in lighter news, a disgruntled waste management former employee stole a front end loader and went out on the streets with it. Police did not have any heavy duty vehicles to chase it (at 30 mph) so they used a second front end loader to go after the guy. He is now in jail.
We already require “sensitivity readers,” whenever an author writes about a character who differs from them–on a vast scale of possibilities.
The author pays the sensitivity reader to ensure they are correctly describing what their character thinks, feels, etc.
In one sense, it’s not a bad idea–we should be sensitive that we may not be seeing and describing the real-life experiences of people with a clear eye because of our personal point-of-view.
OTOH, this now-common attitude in all publishing says you cannot write out of your own experience–and if that is the case, you’ve just turned fiction (imagination) upside down.
Some of this may be the result of the pernicious influence of the Common Core reading program. You’d be familiar with it, Peter. IMHO it applies the “Professor Grandgrind School of Thought” to the pleasure of reading. (See the Dickens novel Hard Times).
Kids are taught HOW to read for the facts, not for the joy of the words, ideas, images, or sparks to their imaginations.
That truncates the value of reading for many, many children, and frankly, is ruining modern literature.
DEI applications can be valuable. They also can damage creativity and truncate the reading experience.
When a biography of Lettie Cowman can’t be picked up by a publishing house because it’s about an old white missionary who lived a long time ago–despite 100 years of her book still being regularly sold and read–we’ve deviated from a good path.
I anticipate anything I publish in the future will be self-published, as my last two books have been.
Minor sales, if any, but truth and many fascinating, interesting, and spirit-warming conversations go on in my email.
God is good, He will not be mocked. We always need to be sensitive to others, as Paul indicated. “To a Greek, I am a Greek,” means I pay close attention to people who differ from me, adapt myself to how best to show the Gospel despite our differences, and listen closely to how the Holy Spirit guides our interactions.
Nationally-known dog show host Adam King has been arrested by the FBI on a variety of child pornography charges.
According to police, King was planning to purchase a newborn child via surrogacy, and was posting in online chat rooms about his plans to abuse and rape the newborn.… pic.twitter.com/dMG4JX0Dd7
And yet the FBI continues to hide the Epstein client list.
BREAKING NOW: ⚠️ Reports are emerging that a Private jet owned by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs HAS LEFT the United States possibly headed to a country with NO US EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS..
DEVELOPING…
DHS has conducted multiple raids on Combs' homes as part of a s-x trafficking… pic.twitter.com/aK7Qb9E5pG
Reporter explains how some of the Texas National Guard ended up in the hospital, as they were attacked by illegals with knives and shanks. Our whole nation should be outraged at this. https://t.co/etQuOwudYY
Soro's son Jonathan is the lead partner in Bonjour LLC.. which is the firm Judge Engoron used to under value Mar a Lago, Letitia James and Chuck Schumer are linked to Soros too
Raise your hand ✋️ if you want the appeals court to dismiss this fake fraud case against Trump,… pic.twitter.com/8aAaDVonwj
🔥 @MZHemingway calls out Mike Gallagher for trying to sabotage the Republican majority by quitting congress, suggests he should reconsider leaving early or resign before April 2nd so there can be a special election.
🚨BREAKING: This massive caravan is currently on its way to invade the U.S. border.
We've grown so desensitized to the invasion that many of you will probably not react to this video and this is precisely what the regime desires. pic.twitter.com/7mR12tdTvD
This is a MAJOR infrastructure hit. The Port of Baltimore is the major port serving Baltimore and Washington DC. All of the shipping north of the bridge is now trapped in place. No other shipping can get in. The tunnel shown has height and hazardous cargo restrictions, it can't… pic.twitter.com/igVpYJcaEn
She was given millions in grants from the Biden admin. Weird that CBS failed to disclose this. Fact and misinformation ” experts” say whatever they’re paid to say on issues. They’re useless.
