Article 4 - Talking About the Political Seduction of the Church by Michael L. Brown

 

You can be assured that I want to have a little talk with Jesus about the Political Seduction of the Church, especially the lies being freely disseminated across the American landscape...

Chapter 2 - The Church of Jesus is Transcendent

The Church of Jesus--meaning the community of believers worldwide through all generations--is utterly transcendent. It has been purchased at the highest imaginable price--the blood of the Son of God--and it consists of hundreds of millions of redeemed men and women from every background and ethnicity and color. Those who are part of the blood-bought community live in every nation on the earth, yet their ultimate citizenship is in heaven. In the words of Prof. Gerald Sittset, rather than being resident aliens, they are alien residents. They are in this world but not of it.

Those of us who are part of this community are united, but not by any earthly creed or national anthem. We are united based on our shared citizenship in God's heavenly kingdom and our joint status as sons and daughters in His family. And our real hometown is not the city of our natural birth or current earthly dwelling. Rather, it is a city that is quite literally out of this world. As the author of the letter to the Hebrews states:

• you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of th living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Heb.12:22-24).

We are even called the bride of Christ in Scripture, meaning that corporately we are joined with Him in spirit...

Sometimes, after reading many many non-fiction books, it would be wonderful if the use of a specialized lexicon was immediately explained to readers who are not leaders or otherwise associated with the administration of whatever is being identified... Or, if the book is not written for everybody, then the title or subtitle should reflect something like, For Christian Church Leaders...

In an7 event, since I was not quite sure of the meaning as part of a declarative statement by a Christian author, I googled "transcendent" before proceeding further.... There was no Glossary in this book...

What is the biblical meaning of transcendent? The 
transcendence of God means that God is outside of humanity's full experience, perception or grasp. The immanence of God means that he is knowable, perceivable or graspable. Uh, OK?

Frankly, as I start to read, again, to talk about it, I found I needed more to understand why a chapter states this as an important factor... The following video helped me a lot... so am including for those, like me, who wanted to know more... After all, this was about the role of God in the Church; in our lives...

Well, I might get hungup sometimes when I go to UTube but I do so enjoy the automatic reference popups of relevant other videos that they have programmed... Great site, isn't it... Once a pastor, I think, talked about terminology, my mind automatically started considering the relevant complementary music that seemed to respond to the discussion... I had never heard any of the songs I shared today...hope you enjoy them as I did... The media reference were spot-on in my opinion, so do check them out for confirmation of what is actually happening in today's world...

You know folks, I've been living in this area, close to Pittsburgh, PA, for many years. During those years, I was participating in two parts of my life...the Church and My professional work career. My background is lower middle class, I would say. My father was killed in a mine accident, while my mother carried me. Given that significant factor--no male leader of the household, we all watched as my mother worked day and night to support us, so much so that, as children, we took jobs like selling the newspaper in our small town, carrying water or other small tasks for our neighbors... We turned any earnings over to Mom... We did have extended family in the area and so had that type of support, which, for me, proved to be both positive and negative... 

In any event, it was only when I retired, that I had some freedom to even watch television or read books--something I had always done, except it took much longer to read a complete book.

I was in school when we were no longer allowed to say The Lord's Prayer in School. Frankly? it didn't mean too much to me, given that I was always so involved with the church, or working, that religion never really was part of school life. Isn't that the way other Christian families lived?

I also remember when a store like Hill's or Walmart had a survey at the counter when we checked out. They were asking if I would sign a petition to keep stores closed on Sundays. I didn't sign it. By that time, the work environment was well known to me. 24-hour shifts, for instance, would affect an individual's life, no matter what religion they were...so it seemed that that issue should be more of a community decision based upon the area.

I also remember when Ms. O'Hara, Atheist, created significant turmoil when she also fought for the Nativity not to be erected on government land--city or state or federal. Again, it was over and new laws were put in place... I found it more disturbing that Santa Claus and the over-buying of gifts, in my opinion, for children was much more a problem to family life and home... Jesus is the Reason for the Season...and always will be in my mind... Mom would buy one large gift for the family. I remember one year, it was a croquet set... We were excited...and satisfied...

