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ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 20, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Peeling the onion

The online “Principles of American Government” (PAG) course is now in its 3rd week. I wish this course were compulsory for every political activist, parent, and high school student! We study the principles that inspired America’s founders. What is it that prompted them to stand and face down the (then) world’s mightiest military force and its civil government? What did they understand? What did they believe. What was the foundation they had that our generation doesn’t understand or has forgotten?

The next PAG course begins on Monday, September 8, 2014. Student comments and course syllabus may be found on the ACH web site (see letterhead). Please phone or e-mail me for further information.

PAG students learn to “peel the onion.” That is, pull back all the layers of a thing until reaching its fundamental parts.

For example: To “govern” is to direct, regulate, control, or restrain. Thus, we may govern ourselves, our families, our church, and our civil government. Family, church and state (civil government) make up the structure of every human society. The family is the building block of a society. Every society has a corporate understanding of a “higher power” they treat as god (little “g” as used here). The vertical relationship between families and god, or God (as the case may be), we call “church.” The horizontal relationship between families and families, we call “state.”

I have found the Bible to be the most proven and reliable source for the rules by which things are governed.

Family, church, and state are the only human organizations I find in the Bible, which God ordained, and through which He works. Christ summed up the whole Bible with the simple command – Love God and love others (“vertical” and “horizontal” relationship).

Reason tells us there are only three fundamental ways to govern a human organization: Rule of one; Rule of a few; Rule of many. There are no other ways. Every human organization is ruled by some combination of these three elements. It is a rare exception, for an organization to be ruled by only one form, exclusively.

The names we assign to these forms: Rule of one – “monarchy”; Rule of a few – “aristocracy”; Rule of many – “democracy”. I find all three forma in the Bible. Each form has its assets and its liabilities. For example, a monarch can get things done without having to get agreement from anyone else. On the other hand, such unlimited power easily corrupts. The other two forms may also become corrupted.

An unlawful monarchy is called a “tyranny.”

An unlawful aristocracy is called an “oligarchy.”

An unlawful democracy is called an “anarchy.”

America’s founders tried to highlight the strengths of each form and limit the faults of each form. Thus we have “checks and balances” between the Executive (one); Judicial (few), Legislative (many) departments of our government.

Another fundamental principle, illustrated through human history: The corporate vertical relationship between a society and its god (or God) will always determine is horizontal relationship – that is – its form of civil government. Never the other way around.

What follows is a timely quotation is from Verna Hall (1960) in the Preface of the book she compiled and that we use as a PAG text book.

“In proportion as Americans let go of faith in the absolute power of God, they have accepted the belief in an all powerful State. This is true of peoples or nations, for their idea of God determines the form of their civil, political, religious and social institutions. Communism and socialism are anti-God and anti-Christian; the battle against communism and socialism never was, and is not now, just economic and political; it is religious. Shall Christianity be taken captive?”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 13, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Update – Dr. Steve Long

International Students Christian Outreach – Stanford

A while back – This blog requested prater for Steve Long in Thailand. He and his wife, Vicky, are finally home. Thank you for your prayers.

Hi and thank you for your prayers and support.

June 10th We arrived at SFO at 4pm. Took 2 hours with wheelchair assistance to clear customs. SFO had a flood of people with many planes landing at a similar time. Peter, John and Becky waited patiently to pick us up. Our cell phones were not working so they did not know why it was taking so long. Finally we were reunited at 6pm. We had a celebration dinner at a restaurant, then back home. I was wonderful to be with our sons and to hear about Peter and John’s end of school year. It felt so good to be in our own beds again.

June 11th we were getting unpacked and reorganized. Also taking naps – we were so tired!!! Time for food shopping while Steve slept.

June 12th we went to the VA Hospital to meet with our primary care doctor. The medications were reviewed along with the hospital report. We got USA meds, a chest x-ray, and blood test. Next time will be with the cardiologist for further assessment.

So, thank you again for your prayers. Steve is a miracle. He was dead 9 times, and now he is alive. Nothing is impossible with God. We look forward to seeing you soon. Praying for God’s direction and guidance – Steve is a new man. God has also given him a new message and anointing.

Blessings and love,

Steve and Vicky

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 8, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Cicero was wrong!

Cicero’s words sound very reasonable today do they not! I know of no single area of American culture that has not degraded under Obama’s administration. Our President appears to have taken every opportunity to give aide and comfort to America’s enemies, foreign and domestic. I believe that is called “treason”.

