Swinging Into Autumn!

Today was the first presentation of the month for a new volume of “When Swing Was King.” But then again…every volume is a new one! You see, we have 24 basic programs that we’ve created, but we constantly make changes as the 2-year rotation comes round. For instance, in the latest case, I changed about a 1/3 of the 250+ photos therein and 4 of the 12 songs. Thus, we are giving the residents of the 12 senior care facilities we visit every month the most top-notch entertainment program we can.

And boy, do they let us know how much they appreciate it!

Today’s show (at Life Care Center in north Omaha) was extra special for another reason too. It was the first time we brought along copies of our 4-page “When Swing Was King” newsletter which we will be printing up and distributing to residents every quarter. We were thrilled to see how excited and appreciated the newsletter was by both staff and residents.

(By the way, you can read more about the first issue and the purposes we’ve created it to serve right here.)

Like the “When Swing Was King” shows themselves, this fun and nifty newsletter is given to the care facilities free of charge. And, among other things, that means we would sure appreciate any donations to Vital Signs Ministries so that we can keep this outreach going strong. Thank you.

And, oh yes, two more items. 1) This month’s song list is printed below. (It’s a terrific list!) And 2) The schedule of all of the September “When Swing Was King” shows can be found right here…just in case you’d like to come along and help us bring some cheer into the lives of our community’s seniors.

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocals) -- “When You Wish Upon a Star”
2) Nat King Cole -- “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”
3) Harry James Orchestra -- “Crazy Rhythm”
4) Artie Shaw Orchestra (Helen Forrest, vocals) -- “I Have Eyes”
5) The Andrews Sisters -- “Rock-a-bye Baby” (Photo Theme: Babies)
6) Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Frank Sinatra, vocals) -- “What About You?”
7) Guy Lombardo Orchestra (Kenny Gardner, vocals) -- “For Me and My Gal”
8) Ella Fitzgerald -- “Where or When”

9) Glen Gray & the Casa Loma Orchestra -- “Blue Room”
10) Gene Krupa Orchestra (Carolyn Grey, vocals) -- “They Wouldn’t Believe Me”
11) Benny Goodman Orchestra (Dottie Reid) -- “Paper Moon”
12) Bob Hope and Shirley Ross -- “Thanks for the Memory”

“When Swing Was King” Goes to Press!

Goes to press?

I thought “When Swing Was King” was the entertainment/visitation outreach you guys took into senior care centers. So, what’s that headline all about?

Well, here’s the deal. We have just printed the first of our “When Swing Was King” news sheets for the residents of the 12 senior care facilities we visit each month. It is a 4-page, big-print publication which we will pass out four times a year. Each issue will provide interesting and fun facts about the music, performers, and the times of the big band era as well as seasonal quotations, a bit of poetry and Scripture, and a short personal note from Claire and I.

There are three basic purposes for this new project.  1) We hope to extend our ministry by giving our audiences something to read, think about, and share with friends and family. 2) We believe it will serve as a winsome promotion for the “When Swing Was King” shows themselves. And 3) It allows us yet another avenue to touch on matters of the heart and spirit as we deepen our friendship with the residents.

What’s in our first issue? There’s a ten-question quiz, a brief spotlight on bandleader Ozzie Nelson, a few quotes from Duke Ellington, several beautiful quotations and Scriptures about autumn, a poem from Robert Louis Stevenson, the best-selling records in the fall of 1945 and 1955, fun facts about the song “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael, and a few “don’t you wish you were there when” items.

Oh, yes; there’s also the note we include from Claire and I. Here it is.

As we reach the autumn of our lives, we often become more nostalgic, even if we realize that the “good old days” were not always that good.  As someone put it, people sometimes get nostalgic about things they weren’t all that crazy about the first time around!  And, of course, our nostalgia creates mixed emotions: sadness for the loved ones we miss, regret over good times that have gone by, frustrations brought on by the changes in our culture and in our own bodies.  

