Some Tools for Discernment

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

When driving in the midst of a snow or rain storm you are much more likely to go into a skid than in normal times. Yet if you try to maintain control too hard by over-correcting, you make yourself more likely to lose control. It is in the most inclement conditions that you must be most deliberate and cautious to maintain control – the very conditions that make you most nervous and tempt you to precipitous action.

The world is in that very situation now. Tumult and chaos abound – and so it is only natural that people would over-react in dangerous ways to try to regain control rather than being more deliberate and cautious. I get at least five or six videos and articles a week sent to me purporting to tell me the real truth or the whole truth about Covid 19. To date, I have counted about 17 completely different and contradicting narratives, all breathlessly claiming they have the fullness of the truth about it. Some very earnest people send me separate narratives that contradict each other and tell me this explains it all. I want to ask which one of the contradictory things a single person sent me explains it all – and which they reject.

There are some sorts of expertise that require years, even decades, of study to master. It can be years before one even gets a good grip on the fundamentals involved. None of us can, in an instant, suddenly become experts in these areas. If we try, we only add to the chaos and confusion – and end up in a ditch. It may not be the ditch corrupted “experts” tried to draw us into. But confusion is the devil’s tool – and he doesn’t care which ditch we land in, so long as it is a ditch.  

That is not to say there is nothing we can do. Most of us have sufficient common sense and expertise to know when something is wrong in an area that affects us. You don’t have to be a master mechanic to know when your car is running badly. You don’t need to be a surgeon to know if you’re sick. You don’t need to be a master builder to know when the ceiling is sagging and leaking. While you can’t suddenly develop years or decades worth of technical expertise, you can learn to ask the right questions and how to do research that reveals internal contradictions in the official narrative. In fact, that was the ideal I worked with to train reporters. They could not become experts in every field, but they could become trained and disciplined researchers who could effectively verify or challenge what the experts told them.

Here then are some simple rules for discernment. It is a very basic survey, by no means an advanced look at the subject. If you internalize these guidelines, though, you will keep much steadier even as the winds of chaos howl more violently around you.

First, do not parrot a treatise on a subject you do not have real expertise in just because its conclusions match what your basic sense tells you. Stay away from things that purport to have the “real truth” about a complicated subject. They are almost always overheated hokum – and you will come off as a rube if you accept them in toto. Most hokum has a kernel of truth attached – but do not mistake a mere kernel for a field of corn.

Demand solid sourcing. That means references that lead you to data you can independently verify and find by other means than the piece you are reading. Solid sourcing is NOT just a matter of footnotes and links. I have been inundated with a bunch of wild-eyed stories from people that claim to be “fully documented!!!” But when you check the links, all you find are more stories with assertions that are either fact-free or with “facts” that cannot be replicated independently. That is pure trash and a waste of good time.

If you can, check the history of the person or institute making the claims for previous complicated subjects they have explained or predictions they have made. This will give you a baseline on their overall credibility. If public health officials had followed this rule from the beginning, we may never have had a panic over Covid in the first place. The panic was started by Dr. Neil Ferguson at the Imperial College of London. Ferguson predicted 2.2 million deaths in the U.S. alone. It turns out, though, that Ferguson has a long and ugly history of making ridiculously large death predictions that never come even close to accurate. This is why news outlets repeatedly referred to him as a “respected epidemiologist” or “one of the best disease modelers in the world” without giving any actual history. When those terms are bandied about instead of actual data and history, all they mean is, “he says what I want to hear.”

Seek hard data that contradicts what you think and, especially, what you want to think. By hard data, I again mean that which can be verified and replicated. When you find it, try to understand it. Sometimes things are counter-intuitive rather than contradictory. Work to get an understanding that makes sense of the overall picture and how it fits together. But don’t let an overall scheme cause you to ignore data that contradicts that picture. Unfortunately, good people sometimes go off the rails. I used to enjoy the work of Kelly Bowring. Then he fell hook, line and sinker for the proven Maria Divine Mercy hoax. That could have just been an errant blip, except that even after it was proven this was just a publishing gambit by an opportunistic Irish woman, he doubled down on trying to prove his error was correct. He has been useless since that whole drama went down. I very much respected the work of Dr. Taylor Marshall until I started seeing red flags a couple of years ago. Then he published the book, “Infiltrated,” which is pernicious pseudo-history that, unfortunately, many good-hearted Christians have thought explained everything because they don’t know enough about actual Church and secular history to understand what silly over-heated nonsense his book is. These sorts of things do not help. You are either holding things steady or adding to the confusion – and to hold things steady requires real and constant discipline.

If you do this, you won’t know with certainty how to rebuild or stabilize our world, but you will have a calm at the center, won’t add to the confusion, and can be a useful tool in God’s hands at each step because you do not let your head explode over every offense.

Devilish Diversions

Understand that the devil is far more clever than people give him credit for. Most know that he will use your anger, greed, vanity and lust to lead you astray. Few understand how cleverly he will use your eagerness, charity, humility and love to lead you astray, too, if you are not acknowledging God at every moment and taking full responsibility for your decisions. In fact, the latter are some of his favorite gambits for those who are pious.