On the other hand, in Cicero’s time Christ had not come to change everything.

“A knowledge of our American history is so important to Americans that without it we act like a nation which has lost its memory. A knowledge of America’s Christian History not only restores our national memory but it provides us with the purpose for which America was established.

“Historians who wrote close to the period of our founding were convinced that God reserved this continent and held it in readiness for that time when mankind was ready to accept to the fullest the opportunity and the responsibility for extending Christian liberty to every sphere of life.

“No other nation in the Christian era has had such a unique establishment as America. No other nation has consciously and purposely based its institutions upon Christian Biblical principles. There would be no America if there were no Christianity.[1]” [emphasis is mine]

Christ summed up the entire biblical message – love God and love others. Human history records God’s hand in teaching men to love Him then to love one another. We are slow learners!

Rosalie Slater’s article (above) focuses upon the great providential as well as human effort that has been invested in America to illustrate that men are indeed capable of self-government with God’s help. If that is not true, then Christ died in vain.

Individuals, families, churches, and civil-governments that try to govern themselves without the help of God are destined to fail.

Were God’s hand not at work, America’s civil government would long since have failed. I believe Christian prayers of intercession, asking for mercy rather than justice, are the reason justice has been delayed. If America collapses, as she deserves, the world will say, “Christian ideas of self-government do not work.” God’s efforts in America will seem to have failed. Cocero will appear to be right, we cannot survive treason.

Darkness and hopelessness will shroud the globe. On the other hand – If “We the people” somehow, with God’s help, manage to set our ship of state right again, the whole world will rejoice and God will be honored across the globe.

If Christ appears beside me today, I want Him to find me optimistic that America’s restoration is at hand. I want to be found working toward that goal. Lord, show us your loving mercy and your glory!

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 3, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Homosex and peace

How would you react to members of a wife-beaters, bank robbers, or child molesters group who seek to convince you that what they are doing is normal and acceptable?

On what grounds would you base your decision? “Well, that’s an easy one,” you say, “wife-beating, bank robbing, and child molesting is just wrong!” The other guy disagrees. Who is right?

Let’s say the child molesters persuade civil-authorities to pass laws that make molestation legal. Does that make it right? Who decides?

Nothing exists without a set of laws to govern it. Atoms and molecules, galaxies and planets, rocks and dirt are governed by laws of physics. Plants are governed by laws of photosynthesis. Animals are governed by laws of instinct. Humans have the unique attribute of choice. There are laws that govern choices.

In every case I know, when any of these laws are broken the result is chaos. Where did these laws come from and what gives them authority?

Fools pretend that they believe there is no intelligent designer (God) and it all happened by random chance, without intelligence. The rest of us acknowledge God and recognize that He set up the laws of nature.

Sir William Blackstone, “father of the legal profession” [1723 – 1780] discusses law in his book, “Commentaries”:

“This law of nature …directed by God Himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. … No human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them (i.e. human laws) as are valid derive all their force, … from this original. But in order to apply this, … it is still necessary to have recourse to human reason … And if our reason were always … clear and perfect … the task would be pleasant and easy; we should need no other guide but this. But every man now finds … that his reason is corrupt, and his understanding full of ignorance and error.

“Revealed law. – This has given … occasion for the interposition (i.e. intervention) of divine providence; which, in compassion to the …blindness of human reason, hath been pleased to …discover (i.e. uncover) … its laws by … direct revelation. The doctrines thus delivered we call the revealed or divine law, and they are to be found only in the Holy Scriptures.”

Thus: “The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” [America’s Declaration of Independence]

It is becoming “politically correct” to accept homosexuality in our society. If that is acceptable, why not accept wife-beaters, bank robbers, and child molesters in the same way? Soon, nothing will be wrong and homosexuals, wife-beaters, bank robbers, and molesters (see Romans chapter #1 for an extended list) will dominate our society. There must be a standard.

“Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”, which cannot be repealed (!) will be broken. Our society will be in chaos.

If we desire the peace and liberty that goes with a “law abiding” society, we have no choice but to stand and say, “It is destructive to violate the ‘Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.’ Homosexual activities are wrong.” Else others are deceived.

If someone says, “I do not accept biblical authority.”

