CSN - LightWing Messages - Sunday - 1/15/2023
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version)
We proceed forward and deeper into the month of January, deeper into 2023 and all the year may hold for us, for America and for the world. Undoubtedly, throughout this year, there will be several times when individuals may be tested, or may lose their way, or suffer serious loss. This is part of the circle of life. The other side of the coin, and there is another side, is the blessings and God’s favor bestowed upon people, or families, or communities. Yet, how each person is able to handle the tests as individuals, or handle the tribulation shaking our nation, or how we receive the blessings, should be in relation to our Heavenly Father.
Unfortunately, this nation is on a rapidly departing ship that is leaving our values and principles at the dock. As the nation moves, as the ship of state drifts further from our foundational ideals, the passengers will have various reactions. Those on the Titanic as it struck an iceberg all had differing reactions to their impending doom. Some faced what was inevitably going to happen in utter ignorance of reality – or denial of the reality. Others, who were in pleasure mode, probably could have cared less about the future as they maximized their moments of pleasure however that manifested. Even those who comprehended the danger, may have had differing views of the danger they faced. It is possible that many moved through various stages of reaction to the various stages of the tragedy as it developed.
No doubt, many citizens today could see the tragedy of the Titanic and relate to it as a metaphor for what is happening to America in such a time as this. However, it is not a fair comparison; but, the eventual outcome of America’s drifting away from our role in God’s Providence, drifting “off course,” should be of grave concern to all Americans who love this nation as it was founded. It is important to note, however, that the ship of state known as America has drifted off course on several occasions in our brief history. It was men of greatness who enabled our nation to steer back to our original course. It is my contention that such great men allowed themselves to be guided by God in the critical moments, and that they could help right the ship to its original course. We honor one of those men today with a message he shared, which turned out to be the last public message he shared. It was a significant message.
Today is the actual birthday of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and so we offer some important wisdom excerpted from his final public message delivered on the evening before his life was cut short. Although much wisdom had flowed from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his relatively short life, the message we offer from him today are excerpts from his last public speech. It is generally known as the “Mountaintop Speech,” and seen more formally as a sermon titled: “I've Been to the Mountaintop.” We offer only an excerpted version because the original speech is well over 4,000 words. King covered a great deal of territory in his words, and it was very prophetic in that he spoke of his own demise on that evening.
His words also are very appropriate still for the world we live in today. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not afraid to risk his life for what he deeply believed in, and did so every time he stood to speak his convictions. And, as is often the case, God’s champions are killed by evil people. Yet, as is often the case, God’s champions serve without fear as a voice for God’s justice within the realm of evil.
As I mentioned last year, “it is likely that many Americans have trouble in such a time as this, but those who are in alignment with Heavenly Father do possess the eyes to see and the ears to hear. The challenge will be in the effort to possess and obey the will to follow God’s Will in this moment of tribulation.” Additionally, as we begin this new year, I carry forward my sense that “Americans need to gather the courage to stand up for justice in such a time as this… we need to declare who we really are and stand for what we truly believe in.”
The suffering of those who had been dominated by a corrupt government system in the “Solid South” is a better metaphor for American citizens to relate to in this time. The harsh reality of America’s suffering now can be related to the suffering the Blacks could overcome through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. “True change will not manifest unless citizens of faith muster that faith and stand once again for the principles and God-given rights that were established through the sacrifice of countless patriots throughout our history. It is our turn now.”
As always, we hope our readers would consider all the messages in this edition relevant or meaningful, and if readers know others who might value them as well, consider becoming one of our official LightWing messengers and please pass this newsletter on to those whom you feel would be able to welcome it. Or simply, please receive it yourselves. We have also mentioned in several past editions that the LightWing Messages have gone live, and we are happy that our Zoom calls are proceeding according to plan each Wednesday evening.
If readers are interested in receiving the Zoom link to the call, please send a brief email request to this address: d.jamzon@gmail.com We are leaving it up to you, if you would like to discuss today’s message more fully and learn more readily how to apply the message to real life, please take initiative and reach out.
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
May God bless all of our readers and all of their loved ones. May God bless America!
May we humble ourselves, seek God’s Will for each of us, sincerely repent for, as well as turn from our ‘wicked’ ways - even if that may mean to truly seek the face of the Christ, to receive his words as if he were speaking them directly to each of us and to inscribe his words upon our hearts. In such a way, may we receive his guidance to each of us, and transform our lives, so as to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.
“I've Been to the Mountaintop”
By Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 3, 1968
Memphis, Tenn.
The following is only excerpts from the full sermon Delivered by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Bishop Charles Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. King was persuaded to speak by a crowd of dedicated sanitation workers because he felt vomprllrf to restore nonviolence back to the movement in Memphis, and.decided that if the nonviolent struggle for economic justice was to succeed it would be necessary to follow through with the movement there. A full transcript can be found by using this link:
Martin Luther King Jr. | I've Been to the Mountaintop
Something is happening in Memphis; something is happening in our world. And you know, if I were standing at the beginning of time, with the possibility of taking a kind of general and panoramic view of the whole of human history up to now, and the Almighty said to me, “Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?” I would take my mental flight by Egypt and I would watch God’s children in their magnificent trek from the dark dungeons of Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward the promised land. And in spite of its magnificence, I wouldn’t stop there.