"Misinformation expert" is a fake credential. It was invented after 2016 to disguise political censorship as a act of neutral science.
The idea that people like this can be floating arbiters of truth and falsity – and their decrees should be binding — is a laughable fraud: https://t.co/bTEcP0JOLE
For what it's worth, I think it's awesome that NBC is being so open and honest about how intolerant, narrow-minded, and rigid it is in its ideology. It's Democrat Party propaganda. People who work there should be treated as what they are.
❗️Letitia James was fined by NYC for overpaying a campaign worker with taxpayer money during her 2005 re-election campaign — and for trying to hide details of a payoff to a political consultant linked to disgraced party boss Clarence Norman.
I agree the timing looks really bad. But Who rules timing? Nor do I care for the politician aspect. But just a cursory check of CBD’s listings brings over fifty specialty Bibles or otherwise added to. Apparently there are people who appreciate them.
Yes, there are other specialty Bibles. But they are not used to aid a candidate pander to Christian voters during a presidential campaign. (And yes, I would say the same if it were Biden doing this.)
This really is cringe-worthy, and I’d also say the same if it were any other candidate, Biden, Haley, you name it.
At its most excusable it is utterly tone-deaf to the faith, to the book he’s trying so hard to sell “for just $59.99.” 😦 There might as well have been a 1-800 number attached. (Oh, maybe there was?)
Agreed on all counts, DJ, but do we get to judge Another’s servant? We are speculating on where the proceeds are going. We don’t know. Perhaps to a widow’s and orphans fund? Pro life ministry? All sorts of Christians minister in all sorts of ways. Some appeal to us, some don’t.
Yes, God’s timing is His own. We see it as “what a misuse of the Bible, how inappropriate!” Perhaps God agrees or perhaps he has the unreached Susie who has never seen a Bible but she is all about America and will pick one up and God will use it to open her eyes.
I have never cared for Bibles with all the national documents in them. My MIL had purchased a Family Bible, a giant leather bound tome, with such documents, and I gave it away. I do appreciate the study Bibles with notes included from pastors. If I don’t understand something, it’s good to compare notes from several pastors.
I do agree with Mumsee in that God’s word goes out and does not return void. How it goes out can be in as many ways as God allows. Just because something is done wrongly does not mean that God can’t redeem it for His purposes.
I don’t agree with everything Trump does. I doubt that this idea originated with him. This type thing has been done before. It will appeal to a portion of his supporters, but don’t judge everyone by this one action (I know there are plenty enough others). I would never buy one personally.
I went to the website which indicates Trump is not actually involved. They use his pictures by license and he and his businesses and affiliates are not involved. It is not political or involved in any political campaign.
Came here to see if there was a reaction to Trump peddling Bibles. Although its true the Trump name was licensed at arms length from the product, he did release a video on Truth Social endorsing the God Bless the USA Bible. The licensing firm is wholly owned by Trump and its used to endorse products with his name – in the past its been used to endorse steaks, vodka, an airline, etc. Essentially he monetised or commodified the Word of God. At this point, you’d think someone would pick up a whip and chase the grifters out of the temple.
The optics are really bad from all angles – Christianity and the Bible is commodified by a divisive political figure. The secular west will find their secularism confirmed while the rest of the world will further associate Christianity with American capitalism (and no that’s not a good thing). My German Reformed friend sent me the link below and we both shook our heads despite our different perspectives.
This isn’t Trump at all, he sold marketing rights to his name, this is how that private company decided to use it. Celebrities do this all the time.
——-
“The Bible’s website states the product “is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.”
“GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates,” it says.
Instead, it says, “GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.
”CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure, has a similar arrangement with 45Footwear, which also says it uses Trump’s “name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”
——
Just red meat for the Never Trumpers.
Care to discuss policies? No. Ya’ll never do.
Predictable.
Allen
I gotta say this might be the stupidest one yet from the media and NTers.
