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 18, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

Lest we forget

An English philosopher, John Locke, inspired colonial America’s pulpits and pews. His words have inspired me.

“To understand political power right (correctly), and derive it from its original (its beginning), we must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is a state of perfect freedom, to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions, and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the Law of Nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.”

It is a good thing to think back to the very basics of “perfect freedom”. The earth has everything you need to sustain a healthy life. You are its only resident – “perfect freedom”. Yet even that freedom has limits – the “Law of Nature”. (Defy the law of gravity and fly off a cliff. The law inflicts harsh penalties!)

Add a second resident – The Law of Nature further limits your “perfect freedom”. (Your actions may not interfere with the other’s actions.)

Now add 10 then 100 then 10,000 residents and we have a need to “understand political power”.

“The State of Nature has a Law of Nature to govern it, which obliges everyone: and Reason which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that all are equal and independent. No one ought to harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions.”

Many of Locke’s phrases are to be found in America’s early documents.

“For men being all the workmanship of One Omnipotent and Infinitely wise Maker: All the servants of One Sovereign Master, sent into the world by His order, and about His business, they are His property, whose workmanship they are, made to last during His, not one another’s pleasure.”

Some scholars doubt Locke’s Christian commitment. Locke was asked, “What is the shortest and surest way for a young gentleman to attain a true knowledge of the Christian religion?” His response –

“Let him study the Holy Scriptures, especially in the New Testament. Therein are contained the words of eternal life. It has God for its Author, Salvation for its end, and Truth without any mixture of error for its matter.”

Good advice for us all!

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 17, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

About the November ballot

In 1960 I walked my first precinct. Because of those years and this column, about this time in the election cycle I receive requests for my thoughts. Perhaps this “broadcast” response will be enough for everyone.

Your vote is sacred. As with all of your choices, you hold the ultimate responsibility. A responsibility you cannot delegate. Seeking council is wise, but the ultimate decision is up to you alone.

What follows are my thoughts.

Regarding Trump or Hillary – There is a lot of discussion about “character”. Every man is a sinner. We should expect candidates to highlight their opponent’s character flaws. Each of us is vulnerable to opposition research. I see signs of consistent corruption in Hillary’s character. I see signs of efforts to improve on Trump’s part.

More significantly – There is no doubt about the nature of a Hillary Clinton administration. That is – a continuation of the drift toward government control over every aspect of our lives. There is at least the promise of a radical improvement with a Donald Trump administration. That is – a Supreme Court that honors our Constitution, a fight to fix a corrupted government, a restored military, and a growth focused economy with secure borders. All that to make America great again.

A vote for anyone other than Trump, or a decision not to vote, is in fact, a vote for Hillary. Some will say that doesn’t count for California where the Democrats are sure to win. That is not a certainty until the votes are cast!

Regarding the down ballot – Issues are important in the spring primaries. Once decided, the down ballot becomes a numbers game. Your choice is limited to which party you are going to make the majority party. In turn that structures committees and chairs. Your weak representative with an “R” by his name may cause a good guy to win an important position.

Regarding the initiatives & propositions — Begin with a “no” vote bias. These are issues that should be debated and settled by our legislature. Instead, the cowards have tossed hot potato issues into our lap to do their job! On the other hand sometimes we the people need such opportunities to override a corrupt legislature.

Next – An absolute “no” vote for any effort to increase funds to government. When funds are cut, corrupt politicians punish voters by decreasing funds to hospitals and other necessities. The only way to smoke out the dead wood is to cut their funding while demanding they fund the necessities.

If still in doubt – Consider the individuals and organizations that endorse an initiative. If they are unfamiliar to you, a simple google search is usually sufficient.

These are the way I make my ballot choices. I hope you find them useful.

After the election God will still be on His throne. Will you be able to hold your head high, having prayerfully cast your vote as you believe He wished? Or will you be ashamed of your lack of faith?

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 14, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

Words mean things

The other day I heard Speaker Ryan describe himself as a “conservative”. Then he defined the terms in such an ambiguous way that I was embarrassed.

One of my mentors, Edward Hunter, taught me, “Never use a word you are not prepared to define. Ask others to define their words. Unless you understand one another’s definitions, there is miscommunication.”

May I share my definitions for “liberal”, “conservative”, and “moderate”. These are common terms today that appear to me to beg sound definitions. It does no good to make a definition the one wearing the label will not accept. Further – my definitions apply to American politics and may not be valid internationally.

Most liberals readily accept my definition, “Liberal – One who makes decisions in an effort to produce the best results.” They seem surprised that I (a conservative) understand their philosophy. “Well,” they say, “What is a conservative?”

“Conservative – One who makes decisions by the best principles he can find, and lets the results take care of themselves.” That often causes a pause then, “Well – I am a moderate.”

“Moderate – A liberal that cannot define his positon.” He replies, “I can too!” and proceeds. When he is finished I ask, “What is the difference between that and a liberal?”

You cannot manipulate results (consequences). When you tell a lie you are trying to manipulate consequences. It never works out well.

“When you choose an action you choose a consequence!” [Harry Conn]

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, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

After the election …

After the election when Donald Trump has won the Presidency along with strong majorities in Congress, we want to be careful to put the credit where it belongs.

After the election when the big news stories feature the “movement” of we the people that overwhelmed massive efforts at voter fraud, we want to be careful to put the credit where it belongs.

After the election when every new day unveils outstanding appointments scheduled for the next Administration, we want to be careful to put the credit where it belongs.

After the election when, for the first time in many of our lives, there is a community spirit of joy and confidence, we want to be careful to put the credit where it belongs.

“We the people” may have contributed time and treasure – so did our opponents.

“We the people” truly deserve justice not post-election grace!

“We the people” are the generation that forsook the education of our children.

“We the people” forsook responsibility for governing our local, state and national culture.

“We the people” misused then turned our backs on the God-given liberty our betters bled and died to leave us.

True credit for saving America will belong to our Creator God. America will have been saved and salvaged for His sake, not for ours. What God has invested in North America is not for Americans alone, but as a demonstration to the world of principles. Principles of Christian self-government: Faith and Steadfastness; Brotherly Love and Christian Care; Diligence and Industry; Liberty of Conscience.

After the election, were the truth to be known, all Americans should offer honor and thanks to the tireless and unknown intercessors who prayed without ceasing in behalf of what God has done in America!

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 8, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

Casting first stones

All men are sinners. Agree quickly and take the subject back to principle. Else your opponent will put you in the position of defending a man’s sin.

I write this on the eve of the second debate. I urge readers not to defend Donald Trump. Rather – Defend the principles his presidency will enhance. The trap is set. The bait is there. Please do not take it.

A Trump presidency promises acceptable Supreme Court appointments.

A Trump presidency promises positive economic improvement.

A Trump presidency promises greater border security.

A Trump presidency promises a challenge to political corruption.

A Trump presidency promises an enhanced military policy.

The alternative does not promise – We are assured of continued degradation.

David slew Goliath and the army of the living God chased the Philistines off of the battle field. Had they been listening to the Philistine news-casts, they would have heard of a rebellious, rock throwing teen, worried about what Goliath’s four brothers (also giants) were planning to do.

Those who take the bait and seek to defend Donald Trump’s intemperate statements are in a no win situation. Rather, agree the statements were intemperate, then insist on discussing principle. We must not lose the last chance to save our nation over locker room talk. An issue that is dwarfed by the magnitude of the political corruption now being exposed.

A vote for other than Trump is a vote for Hillary Clinton.

Choosing not to vote is a vote for Hillary Clinton.

Stay focused upon the goal.

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 17, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

What is He like?

In the last post we reasoned that every person who ever lived can know that there is a creator-God. We concluded that every man (generic) has a choice to honor the existence of God, or seek to deny His existence by rationalizing an alternative first cause.

Such speculation leads to absurd theories. A lifeless golden statue of a calf made by human hands is worthy of worship as a supreme being! A large explosion in space began a chain reaction that caused everything we see to evolve without intelligent design!

Ultimately all that produces concepts of what God is like. That is, man creates a god in his own image!

What can we know of God’s being and personality – given: ONLY our surroundings and ourselves?

God is all-knowing and very big or very fast or both in order to form the universe. Since the universe exhibits great energy and power, God has even more to have created it! Since physical laws hold the universe together, God is omnipresent.

God likes what he created because he arranged for it to reproduce itself. That was his choice. He did not have to do that. God made rocks and dirt and trees and plants and animals. All this is governed by the laws of nature – cause and effect; photosynthesis; instinct.

God also chose to make man. Unlike all His other creations, God made man to be governed by choice – as He himself is governed!

Everything that has life has a means for sustaining that life. Man needs food, water and air – all provided. Man needs liberty to seek those things – all provided. Man needs to gather (make it his property) for it to nourish – all provided. Therefore God wants what sustains man – He cares.

