Thinking of the Christian Brotherhood, Grace, and Darrell Scott

Darrell Scott, a former pastor, exemplary mentor, and dear friend of many years is undergoing serious health trials right now and a few of us, in addition to stepping up our prayers for he and his wife, sent along notes of encouragement and thanks. My letter, including as it did reflections on the Christian Brotherhood, Grace Bible Institute, and Pleasantview Berean Fundamental Church may be of interest to those with connections to those organizations. It may even be of limited interest to those who remember the "Jesus movement" of the late 60s and early 70s.

Also, if you would like to share your own testimony about Darrell Scott's ministry in your life, please send it along to us and we will forward it ASAP. Please send it to vitalsigns@vitalsignsministries.org

Dear Darrell and Barb,

We are so sorry we couldn’t set it up to get together before Christmas but our plans to do so ended up alerting a lot of prayers in your behalf.  That’s a good thing.  Still, we hope (and pray) that you feel well enough soon for us to put that little party back on the schedule.

Until that happens, however, we thought you would like to hear from a few of those folks.  Some of them may have already sent a note while others may do so now that the hectic pace of Christmas has slowed down.  But there are a few who sent brief testimonies to Claire and me so that we could send them over to you guys.  They are enclosed with this note.

But Claire and I wanted to share a few reflections also for we have been so profoundly affected by your ministry, Darrell.  We are honored to be among that very large crowd of people whose lives have been inspired, educated, exhorted, and encouraged by yours.  We will be forever grateful.

I first made your acquaintance in those heady days of the Christian Brotherhood.  It was late spring 1970 and I had just hitchhiked into Omaha from my home in Denver.  Providence took me to the Brotherhood and, within days of my moving in with Buddy Medlock, I attended the Sunday service at Pleasantview Berean Fundamental Church and was captivated by your sermon…and by your warm, engaging hospitality.

I was a new believer and I hadn’t heard much of solid, expository Bible teaching. But I loved it and knew instinctively it was what I needed.  So, right from the beginning I was listening carefully, taking copious notes, asking questions afterward, and as you always encouraged the audience to do, studying the text on my own also. You provided excellent content in the sermon but also a terrific example of how to carefully, patiently study the Word myself.  You also taught me much about the qualities of a disciple.  Humble yet confident in Christ. Winsome but uncompromising with the truth.  Kind-hearted and servant-oriented. Cheerful. Hopeful. Active in evangelism.

Over the years, many people have wondered about the remarkable impact that the Christian Brotherhood had on so many lives.  Particularly, the question comes up of why the Brotherhood had such lasting effect, much more than most of the “Jesus movement” communes and organizations. The sheer number of young believers who went on to formal theological training and professional ministry, for instance, is impressive. But even more so is the steady growth and Christian service of all the others.  We were not only a “thoroughly converted” bunch – we were wonderfully trained and equipped and sent forth as lights into the world.

But what made the Brotherhood so different from the other “Jesus People” places?  My answer has always stressed two things.  1) We had the incredible resource of Grace College of the Bible available to us with such stellar Bible scholars as Abe Penner, Chuck Nichols, Reuben Dick, Bob Benton, J. Doss Quinelly, and Norm Rempel teaching us three or four nights a week.  It was ironic but wonderful – established fundamentalist scholars graciously coming into the city to teach unchurched, counter-culture, sin-scarred youth the glories of the Bible.

But 2) we had another grand resource available to us besides Grace.  And that was Pleasantview Berean Church with its personable and capable pastor, Darrell Scott.  There at the church, we were able to see how this new life we had in Christ was to be lived in practical, social, and long-term ways.  The heavy theology we were learning in those Brotherhood classes and in reading books by Ironside and Pentecost and Chafer was made alive for us in the persons of Berean’s pastor and other keen saints in the church.

Darrell, your teaching was practical theology at its best.  And you lived what you preached.  You were also so patient and kind to us as we learned.  Never did we feel like freaks at Pleasantview.  Never were we treated with anything but acceptance and hospitality and inclusion.  Indeed, Brotherhood youths were welcomed not only into the front pews of the church (we were so happy and eager to learn) but also into the choir, the fellowship suppers, member’s homes, and, for Gene Jost, Phil Miller, John Foster and myself, into the starting ranks of the slow pitch softball team.  We had all found a church home where our Christian discipleship was intensified and encouraged.

