Month: September 2019

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CLARITY – 9-21-19 At Least Camel is Nutritious

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-21-19

At Least a Camel is Nutritious

What’s Happening: “One high schooler, Maryn Holler had had enough. She posted on social media a picture of a meager lunch she paid $3.00 for, together with her protest at being served something ‘that costs 50 cents to make.’ Her posting soon got over 1,000 repostings and 900 comments…many of them uncomplimentary to the school: ‘That is a pathetic excuse for a lunch,’ a person wrote. ‘I hope parents are ringing that schools phones off the hook.’ ‘Maryn you’re right, this is absolutely ridiculous and I wish you best of luck in hopes of making a positive change in you district!,’someone else wrote. (https://www.yahoo.com/news/high-school-sparks-controversy-over-182452414.html). Maryn’s comment?  ‘Alright so i paid for this to eat at lunch today,’ Facebook records. ‘I thank God everyday that my family has the money where i get to go home and eat actual food. there are kids at this school who this is ALL THEY GET TO EAT, and we were given a hotdog bun with cheese. it’s honestly sad to know that we go to school and pay around 3 dollars for something that cost .50 cents to make.’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “What about the kids that are allergic to dairy products?”

Biblical Response:  “You assuming that they got real cheese…which apparently is quite an assumption. And to pay (actually, the taxpayers are paying) $3 for something that costs a fraction of that… None of which I think is the actual point that should be made. Kids today may have their bodies fed (albeit, maybe poorly), but what of their minds and spirits? A scripture comes to mind: Matt 23:24 – ‘Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.’ (KJV)

‘Blind guides’ seems appropo here, when talking of administrators and teachers (of course, it’s hard to blame the teachers, when they only teach what they must). Ever since 1962 (Engle v. Vitale Supreme Court decision), the Bible and prayer have had no part of public education (in direct conflict with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787). Education of the mind and spirit are incomplete, and that’s ⅔ of the whole person. Now it seems that the other ⅓ might also be in danger. Maybe controversy over that will satisfy their dereliction of mandate.”

“Christians? Oh, we believe in the education of the whole man – body, soul, and spirit (1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Tim. 3:16). And we believe that religion is a vital part of the equation for educating. Read what the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 has to say about it:”

“Quoting the first sentence of Article III: ‘Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.’ Oops!…I guess we forgot about that..,somewhere between the carrots and the cheese.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, have mercy on this generation and any who attempt to fill the future with deficient individuals; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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It’d Be Funny If It Wasn’t So Sad

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-20-19

It’d Be Funny If It Wasn’t So Sad

What’s Happening: “If you can believe it, NBC News has opened an online confessional…for those who want to confess their Climate-Change sins! Although this was not taken seriously by many, it was by people who posted the following: – I sleep with the air conditioning on year-round and justify to myself by recycling; – I fly to much…partially for work, but on the flipside, I don’t own a car; – I travel often to conferences flying. I think about the emissions + try to justify it with, ‘the plane is going there, anyway’ (https://www.theblaze.com/news/nbc-news-online-climate-confessional). ‘Even those who care deeply about the planet’s future can slip up now and then,’ says the website.” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Should I be kneeling while I post?”

Biblical Response:  “Are you asking this seriously?! The guilt that’s removed by such ‘confessions’ is as phony as mand-made Climate Change…or the on-line confessional. Do I think that Climate Change is real? Of course…it’s been happening since creation…though I was raised fearing the coming Ice Age. Anytime the Sun waxes and wanes fusionly (is that a word?), there is a resultant change on the ‘Third Rock from the Sun.’ Man-made Climate Change? Not so much. Our puny attempts, however well-intentioned, at ameliorating the effects of pollution are as ineffectual as the man-made calamity they are supposed to be fixing.

What we really need is more people taking the stewardship of our home seriously (Gen. 2:15), not fake confessions to a fake god. Do we use too many plastics without disposing of them properly; take too many trips in means of transport that are emission-unfriendly; omit recycling because it is just too inconvenient? Probably. We feel bad about it already…read the justifying statements above. But the economics have to work, too. The solution is profitable innovation.”