Many times, when a pious Christian’s plans and wishes are blocked or fail, they blame the devil. Could be – but it could also be that God blocked them because their plan was deficient. How often does love for someone degenerate into enabling bad behavior? Do you think the devil does not love both the behavior of the disordered one and the enabling action of the falsely pious? How often do we get so vested in an otherwise noble plan we have devised that we pursue it to our peril after it should have been clear that it is not God’s plan? Do you say you can always tell whether it is God or the devil? If so, what you are really saying is that you already are a greater saint than Sts. Anthony, Teresa, John of the Cross, Padre Pio, and John Vianney, all who openly conceded that they were sometimes fooled by the devil. Further, you deny Scripture – for St. Paul tells us that the devil disguises himself to us as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14). Whenever I hear someone say they can always tell, I think that here is one headed for a fall or to be taken by the devil entirely. Acknowledging God in everything is the only way to escape the wiles of the devil who, despite our best efforts, will sometimes curl his scaly claws around us.

Are you eager to do good? Do you know the devil lays the best ambushes in the universe for the fools who are always eager to rush in? Yes, prudence is the most common excuse for rank cowardice – but eagerness for good is the most common excuse for disastrously rash imprudence. Take the next right step before God, knowing that what prevents you from doing the good you intend may be the devil – or may be God trying to tell you that your plan is not His plan.

Remember always that it is you alone who will have to account to God for the choices you make. It is good to seek counsel, but you can never abrogate your moral agency to anyone else.

As a matter of course, if someone mystically tells me what God wants me to do other than the obvious commands of Christ for all of us, I get very skeptical. The fact is that God is close at hand to each of us if we just seek Him with a clean and open heart. Determining our vocation is the result of intimate encounters with Him – and not directed by another, regardless of the quality of counsel they give. It is NOT my job to live your conscience and it is not your job to live my conscience. I have had many times when people have told me what it is God wants me to do or what I must do for them to believe the things I say. First, I am far less concerned than they think over whether they believe me – and when I want to know what God wants of me, I will take it to God in prayer. So should you.

If a mystic starts giving threats in their work, supposedly of divine origin, to anyone who does not believe them, I almost always dismiss them entirely. When Jesus walked the earth He was more restrained in demanding gormless fealty to His words than some supposed modern mystics. And He is God! Wisdom is its own justification. It will prove or disprove itself over time. What seems errant now may prove to be true over time. What seems insightful now may prove to be banal over time. We must always wait on the Lord, neither ignoring promptings credibly reputed to be inspired from Him nor credulously accepting them without the sifting of time and circumstances.

Finally, avoid petty formulaic means of considering or dismissing wisdom. Whenever I hear someone say that the way to tell a true prophet is that they are never wrong, I wonder if they have ever read Scripture at all. Almost all the Old Testament prophets made significant errors on timing and many made substantial errors of interpretation. The one who was the most precisely right on all things was Isaiah – and he stood out because of it. God works through flawed people. We hold these treasures in earthen vessels, as St. Paul says (2 Corinthians 4:7). The very best sometimes misunderstand the import of what they are shown or told. Others go off the rails for a time. Some come back, some never do. But we are called to judge wisdom by its substance – and if you are primarily a respecter of persons, do not be surprised if it pleases God to give you His most important message through someone you take lightly and most easily dismiss. Be deliberate. Acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around you. The latter is particularly important because you are going to mess some serious things up, even if you do the very best you can. As it is written in 1 Peter 4:8, charity covers a multitude of sins. We are each going to need all the charity we can give.

I emphasize this because, as serious as the times now are, they are likely to get much more serious and tumultuous before we find peace again. Now peace is a positive, active thing that we choose – and that fills us and spills over to those around us. Peace is no more the mere absence of strife than love is the mere absence of malice. If we ask Christ for more love or more peace, He will give us a supernatural abundance that will take up residence in our hearts and spread to all we encounter. I emphasize these things that, together, we may have peace – and that it may grow to fill the earth in one harmonious hymn before God. It is a prerequisite in the times that lie ahead of us.

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178 thoughts on “Some Tools for Discernment”

  1. SO good, Charlie. I smiled at God’s Patience as I recognized my own stupidity at times with these things. This piece is a keeper; one to return to for contemplation as we enter into the breadth and length and depth and height of where we are and where we are headed. Yearning and striving to be deliberate, cautious, and prudent, while continually acknowledging God IS wisdom which has proven to be timeless. Allowing mental space to fess up when we mess us, despite our best efforts, requires its own intentionality. Love DOES cover a multitude of messing up and only Love Himself could pick us up via Grace as we press on.

    Liked by 12 people

  3. A most needed insightful guide at this time. It reminds me that I have been guided not to become bogged down with the details but to also keep focused on the big picture in order to keep things in proper perspective. Thank you Charlie for your most important guidance in these times when we need all the help we can get for as you say it is going to get worse before God can lead us to better times and through to the Triumph of the Heart our Blessed Mother in the completion of the ongoing Rescue. May God continue to bless and guide all here. jas

    Liked by 6 people

  4. Charlie, I found it interesting to reflect that if the FBI and/or the FISA Court had applied any one of your recommendations for checking on the truth value of the Russia Conspiracy filings, the persecutions of Trump and LTG(R) Flynn would have stopped dead. However, in the Grand Scheme, each of the immoral actors involved will not escape their responsibilities for corruption and sabotage, whatever Dunn/Barr may or may not do.