Through God’s merciful provision of both Grace Bible Institute and Pleasantview, we young Christians (many of us with sordid backgrounds and lousy educational records) were transformed by the love in action of patient and skilled mentors.  And that’s why so many of us are still pursuing godliness to this day.  And that’s why so many of us owe you such a grand debt.  We love you very much, Darrell, and we are so grateful for your investment in our lives in those years. And we’re grateful too for all the sweet years of friendship that followed.

Denny & Claire

Dispatches from the Culture Wars

Among the weekend's most notable articles were these gems:

* “Democrats Can’t Be Dad” (Mona Charen, National Review)

* “Holder and Obama are making race relations worse, inflaming hatred” (John Fund and Hans Von Spakovsky, New York Post)

* “Black Mob Violence at Christmas, All Over the Country” (Colin Flaherty, American Thinker)

* “Top 10 stupid quotes from pro-choice activists” (Live Action)

* “After 'Unbroken': The remarkable story of Louis Zamperini's faith” (Franklin Graham, Fox News)

Did You Miss These?

While making merry in your Christmas celebrations, you may have missed these important articles. Here's a second chance at them.

* “Christians on the Run from Iraq: The Islamic State is attaining its key goal, and U.S. media find the story of ‘limited interest.’” (Nina Shea, National Review)

* “Happy Kwanzaa! The Holiday Brought To You By the FBI” (Ann Coulter, Town Hall)

* “If Joseph and Mary tried to reach Bethlehem today, they might get murdered by Palestinian terrorists.” (David Bernstein, Washington Post)

* “Stop lying about the cops” (Rich Lowry, New York Post)

* “China Tightens Church Control Ahead of Christmas” (Didi Tang, AP)

Denny Reads Chesterton's "The House of Christmas"

In our first attempt at making a video clip for Vital Signs Blog, Denny talks about his discovery of GK Chesterton in a used bookstore many years ago.

Denny then reads Chesterton's superb poem, "The House of Christmas."

Goin' Christmas Crazy?

"Some of you probably thought the Branson tree-lighting I described in last month’s letter would provide more than enough Christmas cheer to last us for the year.  Not hardly."

The December LifeSharer letter is on the web.

The Week's "Must Reads"

The week’s must-read articles? Here’s my picks:

On Cuba:
* “Why We Isolated Cuba for 53 Years” (Lee Edwards, Daily Signal, The Heritage Foundation)

On the North Korea/Sony Mess:
* “On North Korea, Obama Leads from Behind” (John Hinderaker, PowerLine)

Regarding the Spirit of Lawlessness:
* “Obama issues 'executive orders by another name’” (Gregory Korte, USA TODAY)

* “Two Pa. Legislators Indicted for Voter ID Bribes in a Case the State AG Refused to Prosecute” (Hans von Spakovsky, Daily Signal)

On Other Fronts of the Culture Wars:
* “Different standards for 'gay' bakers and Christian bakers” (Michael F. Haverluck, OneNewsNow.com)

* “Holder Decrees Crossdressing Protected Under Federal Law” (J. Christian Adams, PJ Media)

Affairs of the First Family
* “Mrs. Obama's Tall Tales of Racialized Victimhood” (Michelle Malkin, Town Hall)

From Vital Signs Blog:
* “Goin' Christmas Crazy?”

* “Light & Warmth Through Christmas Cards”

* “What a Difference You Can Make”

Light & Warmth Through Christmas Cards

Vital Signs Ministries' annual Christmas card party last night turned out to be a lively success. There were only 9 of us (Larry & Deb, Quint, Ruth, Allen & Cindy, Carol E., Claire and I) yet in 90 minutes we produced a remarkable amount of correspondence designed to lift spirits, encourage action, and draw people closer to the Lord Jesus. It was a splendid Christmas experience.

Among our Christmas card recipients were 16 Christians who have been persecuted and unjustly imprisoned for their faith in such places as China, Iran, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Eritrea. Using the resources of The Voice of the Martyrs' superb website, we had prepared messages to these saints before the party began and we then glued those messages inside lovely, colorful Christmas cards. The messages (again, thanks to VOM) included Scripture verses in the prisoner's own language. All 16 of these prisoners were sent three cards, each card with a different Christmas scene, each card with a different message inside, and each card signed by three of us.

We also wrote Christmas cards (with appropriate messages inside) to Senator-elect Ben Sasse, Governor-elect Pete Ricketts, Congressman-elect Brad Ashford, outgoing Congressman Lee Terry, Mayor Jean Stothert, and others. Also, we all signed thank you Christmas cards to Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Norm Geisler, Joni & Ken Tada, Ben Carson, and others.

