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”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

September 19, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

My Big Announcement!

Liberty The Gift of God Is Now Available

Dear Ben,

Liberty the Gift of God is now available to order!

Click on:
Liberty the Gift of God https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732678553?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

or go to our website, then scroll down & click on the order button. Individuals, schools, churches and organizations will benefit from this story. Please encourage your friends to check out the book & consider giving a boost to the book, with a comment on Amazon.

www.historiclibertylantern.com

Thank you so much for your support!

Warmly,
Belinda Beth Ballenger

Our mailing address is:

The Liberty Lantern

1807H Santa Rita Rd Ste 105

Pleasanton, CA 94566-4725

Add us to your address book

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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

September 13, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

The best is yet to be

A World Destined for Glorious Revival

“R.T. Kendall in 1992 refers to, ‘the post-charismatic era’ when government and people in highest places will come on bended knees to God’s people and ask for help … We are talking about something big… It will be a time when children will be sovereign vessels, an era when ordinary Christians will be equipped with prophetic gifts … We are talking about an awakening that reaches areas, people, places that heretofore were impenetrable without the aid of the media and public relations men and the endorsement of high profile people.

“In 1989 Wesley Richards records his conviction: ‘The signs are clear: the countdown has begun to another great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The best is yet to be.’ (Asian Revival)”

These notes from “The Revival Study Bible” page 1184, published 2010, spoke to my heart.

Common sense and the Bible say that our most important duty on earth is to learn to love God and one another. “Providential History” (The hand of God in the affairs of men and nations) illustrates that we are slow learners!

It appears to me that God has been doing everything He can to help us learn. The vertical relationship between God and mankind is an individual thing, aided by the fellowship of the church and family.

The horizontal relationship between individuals and individuals is, by definition, a corporate thing. We call it “civil government”.

God’s classwork began long before He inspired the writers of the Books of the Bible. He reveals Himself through the laws of nature (“Natural Law”). Because we did not learn well, that is, we tended to misinterpret the data (the flat earth society), or we simply chose to rebel (the Tower of Babel), God, in His benevolence, gave us the Bible (also called “Revealed Law”), which is much more difficult to misinterpret!

It is important to note that “Natural Law” is discovered by observation and reason. Both human observation and human reason are imperfect. “Revealed Law” (the Bible) is learned by study and prayer and is far more authoritative than “Natural Law” because it was dictated by God Himself. Note that Natural and Revealed Law are from the same source and will never be in conflict.

Consider the events in God’s classroom – God introduces himself to Adam, then Eve. They violate His law and are banished from the Garden. They make a baby and “family” is begun.

Multiple families create civil government.

Civil government is a trial and error thing. Both common sense and Revealed Law try to combat human nature on an up and down learning curve through human history. God created a nation to illustrate vertical and horizontal church and civil government. The Old Testament records its history through anguishing trials and errors in the near east and Egypt.

There is a 400 year historical gap between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. During that time Alexander the Great and the Greek culture spread out over the known world. There are more efforts to incorporate large civilizations. Finally Rome succeeds to incorporate the Middle-east, Europe, and most of the British Isles. The Scandinavian culture of representative government is added to the mix.

In the midst of the Roman conquest era, the advent of Christ plants a seed that changes everything! The Bible is translated into common languages. That stimulates an explosion in public literacy. That stimulates, in turn, explosions in the arts and sciences as well as in concepts of liberty and government.

The classroom was ready to illustrate the Christian concept of “government by consent of the governed”. America is not a Christian nation because it was formed by Christians. America is a Christian nation because it has a Christian form.

Trace the development of concepts of civil government on a world globe and you discover part of a great circle. Even the details of major culture changing revivals in America follow the path from New England to Azusa Street in Los Angeles. Teacher (God) has invested a lot in these lessons. I believe they will be a launching pad for that “something big” that will sweep across the Pacific, Asia, India, and the Moslem world.

A baptism in righteousness the likes of which the world has never seen!

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

September 9th, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

About Sue Frost

Not a day has passed, since Sue Frost was first elected to Citrus Heights City Council, that I have not lifted her before our Lord.

Sue is now running for her second term on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. An important post! I want to help keep her “at the table” for the important years ahead.

California Primaries will be early next year (March 2nd!). It is important to get campaigns rolling early. The invitation to her first campaign event –

“VIEW VIDEO INVITE TO EVENT: https://vimeo.com/358110112

Details about the event are below.

We are encouraging people to contribute early to help streamline registration on the day of the event.

