October 2013

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 31, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

NOTE – The previous attempt to send this post included an attachment that was erroneously far to large. It resulted in most posts being returned unsent. Apologies if this is your 2nd message.

Should you take this course?

“I am an 81 year old grandma in the midst of taking the Principle Approach to Government course using Skype, with Mr. Ben Gilmore. My 16 year old grandson is taking the same course. If you are into homeschooling, or interested in the history of the Constitution, this is what you need to know about the course.

“You will need two large books with which many homeschoolers are familiar: THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; CHRISTIAN SELF-GOVERNMENT, Compiled by Verna M. Hall; and TEACHING AND LEARNING AMERICA’S CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Developed by Rosalie J. Slater. This course is strong in character development, and gets to the very basic foundation of understanding God’s Hand in Human History.

“The course consists of twenty-four 75 minute classes (mine is twice a week) and about 4 hours a week study. I found I put in much more time because of interest.

“I would like to see this course as a pre-requisite for all who want to be involved in homeschooling. But why stop there? It would do wonders for our Public School System, character building for all our youth, and in our Higher Education System for any person who desires to be a teacher.” [Cora R.]

And another – –

“This course will challenge your intellect and touch your heart as you explore principles of American government–both civil and self (personal). You will acquire a Biblical world view as Ben Gilmore, a world-class Master Teacher, guides you through America’s Christian history. Meet some of our country’s founding fathers and those who influenced them, like Montesquieu, Locke, Blackstone, Bradford and Adams). Learn the truth about what it means to be an American Christian before it is too late. Then ask the Lord to show you His role for you in His story.” [Cindy S. a home school mom]

Principles of American Government – A three month online course – Tuition $195.

The next course begins Monday, January 6, 2014. Prospective students should discuss the course with me and locate text books well before that date.

American Christian Academy (ACA) will gladly acknowledge five high school credits toward American Government earned by ACA students who receive no less than a C grade. Be sure to state on the Report Card that “Mr. Gilmore of ACH Study Groups was the teacher / tutor for this course & include a copy of the ACH report card.”

For His-story & Government

Ben Gilmore

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 19, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

What makes YWAM different?

Thirty years ago, a business man asked a friend, “What makes Youth With A Mission (YWAM) different?”

The friend replied, “The other evangelical youth groups focus upon teaching how to ‘witness.’ YWAM focuses upon knowing God and making Him known.

“The result – YWAMers are so motivated, they can’t help but ‘witness’.”

Attached is a flier my friend, Eric Samuelson, asked me to circulate. Would you believe! – A Golf DTS (Discipleship Training School).

Warning – YWAM involvement is NOT FOR WIMPS! Back around the mid ‘60s and early ‘70s when the “hippy” drug trail was leading through Afghanistan and Pakistan, Eric Samuelson was on the 2nd evangelistic team to travel Afghanistan.^ I understand it was (then) a federal death penalty to evangelize. Now, Eric and his wife are in Phoenix organizing a Golf DTS!

My family and I spent all 12 months of ’77 traveling overseas for YWAM, sharing Christ in 37 nations. We founded YWAM’s Small Town Outreach ministries. Our years with YWAM were life changing. I recommend it to “youth” of any age!

Ben Gilmore

*Find a book about that Afghan ministry – “Just Off Chicken Street” by Floyd McClung

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 18, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Government Shutdown 101

When thoughts keep coming back, it helps to write about them. My reasoning appears to differ with several legislators whose judgment I respect. However: “Wisdom from above is … easily intreated” [James 3:17]. I am willing to be corrected.

These days everything gets sensationalized. We hardly notice “normal” things. All the emotion and hype often get in the way of sound reason and critical thinking.

Last week the world was going to end, and the worldwide monetary system would collapse, if the Debt Limit was not raised, thus averting American treasury default.

What does simple reason tell us would happen if no additional debt were permitted?

If you are spending more than you take in, you either take in more, or spend less. If you can not earn more income, nor borrow more capital – you must reduce spending! Obama looks into the camera and with a straight face – says, “If we cannot raise debt, we will default on Government bonds." He presupposes that any spending cuts come first from treasury bond holders. I do not think that is true.

Cash is coming into the U.S. Treasury by the truck loads every day. The problem is, more truckloads are leaving every day (redistribution of wealth). A good argument can be made that Article 4 of the 14th Ammendment to the Constitution demands that the bond holders be first in line.

Thus, no default – Rather an improvement in our fiscal structure, since we will have stopped the bleeding by cutting (at last!) some of the waste and graft that has been our problem. The ONLY way to dig out the dead wood is to starve it out by refusing increased funding while insisting upon legitimate expenses.

When will it be easier? Next week – or – next year?

Do what is right because it is right.

