ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
September 14, 2013
This is a letter to our friends –
Rebuilding & Nostalgia
Two weeks ago IT happened! Each of us have been warned that IT would happen to us someday. I had paid for premium security against IT happening to me. Well
ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
July 27, 2013
This is a letter to our friends –
“Come – Let us reason together”
The Prophet Isaiah [eighth century B.C.] was speaking what he believed were God’s words. (See Isaiah 1:18).
All creation SHOUTS of the being and personality of a Creator-God. If you do not choose to listen – choosing to deny His existence – His inspired word says you are a fool! [Psalm 14:1]
Everything that exists has a set of laws to govern it: humans, animals, plants, even dirt and atoms. Rules also exist for intangible things: thoughts, desires, lusts, words, even your conscience. James Madison [1792] said, “Conscience is the most sacred of all property.”
Why are such governing limits needed? Reason tells us there is peace and harmony within those “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”, while outside those limits is chaos!
Truth is always fighting to come to the surface. If you deny God exists, you are holding under the truth. A struggle you will ultimately lose!
There are many reasons our human nature is prone to hold under the truth. (Read the first chapter of Romans carefully.) Let us reason together about a few of them.
We have a comfort zone. Applying reason to that with which we are comfortable may take us out of that zone.
We enjoy sinning! (i.e. Doing something that is legal in an illegal or excessive way.) Observation and reason tells us it is addictive. We will never be satisfied outside the limits.
We draw our identity from a relationship. — “I am Baptist.”, “I am Jewish”, “I am Catholic.” Thus, we fear losing our identity by applying reason to the relationship.
Reason tells us it is unwise to release something without replacing it with something better.
The Old Testament focuses upon the Messiah. We should never tell a Jew we want him to be a “Christian.” Most Jews believe that anyone not Jewish is either Moslem or Christian. Rather, encourage him to be the Jew God wants him to be! If he truly seeks his Messiah, he will discover He has come. Accepting the Lordship of Christ makes him no less Jewish!
Some Catholics identify with the Roman Catholic Church. They accept church doctrine as true, without confirming it with reason. Tradition and family relationships might be challenged. They fear losing their identity. Applying observation, reason and Revealed Law to church doctrine will make them no less a Catholic.
In the 17th century, the Puritans were the “Bible thumpers.” They compared the structure of the Church of England with what they discovered in the newly available Bible in the common language, and began seeking to improve the church structure.
In the same era, the Pilgrims were also discovering Biblical truths. They chose to form home-churches with the motto, “Reform now without tarrying for any.” They exchanged their various identities for an identity with Christ. Ultimately their Christ-centered lifestyle permeated New England and became the cornerstone of our nation.
All that to say this — God is real! He created you to have a wonderful, loving relationship with Him by staying within “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Your human nature does not want to stay within the lines! He is doing all He can do to help you understand His “Law of Liberty” and forsake your stubborn pride and seek truth where ever it leads!
It is an INDIVIDUAL quest, each of us must make. None of us has all truth. I encourage each reader to submit his will and appetite to his reason, and his reason to God.
ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
July 9, 2013
This is a letter to our friends –
“Law … a rule of action …
“… And it is that rule of action, which is prescribed by some superior, and which the inferior is bound to obey.” [Sir William Blackstone, 1723 – 1780, “Commentaries”]
Blackstone is known as, “The father of the legal profession”. He speaks of “Natural Law” and “Revealed Law”.
Natural law is discovered by observation and reason. “Man, considered as a creature, must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being. … And consequently, as man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that he should in all points conform to his Maker’s will.”
Revealed law is given by direct revelation. “The doctrines thus discovered are to be found only in the Holy Scriptures. …
“These precepts, when revealed, are found upon comparison to be really a part of the original law of nature. … Yet undoubtedly the revealed law is of infinitely more authenticity than [natural law].” The one being direct divine revelation. The other being discovered by observation and human reason.
There is power in the simplicity and truth of these words.
For the one who is choosing to deny that, “man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything,” – revealed law (the Holy Bible) says you are a fool.
Natural law, discovered by your own observation and reason, will lead you to the same conclusions – IF you will be honest with yourself. “Intelligent design” all around you shouts the existence of something greater than time and chance! Your dependence upon such a “First Cause” obliges you to submit. Likewise, your relationship with others, obliges you to treat them as you would be treated – IF you hope to enjoy peace and prosperity.
I know of nothing that does not have a set of laws (rules of action) to govern (i.e. direct, regulate, control, restrain). “The laws of nature and of nature’s God” will reveal them.
Just laws come with blessings and penalties. Live within them and prosper. Step outside them into chaos! “Even a dumb dog don’t kiss a hot stove twice!”
American society has become so passive about their God endowed liberty that the great majority are unaware we are on the brink of chaos and totalitarianism. I will agree in advance to accept a better set of laws than those set forth in “Revealed Law”. Not to do so would be foolish.
Today we have set aside the Bible as a law standard. What have we to measure right and wrong, if it is not “the laws of nature and of nature’s God”? You, like everything that exists, will be governed by something.
Live under God’s law of liberty – or – You will be a slave under another man’s law.
CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!
[Joshua 24:15]
ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
June 24, 2013
This is a letter to our friends –
Dumbing-down our children
“When human-nature does not like the message it throws rocks at the messenger!”
[Ben Gilmore]
The video link referenced below crossed my desk just now. I know nothing of the authors, nor have I documented their facts – outside of my own observations and reason. How universal is the problem? No doubt education “professionals” will scoff and deny – some may throw rocks.
The dumbing-down however; is very clear and correct for any viewer who is honest with himself. With understanding comes responsibility! Thus, human-nature often chooses ignorance and apathy (“I don’t know & I don’t care!”), rather than understanding and concern.
ACH 3-month online course – “Principles of American Government” begins on September 9th, 2013.
This course teaches adults and teens –
· What is right – NOT – what is wrong.
· We will focus upon what has inspired liberty under God.
· Learning again the science of critical thinking.
· The truth of American and Providential history.
Please view the video link below.
The deliberate dumbing-down of children!
Here is why today’s children cannot spell, write grammatically correct material, or answer
fairly simple questions. They are intentionally, strategically dumbed-down by ‘the Elitists.’
It’s a part of the “ME” Generations that say “to hell with others, I’m looking out for ME!”
<[youtube http://youtube.com/w/?v=eZJoCfgAEuE]>
We MUST, “Train up our children in the way that they should go … .” [Proverbs 22:6]
ACH Study Groups
Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders
7659 Gingerblossom Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com
www.ACHStudyGroups.com
June 18, 2013
This is a letter to our friends –
Free at last!
| “Louisiana State Sen. Elbert Guillory, formerly a Democrat, recently — and enthusiastically — joined the Republican party. Weeks after announcing his bold move, Guillory has released a video explaining why he is now with the GOP. The powerful video is titled, "Why I Am A Republican." Watch the powerful clip.” [Quoted from “TheBlaze.com] http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n_YQ8560E1w No – I am not giving the current GOP leadership my blanket endorsement – but – What this fine gentleman has to say should be heard across the nation! Ben Gilmore – American Patriot |
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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 –
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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
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|
Further – “effects” as used above, is defined by Webster in 1828 (i.e. contemporary with the drafting of the amendment) –
“… … 8. In the plural, effects are goods; movables, personal estate. The people escaped from the town with their effects,” (emphasis is mine)
The wisdom of the founders is shown here. They knew nothing of e-mail, cell phones, online pictures and the like. All that is included in “effects”.
Now we are beginning to hear of secret court rulings that the Administration has violated the 4th Amendment with its sweep of all the electronic data available on virtually every American citizen!
We are being told, “Nothing to see here.”, “This is done for your protection.”, “Trust us, we are working for you.” This view I repudiate. Either we are a nation of laws, or we are not. Either we are free men who have created a civil-government to protect and preserve our individual liberty, operating WITHIN THE LIMITS we have designated in OUR CONSTITUTION, or we have become “subjects” of that Administration.
Some say, we are experiencing a “silent coup”.
A coup d’état …, also known as a coup, a putsch, or an overthrow, is the sudden deposition of a government, … usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to depose the extant government and replace it with another body, civil or military. A coup d’état is considered successful when the usurpers establish their dominance. When the coup neither fails completely nor succeeds, a civil war is a likely consequence. [Wikipedia]
It would not appear (today) that the U.S. Military force is actively involved. – but – Recent news stories about the addition of thousands of employees within government agencies (i.e. bureaucrats) DHS, IRS, EPA, etc., coupled with vast purchases of arms and ammunition for them, is disturbing!
Should such events be occurring, it is reasonable to expect the Administration to move to stifle citizen communication (radio talk shows, internet communication e-mail and the like) in an effort to prevent unified push back. Our money will be useless. Our focus will shift to personal survival. Our state National Guard (originally called “state militias”) will be overwhelmed by armed bureaucrats and anarchical mobs. Lawlessness will prevail for a time.
Not a pretty picture! Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799) has some advice for us —
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. [2nd Virginia Convention, March 20, 1775, at Richmond–in what is now called St. John’s Church]
The present danger to our peace and security is NOT from overseas. It is within. “Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.”
What are “those means”? England had dissolved all contracts between the colonists in North America and the “mother country”. American colonists were now without a government, standing firm upon their understanding that men were to be free and independent under their Creator. True: There were differences and objectors, as there must always be. Those who unified around Biblical principles of government prevailed. They went on to create a civil structure that stunned and encouraged the rest of the world.
Those principles are still valid and available to each of us. Acting within those principles – in humble submission to the God of heaven’s armies, we have nothing to fear but ignorance and apathy!
My passion is to share “Principles of American Government”. The next online course begins on September 9th. If several wish to make a summer class, please phone right away.
Let us join one of our “founding fathers” – Patrick Henry
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
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Major news coverage and analysis is shameful. I offer my notes on the “Glen Beck Program” in contrast – 5PM ET May 9 (the day after the Benghazi Congressional hearings. —
Lead item – Did an Imam really use Arabic prayer to covertly damn fallen Seal Team 6 members to hell during their memorial service? Military – NOT families – scheduled the Imam. More follows. GB program had video and audio of prayer. NOTE – No press coverage.
Benghazi hearings –
What we learned:
· Eye witness, Greg Hicks, who had informed State Dept. of “Terrorist attack that he (Hicks) received a 2AM call from Hillary Clinton to evacuate.
· Support teams were ordered to stand down – while the attack was in progress.
· Video you-tube story was a lie.
· Witness, Greg Hicks, intimidated and demoted after questioning U.N. Amb. Susan Rice’s talking points.
· Hillary Clinton’s lawyers told witnesses not to speak to House investigators.
· There was advance warning that an attack on Benghazi was imminent.
· All the men and women who serve this country are brave and courageous people and should watch their back!
Note- the witnesses were under oath.
The question is – “Does the Benghazi story really matter?”
Sit down with your family tonight and ask these questions:
· Does it matter that the President lies?
1. How about your boss lies?
2. Your bank lies?
3. Your police lie?
4. Your children? – your parents?
5. Why does it matter?
· What happens when you can no longer trust others?
· Who do you trust?
The Benghazi story is filled with heroism, immense tragedy, deception, cover ups, intimidation, retaliation at the highest levels of our government!
Does Benghazi matter to you?
Whire House
Lied:
State Department
Lied:
Media
Lied:
Military
Items 1 & 2 are logical conclusions. The bullet points are supported by sworn testimony and public events.
This represents a fundamental change of American culture! This can not stand, or we have nothing left!
How the media covered the hearings – 11:36 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Blaze carried the hearings until 5 a few minutes were left.
Fox News – 108 minutes of coverage.
CNN – 17 minutes
MSNBC – zero minutes!
At 2PM all the networks cut away for the Jody Areias trial!
Question – How does the Areias story compare with our President lying about the death of an Ambassador and three Americans serving our country?
_________end of my program notes_________
There is an Islamic civil discord between Wahabi and Suni factions. If I understand correctly, the Suni faction is financed and tied to Saudi Arabia and the Muslam Brotherhood, while the Wahabi faction is associated with Iran and al Qadea. It appears to me that we have permitted America to become a pawn in the factions’ battle for power. America appears to have sided with the Suni faction and Ambassador Stevens appears to have been in Benghazi negotiating a ship load of arms salvaged from the Lybian conflict to depart for Turkey then the rebels in Syria.
Why do I associate my blog posts with all this?
In the past few weeks I have met several patriotic, truly dedicated individuals who have forsaken newspapers, TV or internet news and completely tuned out current events. We are to be “in the world, but not of the world”. God has given Americans a precious gift. Such people appear to me to be tacitly exchanging it for a mess of poisonous pottage.
It is reported that fewer church folk bothered to vote in 2012 than voted in Obama’s first race in 2008! Their votes would likely have changed the outcome. Human history proves that uninformed people will tacitly surrender their God given liberty to tyrants.
An informed America can NEVER be defeated. I suggest TheBlaze.com
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Desta Garrett, a dear friend and American scholar and patriot sent me the following e-mail –
From decades ago, I’ve never forgotten this passage. I wanted to read it again and found it still marked with highlighter in my copy of the book. It is one of the best statements of "Christian self-government" I know of! So I thought to share this reminder of "liberty":
Passage from Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Ch.8 Fourth of July
(At their picnic celebration, The Declaration of Independence was read aloud, ending….)
"…And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
No one cheered. It was more like a moment to say, "Amen." ….
Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing, "My country, ’tis of thee…."
The crowd was scattering away then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought. The Declaration and the song came together in her mind.
She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who has a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself be good.
Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. "Our father’s God, author of liberty–" The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free. …
[emphasis added]
What can anyone add to that!
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Is there an uncreated creator we call God? The answer must be either “YES” or “NO”. You have no alternative! Answering “present,” or “I don’t know,” is the same as answering, “NO”. You must choose to ignore a word of evidence to answer, “NO”.
Every other thing that is “true” rests upon that truth.
If you choose to ignore the evidence and deny there is an uncreated creator (i.e. God), You are obliged to live consistently with that belief. Trying to do so is absurd!
God created a set of rules to govern everything that exists. Outside those boundaries is chaos. Within them is peace. Humans are created with the choice to stay within, or violate those, “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Violating them releases chaos, which, in turn, disturbs the peace of others.
Thus, all human conflict results from violating “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”
Sing unto the Lord a new song,
sing unto the Lord, all the earth. …
Declare his glory among the heathen, (those choosing not to believe) …
He is to be feared (reverenced) above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens. …
He shall judge the world with righteousness,
And the people with his truth. [Psalm 96]
These thoughts are prompted by my understanding of the rapid decline of American culture. In Old Testament history, when enough people cried out to God for help – God intervened, He raised up a righteous leader around whom the people could rally.
Many of you enjoyed Glenn Beck’s TV show on FOX NEWS. He made a fortune and invested it into building his own network. That business is debt free and is beholden to no other investors. The other networks, even FOX NEWS, are beholden to outside investors. Beck’s news broadcasts and reports are available through
TheBlaze.com
His reports are covering stories the other networks will not touch. As is to be expected the other networks are attempting to smear him as a “conspiracy nut.” I am convinced “The Blaze” reporting is among the best news sources available. Currently, he is exposing sound documentation of what appears to me to be treasonous administration involvement with Saudi Arabia.
Is Glenn Beck “the” righteous leader around whom the people could rally? I believe he would say, “No.” He is just another American like, so many of us, desperately concerned for the loss of what God has done in America, to give hope to a world in darkness.
Our kids, their parents, and many of their grand-parents have little understanding of what we have lost. They do not understand the “news”, such as it is, and decide to ignore it. I know MANY really good men – fathers, business men, teachers, even pastors – who appear to me to have no clue about the cause of the chaos around them, or the price they and their family are about to pay for their ignorance and apathy. I am using these posts to shout from the house-tops! If you wish – circulate them.
The solution – Humble prayer; Seek God’s will for yourself; Replace ignorance and apathy with understanding and action. [2nd Chronicles 7:14]
A Disclaimer
In American colonial days, our “founding pastors” were used mightily in teaching biblical principles of government to their flocks. That does not appear to me to be the case today. Were our churches ablaze with righteous liberty and understanding, I believe America would again be an inspiration to the dark world. I pray that God would again raise up such men.
Pastors are a special group of people. They are servants of a different Master. One day, they must answer to the Lord, for the condition of their flock. We, you and I, are not aware of how the Lord may be leading them. I caution – Use care before criticizing a pastor.
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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/
