help you? I wish I knew those three rules time to do the wrong thing. And there’s when I was 21. I’ve used them for the last never a wrong time to do the right thing. 40 years. There’s a statue of me at Notre Just do what’s right. I think it’s right to be Dame. I guess they needed a place for the honest. Right to be on time. pigeons to land. If you go look at it, look at three words on the pedestal: trust, See, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy life. Have commitment, love. VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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if you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat out
Why Poor Tipping Compromises the Gospel
BY RAYMOND JOHNSON, BAPTIST PRESS
"S
o that was a friendly Christian person?" After making that statement, one of my restaurant coworkers -- a divorced, agnostic man working two jobs to pay child support -- tossed a receipt with a circle around the subpar tip he had received from a Christian individual sitting at his table. In fact, the tip was less than subpar -- barely 10 percent on a $90 bill. I thought about ignoring him, but I have been attempting to share the Gospel with this coworker for a while. "Not all Christian people treat others that way," I said softly. I have been serving tables at a restaurant for several years in order to support my wife and children and to pay my way through graduate school. Repeatedly, I have observed Christian people -- or people who identify themselves as Christians by wearing Christian T-shirts/apparel or their Christian conference name tag, etc. -- come into the restaurant at which I work, pray for their food after acting rudely toward their server, leave a 10 percent tip (give or take a few percent) and a Gospel tract, and then leave. Whether Christians are aware of it or not, a subpar tip is a stumbling block in communicating the Gospel. It causes unbelieving servers to think that we, as Christians, value money over everything and everyone else (1 Timothy 6:10). So, my coworker, like many other servers, interprets such actions (poor tips from alleged Christian people) as stingy. Tragically, the result -- though it may be unfair -- is that many servers have identified the majority of Christians as a contingent of people who care little for others. They hear Christians promise them that God is just and fair and that He is a generous King who is lavish with His mercy and kind toward others. Christians promise them that the Gospel they preach is for all people right before they metaphorically clinch their money in their fist and tip poorly; refusing money to laborers who are worthy of their wages (1 Timothy 5:18; Matthew 10:10). Now, to be sure, both believers and unbelievers can leave poor tips and fair tips. But, the Scripture teaches that Christians, more than all people, should be characterized by generosity and love, not simply by "fairness," because they were first loved even though they were most
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undeserving (1 John 4:19). It seems that the deeper issue is not a knowledge of what is culturally fair or economically acceptable when it comes to tipping servers. Rather, the issue is a lack of recognition by Christians that we have received out of God's fullness (John 1:16); that we have received because God generously provided His Son for us and for our salvation (Romans 5:9; 1 John 4:9).
Christian people whose argument for tipping poorly -- or less than generously fair -- goes something like this: "Servers understand that their job is to sell themselves to me so that I tip them well. So, if they fail to meet my dining expectations then I am not obligated to reciprocate with a fair tip after paying for the meal." SEE ALSO: Teen Money Tips: 5 Tips for Turning Adolescents into Fiscally Smart Adults
Though this may seem reasonable, it is precisely this desire to prefer the self (in What Christians may not realize is that, by this case, by preferring the dining tipping servers poorly, they are in danger experience) that must be crucified when it of living inconsistently with the Gospel they comes to tipping generously. When the preach. Indeed, poor tips are an example of patron, especially the Christian patron, what Moses teaches in Deuteronomy 25 -prefers himself by preferring the dining muzzling an ox when it is treading out grain experience, he fails to communicate that (Deuteronomy 25:4). It relinquishes the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of responsibility to the Great Commission, grace, that because of the Gospel of Jesus because the Gospel is about grace. Of all the Christ there are things that are far Waiter’s Reaction to a Christian more significant than leaving a Bible Track instead of a tip a pleasurable dining experience. The real heart issue when it comes to poor tipping is a lack of awareness of how great and vast the debt was that God generously and graciously forgave because he loves us.