And finally — hold onto your Santa hat — we wrote Christmas cards to every resident of the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home! That’s right, over 100 veterans, spouses and widows will be receiving beautiful Christmas cards today as Claire and I will take them over personally today. The handwritten messages inside expressed our warmest Christmas greetings, thanked them for their loyal service to our nation, and shared our desire that the holy light of Jesus’ birthday would brighten their hearts in this precious season, bringing them special joy and peace and spiritual strength.

Also part of the evening were prayers for each of the persecuted Christians as well as prayers that God would protect each Christmas card along its way. We prayed too for all the others to whom we sent cards, asking the Lord to use them for His purposes. And, of course, we also had some time to enjoy conversation, cookies, and coffee together. It was a terrific evening, full of Christmas cheer and productivity.

Everyone present last night had one other request to make to the Lord before we left. And that was for similar letter-writing parties to become a regular activity for churches, Sunday school classes, and other groups of Christian friends. Let's remember that raising our voices in the King's service of encouragement, advocacy, enlightenment, and challenge is a necessary and ongoing responsibility for the believer in Christ. And prayerful letters are a marvelously effective means of carrying those voices way beyond our own neighborhoods. This why Vital Signs Ministries has hosted letter-writing parties for over 30 years.

How about you? Perhaps you're interested in joining us for our next letter-writing evening? Or maybe you'd like a little help in setting up your own. Either way, give us a call or email or FB message and we'll do our very best to help make it happen. Thanks. And merry Christmas!

What a Difference You Can Make

Dick Wilson knows I don’t read the local newspaper so he recently passed along a copy of a column called Annie’s Mailbox. I don’t know what this usually presents (I think it’s an advice column) but on Thanksgiving Day, there was reprinted there a very moving piece written by a RN who serves as an activities director for a nursing home in Tennessee.

Being involved as we have been with ministries in senior centers throughout Vital Signs’ history (the latest activity being our “When Swing Was King” shows in 12 facilities each month), I can testify to the insightful, compelling truths of the column. Check it out.

Dear Readers: Today is Thanksgiving. If you know someone who is alone today, please invite him or her to share your Thanksgiving dinner and help make the occasion truly special.

Today we'd like to run a piece that has appeared in this space several times. It was written by Judy Vekasy, a registered nurse and director of activities in a nursing home in Savannah, Tenn. Here it is:

In this season of thanksgiving and just plain giving, I have some suggestions for those who need something to be thankful for or those who need someone to allow them to give. Nursing homes are full of opportunities.

You say you can't do anything. Can you read? Good. Read to me. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

Can you write? Good. Write a letter or a card for me. My hands are shaky.

Can you sing? Good. Help me with the words and I'll sing along.

Can you tell me about your job? I was a nurse once myself.

Can you listen? Wonderful. I'm starved for conversation.

Can you bake a sponge cake or zucchini bread or angel biscuits or make fudge? They aren't on the nursing home menu, but I remember how good they were and I would like to taste them again.

Do you play checkers or dominoes or rummy? Fine, so do I, but there is never anyone who has the time. They are understaffed around here, you know.

Do you play the violin or the flute or the piano? My hearing is poor, but I can hear any kind of music. Even if I fall asleep, you'll know I enjoyed it.

Once we were somebodies, just like you. We were farmers and farmers' wives and teachers, nurses, beauticians, stockbrokers and electricians, bankers and sheriffs and maybe a few outlaws, too.

We're not all senile — just old and needing more help than our families can give us. This home, whatever its name, is "home" to us, and you're an invited guest. Please come. The welcome mat is always out and not just on Thanksgiving. I hope you will keep this and read it again in January, February, and every other month of the year. We'll still be here, and our needs will be the same.

Anne Frank's Poem, "St. Nicholas Day"

Once again St. Nicholas Day

Has even come to our hideaway;

It won't be quite as fun, I fear,

As the happy day we had last year.

Then we were hopeful, no reason to doubt

That optimism would win the bout,

And by the time this year came round,

We'd all be free, and safe and sound.

Still, let's not forget it's St. Nicholas Day,

Though we've nothing left to give away.

We'll have to find something else to do:

So everyone please look in their shoe!?

(Anne Frank, "The Diary of a Young Girl," December 6, 1944) 

The last line of the poem refers to the practice in the Netherlands (and beyond) of children leaving shoes outside their bedroom door on the eve of St. Nicholas Day in hopes that the dear fellow would drop in them a few coins or pieces of candy — or, for naughty children, a lump of coal.