But there are also pleasures in remembering and appreciating and in being grateful for the blessings God has given.  As one “When Swing Was King” fan told us, “Your shows bring back so many memories.  Some of them are happy. Some of them are sad.  But they’re all mine and I’m truly grateful for them all.”

That’s what we hope our programs provide for all of our audiences – great music, entertaining information, interesting and fun photographs, the blessing of friendship…and memories that are all yours! 

In this autumn season when we appreciate the harvest, enjoy the unique beauties of color and change, celebrate Thanksgiving, watch a little football, and prepare for the Christmas season and the rigors of winter, we pray God’s abundant blessings on you all.

By the way, the news sheet is printed on one long sheet of paper and folded. And it’s printed in black and white. Both of these things make it rather inexpensive to print. (Also, because we mention that it is printed by Oh-K Fast Print on 120th & Center, they give us a 10% discount.) But, just as important perhaps, is that this method allows YOU to make copies which you could pass out to the folks in the senior care center (or anywhere else) in YOUR area. We would be delighted to send you a hard copy or a pdf file and you could get started right away. Just let us know if you’re interested.

Crème de la Crème: The Weekend’s Best from the Alternative Media

* “The Coming Christian Collapse” (Rod Dreher, The American Conservative)

* “Football, National Anthem & Christianity” (Mark Tooley, Juicy Ecumenism)

* “Unlike the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick, Frederick Douglass Loved ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’” (Jarrett Stepman, Daily Signal)

* “The Global Poor Aren’t Dominated by Markets — They’re Excluded From Them” (Michael Matheson Miller, The Stream)

* “Eugenics: the skeleton that rattles loudest in the left's closet” (Jonathan Freedland, Guardian)

* “Muhammad Tops Official List of Most Popular Baby Names in London” (Donna Rachel Edmunds, Breitbart)

* “Obama’s hometown carnage: Crime and casualties in Chicago escape the notice of the president.” (Tammy Bruce, Washington Times)

* “For Too Many Students, College Education is a Waste of Time and Money” (Alex Chediak, The Stream)

Dark Clouds Gathering -- Here are Some Helpful Reports from the Culture Wars.

* “Kaepernick Ignores Much History in America, Cuba” (Mike Gonzalez, Daily Signal)

* “John Kerry: ‘Media Would Do Us All a Service If They Didn’t Cover’ Terrorism as Much” (Lauretta Brown, CNS News)

* “The Super-Secret Handshake of the Black Community” (Allen West, Town Hall)

* “Planned Parenthood Caught in Fraud Scandal, Overbilling State by Tens of Thousands of Dollars” (Micaiah Bilger, LifeNews.com)

* “Marie Stopes abortion services suspended in UK” (Michael Cook, BioEdge)

* “3 Reasons This Bill to Protect Planned Parenthood Is Bad” (John-Michael Seibler, Daily Signal)

* “Huma Abedin’s mom linked to shocking anti-women book” (Paul Sperry, New York Post)

* “ISIS buried thousands in 72 mass graves” (Lori Hinnant & Desmond Butler, AP)

The Biblical Case for Work

Last Sunday I preached at Hope E. Free Church with the topic being the biblical
case for work. The sermon traveled through a variety of Scriptures (Genesis, Proverbs, the gospel parables, the pastoral epistles) and so I don’t have space here to go through them all. However, I thought some of you might be interested in the summary points of the sermon. I post them below.