    And at this time, it appears that the Biden family pay to play schemes are seeing the light of day, despite news suppression by network media, Facebook and Twitter (also include Google suppression, as I just checked to see if the NY Post articles show up on search for “Hunter Biden Scandal,” and none were retrieved, only dismissive articles were)

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Use Bing or another search engine, Jack. Bing is my default engine and I did the search. About 80 percent of the articles that popped up were the straightforward ones directly from the NY Post and from other honest sites. About 20 percent were the damage control articles from the Washington Post and other leftist sites. Google is a corrupted tool. But not all are.

      Liked by 8 people

      1. Great post, Charlie; I need to print it out for future (and frequent) reference. Also, great advice to use Bing rather than Google for searches; thanks.

        Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks for this Crewdog. I had wondered why all Biden said was, “I knew you’d ask that!” And then gave no answer.. (my source is Catholic Vote, didn’t look it up.)
        I appreciate all the work you do perusing the internet. I avoid such temptations as I would soon lose the day. So thanks.
        K in OR
        🙏🏽✝️📖

        Liked by 5 people

    5. Jack you can sign up for direct NYPost articles for free. You can then search their archives. Plus the NYPost has had some hair raising articles on China’s trade in human body parts and their source and on China’s political camps.

      Like

  5. Driving an unfamiliar road at night, in the rain, that is under going repair, without white sidelines, pylons that ambiguoussly define the right of way and some bum tailgaiting you with his brights on….

    Not a good time to tell the driver he is driving too slow!

    Liked by 11 people

      1. I am fine Linda. It happened about a month ago. I just drive slow no matter who or how many are behind me.

        What’s funny is that I had taken the drive on my night off to relax a bit! didn’t work out too good (:

        Liked by 1 person

  6. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! – 🙂

    Time for OUR Testing ….NOW!
    https://blog.magiscenter.com/blog/4-heroic-resisters-to-nazism

    Only Democrats can get away with this $%#! … Oh! .. & bye de bye … what, precisely, was The Deal with that PLA Chinaman that you had on your payroll for 20 years, DiFi? … & perhaps some transparency on Hubby’s Far East Wheelin’-n-Dealin’ ….EH!!???? ……. DiFi! …..????? …. Hello!!
    https://www.catholicleague.org/feinsteins-second-catholic-moment/

    SIGNS!
    https://www.ncregister.com/interview/bishop-daly-challenges-bishop-mcelroy-s-statements-on-abortion-and-the-2020-election

    https://returntotradition.org/archbishop-vigano-pope-francis-and-the-state-of-the-church/

    Considering what I have witnessed since 1965, I’d have to say that the Hijacking of Vat2 did create the below ;-(
    https://www.newsbreak.com/news/1581809120785/vigan-vatican-ii-marked-the-beginning-of-a-false-parallel-church

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/10/16/fox-news-confirms-biden-china-payoff-rudy-giuliani-talks-to-lou-dobbs/

    https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/10/16/schweizer-hunter-biden-had-united-nations-of-corruption-and-joe-biden-was-the-planet-it-moved-around/

    Meanwhile in one of the Democrat Party’s Premier Urban Paradises … ;-(
    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/16/for-sixth-year-running-chicago-dubbed-nations-rattiest-city-orkin-pest-control/
    & other Democrat Party Urban Paradise News:
    https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/watch-live-cfp-up-all-night-antifa-riots-across-usa/

    https://townhall.com/columnists/bradslager/2020/10/16/in-testy-exchange-with-trump-guthrie-perfectly-displayed-press-politicizing-the-pandemic-n2578239

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 8 people

  7. Charlie–thanks for bing recommendation. I so see myself as one who jumps on the bandwagon of those who put forth positions with which I agree!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Kim, I am guilty of the same. However, I have my Dear Husband who wisely brings me back to reality. LOL! On the other hand, he sees evil everywhere and I encourage him to be discerning… After all, we want the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
      God bless!
      Katey in OR 🙏🏽✝️💙

      Liked by 5 people

  8. Charlie!!!

    Really great piece here which will soon be printed and set next to my place of residence in the evening; namely, my 🪑 chair!!! Ha!

    Sort of funny though…for the past few days I’ve been thinking in my head… 💭 “I wish Charlie would put up a piece on spiritual warfare!” Lol. I think it was God’s plan for you to put this piece up last night (although I missed it due to amazing trump rally in Georgia) since things are getting so darn confusing these days!!! The darkness all around us you can cut with a 🔪 knife and I do believe the devil is getting really really tricky!!! I suppose he always has been!😩

    This is my favorite € from this piece!!! Thank you sooo much Charlie for this sign of hope & discernment in these times! I’m gonna pray for peace & calm today just as you said!

    “Understand that the devil is far more clever than people give him credit for. Most know that he will use your anger, greed, vanity and lust to lead you astray. Few understand how cleverly he will use your eagerness, charity, humility and love to lead you astray, too, if you are not acknowledging God at every moment and taking full responsibility for your decisions. In fact, the latter are some of his favorite gambits for those who are pious.” CJ

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Oops! Video is Fr. Ripperberger at Sensus Fidelium.