I would move on by Greece and take my mind to Mount Olympus. And I would see Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides and Aristophanes assembled around the Parthenon. And I would watch them around the Parthenon as they discussed the great and eternal issues of reality. But, I wouldn’t stop there.
I would go on, even to the great heyday of the Roman Empire. And I would see developments around there, through various emperors and leaders. But, I wouldn’t stop there.
I would even come up to the day of the Renaissance, and get a quick picture of all that the Renaissance did for the cultural and aesthetic life of man. But, I wouldn’t stop there.
I would even go by the way that the man for whom I am named had his habitat. And I would watch Martin Luther as he tacked his ninety-five theses on the door at the church of Wittenberg. But I wouldn’t stop there. I would come on up even to 1863, and watch a vacillating President by the name of Abraham Lincoln finally come to the conclusion that he had to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. But, I wouldn’t stop there.
I would even come up to the early thirties, and see a man grappling with the problems of the bankruptcy of his nation. And come with an eloquent cry that we have nothing to fear but “fear itself.” But, I wouldn’t stop there. Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, “If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy.”
Now that’s a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That’s a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding. Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same: “We want to be free.”
And another reason that I’m happy to live in this period, is that we have been forced to a point where we are going to have to grapple with the problems that men have been trying to grapple with through history, but the demands didn’t force them to do it. Survival demands that we grapple with them. Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence
in this world; it’s nonviolence or nonexistence. That is where we are today.
And also in the human rights revolution, if something isn’t done, and done in a hurry, to bring the colored peoples of the world out of their long years of poverty, their long years of hurt and neglect, the whole world is doomed. Now, I’m just happy that God has allowed me to live in this period to see what is unfolding. And I’m happy that He’s allowed me to be in Memphis. …We mean business now, and we are determined to gain our rightful place in God’s world.
And that’s all this whole thing is about. We aren’t engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people… We are saying that we are God’s children. And that we are God’s children, we don’t have to live like we are forced to live.
Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we’ve got to stay together. We’ve got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh’s court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that’s the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity.
Secondly, let us keep the issues where they are. The issue is injustice. The issue is the refusal of Memphis to be fair and honest in its dealings with its public servants, who happen to be sanitation workers. Now, we’ve got to keep attention on that. That’s always the problem with a little violence. You know what happened the other day, and the press dealt only with the window-breaking. I read the articles. They very seldom got around to mentioning the fact that one thousand three hundred sanitation workers are on strike and that Memphis is not being fair to them, and that Mayor Loeb is in dire need of a doctor. They didn’t get around to that…
Now we’re going to march again, and we’ve got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be — and force everybody to see that there are thirteen hundred of God’s children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That’s the issue. And we’ve got to say to the nation: We know how it’s coming out. For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory…
…Now about injunctions: We have an injunction and we’re going into court tomorrow morning to fight this illegal, unconstitutional injunction. All we say to America is, “Be true to what you said on paper.” If I lived in China, or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions. Maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn’t committed themselves to that over there.
But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech.
Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right. And so just as I say, we aren’t going to let dogs or water hoses turn us around, we aren’t going to let any injunction turn us around. We are going on.
We need all of you. And you know what’s beautiful to me is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It’s a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somehow the preacher must have a kind of fire shut up in his bones. And whenever injustice is around he tells it. Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, and saith, “When God speaks who can but prophesy?” Again with Amos, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Somehow the preacher must say with Jesus, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me,” and he’s anointed me to deal with the problems of the poor.”
We don’t have to argue with anybody. We don’t have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don’t need any bricks and bottles. We don’t need any Molotov cocktails. We just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, “God sent us by here, to say to you that you’re not treating his children right. And we’ve come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment, where God’s children are concerned.
…Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we’ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end.
Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We’ve got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school — be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.
Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness. One day a man came to Jesus, and he wanted to raise some questions about some vital matters of life. At points, he wanted to trick Jesus, and show him that he knew a little more than Jesus knew and throw him off base... Now that question could have easily ended up in a philosophical and theological debate. But, Jesus immediately pulled that question from mid-air, and placed it on a dangerous curve between Jerusalem and Jericho. And he talked about a certain man, who fell among thieves. You remember that a Levite and a priest passed by on the other side.
They didn’t stop to help him. And finally a man of another race came by. He got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy. But he got down with him, administered first aid, and helped the man in need. Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the “I” into the “thou,” and to be concerned about his brother.
Now you know, we use our imagination a great deal to try to determine why the priest and the Levite didn’t stop. At times we say they were busy going to a church meeting, an ecclesiastical gathering, and they had to get on down to Jerusalem so they wouldn’t be late for their meeting. At other times we would speculate that there was a religious law that “One who was engaged in religious ceremonials was not to touch a human body twenty-four hours before the ceremony.” And every now and then we begin to wonder whether maybe they were not going down to Jerusalem — or down to Jericho, rather to organize a “Jericho Road Improvement Association.”
That’s a possibility. Maybe they felt that it was better to deal with the problem from the causal root, rather than to get bogged down with an individual effect.
But I’m going to tell you what my imagination tells me. It’s possible that those men were afraid. You see, the Jericho road is a dangerous road. I remember when Mrs. King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. And as soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, “I can see why Jesus used this as the setting for his parable.” It’s a winding, meandering road. It’s really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 miles — or rather 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you’re about 2200 feet below sea level. That’s a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the “Bloody Pass.”
And you know, it’s possible that the priest and the Levite looked over that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it’s possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the priest asked — the first question that the Levite asked was, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
That’s the question before you tonight. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to my job. Not, “If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?” The question is not, “If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?” The question is, “If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them?” That’s the question.
Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.
…I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so, I’m happy tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.
I’m not fearing any man.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
On April 4, the following evening, as King was getting ready for dinner, he was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. He had risked his life everyday he stood up to speak in the hostile and toxic environment of the ‘Solid South’ marching on a path of ‘dangerous unselfishness’ in his fight for Freedom. On April 8, approximately 42,000 people led by Coretta Scott King, the SCLC, and union leaders silently marched through Memphis in honor of King,
Onward and Upward!
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Podcast - From Donald Trump Jr. - RIP To A Legend: We Will Miss You Diamond!
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Podcast - From Dutch Sheets Ministries: The Creative Power of God's Word | Give Him 15: Daily Prayer with Dutch | January 12, 2023
Podcast - From The Jack Hibbs Podcast: The Church of the Last Days by Jack Hibbs –
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From The American Minute with Bill Federer: Jefferson on Govt. Censorship, Coercion, & Molesting for Religious Opinions: Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom & How Courts violated Freedom of Conscience – 1/14/2023
Recommended Reading…
From Kingdom Winds: Sermon: Let Us Never Take God for Granted – 1/15/2023
From Kingdom Winds: If You're Unsure Whether it's God's Voice – 1/14/2023
From The Christian Post: Bear Grylls says faith is 'key part of survivor's toolbox,' laments 'fluff' permeating Western Church – 1/14/2023
From FaithWire: Homeless Ministry Fights Back After Government Allegedly ‘Cripples’ Its Work With ‘Cease and Desist’ – 1/13/2023
From Canada Free Press: POPE FRANCIS is a DISASTER: Cardinal Pell’s Last Word – 1/14/2023
What affects one, can affect all!
* News From The Growing Free Union -
From Washington Examiner: New study offers even more proof lockdowns were deadly – 1/14/2023
From The Victory Channel - Victory News: Breaking News: Stunning Connections to China Found at Penn. Univ. – 1/13/2023
From The Victory Channel - FlashPoint: The Biden Disaster & Turning Tide! John Rich, Kevin Sorbo, Eric Metaxes – 1/13/2023
From Canada Free Press: Who Is Going To Save The Government’s Political Hostages Branded As 'Domestic Terrorists'? - 1/9/23
From Dinesh D’Souza: Dinesh D'Souza Expertly Defends The Constitution And Religious Freedom In Heated Debate – 1/13/2023
ICYMI > From Dinesh D’Souza: Here's What Makes America So Great - 1/6/23
* News From Our Canadian Neighbors
From the Toronto Sun: WARMINGTON: Protesters brave cold to back embattled Jordan Peterson – 1/11/2023
From The Daily Caller: Hundreds Rally In Support Of Conservative Psychologist Jordan Peterson Following Mandated ‘Re-Education’ Order – 1/12/2023
* News From Our Israeli Friends -
From Jerusalem Lights - Rabbi Chaim Richman: Jerusalem Lights Podcast # 146 : The Birth of a Nation – 1/11/2023
ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry: Why the Case for Messiah? We explain the reason for creating this new apologetic series - 1/6/23
* News From the States –
News From Arkansas -
From Washington Examiner: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders bans use of 'Latinx' in government documents – 1/13/2023
News From California -
From FOX Weather: California Winter Storms cause big problems - Massive Snow - Flooding - Waves - Weather 2023 – 1/12/2023
From CBS Evening News: Another powerful storm front hits California amid flooding woes – 1/14/2023
News From Michigan -
From FaithWire: Sixth Graders ‘Tried Out Some Pole Dancing’ on Field Trip, School Board Trustee Says – 1/14/2023
News From Pennsylvania -
From The Christian Post: Pennsylvania school board votes to ban activist flags, teachers' partisan views from classroom – 1/14/2023
News From Texas -
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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?
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"TAKE NO PART IN THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, BUT INSTEAD, EXPOSE THEM.” Ephesians 5:11
"Truth will ultimately prevail where there are pains to bring it to light." George Washington