Thursday, July 21st, in the year of our Lord 2016
By Kevin Swanson and Adam McManus
Report from Republican National Convention; Cruz Does Not Endorse Trump
This is a special extended report from the Republican National Convention here in Cleveland, Ohio, where former presidential candidate Ben Carson tied Hillary Clinton to Lucifer. Carson noted the heavy influence of Saul Alinsky on Clinton’s thought and how Alinsky’s book, Rules for Radicals, acknowledged Lucifer in its opening pages.
Rank-and-file Republicans have secured the most conservative and pro-Christian national platform ever. Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel’s Founder and Chairman, says the platform represents a strong affirmation of life, marriage, and religious liberty. The platform calls for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the repeal of ObamaCare, and the repeal of the 1954 Johnson amendment that has prevented churches and pastors from endorsing candidates. The platform also rejects opening up Title IX discrimination prohibitions to homosexuals and the transgendering.
But the big story from the Republican National Convention was Senator Ted Cruz’s speech last night. Despite the fact that Cruz had not endorsed Trump, the GOP victor extended an invitation for Cruz, who came in second in the delegate count, to give a speech in prime time. Everyone in the hall wondered whether Cruz would endorse Trump.
But at the 20-minute mark of a 23-minute speech, it appeared that was not going to happen.
“We deserve leaders who stand for principle. Who unite us all behind shared values. Who cast aside anger for love.”
However, just seconds later, many of the GOP delegates seemed hopeful again, that Cruz would offer a Trump endorsement when he encouraged like-minded conservative constitutionalists not to stay home on Election Day.
“And to those listening: please, don’t stay home in November. If you love our country and love your children as much as I know that you do, stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket, who you trust to defend our freedom, and to be faithful to the constitution.”
But the reaction in the Quicken Loans Arena here in Cleveland last night was an odd mixture of applause, boos and 14 chants of “Endorse Trump.”
“Endorse Trump! Endorse Trump! Endorse Trump! Endorse Trump!”
which started with the New York delegates.
Cruz ad libbed this remark in response to those from Trump’s home state.
“I appreciate the enthusiasm of the New York delegation.”
The crowd truly began to turn on Senator Cruz at the very end when it became clear that no Trump endorsement would pass his lips.
“We must make the most of our moment, to fight for freedom, to protect our God-given rights, even of those with whom we don’t agree, so that when we are old and grey, and when our work is done, and we give those we love one final kiss goodbye, we will be able to say, ‘Freedom matters, and I was part of something beautiful.’”
In the final moments, it appeared that Cruz was not even really referencing the 2016 election, but the need for constitutional conservatives to take back the Republican Party as he looked ahead to running for the presidency a second time like Ronald Reagan who lost the nomination in 1976 and then won the nomination and the presidency in 1980. However, the crowd’s booing drowned out even his call for God to bless America.
“We will unite the party, we will unite the country, by standing together for shared values, by standing for liberty. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless the United States of America.”
Persecution Against Christians in Turkey Increases After Failed Coup
Following last week’s failed coup attempt in Turkey, Christian Today reports an increase in persecution of Christians and church buildings being vandalized. This only adds to recent years of persecution in that country, as Christians suffered death, torture, slander, and the shutting down of churches. Not to be discouraged, Pastor Madrigal from Turkey stated, “An increasing atmosphere of Islamic triumphalism in the wake of the coup could potentially put pressure on Christians. . . We are confident of God’s sovereignty and we are confident in the worthiness of the work that He has given us to do here.”
Vietnamese Pastors Imprisoned For Not Merging with Government-Approved Church
At least 108 Vietnamese pastors are in prison for their faith and may face poisoning for refusing to merge their unregistered churches into one government-approved church, reported the Gospel Herald. Approved churches experience extreme regulation by the government over their meeting size, sermons, leadership, and worship. May the Lord strengthen these Vietnamese pastors who “obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
Russia’s First Crisis Pregnancy Center Close to Opening
Russia has one of the highest abortion rates in the world. And the Slavic Gospel Association reports they are close to opening Russian’s first crisis pregnancy center in Moscow. The World View spoke to Bret Laird, missionary for the Slavic Gospel Association, on the progress.
“There are some really exciting things going on in Russia. Even some of the government officials, the Prime Minister Dmitry Mezzetta’s wife has come out as strongly pro-life, and formed a foundation to support life, so that’s a very encouraging development in the country. There’s a significant pro-life movement gathering, and we think that having a local, evangelical crisis pregnancy center is going to be a great benefit to both saving the lives of babies, but also ministering to the mothers and the fathers of these children, who are in desperate state.”
Bill Nye Says Ark Encounter Exhibits are “Absolutely Wrong”
After his visit to Ken Ham’s Ark Encounter, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” told NBC News that every exhibit on the Ark’s third deck is “absolutely wrong.” Through Nye’s recent discussion with the Answers in Genesis president, we learn that Bill Nye differs with Ken Ham on ultimate questions.
Ham: “In your world view, when you die, what happens to you?”
Nye: “You’re done.”
Ham: “You’re done. So what–”
Nye: “And if that turns out not to be true, that would be very exciting”
Ham: “Okay, but if, you say, you died, so you wouldn’t even know you were ever here.”
Nye: “Apparently not.”
Ham: “So then, why do you care what we’re doing here? Why do you care about climate change? Why do you ultimately– because ultimately, when all these people die, they’re done, and nothing has any ultimate purpose, so why does it matter? Why does it matter ultimately?”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent letters to over 1,000 school districts across five states, claiming that it would violate the First Amendment to send students to the Ark Encounter.
Romans 1:21 says, “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Lower Airfares Expected This Summer
CNN Money reports airfares should be down by about 7% during peak travel season this summer. United Airlines explained the lower airfares based on there being more seats available than demand from people flying. Lower jet fuel costs also contribute to cheaper airfares.
Inscriptions Containing Christian Messages Found in Caribbean Island Cave
Archeologists have discovered amazing inscriptions in a Caribbean island cave near the Dominican Republic according to a Fox News report. The carvings date into the 1500s, and include many Christian symbols and messages among which we find “God made many things. . .And the Word was made flesh [and dwelt among us].”
Melania Trump’s Speech Contained Sections from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Speech
Controversy erupted after Melania Trump’s speech on Monday at the Republican National Convention was found to have sections lifted right out of Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech. Meredith McIver took the blame on Wednesday as the speechwriter for Melania Trump. McIver stated she offered her resignation from the Trump Organization, but it was rejected, reported Fox News.
Teen Storms Passenger Train With an Ax
WorldNetDaily.com reports that a teen who entered Germany as an Afghanistan refugee was shot dead after storming a passenger train, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ while he used an ax to slash and hack at passengers. The attack left five seriously injured.
Dealer Donates Car to Man Who Walked 16 Miles to Work Every Day
According to Sunny Skyz, 25-year-old Kyle Bigler used to walk 16 miles a day to his two minimum wage jobs. With a learning disability and speech impediment, these jobs were not easy to find, but Kyle works hard, frequently pulling 20-hour shifts. No one took notice until one day Joanna Griffiths happened to meet Kyle and shared his story on Facebook. Thousands of job offers poured in and a local car dealer, Autoserv Tilton, decided to donate a 2005 Honda Accord to Kyle!
“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)
And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.