* We are workers because we’re created in the image of God.
* We are called to perform our work for the Lord. It is a part of our worship. And we must depend on Him for strength and success in our work.
* We work now under difficult circumstances but that’s not God’s fault; it’s ours.  One day, when the curse is lifted and all creation is reconciled to God, our work for Him will be fully adventurous and fulfilling and delightful…as it was originally designed to be.
* All work, if done for God, pleases Him and moves forward His kingdom.  There are no divisions between types of work just as there is no true division between the secular and sacred.  He is Lord of all.
* The Bible teaches in both example and precept a strong work ethic.  It condemns laziness and lack of planning.  It also condemns the exploitation of labor.
* Work, properly performed, is an ennobling thing – a virtue that God applauds and will reward in the life to come.
* One motive of work is to be able to help others in need.
* We are taught the seriousness of being a skilled worker.  This includes care, learning, wisdom, planning, and preparation.
* We are to continually invite the Lord to be in our work.
* The frequent emphasis on the performance of good works in the Lord’s Name isn’t just about “religious” activity. It includes our occupations, our housework, our lawn work…all of our work.

If you'd like, you can hear the sermon right here.

A Fw Reads for the Weekend

Here's a few Really Relevant Reads for your weekend:

* “America’s Lost Boys” (Samuel D. James, First Things)

* “America’s Lost Girls?” (Chelsen Vicari, Juicy Ecumenism)

* “Abortion Clinic Files for Bankruptcy After Losing $6.5 Million Botched Abortion Lawsuit” (Micaiah Bilger, LifeNews.com)

* “Pro-choice puritanism” (Jennifer Roback Morse, Mercator)

* “Brendan Eich, Fired From Mozilla for Defending Marriage, Has a Brave New Web Browser” (Michael Brown, The Stream)

* “This Year, the Deficit Is Rising Faster Than Predicted” (Michael Sargent, Daily Signal)

* “Confrontations reveal Obama’s nuclear deal having little effect on Iran’s behavior” (Guy Taylor, Washington Times)

* “A Voice for Women Oppressed by Sharia: An Interview With a Former Child Bride” (Stephen Herreid, The Stream)

* “Another Travel Fiasco Courtesy of the TSA” (Genevieve Wood, Daily Signal)

* “Black Lives Matter Has Officially Cost Mizzou 2,200 Students” (Blake Neff, The Stream)

Why Voter Fraud Is Still a Massive Problem

From the editors of National Review comes this brief but important video clip. It's definitely one to watch, to pass along, and to be very, very alarmed about.

The Latest on the Culture Wars

From the alternative media, here's a few more articles dealing with culture war issues. Relevant, insightful stuff.

* “Men Are Getting Weaker…because We’re Not Raising Men” (David French, National Review)

* “For sale, the most brazen president money can buy” (Wes Pruden, Washington Times)

* “Voter Fraud Is Real. Here Are 4 More Cases.” (Peter Tapsak & Jason Snead, Daily Signal)

* “CNN (Castro News Network) Celebrates Fidel’s Birthday” (Humberto Fontova, Town Hall)

* “Signs of the Times: Liberal Hypocrisy in 2016” (Steven Hayward, Power Line)

* “Her Health Plan Was $257 a Month. Now Her Obamacare Plan Could Be $650 a Month.” (Melissa Quinn, Daily Signal)

* “‘The War Won’t Be Over Soon’: Ukraine’s Long Fight Against Russia for Freedom” (Nolan Peterson, Daily Signal)

* “$104 million lawsuit against Christian activist threatens to chill free speech in Canada” (Lea Singh, Mercator)

“Will Embryonic Stem Cells Ever Cure Anything?”

“Will Embryonic Stem Cells Ever Cure Anything?” is a skeptical headline which
you would expect to read in a conservative journal like the National Review or the Weekly Standard. However, it is a bit surprising to find it in the MIT Technology Review, in a profile of Douglas Melton, a Harvard stem cell scientist. 