In many ways, changes occurred and was adapted to, it was just like having to use seat belts in our cars being mandated...It was for public safety--for everybody, and it was logical to me to follow that new law...

Just as it was logical for me to completely understand why, in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, strict mask use and, then, vaccines were all required... After all, we had had measles, polio, or even tetanus shots required, as necessary to ensure no spread of any type of disease... What was the problem this time? Plus the fact that we learned that Trump had withheld information about just how badly the virus was... which led to the spread soon getting out of control... When we learned that he had told this to a journalist who was writing a book, we could easily surmise that Americans really meant little to him... especially when the republicans turned it into a political issue! Soooo, of course, we came to not know who was telling the truth, as was often the came with DJ.

One of the things mentioned in the last two news videos included above was that a beginning point for something happening in the Church/Political area could have been when Jimmy Carter was elected president... Sure, I knew he was a Christian, because of the infamous statement he made about being guilty of sin since he had some lust for a female or another... at that time, it was laughed at, even ridiculed...Did being a Christian mean that you never thought of sex...and if you did...was that considered a sin? And, of course, Carter didn't win a second term... And than John Kennedy, also a Christian, was killed... was it because of his religion? It makes me wonder, since, I believe both of these men were democrats, was it really about religion...or...power and money... Others said it went back to McCarthy when it was claimed that the opposing party were all "commies..." Was politics nothing but "The Blame Game?"

The thing is, in this situation. Dr. Brown has spent a chapter reviewing the literature about how we as Christians are in the world but not of the world... Sometimes, I wish that preachers or writers would get more specific about things...but, anyway, I felt early in life, and still feel that, my life in Church was special, unique...and part of me... I guess I was naïve enough to assume that all people felt that way about their beliefs... So, suddenly, in the last ten years, or so, Christians feel... something... I'm really not sure what... but it now includes hate, prejudice, and violence...

From this book and some other information that has been more available given the chaos that now exists, we learn that Christians feel they must be involved in politics--and to the extent that, they want to be top dog in that arena! Wow... Truly, I never saw that coming... Why? Because the population and changing "types" of citizens has been routinely noted. Even on television, we often see the variety of nationalities that make up...America...  I have even had a passing thought about those different from me: The fact that Muslims pray routinely at times preset and they do it wherever they are... The fact that my Black friends are constantly threatened because of, still, discrimination issues that "still" even result in murder! I could not understand how and why this type of prejudice continued after so many years.

One of the old sayings about dinner conversation was that you shouldn't talk about death, taxes, or politics...Ok, I can do that, if anybody else in my family read as much as I do, LOL...or at least was willing to talk about it. I was the youngest of four children, which meant that the others had, really, established lives, before I even got to a time that I was old enough to do something on my own...like go to a movie with a friend...

But, you see, there was a significant thing that took place in my life that was always kept secret...And, yet, I have found at my age and with the violence-oriented and extreme rhetoric that is now happening, I find my secrets are no longer hidden, even within me... as my being a participant of the "me-too" community of women and men who perhaps are christians, who have been abused in some way by sexual abuse, rape, and sometimes even family... And those personal secrets or real issues that women in particular have faced for centuries, are now being thrown into our faces daily... You must do this, else we will put you in jail!

Suddenly I am being faced with a man running for Governor of my state that really scares me! Mastriano is, it appears, much worse than even Trump...or maybe he just is willing to voice his hate, supposedly speaking as a Christian, as well as project everything that he will do to ensure he does anything he wants, and that includes "fixing" the elections in our state! When he says it is ridiculous to exempt those girls that have been raped, especially through incest, I cringed, just as many "me-too" victims must have... And I KNOW it is not the SPIRIT of the Lord that is behind this hate and deceit...and invasion of a woman's body!

