The Older Prophets

This summer two older prophets phoned me, one of whom hasn’t called me in decades, to speak words that I was to retire from the campus preaching and devote myself to writing and scheduled speaking engagements, etc.

Both men were apparently primarily concerned for my safety and possibly my life. There are not many ministers in my circle of friends who both in age and service are older than I am. Therefore, I listened carefully; I have weighted their words and warnings. In recent years I have also heard inner voices, especially during the summer break, that it was time for me to finish my course with a more respectable ministry.

My goal for decades has been to survive at least for a half-century on campus, which means I have at least two more years to go. I know of no other way to reach more people with the gospel than on campus in the open-air, person to person. Normal social distancing doesn’t last long when we preach. We are quickly eye-ball to eyeball with the raging heathen, who refused to keep their distance even in the pre-virus era.

Since the end of March, I have been devoting myself to “virtual ministry.” In past years during my summer furlough by the end of July, I sense a stirring in my spirit to return to my preaching post as guardian and watchman. Such restlessness, I have considered to the rousing of the Holy Ghost calling me to the battlefield. The other voices, I conclude, are from evil spirits or my own spirit seeking more rest and relaxation. This academic year, as the time draws nigh for campuses to reopen, I have been feeling those old Holy Ghost stirrings. Of course, there are also times when I myself have to like Timothy, “Stir up the gift on God that is within you!”

The Scriptures may be the minister’s most reliable direction for God’s guidance, especially those which speak of similar situations and circumstances in which one finds himself. In Acts 21:10-14, Agabus, a prophet, who comes from Judea, confronts Paul in Caesarea as the apostle is on his way to Jerusalem. Agabus takes Paul’s belt and ties up his own hands and feet with it and prophesied, “The Holy Ghost says, In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.” When the people in Paul’s party hear the prophecy of Agabus, they do whatever they can to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem, but he is resolute. Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

When Paul would not be persuaded, his travel companions ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” We are not told, if the purpose of Agabus’ prophecy was to mentally prepare Paul for what would befall him at Jerusalem or rather to warn him not to go.

We do know that the Lord had previously spoken to Paul’s Spirit, because shorty before his encounter with Agabus, in Paul’s farewell address to the elders at Ephesus, Paul said in Acts 20:18-27:18 “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Ghost testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

At 77 years old, I am likely on the final stretch of my race. After all these decades, I remain under the compulsion of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful to the prophetic brethren for their concern in what they consider to be in my best interests. Certainly, their admonitions have influenced me to once again count the cost.

Therefore, on August 17th Bro Jed & Co are scheduled to return to the campuses, not knowing what will befall us in the midst of the noisome pestilence and Antifa and BLM insurrection. Perhaps most dangerous is a significant percentage of students diagnosed with mental disorders who are on mental medications and others that are high on illegal drugs. Both the meds and the dope can be psychologically lethal to the consumers and possibly lethal to those who are challenging them. We will continue to offer the anarchists, the crazies and the few serious students the peace that passes all understanding, through the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. “The will of the Lord be done!” Amen.

The Mighty Yankees Have Been Brought to Their Knees

The opening of the shorten baseball season was perhaps the most disgraceful moment in the history of our National Game when the NY Yankees and Washington Nationals bowed in unison to unamerican Marxists under the guise of “racial justice.”

“It was important for us, and for the Yankees, that everybody bought in and we had full participation and presented a united front during that moment,” said one of the Nationals pitchers, “Holding the ribbon, kneeling, to show support for the other athletes who have done it in other sports … to show support for the movement of Black Lives Matter and ending police brutality and racism and injustice.”

When I was a youth the Washington team was called the Senators, they had a reputation for ineptness, usually finishing in last place in the American League.

Now, the Washington Nationals are supposed to be defending their title as World Champions but they surrendered with a whimper to the enemies of freedom and America. Evidently, the ghosts of the old Washington Senators took possession of the shameful “champs.”

One descriptive word for baseball is “Tradition.” The Nationals have hardly established themselves as winners. On the other hand, there is no team in the history of sports which has more of a winning tradition than the Yankees.

What would the Pride of the Yankees, the Iron Man of Baseball, Lou Gehrig say about this disgusting humiliation of his team? Lou. in his farewell address at home plate in Yankee Stadium, months before his untimely death at age 37 of the disease named after him. said, “Today, I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Looking down on his team he must be saddened.