So unnecessary and rude. You have been mistaken at times, too, AJ, and have shared things that you were convinced were true that turned out not to be. To my knowledge, no one disparaged your reading comprehension.
This is not a matter of “red meat,” or even a matter of politics at all.
It’s a matter of how the Bible (and the faith itself) is being used/abused by a politician for personal and political gain. That should be obvious to all of us here.
I am sorry, Mumsee, for calling you a fact checker. I know you did a surface check without truly doing research. I had never heard of these Bibles except for on WV today. They just reminded me of what I have seen every fifteen years or so. The names change but the game’s the same . . .make money at every opportunity.
Just popped in to see what all the fuss was about. I had to giggle a bit at the thought of Biden ever doing this to pander to voters. All he has to do is make like Oprah and shout “everybody gets a new car”!!! He “forgives student loans even though the SCOTUS says not legal….to pander to the young entitled indebted voters He allows millions of illegal invaders to cross the border and get free stuff…all for their votes…illegally….at citizens expense.
If Trump wants to lend his name to sell Bibles I say more power to him. Nj
Politics just isn’t worth the rudeness that keeps erupting here too often. Some on the blog have simply stayed clear of this over-heated thread — and they may have taken the wisest course.
Believers *should* be able to discuss real issues without all the drama and anger. Rudeness should have no place among us. But that’s not happening.
Nothing is worth compromising our spiritual health, focus and fellowship. Certainly not party politics, right?
Some guidelines might have helped for this thread in the beginning, which is how World Magazine wisely managed to keep it under control and respectful. But we never got around to doing that, to our own detriment. I guess we figured we didn’t need it? But everyone needs some rules, right? It may be too late for that. If not, I’d welcome the effort. It’s either that or this only gets worse, I fear.
Take a breath, pray, get back to the (spiritual) basics — and try to be kind to each other if you decide to keep participating. (I may, but only occasionally, probably not very often as I feel unwelcome here and I don’t think I’m alone; for now, I definitely need a break from this environment. This is just not spiritually healthy.)
Wandering Views 
Good morning.
The news out of Baltimore about the container ship bringing down the bridge is horrible.
A missions group at church, including six from my Sunday school class were in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago working with a downtown church plant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
in lighter news, a disgruntled waste management former employee stole a front end loader and went out on the streets with it. Police did not have any heavy duty vehicles to chase it (at 30 mph) so they used a second front end loader to go after the guy. He is now in jail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how this will affect what we read and what authors like Michelle can write.
Evangelical Christian Publishing Association creates DEI courses and certification for its members
LikeLiked by 1 person
And yet another reminder to pray for those in authority and the companies where we spend our money and the brothers and sisters who cross our path.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 3 people
We already require “sensitivity readers,” whenever an author writes about a character who differs from them–on a vast scale of possibilities.
The author pays the sensitivity reader to ensure they are correctly describing what their character thinks, feels, etc.
In one sense, it’s not a bad idea–we should be sensitive that we may not be seeing and describing the real-life experiences of people with a clear eye because of our personal point-of-view.
OTOH, this now-common attitude in all publishing says you cannot write out of your own experience–and if that is the case, you’ve just turned fiction (imagination) upside down.
Some of this may be the result of the pernicious influence of the Common Core reading program. You’d be familiar with it, Peter. IMHO it applies the “Professor Grandgrind School of Thought” to the pleasure of reading. (See the Dickens novel Hard Times).
Kids are taught HOW to read for the facts, not for the joy of the words, ideas, images, or sparks to their imaginations.
That truncates the value of reading for many, many children, and frankly, is ruining modern literature.
DEI applications can be valuable. They also can damage creativity and truncate the reading experience.
When a biography of Lettie Cowman can’t be picked up by a publishing house because it’s about an old white missionary who lived a long time ago–despite 100 years of her book still being regularly sold and read–we’ve deviated from a good path.
I anticipate anything I publish in the future will be self-published, as my last two books have been.