“Christians? We should be taking the lead in stewardship. But a website for confessing?! We have too many real sins that need absolution to be pouring out our soul over our pollution shortcomings. Besides, the ‘all iniquity’(1 John1:9) probably covers sins of pollution, too.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us not to ‘strain at a gnat and swallow a camel’ (Matt. 23:24)…to feel good about confessing faux sins when there are much bigger issues that need our attention; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-9-19 No ‘Rush to Judgment’

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-19-19

No ‘Rush to Judgement’  

What’s Happening: “The ‘Old Gray Lady’ (NYT) may have been caught with her proverbial ‘pants down’ (no sexual pun intended) when she published a later-corrected false report on Justice Brett Kavanaugh as an opinion article Sunday. A book about Kavanaugh’s hearing, The Education of Brett Kavanaugh, co-authored by Kate Kelly, was cited partially. There were immediate calls for impeachment by a half dozen Democrat Presidential contenders including specifically Kamala Harris, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg (https://www.yahoo.com/news/nyt-kavanaugh-book-skullduggery-132959100.html). ‘Obviously, it was an oversight. We corrected it as soon as we could, added the information in. There’s an editor’s note explaining that we regret this. It’s unfortunate, and just speaking for Robin and myself, there’s no attempt to conceal information from our readers,’ said Kelly.” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “This guy just doesn’t seem able to catch a break..”

Biblical Response:  “Nope…and in a political climate where mere accusation is sufficient for reality…well, who is surprised? I’m sure we’ve all done things thirty years ago we regret…and getting drunk is one of Kavanaugh’s. The ‘rush to judgement’ of the New York Times reflects her left-leaning bias and neglect of good journalism standards. Justice Kavanaugh must endure another onslaught on his character, but thankfully, there is a Judge Who is never in a hurry (2 Pet. 3:9). It’s not that He wants to gather more facts, as He knows the end from the beginning (Is 46:10). He’s just giving us more time to repent.”

“Christians? Are we afraid for the truth to come out? No (1 John 4:10)…perhaps a bit embarrassed (Luke 12:3), but not afraid.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to give people the benefit of the doubt and be quick to forgive… for there, but for the grace of God, go I; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-18-19 Trust Issues

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-18-19

Trust Issues  

What’s Happening: “Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), in an interview with CNN, said that any administration that lies about crowd sizes and weather maps can’t be trusted to give the American people accurate enough information to make a decision to go to war with Iran. The decision about how to respond to Iran is imminent as the drone attack occurring last weekend has sent oil and gas prices soaring worldwide. The only thing to be definitively determined is who is behind the attack. Iran denies any involvement. Trump’s firing of hawkish advisor Bolton may mean he favors a diplomatic solution…which should make Omar happy (https://www.yahoo.com/news/ilhan-omar-trump-admin-cant-121829265.html). ‘We are not in a position to think about another endless war and I really hope that my colleagues in Congress are going to pressure this administration to take a step back and figure out how we use diplomacy in de-escalating the situation,’ said Omar.” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Perhaps we should at least try diplomacy…” 

Biblical Response:  “And perhaps we will…though it’s not like the administration hasn’t tried this before. Our non-military response has seemingly produced nothing except a lot of starving Iranians. Sanctions might work…eventually…but they might not. Omar (and a Democrat- controlled House) seem to have trust issues, not willing to take this administration’s word for anything. On the administration’s side, are trust issues, too…do you trust a country that is the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism? Do you trust Islam, who says there’s no god but Allah? Some of the American people seem to welcome Islam, equating Allah with Jehovah (the Jews’ and Chistians’ God). Heck, some Americans say there is no god…or you can believe in any god…as long as you’re sincere.”

“Until we settle that issue, war or diplomacy may only create more trust issues…and with America as divided as it is, there probably is no solution on the horizon.”

