Behind the Scenes with Demons?

For the next Vital Signs Book Brunch (April 12, 10 AM, at the Hartford home in northwest Omaha), we have selected a classic, Lord Foulgrins’s Letters by one of our favorite contemporary authors, Randy Alcorn from Eternal Perspective Ministries. The book has been one of our favorite Alcorn titles ever since it was published in 2000. In fact, I remember a lively discussion of the book with Randy on one of the “Weekend Vital Signs” radio interviews back in the day. But we will expect no less of a delightful, meaningful conversation with all of you on the 12th.

The book can be obtained for less than $10 at the EPM site itself. That’s a terrific price. And though you might find a used copy a couple of dollars cheaper somewhere else, when you purchase it through EPM, 10% goes to maintain their excellent work with the other 90% going to a variety of other Christ-centered ministries around the world. The link that you’ll need is right here.

But don’t just take my word for it regarding the excellence and provocative nature of the book. Listen in on these testimonies:

“Lord Foulgrins’s Letters is a welcome addition to the world of Christian fiction. Randy Alcorn provides a needed reminder of just what it means for Christians to be engaged in battle with principalities and powers not of this world.” (Chuck Colson) 

“If you are interested in gaining a better understanding of Satan’s schemes, Lord Foulgrin’s Letters is a must read.” (Tim and Beverly LaHaye)

“One of the most unusual and important inquiries into the demon mind since The Screwtape Letters, Alcorn rivets our attention. This book will disturb, stimulate, and enlighten.” (D. James Kennedy)

Of course, RSVPs are of very important help to us as we plan for the Book Brunch, so if you plan on joining in the fun, please let us know as soon as you can. Thank you!

Let’s Give the President a Hand

There are exciting, hopeful, and dare I say, fun days ahead for those desiring not only to applaud the good (and desperately needed) work of President Trump of “draining the swamp” and restoring the historic moral ideals of our Republic, but also to do what we can to help him in this noble adventure.

And that’s why I believe these next Vital Signs letter-writing parties are going to be particularly important. Who will our letters and cards be going to? Let me give you just a few possibilities: the President and Vice-President...the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts...Nebraska state senators...Christianity Today...Cabinet Secretaries Rubio, Gabbard, Kennedy, and others...Nebraska Family Alliance and Nebraska Right to Life...Samaritan’s Purse..the Democrats in Washington who despicably voted  (en masse) against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act...Costco...the NFL...Nebraska Governor Pillen...and more.

Letters of thanks. Letters of enlightenment. Letters of encouragement. Letters of principled protest. We are going to have a good and important ministry together, so please plan on joining us at either the letter-writing brunch on Tuesday, March 4th at 10:00 AM or the evening letter-writing party (also on the 4th) beginning at 7. Issue sheets, addresses, various helps (including bullet points and sample letters), stationary, stamps, refreshments, and great fellowship awaits you. So please let us know if you’re on board.

The Top 5 (February 15)

1) "Trump’s New White House Faith Office Should Fight to Repeal the Johnson Amendment" (John Amanchukwu, Washington Stand)

From the article -- The dishonor that was shown to President Donald J. Trump at his second inaugural prayer service was a disgrace. Much has been written about this. The Episcopalian priestess and radical leftist, Mariann Edgar Budde, should never have been allowed to politically chastise the president in front of the whole world and express her radical liberal grievances against his plans to protect children from the transgender agenda and stop unvetted foreigners from illegally pouring across America’s border.

And while MAGA supporters were rightfully stirred-up that an anti-Trumper was able to hijack an esteemed ceremonial event, traditionally held at the beginning of each presidency meant to honor our nation’s commitment to its biblical founding values, the wrong knee-jerk response from MAGA is to parrot the secular Left’s talking point that the church should have no role in politics.

It is the Democrats’ dream to keep pastors — who preach biblical truths (unlike Ms. Budde) — muzzled by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forever; something they have been able to do since 1954.

2) "I Was Wrong About Trump" (David Strom, Hot Air) 

From the article -- No, I am not in love with Trump. He still makes me cringe sometimes, and I still don't understand the Canada/51st state thing at all, and want nothing to do with Gaza if he is serious about that. But there are two vital things about him which I got completely, totally, and without question wrong.

