This very special
Steadfast Fortitude SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Header photo credit: http://andyporterimages.com/night-sky-at-bryce-canyon

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

A Steadfast Fortitude Sunday

This past afternoon I was thinking about what I am going to do for those Sundays coming up when I will be traveling and not able to compose the usual on-the-spot posts that often happen pretty close to the beginning of Sunday (but sometimes arriving a tad bit late to our WQ Tree House). 

I thought about an excellent fictional book series that I believe carries many important messages for us in the time we are living in. There’s a good number of books in the series. I could have covered a book per Sunday. But that just didn’t quite fit right.

What to do?

 

I thought about Psalm 119. Another good basis for a series.
But, no, still not it.

Photo credit: “Courage” Summer Snow Art

And then I recalled how strongly Candace and Steve’s conversation about the leftist media being cowards struck me yesterday. So there’s that.

Maybe a series based on the qualities of a Patriot? We shall see. But for today, we will ponder the quality of Steadfast Fortitude or Courage.

In church tradition, fortitude is often used when reflecting on the character of the martyrs. Fortitude is closely related to faithfulness, a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

FAITHFULNESS (πίστις)

“God is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:9. cf. Rom. 3:3), not as having faith, but as being constant (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13), trustworthy (cf. 2 Cor. 1:18). It is a divine quality. The martyrs were “faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10), not vacillating at the face of bodily harm and suffering, imitating thus their Lord “Jesus Christ the faithful martyr” (Rev. 1:5. cf. 3:14).

In lieu of an example from the life of a Saint, we quote the following lines from the Wisdom of Solomon, read in the Vespers service for Martyrs:

“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.

For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of Himself; like gold in the furnace He tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering He accepted them.

In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever.

Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His holy ones, and He watches over His elect” (Wis. of Sol. 3:1-9).

An important component to fortitude seems to be a quality of perseverance.

Can you think of anyone that has recently demonstrated fortitude in the public arena?

An interesting thought about how one goes about developing fortitude comes from the idea that it is a fruit.

That is, it is something we grow in our character, not something we build or think our way into. It has to come from something we have developed. Like learning to field balls behind 2nd base in baseball. You don’t just go out there and instantly do it well. But it’s not just an internal skill as you might think of will power or the like. No, it’s more like learning to dance.

We are learning to do hard things within the context of our trusting relationship with the One who leads in this dance called life.

And we will not go far without steadfast fortitude.

Think*3

Images of Jesus from the site: God is Real

Today there is a planned confrontation (street brawl?) in Portland.

Oath Keepers have made a statement.

This is a time for discipline.