Let the results take care of themselves.

In the end – Doing what is right will produce good results.

“When you choose an action

you have chosen a consequence!”

[Mr. Harry Conn]

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 17, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

The way I see it

I have been listening to commentators since the Continuing Resolution (CR) and Debt Ceiling issues were sent to the President for his signature. Some views were as expected. Some were surprising. I do not want the responsibility of persuading you to agree with me – then we could both be wrong and I would be responsible!

Rather – I encourage everyone to use the God-given gift of reason and liberty to decide for yourself. There are lots of guys “out there” who are way smarter than me, –but – in the end, I am answerable for my opinions and actions – so are you.

Obamacare – It is argued, “This is the law, passed by the legislature and “constitutional” according to the Supreme Court.

Just because a jurist (or even 9 jurists) say a law is “Constitutional” does not make it so! The Constitution speaks for itself and every American Citizen “We the people” is individually protected from over reaching national government by the words of that document.

The Constitution rightly put the purse strings into the hands of the department closest to the people (House of Representatives). Every spending bill MUST originate in the House. I started reading the CR that originated in the House, was amended by the Senate and returned to the House and approved. Unless I was reading the wrong bill, the Senate amendment began, “Delete everything after the first word and substitute …”. We may soon be hearing about payoffs that were inserted into that CR.

Many readers will say, “A plague on all of you”, and withdraw into a cocoon of ignorance and cynicism. Friend, please listen to the cries of those who have lived under oppression you have never experienced. Accept my challenge and pay attention!

A while back, under a previous House of Representatives, Obamacare was manipulated through passage under questionable means, against the overwhelming wishes of Americans. The current Republican members of the House were largely elected on their pledge to stop implementation of Obamacare. The Constitution gives the House the authority to fund or defund anything!

Republicans have a majority in the House. Mr. Boehner, the Republican Speaker (leader) in the House did not want to withhold Obamacare funding. He reasoned, “It is a fight we can’t win, so why do it?” That is a losing philosophy!

The GOP House members forced him to pass a CR that funded everything government is doing now EXCEPT Obamacare. The Democrat majority in the Senate refused to accept the CR unless it funded Obamacare. Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and a few other Senators attempted a maneuver that would raise the Senate approval from 51 to 60 votes, which would require some Republican votes.

The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, and most Republicans worked against Cruz’ efforts. He failed. The Senate with 51+ Democrats put Obamacare back into the CR and sent it back to the House generating the 14 days of “slim down” government we just finished.

Had Republican Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, followed Cruz, Obamacare funding might have been delayed or even killed. Rather, with 50+ Democrat votes, the CR was amended and every Republican Senator could go home and say, “Sorry, I voted against funding Obamacare – but it passed anyway!”

Go to Mitch McConnell’s Senate web site and read his words about opposing Obamacare from the beginning. McConnell even appeared on Huckabee’s TV show, the day after allowing the 50 vote CR to go back to the House, and looked straight into the camera saying how he opposes Obamacare!

This column is growing too long. Perhaps I’ll write the way I see the “Raising the debt limit”. Issue another time.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 15, 2013

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends –

Nudge, Push, Shove, Shoot

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” [Edmond Burke]

“ … a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." —George Washington, General Orders, 1776

Last weekend in Washington, American vets were contending for Liberty on their own ground (Blockaded War Memorials) vs. government employees, also Americans, being paid to harass them.

I submit, that such employees, sold their American heritage of liberty, for a paycheck. That sends chills to my heart.

Those who have studied the history of tyranny will recognize the pattern of enslavement. Like the frog in the pot that enjoys the warming water and does not jump out until it is too late.

First, the tyrant will smile and nudge. As the citizen grows accustomed to accepting external direction, the tyrant increases from nudge to push. Again, the citizen chooses to submit, rather than make a scene. Should he object to the push, he is asked, “Why object now when you did not object before?”

American citizens are now being brazenly shoved by public servants who are employed by us!!! Our American system of government was specifically designed to defend – NOT CHALLENGE – the liberty of its citizens.

“All men are in a natural state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the laws of nature”. [my paraphrase of Locke].

“… That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” [Declaration of Independence]

It appears to me that the Administration is shoving harder and harder, trying to ignite a violent reaction to which they (the Administration) can respond with overwhelming force. The assumed purpose of such action would be to intimidate the citizens.

This must not be. America is a nation of laws. The citizens are unorganized. We would lose a violent rebellion, if (like last weekend) organized government employees will turn against citizens in exchange for a paycheck.

American colonists struggled for years to avoid a violent solution to government over reach. The war for independence was fought in self-defense, not rebellion. Let us win that struggle this time without bloodshed. We are very close to winning this skirmish. We have the tools of bloodless victory. Let us use them.