3) "Who Judges The Judges? Dealing with judicial activism is an urgent requirement of restoring sane and accountable governance." (Daniel Jupp, Jupplandia)

From the article -- Separation of powers is designed to prevent a Presidential tyranny. But it’s also designed to prevent a judicial tyranny, or an administrative or a bureaucratic tyranny. It exists so that nobody can be in the position of making up the rules as they go along and that nobody is drafting the law, enforcing the law, judging the law all at the same time...

4) "Federal law prohibits sending abortion drugs by US mail...so why isn’t it being enforced?" (Carole Novielli, Live Action)

From the article -- One of the jobs of the United States Postal Service (USPS) is to “prevent the flow of illicit drugs and contraband through the mail stream” and to “eliminate the mailing of opioids and other illicit drugs and it works closely with other law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to share intelligence, coordinate cases and conduct joint enforcement operations” according to its website (emphasis added).

Since that website also clearly states, “The Postal Inspection Service enforces over 200 federal statutes related to crimes that involve the postal system, its employees, and its customers” (emphasis added), then it stands to reason that the USPS should enforce the Federal Comstock Act — which is also a federal statute. A report published by Americans United for Life (AUL) and Live Action explains, “A key focus of the Act was a national prohibition on the sale and shipment of abortion drugs and devices through the U.S. Mail.”

The abortion pill (Mifeprex or mifepristone 200 mg) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the “termination of pregnancy” in 2000, while Roe v. Wade was still the law of the land, as decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973. But in June of 2022, Roe was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.

This set the stage for enforcing the federal law, known as The Comstock Act (18 U.S.C. § 1461), a law rarely used in modern times because of Roe. Comstock prohibits the mailing of “any article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing [that] may, or can, be used or applied for producing abortion[.]”

5) "10 Bills That Would Codify Trump’s Executive Orders into Law" (Ben Johnson, Washington Stand)

From the article -- President Donald Trump wasted no time enacting the agenda that won him the White House in the 2024 election, signing a series of executive orders and regulatory actions nearly every day of his second administration. Yet executive orders last only as long as a friendly president holds office. There is now a movement afoot to codify President Trump’s executive orders into statutory law. Here are 10 bills members of Congress have introduced to make the 47th president’s executive actions permanent...

EPS Event Inspires 800, John & Mary Ann Kellogg Honored

 Claire and I were honored to be the guests of Dr. Ed and Sandy DeSimone at the Glow fundraising banquet for Essential Pregnancy Services last night. It was a great evening and among the special highlights were the conversations around the table, the unique and inspirational address by keynote speaker Steventhen Holland, and the excellent news that the EPS Board had confirmed interim Director Dennis Waggoner to be the new Executive Director. 

 But we were also delighted that The Spirit of EPS Award for 2025 was given to pro-life heroes (and our dear friends of longstanding) John and Mary Ann Kellogg. In fact, you can watch right here the brief but very moving testimonial video EPS presented to the 800 or so assembled at the CHI Center last night.

 

What a Week!

As I reviewed my journal entries from last Friday evening through last night, I realized how very special a week it had been for Claire and me, one that was chock full of special blessings for us. Thank you, Lord!

Friday night (Jan. 31) was the Nebraska Right to Life Gala -- a fantastic banquet/fundraising banquet that featured an enlightening and stirring talk by acclaimed actor and Christian spokesman Jim Caviezel. Terrific. The program also included brief presentations by Governor Jim Pillen, NRL Director Sandy Danek, N.U. volleyball star Rebekah Allick, and an excellent promotional video for NRL with Sandy, State Senator Tanya Storer (District 43), State Auditor Mike Foley, and me. (You can watch that 3 minute video, by the way, at this link.) I was also honored to share a couple of items with the 1200 in attendance and then lead them in prayer. And yes, the inspiration of the night was increased all the more for Claire and me by the pro-life heroes we had with us at the Vital Signs table: Dr. Ralph Kramper, Mary Roberts, Dave & Chris Schlesiger, Jay & Amy VanKat, and Keith & Barb Huizenga from Fremont.