 August 15, 2019

I wish I didn’t have to do this, but it must be done. I must make it clear that Oath Keepers will not be participating in the “End Domestic Terrorism” rally scheduled for this Saturday, August 17, 2019, which is being organized by Joe Biggs and the Proud Boys.
I must also make it clear that Oath Keepers is NOT an organizer of this event, as has been erroneously reported by some media outlets. This event is being organized by Joe Biggs and the Proud Boys, not Oath Keepers. Oath Keepers was invited to attend, but we will not be attending.
We fully support free speech, and we fully agree that Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that uses force and the threatened use of force to intimidate, silence, and suppress the free speech of Americans.   However, we cannot participate in this event for the following reasons:
A.   We have not seen adequate steps taken by the organizers to exclude known or suspected white nationalists from attending this event.  Oath Keepers has a zero tolerance policy for white nationalism or any other ethno-nationalist ideology that discriminates along racial lines (as our bylaws make clear) and we do not, and cannot, knowingly associate with known or suspected white nationalists.
First, we consider white nationalists (along with any other ethno-nationalists) to be dangerous domestic enemies of the Constitution, every bit as deadly to our Republic as the violent communists within Antifa, because white nationalists also hold the Constitution in contempt and wish to overthrow it and replace it with their own desired totalitarian system. On that, the white nationalists and the communists are in agreement. And all of us who swore to defend the Constitution must stand against both of them as clear domestic enemies of the Constitution.
Second, we have a considerable number of active duty military and police in our membership who cannot knowingly associate with racists and we owe it to them to be diligent in avoiding participating in any event where white nationalists will not be actively,  stringently excluded.
Third, the left in this nation is desperate to paint all conservatives and, especially, all Trump supporters as “white nationalists” to the point of absurdity. Allowing any actual white nationalists into an event where attendees are encouraged to bring Trump flags as well as American flags would be a grave mistake and does no favors to either President Trump or to the broader conservative cause. Conservatives, libertarians, and Trump supporters must be diligent about making sure the events they organize exclude white nationalists who want the same thing the left wants – to paint the false impression that we agree with their racist, collectivist, anti-constitution agenda (which is exactly why CNN loves to give airtime to the white nationalist troll Richard Spencer, as he desperately tries to tie his Neo-Nazi agenda to Trump).
I want to stress that we at Oath Keepers DO NOT believe that Joe Biggs or Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, the two organizers of this event, are white nationalists. Nor do we believe that the great majority of those groups and individuals who plan on attending the event are white nationalists.   But we do not believe the organizers are taking the steps necessary to ensure that white nationalist and suspected white nationalist groups and individuals will be excluded.
A closely related problem is that the organizers have not secured a permit for exclusive use of the Waterfront Park where they will be holding the rally this Saturday in Portland.  Yes, they still have a right to free speech, but one of the advantages of securing a permit to use a public space for a particular time is that it allows you to exclude others from using that same space at that time, such as excluding known or suspected white nationalists.
We saw the problems a lack of a permit can bring when we helped to protect a free speech event in Berkeley, CA in April, 2017. That was an un-permitted event, and because the event organizers had not secured a permit for exclusive use of the MLK park, they could not exclude the white nationalists group Identity Evropa from entering the park.   Identity Evropa promptly placed themselves and their anti-Semitic, racist signs front and center, facing off with Antifa.
I instructed those under our command in the event security element that under no circumstances were they to allow Identity Evropa to enter our security inner perimeter around the audience and the stage. I was willing to go to jail to prevent Identity Evropa from actually entering the audience for the event, but we could not kick them out of the park. And, of course, the media all focused their cameras on Identity Evropa. We were able to maintain some separation between them and the event we were securing, but it did give Identity Evropa the opportunity to attempt to co-opt the event for their own agenda.
For this event in Portland, in contrast to the April 2017 event in Berkeley, Oath Keepers is not in charge of the security element and, if we attended this Saturday, we would not be able to actively exclude suspected white nationalists as we did in Berkeley. As such, we cannot attend.
B.  Some of the past rhetoric, public statements, and memes/graphics posted online by the event organizer and by planned attendees expose those who attend the August 17 rally to possible civil and criminal law liability.  