I respond, “We must be governed by some set of laws. It would be foolish not to seek out the best. I will agree in advance to accept a greater, more proven and reliable set of laws. What have you to offer?”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 23, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Unity of the Spirit

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy if the vocation

wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one

another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

[Ephesians 4:1-3]

I received a response to my last blog post, “For your pastor”. The blog suggesting that churches invite candidates wishing the votes of their members to attend any Sunday worship service, then be invited forward to introduce themselves, answer a few questions, and ask for support.

It is my view that the church administration would be serving to educate its members as well as extend its positive influence into the local society. Here is the response I mentioned.

This is a view I am sure is shared by many American church goers. Let us forebear one another and endeavor to find unity.

We agree: – We should be accountable citizens; — We should make our choices and judge character, according to Bible principles; — Sunday messages should focus upon the Lord and His word.

Before discussing differences, it is always best to meet on points of agreement. Then endeavor to expand that unity. Think of it as meeting in the middle of a love bridge.

The Bible has much to say about, “love thy neighbor” [Lev 19:18, Mat 19:19, Mat 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Rom 13:9, Gal 5:14, James 2:8] Christ summed up the whole Old and New Testament in the simple statement, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.” [Luke 10:27]

“Love God and love others.” Pretty simple instructions. To “love” is to be unselfish. (See John 3:16). Vertical (love God) and horizontal (love others).

In the Bible, God created and deals through only three human organizations: Family; Church; State (civil-government). “Family” is the building block of any society. “Church” is the vertical relationship between families and God. “State” is the horizontal relationship between families and families.

The Bible gives us rules for governing (i.e. directing, regulating, controlling, restraining) all three of these human organizations. As a matter of fact, I know of nothing God created that is not governed by a set of laws. The “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

Dr. Jedidiah Morse* describes just such a time in our own history in the following excerpt from an Election Sermon delivered in Charlestown, April 25, 1799, from the Bible text, If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3). Our dangers are of two kinds, those which affect our religion, and those which affect our government. They are, however, so closely allied that they cannot, with propriety, be separated. The foundations which support the interests of Christianity, are also necessary to support a free and equal government like our own. In all those countries where there is little or no religion, or a very gross and corrupt one, as in Mahometan and Pagan countries, there you will find, with scarcely a single exception, arbitrary and tyrannical governments, gross ignorance and wickedness, and deplorable wretchedness among the people.

To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoy. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation, either through unbelief, or the corruption of its doctrines, or the neglect of its institutions; in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom, and approximate the miseries of complete despotism. I hold this to be a truth confirmed by experience. If so, it follows, that all efforts made to destroy the foundations of our holy religion, ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessings which flow from them, must fall with them..[1]

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 22, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

For your pastor

Please consider giving a copy of this paper to your pastor – But First – have an attitude check!

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?” [Romans 14:4] God’s shepherds carry an awesome responsibility for the condition of their flock. One day, they must stand all alone at the Lord’s judgment seat and answer for their role as shepherd. Shepherds need our help and encouragement – NOT – criticism and judgment!

Colonial pastors routinely preached “Election Sermons.” Candidates and elected officials would be placed on the front pew and listen to the pastor bring a biblical message outlining the responsibilities and limitations of their office.

Such sermons were printed and published. Today, it is not hard to find copies of election sermons in colonial archives. However; American churches in today’s American culture have little influence, direct or even indirect, with civil-government. There should be no question, that needs correcting.

It appears to me that shepherds have two sorts of problems in “leading.”

· How can they “lead” if the flock does not choose to follow?

· When the flock is already moving, they must rush to the front to be the “leader”.

Many sheep have chosen to shun knowledge and understanding of civil matters. Thus – They choose not to register and vote. I suggest the following solution – –

The county Registrar of Voters can supply the names and addresses of every candidate on the ballot for the church’s address. Issue an open invitation to each one of them, on Church Letterhead: “Introduce yourself to an usher at any Sunday worship service. At the close of the service, you will be invited forward to introduce yourself and ask for support from our members.”

Between the Primary and the November election, nominees are desperate for exposure to voters. Many will happily accept such an invitation. They will benefit from a good sermon (!) and the exposure – (Which will include a few questions regarding their and position on issues of interest to the people).

