Tag: FBI

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CLARITY – 8-16-18 True Transparency

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 8-16-18

 

True Transparency

 

What’s Happening:  “It came as a surprise to the former head of the CIA when Sarah Sanders-Huckabee announced at the beginning of her White House Press Briefing yesterday that President Trump had revoked his security clearance. Quoting the Yahoo News article by Hunter Walker, included in the list of those whose clearances the President had revoked were: ‘former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; ex-FBI Director James Comey; Michael Hayden, who led both the NSA and CIA; erstwhile deputy Attorney General Sally Yates; President Obama’s national security adviser Susan Rice; ex-deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe; recently fired FBI agent Peter Strzok; Lisa Page, an FBI attorney; and Bruce Ohr, a member of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.’ (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-revokes-security-clearance-former-cia-director-criticized-white-house-213823096.html). ‘It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent,’ Brennan was quoted as saying.”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Isn’t it professional courtesy to continue the clearances of those who had them even though they are no longer in their respective positions?”

 

Biblical Response:  “‘Yes, but maybe that shouldn’t be. If the intelligence these folks are privy to is really sensitive maybe they should all have their security clearances revoked when they leave, as a matter of course. They can always re-apply in the future for specific things they ‘need to know.’ Or perhaps this just makes too much sense.”

 

Christians? True transparency really only belongs to God (the walls of the ‘closet’ we thought we retreated to for the really ‘private’ things are transparent). And, I dare say, only He can handle that level of knowledge (1 John 3:20). Knowledge is indeed power and a security clearance could be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands…after all, what is a security clearance but a way to determine who gets to see what.”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, give our leaders the requisite wisdom to accompany the knowledge with which they are entrusted; 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: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 7-13-18 Private = Public

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 7-13-18

 

Private = Public

 

What’s Happening:  “FBI Agent Peter Strzok testified in a public hearing on Capitol Hill yesterday, but there were questions whether he came voluntarily or was subpoenaed (this would drastically change the rules of questioning). All of the partisan fighting was about whether his admitted bias affected his actions…did his privately held beliefs affect his public service? (https://www.westernjournal.com/gowdy-asks-strzok-first-question-then-all-hell-breaks-loose/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=newsletter-WJ&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=western-journal). ‘At no time in any of these texts did those personal beliefs ever enter into the realm of any action I took,’ Strzok said and CNN reported (https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/12/politics/peter-strzok-hearing-congress/index.html). ”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Private should be private and public should be public.”

 

Biblical Response:  “And in a perfect world there would be no need for there to be a difference…both would be the same and both would be righteous. However, we are not in that perfect world…at least, not yet. Unfortunately, we operate today like there should be a separation…that we should keep our private lives separate from our public lives. Someday I’m going to write that book, “The Myth of the Closet.” People think they can lead one life in the closet and another outside it. NEWS FLASH: God was in there the whole time! It didn’t work for Clinton (his oval office shenanigans with Monica, the blue dress, and all) and it won’t work for Strzok.

 

“Christians? We deceive ourselves when we maintain this private/public opaqueness. Transparency is a Christian reality and unrepented sin fosters the myth of the closet (Luke 12:3). We are hypocritically setting a standard of righteousness when we maintain we have no need of redemption in our thought-life. How do you achieve this holiness? It’s a cinch maintaining this false separation between private and public is no place to start. More of God’s Word will help (Phil. 2:5; Rom. 12:2)…and the Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:7-8).”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to choose men and women of impeccable integrity for our halls of justice, those with no difference between private and public; 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: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 7-3-18 Finally Revealed

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 7-3-18

 

Finally Revealed

 

What’s Happening:  “We don’t learn till page 203 of the IG Report, and the mainstream media will probably never report it, but the “happenstance” meeting of then Attorney General Janet Lynch and Bill Clinton was actually set up by the FBI and Clinton’s Secret Service detail (https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/fbi-caught-red-handed-set-up-lynch-clinton-tarmac-meeting-according-to-ig-report/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=CTBreaking&utm_campaign=breaking&utm_content=conservative-tribune). Quoting from an article by the Western Journal: ‘The 30-minute meeting on June 27, 2016, came just days before the Department of Justice was set to conclude its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server for communication that included classified documents. ”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Is this the smoking gun?”