We understand the anger and frustration among patriots after watching the footage of the violent Antifa attack on Andy Ngo on June 29, 2019 and the horrific attack on two other patriots that same day. However, angry, undisciplined public statements  that can be construed as expressing an intent to come to Portland to seek out Antifa and engage them in street fights and to assault them, and memes posted online to that effect, or worse, do a disservice to anyone who wants to attend a free speech event in protest against Antifa terrorism and against the failure of Portland officials to secure the free speech rights of Americans.
Those angry statements cannot be undone, and despite the organizers and planned attendees subsequently dialing back on the rhetoric, those prior statements are already being used against them by their political opponents and by the leftist dominated media.   All of the angry videos,Twitter posts, and incriminating photos, etc by the organizer leading up to this rally have been preserved by Antifa and their supporters. Likewise for memes/graphics posted by planned attendees depicting violence against Antifa.
Further, those prior statements, videos, photos, and memes/graphics by the event organizer and other planned attendees potentially expose all attendees to possible prosecution using both an Oregon state “rioting” statute and a federal rioting statute that was used on some of the attendees of the disastrous Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally in August, 2017 (which Oath Keepers also did NOT attend). Even though the vast majority of the planned attendees for the Portland rally this Saturday have no intention of initiating unlawful violence against Antifa, the prior statements of the event organizer, expressing his intent, can potentially be used against all attendees.
I share the frustrations many patriots feel about the obvious double standard of Antifa having free rein in Portland while patriots are under the microscope. But I cannot and will not expose Oath Keepers members to possible persecution/prosecution because of undisciplined statements made by others, however understandable the anger that prompted the undisciplined statements. Therefore, I must urge all Oath Keepers members to stay clear of this event in Portland on August 17, 2019.
C.  More Than Ever, This is a Time for Discipline and Professionalism 
Because of their own actions, Antifa is currently on the ropes and is on the verge of being declared a domestic terrorist organization. Much has taken place since Joe Biggs first announced his intent to hold this rally.   First, on July 13, 2019, the self-identified Antifa terrorist Willem Van Spronsen used a rifle and Molotov cocktails to attack the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, WA.  Only by the grace of God was he not able to kill responding officers. Van Spronsen pointed his AR-15 at the officers, but it apparently malfunctioned, and he was shot and killed before he could fix that malfunction. He also failed in his attempt to ignite a 500 lb propane tank.  If he had been successful, it could have killed all the personnel and the detainees in the center. Thankfully he was an incompetent terrorist.
Since that attack, Antifa has lauded Van Spronsen as a martyr and an example to follow, and, in the graphics promoting their planned assault on the border in El Paso, Texas September 1-10, Antifa has openly threatened to kill CBP personnel.
And, of course, Antifa widely celebrated the July 12 illegal trespassing at the Aurora, CO ICE facility where protesters tore down the American flag, attempted to burn it, and in its place hoisted up the Mexican flagand also flew a defaced, upside down “blue lives matter” flag with “Abolish ICE” written on it in red.
And most recently, at 3am on August 13, 2019, shots were fired into the occupied ICE offices in San Antonio, Texas.
A maxim of warfare, expressed by Napoleon Bonaparte, is to “never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” Patriots, conservatives, Trump supporters, all need to be disciplined and let Antifa continue to show their true colors.  It would be counterproductive to engage in undisciplined activities (or in a rally who’s main organizer made undisciplined statements of intent) that can be construed by the media and politicians to paint patriots as the aggressors and Antifa as the victims.
Frankly, given the prior statements of Joe Biggs that will be used against all attendees of his rally, it would be best for the patriot/conservative cause if this August 17 rally were simply canceled. Those who want to protest the way Portland coddles Antifa should start over, with a clean slate, and then do so in a much more disciplined manner.
In addition to the above noted Antifa terrorism, after the mass shootings in California, El Paso, and Ohio, we are in a decidedly “kinetic” (guns and bombs) environment and we should expect Antifa to use even more deadly force as they go full “Weather Underground” in their revolutionary communist-terrorist trajectory. Expect it.
As such, Oath Keepers will be very disciplined about what events we participate in, and we are currently instructing our members to focus on publicly supporting and directly backing up ICE and CBP personnel in a disciplined, purely defensive posture, using only clearly lawful self defense and defense of others, and to focus on our upcoming operation in El Paso, TX where we will also be assisting in securing private property (including homes) against deadly threat by Antifa.
If the event organizers do continue on with their planned event this Saturday, we sincerely hope it goes off without a hitch and is peaceful and successful. But Oath Keepers will be focusing our resources elsewhere.
For the Republic,
Stewart Rhodes
Founder and National President of Oath Keepers
Credits:
Author, Stewart Rhodes at OathKeepers.org
Recommended by andyocoregon here at WQTH