More significantly, seeds of understanding will be planted in the flock. Suppose a few – or even many – churches in an area, did the same thing! Even the smallest congregations will meet those wanting their votes. There is no formal endorsement of any candidate, but there is significant influence, especially over several election cycles, of the church in the community.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 21, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

You may recall our request for prayer in behalf of Dr. Steve Long.

Steve and his wife, Vicky, lead the campus ministry of international Christian students at Stamford University as well as a major ministry based in Taiwan.

Thank you for your prayers and for God’s grace. Since that first request, Steve has had a number of setbacks and recoveries – thus – I have hesitated sharing an update.

The following message just arrived from Vicky – –

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your prayers. God is good. Steve is getting his staples out now: 81 staples in the right leg

now they are sterilizing the incision and putting strips on it to give extra holding power. The doctor says Steve can be released on Friday. We will live at the home of church people who are going to Europe on a government assignment. Their home is empty and ready for us. Thanks to God for all His angels who are making this trip more comfortable as we go through the fire!!!!!

Oh – now they are also taking the staples out of his chest incision. 24 staples.

Total of 105 staples – that is a big zipper.

Please continue to pray for us. Counting down till Friday release from the hospital.

Thank you again

Blessings

Steve and Vicky Long

vicky.lynn.long@gmail.com

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 12, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

A product demands a producer

Bryan (Christian) College in eastern Tennessee, recently added a clarification to its statement of beliefs:

“We believe that all humanity is descended from Adam and Eve, …

They are historical persons created by God in a special formative act,

and not from previously existing life forms.”

It is a sad thing, that such a move created a firestorm of controversy and several professors have chosen to resign.

The original title for this blog post was – “How big is your God?” I believe science and revelation (the Bible) come from the same source and will never be in conflict. Jerry Coyne, a well-known evolutionist professor at the University of Chicago, alleged that the school’s statement flies in the face of “science.” “As soon as you say something about the historicity of Genesis, science education is compromised.” said Coyne.

Well – la-dee-dah! Let us have a look at “historicity1” and “science.” If Professor Coyne’s views of “science education” are accepted, the inspired word of God is compromised!

Let us take anything that exists – a guitar for example. Put all the materials for that guitar into a box (wood, string, glue, lacquer, screws, etc.) and shake it for a very long time. Would we ever get a tuned guitar? Of course not. The existence of the guitar demands that there be a guitar-maker.

Further – By carefully studying the guitar we may discover much about the guitar-maker – perhaps even his name! Thus I conclude this truth from observation and reason: Every product demands and reveals its producer. Random chance (i.e. evolution which denies the hand of God) is an absurd denial of truth. Intelligent design is demanded by the superb complexity and function of every product we choose to investigate.

Which is more reasonable: The first human grew from a primordial ovum – or – a super intelligence designed and created “Adam” from the materials available. How would a fetus survive – vs. – How old did “Adam” appear moments after his creation? Thus, a virtual history was created with these events. The trees in the first garden would have tree rings, the light rays from the newly created heavens would exist at the same instant of the light source creation.

Bottom line, “How big is your God?”

1 Historicity is study of the historical actuality of persons and events … [Wikipedia]

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 11, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Is tolerance a good thing?

“TOL´ERANCE, n. … The power or capacity of enduring; or the act of enduring. … [Little used. But intolerance is in common use.]” [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]

In 1828 ‘intolerance’ was in common use. Times have changed! Now ‘tolerance’ is supposed to be virtue! Today we are told, “There are no absolutes. Nothing is asolutely right or wrong. We should be tolerant.”

Well – I choose not to tolerate bank robbers, murderers, and those who commit treason against our nation. There is a longer list of things, but you can get the idea – some things are just wrong – absolutely!

If everyone is created free to decide what is right or wrong, how can anyone be absolutely sure of anything? Just try living as though there are no absolutes. Begin by driving the wrong way on a freeway!

Next – We are given the ability to observe and reason. “Even a dumb dog don’t kiss a hot stove twice!” If an event consistently produces good or bad results, we reason it is either right or wrong. Thoughtful observation and reason shows us that there are rules of action to govern everything that exists. Staying within those rules produces growth and peace. Wandering outside those rules produces chaos.

Men are slow learners. It took God 1620 years to make a Pilgrim! In His (God’s) compassion for us, I believe He inspired individuals to write His words in the Bible. Everyone is free to make his own decisions about God and the reliability of Bible teaching. If Bible rules consistently produce good results, we may reason that the rules are right. Not to do so would be foolish.