Old Yankee Stadium was called, “The House that Ruth Built.” Would he have taken a knee? Certainly, not. What would George Steinbrenner have done if any of his players tried such a thing when he owned the Yankees? Likely, he would see that they soon would be hanging up the powerful Yankee Pin-Stripes. As for the Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, he would be jolted. The Yankee’s manager, coaches and players all should have their pinstripes ripped off.

No person or institution has done more to promote racial integration, since Branch Rickey’s Brooklyn Dodger’s signing of Jackie Robinson, than baseball. Baseball has been more influential than all the civil rights leaders together, including M. L. King.

At the time of Rickey and Robinson, the Yankees and Dodgers often met in the World Series. The San Francisco Giants. when they were planted in NY, used to be another strong rival of the Yankees. Manager Leo Durocher would be cussing out his 50’s Giant team, if they even thought to do as the current so-called Giants did. Let’s change their name to the S.F. Dwarfs.

The once-proud Yankees, Dodgers and Giants bowed on opening day. The Mets now deserve the title as the prideful team. When they played the Atlanta Braves, players from neither team bowed.

WE AIN’T DEAD YET!

Considering that the colleges have for generations have been brainwashing students with humanism, secularism and socialism, I am somewhat surprised that Harvard, which sets the standard, are not having in person classes. Harvard and state universities are not in reality all that concerned about student health.

Promiscuous students are in greater danger of contracting an STD or becoming addicted drugs or alcohol or committing suicide, any or all of which will have a worse long-term effect on their lives than the virus from which well over 90% will recover should they come down with the infamous THING.

So, I can’t believe that health hazards are the real motive for the shutdown. Although you never know, liberals tend to be fearful people. Perhaps the administrators and professors are genuinely fearful of dying from the virus.

Why encourage freshmen to live on campus since there will be no classes to attend? I suppose they don’t want them missing out on “the college experience” of the wild parties and orgies. After all, some of the incoming freshmen [P.C. speak says, “first year students”] may actually come from good homes and are still virgins.

We can’t have Harvard graduating virgins, indicating that they still have morals and manners. Once they break down students’ morals, they will be open to any lie or vain philosophy, which the professors promote.

The colleges must figure that most of college age students are already thoroughly conditioned to unquestionably accept any of the latest isms being propagated on campus. Students are pretty much brain dead by the time they have finished elementary school these days.

So now they have a group of 18 to 22-year-old youth, who are unemployed and mostly without skills, who are available to wreak havoc in the city streets and soon the suburbs and completely transform the culture and society into the godless Marxist image. The people want to rid the world of ranting “boomers” like myself and just can’t wait for us to die off.

But we ain’t dead yet!

John Wayne’s Role in Manifest Destiny

One of the many highlights of President Trump’s Mount Rushmore address was his renewal of the concept of Manifest Destiny, which fell into disfavor early in the 20th Century among academic historians and socialist types. One good thing about Hollywood, it kept the vision alive through the Western genera. John Wayne was the leading actor promoting the Western Expansion. He would have loved the Trump presidency.

The President said, “Above all, our children from every community must be taught that to be American is to inherit the spirit of the most adventurous and confident people ever to walk the face of the Earth. Americans are the people who pursued our Manifest Destiny across the ocean, into the uncharted wilderness, over the tallest mountains, and then into the skies, and even into the stars.”

Manifest Destiny was a termed coined in the mid-19th Century, which expressed the Pilgrim and Puritan idea that America was the New Israel. The term reveals the pioneer spirit, the Westward Movement and 19th-Century development, of my land of your land, from Sea to Shining Sea.

Prophetically, the United States of America was destined by Providence to expand its dominion and spread Christian Civilization, liberty and free-enterprise across the entire North American continent.

“Westward Ho!”

Stand aside heathens!

Upward and Onward!