From the article — “No field of biotechnology has promised more and delivered less in the way of treatments than embryonic stem cells. Only a handful of human studies has ever been carried out, without significant results. The cells, culled from IVF embryos, are capable of developing into any other tissue type in the body, and therefore promise an unlimited supply of replacement tissue. Sounds simple, but it hasn’t been.” (Michael Cook, Bioedge)

Recent Reads of Worth

Among the recent articles you may have missed (but shouldn't) are these:

* “Hillary Clinton Is No Champion of Religious Freedom” (Alexandra DeSanctis, National Review)

* “American journalism is collapsing before our eyes” (Michael Goodwin, New York Post)

* “Embryonic Stem Cell Hype --Was Hype” (Wesley J. Smith, National Review)

* “Nancy Pelosi: I support funding Planned Parenthood because I love babies” (Ben Johnson, Life Site News)

* “And the Darwin Award Goes to Leftists Who are Too Obsessed with Global Warming to Want to Reproduce” (John Hinderaker, Power Line)

* “Clinton releases tax returns; earned nearly $240M since leaving White House” (Stephen Dinan, Washington Times)

* “How Republicans Feed the Beast of Political Correctness” (John Fund, National Review)

* “3 Ways to Talk About Conservatism With a Liberal” (Beverly Hallberg, Daily Signal)

Don't Miss These Gems

* “Conservatives Must Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying” (David French, National Review)

* “‘Pokemon Go’ Players Blamed For Damage At Historic Massachusetts Fort”  (CBS Boston report)

* “Euphemisms abound in the Democratic platform on abortion” (Trevin Wax, RNS)

* “One Woman’s Struggle for Freedom in Castro’s Cuba” (Andrew Egger, Daily Signal)

* “Pope Francis and the Decline of the West” (Dennis Prager, Town Hall)

* “A Month of Islamic Terror” (John Hinderaker, Power Line)

* “What Lawmakers Can Do to Protect Rights of Pro-Life Medical Professionals” (Jana Minich & Elizabeth Slattery, Daily Signal)

* “Full List of Hillary’s Planned Tax Hikes” (John Kartch and Alexander Hendrie, Americans for Tax Reform)

The Latest "When Swing Was King" Songlist

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra — “A String of Pearls”
2) Chick Webb & the Savoy Ballroom Orchestra — “Stars and Stripes Forever” (Photo theme: Honoring Old Glory)
3) The Andrews Sisters — “Begin the Beguine”
4) Artie Shaw Orchestra — “Out of Nowhere”
5) Ozzie Nelson Orchestra — “I Must See Annie Tonight” (Photo theme: Classic Hollywood Anns & Annies)
6) Harry James Orchestra — “Hernando’s Hideaway”
7) Ella Fitzgerald — “Blue Moon”
8) Benny Goodman Orchestra — “Here’s Love In Your Eye”
9) Frank Sinatra — “The Coffee Song” (Photo theme: A 1940s Look at Coffee Drinking)
10) Larry Clinton Orchestra, Bea Wain with vocals — “Heart and Soul”
11) Lawrence Welk Orchestra — “Hoop-Dee-Doo”
12) Fred Astaire — “The Way You Look Tonight” (Photo theme: A Fred Astaire Retrospective)

Come check out our latest volume of “When Swing Was King” at any one of the 14 senior care centers where we will be showing it this month. The residents and staff would love to have you come and be a part. The schedule is right here.

3 Key Responses to Good Preaching

The typical sermon in today’s evangelical church makes everybody feel safe, comfortable, and happy. Like the music that opens and closes the Sunday morning service, the sermon is designed to entertain, calm, and lift one’s self-esteem. The audience need not worry about too much theology, too many moral demands, or too many counter-culture exhortations. Learning? You can get that from the History Channel. Sacrifice? It’s time you increased your financial donations. Stretching?  That’s for the ladies’ yoga class that meets in the multi-purpose room on Tuesday mornings.

But what if you are among the few that have the blessing of listening to solid, biblically-centered teaching on a Sunday morning?  Then may I suggest you make sure you are observing three things.

1) Good preaching should be appreciated.  Thank God for the Word and for a preacher who honors God’s revelation enough to study it, submit to it, and faithfully share it with his congregation.  Show your gratitude also by follow the example of the Bereans of Acts 17:11; namely, to study the Bible yourself and consistently extend its applications to your life.