Yet as wonderful as the Gala was, the NRL-sponsored Walk for Life the following morning was also intensely important for moving the pro-life cause forward in our state. The crowd at the capitol was very large; the collection of political representatives addressing the crowd was very impressive and motivational; and the dramatic witness of thousands of peaceful, prayerful pro-lifers walking through the streets of Lincoln was a powerful witness indeed. And, as always, we very much enjoyed the conversations with pro-life Nebraskans as we passed out free literature from the Vital Signs table.

And then there was last night! (Friday, Feb. 7) Claire and I were thrilled to again serve at the Night To Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation's unique and beautiful ministry that gives an extravagant “prom night” to special needs people. What a super cool event this is! We worked the Parent and Caregiver room last night -- greeting, directing, visiting, serving food and drinks, busing tables, and then cleaning up after our guests had enjoyed the meal, music bingo, raffle prizes, and big screen views of the Red Carpet greeting and Dance Party. There was no doubt; people were absolutely over-the-moon with the success of the Night To Shine! So, way to go Tim Tebow, King of Kings Church, and all the volunteers.

Okay, but what of the week in-between those two Friday night highs? Well, there was a great church service at Aksarben Village Senior Living where a group of junior high students joined us for fellowship with the residents after church...bundling up for a very cold morning of pro-life witness outside the Planned Parenthood abortion business... several excellent fellowship opportunities over meals and coffee this week with Gary and Dean, Larry and Deb, Ralph, Jim and Jean...an interview for a testimonial video honoring John and Mary Ann Kellogg's long and invaluable pro-life service over the years...a lot of correspondence and social media action, including the weekend’s Top Five...preparing the February “When Swing Was King” show... and doing quite a bit of research for an article I'm writing about the recent troubles being caused for the pro-life community by people calling themselves “abortion abolitionists.” That piece, by the way, will appear on Vital Signs Blog early next week. 

Anyhow, like I said, what a week! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for each and every person who blessed us, for each opportunity to serve, and for all the ways You continue, in Your abounding mercy, to bless and empower us.

The Top 5 (February 8)

1) "Shut Down the Department of Education" (Betsy DeVoss, Free Press)

From the article -- I served as the 11th U.S. secretary of education. That’s how I know it’s beyond repair...

Since its creation in 1979, the Department of Education has sent well more than $1 trillion to schools with the express purpose of closing the gaps between the highest and lowest performers. Today, those gaps are as wide as they have ever been, and by many measures, even wider.

Last week, the latest Nation’s Report Card came out, giving us a clear assessment of where student achievement stands. The report, published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), tells us that in reading and math, most students were even further behind than they were in 2022. Which was worse than where they were in 2019. Which was worse than 2013.

How bad is it? Seven in 10 American fourth graders are not proficient readers, meaning they struggle with reading grade-level literature and comprehending informational texts. Forty percent graded out at “below basic,” meaning they struggle with basic comprehension. In math, the picture is similar: six in 10 fourth graders are behind in math.

Also on this topic, check out "First Get Rid of DEI, Then Make Students Read" by Walker Larson over at American Spectator.

2) "The Real Constitutional Crisis" (John Hinderaker, Power Line)

From the article -- In my view, we are indeed experiencing a constitutional crisis. But it is not the one the Democrats have in mind. For President Trump to assert control over the executive branch is not only proper, it is long overdue. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President doesn’t just run the executive branch. He is the executive branch. All employees of federal agencies are members of the executive branch, and as such, ultimately report to the president. Their job is to carry out his policies.

The fact that this, to many, is not self-evident illustrates the real constitutional crisis that we face–the slow-moving crisis that has been underway now for close to a century. That crisis is the growth of the administrative state, the fourth branch of government that is mentioned nowhere in the Constitution. There is a strong argument that the administrative state is unconstitutional. What is incontrovertibly unconstitutional is the concept of an executive branch that is independent of the president.

3) "Why Is Silicon Valley Feverishly Working Towards The Creation Of An Artificial god?" (Dean Dwyer, Harbinger's Daily)

From the article --   In fact, it was reported in September 2024 that Melvin Vopson, an associate professor in physics at the University of Portsmouth, claimed that our whole universe is nothing more than an advanced computer simulation and that AI (artificial intelligence) is the god of this whole drama.  Vopson was quoted as saying, “The Bible itself tells us that we are in a simulation and it also tells us who is doing it. It is done by an AI – an artificial intelligence.” 