 

Biblical Response:  “Probably not …unless it’s Trump… or anybody else. It’s strange that there’s a double standard here, but there probably is. Time alone will tell the tale. Truth can set free (John 8:32), but only if you acknowledge it for what it is…”

 

“Christians? Of course, we have to play by the rules…and maybe be satisfied that there’s justice in the end. As one version puts it, ‘Then you will see the difference between God’s treatment of good men and bad, between those who serve him and those who don’t.’ Malachi 3:18 LB) A double standard, however, can be disheartening. To survive this emotionally we just have to know that the truth will be finally revealed…here or there.”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to believe for eventual justice, but fight for it today; 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: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 5-21-18 The Truth Will Make You Free

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 5-21-18

 

The Truth Will Make You Free

 

What’s Happening:  “Truly a bombshell was lobbed the other day and the media is scrambling to get all the facts. It turns out that the FBI and the CIA may have been spying on the Trump campaign for political purposes…and the mole they planted has done it before (https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/anti-trump-campaign-spy-exposed/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=CTBreaking&utm_campaign=breaking&utm_content=conservative-tribune). The spy: Stefan Halper.”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “This may be bigger than Watergate!”

 

Biblical Response:  “Yeah, it might…the best thing is to let it play out and see what reality and the truth will reveal. One advantage the media has…the truth always gets found out. There may be an unwillingness by the media to say things that don’t fit their narrative, but their desire for viewership and ratings always trumps (pun unintended) their pursuit of a liberal agenda. It’s almost as if the truth had its own inexorable inevitable agenda…and it does.”

 

“Christians? The Word says: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

(John 8:32 KJV). Sure, their is Fake News, but the only reason we know it’s fake is the truth was finally revealed. I’m not saying we should just sit back and let a lie be believed, but we need to take confidence in the fact that the truth will always out. How long we allow a lie to masquerade as the truth…well, that’s sometimes up to us.”

 

”Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to discern the truth and trumpet it when it is revealed; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”   © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 5-4-18 It Was Preempted So You Probably Heard Nothing

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 5-4-18

 

It Was Preempted So You Probably Heard Nothing

 

What’s Happening:  “It was announced Wednesday that 17-yr-old high school student Matin Azizi-Yarand made preparations to attack a shopping mall in Plano, TX, but quick astute FBI work done by an underground informant saved the day…his attack was planned for mid-May (https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-teen-charged-plotting-inspired-shooting-mall-014534376.html). ‘Look at all the other lone wolves…what training did they have, yet they simply killed the kuffar (Arabic for disbeliever),’ said Azizi-Yarand.”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “You don’t hear about the ones who are almost successful, do you?”

 

Biblical Response:  “Nope…and with Comey and all,  the media seldom carries anything positive about the FBI and law enforcement. Still, thank God they are there. These lone wolves weren’t a problem when Baseball heroes were admired. Today, Jihadis are admired. Blame it on a godless culture that’s hedonistic and unchallenged…kids just want to make a difference…to follow a hero…and they are easy targets for the blogs of the warped, but inspired.”

 

“Christians? There is no more challenging or inspiring activity than real relevant Christianity. The problem is, there are too few youth pastors who challenge their charges to such a lifestyle. Kids don’t get inspired by another party where they can numb themselves by alcohol or drugs…they hunger to be dared to make a difference. True Christianity, where they are challenged to love the sinner while hating their sin (Luke 6:27) IS attempting the impossible (it is impossible without God)…and it DOES make a difference!”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to inspire an energetic and enthusiastic generation that only seeks godly direction for their passion; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”   © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 4-10-18 Cohen Raid “Disgraceful”

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-10-18

 

Cohen Raid “Disgraceful”

 

What’s Happening:  “The FBI raided several (four warrants were issued) offices of Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, late yesterday  amid Trump’s cabinet-level discussions on the U.S.’s reaction to Syria’s alleged chemical attack. He termed the raid “disgraceful” and a “witch hunt” that he said may have started as soon as he got nominated for President in 2016 (https://www.axios.com/trump-blasts-fbi-raid-on-michael-cohen-as-disgraceful-situation-1523312632-f2fe7944-7b87-415a-b904-c6afd0cc9600.html). The President said, ‘They continue to just go forward and here we are talking about Syria, we’re talking about a lot of serious things … and I have this witch hunt constantly going on for over 12 months now. Actually it’s much more than that. You could say right after I won the nomination it started.’