2) Good preaching should be applauded.  An expository preacher, one well equipped in hermeneutics and holy living, should be hearing from those that benefit from his teaching.  He should be supported, encouraged, defended, helped, and honored – to his face, as well as among other church members and to outsiders.  So many preachers who bravely stand against the culture (including the soft-headed, me-oriented themes predominant in modern evangelical circles) end up standing alone.  Come alongside and give them a hand.

3) Good preaching should be applied.  It’s not enough to hear good sermons or even to pat the preacher on the back.  The whole purpose of God gifting you with a good Bible preacher is for your ongoing sanctification.  His sermons are to give you solutions to moral and intellectual problems, to equip you to do the work of ministry in your various spheres of influence, and to change you more into the image of Christ.

So, if you have a preacher who is studying to know, live, and effectively preach the Word of God?  That’s terrific.  Appreciate those sermons.  Applaud that preacher.  And apply the lessons he teaches you from the holy text.

And if you don’t have that kind of preacher?

Go find one.

Happy Birthday Number 65: The Mt. Bierstadt Climb

The following is a pictorial review of my 65th birthday climb of Mt. Bierstadt, outside Georgetown, Colorado.

1) Before heading up into the mountains,

we stopped in Golden to refresh the flower decorations on my Dad's and Mom's grave.

2) It was a brisk, strong wind that was blowing in the Rockies Sunday evening. This was the view northwest from our hotel in Frisco.

3) Monday morning, the 4th of July, we drove back down to Georgetown and then up the Guanella Pass road towards the trailhead where I would start my hike up Mt. Bierstadt the next day. This was one of the molting mountain goats who said hey to us on the way.

4) And on the same morning, one of the marmots also greeted us. Hey to you too, little buddy.

5) One of the many waterfalls in the area.

6) The view of the Sawtooth and Mt. Bierstadt from the Guanella Pass trailhead.

7) Looking north from the trailhead. (This is still on the 4th of July.)

8) July 5th, 6:23 AM. (My 65th birthday.) I put on my pack and begin my way through the willow marsh atop a frosted-over wooden platform.

9) Down deeper into the valley towards Scott Gomer Creek.

10) I decide it's too early to get wet crossing the creek so I look upstream to find a place I can jump across. I find a spot about 400 yards east.

11) Still in the wet marsh area, I'm looking north here towards one of the small lakes in the valley.

12) The trail through the sage begins to dry up a bit which makes for easier hiking. But I'm well aware that I haven't yet begun much of an ascent.

13) The narrow path now begins a fairly gentle climb.

14) Well underway now, I definitely feel the difference between my regular walking on a level parking lot in Omaha and hiking up a Colorado mountain that reaches over 14,000 feet. Whew! The view of the Sawtooth and Mt. Bierstadt is terrific...but pretty daunting too.

15) It's a tough go, but I'm still making a good pace here. But the summit looks farther away than ever. And, just as important, it looks considerably more difficult than I was led to believe.

16) Have I used the word daunting yet?

17) It's still a hike, but it's becoming increasingly steep. Also, I'm certainly feeling the altitude. The pack isn't heavy but I'm stopping more often to rest my legs and catch my breath before moving on.

18) I've brought along my regular prayer lists and the Bible verses I'm currently using for memorization and meditatiion. However, I don't get around to using them. My prayers are too focused on asking God to supply the strength, patience, and persistence required...not to get to the summit, but just to get a little further. I manage to pray for a few people and ministries and other things. And I'm thrilled by what I'm seeing and...just by making it this far.

19) The view north. It has been partly cloudy and cool so far. But I'm sweating pretty good. And what skin is showing is well lathered with sun screen.

20) The path is giving way to rocks.

21) One of my favorite photos of the trek. This is looking from the shadow of Bierstadt towards the mountain ranges north.