      Also, for the board…does anybody have a link to the musical wirk that includes the music of the first opener in these vids? It is very beautiful.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ve noticed in the comments below the videos on you tube that Sensus Traditionis
        answers questions.

        Liked by 2 people

  10. “Pray as if God will take care of all; act as if all is up to you.” — St. Ignatius of Antioch, ora pro nobis

    Liked by 5 people

  11. “Take it to God in prayer.” “Always wait on the Lord.” Yes, Charlie! I have had some good training from people who mentored me years ago, and I try to call on that always. As a matter of fact, one of those people with whom I was in ministry over 20 yrs. ago, recently asked me to join in a wonderful, spiritual endeavor. I said I would “take it to God in prayer”, and I knew very quickly that it was not for me. The charism of discernment is sorely needed, now more than ever; we must always ask the Holy Spirit for that. There have been other times that I wanted to jump right in, and was so enthused about a project, but the Lord knew otherwise.

    At the end of many years when I was very active, I heard the Lord say (from Hosea), “I will lead her into the desert; I will speak tenderly to her.” That’s where I have been, and my time with Him is so precious to me and keeps me sane and balanced, I believe :). That is why my role at this moment is to be a prayer warrior, and previously, to attend to some urgent family needs.

    Holy Spirit, guide us in your powerful ways, anointing us with your gifts! God bless you all! The more you love the Blessed Mother, the more she will bring you her Spouse, the Holy Spirit!

    Liked by 5 people

  13. Something occurred to me. We’re like Democrats in a way. We too use dead people to help us win elections.
    Get it?

    Thank you very much. I’ll be here all week and be sure to tip your waitress.

    Liked by 6 people

  14. I was all set to let everyone kn0w that I have perfect discernmint, but then I made 6 seperate mistakes typing the words inn this coment and decided maybe I was gett1ng a little ahead of miself! 😀

    Liked by 8 people

      1. Ha, Beckita! I saw “GI” and thought to myself, “Wait, what? I didn’t know that Steve had been in the military.” I’m so bad at getting jokes and stuff. 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

    4. And it appears that nobody yet has picked up that there are actually seven mistakes in the comment, making the total mistakes 8? 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Stevebc!!! I’ve been taking most (just ordered the rest Friday) of the vitimins on ur covid list!!! I’m feeling sooo much better and that NAC one is really helping me with my asthma!!! Lung inflammation way down!!! Thanks again Steve!!!

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Linda, thank you for letting me know how you are doing. Wonderful news, really, although I’m dismayed to hear you have asthma. I had that in childhood, and it is no fun at all. Someone else found that his lung issues were improved by the NAC but were even more reduced when he stopped eating dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, anything with milk in it) for several days, at which point his lungs began working significantly better. I myself can’t eat any milk and have to avoid grains, too, so I know some people have food sensitivities that can increase asthma symptoms. If you’re still having problems even after the NAC, you might try eliminating those foods from your diet *completely* for a week and see if that helps, too. Eat plain food for that week, no canned food, so you can know you’re eliminating milk and if you wish, grains. Experiment!

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Thank you so much Stevebc!!! You’ve improved my life so much in such a few weeks. Unfortunately I began smoking cigarettes as a youth around 12 which my parents were ok with since they began smoking young themselves and I was just one of 4 that loved smoking from my first puff!!! We were a crazy sailing family so smoking just went with our adventures!!! Ha!!! If my feet didn’t start turning purple I’d be smoking yet again today probably what Charlie enjoys!!! Lol so besides asthma probably a bit of copd too! I mostly notice the wheezing when I eat anything processed! I had a few bites of mikes processed yoders mashed potatoes last night n had much wheezing this am! Perhaps it is the dairy as you suggest! I will try it Stevebc!!! Thank you thank you thank you 🙏

            Liked by 2 people

  15. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! – PM 🙂

    https://www.crisismagazine.com/2020/the-gipper-and-jpii-an-alliance-for-good

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/list-of-cardinals-bishops-priests-who-are-warning-catholics-about-pro-abortion-biden-harris-ticket

    https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/10/16/maher-democrats-should-make-barretts-religion-an-issue-scotus-packed-with-catholics/

    https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/watch-live-murderer-andrew-cuomo-discusses-crackdown-on-orthodox-jews/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/10/17/they-know-the-covid-intent-big-tech-buying-discount-office-space-in-new-york-city/

    It’s time for Trump to recall our ambassador to GB and send GB’s ambassador home! When GB wants to “come clean” on their involvement in the Five Year Coup we, perhaps, can get friendly again!!
    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/10/17/former-uk-deputy-prime-minister-nick-clegg-involved-in-facebooks-decision-to-censor-ny-post-hunter-biden-article-report/

    Thin Blue Line gets thinner … Not to Worry!! .. Democrats will outlaw guns! …. and Outlaws will become chaste scholars of Greek & Latin.
    https://www.foxnews.com/us/shakeup-nypd-new-york-city-police-chief-retirement-department-departures

    http://www.floppingaces.net/2020/10/16/the-week-in-radical-leftism-10-16-2020/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 6 people

  16. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! – 🙂

    GOOD ONE for These-Days!
    HeartlighLight Daily Verse – 18 October – Psalms 27:14