people in the world, Christians should understand that they are unworthy to be recipients of the great mercy, grace and generosity shown them in Christ. Even an unbelieving person can tip fairly, but Christians should be more than "fair" tippers, they should be generous because God has generously provided redemption for them through His Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47). For the Christian, tipping shouldn't be contingent upon the dining experience. When a Christian determines the tip percentage of the bill based on quality of service or uniqueness of the dining experience, he or she contradicts grace and flirts dangerously with greed. It is flirting with greed because it forgets, at least momentarily, that undeserved grace is shown to us every day. Recently, I have dialogued with many
WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM | VOL.13 #4
Now, the reader should understand that I am not saying that patrons do not have the right to communicate that their dining experience was poor. I am saying, however, that leaving a subpar tip does not communicate that the dining experience was poor (unfortunately, it often happens, as in the account mentioned above, when service was superb and when the patron had no complaint). Rather, the Christian patron should tip generously and then notify a manager or supervisor of the lack of service. Regardless of the dining experience, all persons created in the likeness of God deserve a fair wage (Genesis 1:27). For the server, tips are wages, not donations. Sadly, a large portion of the people that I work with have received less than generous tips from many customers who have identified themselves with the Gospel. As a result, a significant portion of nonChristians working as servers have
motel housekeepers are supposed to get tips distanced themselves from the Gospel preached to them by Christians. It seems the only way to rectify this is for Christians to recognize our position in Christ -- we are the recipients of unmerited grace by a generous God -- and give generously so that others may know that their treasure is indeed found in Someone else, Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19-21). Raymond Johnson and his wife, Meghan, live in Louisville with their two daughters, Abigail and Charlotte. He is a PhD student in New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is on the ministerial
staff at Ninth & O Baptist Church, and is a server at Mitchell's Fish Market. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter , Facebook , and in your email . _________________________________ editor’s note: I used to have a relative that would leave a Bible tract instead of a tip because he thought that was the greatest tip they could possibly receive. That is an affront to the very faith that teaches generosity is a key indicator of a believer. Since our ministry opened the Gold Star Family Inn we have been saddened how many Christians will praise our facility for Honoring the Families of the Fallen (by providing free lodging to the
families that paid the highest price for our freedom and defense of our country.) and then leave no tip at all for our housekeepers. This is in despite of our envelopes in the rooms stating that if there was a problem with housekeeping tell us. If not be generous to our workers. Just a few dollars left can change our workers’ entire financial health in any given season. Where did they get the idea it was okay not to tip in a motel? My personal guideline in a restaurant is 10% if the waiter at least got most of the order correctly, 15% for good service and 20% if they overheard us talk about Jesus.
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Fortunately, at the end of the day, liberals love money more than ideologies. They will cave on almost every left wing passion if it affects their pocketbook. VOL.13 #4 | WWW.AMERICAN CHRISTIAN VOICE.COM
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picking on wrong confederate? contributions that were made by the sacrifices of those that have made this country great. Those folks were even proud of the wait many endured just to get a foot upon the shores of “America,” and cried and kissed the ground as they touched it. The symbol of “America” was strong and many could hardly wait to get here, and proud and productive once they did. Did they have a hard time, sure many of them did, and there were even a few criminals in the lot. But, overall they valued what they sort after and what they found here and built upon it, many have fought for our continued Freedom.
TEARING DOWN OUR STATUES AND HISTORY
BY ALLAN McINNIS
T
here are some very sad and irresponsible actions taking place across our nation these days. Some of the people involved have assumed the “aura” of being in a responsible position and others appear to be simply trouble makers and agitators looking to start trouble. It should be very troubling to any true American to see symbols of our heritage, our “American History” being desecrated by a bunch of hoodlums, racists, and bigots, searching to make a statement and do as much damage to our country as they can. What is just as troubling, if not more so, is to see mayors and governors supporting such desecration either verbally or by not stopping it. This is not just protesting, it is the destruction of “public property” that in many cases has been paid for by our tax dollars. This kind of action and thinking is simply a "lead in" to changing our American History to make it "politically correct," and "falsify" it to the "socialists" way of thinking. One of the ways to take over of our country is to erase our History and then rewrite our History books. Folks our country is under attack and it needs to be counteracted and stopped before it is too late if our national History is to survive. More so than with most countries our History is unique in the History of the World. Our valiant fight for freedom and liberty in our established Republic “Of the people, By the people, and For the people” has set the highest standard for living in the World. The “Freedom” inherent within our society has been secured by all of our battles against tyranny, aggression, and injustices, including our continued battles in the area of civil rights for all. Many countries have been embroiled in wars of one nature or another from time to time. Our early war for freedom provided a new perspective on exactly what was meant by “Freedom,” and it positioned us as a “lighthouse” for the rest of the World to see our “shining beacon” beaming bright the promise of a better life. We have from our very beginning welcomed to our shore those that legally sort the same and we welcomed and assimilated them into the new way of life America offered. Most of those coming into our country became very prosperous, and some even major contributors to our productive way of life, and improving the lives of many. Those folks valued what we fought for, and what we stood for, and the