Minor sales, if any, but truth and many fascinating, interesting, and spirit-warming conversations go on in my email.
God is good, He will not be mocked. We always need to be sensitive to others, as Paul indicated. “To a Greek, I am a Greek,” means I pay close attention to people who differ from me, adapt myself to how best to show the Gospel despite our differences, and listen closely to how the Holy Spirit guides our interactions.
And read old books.
Thanks for that insight, Peter.
M
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sad.
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And yet the FBI continues to hide the Epstein client list.
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It’s Trump, or more of this.
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And another….
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Of course….
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It’s Trump, or more of this.
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This is bad for Baltimore and for US commerce.
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Can’t have their echo chamber bubble getting burst. Lol.
Thats the prodlem with being a traitor, no one wants her on their side. Guess she’ll have to take a six figure job with Uncle Mittens.
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She was given millions in grants from the Biden admin. Weird that CBS failed to disclose this. Fact and misinformation ” experts” say whatever they’re paid to say on issues. They’re useless.
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And they ain’t the only ones….
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Good job, or this would have been worse.
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I believe it’s called winning.
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This is the way. How many more have to die here before we smarten up and do the same?
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But Trump…..
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Continuing DJ’s discussion on the other thread:
I agree the timing looks really bad. But Who rules timing? Nor do I care for the politician aspect. But just a cursory check of CBD’s listings brings over fifty specialty Bibles or otherwise added to. Apparently there are people who appreciate them.
mumsee
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Yes, there are other specialty Bibles. But they are not used to aid a candidate pander to Christian voters during a presidential campaign. (And yes, I would say the same if it were Biden doing this.)
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And timing is ruled for all kinds of purposes.
This really is cringe-worthy, and I’d also say the same if it were any other candidate, Biden, Haley, you name it.
At its most excusable it is utterly tone-deaf to the faith, to the book he’s trying so hard to sell “for just $59.99.” 😦 There might as well have been a 1-800 number attached. (Oh, maybe there was?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed on all counts, DJ, but do we get to judge Another’s servant? We are speculating on where the proceeds are going. We don’t know. Perhaps to a widow’s and orphans fund? Pro life ministry? All sorts of Christians minister in all sorts of ways. Some appeal to us, some don’t.
mumsee
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Yes, God’s timing is His own. We see it as “what a misuse of the Bible, how inappropriate!” Perhaps God agrees or perhaps he has the unreached Susie who has never seen a Bible but she is all about America and will pick one up and God will use it to open her eyes.
mumsee
LikeLike
I have never cared for Bibles with all the national documents in them. My MIL had purchased a Family Bible, a giant leather bound tome, with such documents, and I gave it away. I do appreciate the study Bibles with notes included from pastors. If I don’t understand something, it’s good to compare notes from several pastors.
I do agree with Mumsee in that God’s word goes out and does not return void. How it goes out can be in as many ways as God allows. Just because something is done wrongly does not mean that God can’t redeem it for His purposes.
I don’t agree with everything Trump does. I doubt that this idea originated with him. This type thing has been done before. It will appeal to a portion of his supporters, but don’t judge everyone by this one action (I know there are plenty enough others). I would never buy one personally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went to the website which indicates Trump is not actually involved. They use his pictures by license and he and his businesses and affiliates are not involved. It is not political or involved in any political campaign.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mumsee, for being a factchecker😀
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Came here to see if there was a reaction to Trump peddling Bibles. Although its true the Trump name was licensed at arms length from the product, he did release a video on Truth Social endorsing the God Bless the USA Bible. The licensing firm is wholly owned by Trump and its used to endorse products with his name – in the past its been used to endorse steaks, vodka, an airline, etc. Essentially he monetised or commodified the Word of God. At this point, you’d think someone would pick up a whip and chase the grifters out of the temple.
The optics are really bad from all angles – Christianity and the Bible is commodified by a divisive political figure. The secular west will find their secularism confirmed while the rest of the world will further associate Christianity with American capitalism (and no that’s not a good thing). My German Reformed friend sent me the link below and we both shook our heads despite our different perspectives.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politics/article-trump-is-selling-god-bless-the-usa-bibles-for-5999-as-he-faces/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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my post got bumped by hrw.
I said I am not a fact checker, simply read what they said on their site. You can say anything on the internet and find a believer.
mumsee
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Like I said, you can print anything on the internet and find a believer or two, even in the globe and mail.
mumsee
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess reading comprehension is hard for some.
This isn’t Trump at all, he sold marketing rights to his name, this is how that private company decided to use it. Celebrities do this all the time.
——-
“The Bible’s website states the product “is not political and has nothing to do with any political campaign.”
“GodBlessTheUSABible.com is not owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization, CIC Ventures LLC or any of their respective principals or affiliates,” it says.
Instead, it says, “GodBlessTheUSABible.com uses Donald J. Trump’s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.
”CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure, has a similar arrangement with 45Footwear, which also says it uses Trump’s “name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.”
——
Just red meat for the Never Trumpers.
Care to discuss policies? No. Ya’ll never do.
Predictable.
Allen
I gotta say this might be the stupidest one yet from the media and NTers.
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“I guess reading comprehension is hard for some.”
So unnecessary and rude. You have been mistaken at times, too, AJ, and have shared things that you were convinced were true that turned out not to be. To my knowledge, no one disparaged your reading comprehension.
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This is not a matter of “red meat,” or even a matter of politics at all.
It’s a matter of how the Bible (and the faith itself) is being used/abused by a politician for personal and political gain. That should be obvious to all of us here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am sorry, Mumsee, for calling you a fact checker. I know you did a surface check without truly doing research. I had never heard of these Bibles except for on WV today. They just reminded me of what I have seen every fifteen years or so. The names change but the game’s the same . . .make money at every opportunity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And thank you to Kizzie for your post @8:53. I’m sorry, but that just needed to be said, unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just popped in to see what all the fuss was about. I had to giggle a bit at the thought of Biden ever doing this to pander to voters. All he has to do is make like Oprah and shout “everybody gets a new car”!!! He “forgives student loans even though the SCOTUS says not legal….to pander to the young entitled indebted voters He allows millions of illegal invaders to cross the border and get free stuff…all for their votes…illegally….at citizens expense.
If Trump wants to lend his name to sell Bibles I say more power to him. Nj
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sorry this isn’t an easier place to be.
Politics just isn’t worth the rudeness that keeps erupting here too often. Some on the blog have simply stayed clear of this over-heated thread — and they may have taken the wisest course.
Believers *should* be able to discuss real issues without all the drama and anger. Rudeness should have no place among us. But that’s not happening.
Nothing is worth compromising our spiritual health, focus and fellowship. Certainly not party politics, right?
Some guidelines might have helped for this thread in the beginning, which is how World Magazine wisely managed to keep it under control and respectful. But we never got around to doing that, to our own detriment. I guess we figured we didn’t need it? But everyone needs some rules, right? It may be too late for that. If not, I’d welcome the effort. It’s either that or this only gets worse, I fear.
Take a breath, pray, get back to the (spiritual) basics — and try to be kind to each other if you decide to keep participating. (I may, but only occasionally, probably not very often as I feel unwelcome here and I don’t think I’m alone; for now, I definitely need a break from this environment. This is just not spiritually healthy.)
See you on the the other threads for now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My Bible study thread went partially political today and needed a reminder to not post anything political. ‘Tis the season.
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’tis the season in spades this year. It’s ugly.
Be very careful out there everyone, lest we cause offense and cause harm to our own witness. A time for extra prayer.
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While I agree that Trump endorsing a Bible to raise money is like gravel in my mouth, I think of what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:18 –
“…in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
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Exactly, big brother.
mumsee
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