    “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

    Thoughts on today’s verse:
    If there is anything we don’t like to do, it’s wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new.
    Prayer:
    Loving Father, I know you have waited for me so many times — for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care… Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to meet my needs, and reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. Through Jesus I pray. Amen. Visit heartlight.org for more

    The Biden China, Russia … God Know Where/What? … Scandal is not News for those NOT taking News from DNC Media. We have known about it for years!
    NOW, two weeks before Election, the whole ignorant World knows ….. and knows about Big Silicon Valley Tech and Global Left trying to Cover it up …. and DC Deep State trying to cover it up ….. and Evil Rich & Powerful Operators getting very nervous …. along with China, Russia, …… ALL looking for SOME Way ….. SOME How ….. to end it, distract from it and destroy Trump & hi Deplorables in the process.
    The Left Media & Democrats are good at dealing out October Surprises but …. receiving them!!?? THEY were already beyond Berserk before this Blivet ….. Could this be The Trigger for Global Unpleasantness? …. Get Ready!

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/10/its_starting_to_look_ugly_for_democrats.html

    https://thepostmillennial.com/why-didnt-fbi-director-chris-wray-do-anything-about-hunter-bidens-laptop

    https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/10/17/donald-trump-in-georgia-lock-up-the-bidens/

    https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/17/the-biden-emails-prove-impeachment-was-a-sham/

    https://www.breitbart.com/law-and-order/2020/10/17/watch-antifa-mob-attacks-pro-trump-free-speech-rally-at-twitter-hq/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. I think you are right CD, it looks like the anti-God left are going to increase the viciousness in the coming weeks as desperation heightens.
      The wife suggested we do a Novena for “truth to be revealed” after she watched the Hunter Biden stuff this morning, and I think it’s a good idea.
      We are starting one today and I’m hoping my TNRS/ASOH family will join in;
      https://www.catholicaction.org/day_1_i_am_my_brothers_keeper

      Liked by 8 people

        1. Agree with you 100%, Judith. However, our faith says nothing is impossible for God. Prayer and fasting change things. I’m not giving up on ‘em ‘til the fat lady sings.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Actually I’m waiting on the “Fiat Lady”, our Mother. The left seems to have a lot of screaming/singing like a banshee hefty ladies

            Liked by 4 people

    1. Yes, Kim. In his writing, Fr. Rick encapsulates the essence of the prophecy given by, then, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla when he addressed an Eucharistic Conference in (edit 1776) 1976 which was held in Philadelphia on the bi-centennial celebration of the founding of our country. The Cardinal told those gathered that the greatest historical conflict was one which the wider span of Christianity must take up and it was one which was which comprised the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel, the Church versus the anti-Church, the Christ versus (the spirit of) the anti-Christ. And here we are…smack dab in the midst of it.

      Liked by 7 people

    2. I wanted to put up a Trump sign, but there are so many B/H signs in the neighborhood that I was afraid it wouldn’t last very long. I am having my house painted red, white and blue instead! LOL 🙂 (It had to be painted anyway.)

      Liked by 2 people

  18. This tip from Charlie is so true! I’ve gotten in big trouble myself in my past life by this trick of the satan! Prudence would have remedied immature eagerness!

    “Are you eager to do good? Do you know the devil lays the best ambushes in the universe for the fools who are always eager to rush in? Yes, prudence is the most common excuse for rank cowardice – but eagerness for good is the most common excuse for disastrously rash imprudence. Take the next right step before God, knowing that what prevents you from doing the good you intend may be the devil – or may be God trying to tell you that your plan is not His plan.” CJ

    I’ve come to the conclusion after almost 8 months of mayhem, we all have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what God might be sending us in the coming months, seasons & years! Personally I’ve just quit worrying about it all (although mike & I did do some essential and prudent prepping) and try my hardest to pray for calm and peace so that I can hopefully fumble my way through to being a useful tool for God!

    I’m trying hard to ask God for help at every decision big or small! Heck, a bunch of us went to yet another birthday dinner last night and I even had to acknowledge God and ask Him how to dress up!!! Hahahahaha it had been over a year since going to a restaurant and ya know I actually forgot!!! Hahahahaha!!! God is so good!!! I’m sure He’s getting a kick out of all of us squirrels 🐿!!! God bless, love and protect you all this great Sunday morning!!!🤗❤️🌹🙏😘🐿😇🎂📿🕯🎣

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Isn’t interior freedom just the best, Linda?! The detachment with trust and total reliance on God’s Providence is THE way to navigate this Storm. And it’s been the consistent exhortation from Charlie since he began writing to prepare God’s flock for what we are living. Blessed be God that His Mother has tirelessly worked to rouse her children from slumber and sin to conversion and intercession for the too many yet astray from God’s Love and Laws.

      Liked by 8 people

      1. Yes it is Beckita!!! Charlie has been spot on and what a great Sherpa he has been!!! It’s so simple and yet so hard to achieve! But wow is it peaceful!!! May we all bring the peace and calm of Gods providence to all we encounter today!!!

