Some of the musings -- and I hope nobody minds if I call them that -- took me back to high school in the days following the release of the final Beatles' recording: Abbey Road. I was living in Dearborn, Michigan at the time, and not too long after, the entire Detroit area became obsessed with the notion that Paul McCartney had died sometime around 1965-66, and was replaced by a double.
Suddenly, "clues" were being discovered all over album covers and in songs and song lyrics. I found the whole thing a fascinating experience in "innocent" conspiracy mongering. Paul had actually injured his mouth sometime around the making of the movie "Help!" and so there WAS a slight change to his appearance before and after. And, of course, that only fueled the story.
I have a sibling who considers herself a very devout Christian, and who is deep into the MAGA movement, so I look forward to writing about that from time to time.
The problem I see with the "Christian Nationalist" is that we as Christians are called to follow Jesus. Nowhere in the Scriptures does Jesus teach that we are to force the world. In fact, the 1st century church did not do this. Christianity/followers of Christ was not engaged in this until about the time that Constantine declared the "Holy Roman Empire" that was anything but holy. At that time, the church ant the earthly kingdoms became intertwined. It was then that we saw the Crusades, the inquisition, witch trials, and numerous other efforts by the Church and the state to prop each other up in an unholy union. Our Forefathers saw this and they wrote into the Constitution protections against it. In fact, Jesus rejected an earthy kingdom at that time. Looking at his teachings, I am constantly amazed that Christians are taken in by the MAGA movement.
Good evening from the SF Bay Area. Hi, Pat, your old hippie pal is here. You may remember I come out of an Evangelical family of ministers, church planters, missionaries, and church pillars. I mentally left the church at about 11 when my mother, a minister's daughter and a minister's wife, could not confirm to me that Catholics were "going to Heaven," too. BUT, in high school I had a profound meeting with Jesus and became involved with the older hippies who were at the forefront of the movement that became the Jesus People. Pentecostals sniffed us out and soon overran our group. I ran fast as it was so creepy and unspiritual for me. God lead me down a different path.
After the 2016 election, and the crazy Christian Maga Right, I had to come to terms with it and my family members who are swept up in it. How could this be? I started searching for sane Christians. I found Russell Moore and his book on the Altar Call for the American Church, I grew up with Christianity Today. I then found The Holy Post podcast, listened to Cosper's series, discovered David French, and others, and began to put the puzzle together. I found you, eventually. Last fall I found Matthew Taylor and was blown away.
It is very hard to hear one's self described as a daemon, especially by people who are so clearly under the spell of truly evil influences. I am in profound grief over the fruition of the events of these last few years, which actually began many years ago. Roy Cohn and Roger Stone identified Trump as the "useful idiot" they needed to achieve their long term goals.
I see below Roseann's questions on how we can know the truth. She needs to know that is what the Spirit of Truth is for, to discern, to have highly honed spiritual antennae. The first time I saw Trump's photograph more than forty years ago a chill went up my spine. So when he actually was elected I was thoroughly shocked. How could anybody much less Christians be fooled by this evil charleton? My family? Even some friends! It turns out that getting mesmerized is not as difficult as one might think.
That is what the Spirit of Truth is for, Dearest, you are loved and do not have to be deceived by anyone. You are in the clear with this profound guidance.
To be filed under: "Wars, rumors of wars, and Watch and Pray."
In the past few days, our country has moved half of its B-2 Stealth bomber force (seven planes) to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. This is the base we use when attacking the Middle East.
A move of this type is unprecedented and costs hundreds of millions of dollars. I believe something against the nation of Iran is immanent. Please prepare your minds.
Some of the musings -- and I hope nobody minds if I call them that -- took me back to high school in the days following the release of the final Beatles' recording: Abbey Road. I was living in Dearborn, Michigan at the time, and not too long after, the entire Detroit area became obsessed with the notion that Paul McCartney had died sometime around 1965-66, and was replaced by a double.
Suddenly, "clues" were being discovered all over album covers and in songs and song lyrics. I found the whole thing a fascinating experience in "innocent" conspiracy mongering. Paul had actually injured his mouth sometime around the making of the movie "Help!" and so there WAS a slight change to his appearance before and after. And, of course, that only fueled the story.
I have a sibling who considers herself a very devout Christian, and who is deep into the MAGA movement, so I look forward to writing about that from time to time.
The problem I see with the "Christian Nationalist" is that we as Christians are called to follow Jesus. Nowhere in the Scriptures does Jesus teach that we are to force the world. In fact, the 1st century church did not do this. Christianity/followers of Christ was not engaged in this until about the time that Constantine declared the "Holy Roman Empire" that was anything but holy. At that time, the church ant the earthly kingdoms became intertwined. It was then that we saw the Crusades, the inquisition, witch trials, and numerous other efforts by the Church and the state to prop each other up in an unholy union. Our Forefathers saw this and they wrote into the Constitution protections against it. In fact, Jesus rejected an earthy kingdom at that time. Looking at his teachings, I am constantly amazed that Christians are taken in by the MAGA movement.
Good evening from the SF Bay Area. Hi, Pat, your old hippie pal is here. You may remember I come out of an Evangelical family of ministers, church planters, missionaries, and church pillars. I mentally left the church at about 11 when my mother, a minister's daughter and a minister's wife, could not confirm to me that Catholics were "going to Heaven," too. BUT, in high school I had a profound meeting with Jesus and became involved with the older hippies who were at the forefront of the movement that became the Jesus People. Pentecostals sniffed us out and soon overran our group. I ran fast as it was so creepy and unspiritual for me. God lead me down a different path.
After the 2016 election, and the crazy Christian Maga Right, I had to come to terms with it and my family members who are swept up in it. How could this be? I started searching for sane Christians. I found Russell Moore and his book on the Altar Call for the American Church, I grew up with Christianity Today. I then found The Holy Post podcast, listened to Cosper's series, discovered David French, and others, and began to put the puzzle together. I found you, eventually. Last fall I found Matthew Taylor and was blown away.
It is very hard to hear one's self described as a daemon, especially by people who are so clearly under the spell of truly evil influences. I am in profound grief over the fruition of the events of these last few years, which actually began many years ago. Roy Cohn and Roger Stone identified Trump as the "useful idiot" they needed to achieve their long term goals.
I see below Roseann's questions on how we can know the truth. She needs to know that is what the Spirit of Truth is for, to discern, to have highly honed spiritual antennae. The first time I saw Trump's photograph more than forty years ago a chill went up my spine. So when he actually was elected I was thoroughly shocked. How could anybody much less Christians be fooled by this evil charleton? My family? Even some friends! It turns out that getting mesmerized is not as difficult as one might think.
Thank you for all you are doing, Pat. Blessings.
https://chappell.substack.com/
Like I told my grandkids today, the devil loves hate, uncertainty, and chaos. Exactly what Trump and his minions do.
Jesus is our true hero. With Him as our Guide, we can never go wrong.
My question is how do we know what is real and what is not? What is of God and what is of Satan? We can't tell! So stay away!
That is what the Spirit of Truth is for, Dearest, you are loved and do not have to be deceived by anyone. You are in the clear with this profound guidance.
This sort of thinking led to people being burned at the stake. It's medieval and dangerous.
To be filed under: "Wars, rumors of wars, and Watch and Pray."
In the past few days, our country has moved half of its B-2 Stealth bomber force (seven planes) to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. This is the base we use when attacking the Middle East.
A move of this type is unprecedented and costs hundreds of millions of dollars. I believe something against the nation of Iran is immanent. Please prepare your minds.
Some of the phrases have bubbled up into the mainstream, but it’s almost as if they want it to be a secret.