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)

Light-Filled Letters

We hosted a productive letter-writing party last night as Pat, Quint & Carol,
Keith & Carol, Don & Alberta, and Allen joined Claire and I as we sought to let our our lights shine through courteous but firm letters. We enjoyed some prayer together as well as conversation and dessert but, as is our pattern, we spent 90 minutes of serious letter writing.

The topics addressed in our letters last night included SCOTUS appointments, the attacks on religious freedom within America’s armed services, the various evils perpetrated by Planned Parenthood (supported exorbitantly by our tax dollars), the ongoing bathroom follies, and PayPal’s mean-spirited business tactics. We also wrote several thank you cards to people who have performed outstanding service — people like Senator Ben Sasse and Samaritan’s Purse director Franklin Graham.

And finally, we printed off two excellent articles about the most recent abortion decision by the Supreme Court and sent them along with a personal note to our respective pastors. Indeed, a few of us sent copies to other pastors we know as well.

While so many Christians are hunkering down and putting sacks over their head to avoid thinking about the wickedness surging around them (through distracting entertainment, wishful thinking, and compromise), we plan to keep engaging the culture…even as we pray for God’s intervention.

We do that by maintaining a pro-life witness at the abortion mill, by ministering in the senior care facilities, by holding up God’s truth in the public square, by discipleship, by presenting the glorious good news of Christ’s death for sinners, and by advocating for His justice and truth through such things as these letter writing parties.

If you’d like information on how to conduct one of these parties yourself, please let us know.

Thank God; the New Normal Isn't the Forever Normal

I’m nearing one of those significant birthdays this summer.  It's the “Medicare milestone” of 65. Man alive, can it be that I'm so far removed from that vibrant, skinny kid climbing out of the Green Mountain Swim Club pool as music from the loudspeakers blasted The Beach Boys and the Beatles?

My body, aching from yesterday's walk, answers “oh yes!”

Now I am trying to keep as healthy as possible. Claire and I follow a very strict Paleo diet. We have an aggressive exercise regimen. We see our doctor regularly. But, let's face it, no matter what we do, there is no escaping the rigors of age.  Our bodies begin to disappoint us, even fail us, and we must constantly, courageously adjust to a “new normal.” Many of you know what exactly I’m talking about.

But for the Christian, accepting the “new normal” of aches, pains, limitations, frustrations, loss of memory and mobility, and on and on, is only a temporary state of affairs. For the one who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the payment of sin’s awful penalties, the “new normal” is not the “forever normal.” Hallelujah.

Here’s how the apostle Paul (writing with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) puts it 2 Corinthians 2:16-17. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” And in I Corinthians 15:52, he writes about that splendid moment when our decaying minds and bodies are transformed. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” The Christian’s body will be resurrected in a glorified, holy, and immeasurably healthy state.

And, take hope, my friends; that wonderful, beautiful, and vibrant “new normal” will be forever.

In that day (and throughout the endless days in heaven thereafter), we will experience God’s sweet compensation for what we have endured here. So, hold on and keep looking towards the grace to come when all things are reconciled to God. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

And that’s certainly worth another hallelujah.

Using the Weekend to Catch Up?

In addition to mowing the lawn, washing the car, and getting the family to church, you might consider adding to your weekend reading these dispatches from the culture wars.

* “Falsifying the Public Record Because It Offends Islam” (Abraham H. Miller, The American Spectator)

* “Ideologues Make for Dangerous Politicians” (Victor Davis Hanson, National Review)

* “Ignoring Reality” (Stephen F. Hayes, The Weekly Standard)

* “The Worst MDs Free to be Suicide Doctors” (Wesley J. Smith, First Things)

* “Annals of Mewling Idiocy” (Scott Johnson, Power Line)

* “Liberal Cosmopolitans Lash Out at the Shattering of Their Worldview” (Ian Tuttle, National Review)

* “Nigel Farage: Britons voted for Brexit because Obama told them not to” (Mark Hensch, The Hill)

“When Swing Was King” -- A Consensus Favorite with a Birthday Party Coming Up!

Yesterday's “When Swing Was King” presentation at Brookestone Meadows was our last for the month and it went swimmingly -- an exceptional crowd, a lot of great conversations before and after the show, and Mary Roberts showing up with two of her daughters to be a part of the fun. We even had a couple of enthusiastic responses to my book, The Christmas Room, from residents who had recently read it. And finally, after hearing several gracious complements about the show, we were told by staff that “When Swing Was King” is the “consensus favorite” of all the entertainment programs they have!

Wow.

