Month: August 2025

A few weeks ago, I was sitting after my time of prayer and a picture came to my mind of a scene from Band of Brothers. It was the scene where Easy Company has come upon the Nazi concentration camp. They eventually find so many Jews were killed and even disrespected in death. The townspeople attempted to plead ignorance but they were found to be complicit. They were made to dig graves for many bodies not given a proper burial. And even in the discovery of their despicable actions, many seemed indignant. The Lord likened their disregard for humanity and hatred of those seen as inferior to much of what we see going on in our country today. For those who seem to not care about the injustice they see and are actually being complicit by saying nothing to injustice in our country today, I heard the Lord say “Ask them whose graves will you dig.”

We watch as evil is being perpetrated on those unable to defend themselves. On the marginalized. On the poor. On people of color or ethnic origin. And not enough are standing up to say enough! So, it not only continues but gets worse. Children are being taken by an American version of Nazi jackbooted thugs. (ICE) Along with those following U.S. laws to report for immigration hearings. Innocents reporting to jobs. Those who served in our military and some who were wounded in action for our country. People being abducted and sent to places of horrid and cruel conditions or even to countries they have no relation to. Proverbs 6 tells us there are seven things that are an abomination to the Lord. 1) A proud look 2) A lying tongue 3) Hands that shed innocent blood 4) A heart that devises wicked plans 5) Feet that are swift in running to evil 6) A false witness that speaks lies and 7) One who sows discord among brethren. We see all of these things on a daily basis. We see president Trump and those who surround him sow hate, division, and discord on a daily basis. We are told in Proverbs 31:9 to plead the cause of the poor and needy. Not just those who agree with us or look like us. We are living in a time where hatred, anti-semitism, racism, disregard for those in need have just become words. The effect from this evil should have us on our face before Him.

Proverbs 22:23 paints a very frightening picture. The Lord has warned about oppressing the poor and the needy. And it says the Lord will plead their cause and plunder the soul of those who plunder the poor and marginalized. The Lord will strip away that which has been gained unjustly to the detriment of the oppressed. Better in this life than in the next. I warn with all that is in me. Turn from this evil path while there is still time. Seek Him and His path. Do not be one of those who will have to be “digging the graves” of those they were complicit in doing evil to by direct action or indifference. And pay heed to what was spoken in Isaiah 1:17 which says “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Rebuke the oppressor. Defend those in need.” Blessings.

I watch with amazement and sadness at the battles to dismantle our free press and speech afforded to us as citizens in the 1^st amendment to the Constitution. I watch as evil people look to erode and then fully change constitutional rights that many have come to take for granted. We have a president who looks to emulate Victor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary. An authoritarian ruler and strongman. Trump looks to follow in the power grab of all authoritarian leaders who reign with complete control. To defy them is to risk loss of income, job, security and prestige. And many that are enablers to Trump’s power grab will soon see themselves as victims. He has no loyalty to anyone but himself, money, power, and the evil one he worships. Those who agree with him and stand with him will be judged harshly.

Recently I watched the news report saying Stephen Colbert was told his show would be cancelled. The reason given was financial problems but his show is the number one rated of the late night shows. I rarely watch any of the ABC, CBS, NBC late night shows but I fully believe they should exist. Mr. Colbert brought his bosses at CBS/Paramount to task for capitulating to demands of Donald Trump. He basically accused them of being bribed by Trump with their agreement to “funnel” 16 million dollars to the Trump presidential library. I would think that could be fully supplied by a few coloring books and crayons. He doesn’t read. The president of Paramount is CEO David Ellison. His father, Larry Ellison, is a billionaire and a major supporter of Trump. And Trump is doing his best to quiet all dissenting voices with daily threats. And with every win we get closer to authoritarianism.

I remember as a child watching Walter Cronkite take off his glasses to wipe away tears as he announced the time of death of President Kennedy. And later I watched and listened with great interest as Cronkite spoke of the ongoing war in Vietnam that was tearing our country apart and killing our finest. He said, “To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of evidence, the optimists who have been wrong in the past.” Cronkite further concluded, “We are mired in in a stalemate.” No major news reporter had said such words during this era. This was a turning point in public perception of the war and is often cited as the “Cronkite Argument.” President Lyndon Johnson reportedly said, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.” Imagine someone with that much clout and authority speaking today. Reporters saying anything negative to Trump today are called bad, evil, liars, paid by the opposition, or nasty people. And he then enlists his henchmen to scare them with lying reports and threats or entrusting his band of maga Christians to come against them. We are closer to authoritarianism than many care to realize. To quote Walter Cronkite’s famous sign off, “And that’s the way it is.” And as citizens and Christians, we must speak up.

For some reason many hide their heads in the sand and refuse to face facts. Especially those wrapped in evil. We must be cognizant of what is going on and how our fellow countrymen are affected. We will answer for our disinterest and callousness. James 4:17 tells us that he who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it will be accounted as sin. Hosea 10 tells us that if we sow to righteousness, we will reap mercy. But if we plow to wickedness you will reap iniquity because you have eaten the fruit of deception. According to Ephesians 5:11. “We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them.” And that’s getting harder to do right now as so many either follow this darkness or are afraid or apathetic. We cannot sit idly by. We must stand for righteousness no matter the cost. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. And how we love our brother speaks to who we are in Him. As it says in Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good; Seek justice. Rebuke the oppressor. Defend those in need.” Be a voice. Blessings.