How does he come to this conclusion?  Well, according to him, evidence of this AI simulation is found in the Gospel of John, specifically the very first verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  Vopson argues that “the Word” actually refers to a computer code that controls the simulation.  He went on to say: “The code running the simulation is not separate from the divine, but rather an integral part of it, perhaps an AI.”

To further support his theory, Vopson adopts John 1:3: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”  Of this he claims: “It implies a Creator who brought the simulated universe into existence through the Word (i.e. the code).  It suggests that the act of creation, as described in the Bible, could be analogous to a divine act of programming and simulation.”

4) "Wait, You Mean There’s Corruption In Washington?" (Editors, Issues & Insights)

From the article -- How many Americans had even heard of the U.S. Agency for International Development just a month ago? Now in the third week of the second Trump administration, the country is learning that USAID apparently has been running a racket that has propped up the Democratic political machine, which includes the usual big-media players, with tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars. As political scandals go, this one could be the grubbiest of all.

Democrats are already reeling. Polls show they have become as popular as a pineapple on a pizza. This country would be well served if the party collapsed and the remaining reasonable and sane voters Democratic formed a new group. The Democratic Party of the 21st century has revealed itself through its radical, nonsensical positions to be a party that no longer can be stomached by most of America.

5) "Making America Great Again Requires More Babies" (Victor Joecks, Hot Air)

From the article --  But making America -- and Mars -- great again requires something else. More babies.

Last April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that America's fertility rate had dropped to a "historic low." The total fertility rate was 1,616.5 births per 1,000 women. The country needs 2,100 births per 1,000 women to maintain its population. America's fertility rate "has generally been below replacement since 1971 and consistently below replacement since 2007," a CDC report stated.

A shrinking population presents major challenges. Even with technological advantages, the country needs young adults to serve in the military. Some of tomorrow's greatest innovators aren't being born. As people age, they become more dependent on others and less economically productive. The country's massive national debt and unfunded pension obligations will exacerbate this demographic problem.

How Can I Serve Seniors?

It’s simpler than you might think. Here are 4 general areas to consider.

1) Visitation and friendship development.

One of the best ways to begin this kind of ministry is to start with a relative, or maybe someone from your church who resides in a nursing home or senior living facility. Just go visit. Talk. Share. Pray together. Listen to the stories of their lives. Read the Bible or the newspaper to them, maybe poetry. You can then naturally branch out to that resident’s roommate and other friends.

Another option is to contact the pastor of your church and ask him if he would like some company when he visits the senior care facility. (Alas, few pastors bother with this kind of ministry nowadays.) Simply getting in the door of the facility allows for opportunities for smiles, handshakes, and conversations. And you can always contact the activities director of the facility and ask about residents who most need a little diversion, a little encouragement, a little friendship.

2) Helping out

Just about any nursing home or other senior facility can use help in carrying out various programs. So, volunteers willing to help are a great treasure. Examples? Transporting wheelchair-bound residents to events. Providing company while the resident goes through therapy. Helping with parties, meals, bingo games, playing cards or checkers, conducting Bible studies or worship services, special holiday events, shopping excursions, and so on.

3) Entertainment

Singing or merely helping with sing-along events. Playing an instrument. Dancing. Short skits. Sharing hobbies. Coming along with Claire and I to visit residents when we present “When Swing Was King” shows or conduct our Sunday afternoon church services at Aksarben Village Senior Living. All kinds of things. Talk to family, friends, church colleagues and pray about what you’d most like to do. Then make sure you contact the activities director of the facility for permission and guidance.

4) Seniors outside of “the system.”

Be careful to not overlook the possibility of making friends and helping out with the elderly (or others with special needs like the physically or mentally challenged) who still live on their own. There’s probably a lot of grandparents among your circle of friends who would love to have a visit and make some young friends. The same is true with other seniors from your church congregation or neighborhood.

The Top 5 (February 1)

This weekend's Top 5...with a bonus.