“Christians? We are told to worship no God but Jehovah (Ex. 20:1-6). Even a surface examination of the Quran (Koran) yields a god that is different than the highly relational God of the Bible, even justifying deception to an ‘infidel,’ which Christians are regarded by Islam  (http://muslimfact.com/bm/terror-in-the-name-of-islam/islam-permits-lying-to-deceive-unbelievers-and-bri.shtml). Contrarilly, Christians look at Islam as a huge mission field (Matt 28:18-20), and consider the truth as the only way to freedom (John 8:32) and Jesus as the only name of God ( John 14:6; Acts 4:12). 9/11 told us Islam considers anyone who doesn’t worship Allah as an infidel…and justifiable collateral damage in their effort to dominate the world. And Muslims want us to trust them?!”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father (Jehovah, not Allah), help us to see through a lie to embrace the truth…and help our leaders to know what to do in the present crisis; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-17-19 Legality v. Expediency

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-17-19

Legality v. Expediency  

What’s Happening: “Tyler Huffhines, 20, of Wisconsin is being held on $500,000 bond. He is being charged with running a drug trafficking house, 3 counts of possession of THC (the psychotropic ingredient in marijuana) with intent to deliver, and identity theft. He flew to California and bought five canning jars of THC distillate to put into vaping cartridges; the street value is about $35 per cartridge, which he was to sell for $15 each in minimum quantities of 500 cartridges…you do the math…it was quite lucrative…and he was only paying 30 cents/cartridge to add it (https://www.yahoo.com/news/wisconsin-man-accused-making-thc-210922574.html). Police who interviewed him said he said: ‘You invest more, you make more. No risk, no reward,’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “I guess selling drugs is not all it’s ‘crack’ed up to be. (pun intended)”

Biblical Response:  “Yeah, and vaping is for ‘dope’s, too. (pun also intended) Seriously, who thought legalization was going to lead to less crime? You say: THC is no more harmful than drinking alcohol. However, like the Apostle Paul said:

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Cor. 6:12 KJV)

Drinking alcohol and consumption of THC may not be harmful (tell that to Sharon, 24, who lived with us in San Diego a long time ago…she had permanent brain damage from THC), but getting high may not be wise. Sure, reality sometimes stinks…and checking out mentally is quite a temptation. However, the collateral damage can be costly, and the reality that was sent to change you is still there when you come back down. If you let the reality have its work (by dealing with it), it might just effect the change it was supposed to. There is an old saying amongst Christians in Arkansas: ‘Don’t fix the fix God fixed to fix you.’ THC certainly fixes nothing.”

“Christians? Letting expediency step in is what denial is all about (Eph. 5:18). It’s one thing to have a half-a-glass of wine with your dinner or a beer with your game on TV or a hit at a gathering of your friends (of course there’s also the issue of avoiding the appearance of evil – 1 Thess. 5:22)…it’s quite another to drink yourself (or smoke yourself) into a stupor (of course, you can eliminate the possibility of drinking or smoking THC – I guess we can now add vaping – if you never begin in the first place). BTW, I am not of that crowd who believes that Jesus turned water into grape juice at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-10).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, You originally made all things to be blessing to us. Help us not corrupt Your creation to our own ends; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-16-19 Supply Threatened?

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-16-19

Supply Threatened?  

What’s Happening: “The primary oil field in Saudi Arabia was attacked by drones over the weekend, with Aramco, the Saudi government-owned company, losing half of its output. It may be several weeks before full production is restored. Houthi rebels in Yemen have taken credit for the attack, but intelligence sources say Tehran is almost certainly behind everything. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have already announced they are prepared to access strategic reserves (https://www.yahoo.com/news/saudi-races-restore-oil-supply-strike-blamed-iran-094616295.html). Trump tweeted, ‘Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked. There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed!’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Oh no! The price of gas will go sky high!”