Let’s P.R.A.Y.!

Whatever the outcome today, may I suggest to include this struggle in our prayers. Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done.
Think *3

#WWG1WGA

This very special
2nd Amendment SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Header photo credit: http://andyporterimages.com/night-sky-at-bryce-canyon

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

2nd Amendment Sunday

Well, it’s really quite the hot August and there are a lot of chores to be done around our place. To be honest, the number of really excellent threads inspires me. To not be very wordy. To allow for some strong conversations here…

Let Trump’s Base Speak [on gun control]…

Not to mention the conversations here…

Top 10 Reasons Red Flag Laws Are Bad For America

We are not alone in the fight. We have one another. We have the patriots. We have our Lion PDJT. And we have One greater than every enemy around us.

We have examples of how this works.

So let’s do this!

This very special
You’ve Got to Know SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

You’ve Got To “Know When” Sunday

In researching for the prayer post earlier this week, I came across the following story of a family returning to their home town in Iraq after ISIS was finally driven out. It is told from the perspective of the young daughter and includes video of earlier interviews from the time when her family was in exile in Egypt.
This is a beautiful story of resilience anchored in hope.

Assessing Situations

The lyrics from Kenny Rogers song, The Gambler, succinctly sum up the necessary task of discerning the right response to a high stakes environment. If you judge the situation correctly you can sometimes take in big winnings, just stay in the game for future wins, move on or live another day.

See also: https://genius.com/Kenny-rogers-the-gambler-lyrics

Jesus’ Parable About Investment

Jesus often taught principles of the Kingdom of Heaven using stories (parables). In the following parable, Jesus is gently directing his disciples attention away from their expectation of God’s immediate judgment coming to earth, wiping out their enemies, and the restoration of Paradise for the righteous among them.
As you read through it, consider your own expectations. What you expect from God. From the White Hats. And, most important of all, what do you expect from yourself?

¹¹ While he had their attention, and because they were getting close to Jerusalem by this time and expectation was building that God’s kingdom would appear any minute, he told this story:

^12-13 “There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.’
¹⁴ “But the citizens there hated him. So they sent a commission with a signed petition to oppose his rule: ‘We don’t want this man to rule us.’
¹⁵ “When he came back bringing the authorization of his rule, he called those ten servants to whom he had given the money to find out how they had done.
¹⁶ “The first said, ‘Master, I doubled your money.’
¹⁷ “He said, ‘Good servant! Great work! Because you’ve been trustworthy in this small job, I’m making you governor of ten towns.’
¹⁸ “The second said, ‘Master, I made a fifty percent profit on your money.’
¹⁹ “He said, ‘I’m putting you in charge of five towns.’
^20-21 “The next servant said, ‘Master, here’s your money safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the cellar. To tell you the truth, I was a little afraid. I know you have high standards and hate sloppiness, and don’t suffer fools gladly.’
^22-23 “He said, ‘You’re right that I don’t suffer fools gladly—and you’ve acted the fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?’
²⁴ “Then he said to those standing there, ‘Take the money from him and give it to the servant who doubled my stake.’
²⁵ “They said, ‘But Master, he already has double . . .’
²⁶ “He said, ‘That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.“

Luke 19:11-26 The Message (MSG)

And so we come to the very heart of this exploration.

How do we assess the appropriate response when the place where we live is in outright rebellion to our Heavenly King and His ways?

Whether it’s Baltimore or Broward County, Cleveland or California, the right move for you and your family will require discernment. We can all agree that these places come with a higher level of toxicity than other places.

What is a Toxic Environment?

Chernobyl comes to mind. But did you know that plant and animal life around the reactor is stronger and more diverse than before the accident? From an Institute for Creation Research article just published this week (emphasis added):

“Interestingly, in addition to this innate resilience to radiation, some plants in the Chernobyl exclusion zone seem to be using extra mechanisms to protect their DNA, changing its chemistry to make it more resistant to damage, and turning on systems to repair it if this doesn’t work [added emphasis].” His observations coincide with research on the progeny of Arabidopsis plants from Chernobyl.

Several Russian scientists discovered that when exposed to high radiation there was a resistance to mutations through a more than 10-fold decreased frequency of extrachromosomal homologous recombination, major differences in the expression of genes controlling DNA-repair and for proteins removing dangerous free radicals, and a higher level of global genome methylation.

Other research on several bird species at Chernobyl found that they also have internal mechanisms for detecting free radical molecules that are a byproduct of radiation exposure and then up-regulate mechanisms for DNA repair.

Because all DNA damage was repaired more quickly, radiation-exposed birds surprisingly “may even obtain beneficial hormetic effects following an adaptive response.”

It is now obvious that creatures have innate mechanisms that enable them to self-adjust to a higher range of radiation than anticipated. The existence of these systems precedes radiation exposure—Chernobyl was a unique radiation producing event—as there has not been enough time for them to have developed due to evolutionary “tinkering” via “trial-and-error” struggles to survive.

… [T]he Institute for Creation Research has been promoting an organism-focused, design-based model of adaptation called Continuous Environmental Tracking (CET). 

This model explains what organisms are doing when they adapt. The organism-focused arm of the framework hypothesizes that: organisms possess internal mechanisms that enable them to actively and continuously track environmental variables and respond by self-adjusting to changing environments—which results in their adaptation.