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Some may see the symbols of the Civil War as those of "bigotry and racism," but they are much more elevated, they are the symbols of a very courageous people on both sides, believing that “they” were protecting the great nation from itself. Actually the Civil War was certainly about “slavery,” but it was also more about “states rights, taxes, and economy” with “slavery” being a kind of “second issue” at the time. The Civil War has been the greatest tragedy that has ever occurred within this nation. The “tax” issue has long been forgotten, but the ramifications of the “slavery issue” have lasted all these many years, even with major improvements having been gained. Why then can these symbols not be seen as representing those of great courage and for the many battles that have brought us to where we are today, and as symbols of encouragement for continuing to right wrongs. Instead there are those that want to disparage them, the ancestry, and the battles of each side, and they are becoming symbols for "two wrongs are suppose to make it right." This should never be happening, and it is being used by a bunch of rowdies to anger people and once again start new battles with different natures. This destruction has to be stopped now, and those that cannot see and appreciate our nations History and lack the courage to stand up for it, should not be allowed to hold public office, any public office. Those that are allowing the destruction of public property they are sworn to protect should be removed from office and put in jail. Judges and courts that cannot see clearly the need to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States as it protects the integrity of the nation first, and the inalienable rights of its citizens, needs to be removed from any
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sitting. We have no room or tolerance for the imposing of any other country doctrines, laws, or documents of organization, other than our U.S. Constitution and dully congress passed Laws. Why we give a wide berth to those that seem to want to reduce our country to a Robert E. Lee state of nothing, standing for anything is beyond reason. And why we have those in responsible leadership positions that simply allow the tearing down and the destruction of our documents and property is simply beyond reasonable understanding. Certainly part of the blame can be placed at the feet of our schools, colleges, and universities that have vacated their role of “instructing and learning” to provide a vehicle for “distrust, disgust, and violent challenge” to everything we have stood for. The “teaching and understanding” of our History, our Civics, and the strength found within our Constitution, is the basis of our survival as a nation. Teaching how to tear at every facet of those is not supporting any of them, but fringes on instructions in tyranny. I believe we need “productive instruction” not fringe upon “destructive instruction,” teaching “goodness” instead of avoiding it. Students in our country should be “excelling” instead of falling behind others. Tearing down symbols of History and destroying property is not “power building,” it is irresponsible, crude, unlawful, and tyrannical behavior by people that have chosen to become enemies of the peace, and our national stability. Our government leaders pledged for our “our safety, protection of public heath, and the right to a secure an peaceful living environment.” They need to protect our History by not supporting, or allowing, this anarchy and wanton destruction. Our “right to peacefully protest” should certainly be protected, but protests involving destruction of property should result in
immediate arrest, no matter who they are, or what they may represent. To do otherwise is a direct threat to the integrity of our Laws and nation, and poses a dire threat to every individual. It must be stopped with equal respectful force immediately before it becomes to large to control, and respect for order disappears and “mob rule” becomes real. Don’t forget we separated from the British in a very similar manner. Let not ourselves be separated from ourselves by the actions of a few. Allan McInnis can be reached at allanmcinnis@yahoo.com _____________________________________ Robert E Lee is well known for being the general of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War. He is revered by his supporters for his devotion to duty and his brilliant tactical success against a stronger opposition. Here are eight interesting facts about him. #1 Robert E Lee’s father served as the governor of Virginia - Robert E Lee’s father Henry Lee III fought under generals George Washington and Nathaniel Greene in the American Revolution; served as the ninth governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794; and was Major General in the US army from 1798 to 1800. #2 In 1825 Robert graduated from West Point without any demerits. In the early part of his career, Lee served as a military engineer with his duties varying from budgeting to building designs for buildings. He was known for his attention to detail. #3 Robert married the great granddaughter of Martha Washington. Lee had known Mary Custis from childhood and they married on June 30, 1831. The couple went on to have seven children. CrossWord Answers to Page 27
#4 His tactical planning contributed in America winning the Mexican War. During the Mexican-American War (18461848), Lee was put under General Winfield Scott. He learned from General Scott’s ability to outthink the enemy, plan precisely and react intelligently to overcome adverse situations in battles. Lee fought with distinction #5 Robert E Lee was against the Civil War Lee foresaw a long and difficult war and wanted peaceful resolution of the differences between North and South. He also didn’t want Virginia to secede (withdraw formally) from the Union so that his various loyalties—to country, army, state, and family—could remain intact. He also considered secession a betrayal of the efforts of the founders. #6 He struggled to decide his loyalties in the Civil War
was not arrested but he lost his right to vote. He accepted an offer to become the president of Washington College in 1865 and remained so till his death. Lee suffered a stroke on September 28, 1870 and died 2 weeks later due to the effects of pneumonia. Due to heavy rains, the only undamaged coffin that could be found for him was a little short and hence he was buried without his shoes. #8 Ironically his property was over-run and confiscated by the Unionists and used as a burial ground for the soldiers of the North. We know that place today as Arlington National cemetery. There is much debate about his inheriting slaves from his passing father -in law and by honoring his wishes to free them five years after his death. Of all the letters by Lee that have been collected by archivists and historians over the years, one of the most famous was written to his wife in 1856. “In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution, is a moral & political evil in any Country,” Prior to that, we was never a vocal opponent against it.