So, pulling this altogether, you may wonder where I am going... It's to just one question... What caused it to explode into existence as a major crisis all of a sudden. To me, I have seen Christian groups working together to donate when needed... Or to provide support for the poor, for clothes and food... These routine acts of kindness to our neighbors have gone on for probably decades... Christians have lived as Dr. Brown indicated...so, what has changed? Surely, it could not be because of religious doctrine, because it had been years ago since any change of the issues that the republicans are "using" to scare and incite that fear these days... In the past, we have adjusted as America evolved...

But, you know, not once have I ever heard about any significant work that the Church has done to take action against the sexual abuse inside and outside the Church, including the latest news of a major event in the Southern Baptist congregation... Not once, have I ever heard of anything Churches were doing to lead in the concerns for human trafficking and the seduction of our children... Not Once have I heard of any significant work to investigate the reasons for Abortion. I understand that many are choosing abortion because they do not have the money to afford another child...or cannot afford contraception methods... What I do know is that those who are pro-life have used violence against clinics who serve the poor for more things than abortion... and offer no real help politically to solve the problem of low wages, child care, and more... In fact, most of us have seen that immediately upon taking office, Biden put out plans for these and more! Republicans did nothing during Trump's years and have voted against any support to help alleviate the problems they profess are based upon their faith! Forked Tongue?

This chapter closes with nothing more than awareness--on the part of the author:

Probably the most grievous thing that has taken place in recent years in our conservative evangelical circles is that some Christian politicians have sold out. We became more identified with Trump (or another candidate than with Jesus. Or perhaps worse still, we equated Trump with Jesus, meaning that if you were for Jesus, then you were for Trump. It even felt as if we were equally passionate about both, if not even more passionate politically than spiritually. And in the eyes of a watching world (a world with millions of young people who were paying careful attention), we resembled disciples of Trump more than disciples of Jesus. 

Well, Dr. Brown, here is one Christian who painfully watched as the Church acted, not of God, to be polite, for going on six years. Just how long does it take to start doing something...

Because, republicans may not be willing to admit it...But Joe Biden has done more for the country in less than two years, than Trump or any other president in my memory.  He has responded to the needs of the poor...he is working to deal with the health issues of the nation...he has presented and is moving on an infrastructure plan which had been "talked about" by Trump, who, of course, had no idea even how to create a plan of action. And, more importantly, he has acted, in spite of his conscience and the refusal of the republican party to even attempt to deal with other issues, such as abortion. He has ensured that his administration is looking out for the entire American population to work to meet the needs of all...even if they are not Christians... That is a sign that he supports the Constitution of the United States of America... And that is what a president of America...does...because...it...is..his...job. Separation of Church and States surely must be continued--because we have seen what one group of religious zealots have done to force their religion... That is, in other countries... How, Now, have Evangelical Christians and the Republican Party decided that America was no longer the land of the free?

And what did the republican party and evangelical christians do, they've refused to participate in political negotiation. They have revealed a deep, in my opinion, sense of prejudice and bias against all non-white citizens, to the extent of violence, murder, and anything else as being condoned by the republican party and evangelical christians. They have allowed terrorist groups such as KKK, Nazis, and haters of Jews and other citizen immigrants from non-white countries... countries, such as Africa, where the apostles of Christ were sent out to speak of His love... 

And it still is going on... In my opinion, the evangelical church and maybe others have made a deal with the devil...

Note that President Biden on May of 2021, already had action out of Congress and through his office related to Hate! If it is not already obvious to you...each of us as voters must vote OUT those who spew hate as truth... Do your research, does your candidate talk of help to all Americans...or hate and violence against anybody that does not belong to one religion...theirs! This is NOT the answer for America, in my opinion!

I am now reading this book, sample of answers coming next...