The other design-based arm assumes that these internal mechanisms utilize the same engineering principles that constrain how human-designed objects self-adjust to changes.

CET postulates that how organisms adapt is via innate systems with elements analogous to those within human-engineered tracking systems, namely: input sensors, internal logic mechanisms to select suitable responses, and actuators to execute responses. CET, therefore, expects that the creatures’ self-adjustments would be characterized as regulated, rapid, and targeted to specific challenges.

The Foolish Servant

In the parable above, the foolish servant was a complete failure at adaptation. Maybe he saw the rebellion fomenting and buried his master’s money in hopes of cashing in if the rebellion succeeded. Maybe he just was really afraid of loss and that’s why he hid it.
But look at the admonition of the King to this foolish servant, “Why didn’t you at least invest the money in securities so I would have gotten a little interest on it?”
Apparently, Jesus wants his followers to understand that He rewards smart risk taking for potential gain and will be more pleased with someone gaining a little in a very safe investment rather than not investing what they have been given at all.

Risky Investments: Exhibit A

If there is anyone out there putting the gifts he has been given into good use, Scott Pressler certainly makes the list!

His work reminds me of a story that takes place during the settling of the “promised land” by the Israelites. Certain tribes wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan river which had already been conquered. This would be allowed, but the stipulation was that they had to agree to send their fighting men to the west side to help take the whole of the land for their nation before they could enjoy the peace of their own territory.

Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Joshua 1:14-16 

In Scott’s case, he is traveling around the country to invest his talents in whatever way benefits all patriotic Americans. He is fighting for us! May the Lord guide, protect and equip this young man for what lies ahead in his life.

Risky Investments: Exhibit B

Later in Israel’s history, their land was conquered and the people were carried away captive to Babylon. God gave their prophet, Jeremiah, instructions to help them know how to respond to this upheaval.

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.”

Jeremiah 29:4-6

Now imagine the risk of following these instructions. What if the situation changes and you are able to return to your homeland quickly? What if the Babylonians decide to relocate you and all your work is for nothing? Quite the risky investment.
And yet, they are told to pour their sweat equity into building houses, growing food and making big families. They are to seek the welfare of the city where they have been placed–while remaining in captivity!
As it turned out, they were there for some 70 years. Those that heeded the words of the prophet would be coming out of captivity strong and prosperous.

Risky Investments: Exhibit C

In the case of the Iraqi Christian family returning to Qaraqosh (mentioned at the top of this article), they are returning to their hometown which has been bombed, looted, nearly destroyed–with about half of the original residents choosing to not return to rebuild. A different set of risks, but certainly made the choice to return and invest in the community they came from instead of seeking refuge in another, perhaps safer, place.

So back to that pesky question…

How do we assess the appropriate response when the place where we live is in outright rebellion to our Heavenly King and His ways?

I don’t think there is a simple answer.
It’s true that for some people there comes a point in time when they just know in their hearts it is time to leave. And for others it is just as clear that they are to stay and “pray to the Lord” on the behalf of the city God has placed them in.
Many will spend a long time working out what is right for them. But that is the journey and no one else can tell anyone what is the right path for another. I have deep respect for anyone that takes that journey. A journey of truly seeking God’s highest and best purpose for them no matter the cost.
May God grant us all discernment, wisdom, and peace in the process.
Think *3

(just for fun!)

This week’s installment by Rick Joyner on the Second American Revolutionary/Civil War is worthy reading for every patriot and provides much needed encouragement as we face the month of August which promises to be very, very intense.

I am offering this mid-week topic as
a place to fortify ourselves;
a place to pray for America,
for believers around the world,
for those blinded by the darkness,
and for the “good guys”
who are risking it all for liberty.