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “I sure hope he’s not too upset over the raid to make decisions as Commander in Chief.”

 

Biblical Response:  “Probably not…a President is elected because he’s capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Seriously, has there ever been a time when Trump has only faced ONE crisis? He regularly juggles the ambitions of: Iran, Russia, China, North Korea (to say nothing of the border wall, Turkey, ISIS, trade deals, etc.). I’m sure what he might term a witch hunt and Syria can just be taken in stride. ”

 

“Christians? We have to be careful not to conflate the challenges we face. If we come home from the office and take our frustrations with things over which we have no control (our boss, the price of our competitor’s products, etc.) on those  things over which we think we do have some control (our spouse, the kids, the dog), we may just be giving in to anger…which is by itself, not a problem. However when it leads to sin (Eph. 4:26), not so much.”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, we need You to manage the emotions of our leaders and give them the courage of their convictions;  in Jesus’ Name, amen.” © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 3-17-18 With Great Power…

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 3-17-18

 

With Great Power…

 

What’s Happening:  “Andrew McCabe, 2nd in command at the FBI, was fired only hours before the deadline to receive his much-vaunted retirement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions – he was following the recommendations of the Inspector General. Accused of deliberately misleading questioners, many times under oath, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) also recommended the action (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/03/17/former-fbi-deputy-director-andrew-mccabe-fired.html). ‘This attack on my credibility is one part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally, but to taint the FBI, law enforcement, and intelligence professionals more generally,’ McCabe said.”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “First James Comey (former FBI Director), then Andrew McCabe…what’s the FBI coming to?”

 

Biblical Response:  “Hopefully integrity and trustworthiness. I mean, everyone hates to see him and his family not receive his long-awaited pension…at the same time, had he been someone much less powerful, he’d have been gone long ago. You can’t not let him go (bad English – good sense). To quote an old equal- justice-under-the-law saying: ‘What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander’ or to quote the superheroes’ mantra: ‘With great power, comes great responsibility.’”

 

“Christians?  We are not unfamiliar with the requirements of power (Acts 1:8). The sword of justice swings both ways and the very laws we judge by become the laws we live by (Matt. 7:2). Thankfully, just as the Lord knows we are incapable of such integrity, He has made a provision for us (Rom. 5:8). Can’t we just be merciful to him? Yes, but that requires repentance first (Luke 13:3). ”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, we do pray for Andrew’s family…that you will make a provision for them in spite of their breadwinner’s behavior; in  Jesus’ Name, amen.” © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 3-6-18 The Difference of 15 Minutes

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 3-6-18

 

The Difference of 15 Minutes

 

What’s Happening:  “The Florida State Senate voted to ban the sales of AR-15’s, the most popular sporting gun in America…and then voted 15 minutes later to reverse themselves. To be fair, the first vote was a voice vote and ruled ‘passed’….and the second one was a roll-call vote which reversed the amendment 21-17, two Republicans joining the Democrats to make the 17 (https://conservativetribune.com/senate-bans-ar-15s-15-minutes/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=patriotupdate&utm_campaign=weeklypm&utm_content=libertyalliance). The measure now goes to the House, hopefully by Monday (yesterday), to be considered. It must pass and be signed by the Governor before they adjourn Friday to become Florida law.”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Great! More deaths by AR-15’s!”