22) And another beauty. This is looking westward.

23) I'm really beat now but, thank the Lord, He is sustaining me so far. Most of the others who started the trek have already turned around. Time, nausea, headaches, lack of breath, fatigue, and the dangers that come with rock scrambling are taking their toll.

24) I've nearly given up several times yet I'm still on the way. And now, there's a new surge of energy, daring, and sheer fun as I start scrambling over the rocks towards the summit. I just might make it yet!

25) I've made it to the top! But it's an awfully scary place for a guy like me who has vertigo! This photo shows Abyss Lake over the cliffs and way down yonder to the south. I'm thrilled to be here...but I'm far from comfortable.

26) I shared my summit experience with this fearless and agile little guy.

27) It's official. I've made the 14,065 to the peak of Mt. Bierstadt! Thank You, Lord!

28) Among Claire's prayers (she was still down in Frisco) were that someone would be on the summit when I was to take a couple of photos. Well, a young couple, Blake and Miriam, showed up. We had a nice visit on our precarious perch and we took each other's pictures. What a birthday!

Opie Taylor, Where Are You When We Need You?

As if we needed yet another example of how self-involved, nerdy, and slavishly addicted to computer-generated amusement is American youth, along comes the phenomenon of Pokemon Go, the raging fad that promised to get kids out of doors yet still couldn’t get them out of their own heads. We shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, we have been allowing, even encouraging, kids to spend their leisure time (and they have plenty of it) plugged in first, to the television, then to videos, and then to even deeper psychological connections created by increasingly interactive smart phone games.

I thought about how stark a contrast Opie Taylor was to today’s American kids when I recently caught one of the reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. In this episode, aired originally in 1964, Opie found $50 alongside the road. After waiting the established period of one week, he was allowed to keep his treasure. Well, the primary lesson of the story concerned how willing Opie was to return the money to its rightful owner, even though he had the legal right to keep it. He wanted to do the right thing. The episode was typical of the show, emphasizing as it regularly did such moral values as kindness, fairness, humility, patriotism, courage, loyalty, good manners, and so on.

However, what I found most interesting about this particular program — and what seemed so dramatically unlike contemporary culture — was what Opie was considering doing with his money. He wasn’t thinking about Pokemon objects, computer games, video games, smart phone apps, iTune downloads, or graphic novels strong on violence, sexual images, and mysticism. No, Opie’s plan was to save most of the money (that’s pretty radical in itself) and spend the rest on one or more of the following: a bike, a baseball glove, an erector set, a football helmet, or what he finally decided on, a fishing pole. All involved wholesome, healthy, active, even intergenerational play. For Andy and Barney had already agreed to help with the erector set. And the show frequently featured Opie fishing with his friends and his father, playing ball with both as well.

I’ve thought about that program throughout the week, usually when I spot some kid walking along, head down, eyes fixed on the tiny screen of his phone. But I’ve also thought about Opie when I pass by ball fields and swimming pools that are empty of children, streets without bikes, sidewalks without skateboards, yards without kids playing tag, cowboys and Indians, or hide and seek.

Alas, all the kids are inside, luxuriating in the air conditioning and plugged into their electronic devices.

Opie Taylor, where are you when we need you?

Speaking Out Against Planned Parenthood

Claire and I held our large, winsome pro-life signs outside the Planned Parenthood abortion mill this morning as we prayed against the ongoing slaughter of the innocents committed by the abortion industry. It's all we can do there. The abortion clients park in the back parking lot where we cannot address them directly. So, we rely on our signs, praying as we kindly wave to them that they might stop for a moment and speak to us. We also wave to all those driving by, hoping that our witness will be a blessing of truth to them that the Holy Spirit will use throughout their day.