Another sweet blessing from yesterday was that we learned that Life Care Center of Omaha will be holding a party next month (July) to celebrate the 6th birthday of “When Swing Was King.” Following our regular show, the staff will be serving cake, ice cream, Paleo brownies, and other treats for diabetics so that everyone in the facility can take part.

How cool is that? Well, it's really cool because LCC is where “When Swing Was King” all began. Initially created as a ministry to my mother and her friends who lived there, a program that would feature music and pictures from the days of their youth, plus some interesting and fun information about the songs, the musicians, and the days of the big band era.

 And now, after six years, the program is presented (still free of charge, always) to 11 senior care facilities every month. There's 24 different programs (and even those are always being changed a bit) and they still involve music, photos, fun trivia, and regular visitation from people who care about seniors and love to spend some time with them. What a tremendous blessing it has been for the residents of these senior care facilities...and for their staff to have such a popular (and affordable!) program to offer...and to Claire and me too!

And, needless to say, we are really looking forward to that “When Swing Was King” birthday party!

Seniors Welcoming WSWK Into Their Summer Entertainment

The latest edition of “When Swing Was King” is proving as big a success as it’s long line of predecessors.

And brother, that's sayin' something!

As usual, this “When Swing Was King” volume is a delightful mix of romantic ballads, dance-oriented big band music, and rousing songs that seem perfect for singing along. We have already had a ball in our first four shows but there are still another seven coming up in the next couple of weeks. We would absolutely love to have you drop by for one of those shows. Indeed, the residents of any of the 11 senior care facilities where we bring this unique entertainment/friendship program would love it too! Just check this page of the Vital Signs Ministries website for the schedule of places and times.

Of course, every “When Swing Was King” show also includes interesting commentary about the songs, the musicians, and the times...plus there's those amazing pictures. So, come on and give us a visit!

By the way, here's the song list for the latest edition:

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra — Elmer’s Tune
2) Chick Webb Orchestra — I Got Rhythm
3) Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, vocals by Frank Sinatra — The Song Is You
4) Harry James Orchestra — Alice Blue Gown
5) Art Lund, Johnny Thompson conducting the orchestra — Mam’selle
6) Freddy Martin Orchestra — Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
7) Dean Martin — A, You’re Adorable
8) Lawrence Welk Orchestra — La Mer
9) Mills Brothers — Once In A While
10) Benny Goodman, vocals by Helen Forrest — It Never Entered My Mind
11) Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, vocals by Bob Eberly — Fools Rush In
12) Al Jolson — Toot, Toot, Tootsie

Catching Up From the Long Weekend

Here's a few of the latest article recommendations:

* “Even a silver-backed gorilla is not worth more than a child” (Carolyn Moynihan, Mercator)

* “Euphemisms for Killing” (Wesley J. Smith, First Things)

* “Socialism for the Uninformed” (Thomas Sowell, Jewish World Review)

* “The Obama Navy as Farce” (Jed Babbin, American Spectator)

* “What Obama’s Bathroom Directive Really Does” (Kelsey Harkness, The Daily Signal)

* “ESPN Columnist Laments Cops Singing National Anthem, Signals ‘Authoritarian Shift At The Ballpark’” (Matt Vespa, Town Hall)

The Week That Was

Among the must-read articles from the last few days are these gems:

* “President Obama Gives One Of The Most Repulsive Speeches In American History In Hiroshima” (Ben Shapiro, Daily Wire)

* “A nation of Peter Pans: We have created a country filled with perpetual children” (Dr. Keith Ablow, Fox News)

* “Make America great again? Start with marriage, Mr Trump.” (Caitlin La Ruffa and Hilary Towers, Mercator)

* “All of Hillary Clinton’s Lies Are Premeditated” (Jonah Goldberg, NRO)

* “D.A. Admits Breaking the Law When Indicting Planned Parenthood Investigator David Daleiden” (Cheryl Sullenger, Life News)

* “Bill Nye the Scientism Guy” (Willie Soon, Town Hall)

Eye-Opening Journalism

Want to keep up with what's happening in the culture wars? Here's a few excellent articles you may have missed.

* “Damning report on E-mailgate shows Hillary can’t be trusted” (New York Post Editorial Board)

* “20,642 New Regulations Added in the Obama Presidency” (James Gattuso, Daily Signal)

* “Abortion video changes minds of pro-choice women” (Sheila Liaugminas, Mercator)

* “Liberal Censorship: Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber” (Eric Metaxas, Breakpoint)

* “Campus Activists Are More Radical — and Troubled — than You Think” David French, NRO)

* “California’s $64 Billion Bullet Train To Nowhere Gets Delayed…Again” (John Merline, IBD)

* “Enough with Hollywood’s Pendulous Boobery” (Michelle Malkin, NRO)

You Say You Missed These?