#WWG1WGA

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

 July 30, 2019 * WEEK 31

When Jesus was asked about the signs of the end of the age in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, He described the general conditions that have now come upon us and gave us three things to do:
     1) stand up
     2) look up
     3) rejoice!
     These are the three main things that we should set our hearts to do each day. We must stand up for what we believe with courage and boldness. We do this by looking up to see the One who is on the throne above all rule, authority, and dominion. If we see Him as He is and where He sits, we will rejoice knowing with certainty that His kingdom is coming and His will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This “joy of The Lord” will be our strength.
     It is our first duty to take a stand for The Lord and His truth. We must never retreat before the enemies of the cross. We must resolve that we will not stop fighting until the entire earth and all it contains serves The Lord. He has paid the full price for it, and it is His. As soldiers of the cross, it is our duty to stand resolutely for what belongs to our King.
     We have the strength and boldness to do this when we put our faith in Him, seeing Who He is and where He sits above all authority, power, and dominion. Those who live by seeing Him as He is live as He lived, and choose death over compromising what He paid such a price for. His truth is more precious than our temporary life in this world, and we must resolve that regardless of the cost we will stand for Him. We are here to preach the good news of His coming kingdom and to help prepare the way for His coming, building a highway that is His higher way.
     Knowing these things, how can we not rejoice regardless of how dark it may look for a time? The night gets the darkest and coldest just before the sun rises. It is during this darkest time that the stars shine the brightest. Throughout history, the brightest lights have appeared during the darkest times. We are told that the darkest times of all will be at the end of this age. So, it is then that we can expect some of the brightest stars of all, The Son of God and “the morning star,” a sure testimony that the day is about to dawn, will soon appear.
     So how do we stand up as one of those lights? We get engaged. “The future belongs to those who show up.” We get engaged where the darkness is. As we are faithful in engaging in even the small things, He will give us authority over bigger matters. We get engaged attending school board meetings and county and city board meetings. We get engaged in media, education, business, sports, and entertainment. We let our voices be heard clearly and often. We do not shrink back from confronting the darkness and resolutely standing up to it.
     We do not know how much longer the darkness will last until The Son appears, but let us resolve to embrace this opportunity to stand up for The King—to stand on His word and to make His Gospel known even against the greatest opposition. To stand against the greatest darkness is the greatest honor we could be given.
     At the same time, being a light in the darkness is not just about standing against the darkness; it is also having and being the answer to the greatest problems. We must be solution oriented people instead of just problem oriented people. Our message is how bright The Light is, not how dark the evil is.
     As racism rages, let us resolve to be the temple of The Lord that is a house of prayer for all races. Let us search our own hearts for any prejudice and resolve that we will not judge others by the color of their skin, but rather by the content of their character. Let us rise far above just tolerance of those who are different and determine that we will esteem these and rejoice to know them so that we can learn things we do not understand.
     As hatred rages, let us resolve to grow in love, even the ultimate love that loves our enemies. Let us determine to hold to the truth that people are never our enemy, and that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against evil spiritual forces of wickedness that have captivated people. We are sent to set the people free. Fear is the biggest demonic inroad, or “gate of hell.” Perfect love casts out fear, so let us resolve to grow in the love that casts out the fears by which the devil has bound people.
     We are told in Romans 16:20 that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” Two major takeaways from this is that 1) He wants to do this under our feet, and 2) it is the peace of God that crushes him. Do not ever lose His peace. Peace is the result of our faith in Him—who He is and where He sits above all rule and authority and dominion. As we go into battle, peace is a primary weapon and our primary strategy. So let us resolve to protect it and use it to the fullest effect. In these times of rising anxiety and fear, those who walk in the peace of God will stand out as the great lights of hope that the world so desperately needs. NEVER LOSE THE PEACE OF GOD.
Read more by Rick Joyner at MorningStarMinistries.org

The Great Awakening is Coming

We here, at Wolfmoon’s Q Tree House, like to watch for cues from the Q Team. That is, to ponder, discuss, consider, share, what the Q Team highlights for our consideration. One of the key phrases in the Q posts has been “Great Awakening.”
This is a well known term from the early days of our nation. There were times of “awakenings” where by the prayers of believers and by the sovereign mercies of God thousands of wayward souls were consumed by an uncharacteristic sense of the nearness of God through the Holy Spirit, with a correlating desire to be cleansed and restored to right relationship with their Heavenly Father through the redemptive work of His Son on the cross.
These awakenings seem to come at key times in our history when a course correction was needed. It is easy enough to see in our day that we have been long overdue for a course correction. And so it seems appropriate to open up this thread for prayer for those that are ready and willing to battle together for their King.