God Bless,

Gabbie

I am about my Father's Business

(this sentence was given to me this morning

to say at this important time)

Discussion of The Political Seduction of the Church by Michael L. Brown - Article 3 - Preface - Chapter 1 - Christian Nationalism

Dr. Brown wrote his preface on May 29, 2022, and refers to the lead headline on the widely read Drudge report website stands bold and clear: "Christian Nationalism on the Rise." 

Considerable discussion of the words, Christian Nationalism, will be discussed through the book. For myself, I remember that I was actually grateful to be able to use "Christian Nationalism," instead of reference to any specific church...for, after all, I was a Christian but definitely knew that what was happening was NOT of God!

Then, too, Trump had used the word Nationalism or other forms thereof, from time to time, so I naturally assumed that this was, maybe, what his cult of followers were going to use... For me, yes, I definitely felt that these people, whoever they were, exhibited cult-like actions, especially when they carried a gold head bust of Trump on January 6th.

Then a reference was made about my state and the GOP victory party about a man I have come to, well, despise? I want to include part of Brown's quote:

As a Christian singer led the crowd in song, some raised their arms toward the havens in praise. Mastriano opened his remarks by evoking Scripture. "God uses the foolish to confound the wise." He claimed Pennsylvanians' freedom would be "snatched away" if his Democratic opponent wins in November, and cast the election in starkly religious terms with another biblical reference: "Let's choose this day to serve the Lord."

I'm, feeling like I'm gagging and queasy all at once! And I find I feel like I have a "right" to be. this man presents himself as a god...he will permit no exceptions for abortion, even for rape or incest... for instance... as if he is speaking as God himself... For me, who has declared, "Me Too...," the man might as well be saying that he is aware of old men touching little girls, and worse, and if they get pregnant...then they will just be part of the family..." Right? NOT!!! 

The very first thing I always think of biblically is not about whether there is anything about abortion in the book...rather, it is about King David...doing nothing... when his son rapes his daughter... You know, folks, when you have people claim that this is the Word of God... and that you shall follow it...and have never had ANY preacher explain or at least attempt to discuss this event (plus the whole thing of murdering a man in order to claim his wife)... then it certainly is difficult, if not impossible, to accept anything but PRO-CHOICE.  Because, who knows what kind of governor Mastriano would make for our state... It's scares me and should scare any woman who hears his gruff voice practically shouting, it shall be MY commandment... NOT!

Brown goes on to cover other media announcements, such as from the NY Times connecting the "growing religious fervor in the American Right, "a Jesus Movement." He then proceeds to point out that scripture has suddenly become a main component of rallies, speeches, and of course, from the ex-president of the U.S. or, wait?! No, Trump NEVER quoted scripture, did he? I think you all would know why, right? 

Dr. Brown provides extensive references from many christian leaders in books, news media... In fact, it was overwhelming... Until I realized one major thing... Unless you followed only christian media as opposed to the normal news media available on multiple platforms, you wouldn't have even been aware of a major point... Trump was merely following orders... You know, Like if Jesus, when He went up into the mountains to fast and pray and He was tempted? And if, at that time, Jesus agreed to make a deal... Well, we all know He didn't make a deal... But I have previously shared about the fact that a deal, indeed, was made...with Trump, even including, I learned, to the point that they referenced a scripture tale that a man called Cyprus was "once" used by God... So it's biblical, right? (Sarcasm intended...)

Will need to view on UTube if interested...

Chapter One: When Evangelical Christians Were Blamed for the Storming of the Capitol

Starting with a statement that this scene "will be etched" in our collective American consciousness for decades to come... Brown then proceeds to cover what happened--but from the standpoint of those leaders of Christian churches, media and more...

Brown begins, even in this first chapter, asking "How could this be?" Various forms of this question will continue throughout the book... In fact, I have at least one other book from this author, which I have not yet started to read, which documents that he was one of the few Evangelical Christians who was questioning what was going on...even though he wasn't soooo concerned that he didn't vote for Trump in both elections...

May need to watch on UTube if interested.

