CSN - LightWing Messages for 1/8/2023
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE:
As we move past the New Year’s celebrations, we continue to wish our readers a great start to the new year! We hope that as our readers, move well into 2023, they can stand on their efforts or their inclinations toward goodness, to bear fruit in this brand new year of possibilities. Despite the challenges, impediments, and obstacles on our future pathways, we intend to move onward and upward in this new year. 2022 proved to be a very difficult year for many, nevertheless good ground was secured in this Cosmic Battle in the past year.
At the outset of this year, it is wise to set the foundation we deem as important and chart a new course for the year. And, it would be most wise to bring Heavenly Father more deliberately into our deliberations and our daily affairs in 2023. As mentioned last Sunday, it would be wise for Christians and people of faith to take some time to consider what God has to do with the rest of the year – or with the rest of their lives…
Inceed, on the basis of last year, Christians and all people of faith need to reflect upon their past year and to repent for that which was left undone or incomplete. Truly, repentance for our nation being separated from God is critical for this nation to return to God. Repentance for this nation being so divided as it us. But, repentance is simply the beginning. There is so much more to the effort to live our lives in the presence of the Lord.
Today, our first message offered is a poem from Dr. Robert Owens. He has expressed his sense of being blessed, and it is refreshing. He also offers a sketch of how people of faith, especially Christians, can exchange greetings and sentiments when they meet. His message provides a simple strategy to transform a greeting with little meaning to one of deeper personal reality as well as one that may engage deeper dialogue with people seeking hope, or direction, or maybe a new life linked to Heavenly Father. It is proactive and provocative at the same time, but it will not be transformative unless people transform themselves. I really like Dr. Owens message as it is also a prescription for transformation of our society as well. We can become agents of good and agents of positive change by just making a small change in our way of interacting with the people God puts on our pathways each day.
Our second message is from Susan Schreier Clouse, a retired Methodist minister. It should be noted that the Methodist Church is splintering over contemporary deception and illusions about the truth. Her message that we offer today was written at the beginning of 2017, five years ago.
It is focused on a message from Dr, Ben Franklin from over 200 years ago. The message of pursuit of virtue is still relevant today – perhaps even more relevant today in such a culture of corruption as we live in now. It is a message that truly remains incredibly significant through time. Her message, ”Lifelong Resolutions,” focuses on Ben Franklin’s lifelong efforts to achieve moral perfection. We posted this message again and again in our newsletters around each New Year. It may be because I really like her message, but it also seems from time to time, people need to be reminded of what is truly important.
I also remind our readers that our edition today will return to the regular format. Although it had been truncated due to the holidays, we offer our full newsletter today. We hope readers enjoy the edition that the Citizen Sentinels Network is offering today. As always, these words are being freely offered to you and are intended to shine light unto our paths, as it was written: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18 - KJV
Additionally, we also will continue with the Zoom calls that began last year. So, this Wednesday, I’ll be hosting our first Zoom call of 2023. We’ll have a discussion about the two articles we offer today. If readers already have these areas of life handled, it may not be of importance; however, if anyone desires to discuss putting habits of goodness into practice in 2023. You just may want to tune in. There are many readers who are already registered and on the list to get the weekly Zoom link. It others are interested in receiving the Zoom link to the call, please send an email request to this address: d.jamzon@gmail.com
CSN LightWing Mission – Zoom call Wednesday 1/11/23 at 4:30pm PST
Remember to request a link – email me at: d.jamzon@gmail.com
Finally, as always, we hope readers realize that the Citizen Sentinels Network agenda is to help educate as many citizens as possible via the Citizen Voice, and we hope to empower those who have been awakened to take action to retain our Republic. We also hope our readers are able to consider all the messages in this edition relevant or meaningful, and if readers know others who might value them as well, please take the initiative to share today’s Citizens Voice with those who may need enlightenment. Have a Most Blessed New Year!
May we humble ourselves, seek His face, His Will, and take responsibility to repent, and to turn from wickedness - even if that may involve more proactive and purposeful efforts to becoming more forgiving and more loving toward our brothers and sisters. We need to remember where we have come from and where we are going. We can determine to truly seek His Kingdom and His righteousness by bringing God into our midst each day.