Biblical Response:  “Yes, Chicken Little, they probably will…at least 15 cents; maybe even more later. Though it’s probably more because of the oil companies’ seeing this as an excuse to gouge than any real threat to world oil supplies (announced willingness to tap strategic reserves will do little to assuage this fear), we did lessen significantly production of the world’s biggest supplier. Of course, when the supply of anything gets threatened, it’s time to remind yourself that He is ultimately the supply (Phil. 4:19), and His hand is not shortened (Is. 59:1). Or, as a familiar scripture puts it:

 ‘I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous  forsaken or his descendants begging bread.’ (Ps. 37:25 NASU)

“Christians? Oh, we believe in limitless supply…of oil and other needs. There is even evidence that not all oil may be from fossils! Just google ‘non-fossil oil’ and see what you get! We serve a God Who is unlimited and owns everything! (Is. 66:2) Not only does He own the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps. 50:10), He owns the hills, too!”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, while we need Your help in properly managing ‘our’ resources, help us to realize they are Yours first; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-14-19 Heating Up…Again

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-14-19

Heating Up…Again  

What’s Happening: “With the addition of the Kalibr and other similar missiles (the equivalent of U.S. short and medium-range cruise missiles) Russia has done what was expected since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the INF….he did so in response to repeated violations of the treaty by Russia. Putting them in Venezuela (which he has threatened to do) would be (potentially\ another ‘Bay of Pigs’ situation. The Cold War may be heating up…again  (https://www.yahoo.com/news/venezuela-become-russian-missile-132300194.html). ‘Russia has legal grounds, in response to the emergence of new weapons from the USA after leaving the INF Treaty, to deploy their submarines and ships with medium and shorter-range missiles,’ said Russia’s National Association of Reserve Officers, Vladimir Bogatyrev.” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “I guess I should be doing duck-and-cover drills, huh?”

Biblical Response:  “If doing those ineffective anti-nuclear school drills from the sixties makes you feel better…oh, you were joking, right? Seriously, that any government would even contemplate survivability of a nuclear holocaust is…well, horrifying! Still, having land-based nuclear weapons located in our hemisphere is unthinkable. A war postponed is a war magnified, but a war avoided… Thankfully, the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly (2 Cor. 4-5). But spiritual, and those who would ‘push the button’ on both sides are subject to an irresistible force: God. That may sound cheesy, but it’s true (Acts 17:26). There are forces at play here that few have calculated as part of the equation.”

“Christians? Oh, we believe in the ultimate triumph of good over evil…and He supplies us with wisdom from His Holy Spirit, meanwhile (John 16:12-13).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, give our leaders the wisdom from Your Spirit that sees peace as an alternative; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-13-19 Solidarity and Tea

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events -9-13-19

Solidarity and Tea  

What’s Happening: “The Hong Kong protesters suspended actions on 9/11 in solidarity to the terrorist attacks in America being commemorated on that day. The protests originally were in response to the introduction of a bill authorizing the extradition of individuals by Beijing for prosecution on the mainland, but have gone way past that…now calling for a return to sovereignty and independence. The Hong Kong press had said that the protesters were planning terrorist acts of their own, even saying they had plans to blow up gas pipelines…I guess those were suspended (https://www.yahoo.com/news/hong-kong-protesters-paused-demonstration-121333587.html). Reuters reported the protesters issued a statement, ‘In solidarity against terrorism, all forms of protest in Hong Kong will be suspended on Sept. 11, apart from potential singing and chanting,’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “That’s over there. I mean, I feel for all the businesses that are disrupted, but why should I care?”

Biblical Response:  “Few in Europe cared when the Boston Tea Party occurred, either. Yet, Europeans have to compete with America today because of events sparked by that ‘protest.’ These protests may not go that far…but they might. There is a little-known biblical principle involved here. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin (Heb. 9:22). This, applied to the situation in Hong Kong, means that the goals of the protesters – if it’s really autonomy and democracy – is probably gonna cost them some blood. It seems far-fetched that Chinese communism would be toppled from such humble beginnings, but no one thought a ‘few rabble-rousers’ in the colonies could defeat the mightiest nation on earth, either. Talk about a miscalculation!”