* “Time to Wean Millennials Off the Lies of Socialism” (Jay Richards, The Stream)

* “What Happens to Conservatism Now?” (Maggie Gallagher, National Review)

* “The Transgender Juggernaut: When Sanity Became a Crime” (Michael Brown, The Stream)

* “A Part-time Law Lecturer vs. the Constitution” (Clarice Feldman, American Thinker)

* “How corporate America bought Hillary Clinton for $21M” (Michael Walsh, New York Post)

* “Green Weenie of the Week: The Portland School Board” (Steven Hayward, Power Line)

* “Federal Judge Issues ‘Extraordinary’ Order Sanctioning the DOJ for Misconduct in Executive Amnesty” (David French, National Review)

* “Facebook’s Troubling One-Way Mirror” (Jim Rutenberg, New York Times)

Keeping Up?

Having trouble keeping up with news and commentary you can use...news that comes from credible, principled, and eloquent sources?  Hey, don't we all? So here's a few of the best and brightest articles from recent days.

* “The Scariest Reason Trump Won” (Dennis Prager, Town Hall)

* “Lawmaker: ‘Big Brother’ Shouldn’t Force Americans to Participate in Abortions” (Leah Jessen, Daily Signal)

* “Trump’s Refusal to Release Tax Returns Is a Ticking Time Bomb for the GOP” (John Fund, National Review)

* “Why does the media ignore the criminal past of Communism?” (Christopher Szabo, Mercator)

* “Dry Rot in Academia” (Thomas Sowell, Jewish World Review)

* “The Age of Cheap Oil and Natural Gas Is Just Beginning” (Marian Radetzki & Roberto F. Aguilera, Scientific American)

* “Rehab for Reds: The resurrection of American communism” (Ronald Radosh, The Weekly Standard)

Important Dispatches from the Culture Wars

* “New Chicago Schools Bathroom Policy Proves Liberals’ Extreme Agenda” (Roger Severino, Daily Signal)

* “Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News” (Michael Nunez, Gizmodo)

* “Nursing homes turn to eviction to drop difficult patients” (Matt Sedensky, Associated Press)

* “Trump, the Republican Party, and the Future of Conservatism” (Steve McCann, American Thinker)

* “An Inconvenient Truth: Liberal Climate Inquisition Can’t Explain Past Temperature Changes” (David Kreutzer, Daily Signal)

* “Observations along the road to ruin” (Clifford May, Washington Times)

* “A Confession of Liberal Intolerance” (Nicholas Kristof, New York Times)

* “Why Middle Eastern Leaders Are Talking to Putin, Not Obama” (Dennis Ross, Politico)

Appealing to Government Officials In Behalf of Persecuted Christians

At Vital Signs Ministries’ latest letter-writing party, 11 of us wrote 100 letters and cards dealing with religious freedom as well as pro-life and pro-family issues. (You can find out a few details in this previous Vital Signs Blog post.)

Among our letters and cards were ones sent directly to persecuted Christians who have been put in prison because of their faith. We also sent 20 letters (signed by the members of Vital Signs’ Freedom of Conscience Committee) to various government officials in some of those nations where these prisoners are being unjustly held. Those nations included China, Uzbekistan, Eritrea, Pakistan, Vietnam, Iran, Egypt, and Kazakhstan.

Below is the basic outline of those letters.

We, the undersigned, urge you to please demonstrate fresh justice and compassion in regards to the sad plight of prisoners in your country who are experiencing unfair and harsh imprisonment because of their Christian faith. We specifically intercede today for _____________________.

Please recognize that sincere Christians represent a blessing to your nation as they are morally upright, diligent workers, respectful, kindhearted, and generous. They do not seek to undermine the State but rather to enhance its strength and culture through prayers, devotion to family life, and peaceful service.

To mistreat persons merely because of religious differences (or other acts of conscience) is a tragic mistake, one that frustrates, angers, and saddens people of tolerance and goodwill throughout the world. Please act quickly to open the jail cells of those enduring undeserved punishment for their religious faith. 

“Religious freedom, an essential requirement of the dignity of every person, is a cornerstone of the structure of human rights, and for this reason, an irreplaceable factor in the good of individuals and of the whole of society as well as of the personal fulfillment of each individual.” (John Paul II)

Thank you for your consideration of this crucial human rights matter.

Respectfully,

If you would like to join forces and write to (and in behalf of) persecuted Christians, I urge you to check in with the Prisoner Alert section of Voice of the Martyrs website very soon.