EASY ONLINE CONTRIBUTION: https://www.electsuefrost.com/sept-28-patriots

MAIL CHECKS TO: SUE FROST FOR SUPERVISOR 2020, 7640 Taurus Court, Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Sue Frost
Sacramento County Supervisor – District 4

PAID FOR BY SUE FROST FOR SUPERVISOR 2020, ID#1380596

916-207-7960

Scheduling: 916-874-5491 or supervisorfrost@saccounty.net

District Activities: https://www.facebook.com/SupervisorSueFrost/

News & Info: www.saccounty.net/suefrost ”

In past posts the graphics get scrambled, so I have omitted some of them. The video should come through though.

Bottom line – I enthusiastically endorse Sue Frost for her 2nd term as Sacramento Supervisor.

Many of those receiving this blog post will not be in Sue’s 4th District. All politics is “local”!

If you choose to help support her anyway – That’s a good thing. The number of individual contributions counts for a lot! I hope you will send her a contribution.

Everyone will do well to make a point of meeting the candidates on your respective primary ballots as you have opportunity. Remember – The “Bad guys” will be doing everything they can to keep the “Good guys” from getting their name and message out.

For principled government

Ben Gilmore

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

August 28, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

The 5th Commandment

“Honor thy father and thy mother, that your days may be long.”

Last Saturday our kids, (Guy, Fawn, Susan) hosted a celebration of my 90th birthday.

“… [T]hat your days may be long.” Fran and I have been so honored by our kids that they will live forever! We were so blessed as fifty friends from far and wide found their way to Guy & Linda’s home in the hills. Fawn & Steve drove up from Santa Rosa and Susan (Bryan had to stay home and work) flew in from Montana.

It was perfect weather, their home was a perfect venue – decorated for a party. Guy spent a day wood-smoking ribs and chicken. Friends visited with friends they hadn’t seen in years.

There was a time of sharing old memories. Nancy recalled an orientation technique I shared 40 years ago that she and others have used since. Scott shared a story of my student pilot days when I was learning about cross-wind landings. A gust lifted my right wing. When the dust settled I discovered grass stains on my left wingtip!

That lead to another flying story- After a month’s leave plus travel time, I hadn’t flown in six weeks. When I arrived in Korea they ordered me to regain my proficiency by boring holes in the sky for a while. I checked out an F-86 Sabre Jet and went sight-seeing over South Korea.

As I was about to enter the landing pattern, they closed the field for an emergency. A navy pilot had been hit in combat and needed our long (stationary!) runway to land. A second emergency hit just as I was about to land. Finally it was my turn. I went to the end of the runway, turned onto the taxiway and stopped at mid field waiting for clearance to cross the active runway and park. Suddenly everything went quiet. “K-13 tower, this is Air Force 493. I’m out of gas.”

The tower operator had just handled two back-to-back emergencies. “Air Force 493 – Where are you? What is our altitude? Can you glide to the base?” I replied, “K-13 tower – I’m parked under your tower!” That was my first flight in a war zone.

Late in the evening after all but family had left we opened the mountain of gifts and cards. WOW! What a legacy of love. Thanks to everyone who came and to the unnumbered friends who sent cards, e-mail, and good wishes on FB. To God be the glory!

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

August 26, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

The Electoral College

The Electoral College is created in Article 2 of our Constitution. It spells out the method for electing the President.

The Preamble in the Constitution does NOT begin, “We the people of North America … … .”

Our Constitution DOES begin with, “We the people of the United States of America … … .”

The Electoral College is NOT to elect the President of the people.

The Electoral College is to elect the President of the States of America – United!

The President is elected by the States s/he is THEIR President!

Think about it. This is very important!

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
August 12, 2019

This is a letter to our friends –

Some practical politics for churches

A few years back, we lived in a small town with small churches. We had races for Congress, State Assembly, and State Senate. Our church sent invitations to each of the candidates.

“Dear Candidate – Our Sunday worship service begins at 10:00 AM. Please introduce yourself to an usher. At the close of the service, you will be invited forward to introduce yourself to the congregation, answer their questions, and ask for their support.”

A few candidates took advantage of the opportunity.

Another project for our small church was a “Candidates’ Debate Evening”. We set aside a weeknight with three one-hour panels. Assembly, State Senate, Congress. We told the candidates they would be seated on stage with their opponents, else represented by an empty chair with their name on it. The panelists (candidates) would spend the first half hour questioning one another. The second half hour they would respond to questions from the floor. The panel was moderated by an impartial citizen.

All the candidates turned out! Our church offered the videotapes to the local cable networks and they were played publicly numerous times on the air. This is a great way for the church to serve the needs of their congregation and community.

This is a job for the laymen. The church staff has enough to do! Spring primaries are important! Best begin making plans now to avoid last minute glitches. Call me to discuss it if you wish.

These columns are archived since 12/10/09
See www.ACHStudyGroups.com
“Ben’s Blog”