In March 1861, Lee was promoted to full colonel by US President Abraham Lincoln. However a few weeks later Virginia seceded and Lee was offered command of the Union forces as major general. He declined the offer as it would require him to invade the South. Mary Lee later called the moment of choosing between the Union and Virginia as “the “Exceptional Dental Care for a Lifetime” severest struggle” of her husband’s life. We Offer Quality, Lee prayed for two Caring General Dentistry days after which he resigned from the US The power of army and accepted EXCELLENCE command of to create beautiful smiles! Virginia’s forces.
Kay E. Knipschild, D.D.S.
#7 He was buried without his shoes After the war, Lee
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www.KingdomXperience.org getting crazier by the minute. I can’t believe this is real. They are asking us to pay $800 dollars for a rotten banana? An item that I didn’t even remember was inside my bag? This was an honest mistake. As my thoughts continued, I began crying. My husband reluctantly got his credit card out and paid the fine. Then we left and went on into Fiji.
The Eight Hundred Dollar Banana
I
BY DR. MARLA WOODMANSEE
filled out the form for the port of entry into Fiji, the standard procedure for entering a foreign country: “Name, address, purpose for visit, etc.” There were also questions to answer: “Are you bringing any of the following items into the country: Prohibited articles, meat/ dairy/ fish/poultry, seeds/ plants/ fruits/ flowers/ other planting materials, etc.” I didn’t have any of those items so I answered “no” to all the questions. After exiting the airplane, I turned my form in at the designated counter and placed my carry-on bag onto the conveyor belt that would be scanned and searched for any unusual items. After it went through, security on the other side asked me if I had any food items in my bag. “No,” I said. To my surprise, he reached his arm down into the bottom of my bag and pulled out an old, gross, black, rotten banana. Stunned, I began to recall that a week prior I had placed a banana into my bag for a
snack as my husband and I were leaving our resort for an excursion during our stay in New Zealand. This was our 15th wedding anniversary trip and it had been great so far with a week full of fun-filled adventures in New Zealand. We were feeling refreshed and relaxed while entering Fiji until security found a banana in the bottom of my bag and began to question me. “That will be 800 US dollars,” the security man said. “WHAT?” “DID YOU SAY EIGHT HUNDRED US DOLLARS?” Then I began to explain why there was a banana in the bottom of my bag. It was an honest mistake. I forgot that I had placed it in there. I pleaded for mercy and forgiveness, but the man acted as if he didn’t hear me. After I pleaded my case for quite a while, the man said that I could pay the fine or go to court to give my explanation to a judge. I thought, Go to court? What? Are you kidding me? In Fiji? This is crazy and is
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Mistakes, everybody makes them. But, how do you recover and get past them? How do you move forward? In Scripture, the apostle Paul had made many mistakes. Prior to following Jesus, he had murdered numerous good people. I’m sure the guilt and thought of his past was upset him at times. But, Paul learned that Jesus forgave all his sins and that he didn’t have to be defined by his past mistakes. Instead of dwelling on what he had done wrong, he began to do what’s right. He couldn’t change his past, but he could change the course of his future. Paul understood that it is not how we begin our life, but how we finish it. In Philippians 3: 13-14, Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” God desires that you repent for your sins and mistakes and move forward. He doesn’t want you to live with guilt, condemnation, and frustration. Jesus died to set you free. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confess your sins and mistakes to the Lord, then choose to put your past in the past, and move on. God said, “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins [no more]” (Isaiah 43:25). Stop allowing your past to define your
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future. Paul went from murdering people to becoming a person who influenced millions, and possibly billions of people, to place their trust in Jesus Christ. Paul helps us understand that it is only through Jesus that you will find meaning, purpose, love, forgiveness, and contentment. FORGET THE THINGS IN YOUR PAST: THE EIGHT-HUNDRED-DOLLAR ROTTEN BANANAS, AND ALL THE OTHER HORRIBLE MISTAKES! It is time to move on! Dr. Marla is a radio host, motivational speaker, and a writer. She is available to speak at your next event!