An informed citizen is an empowered citizen. I encourage everyone to take an interest in current events, Ask questions, listen. This is not a game. Liberty and slavery are in a battle for the soul of America.

Talk to friends and neighbors. Form small discussion groups. Begin a “blog” like this one among your friends and family. The ability to reason is a gift to humans from God. Use it to cut through the hype and reach your INDEPENDENT conclusions.

Hugo Grotius, a smart Dutchman (1583 – 1654) said it this way –

He knows mot how to rule a kingdom,

that cannot manage a Province;

Nor can he wield a Province,

that cannot order a City;

nor can he order a City,

that knows not how to regulate a Village;

nor he a Village,

that cannot guide a Family;

nor can that man Govern well a Family

that knows not how to Govern himself;

neither can any Govern himself

unless his reason be Lord,

Will and Appetite her Vassals (servants);

Nor can Reason rule unless herself be ruled by God,

And (wholy) obedient to Him.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 11, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

To those in their 20’s

What does an 84 year old geezer have to say to young American men and women in their twenties?

A very great deal that is of incredible significance!

You have been deceived! Since grade school you have been the subject of child abuse! Public schools have used you as lab mice in alternative education methods. You have been taught by our society that things of God are irrelevant. Rather than being drawn towards the whole reason you are here on earth, our society has conditioned you to set aside real contemplation about your purpose in life.

Human nature is such that the previous paragraph will generate negative reactions —

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 10, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Something you can do that counts

Many on this mailing list are just becoming aware of their responsibilities. They want to help in a way that counts – but – politics is confusing and filled with “busy work” that doesn’t seem to count for much in results.

Readers of this column recognize the major confrontation between right and wrong that is being waged in Washington. Many of the skirmishes in the battle are almost out of sight – but – big doors swing on little hinges.

One such “skirmish” developed when one of the liberal Senators from New Jersey, died last spring. They are having a special election in New Jersey next Wednesday, the 16th.

Sarah Palin, an inspiring patriot is in NJ this weekend to support Steve Lonegan, another strong patriot in his race for the vacant U.S. Senate seat.

If successful, Lonegan will support conservative Senators Cruz, Lee, and Paul in standing against Obamacare. It couldn’t happen at a better time!

I recommend going to https://loneganforsenate.com/secure-contribution.php TODAY and sending at least a token ($10) or whatever you can. This, I think, is a race that counts a lot!

For better government

Ben Gilmore

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 6, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Lies & Deception

· MINUTES AFTER the House passes bill to pay furloughed workers, Democrats characterize it as a signal Republicans want the partial shutdown to continue, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying the message to those workers is, ‘you just stay home…watch TV, play chess…because we won’t let you work.’

Those in favor of nationalized health care and the power that goes with it are demonstrating that they are not bound by truth and reason. Several years ago, they bullied Obamacare through the legislature in clear opposition to American rejection of nationalized health care.

In response, many moderate and leftist law-makers were replaced with strong conservative freshmen. It took a while for them to learn to use the authority their constituents had given them. The Constitution states that every spending bill (proposed law) MUST originate in the House then go to the Senate for approval. No approval – No law.

Next (usual) step, a committee from both House and Senate sit down to hash out a bill they both agree on. If it passes the House then the Senate – The proposed spending bill goes to the President who signs it into law – or – vetoes it (rejects it) and challenges the lawmakers to gather enough votes to make it law without his signature.

All the bills needed to fund government projects (park rangers, soldiers, etc.) have been kicked down the road for years, rather than hash out a budget that makes the hard decisions. The House has produced numerous budgets, but the Senators don’t want to make spending cuts in order to balance a budget.

Instead, when the deadline comes up (like this month) The house makes a giant catch-all called a “Continuing Resolution” (CR). That authorizes the government to keep on keeping on WITHOUT a budget.

“Moderate” (go along to get along) Republicans have maneuvered for years to lead the House and Senate caucuses (all members in a party). For the first time in a long time, the House has stood its ground, thanks to the “Tea Party” representatives that held their leaders’ (Boehner, Cantor, McCarthy) feet to the fire.

The Republican House members (Republican caucus) have majority authority over spending bills. Democrats are accustomed to finding enough “squishy” Republican representatives to get a majority. Not this time – with Obamacare! Politicians know they will face voter wrath if they support funding Obamacare.

Power is far more addictive than heroin! Democrats for years have coveted control of health care. They have lied, cheated and stolen to get it this far. What American’s want is second to the power addiction. BUT – Losing the 2014 election is also a threat to their power.

All that to say this – Recognize the lies and deception. This is a life or death confrontation between power junkies and American’s will to be free and independent of “nanny” government..

Do what is right because it is right!

The results will take care of themselves!

The alternative is chaos and slavery.