        Liked by 5 people

      2. Beckita I opened to this beautiful message this morning from St John!

        “If you… grieve for your sins, you will have begun the process of self-acceptance. Jesus forgives you if you repent. This is always the case. But you have the need in your humanity to accept yourself and become peaceful about your past sins. If you do this on earth, there will be no barrier to an immediate unity with Jesus, in other words, heaven. If you do not finish the work on earth, you will have a need to finish the work in the heavenly Kingdom, that is, in purgatory. I, John, am encouraging you to at least begin this process now. Either way, Jesus is all mercy, all forgiveness. If you trust in Jesus, in His mercy, He will reward you with an unlimited amount of this mercy. Oh, my dear friend, take my words to your heart and believe them. I am trying to help you by giving you good advice and accurate information. Be humble and accept me as your brother, who gives wise counsel. I am praying for you now. Ask me to help you in this process and I will do so. Peace be with you and with all those around you.”

        – St. John the Apostle: Heaven Speaks to Those Who Fear Death

        Read more on our free library: directionforourtimes.org

        Liked by 2 people

          1. For quite some time now, years and years actually…I’ve been getting like little interior visions of things I’ve done wrong throughout my whole life. Even when very small. Then I’m seeing maybe some good things too but the selfish or wrong things seem to be far worse than the good which is also a good thing to reflect on. Honestly it’s been like a very long illumination of conscience and in it, I do believe the satan tries to bring us to despair, but every now and then it seems like Jesus’ Divine Mercy and love break through and I repent yet again and experience His forgiveness. What a loving and patient God we have! Won’t heaven be so wonderful Beckita!🤗❤️🙏🌹(no presumption-just hope!)

            Has anyone else been experiencing this too? Or am I the only miserable repentant out there?!?!?!😬🤔🐿🙏😂🤷🏻‍♀️📿

            Liked by 5 people

            1. We have an active conscience, Linda. And when we’re connected with God, He nudges us to repent and make a return. He said He came to save, not condemn, so if it’s a nudge that evokes intense shame or remorse one has difficulty shaking off, it’s likely our Mother’s adversary, the accuser, at work. I have found to be true the saying that whatever we focus on, we get more of. Heaven is glorious! “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Cor 2:9)

              Liked by 4 people

              2. Oh Beckita that is really good spiritual advise!!! I think I’ve adopted you as my spiritual advisor if you don’t mind. I’m a newbie!!! You’ve been around the spiritual block for some time I can tell!!! Thank you! I’m gonna write this down (copy/paste/print)

                Liked by 1 person

            3. Yes, Linda, I have had that happen over the years many times. Just this morning I was haunted by getting across country the day my mother died, too late b/c she passed away in the morning. It’s not one of the sins exactly, but I have beaten myself up about it and not had peace. This time the Lord distinctly said I did the best I could and it was time to accept that and be at peace. I hope I finally can do that.

              I also know that the evil one likes to harass us about sins we have even confessed. That’s his doing and not God. Again, as you said, in St. John’s quote, we must forgive ourselves!

              Thanks for the reminder; love ya’, Linda! 😉

              Liked by 3 people

              1. Awww Annie W. Love you too!!!🥰 that was def NOT a sin!!!🤗 Sometimes I think it’s easier on our loved ones if we aren’t there. Maybe more private for our loved ones in passing? I dunno 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I know if that was ur biggest booboo you’re probably a Saint! 🤗 God bless you and may your mom be interceding for all us squirrels 🐿!!!🤗❤️🙏🌹

                Liked by 2 people

  19. This is significant news: Sec. General of Synod of Bishops: Following COVID, ‘we have discovered…a new theology’

    ROME, Italy, October 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — The new secretary general of the Synod of Bishops said that following the coronavirus lockdowns, “[w]e have discovered a new ecclesiology, perhaps even a new theology, and a new ministry,” as well as “a new vision of the Church.” Bishop Mario Grech also appeared to relativize the singular importance of Holy Mass, as well as the priesthood.

    This seems to indicate how the bad actors in the Vatican may well have spent their down time during the lockdown. But then, Pope Francis is deeply concerned about the German Church. (Yes, I’m being uncharacteristically sarcastic) Perhaps drawing attention to the Germans is simply a distraction while in the heart of the Vatican the scheming and strategizing with plans to implement “‘a new ecclesiology, perhaps even a new theology, and a new ministry,’ as well as ‘a new vision of the Church'” move forward at breakneck speed.

    St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle…

    Liked by 7 people

    1. New Theology? Just another dog eating its own vomit! Ah, sorry for the graphic imagery, but that is what it is. Isaiah 65 comes to mind, or at least that’s the passage I randomly read as the sun came up this morning. Note to the wolves: Jesus is the only Savior and coming with all speed. Best remember that.

      Liked by 10 people

      2. ….. following the coronavirus lockdowns, “[w]e have discovered a new ecclesiology, perhaps even a new theology, and a new ministry,” as well as “a new vision of the Church.” …..

        Covid 19 has been exploited by the Marxist left to advance the “new theology” and the “new ministry”.

        One of the main mantra’s of the Covid Campaign against Trump and America is the phrase “Follow the Science.”

        Science is the “New Theology.” Scienceology. Science replaces God. We look to Science and not God for solutions to real life problems and challenges.

        At the heart of the struggle between Theology and Scienceology is : TRUTH.

        “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life” John 14: 6 vs “I am the Way and the Truth and the Lifer” Dr. Anthony Fauci.