Then The Jericho March was considered and discussed... I am including this purely for those who wish to ponder all that took place...I chose to file it for possible, and I say, possible review later - I doubt I will ever be able to listen beyond just the moderator!!!!!

I need you to recognize upfront, because I didn't, until I read further, that this writer is and has been trying to gain attention and speak out about what he saw happening. Will this book be read by anybody who really needs to read it? I don't know. But, right now, I didn't see anything in it that was other than one Christian leader trying to SHOW where WE (and he at least includes himself in some of the mess we are now in, at least by voting for Trump) were wrong and should be held accountable.

Basically, the book covers just how "some" Christians were seduced into thinking that Trump (might be the second messiah...)

I kid you not! In fact, it was clear to me by the end of the book just how the entire republican party has become so "crazy..."

By the way, while I had the courage, I put a post on AskDrBrown's Facebook page, asking if he would be willing to do an Interview with me for Book Readers Heaven... I bring this up because...I want you to know that may be happening in the future... and, if not, then I will cover many of my issues as part of my chapter coverage... 

Hint: One of the basic things I saw "almost" ignored, was that the history of Christianity had NOT been truthfully covered, in my opinion, in schools... Consider therefore, if that was caused by those "republicans", meaning whichever party was active at that time, who might have been involved, such as they are trying to do nowadays, of saying things, "Don't Say Gay..." then we know what the problem is, don't we... God is Truth... We know Trump is a Liar... So, what we need to find out is just how broadly the loss of God's Truth has been "destroyed" by the successful, it seems, merge of Jesus and Trump of "equal standing..." No, this isn't a joke. Brown talks about, at rallies, somebody shouting, for instance... Praise Jesus! and how it gets a good response... But, then, when somebody says Trump, Trump, Trump! The voices shout and scream louder... Yep, you got it... 

No wonder Trump became more of an egotist than even at first... I "almost" feel sorry for him, except that...He's the con man who pulled off the con and on millions of people...as He rakes in millions from some...who...were...seduced...by Church leaders...and Trump! 

God Help Us!

Gabbie

Reading and Talking About - The Political Seduction of the Church by Michael L. Brown Article 2

 

Why These 2 Vids? Came up at the same time - A God Incident?

Specifically, can we stereotype by race? 

Surely that seems to be happening these days...

You know folks, I've included the last two videos, first, for a reason.  What I now know after reading just about 1/3 of The Political Seduction of the Church, is that, I, and I have to assume millions of others like me, HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAS BEEN AND IS GOING ON IN AMERICA's RELIGIOUS HIERARCHY...

...By those who identify as Christians... I don't know exactly what I mean by that, since I've professed my belief in Jesus since I was 13, when I was baptized into the Baptist Church. I have been involved in small-town churches all of my life. And my last involvements with a large church were, first, with Billy Graham, who I watched on television and attended one of his rallies. Second, my Mom was a huge fan of Jimmy Baker and so I watched them often...I also visited their "theme park" for want of a better word. Indeed, I found happiness and peace there, even though later, it was discovered that much was happening behind the scenes that was criminal... Same with Jimmy Swaggart... I also remember my entire family laughing and joking about a preacher from the south who was on TV, EA were his initials...... His antics included shouting "Healed!" and pushing each of his supplicants to the floor in, I suppose, being overpowered by the holy spirit...

Even then we became aware that not every "prophet" of God was...without sin... and, even, perhaps, were "false prophets..."

My family includes a number of pastors who represented different denominations... and at least one Nun... So, you can imagine that most of my life was involved in one way or another with religion... So, I remember when, the well-known atheist, Madalyn Murray O'Hair's, and other activists resulted in the Separation of Church and State... and the removal of The Lord's Prayer from all schools... And, also, the inability to formally stop using any religions relationship in government buildings on Christmas... Indeed, these were shocking for us at that time, simply because, normally, most of us were insulated from the nation at large, simply due to geography...