“I’m Blessed”
By Dr. Robert Owens
When asked by the Barna Group, “Do we have a personal responsibility to share our faith with others?” - most Christians answer, Yes.
100% of Evangelicals and 73% of born-again Christians said yes. When this conviction is put into practice however, the numbers shift downward. Only 69% of Evangelicals and 52% of born-again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
“Born again Christians” were defined in these surveys as people who said they have made “a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today” and who also indicated they believe that when they die, they will go to Heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Respondents were not asked to describe themselves as “born again.” Being classified as “born again” is not dependent upon church or denominational affiliation or involvement.
“Evangelicals” meet the born-again criteria described above plus seven other conditions. Those include: saying their faith is very important in their life today; believing they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believing that Satan exists; believing that eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; asserting that the Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches; and describing God as the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today. Being classified as an evangelical is not dependent upon church attendance, the denominational affiliation of the church attended, or self-identification.
Many people have a hard time sharing their faith in Christ. They feel as if they don’t want to be perceived as pushy. Possibly they’re afraid to speak to strangers or they don’t know how to get a conversation to a place where speaking about faith might be appropriate.
Here’s an easy, comfortable way that my wife introduced me to many years ago.
In America a common greeting is, “Hi how’re you doing?”
Most people aren’t really concerned with how we’re doing it’s just a greeting. However, when someone asks us a question, we’re free to answer it and it’s a natural and comfortable thing to do.
Whenever I’m asked America’s greeting “Hi how’re you doing?”
I answer, “I’m blessed.”
The reactions are very interesting. Some just give a quizzical look. Some say, “You are?” which is another question.
And as in the initial situation answering a question is an easy natural thing to do. I’ll answer, “You are?” with something like “I am and I won’t accept anything less.”
Sometimes people will answer with another question something like, “Why are you blessed?” and this opens the door for easily speaking about Jesus gave it to me and the world can’t take it away or some other friendly answer that leads directly to speaking of Jesus. Not often but occasionally, it leads to an actual chance to share the hope of the Gospel. If nothing else, it opens the door to speak the name of Jesus in public. And you never know who might be listening and what the sound of that Name may have in the ripple effect of reality.
Sometimes our initial response of “I’m blessed” is met with, “I am too.” This opens a
door for fellowship with a fellow believer and the collateral opportunity for others to hear people who aren’t afraid to share their faith in public and another opportunity to speak the Name of Jesus into the air of a world that needs him.
This type of conversational evangelism is reflected in one T-shirt I have. It says, “I’m Blessed” and then under that large headline it offers an answer to anyone who might ask why, “You better ask Jesus.”
It’s also reflected in the words to an old song from the hills of Missouri:
I’m Blessed and I know that I am since Jesus took control of my life.
I’m blessed and I know that I am since He gave to me a new life.
I’m blessed and if you happen to ask how I am my friend.
I’m Blessed, I’m Blessed, I’m Blessed
For any of us who find it hard to get started with sharing the good news of the Gospel with others why not give, “I’m blessed,” a try since we are. Then get ready to walk through any doors God decides to open.
This is an excerpt from the book Faith by Dr. Robert Owens: Faith (Faith Hope Love Book 1) - Kindle edition by Owens, Dr. Robert. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Dr. Owens has taught History, Political Science, Global Studies, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com © 2020 All his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon. Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on
https://drrobertowens.com/
/ Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens.
Making America Good Again: Lifelong Resolutions
By Susan Schrier Clouse aka “Preacher Girl”
1/8/2017
Note: The following is an article entitled “Lifelong Resolutions” by former Methodist minister, Susan Schrier Clouse. The original first appeared in Preacher Girl Diaries in 2017.
By the time he was 24 years old in 1730, Ben Franklin, had lived a quite a life. He had also established himself as a printer, married and started a family. While not a fan of the organized church, he supported his local Presbyterian congregation and attended occasionally. As Franklin described in his Autobiography, one Sunday the sermon focused on this verse from the fourth chapter of Philippians:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Franklin assumed the message would be about morality, doing good and avoiding evil, but the pastor talked about what we Methodists call "attending upon the ordinances of God": keeping the Sabbath holy, reading Scripture, attending public worship, partaking the Sacrament, respecting God's ministers. Disappointed, Franklin never returned to that church, but he never gave up on God and God's ways.