 

Biblical Response:  “Not necessarily; in fact, while sales have recently skyrocketed, deaths by AR-15’s have gone down. Since we are not willing to ban blunt objects, baseball bats, and fists (all of which have caused more death than the AR-15), we may see more deaths. Actually, we might get more desired results by just enforcing the laws already on the books (of course, law enforcement might actually have to respond with real action – hear that Sheriff’s Department and FBI?). Parents and students might feel safer by passing new laws (and I’m not saying our mental health system doesn’t need an overhaul), but for there to be an end to shootings you’d have to ban evil – wait a minute, that’s what all existing laws do..”

 

“Christians? We like that verse in Proverbs 29:27, ‘The good hate the wickedness of the wicked, and the wicked the goodness of the good.’ Of course, maybe if we didn’t hate the wicked, just their wickedness, a few more things would change.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us not to ‘throw out the baby with the bathwater;’ while we should despise the evil  that infects people, we need to love the people it infects; thank God You did; in Jesus’ Name, amen.” © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 2-6-18 They Said…They Said

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 2-6-18

 

They Said…They Said

What’s Happening:  “Again, it depends on to whom you talk…the Democrats (with their response memo) or the Republicans (with their Nunes memo saying the Trump Dossier was the reason for the FISA Court approval of wiretaps). Nobody but the House Intelligence Committee has read the Democrats’ memo…and they voted unanimously to release it. Trump can stll block it (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/05/intelligence-committee-approves-release-dems-rebuttal-to-fisa-memo.html). ‘We think this will help inform the public of the many distortions and inaccuracies in the majority memo,’  Schliff, the memo’s author, said.’”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Who are we to believe?”

 

Biblical Response:  “Both…and neither. Everyone’s got an agenda. The Republicans are convinced the FBI and DOJ of the Obama Administration were biased. The Democrats say they weren’t. (probably they were – and so are those Trump has picked to lead his FBI and DOJ). If you think the leadership of anyone appointed by one administration or another  is unbiased, you don’t understand the foundation of political appointees (I know that the FBI and the DOJ are supposed to be apolitical, but do you really think it ends up that way? – sure, the lower you go the more independent your leadership is – but at the top…not so much). No thinking person expects lack of bias. Elections have consequences.”

 

“Christians? In a perfect world everyone does what is absolutely right. But until then, we’ll have to learn how to discern through all the distortions – Republican AND Democrat – that are told by fallen men (John 8:32).”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to read between the lies and understand the varying perspectives of what our leaders will swear is the truth; in  Jesus’ Name, amen.”   © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

 

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CLARITY – 2-3-18 Yawn…Is Anybody Surprised?

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 2-3-18

 

Yawn…Is Anybody Surprised?

What’s Happening:  “The memo from Nunes is released…without redactions…to the Democrats’ chagrin (and the FBI & DOJ) and the Republicans’ glee. It establishes the Hillary Campaign and the DNC as the funders of the dossier, and the dossier as the primary reason the FISA Court approved wiretapping Gates (to be of the few to read the full text of the memo, go to the link) (https://www.axios.com/read-nunes-memo-fbi-doj-fisa-mueller-7fb8bcb7-1f18-4294-aa95-628d2f67bcdf.html). Rep. Devin Nunes: ‘The Committee has discovered serious violations of the public trust, and the American people have a right to know when officials in crucial institutions are abusing their authority for political purposes.’”

 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Perhaps I can see why the swamp must be drained.”

 

Biblical Response:  “You think?! George Washington, in his farewell address, warned of party factionism (I’m a registered independent). It’s a big deal to go against the status quo (keeping things the way they’ve always been). It’s an even bigger deal to vote differently. Sure, we pay lip service to ‘draining the swamp.’ but once we get into the voting booth, we pull the lever the way we always have. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.”

 

“Christians? We’re not immune to insanity, either. The Scripture has lain out a clear path for us (Is. 55:8-9; Prov. 3:5-6). Taking that path, however, requires a death to self, but any other path is unthinkable (Prov. 16:25). Should we just not vote? Perhaps that’s why we’re in this mess in the first place.”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to realize that the name ‘Christian’ carries stern responsibilities; in  Jesus’ Name, amen.”   © Alan E.Sargent

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe to any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent