Self-Government

2013-09-17 Flickers

Ben's Blog / By

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

September 17, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Flickers

Each morning at dawn, Fran and I share coffee at the table by the front window. For many years we have read through “The Bible In A Year”. It involves a section of the OT. NT, Psalms & Proverbs for each day of the year, Usually I will read the passages aloud (sometimes Fran reads). After reading we pray aloud about whatever is on our heart and may be on the day’s schedule. A great way to begin each day. We recommend it!

The other morning, during our prayer time, American government and our society were heavy upon my heart. I asked the Lord to forgive the nation for having so blatantly turned her back on Him. I reminded Him of everything He had invested over the centuries to teach men how to relate to Him and to one another.

It took Him 1620 years to make a Pilgrim!! After they landed and planted the seed of Christian self-government, it took another 150 years to create a nation that could illustrate His principles of civil-self-government to an astonished world.

In spite of our backsliding into a civil-war, the good fruit of that Christian form of government dwarfed the positive results of any other nation in human history!

Today, that system is still firmly in place. The words written on the paper of the Declaration and the Constitution have not been erased. “We the people” are the ones who have drifted away from our foundations. The rest of the world, even our enemies, are hoping, desperately, that we will wake up and get our act together.

If God’s illustration of civil-self-government fails and America dissolves into the ash heap of history, a sense of gloom will engulf the globe! So, my prayer, like Moses’ prayer over rebellious Israel, is, “Lord, if we fail, it will look as if your principles have failed. It will appear that men, even with YOUR help, are unable to govern themselves! Grant us mercy for your principles’ sake, rather than the justice we deserve. ”

Suddenly, I saw, in my mind’s eye, Ben & Fran sitting alone and quiet in prayer for America. A tiny flicker of prayer in the vast population of America. As I watched the picture, the Holy Spirit was gently blowing upon the flicker – Like one would do in camp to start a fire.

I continued watching. I could see flickers of prayer all across the nation. Praying as were we, for America. The flickers became flames nursed by the breath of the Holy Spirit. The flames burst into an inferno of answered prayers. Truth and righteousness swept through the continent. America was saved. The world rejoiced.

Scoffers may say, “It is far too late.” I reply, “It is never too late! I want to be found believing for God’s grace.”

2013-09-17 Flickers Read More »

2013-08-08 PAG Fall, 2013

Ben's Blog / By

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

August 6, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Principles of American Government (PAG) – Fall 2013

"It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and inhumanity, and an ambition to excel in every capacity, faculty, and virtue. If we suffer their minds to grovel and creep in infancy, they will grovel all their lives."

—John Adams, Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1756

These are lofty words, indeed – BUT – true!! The fact that they are “lofty” attests to our generation’s having lowered the bar of expectation!

· I ask every parent reading this – “Are your parental goals high enough?”

· I ask every young adult reading this – “Have you set yourself sufficient goals?”

· I ask every teen reading this – “Have you set your life-goals high enough?”

Please re-read John Adams’ paragraph.

The word “government” is generally related to civil-government (Washington, D.C., or City Council). That is insufficient.

To govern is to direct, regulate, control, restrain. The word may be applied to self-government, family-government, church-government, AND civil-government. All four of these forms of government have principles unique to America.

Thus – A three-month online course in “Principles of American Government”.

I know that every teacher believes his course and subject to be the greatest thing since sliced bread! If they do not – perhaps they should develop another course.

I have a distain for “certification”! The quality of the product should be certification enough – NOT the view of a board, committed to uniform mediocrity! GOD MAKES NO DUPLICATES!!!

Monday, September 9 (1 month hence) begins the fall PAG online course. Details available by phone and on our web site. Classes usually have parents and teens seeking truth and understanding. – Please review “student comments” on the web site.

If the true American culture is ever to be repaired, rebuilt and restored, it MUST be based upon the unique principles of American government. Dear reader – I am shouting from the housetop – BESTIR YOURSELF!

2013-08-08 PAG Fall, 2013 Read More »

2013-07-12 Rejoice with us

Ben's Blog / By

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

July 12, 2013

This is a letter to our friends –

Rejoice with us

The Lord has provided the means for Fran and I to enjoy our first vacation road-trip in decades. We will be driving a new Prius hybrid to see if the mileage claims are true. We plan being away from home for two weeks and have few “hard” date commitments!

Several thoughts come to mind as Teryn, our guest / home-sitter prepares breakfast before we leave.

I have dabbled in the social network apps and always seem to get lost. Thus – I avoid them as much as I can. This should explain why I have not responded to the many comments and invitations from our friends. E-Mail works for me – please.

I am concerned for our friends around the world, in America and for our neighborhood. Many of you appear to have decided to ignore the news, because it is so discouraging. Isn’t that exactly what your enemy would want you to do? Evil does not want righteousness to have any awareness or influence in public affairs! He wants it for himself! (POWER CORRUPTS)

The result – We hear nothing about the wonderful things God is doing around the world and nation. I see only two alternatives. – One is pretty dark – as evil divides our society to fight against ourselves and bring this experiment in civil-self-government crashing down around our ears. The other is encouraging – As the humble prayers of God-fearing people, confessing our personal and national sins, ask for mercy rather than the justice we deserve for having turned God out of our society.

Human history is full of examples of national redemption in response to prayer. I choose to pray for it!! — Prius is here – Bye…..

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On Playing God

Ben's Blog / By

[xyz-ihs snippet=”ByBenGilmore”]

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, … , and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

[Hebrews 4:12-13]

When a storm or a hurricane causes damage it is called “an act of God.” Civil-government rushes in to pay for the damage. What does that say about government’s self-image? It is human nature to want more power in order to “govern” better. How much more power? “Just a little bit more!”

With technology, we have discovered that it is possible to collect limitless information about every American, from the cradle to the grave – and store / recall that information indefinitely.

We have discovered that every phone call, text, online picture, even the face of every envelope are subjects for that giant database in Utah. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him who has the proper governmental credentials – or connections.

“Choose you this day – whom you will serve!”

[Joshua 24:15]

With increasing boldness, the last three generations have been fed a steady diet of the “irrelevance of God.” No longer are we aware that He is watching, even when we are alone. Is it any wonder that our classrooms lack discipline and respect?

It is a law of nature: As self-government weakens, external government grows. If a society will not govern itself – it WILL BE governed by a tyranny (rule of one), or an oligarchy (rule of a few). (Anarchy, the third alternative, is unstable.)

American society has chosen to separate its collective soul, its daily choices, from its spirit, its life. We are sleep-walking, wandering in a virtual dream world.

Those safeguards which have protected and preserved us for two centuries are now in the corrupt hands of men apparently addicted to ever more power, with an open disregard of those safeguards of our individual and corporate liberty under God.

Both God and “big brother” are watching. Which will you serve?

Each of them wants your obedience. One will lead you to slavery. The other will lead you to liberty. One will intimidate, extort, destroy you with his knowledge of your sins, all men are sinners. The other offers peace and forgiveness in exchange for repentance and submission to His law of liberty.

It is time for every American, each of us, to consider carefully –

· Am I a free man, humble before God and sovereign over my government?

· Am I giving lip-service to God and surrendering my sovereignty to government?

I hope this paper is circulated

P.S. This just arrived in our inbox. Interested? Call me –

[xyz-ihs snippet=”ContactBen”]

Regarding the ACH Study Groups online Course, “Principals of American Government”

This course has elevated my understanding of what it means to be an American Christian in the 21st century like nothing else I have ever encountered. I am utterly ashamed of wasting so much time seeking to satisfy my own passions and appetites prior to taking this course–in fact, being ruled by a tyrant within. Today my heart yearns to intercede for this country; that the Lord would fan the flame as He raises up beacons of light in His people; to find individuals who are willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ at this time in America’s Christian history that He has placed us in for His purposes… If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

The Lord showed me glimpses of His glory in the beginning of this course, while learning the principles, I met some incredible role models from our past who lived in an age when the nation was being formed on Godly principles, and now, in the last phase, the lessons learned are becoming my own, as I learn how to communicate and apply this wealth of information. (Today’s assignment is to read through the Declaration of Independence and relate each point in the body of the Declaration to the 7 principles learned.) I am eternally grateful for the Lord’s hand in guiding me to Mr. Gilmore and the Principles of America’s Government course as I have acquired a clearer understanding of my purpose in His plan for our country as I have come to know my savior’s ways and acts more intimately.

God bless you,

Cindy S.

A homeschooling mom

On Playing God Read More »

Christians Should Not Be Distracted By Government

Ben's Blog / By

[xyz-ihs snippet=”ByBenGilmore”]

That sentiment, my fellow Christian, is the greatest impediment to world-wide evangelism!

Christ was asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” And Jesus answered, “The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord’: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

He continued, “And the second is this: ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’. There is none other commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:28-31]

I find ONLY three human organizations in the Bible, created by God, and through which He has worked: the family; the church; and the state (i.e. civil government).

All three are governmental, i.e. all three have rules for direction, regulation, control, restraint.

There is yet a forth category of government: self-government. The quality of family-government, church-government, and civil-government rests squarely upon the corporate quality of its members’ self-government.

Both natural law (discovered through observation and reason), and revealed law (found ONLY in the Holy Scriptures) originate with God. These laws contain direction, regulation, control and restraint rules for governing self, family, church, and state.

Active Christians are well founded in rules for self, family, and church government. That does not appear to be the case with God-ordained rules for civil-government.

Thus, because we have forfeited the field, through ignorance and apathy (“I don’t know and I don’t care”), ungodly forces have taken dominion of the rules of civil-government. Civil-government, in the hands of the ungodly, is the greatest impediment to world-wide evangelism!

It is nothing new. Civil-government was involved in the crucifixion of Christ. Civil-government was involved in the exodus, and even at the Tower of Babble!

What IS NEW is a God-ordained nation, the U.S.A., founded upon Christian self-government, and purposely subscribing to “the laws of Nature, and of Nature’s God” (natural law and revealed law).

These laws are far superior to the “laws” of ungodly humanists.

Let’s look at fundamentals. Everything for a happy, healthy, productive life is on the earth. A man is placed in this garden. He is designed to be at perfect liberty, within the laws of nature. Then another person is introduced. The laws of nature now restrict each from violating the other’s liberty.

A guy and a gal make a baby and we have a family and the rules that govern it. The built-in desire of each family member for a relationship with something greater (God) manifests itself as worship and we have church. Families join together for mutual benefits and we have state.

Families are the building blocks of every society. There will develop a corporate relationship with some sort of god – or with the God. That corporate relationship will ALWAYS determine the horizontal relationship (civil-government).

NOW

Please re-read the words of Christ (above) and ask your Lord if it is important for us to retake the field of civil-government for Christ.

Afterthought – The phrase, “in the world, but not of the world” comes to mind. While we are in this world, I think we should learn and apply the biblical rules for horizontal relationships.

Another, “So heavenly minded – no earthly good!” Granted: We should focus upon our vertical relationship – but – That also involves our horizontal relationships while here!

[xyz-ihs snippet=”ContactBen”]

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It is Not Debatable

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[xyz-ihs snippet=”ByBenGilmore”]

Same sex marriage is derived from homosexuality, which is a derivative of rebellion, which is a derivative of universal depravity, which is a choice.

As I listened to the talking heads on TV news, it occurred to me that depravity is destined to win todays debate. In our “Principles of American Government” online course, we make a point of recognizing and not accepting false presuppositions. If you permit a false idea to be introduced at the beginning of a discussion – The whole structure of the discussion is built upon sand, NOT solid rock.

What is the false presupposition in the “same sex marriage” discussion?

God does not exist. Therefore the “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” are invalid. Therefore the opinions, and not the sound reasoning, of humans is supreme (i.e. humanism).

Our unique American culture, based upon Christian self-government, has become so eroded that we are debating the un-debatable!

Liberty is not license. Nothing and no one is without a set of rules (laws) that govern it. Step outside those rules – chaos. Stay within those rules – peace. America’s founders understood that. Their reference to “natural law” and “revealed law” presupposed that God exists. (“We are endowed by our Creator … “.

Natural law may be discovered by observation and reason. We see the “edge” of the earth and conclude “the earth is flat”. Human reason is not always correct. Navigation based upon that false presupposition will not work! The truth – the earth is round – was not changed by faulty human reasoning.

Revealed law is found ONLY in the Holy Scriptures. Since there is a mountain of evidence that they resulted from the direct inspiration of God, “revealed law” is infinitely more authoritative than “natural law” which is based upon human observation and reason.

It is important to note that – natural law and revealed law will never be in conflict – since they come from the same source.

BUT – You say, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: … “. [1st Amendment to our Constitution] Therefore, you can not involve God and either natural law, or revealed law (the Bible), in discussing “same sex marriage.”

I believe “religion” here, refers to systems of doctrines and beliefs, created by man.

Separation of church and state makes sense. Our founders feared a state-sponsored church. Separation of God and state is insanity! Both the Declaration and the Constitution presuppose a supreme lawgiver. We are wrong to equate God and His will, with man-created systems. Fellowship with believers (i.e.”church” ), is a good thing. – BUT – It is not a substitute for a personal relationship with God.

Both human reason and the inspired word of God will validate the wisdom of staying within the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God. Any law outside those limits should be no law at all.

This is the discussion we should be having — Do God and His rules exist? We will agree in advance to accept a better, more proven, set of rules. What have you to offer?

Let us agree – It would be unwise not to live and govern by the best set of rules available.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”ContactBen”]

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How to Be Free

Ben's Blog / By

–By Ben Gilmore

God once spoke through an ass. I guess He can speak through me!

There is a law of nature – The quality of internal self-government is inversely proportional to the amount of external government imposed upon self. Think of a see-saw. As self-government degrades, external government always moves in to fill the gap.

No one really likes being governed from outside. “Move back the restrictions”. “Give me my space.” But the walls don’t move back! Rather, they are reinforced from the outside as a form of self defense from the spread of anarchy.

Think about it. When you misbehave, the see-saw tips against you and restrictions are imposed by your family. It is the same in church societies and in civil government.

As our American society has degraded, just consider — Big government has imposed itself upon every aspect of our lives. The see-saw is so far tipped that many are saying it can never be righted again. That argument I repudiate!

We have an important election coming up. Suppose, God miraculously raised up perfectly qualified and principled candidates to fill EVERY elected and appointed position across our nation. In just a few years, I believe we would be in worse shape than we are now!

Why?

Because the root problem is internal. Elections and appointments are external. American society must improve its internal self-government if the external government is to be decreased.

How is that accomplished? I was asking the Lord about that.

The answer I believe He gave me — “ONE HEART AT A TIME!”

Real, lasting, self-, family-, church-, civil- improvement begins within each one of us! Each one of us MUST search our hearts with brutal honesty. Once we have repented and confessed our unrighteousness, we must encourage our family members to do the same. I think of a husband and wife as a “threesome” – he, she, and Jesus. As each grows closer to Jesus the triangle shrinks smaller and smaller bringing the couple closer together.

Families in a society who are improving their corporate self-government will influence others. It will not take a majority to set our ship of state back on her proper course. It will take a core, across the nation who are truly humble before God and not embarrassed to stand forth honoring Him.

The Lord of Heaven’s armies said it, “If my people, who are called by my name, will (do four things), humble themselves, pray, seek My face, turn from their wicked ways, Then I will (do three things), hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and heal their land!”
[2nd Chron 7:14]

Ben Gilmore
[Contact Ben]

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Ben Gilmore 1929-2023

On March 30, 2023 Ben Gilmore, the co-founder of ACHStudyGroups (co-founded with his wife Fran), went to be with the Lord in Glory.

A Memorial: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/BenGilmore/