Franklin writes: "It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection." He wanted to live a faultless life and conquer any vice that "natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.
After much study, he made a list of thirteen virtues he thought were "necessary and desirable" and defined each:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery [sex] but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Franklin focused on one virtue each week for thirteen weeks. He kept track of how he did each day, first in a little notebook and later on a piece of ivory that he could more easily erase and reuse. Some years he repeated the thirteen week course 4 times (the whole year), others he just did it once. He did this, in some fashion, for many years. Later, the demands of his very famous public life as one of our Founding Fathers and champion of liberty kept him from such rigorous such record-keeping, but by then the habits were ingrained.
In the little book where he recorded his successes and failures (he admitted that Order was the most difficult for him), he included quotes from Cato, Cicero and Proverbs for encouragement, and: "And conceiving God to be the fountain of wisdom, I thought it right and necessary to solicit his assistance for obtaining it; to this end I formed the following little prayer, which was prefix'd to my tables of examination, for daily use.
"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favors to me."
He also used a little prayer he took from Thomson's poems:
"Father of light and life, thou Good Supreme!
O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!
Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,
From every low pursuit; and fill my soul
With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;
Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"
When he was 79 years old, Franklin wrote, he owed "the constant felicity of his life" to his little plan and the blessing of God:
"To temperance he ascribes his long-continued health, and what is still left to him of a good constitution;
"to industry and frugality, the early easiness of his circumstances and acquisition of his fortune, with all that knowledge that enabled him to be a useful citizen, and obtained for him some degree of reputation among the learned;
"to sincerity and justice, the confidence of his country, and the honorable employs it conferred upon him;
"and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect state he was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper and that cheerfulness in conversation which makes his company still sought for, and agreeable even to his younger acquaintance.
"I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."
Wouldn't we all benefit by considering ourselves descendants of Benjamin Franklin? To Make America Good Again, what would happen if we each embarked in our own way upon a path to encourage ourselves to become a more moral people? List those virtues that are important to you, prioritize them, and then take a moment each day to reflect on how you can improve on one or two of them. And don't neglect to ask God to help you!
All quotes are from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, a copy of which can be found here: Full text of "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin"
Susan Schrier Clouse is a retired Methodist minister, who served on our writing team during the Dr. Ben Carson campaign for POTUS and has been a contributor to the Citizen Sentinels Network. Her messages occasionally appear in her own blog, “Preacher Girl Diaries” at https://preachergirldiaries.blogspot.com/2020/
Onward and Upward!
From Elevation Ballantyne - Elevation Worship: The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes - Live - 3/6/20
From Uncommon Knowledge (w/ video): Harvey Mansfield Counts His Blessings | Hoover Institution - originally posted 5/23/22
From Christian Worship Music: Psalm 91 - On Eagles' Wings - by Shane & Shane (Lyric Video) | Christian Worship Music - 10/5/2017
From World Outreach Church: A Biblical Perspective on Marriage, Gender Identity, and Children | Allen Jackson Ministries – 12/31/2023
From CMA Awards 2020: Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire & Chris Tomlin - "Be a Light" - 11/12/20
From The Victory Channel - FlashPoint: A Tipping Point Year! Dutch Sheets, Lance Wallnau and more!