The poem radiates young Anne's hope and courage and cheerfulness, virtues that were sorely tested in the extremity of her family's circumstances. Thus, the poem serves as a timeless lesson of perseverance amid great dangers and difficulties. It is indeed a relevant exhortation for all of us on this St. Nicholas Day.

Catching Up

Okay, you are back from your Thanksgiving travels and a bit rested from the holiday's hectic activities. Below are a few excellent articles (and cartoons) that you might have missed in those days. They include news and commentary from the culture wars AND a couple that deal with the ongoing work of Vital Signs Ministries.

* “How Obama blatantly disregards the law” (Paul Sperry, New York Post)

* “Enough with The Ferguson Pandering” (Lloyd Marcus, American Thinker)

* “Media Ignore 224 Teenagers Killed in Chicago Since Michael Brown’s Death” (Warner Todd Houston, Breitbart)

* “A Very Special Christmas Tree Lighting” (Denny Hartford, Vital Signs Ministries)

* "A 'When Swing Was King' Christmas Road Trip"

* “A Milestone Sunday: Saying Goodbye”

* “A Culture of Lies: The changes after Ferguson will likely be for the worse.” (George Neumayr, The American Spectator)

* “Be afraid: This is the real Obama” (Joseph Curl, Washington Times)

* “How to Replace Obamacare: Affordable Care Act opponents must make their goal the enactment of a better plan.” (James C. Capretta, National Review)

A Milestone Sunday: Saying Goodbye

Tomorrow is a significant milestone for us.

I came the Sunday morning before Christmas as a guest speaker to Faith Bible Church, a small congregation on Omaha's near south side that had been without a regular pastor for a couple of years. In fact, they were strongly considering throwing in the towel and merging with a large suburban church.  As a favor to a new friend, I agreed to provide “pulpit supply” to the church for a few Sundays in January. And then that stretched into the spring. And then that stretched into…7 years!

Never an actual member because of a doctrinal difference with the denomination, I was not involved in the leadership of the church nor did I ever seek (beyond the biblical teaching of my sermons) to direct the future course of the church. I was content to be their “perennial guest speaker,” offering ongoing series of expository sermons to “build up the Body for the sake of ministry.”  However, even though my “real job” remained Director of Vital Signs Ministries, leaving my only duty at Faith Bible Church to be delivering the Sunday sermon, the church soon began to describe me as their teaching pastor. And I tried hard to live up to that. Not only did I take my sermon preparation seriously (12-15 hours of study and prayer and writing out my text), but I couldn’t help but get involved in the lives of the people in other ways too. Thus, I ended up teaching other classes, hosted letter-writing evenings, counseled (and confronted), frequently entertained parishioners in our home, did hospital and nursing home visits, led special activities, performed funerals, spoke at AWANA, and so on.

As many of you know, I had done quite a lot of preaching and teaching in the years since my conversion to Christianity in 1970 (including a lot of “pulpit supply” at Pleasantview Berean Church here in town and Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, Iowa) but providing week after week sermons for this length of time has made for quite an experience. Both Claire and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way. And we have made many friends that we will stay in contact with for the rest of our lives…and beyond.

But the time has now come to turn the page. Our obligations related to Vital Signs Ministries have continued to grow and, for the last couple of years now, it has been increasingly difficult to pursue them as we should while still taking those extra hours a week for sermon preparation. In particular, our “When Swing Was King” presentations, hospitality ministries, cyberspace outreaches, and writing projects all need more attention. Therefore, I informed the leadership of Faith Bible Church (and then the congregation) last August that I would be leaving.

And tomorrow is our last Sunday, thus the milestone designation. May the Lord lead Faith Bible Church in the next stages of its ministry. May the Lord guide Claire and I to our new church home. And may He give us joy and effectiveness as we persevere in our many duties with Vital Signs Ministries.

A "When Swing Was King" Christmas Road Trip

There’s nothing quite like the “When Swing Was King” Christmas show. 13 songs featuring the original crooners, canaries, and big bands of the swing era. More than 250 beautiful and interesting pictures playing on the screen. And an intriguing, fun commentary that heightens the holiday excitement for the residents of the nursing homes and senior centers for whom we present it...completely free of charge.