“Christians? This principle of the shedding of blood is what bought our freedom: 

‘And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.’ (Heb. 9:22 NASU)

‘For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.’ (Col. 1:19-20 NASU)”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to find that balance between supporting their efforts and standing for law and order; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-12-19 Pressing On

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events -9-12-19

Pressing On  

What’s Happening: “A boy, whose mother, 76, was killed along with over 3,000 others (actually 2,994 were killed in the terrorist attacks and over 600 died that day and later from the effects), stood up at a memorial yesterday and excoriated Rep. Ilhan Omar for a flippant remark made at a Council on Arab/American Relations (CAIR) function. She falsely claimed that CAIR was founded after 9/11 because ‘some people did something,’ a saying that found its way onto the boy’s t-shirt…the organization was actually founded in 1994 (https://www.yahoo.com/news/9-11-victim-son-explains-184126827.html). ‘Stop. Stop. Please stop using the bones and ashes of our loved ones as props for your political theater,’ the boy said. ‘Their lives, sacrifices, and deaths are worth so much more. Let’s not trivialize them or us. It hurts.’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “He’s right, you know…and Muslim mosques should all be searched for others who would do us harm.”

Biblical Response:  “Yes, I agree…and no, I don’t agree. Let me explain. While I think it’s good to remember (Quotes like : ‘Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty’ – John Philpot Curran; and ‘Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it – George Santayana, etc. come to mind), we also may reap the rewards of dwelling on the past: anger and vengeance. The Apostle Paul had it right. He said:

‘Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14 NASU)

Besides, doesn’t the Scripture admonish us about anger and vengeance( (Eph. 4:26 & Rom. 12:19)?

“Christians? While the Scripture is full of celebrations and  festivals to help us remember our past (Gen. 9:16; Ex. 13:3; Lev. 26:42, etc.), we are not called to wallow in it. Rather, we are to dust ourselves off and forge ahead. It is good that airports now have enhanced security, but we don’t need to live paranoid lives. Having a backward focus eliminates progress. Let us not live in fear, but in faith.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to never forget, but leave ‘getting even’ to You; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’ 

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CLARITY – 9-11-19 “End” of Division

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events -9-11-19

“End” of Division  

What’s Happening: “National Security Advisor John Bolton became the latest administrative casualty (there have been dozens) when he resigned/was fired yesterday. It was no secret that he often presented an opposing, more hawkish view to the President. In fact, Trump has liked surrounding himself with opposing views…but it obviously got to be too much…and there was the coincidental appearance of these views in the press (leaks?). He was scheduled for a press conference with Pompeo and Mnuchin…which he did not make, as he was no longer there (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-fires-john-bolton-amid-concerns-over-leaks-and-policy-disagreements-sources-say-171643868.html). ‘I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore … I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week,” said Trump.” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Resign or fired…either way he’s gone. And that matters why?”

Biblical Response:  “That he’s gone is significant…Trump needs opposing viewpoints to make good and proper decisions. How he’s gone is significant, too…he says he resigned…it serves his future interest if he did; if he was fired (or Trump asked him to resign), it could be that he’d ‘worn out his welcome.’and every President deserves the right to surround himself as he/she  chooses. When choosing His team (the disciples), Jesus even picked Judas, though he would betray Him. Maybe it was just a case of ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’…He knew he would betray Him from the beginning (John 6:64). In any case, a house divided against itself will surely fall (Matt, 12:25). Maybe Trump was just avoiding the inevitable, though I’m definitely not making a comparison between Trump and Christ..”

“Christians? We believe there are many ways to come at a problem…and it’s leadership’s responsibility to discern the right course (Matt. 16:2-3).”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, speed John Bolton on… and replace him with someone who also has this nation’s best interests at heart; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’