“In the Providence of God”

Mayor de Blazio of NY has ordered that the statue of Teddy Roosevelt to be removed from the Museum of Natural History. The accusation is that TR was a colonialist, as if that makes him bad. Roosevelt was an imperialist, who wanted to and worked to make America first among the nations of the world, especially by building up her naval power.Today, colonization is considered bad by people ignorant of history. America went through her own colonial period from the founding of the first permanent settlement in Jamestown in 1607 until our Declaration of Independence in 1776. This was a necessary and productive phase for our country. Without the British and Americans fighting together in the French and Indian War, we might have ended up French instead of English.Like America, Africa’s colonization by European powers was good for “the Dark Continent,” mainly by introducing Christian Civilization to a landmass dominated by animism, which discourages development, progress and industrialization. You know, we can’t offend the ancestors by improving our condition and environment. In the providence of God, the first African slaves were brought to Virginia in 1619. Initially, they were usually regarded as indentured servants, who could earn their freedom, which is also the means by which most Europeans were able to come to the New World.Unfortunately, by the 1660’s, Africans were transported to America in shackles for a lifetime of involuntary servitude. Still, they had the good fortune of being introduced to Christianity long before blacks, who were stuck in Africa heard the Christian message from the likes of David Livingston in the 19th Century. Today, the black churches are the strongest institution in their communities.No president has ever embodied the American spirit more than TR. He was an adventurer, explorer, cowboy, “rough rider” and our most literate president; he was strenuous, exuberant and epitomized manliness, even fighting boxing matches in the WH. TR said, “I don’t envy the man who lives the life of ease.” On the other hand, Mayor de Blasio is just the opposite and represents, more than any prominent politician, everything that the American spirit stands against.

“Trump Rescues Jackson”

It is fitting that President Trump rescued President Andrew Jackson’s statue from being pulled down last night in Lafayette Square. Jackson, a Democrat, is reportedly Trump’s favorite president. He has a portrait of Jackson hanging in a prominent place in the Oval Office.

Donald Trump reminds me of our seventh president, 1829-1837. Both men were Presbyterians. Jackson was of Scot/Irish ancestry, Trump is Scot/German.

Jackson was known for a volcanic temperament; he killed a man in a duel. And he challenged others to duels and was a noted brawler. If it was legal today, Trump might be a duelist instead of threatening law suits.

Jackson’s beloved wife, Rachel, was accused of being a bigamist; Trump’s wife has been photographed in the near nude from her days as a model.

Jackson had an unruly shock of red hair, which was completely gray by the time he became president. Trump’s wild orange hair is distinctive.

Jackson was known as a supporter of the common man., On Inauguration Day “low life westerners” invaded the White House and its grounds. Trump appeals to the blue collar class [the deplorables] and “red necks” with his populist policies.

Jackson was the founder of the Democrat Party; Trump is taking the Republican Party in a new direction.

Jackson’s political opponents referred to him as a “jackass,” which eventually became the symbol of the Democrat Party. His adversaries also called him a demagogue, referring to him as, “King Andrew.” Jackson championed transferring power from the political elites to the ordinary voters.

Jackson was never accepted by the Washington “elite,” as revealed in the Peggy Eaton Affair.

Jackson is credited by historians for introducing the “spoils system” into national politics on a scale hitherto unmatched. The spoils system refers to the old adage, “To the victor belongs the spoils.”

As the federal government was growing an entrenched bureaucracy from previous administrations acted as a foil to Jackson’s policies. Jackson advocated a “clean sweep” of political opponents deep rooted in his administration and replacing them with his political allies.

Trump has faced a similar problem called the deep state or the swamp, which he has vowed to drain.

Jackson, like Trump, was a strong nationalist, opposing the threaten secession of S.C. Trump is still working on building his great wall. Trump neutralized ISIS. Jackson was tough in defeating the British at the Battle of New Orleans and the Indians in the Seminole War. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act; which result in their forced removal to Oklahoma. Trump has promised to remove illegal immigrants.

During Jackson’s presidency Michigan was admitted to the Union in 1837; Trump’s victory in Michigan was the death blow to Hillary’s run for the presidency.

Jackson was known as an energetic man of action with the most commanding presidential personality of the 18th and 19th Centuries. His dynamism was developed on the frontier and in the Indian Wars. Jackson was regarded as a national hero, which mounted him to the Presidency.

Teddy Roosevelt had the most commanding personality of the 20th Century. Trump’s personality developed in the business and entertainment industries arguably surpasses all the presidents. Trump was a celebrity with the media, politicians of both parties and Hollywood before running for president.

Jackson was one of the most controversial Americans of the 19th Century. “Old Hickory” helped make America great; Trump wants to Make America Great Again. See Less

“The South shall rise again!”

