October 2019

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, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

All Christians are sinners!

And so is everyone else. The difference is that Christians have requested and received forgiveness and grace from Jesus Christ. In my teen years I thought I was a Christian. After all, I was an American and I went to church on Sunday!

The day after my High School Senior prom, I was walking across the George Washington Bridge in New York City, with a letter in my pocket that said I could enroll at Rice in Houston, Texas. I was about to hitch-hike there and earn enough in the summer to pay the bill in the fall.

Halfway across the bridge it occurred to me that I was scared. Someone had said, “When you are scared – pray.” That is the first time I recall praying. The result – I beat bus and train time to Texas, landed a job on campus with a salary and free room in the dorm, plus another in a large restaurant across the street with a salary and free food!

At that point I knew there was a God. I sent Him a shopping list and He sent a bag of goods.! Looking back, I can see how He arranged things in my life adventure, while He waited for me to learn. God is very patient (apparently!). He protected me in flight school and combat in Korea. He opened doors to finish college, graduate school, and several careers.

In Fremont, California (1964), we happened to attend a Baptist church. The Pastor said, “Remember three things: The Bible is the word of God; Jesus is who the Bible says He is; All the tings He said are true.” I had tried to read the Bible. It was dull and boring. I had no idea what Jesus said, “Help old ladies across the street? Don’t mess with your neighbor’s wife?”

About that time the Holy Spirit peeled me naked like a banana! It dawned on me that I had never even thanked God for His provision and protection! I walked to the foot of the cross, took the bag that was my life and dumped it out there. I felt much cleaner. As I stood up, I scooped a few things back into the bag that only God and I knew about.

Life was good! Someone rewrote the Bible, it came alive! I could not get enough. The life adventure went into high gear! Now and then I would be slammed into a wall. I asked, “Why God?” He pointed to the (almost) empty bag. Finally, I dumped it out and threw the bag in as well. – Hyperdrive!!!

“Dumping it all in” does not come easy! It requires confessing your sin to those you have sinned against, being of no reputation, and asking forgiveness. That was the most frightening and difficult thing in my life! The blood of Christ will not cover that which man will not uncover!

When I was harboring secret sin, I was discovering that I could not turn away from it in my own strength. It had to be a corporate effort with Christ and me. He could not do it alone and neither could I. I was wishing someone would “call me out” on it.

Well friend, I am calling you out! Pornography and lust (straight and homosex) appear to be the most often mentioned in Scripture. Are you willing, with Christ’s help, to hate the things God hates? America’s churches and America’s government are in desperate need of hyperdrive Christians!

These columns are archived since 12/10/09

See www.ACHStudyGroups.com

“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 13, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

Looking ahead

Truth is always fighting to get to the surface. Swamp corruption is being exposed more every day. Though it promises to be a nasty battle, it is reasonable to expect that Donald Trump will have four more years with (hopefully) a more cooperative legislature and judiciary to support his swamp drainage efforts.

Those positive achievements will be the result of a frustrated population that finally rises up to assume authority. Looking ahead – It is equally unreasonable to assume we will see fruit trees growing where the swamp used to be! That “frustrated population” is ignorant of the principles that will long sustain a self-governing constitutional republic.

Liberty’s opponents have systematically dumbed down the last three generations of American citizens. Our roots are buried deep in good soil, but our growth in sound reason and Christian ethics has been stunted. Our next generation will need a core group of leaders who understand what our founders understood – True peace and prosperity is only possible when the people honor Christ and His teaching.

A major part of that restoration began in the 1960’s with the vision the Lord gave to Verna Hall and Rosalie Slater, two ladies in San Francisco. They were dedicated to documenting and teaching America’s forgotten founding principles. The “Foundation for American Christian Education” (FACE) was born. I view FACE as the “mother ship” of a plethora of organizations with the same goal.

The ladies have since passed on, but FACE lives on with a vision as strong and clear as ever. In a recent report FACE Administration published a word picture of their current program that every American patriot should read and support!

Please save a copy, read it, and share it. I believe the long-range survival of American liberty rests upon it.

https://face.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/FAC19-8044-Fall-Report.pdf

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

These columns are archived since 12/10/09

See www.ACHStudyGroups.com

“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

January 29, 2020

This is a letter to our friends –

Things to know

It is vitally important to your liberty that you understand a few American political basics -NOW!!

There will be two elections next year (2020)- the “primary election” (in the spring) and the “general election” (in November). The candidates that will be on the November ballot will be nominated in the spring primary election. Once the primary is over, we are stuck with a choice between those nominated.

Many voters ignore the primary election because there are so many choices and they are confused. Politicians like it that way! Remember – It is within the rules of the game to lie, cheat, coerce, extort, steal if you are an enemy of truth, liberty and self-government.

The incumbent, running to remain in office has many advantages over the challenger; name recognition, party support, funding base, voting record (perhaps?), uninformed voters, etc. The challenger has to overcome opposition efforts to block his fundraising. His opposition will make every effort to keep his message from being heard. It is cut-throat in the trenches.

OK – Where do you fit in? First choose whom you will serve – – The God of Christian self-government – or – the god of everything opposed to that. Next find a way to learn who is running for U.S. Senate and Congress in your neighborhood. (Usually available from your county Registrar of Voters.) The “down ticket” races are important – but – these two races are of vital significance in 2020. American liberty is at stake. We must have quality candidates on the ballot in November.

Do some basic research for yourself (internet), then talk with politically aware friends if you know some. Seek to meet the primary candidates in person, if you can. Ask their position on guns, gay marriage, and abortion. Pick your candidate and do whatever you are able, to support him (generic). Remember – The perfect candidate does not exist.

Lastly – Please do not put it off. In California, our primary is on March 2nd.

These columns are archived since 12/10/09

See www.ACHStudyGroups.com

“Ben’s Blog”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 2, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

A call for prayer warriors

We need a wave of intercession in behalf of my long-time pastor, Mike Michaelsen, of Church of The Valley, in San Martin, CA.

Mike has had back problems for decades, but lately he has suffered painful raw flesh problems that confuse the medical professionals.

The Good Book says to resist the devil and he will flee. Be sure, please, to resist him in Christ’s authority – not your own!

Next – Pray, please, for divine protection and healing of these raw soars.

If, as I believe, this is a satanic attack, a wave of intercessory prayer in Mike’s behalf will bring glory to God.

Thanks in advance

Ben

These columns are archived since 12/10/09

See www.ACHStudyGroups.com

“Ben’s Blog”