But the surprising news? We’re delighted to announce that, in addition to the regular 13 facilities where we bring “When Swing Was King” every month plus two extra showings this December that we have scheduled for senior groups at Country Bible Church and Glad Tidings Church, Claire and I are taking the show on the road to central Nebraska next week!

December 3rd and 4th will be a Christmassy sleigh ride for us as we take the program to senior facilities in Holdrege, Gothenburg, Doniphan, and Grand Island.

Your prayers for safe travel, success with the technical aspects of the program, and spiritual blessing as we visit with residents are deeply appreciated. Indeed, prayers are deeply appreciated for all of our December presentations of “When Swing Was King.”

But, yes; there still might be a chance for a Christmas version of “When Swing Was King” to warm the hearts of the seniors (and others) at your church for there are Sunday mornings in December that are not yet scheduled. That may change at any moment, though. So, if you’re interested, please contact us ASAP.

A Very Special Christmas Tree Lighting

Want a happy "Christmassy" story, one that delightfully illustrates our longstanding beliefs that 1) Christians can yet influence culture towards winsome, wholesome ways and 2) a personal letter remains a remarkably powerful tool in that quest?

Then check out the November letter from Vital Signs Ministries that tells a story of a delightful Christmas tree lighting.

Picks of the Weekend

If you were watching college football or hanging the Christmas lights this weekend, you may have missed these important articles. Here's a second chance.

* “Major blowback from Obama's insult to Australia at the G20 in Brisbane” (Thomas Lifson, American Thinker) As Lucianne Goldberg notes, "Without the Internet you wouldn't know this.")

* “Fools of the Week: Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News” (Eric Bolling, Fox News)

* "Renewable Energy Will Never Work, But Can Nuclear?" (John Hinderaker, PowerLine)  Hinderaker writes about “two of the most interesting articles I have read in a very long time. The first is by two Google engineers who were charged with thinking creatively about how to replace fossil fuels with renewables. After four years, Google shut down the project. The engineers concluded that it simply couldn’t be done.” Very interesting article.

* “The Microaggression Farce: The latest campus fad, which sees racism everywhere, will create a new generation of permanent victims.” (Heather MacDonald, City Journal) This is a longer piece but well worth reading for anyone who wants to understand why we're losing the next generation to the culture wars.

The Pick of the Weekend

Here's a few articles from around the web that you don't want to miss.

* “Clamping Down on Religion” (In this brief but important article, NRO’s Kathyrn Jean Lopez interviews Ed Clancy, director of outreach and evangelization for Aid for the Church in Need.)

* “The lies that are central to Obama’s agenda” (Kyle Smith, New York Post)

* “Officials say U.S. military readiness for war, competitive edge worsening” (Andrea Shalal & David Alexander, Reuters)

* “One Nation Under Godlessness: A high school in Colorado Springs bans students from meeting outside class for prayer and fellowship.” (Michelle Malkin, NRO)

* “Joe Wilson Was Right” (Jack Cashill, American Thinker)

* “India’s war on women turns deadly: Thirteen women have died as a result of the latest mass sterilisation camp.” (Carolyn Moynihan, Mercator)

* “Obama Is Now Lying About His Lies” (Peter Wehner, Commentary)

* “HHS still doing business with firm that twice defrauded Medicare” (Sarah Westwood, Washington Examiner)

The Awesome Power of Music!

You want an idea of why we are more excited than ever about "When Swing
Was King," Vital Signs Ministries' outstanding outreach into nursing homes and senior centers?

Then, by all means, check out the clip and the article below. And then check in with "When Swing Was King."



Caring for patients with dementia will probably be one of the biggest human dignity issues of our century, as the proportion of elderly grows across the globe. It seems disgraceful to warehouse them in nursing homes, but often there are few alternatives.

So I was really delighted to see a ray of light in a new documentary, Alive Inside, which won the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for an American documentary. It features the power of music to raise patients out of their torpor. Sometimes the effect of placing earphone and an iPod on an unresponsive patient slumped in a wheel is little short of miraculous…

Michael Rossato-Bennett, the director of the award-winning documentary, “Alive Inside,” says his life was transformed by making the film. “I hope it will bring the story of Dan’s work to the world and awaken hearts and minds to the healing power of music. Music has great lessons to teach us about what it means to be human. I learned that from the sweet and vulnerable souls I met making this film.

Through music, we have the power to help millions of people awaken to who they are and what they can be. Music gives us the ability to reach a population that might otherwise be unreachable. It allows us to touch hearts and ignite souls. Through music, we can help the old and the aging sustain their humanity and by doing so, inevitably, we’ll prove our own.”