I think it is important, therefore, for me to provide this preamble so that you all can consider that my life had already been changed due to the advent of television! And, of course, much more since the Internet was available across the nation. What I saw then, and now, was that people could be both good and bad... whatever those words might mean to each of us individually. Mostly, I say, good over evil, as I talk about murder mysteries, suspense or thriller novels.

What I never would have considered was that the church itself might reach a point where it was...not...spotlighting God, Christ, The Holy Spirit or similar belief  terms used within other than religions not within the protestant faith of which I was a part. 

Suddenly we were learning that there were some people who didn't even believe that there was a God! And they lived, perhaps, nearby... Fast forward to today... we now have many people in America that do not believe as, perhaps, I believe... Yet, you are my neighbor... In Morgantown, WV, I met many people from foreign countries either as students or faculty... Frankly, it never occurred to me to question my interpersonal relationships with these people.. Other than as, if asked, stating that yes, I was a Christian.

I remember one physics professor, with whom I got into a discussion about the existence of God... I can't remember how it came about, but we were standing in Hodges Hall where he was a distinguished professor and I was probably there to deal with some type of classroom issue, part of my job at that time... It WAS a discussion. Neither of us got angry. Neither of us raised our voices to speak and cry out our truth... I remember that I often would respond to him with the words, something like, "I believe because I have faith and His Spirit.." Finally, he laughed and agreed that he believed...my belief... But he never really said he believed in God because I did...

And that was ok... Jesus tells us to go out and speak of Him to others... I would never believe that God wants us to "stuff" belief in Him...down somebody's throats... Even though historically that was done! Consider the Crusades, for one instance which included violent acts...

Many of you will know that I have agonized over the connection of evangelical christianity with the republican party's choice of Trump as a candidate for the presidency. I could not understand. Even while members of my family voted for him...

But never, in the last 5-6 years or so, did I realize that it was, apparently, the church, itself...which initiated all that has happened since then. I had to include the second video above, because I would not have believed that I was considered a demon because I decided to vote democratic! 

Some of the phrases that are used by Dr. Brown often is...Now What? What do we do? How do we move forward???

For me, here at Book Readers Heaven, I intend to go chapter by chapter...and give an overview for what is covered, doing the best I can to be objective... For, upfront, it is clear that Dr. Brown does not support our present president even though he acknowledges that Biden is indeed President of the United States...

Will you pray with and for me to 

Have My Eyes Open

Have My Ears Open

Have my Mouth Speak Truth...

God Bless,

Gabbie

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven - Reading The Political Seduction of the Church by Michael L. Brown Article 0, Announcement

 

My newest book, The Political Seduction of the Church: How Millions of American Christians Have Confused Politics with the Gospel, has just been released. But what, exactly, do I mean by “political seduction”?

Do I mean that Christians who are involved in politics have been seduced? Certainly not. I believe Christians should be involved in politics, as I have stated repeatedly for years.

Am I critiquing those who supported Donald Trump, as if they were seduced into voting for him? Not at all. I voted for him myself, both in 2016 and 2020. And my book is about the church more than it is about President Trump (or any other political leader, for that matter).

Then what do I mean by political seduction?

I’m referring to the unhealthy marriage of politics and the gospel. I’m speaking about the church becoming an appendage to a political party. I’m talking about God’s people getting consumed with election fever. I’m referring to believers putting their hope in a political leader in a way that becomes unhealthy and even idolatrous.

That is what I mean by political seduction.

Unfortunately, seduction is very seducing. It comes in subtly, not overtly, through the side window, not the front door. And it looks so good at the outset, so justifiable, so right. It is only over time that it begins to show its fangs. (For a graphic picture of seduction and its consequences, read Proverbs 7.)

That’s why I have a whole chapter in the book titled, “The Subtlety of Seduction.”

That’s also why I devote two chapters to the false prophecies about Trump’s reelection in 2020, titled, “When the Prophets Prophesied Falsely,” and, “The Genesis of False Prophecy.”

That’s why the last chapter of the book is titled, “How We Failed the Test: Retracing Our Steps and Learning the Big Lessons.”