Consider – There is a wholesome means of fulfillment of every need we discover. Now consider – What if you had a real need that could not be fulfilled! That would cause real suffering. Conclusion – God loves you.

This line of reasoning leads to an image of God that is loving, joyous, peaceful (and wrathful!), patient, gentle, good, faithful, humble, self-controlled.

I agree that the Bible teaches all these things. My point is – All men are capable of discovering them on their own and thus, are without excuse,

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 14, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

God is

God was introducing Himself to Moses in the wilderness. He chose to speak from a burning bush. Moses asked for His name. God replied, “You may call me, ‘I am’.” That is – “God is!”

I want to write about basic principles. Until a person accepts that God is, nothing else will make any sense. “Believing that random chance created the universe we see around us is absurd! For can anything be more unreasonable than to pretend that random chance could produce intelligent beings?” 1

Quoting accounts from the Bible is worthless to someone who has not discovered its reliability. Mankind knew there was a creator-God long before the first words were written in scripture. How then, does one discover that – God is?

Montesquieu nailed it! Everything – literally everything – shouts the existence of God! Consider the vast universe. The stars and planets are all governed by laws of nature that could not have come from random chance. There must have been intelligent design.

Or – Shift from macro- to micro-creation. A tiny seed contains the “DNA” of its parent fruit tree. Accepting that and rejecting intelligent design is absurd! How can a person plant the seed and later eat the fruit and not accept the existence of an intelligent designer?

Every person has himself to consider as a “creation”. What a phenomenal machine! Just consider the eye with its many parts each working together to produce an electronic image in your brain! The simple fact that you can “see” should thunder the existence of a creator!

To summarize – Every human being that has ever lived has the universe around him, macro- and micro-, demanding the existence of an intelligent Creator! Further – Every human being that has ever lived has his own body continuously demonstrating intelligent design! No doctor can be an honest atheist!

As if that were not enough, “I am” has taken residence within every human being that has ever lived in the form of a conscience. Every human being that has ever lived has been created with the ability to choose to obey or disobey that conscience.

The sum total of those choices, I believe, will determine the eternal future of every human being’s soul.

1 [paraphrasing Montesquieu “The Spirit of Laws”, circa 1748]

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, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

“Clinton Cash”

I hope you will help circulate this video.

http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/07/27/exclusive-directors-cut-clinton-cash-now-playing/

The breadth and depth of corruption MUST be opposed even though it cannot be overcome without divine help. Be brave and courageous trusting that God honors truth and righteousness!

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 11, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

Principles

Without a proven set of principles you have only your opinion. Who is to say your opinion is better than another’s? A month from now (Wednesday, 9/7/16 at 9AM) we will begin the next online course in “Principles of American Government”. (PAG)

Amplifying: “The cause, source, or origin of uniquely American forms of direction, regulation, control, and restraint in families, churches and civil government”. i.e. American exceptionalism.

I write that to show that this is not an academic course on constitutional mechanics. This course teaches the sound principles upon which our unique American culture is founded.

I find only three human organizations created by the God of the Bible – family, church, and state. Each is governed by principles. Within those principles is peace and growth. Outside of them is chaos.

What was common knowledge at our founding has been lost over decades through false teaching and apathy. If America is to be restored to her foundations, there must be a core of leaders and followers who understand and honor American exceptionalism!

To this cause I am dedicated, as is the PAG course. Our interactive classes (We use Skype video) are usually half teens and half adults and seniors. Seniors are especially welcome. Their experience adds depth for the youngsters. Those interested in participating should contact us.

Please see the ACH web site (letter head above) for student comments and a syllabus.

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

July 25, 2016

This is a letter to our friends –

Burdens and Blessings

Do you remember singing, “Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings. See what God has done.” Certainly, that is good advice.

How about, “Count your burdens …” It occurs to me that burdens and blessings are the same thing. The difference is in how you look at them!

It is a given that God knows and loves each of us as individuals. (Some may not choose to accept that – but – truth is not changed by our choices!) Thus whatever situations occur in your life are permitted by a loving God.

Most life situations are the result of our choices (good or bad) which God uses to teach us about responsibility. Other life situations have not involved our choices: aging parents, failed economies, wars…

Bottom line – God wants the best for each of us. What seem like “burdens” then become opportunities to want the same thing God wants. Each “burden” becomes a blessing.

These columns are archived since 12/10/09

See www.ACHStudyGroups.com

“Ben’s Blog”