Read more of the Mercator article by Michael Cook, “Bringing the elderly back to life with music.”

Congratulations, Conservatives. Now What?

Here's an idea. Copy the picture above (or some creation of your own) and print it off to make “congratulation cards” to the conservatives you supported in Tuesday's elections. On the inside (or simply the back side if you go with a postcard format), tell them the four things on which you want them to press "fast and furious" as soon as they take office. (Those items, of course, will be different for the various offices your candidates won.)  And keep a copy of your card so you can refer to those priorities in your next communications.

It’s not enough to get these folks elected. Nor is it enough to applaud them (or ourselves), or feel satisfied and happy. The job of governing with principle, efficiency, and wisdom is now at hand. Our prayers, encouragement, and perseverance to keep our political representatives accountable are more important than ever.

By the way, what are the priorities I’m sending along? Well, to Ben Sasse, Joni Ernst and others heading to the U.S. Senate that I prayed for, cheered on, and supported in various ways, those priorities are:

1) The de-funding of the mega-abortion business that is Planned Parenthood.

2) Increased military might in order to better protect America from her enemies.

3) Protecting the Constitution from activist ideologues being appointed to the Supreme Court.

4) Much stronger protections against vote fraud.

In my card to those winning in Congressional races, since it is not the duty of Congress to confirm judicial nominees, I substitute #3 for “Dismantling ObamaCare."

So, what do you say? Send in your cards and letters today. We mobilized for their election. Let’s stay mobilized to insure these folks govern the way they promised.

"I Will Never Forget"

“You know, I understand what you’re saying.  And you’re right, I know you are.  And I appreciate your being here and all that you’re offering to help me and my baby.  Really, I do.  But you just can’t get around my immediate problem and so I’m afraid I don’t have any choice.  That’s not how I want it and I wish I could undo some stuff but I can’t.  So, yes; I know this is sin, a very serious sin, and I hope somehow, somewhere my baby will forgive but I have to do this.  Because if I don’t go through with the abortion, I’d never fit in to my prom dress.”

Read the rest of this month’s Vital Signs letter right here.

Does Culture Trump Politics?

Liberals expend tremendous effort changing the culture. Conservatives expend tremendous effort changing elected officials every other November — and then are surprised that it doesn’t make much difference. Culture trumps politics — which is why, once the question’s been settled culturally, conservatives are reduced to playing catch-up... 

In 1986, in a concurrence to a majority opinion, the chief justice of the United States declared that “there is no such thing as a fundamental right to commit homosexual sodomy.” A blink of an eye, and his successors are discovering fundamental rights to commit homosexual marriage.

What happened in between? Jurisprudentially, nothing: Everything Chief Justice Warren Burger said back in the ’80s — about Common Law, Blackstone’s “crime against nature,” “the legislative authority of the State” — still applies. Except it doesn’t. Because the culture — from school guidance counselors to sitcom characters to Oscar hosts — moved on, and so even America’s Regency of Jurists was obliged to get with the beat... 

If the culture’s liberal, if the schools are liberal, if the churches are liberal, if the hip, groovy business elite is liberal, if the guys who make the movies and the pop songs are liberal, then electing a guy with an “R” after his name isn’t going to make a lot of difference...

Read the rest of Mark Steyn’s compelling article, “Why the real battle for America is over culture, not elections,” in the New York Post.

Up To Speed: Today's Important Reads

* “Harper’s Magazine urges readers to ‘Stop Hillary! Vote No’” (Page Six Team, NY Post)

* “A Church in Exile: Hillsong Shifts on Homosexuality” (Andrew Walker, First Things)

* “Hillsong Church, Relevance & Pariahs” (Mark Tooley, Juicy Ecumenism)*

* “Incompetence Meets Mendacity in Obama Administration’s Ebola Response” (Andrew C. McCarthy, NRO)

* “The Vatican Backpedals on Support for Gays and Divorcees” (Allen McDuffee, Atlantic)

* “Voters Poised to Hit Brakes on Obama, Dems” (Salena Zito, Real Clear Politics)

* “Pets Allowed: Why are so many animals now in places where they shouldn’t be?” (Patrica Marx, The New Yorker)

* “Gay Marriage vs Religious Freedom, The Latest Installment” (Paul Mirengoff, PowerLine)

* “Kerry: Extremism Not Linked to Islam; Factors Include Deprivation, Climate Change” (Patrick Goodenough, CNS News)