From Calvary Chapel Charleston: Psalm 46 - Shane & Shane | Weekend Worship Ft. Bowen Abel - 11/30/22
From Jonathan Cahn: The Mystery of Boston | Jonathan Cahn Sermon - re-posted 1/7/23
ICYMI > From The Chosen: A scene from The Chosen - John 3:16 - 7/11/2020
From Natalie Grant - Praise You In This Storm (Official Music Video) - 9/17/20
From World Is Dangerous: Footage of Santa Cruz storm aftermath! California storm surges, beach flooding, big damage – 1/6/2023
From FOX Weather: Atmospheric Rivers Continue Striking California: ‘Ongoing And Aggressive Event’ – 1/6/2023
……………………………………………
From The American Minute with Bill Federer: Jan. 6-Epiphany: Christ's manifestation to the world! -- Celestial Prophecies & History of the 12 Days of Christmas – 1/6/2023
Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: A Dragon, Calamity, and A Promise Part 1 of 4 | Give Him 15 Daily Prayer with Dutch | Jan. 3, 2023
Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: A Dragon, Calamity, and A Promise Part 2 of 4 | Give Him 15 Daily Prayer with Dutch | Jan 4, 2023
Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: A Dragon, Calamity, and A Promise Part 3 of 4 | Give Him 15 Daily Prayer with Dutch | Jan 5, 2023
Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: A Dragon, Calamity, and A Promise Part 4 of 4 | Give Him 15 Daily Prayer with Dutch | Jan 6, 2023
Recommended Reading…
From FaithWire: Franklin Graham’s Stirring New Year’s Message Warns of ‘Anti-God Agendas,’ Says Things Will ‘Get Worse’ - 1/3/23
From Kingdom Winds: Sermon: Pressing On Into the New Year - 1/8/23
From The Christian Post: Spiritual growth and new year: What I realized - 1/6/23
From Kingdom Winds: Three Ways We Can Know We Heard from God - Kingdom Winds - 1/5/23
From Washington Examiner: Transgenderism is experiencing a crisis of scientific legitimacy
What affects one, can affect all!
* News From The Growing Free Union -
From Dinesh D’Souza: Here's What Makes America So Great - 1/6/23
From Washington Examiner: The real threat to American democracy - 1/6/23
From Canada Free Press: A Christian Nation if you can keep it - 1/5/23
From Christian News Network: Walgreens becomes first major pharmacy to say it plans to sell abortion pills as Walmart, CVS, and others consider hurdles and threats of backlash - 1/5/23
From The Christian Post: Kevin McCarthy elected speaker of the House on 15th vote - 1/7/23
* News From Our Canadian Neighbors -
From FaithWire: Renowned Psychologist Jordan Peterson Ordered to Submit to Woke Retraining or Lose License - 1/6/23
From the Toronto Sun: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre defends Jordan Peterson's right to free speech - 1/7/23
From the Toronto Sun: EDITORIAL: Bill Morneau unloads on Trudeau, Poilievre - 1/7/23
* News From Our Israeli Friends -
From Jerusalem Lights - Rabbi Chaim Richman: The Measure of a Man - 1/6/23
ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry: Response to the Objection "Christians Corrupted Psalm 2:12: "Kiss the Son" - 1/4/23
* News From the States –
News From Florida -
From Washington Examiner: DeSantis launches second term by taking on 'woke' public universities - 1/6/23
News From Louisiana -
From Christian News Network: New Louisiana law requires digital ID to access online porn - 1/6/23
News From Texas -
From American Wire (w/ video): Authorities clean El Paso streets ahead of Biden visit, arrest migrants sleeping on sidewalks outside church shelter - 1/8/23
News From Washington D.C -
From D'Souza Media: Ashli Babbit's Mom Gets Arrested While Protesting Outside The Capitol Building - 1/5/23
News From Washington state - Court rules First Amendment protected teacher who brought MAGA hat to training - 1/4/23
Recommended Resources - follow the links…
Excellent Election Education Resource: US 2020 Election Fraud at a Glance
Excellent Non-Partisan Election Resource: Election Integrity Project California
Excellent Constitution Education Resource: LIBERTY TREE ONLINE UNIVERSITY
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: Steve Bannon's War Room
Excellent Citizen-Patriot News Resource: From Frank Speech - the Home of Free Speech
Excellent Citizen Comprehensive Resource: David Horowitz Freedom Center
Excellent Expose’ of Political Prisoners within the US: American Gulag
Excellent Source of CRT information for parents: Moms for America
Excellent Christian Homeschool Resource:
https://ed-exit.com/
Excellent Citizen Activist Resource: Precinct Strategy: Home
Excellent Guide to Protecting Families: A Guide to Protecting Your Family From the Coming Insurrection and Violence 1 ARE YOU SAFE?