I am convinced that, as the people of God, we can do better. In fact, we must do better. Otherwise, without our light shining brightly, the nation will collapse.

But, to repeat, seduction is very subtle, and in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to understand why so many of us got so caught up in politics to the point of obsession.

After all, didn’t the fate of the nation hang in the balance? Weren’t our very freedoms at stake? Didn’t the radical left want to bring dangerous, existential changes to our country, changes that would affect us for generations to come?

The answer to all these questions was and is yes – yes in 2020; yes in 2022; and yes in 2024. These have been and will be absolutely pivotal elections.

The problem is when we merge the gospel with the elections, as if a political party was the key to advancing God’s kingdom on the earth. The problem is when we put our trust in the political system more than in the power of the gospel. The problem is when we try to fight spiritual battles with earthly weapons.

This is the political seduction of the church, and this is what happened to millions of us in recent years.

The question is: Did it happen to you? Did it happen to me?

Here are some telltale signs that we have been politically seduced.

When we’re more concerned with winning elections than winning the lost.

When we wrap the gospel in the American flag.

When we equate our country with the kingdom of God.

When we confuse patriotism with spirituality.

When we compromise our ethics to keep our party (or man or woman) in power.

When our church/denomination/ministry becomes an appendage of a political party.

When we put more trust in earthly methods than in spiritual methods.

When we make one political party the party of God and the other the party of Satan.

When we become as vulgar and rude as the candidates we follow.

When we look to the White House more than to God’s house.

When we make a human being into a political savior.

When we equate loyalty to God (which is unconditional) with loyalty to a party or political leader (which is conditional).

When our prayers and our prophecies become partisan.

These are all signs that we have been politically seduced, even if only one or two of them apply to us.

With all respect, I suggest that if the shoe fits, we wear it, own it, acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward without feeling condemned.

We need to take our place on the front lines, putting first things first – and that means the gospel before politics.

If we keep our priorities straight, the nation can be shaken.

https://askdrbrown.org/library/what-i-mean-when-i-speak-political-seduction-church

Hi Everybody!

I've found another book that I immediately went out and bought. Unfortunately, it is not in ebook form at this time. The thing is, I've read enough already, that I want to continue to read and finish the book ASAP. It's, hopefully, an important book that will answer some questions for me, and maybe, for a lot of you, too.

I know I've said that I read nonfiction on an ad hoc basis based upon what I'm wanting to write about ...But, again, I'm hoping this book is, perhaps, the one I've been waiting for... It is by an evangelical christian, but he has an interesting background and is now on many social networks speaking about...well., just about anything you want to ask him! How Cool is That?! BTW, I just signed up on his site and commented on an article about this book, and more... 

Sooooo, just wanted to take the time and let you all know why I'll be away for...well, as long as it takes for me to read it. Since it is paperback, I cannot increase size of print and will need to be sitting for a longer period holding the book under a bright light...not easy to do, when I'm not supposed to be sitting for long periods at a time these days...

In the meantime, you might want to check out AskDr.Brown using the link above about the book...once you're there, check out the other topics he's covered in one way or another...I "think" I'm going to like this guy... So watch for my words on the book fairly soon...

By the way, I'm working with a writer on a spotlight author event... Hope everything works out on that activity as well!

Take Care

God Bless, Glenda

P. 52--A few weeks after the elections, when emotions were still at a fever pitch and Trump supporters were feeling robbed and raw, I was up late one night reading some online posts written by friends of mine. These were people whom my wife, Nancy, and I had known for years, people of good character, people who were gospel first in their orientation. But not that night. As I read their pro-Trump posts containing the most ridiculous claims, attacking other believers with angry words, reflecting extreme political biases, I broke down weeping. "What has become of us?" I asked my wife. "These are our friends." Those posts reflected just the tiniest tip of a massive iceberg. On a national level we had drifted seriously off course, deeply damaging our Christian witness...