* "Top Ten Hints for a Successful Marriage" (Denny Hartford, Vital Signs Blog)

* "Girling the Boy Scouts" (An outstanding, disturbing 6-minute video by Heather MacDonald for Prager U)

* "Test Scores Take Another Dive As Schools Pocket $ Billions" (Editorial Board, Issues & Insights)

From the article -- Another year, another disastrous National School Report card, the annual checkup on American students’ test scores. Yes, it’s bad. After predictably plunging during the COVID school-shutdown years, scores show no signs of snapping back. This is child abuse on a national level...And the test scores remain abysmal, with no improvement. Average reading scores for 8th graders (America’s future workforce, mind you) have fallen from 263 in 2019 to 258 in 2024, erasing 33 years of slow improvement in reading. Math is just as bad, if not worse. True, the 274 level is the same as in 2022, but it’s way below the level five years ago.

Despite the massive, unprecedented infusion of $190 billion in federal funds into schools under the guise of COVID recovery, outcomes have worsened – but the spending has enriched and empowered teachers unions while also giving inept school administrators greater power over students’ learning.

Parents are fleeing the system (but still pay taxes for it), while the teacher-administrative complex wants even more. Not surprisingly, since 2019, the National Center for Education Statistics shows, the number of children attending U.S. schools has dropped by 1.3 million, while the number of teachers and administrators has surged 351,000. That’s doubling down on failure.

* "It’s Time to Repeal the FACE Act: The law rests on shaky constitutional ground and has been unevenly applied." (Erik Baptist, Alliance Defending Freedom)

From the article -- As a devout Catholic, Mark Houck believes every human life is precious, created by God, and worthy of protection. It was this belief that led him to often pray with his 12-year-old son outside a Philadelphia abortion facility.

In October 2021, a Planned Parenthood escort repeatedly got in the face of Houck and his son while making vulgar comments toward them, witnesses said. Houck allegedly responded by pushing the abortion escort in an effort to protect his son. While state and local authorities found no cause to prosecute Houck over the incident, the Biden Department of Justice felt differently.

When Houck learned that he may be prosecuted, he offered to turn himself in if he were indicted for any crimes. Instead, his attorney said, the FBI sent “twenty heavily armed federal agents” to Houck’s house in the early morning hours, pointed at least five guns at him, his wife, and his children, and then arrested him. The FBI later attempted to quell concerns about the report by claiming it was an “overstatement” and that the tactics used were “in line with standard practices.”

A federal jury took less than three hours to find Houck not guilty of the charges brought against him. Unfortunately, many pro-life advocates prosecuted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act haven’t received such good news.

* "The Democrats’ Governance Problem: They’re bad at it and getting worse." (Ruy Teixeira, The Liberal Patriot)

From the article -- Think about it. If you wanted safe streets and public order would your first impulse be to turn to…a Democrat? Or if you wanted a secure, actually-enforced border? How about efficient, effective delivery of public services? Or rapid completion of public projects and infrastructure? Or non-ideological public administration?

I don’t think on any of these fronts the reaction of a typical voter would be: “Democrats! Of course, I need Democrats to do all these things because they’re so good at them!” On the contrary, it seems like over time Democrats—both nationally and in many localities where they dominate—have become worse and worse at delivering in these areas. That’s a huge problem because why should voters take Democratic plans to improve their lives seriously if Democrats persist in running government so poorly? Democratic governance is their advertising and the advertising makes the Democratic “product” look pretty bad. So voters don’t want to buy it.

* "Sooner or later, babies will be too precious to abort" (Michael Cook, Mercator)

From the article -- The latest year for which data is reasonably complete is 2021. That year there were about 68 million deaths in the world, according to WHO... Also in that year there were about 73 million induced abortions worldwide according to the WHO. So not only is abortion the leading cessator of human life globally, it accounts for more than all other cessators of human life combined – about 52 percent of all cessations of human life every year. Is this just a debating point? A moment for pro-lifers to gasp with horror? No, it’s the reason why abortion will eventually be banned everywhere in the world. Look at it this way. Around the world, most countries in the West and East Asia are being depopulated. Sooner or later, people will compare the decline in population to the number of abortions and conclude that this makes no sense at all. In a world where every baby is a precious asset, abortion will be taboo. It will be stark, raving mad.

(Denny notes -- "I wonder. When mankind's collective mind is darkened by sin and reckless self-will, will even the truths of this article matter?") Related to this article is "You can’t stare down reality: population collapse has begun" by Louis T. March, also published in Mercator.)