Marla Woodmansee can be heard on KLFC at 6:45 am CST. Listen in anywhere in the world at: www.klfcradio.com
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the NFL will change position when the $ stops flowing
BY KATHRYN BLACKHURST, POLIZETTE.COM
Mnuchin: NFL Anthem Protests Not About Party, Race — About Respect for Country Treasury secretary slams league for 'picking and choosing what they want to enforce' Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin criticized leaders of the National Football League for “picking and choosing what they want to enforce” when it comes to players kneeling during the national anthem played before their games, during an interview Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week.” President Donald Trump ignited a fierce national debate on Friday when he slammed players who choose to protest racial injustice by refusing to stand for the national anthem. Trump asked his supporters, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b**ch off the field right now. He is fired.'” The NFL commissioner, football players and other American sports stars took to social media to criticize Trump. But Mnuchin argued that the president was not seeking to sow discord but rather start a conversation "about respect for the country" and respect for those "who have made great, great sacrifices" to protect the freedoms sports stars enjoy. When ABC reporter Martha Raddatz asked Mnuchin if the issue at stake was football players' First Amendment rights, Mnuchin replied, "No, it's not." "They have the right to have their First Amendment off the field. This is a job, and the employers have the right when the players are working to have rules," Mnuchin said. "This isn't about politics. This is about respect for the country and the people who have made great, great sacrifices for this country." Noting that the NFL "has all different types of rules" about its players' conduct and
"But race relations didn't improve under his tenure either," Short said of former President Barack Obama's eight years in office. "I think the president believes it is his role to improve race relations ... so we are anxious to engage in that conversation. I think you'll see the president take action on that. ———————-
Jason Whitlock says what NFL players are afraid to admit about Kaepernick’s protest "Sports critic Jason Whitlock assailed the “stupidity” of Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest while explaining that NFL players are likely afraid to speak out against him over fear of the backlash. “I wanna know why NFL players aren’t offering voices of dissent,” Whitlock said to Tucker Carlson on his Fox News show Monday night. “There are NFL players, black and white,” he said, “who know that if you really want to address police brutality, social injustice, inequality in this country, protesting the national anthem is the perfect way for your message to get completely lost. “If Colin Kaepernick or any of these players,” he added, “if you’re a starting NFL quarterback, you have a huge platform and an opportunity to go on any TV, any radio show you want, any newspaper magazine article you want, and you can legitimately voice your complaints. “If you protest during the national anthem,” he explained, “of course, there are gonna be a massive amount of people that never hear a word you say, won’t understand your message at all, and you can’t tell me that there aren’t NFL players who recognize the stupidity of the style of protest Colin Kaepernick has chosen, but they’re all afraid to say it because of the backlash. “So again, the cowardice or the real fear is stating the truth about the idiocy about what Kaepernick has done,” he concluded. “That’s where the backlash has come from, and people are afraid to voice that.” The controversy of the nation anthem protest flared up again after many criticized NFL owners for not adding Kaepernick to their roster as a backup quarterback. Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King said that blacks and all Americans should boycott the NFL over their blackballing of Kaepernick because of his protests. Whitlock is a former ESPN contributor, but he’s frequently assailed for his politically incorrect opinions about politics in sports.
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BY THE BLAZE.COM
appearance while on the job, the Treasury secretary argued "the president is saying that the owners should have a rule that players should have to stand in respect for the national anthem." "Why does the NFL have all these other rules that they enforce, that they fine players? This is about respect for the military, the first responders," Mnuchin said. "So the NFL is picking and choosing what they want to enforce." "This isn't about Democrats. It's not about Republicans. It's not about race. It's not about free speech. They can do free speech on their own time, that this is about respect for the military and first responders and the country," Mnuchin added. Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short also defended the president's NFL remarks, telling NBC News' "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd that "the president is standing with the vast majority of Americans who believe that our flag should be respected." "There are ways to express concerns about social causes, Chuck. But there's also generations of Americans who've fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy that are represented in that flag and our national anthem," Short said. "And I think the president is saying, 'Yeah, players have a First Amendment right. But NFL owners also have a right, and that right is that these players represent their teams. And if the owners want to get rid of them, they should be allowed to get rid of them.'" When Todd asked him about how the president's criticisms of black football players protesting the national anthem may impact strained race relations, Short pointed out that "we had a historic election in 2008 electing the first African-American president."
The beginning of woes for the NFL
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