“The South shall rise again!” I remember hearing this rebel cry as a Hoosier school boy growing up in the 50’s, as America celebrated the coming centennial of the Civil War. In those days all citizens North and South, Black and White were patriotic and believed in American Exceptionalism.Mississippi is the last state to officially pull down the main symbol of Dixieland. There was not significant opposition. When the frenzied mobs desecrated the statues of heroic Confederate generals and leaders, southerners put up little fight to defend and protect their heritage. Where have the sons and daughters of the Confederacy gone? It appears that the South has finally capitulated except for a few individuals or small group here and there. Certainly, they have taken a knee in the state houses and governors’ mansions. Lee was right to surrender to Grant, who had thoroughly thrashed him on the battlefield. The armies of the South surrendered their arms but not their spirits. After the fighting stopped, veterans and their sons and daughters celebrated for a century “The Lost Cause.”South Carolina was first to secede from the Union and Mississippi was second. These and the other Confederate State of America did so deliberately in their state house in an orderly manner. These were not insurrectionists rioting in the streets and destroying property. They were not anarchists; they believed in the rule of law. They did not believe in majority rule, for the majority in both these states were slaves. Jefferson Davis was a large plantation owner and slave master in Mississippi. When I started ministering on southern campuses in the 70’s, I anticipated distinguishing southerners from their Northern counterparts. I learned quickly that southerners thought no differently than students on northern campuses. Oh, they would give much more lip service to the Christian faith than northerners but they were not living up to the high moral standards of the Bible. The Southern Belle I married is from deep GA, when we first met, she spoke of George Wallace as badly as students in the North. I taught her the positive positions of Wallace and she soon came around.When I visited Cindy at her home, her grandfather asked her one day, “Where did you say this preacher is from? She replied, “Indiana.” He snapped, “I thought he looked like a Yankee.” Cindy once summed up the difference between a Northerner and a Southerner, “They both sin but in the South, you better keep your manners while sinning.” By the 70’s, northern students had long lost both morals and manners but the southern students still maintained their manners. When the nation was preparing to celebrate the Civil War in the early 50’s, the wearing of Civil War caps became the rage among boys at least in the North. I remember trying to decide for days whether to buy a blue or gray cap. My older brother had already bought a gray cap. My mother presented a deciding argument to me, “You are a Northerner. Why don’t you buy a Northern cap?” So, I purchased my blue cap, which I wore proudly and my brother and I and the neighborhood boys played war the summer of ’52. Grant extended to Lee gracious terms of surrender and Lee, always the patrician, respectfully submitted. Years after the war, Grant sent an invitation to Lee to visit him at the White House, which resulted in a short polite conversation. Despite being defeated, Lee did not ever speak disparagingly of Grant.I don’t hear the rebel cry anymore, “The South shall rise again.” Southerners seem to have lost their rebel spirit, as least in the state houses and governors’ mansions. What has happened in Old Dominion is a disgrace, especially considering Virginia is the mother of presidents, Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe and others. What the guns of the North could not do, the government schools, Hollywood and the mass media have done–Shot ‘em dead!President Trump is our best hope for restoring law and order to MAGA. I fear that is going to require righteous force. His problem is similar to Lee’s, he can’t find a general who is willing to fight. His generals do not even come close to matching McClellan. Finally, Grant took charge. Trump said the other day, “Grant’s star has been rising as we have seen Lee’s fall.” Trump needs another General U.S. Grant. Trump knows and believes, “There are very good people on both sides.” As for me, even though I bought that blue hat and fought on the side of the North in our boyhood war games, I still have difficulty taking sides because I admire both the Blue and the Gray. There were very good men on both sides.

THE SONG OF DEBORAH

President Trump echoes Deborah of old; the two leaders are of the same spirit. Deborah, like Trump, has been chastised by some for not demonstrating humility. Judges 4, in prose relates Deborah’s victory against King Jabin of Canaan, the captain of whose army was Sisera; Deborah sings the triumphant song in vivid poetry in chapter 5.

Trump arises out of the business world to MAGA and Deborah arises from under the Palm Tree from where she judges disputes among the people to Make Israel Great. She uses the language of winning, winning and more winning and pursuing and avenging the enemies of Israel.

“Never Trumpers” accuse the President of not demonstrating a Christ-like spirit towards his political enemies. Trump does not perceive the fake media and Democrats as his personal enemies but the enemies of America and the enemies of the people.