And we sometimes get the chance to speak to employees. Today my basic message was, "You know the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus loves the little children. And the Bible also is clear that Jesus does not take at all kindly to those who hurt children. This, of course, is what Planned Parenthood does. Indeed, you guys are not only hurting kids, you're destroying them. Please, for their sakes and for the sake of your own soul, stop this violent madness. We are praying for you today to quit this terrible job and to turn to Jesus Christ who died on that cross to pay for all of our sins...all of my sins and all of yours too. But you must receive that sweet gift of salvation by turning to him in faith. Please, do this today and walk away from this wicked business."

For more information on how you can be a part of a national prayer campaign against the violent injustice of Planned Parenthood, please follow this link for details about the "3 for 5" Prayer Team.

"When Swing Was King" Celebrates a Birthday!

Six years ago this month, Claire and I created a little Power Point presentation featuring big band music and photos as a party program for my Mom and a few of her friends who, like her, were residents of the Life Care Center, a nursing home at 6032 Ville de Sante Drive in Omaha. That party proved to be a big hit, so much so that we planned a second that would include anybody in the facility who wanted to attend. And then we made it a monthly event. And, within weeks, we were presenting what we titled “When Swing Was King” at several other senior care facilities here in town…always completely free of charge.

It took off even more dramatically after that, resulting in the outreach that it is today — a unique, highly relevant, extremely popular program that combines entertainment, inspiration, memory stimulation, and personal visitation from established friends that is presented to the same 12/13 senior care facilities every month!

Add in the special showings we’ve made to care facilities, churches, and other groups (including audiences in Lincoln, central Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas), and the number of “When Swing Was King” presentations we’ve done since that party for Mom is very close to...wait for it...800.

Wow.

Well, in celebration and thanksgiving, the staff and residents of Life Care Center in Omaha threw a birthday party for the “When Swing Was King” outreach in the cafeteria this afternoon following today’s show. It was a splendid affair, complete with enthusiastic applause, complements from residents and staff (including the LCC Director), a warm-hearted thank you speech from the Activities Director, and a gorgeously decorated cake.

Needless to say, Claire and I were thrilled and honored and greatly encouraged. Thank you so much Sarah, Kathy, Martha, Gloria, and all the rest of the LCC staff we know so well for this swell party. And thanks also to all of the residents of LCC who are such good friends to Claire and me as well as being stalwart fans of “When Swing Was King.”

By the way, here's the playlist from the current edition of “When Swing Was King.” Please feel free to drop in on us at any showing. The schedule is right here.

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra — “American Patrol”
2) Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocals by Frank Sinatra) — “Dolores”
3) Artie Shaw Orchestra — “Frenesi”
4) Benny Goodman (vocals by Ella Fitzgerald) — “Goodnight, My Love”
5) Jan Garber Orchestra — “I’ll See You In My Dreams”
6) Doris Day — “You Oughta’ Be in Pictures”
7) Guy Lombardo Orchesta — “Embraceable You”
8) The McGuire Sisters — “Something’s Gotta’ Give”
9) Freddy Martin Orchestra — “Dancing In The Dark”
10) Bing Crosby (backed by the Xavier Cugat Orchestra) — “You Belong to My Heart”
11) The Mills Brothers — “Standin’ On The Corner”
12) Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (vocals by the Artie Malvin Singers) — “So Rare”

A Few "Don't Miss" Articles

There are a still a few journalists worthy of the name -- men and women and publications that care about truth, relevance, character, and moral virtue. Here are a few from recent days that I heartily recommend.