It is likely that we each will have our own way of participating. That’s good and right. Some have already said they are seeking God with fasting. Some are part of other groups that pray. Some have no words.
Maybe some will post a prayer meme or the text of a traditional prayer. Others might compose their own Spirit-breathed prayer for us to join in to pray with them. Everyone that wants to add their heart-felt prayers is very, very welcome.
Let’s P.R.A.Y.!
Think *3

Credits:
“I Can’t Find the Right Words”
“The Lord’s Prayer“

This very special
Seeing the Slavery SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

Seeing the Slavery Sunday

Romans 6:6-23

Okay, I get it.
Spiritually, we are slaves to whatever we choose to obey.

According to Jesus, “… if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.” And that’s pretty good news. When we cry out to God for mercy, there is an exchange. We are “redeemed” from slavery and adopted as sons. This is the Gospel, good news.

Life, Liberty and Property

The founding fathers were pretty keen on throwing off the yoke of oppression they suffered at the hand of England to become free. And I believe that there was discussion about extending their emancipation to women and slaves.
Perhaps at the time they felt they could not raise the support for their efforts if they went that far. I don’t know. But in any case, full freedom for all people was not codified into American law until much later. And for the indigenous people, they were still being treated as “less than” into the 1940’s (at least as exemplified by their access to public education).

What about modern slavery?

In the last decade the public awareness of atrocities of modern slavery has finally gained traction. Even though I did not research the producers of the above video, I believe the 7 minute view is worthy of your time. Perhaps the economics of slavery can even explain recent political moves by countries such as Russia, China and India.

A CONDENSED 
ANTI-SLAVERY BIBLE ARGUMENT.

(excerpt from Chapter I)

IN order the better to understand the subject it is necessary here to introduce a few plain definitions. Slavery has two definitions–the direct and the indirect. The first of these is that it is the total deprivation of human rights; the other that it is the reducing of human beings to the condition of property, the same as other goods, wares, merchandise and chattels.

Either of these definitions will answer for the purpose of argument, though the latter is to be preferred, because it is the most familiar. There are a variety of other ways in which mankind hold control over each other, and sometimes unjustly and oppressively; but if the persons controlled be not held as property, they are not slaves.

A Right is defined to be, the privilege or liberty of being, doing, having or suffering something at our own pleasure and discretion without the interference, interruption or hindrance of others–and to this discretion neither the law of God, nor the common law, nor any other just law, sets any other bounds than that we so exercise our own rights as not to infringe the same rights in other human beings.

A Wrong is defined to be, any voluntary act which disturbs, interrupts, hinders, or destroys the free exercise of the rights of others–every such act being strictly forbidden by the law of God, and every other just law.

Right and Wrong are, therefore, the everlasting moral and political opposites and antagonists of each other. Mr. Weld, in his valuable “Bible Argument,” says, “ENSLAVING MEN IS REDUCING THEM TO ARTICLES OF PROPERTY — making free agents, chattels–converting persons into things–sinking immortality into merchandize.

A slave is one held in this condition. In law, he owns nothing and can acquire nothing.” His right to himself is abrogated. If he says my hands, my body, my mind, MYself, they are figures of speech. To use himself for his own good is a crime. To keep what he earns is stealing. To take his body into his own keeping is insurrection.

In a word, the profit of his master is made the END of his being, and he a mere means to that end–a mere means to an end into which his interests do not enter– of which they constitute no portion. MAN sunk to a thing! The intrinsic element, the principle of slavery.

MEN, bartered, leased, mortgaged, bequeathed, invoiced, shipped in cargoes, stored as goods, taken on executions, and knocked off at public outcry! Their rights, another’s conveniences; their interests, wares on sale; their happiness, a household utensil; their personal inalienable ownership, a serviceable article or a plaything, as best suits the humor of the hour; their deathless nature, conscience, social affections, sympathies, hopes–marketable commodities!

We repeat it, “THE REDUCTION OF PERSONS TO THINGS!” Not robbing a man of privileges, but of himself; not loading him with burdens, but making him a beast of burden; not restraining liberty, but subverting it; not curtailing rights, but abolishing them; not inflicting personal cruelty, but annihilating personality; not exacting involuntary labor, but sinking man into an implement of labor; not abridging human comforts, but abrogating human nature; not depriving an animal of immunities, but despoiling a rational being of attributes, uncreating A MAN to make room for a thing!