Your choices are given to you by God. No one has the authority to demand that you choose one way or another. Your choice is your property. Granted: choices have consequences – but – your choice is yours alone! You choose what you will tolerate!

I believe God is doing everything He can to teach you how you were designed to live. That is – To love God and love others. There is, I believe, nothing more He can do without violating your liberty to choose.

The best definition I have found for ‘love’ – To unselfishly want the very best for the loved one. [see John 3:16] Observation and reason tells us that is right. Observation and reason also show us that human nature is not ‘loving’. Selfishness is wrong.

Human nature is prideful, we like for people to agree with us! Sometime we attempt to force people to agree with us. Agreement cannot be forced. Church history has three categories of understanding –

• Either agree with us, or you are wrong.
• We have found truth. Let us teach the truth to you.
• No one has a monopoly on truth, come discover truth with us.

“Agree with us or you are wrong” has caused some bloody wars.

“We have found truth. Let us teach truth to you” I believe defines the “puritan” philosophy.

“No one has a monopoly on truth, come discover truth with us” I believe defines the “pilgrim” philosophy.

William Bradford’s manuscript, “The Plymouth Plantation” describes the planting of the seed of “pilgrim” philosophy in the colonial “puritan” society. That philosophy appears to have spread throughout New England. What appears to me to confuse many historians – Those who adopted the “pilgrim” philosophy retained their “puritan” name tags!

If I tolerate other religious philosophies, it would seem that I have the right not to tolerate them. Rather, every person must be left free to discover and grow his individual relationship with God. That in turn, will determine his relationship with others.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

May 11, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Steve Long needs our prayers

A long-time friend, Steve Long (& wife Vicky – sons Peter& John) with roots in YWAM, is in need of our prayers. Dr. Long leads “International Student Christian Outreach” (ISCO) on the Stanford campus. Steve also leads the “Champions Education Association” ministry in Taiwan. Over there, his ministry is a very big deal for the Lord.

Vicky writes –

Dear Family and Friends,

Shalom, God’s abundant life’s blessings to you today.

It is early morning. I want to update you while I have internet access and before we have a busy day of meetings. I have more info now. Steve had a massive heart attack during the night or early morning of May 1. He was in a friend’s apartment by himself so we still have to wait for Steve to be able to tell us what happened. He did not show up for his university class in the morning. James, his interpreter immediately tried to call him – no answer. So he called another Champions staff, Victor, who lives close to the apartment. Victor immediately went to the apartment. He knocked on the door and Steve was able to come and open it and fall onto the floor asking for 911. Here in Taiwan that is 119. He was unconscious with a trail of vomit from the bedroom to the front door. The ambulance came asap.

The doctors had to defibrillate him 7 times. His heart stopped 3 times during their attempts to revive him. They had to do bi-pass surgery. 7 hours surgery.

I arrived at Taiwan airport at 11pm. His surgery had ended at 9:30pm. I was taken immediately to the ICU to see him and pray for him with several of our Taiwan Champions family, Shirley Wong and Elizabeth. KC was already there. We prayed and then had to go. He has limited visiting.

The doctor said the most critical time has passed. Now he has to stabilize. The problem now is the blood thinners he has been taking for his heart. This is causing him to bleed more. He has tubes in his nose and his mouth and those are very uncomfortable. His leg hurts where they took the vein for the bi-pass. He has sleeping medicine through IV to keep him peaceful and pain medicine too.

It was recommended that I attend our meetings and give the speeches and messages because, I cannot see him. He gets too emotional when he sees visitors and it disrupts his peaceful time of resting and healing. So we have staff who are keeping close watch while he sleeps. I am doing the meetings – a full schedule.

Please pray with us for Steve’s complete healing asap.

Please pray for me to have the ability to do all the meetings and have a very inspiring message from God for everyone.

Peter and John are doing very well at Becky’s home. I am able to skype and talk with them. Please pray for them to be at peace and be able to focus on getting their end of year school testing done well.

Thank you again for your prayer support. It is greatly appreciated.

God is good all the time. He has a purpose and plan for everything. There is a time and a season for all things. We pray that you are in a good season with God Your loving heavenly Father.

Blessings

Vicky

Vicky’s e-dress is vicky.lynn.long@gmail.com I will send updates. Please join us in prayer.

Ben & Fran