        Scientists are the “New Ministers” of the “New Ministry”.

        This new exalted status in life is like an intoxicant to your average little old underpaid and largely ignored really, really well trained scientist toiling for years in a small, dingy, underlit lab in any discipline at all. One thing they all have in common is a seemingly irresistible urge for fame and fortune in the publishing business. Scientists have a take (a sellable take) on whatever it is that is under their microscope and the scientific method. Publish or perish is not an overstated imperative in the science business. Their is a personal stake of fortune and fame in advancing the cause of replacing theology with Scienceology. This is particularly true of the Climate Change New Ministers of the Truth. Worryingly, this also appears to be the Pope’s inclination with respect to the climate.

        Why? The money. Follow the money and the jobs. Who provides the money and jobs for Science? Politicians. Governments. Corporate Research Departments. Universities.

        You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back.

        Science is now called upon to scratch the back of the Marxist, Secularist, Democrat Party. Lot of money for Science if Biden wins. Biden needs Science. Science needs Biden. 30 pieces of silver at stake. A fortune.

        Every time I hear the Democrats cry “follow the Science!” it’s like fingernails on a blackboard.

        Here are a couple of New Minsters of the New Ministry of the New Theology:

        Liked by 8 people

        1. So true, Ed. Of course, Laura Helmuth Editor-in-Chief of Scientific American used to be editor of the far left Slate magazine and then went on to become the editor of Health, Science and Environment at The Washington Post, the newspaper Jeff Bezos (founder, CEO, and president of Amazon) purchased in 2013 for $250 million. Big money keeps the Deep State alive and well in Washington D.C.

          This bespeaks Charlie’s point about rotting organizations in his last piece: “When any organization trades intellectual rigor for ideological pretensions, there will ultimately be a collapse of credibility, but they can skate along for a long time on a reputation that was built by better men than them – and that they are no longer worthy of. When the tide shifts, though, it is ugly and the denouement can happen suddenly. I see signs that, rather than cruising to victory and pre-eminence, the superstitious left is heading for catastrophic collapse – and reading the signs that point to that is what this piece is about.” We can readily substitute “When any organization trades intellectual rigor for ideological pretensions…” with “When any scientific paper or journal trades intellectual rigor for ideological pretensions…”

          Liked by 8 people

        2. Ed, I remember back when the new science was the DNA trend in microbiology.
          The Gov was cutting funding for any institution that did not create a molecular lab based on this technique. My colleague, Dr Robin Lawson had just fitted a new lab at CAS at Berkley for this purpose, having recently been hired for that exclusive role as a brand new, hot off the press, scientist in that field. The word on the street was how many of the other institutions had lost their funding because they did not meet the deadline set by the powers. Lesson learned.
          Nowadays, they all tow the line, no questions asked.
          Would be interesting to find out who lets out the line to be towed?

          Liked by 6 people

  20. ?! “The student government at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has rejected a request for approval of a UNI Students for Life group.

    The rejection came after a long and charged discussion in which the members attacked the views of fellow pro-life students, including calling them a “hate group,” and this week the public university’s student body’s Supreme Court joined in that effort to block the pro-life group.” ?!

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/university-of-northern-iowa-bans-pro-life-club-labels-it-a-hate-group?utm_source=featured&utm_campaign=standard

    The famous intro came to mind: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”

    Liked by 7 people

    2. Dave, that was awesome! That guy reminds me a lot of my oldest brother (well, except that my brother can’t sing and wouldn’t be caught dead in a YouTube video). 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

  22. So proud of my friend from St Anthony’s! The Phoenix did you meet her yet???

    Good morning everyone. As most of you know I have been putting a morning prayer on here every morning since 2016. It was my way of turning Facebook into a more positive place to visit instead of all the drama we know you see on here. Due to the encouragement of some friends, I decided to take those prayers and write a prayer book. (which is almost finished.) I keep going back over past prayers, reading them and picking what I believe to be the most meaningful. What I have discovered here and now, in 2020, is that a lot of those prayers over the past 4 years have been for the violence in our world, the lack of respect for human lives, the politicians and their agendas and our anger towards each other. Does that mean God is not listening??? Absolutely not. I believe he is waiting for all of his children to turn to him with a sincere heart. To do all things in the love of Christ. we do not have to all agree, we just have to respect each others differences, (with love). then and only then will things change. I do have to admit this year has by far been the worst. Pray my friends, pray everyday for a change in our lives and our world.
    (sorry, I didn’t mean for this to be so long). Have a blessed day.

    Liked by 8 people

  23. 2 of us went to St. Joseph Church in Richardson, Tx. with our Republican signs; I held the “GOD IS IN THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM” sign as we were outside from 9am to 7pm. The main priest had 7 weeks on “THOUGHTS ON THE ELECTION”; He says we have an urgent call to care for our environment as Pope Francis said and the candidates need to lead the nation saying all the talking points of the far left. The priest opened their garage while talking with 3 others and a Biden sign was there. All 6 of his last thoughts seem to say vote Democrat. One even said maybe you have to vote for the candidate who favors abortion for grave reasons [bold letters]. I went home and looked at the preceding thoughts on line; we will go back next Sunday.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Honestly, the ways some have set their faces like flint in the opposing direction of the Gospel, I ponder how an intervention such as the Illumination of Conscience must be their last lifeline to truly awaken from being woke.