That this is American slavery is shown by the laws of the slave states. Judge Stroud, in his “Sketch of the Laws relating to Slavery,” says, “The cardinal principle of slavery, that the slave is not to be ranked among sentient beings but among things, obtains as undoubted law in all of these (the slave) states.”

The law of South Carolina says, “Slaves shall be deemed, held, taken, reputed and adjudged in law to be chattels personal in the hands of their owners and possessors, and their executors, administrators, and assigns, TO ALL INTENTS, CONSTRUCTIONS, AND PURPOSES WHATSOEVER.”

In Louisiana, “A slave is one who is in the power of a master, to whom he belongs; the master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry and his labor; he can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what belongs to his master. Civ. Code, Art. 35.”

Tried by these definitions, human slavery is one of the greatest wrongs existing in the world.

A Citizen of Virginia.

Abolitionists fought slavery in America through changing minds

In 1845, they used pamphlets, like this one written by “A Citizen of Virginia.”
Now the internet is the medium, but the goal is the same, to educate and motivate change.
Interestingly enough, authors in 1845 found it necessary to remain anonymous when advocating for change that would threaten the established power. And today we have the same dynamic as well-illustrated by the Q movement.
When I found this “condensed anti-slavery Bible argument” (of only 84 pages!) the reasoning was so fresh, I believe it bears repeating.
Note that the anonymous author starts with definitions (see above text in red), then launches into the main of his treatise. If you don’t have time to review the text, here is the sum-up: the treatment of PERSONS as THINGS is an affront and a crime.
I could not agree more.

Let’s think about the applications to our own world… Do you know the types of businesses that are most likely to be using people as property in your town?
Would you know how to recognize it if it was in front of you? Would you know what you can do about it? Would it take a lot of courage to do it?
I look forward to your comments!
Think *3
https://youtu.be/zTm5n4Gyi7s

This very special
“No people has lived in greater freedom” SUNDAY open thread

is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody
to post whatever they feel they would like
to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the KAG!KMAG world.

Say what you want, comment on what other people said,
comment on people’s comments.
Keep it civil.  Treehouse rules, but expect lots of QAnon.

See the January 1st daily thread for the rules of the road,
which are few but important.

Remember – your greatest gift to President Trump is FIVE WORDS:
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU

A vision for the future.

Micah 4:1-4

“No people has lived in greater freedom” Sunday

In prepared remarks this week Representative Liz Cheney, in speaking about America stated “No people has lived in greater freedom.”  While this may, in fact, be true, in our current state we face daily reminders that our freedoms are under assault.
At the rally this week Vice President Mike Pence said, “When we have a choice between more freedom and more government, we’ll choose freedom every time.” Which highlights the source of many threats to our liberty in this nation.
Let’s take a step back and ask a few questions. What is freedom? What is subjection? What is slavery? … (and, to go all Q) … What really is freedom?
In the tradition of the Jewish people, the bondage of Egypt is an ever-present memory. It all began with jealousy on the part of Joseph’s brothers. They SOLD their BROTHER into slavery. Well, they probably were patting themselves on the back for being so nice since their original intention was to murder him!
While there is a happy turn of events when Joseph comes into favor with the Pharaoh, it is important to note that Joseph actually uses God’s revelation about the future to create an economy that leads to the enslavement of the ENTIRE NATION, including his own people. He’s probably patting himself on the back because he kept them from starvation!
This is the way of the world. First you leave the place given to you. Then some trouble comes and you give up some of your freedom. Eventually the ruler you gave your freedom to hands power to somebody who despises you and and oppresses you. And when you stay strong, they start killing off your babies, abuse you and your family and try to work you to death. What a way to live.
No need to explain to anybody what slavery is right? Or is that right?
What is slavery? Do you have to be in chains to be a slave?
What about victims of blackmail? Those struggling with drug addiction or heavy debt? Those living with the fear of violence or worse? Those with hidden secrets or promises that constrain their choices?
Who is really free? What does a free man or woman look like?
What do they have that makes them free?
You will have your own answers.
I would love for you to offer your thoughts in the comments!
For me, freedom is an inner state of the heart. A clear conscience, an unshakable trust in the goodness of God, a life of making hard choices when necessary and being willing to surrender everything to stay true to what is right.
Think *3