* “America’s Worst President?” (Myron Magnet, City Journal)

* “It Took 19 Tortured Interpretations of the Law to Let Hillary Off the Hook” (Rachel Alexander, The Stream)

* “Rigged 101” (Rich Lowry, Jewish World Review)

* “Potential Trump VP on abortion: 'Women have to be able to choose’” (Vaughn Hillyard & Carrie Dann, NBC News)

* “Obama and Company Decline to Speak Honestly About Dallas” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

* “Socialism’s Support for Abortion Drove Whittaker Chambers to Faith” (Jonathan Leaf, The Stream)

* “Orgy of Guilt” (Mona Charen, Jewish World Review)

* “Media Ignore the Tsunami of Black Violence against Cops” (Colin Flaherty, American Thinker)

*  “The meaning of the baby bust” (Joel Kotkin & Wendell Cox, Orange County Register)

Uh, About Those Entertainment Choices

Scripture warns us of the dangers of loving the world (I John 2:15), of being stained by the world (James 1:27), of being friends of the world which is hostility towards God (James 4:4), of being defiled and entangled by the world (2 Peter 2:20), and so on.  Nevertheless, modern Christians tend to disregard these critical warnings, especially, it seems, when it comes to the entertainment choices they make. We may wish that there were more wholesome choices when it comes to TV or movies or video games or sports or books but if there aren’t…well, we end up taking whatever the world is serving.

But it doesn’t have to be like this.

Christians need not be slavishly dependent on the world to provide us entertainment. We have been liberated…and for holy purposes. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:11,12)

And do we not have better choices before us than the schlock of modern TV and films?  Are there no good books, books that are wholesome, informative, funny, inspiring?  Are there not movies available that don’t require us to compromise our values or sear our consciences?  And what of the radical idea of actually getting involved in life ourselves rather than spending all our leisure hours in being spectators? Are there no opportunities for sports and hobbies and arts and conversation and enjoying God’s creation?

Come on; let’s get unplugged from the world and instead make sure that our Christianity is enlightening and empowering…even our leisure time.

Sifting Through the Rubble

Looking for some insightful commentary about the disastrous events of this past week? Here are five of the best I've read.

* “The Fatal Flaws in Comey’s Theory of Why Clinton Shouldn’t Be Prosecuted” (Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review)

* “This Bananas Republic” (Kevin D. Williamson, National Review) (“Mrs. Clinton couldn’t get indicted if she tried…But it is worth considering the context. The context is this: America is a lawless state.”)

* “Obama’s false racism claims are putting cops’ lives in danger” (John R. Lott Jr.,  New York Post)

* “Heather Mac Donald Talks (with Rush Limbaugh) About Her Essential Book: The War on Cops”

* “Uncovered documents show aborted babies used for government research started decades ago” (Carole Novielli, Live Action News)

* “How a rolling sexual revolution is crushing freedom: A strong voice from Europe warns that 'sexual liberation' is anything but.” (Gabriele Kuby, Mercator)

The "Paradise Portfolio" -- A Surefire Investment Plan

If you were to believe the advertisements of many brokerage firms and insurance companies, you would think that a safe, even luxurious, future was yours if you simply sign on the dotted line with them. But that certainly doesn’t make sense for those who can hardly keep up with expenses now.

The truth is in the numbers; a fellow who lives from paycheck to paycheck just doesn’t have enough to build up a cushion for retirement.

Now don’t get me wrong. Financial planning, frugality, savings, and prudent investments are all good things.  But the best investment plan of all – and the only surefire one – is the one explained by Jesus when He explicitly told us to lay up our treasures in heaven.  This is a fantastic opportunity for us!  Indeed, all of God’s children are saved from the penalty of sin through faith in God’s grace alone.

However, the Scriptures are also clear that believers will receive heavenly rewards by living lives of obedience, trust, and love.  And that heavenly savings account (I’ve taken to calling it my paradise portfolio) is completely safe from thieves, natural forces, and all the sin-stained politics of this earth.

This investment plan, by the way, has nothing to do with your income, your pension, your Social Security or Medicare.  It has only to deal with your faithfulness to God.

No, after paying our bills, we may not have a nickel left over to put into stocks, bonds, or precious metals. But we can always make investments in heaven, adding every single day to that glorious paradise portfolio that the Lord is saving for us as part of our forever inheritance.

Now that is great news.

(Denny Hartford, from the latest letter from Vital Signs Ministries)