Deborah rejoices in the bloody death of Sisera by the hand of the woman, Jael, driving a nail into his temple with a hammer. Deborah even mocks Sisera’s worried mother, who is concerned over his late return from battle. The prophetess concludes, “So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord!” Deborah’s obedience bought forty years of peace for Israel.

Trump is bolder and more courageous than Barak, who would not attack the enemy without Deborah agreeing to accompany him. Trump has his own prophetess, Paula White, revealing the will of God. He also has Kelly-Anne Conway and previously Sarah Huckabee Sanders to drive the nail into the temple of the media, The New York Times and the Washington Post, brought down Nixon but will not bring down Trump. Pence is Trump’s Barak.

“Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.”—Judges 5:12.

The spirit of Deborah must awake in America, especially in the churches, and in the pastors and the song-writers. None in our generation have composed anything comparable to “A Mighty Fortress is our God” by Martin Luther or that of another woman, Julia Ward Howe’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Awaken poets and minstrels and give us song of praise and triumphant, which will lead us into battle against our enemies. It is time for the governors and the people to willingly offer themselves unto the God of Israel. Israel is the Church! She must march into the raging battle for the soul of our country by confronting the enemies of God.

SHOULD WE STONE THE ASTROS?

Shall we settle this Astro sign stealing once and for all by having a public stoning of the Astro team at Minute Maid Park?

The religious leaders asked Jesus what should be done with the woman caught in adultery, “Now the law says she should be stoned. What do you say?”

Jesus answered, “Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone.” They walked away from the eldest to the youngest.

Sign stealing has been going on since the inception of the game of baseball. It has become a part of the game. There is plenty of evidence showing that multiple teams (if not all) are guilty of using binoculars, telescopes, buzzer, etc. for generations. Who is without “sin” in this matter? There has been way too much stone throwing at the Astros some even advocating disannulling their championship in 2017 and life-time bans of players. Let’s have enough sense to walk away from this matter.

The Pharisees asked Jesus the stoning question not because they cared about the woman or were particularly concerned about the sin of adultery; their motive was to embarrass Jesus and put him on the spot. I wonder how many of those who condemn the Astros really care that much about what is best for the game in general? They are basically sore losers. There are usually those who say after a loss, “We were robbed!” Sometimes that may be the case; however, the phrase sounds more like sour grapes.

Commissioner Manfred’s punishment of perhaps ruining the baseball careers of at least five men is too severe. Especially, for something that has not carried virtually any sanctions before.. As for the draft, maybe it is time do abolish that experiment, which was borrowed from the NFL and NBA.

Let’s go back to the way the game was played up until the mid-fifties. Sign stealing and attempts to confound those stealing the signs add to the intrigue of the game. I doubt if all sign stealing became legal it would significantly add to the batting average of baseball players. As Ralph Branca said, “Bobby Thompson still had to hit the ball!,” which is no easy task.

Finally, Jesus said to the adulterous woman, “Go and sin no more.” I say, “Play Ball!” Let the players figure out how to keep sign stealing under control like days of old with the brush back pitch, hard slides and good old brawls.

THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

There has been a considerable amount of evidence for years that the Giants were stealing signs in the 1951 pennant race with a telescope and buzzer system in center field, including the playoff championship game against the Dodgers, when Bobby Thompson hit, “the shot heard around the world.”

Thompson always insisted that he had no foreknowledge of Ralph Branca’s pitch. Branca was privately skeptical of Thomson’s denials but made no public comment at the time.

Later Branca told The New York Times, “I didn’t want to diminish a legendary moment in baseball. And even if Bobby knew what was coming, he had to hit it…. Knowing the pitch doesn’t always help.”

Too bad that pitcher Mike Fiers, who was with the Astros in 2017, did not have the same attitude for his former teammates, which Branca had for an opposing player’s achievements.

Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca became fast friends after they retired from baseball. I doubt that Fiers will ever have any good friends among the Astors or other players for that matter. He never should have gone to the press in his whistleblowing vendetta. If he was so concerned, why did he not go to the Commissioner at the time? I doubt if this guy will be around baseball much longer.

Branca rightly put the game first, not his own personal loss. Too bad the Commissioner of baseball and the teams who lost to the Dodgers could not have the same priorities, which were still virtually common place at the mid-20th Century.