      Liked by 6 people

  25. Thanks Charlie. I remember reading Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli. One of the first things it talks about in this spiritual war is Self Doubt – while also having confidence in God. It seems a fine balance – to check oneself (and of course having a Spiritual Director or other holy people to keep you in check) but the confidence in God keeps you in the decision making, taking the next step (self doubt alone without confidence in God makes you get stuck and sometimes despairing.) I do know enough to know I don’t know a lot. I do know if I trust God – He works it out. I appreciate your words of wisdom because it has helped me along the way.

    Liked by 7 people

  26. Thinking about the direction of America and the World and the import of the election in two weeks I ran across this article by Dr. Everett Piper. Piper is the retired President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and is now a Conservative Op -Ed writer among other things. His piece is entitled :

    Church Leaders Sell Their Souls to the Democrat Party.

    What’s interesting about what is linked below is that it reflects some observations about Catholics and what they think documented by non-Catholics. A kind of “how others see us”.

    The survey based research on which these observations are based centers around the presence or lack of Biblical Worldview.

    “Defining Terms

    For the purposes of the survey, a “biblical worldview” was defined as believing that absolute moral truth exists; the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. In the research, anyone who held all of those beliefs was said to have a biblical worldview.

    Why It Matters

    Ongoing research on these matters consistently demonstrates the powerful impact a person’s worldview has on their life. A worldview serves as a person’s decision-making filter, enabling them to make sense of the complex and huge amount of information, experiences, relationships and opportunities they face in life. By helping to clarify what a person believes to be important, true and desirable, a worldview has a dramatic influence on a person’s choices in any given situation.
    …. research has discovered that there are unusually large differences in behavior related to matters such as media use, profanity, gambling, alcohol use, honesty, civility, and sexual choices.
    …. studies have also pointed out that a person’s worldview is primarily shaped and is firmly in place by the time someone reaches the age of 13; it is refined through experience during the teen and early adult years; and then it is passed on to others during their adult life. Such studies underscore the necessity of parents and other influencers being intentional in how they help develop the worldview of children.”

    This from Piper’s article:
    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/16/church-leaders-sell-their-souls-to-the-democratic-/fbclid=IwAR3N2wT5jZYma9aGyH_pO_ECUVdHwZihetoc5NoWwiVAlEZWLPs3flarW_o

    “”Over the past couple of months, while the world has been distracted by all-things-COVID-19, a very important bit of news slipped under our radar and went virtually unnoticed. The contemporary church sold its soul to the Devil for a pot of political porridge.

    Consider the evidence.

    This past January, the Christian Research Center of Arizona Christian University surveyed 2,000 adults in the United States from four major religious groups: Evangelicals, Pentecostals and charismatics, mainline Protestants and Catholics.

    In this survey, respondents were asked about their views on 51 topics, including marriage, absolute truth, the sanctity of human life and the authority of the Bible.

    While there were notable differences among the four Christian traditions ( Evangelical, Main Stream Protestant, Catholic) , “The most startling realization,” said research director George Barna, was “how many people from evangelical churches are adopting unbiblical beliefs.”

    Mr. Barna goes further to clarify his concern.

    According to his research, 52 percent of evangelicals now say they do not believe in objective moral truth or that the Bible is inerrant and trustworthy in all its content. Seventy-five percent believe that people are basically good instead of basically sinful. Forty-three percent believe Jesus sinned during his time on earth. Fifty-eight percent believe that the Holy Spirit is merely a symbol rather than a person. And a majority of respondents do not believe in the exclusivity of the Christian faith.

    Other findings from the survey include that 44 percent of evangelicals believe the Bible’s teachings on abortion are ambiguous, 40 percent do not believe human life is sacred, 34 percent do not believe marriage is between one man and one woman and 43 percent do not think that God has a unified purpose for all people.

    Yes, this political season has shined a spotlight on some very ugly facts concerning America’s heart and soul, and among them is this — Christianity in the United States is now in the midst of great reversal of its Great Awakening.

    Under the banner of being “woke,” the church is now being “de-formed” rather than reformed. Two thousand years of ecclesial teaching is now being dumbed down and redefined, and those charged to be the guardians of orthodoxy now appear to be the very ones who have unlocked the door to rampant heresy. Today’s Evangelical leaders are no longer known for imparting the good news of the euangelion but rather for being hell-bent on selling-out the Gospel and its creeds all for the sake of the thin gruel of political popularity and being culturally in vogue. ”

    These are some very startling statistics. Here are the links to the research results:

    Overview

    Click to access CRC-AWVI-2020-Release_01-Worldview-in-America.pdf

    What Catholics Believe

    Click to access CRC_AWVI2020_Release11_Digital_04_20201006.pdf

    How 2020 Election will be Impacted by Worldview

    Click to access AWVI-2020-Release-09-Worldview-and-Political-Beliefs.pdf

    (If you don’t read anything else about the impact of worldview on America read this one. We are looking at a long road ahead regardless of who prevails two weeks from now.)

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Absolutely agree with your closing line in parentheses, Ed. How blessed are we with SO much wood to chop that Our Lord and Our Lady remain active in the great crumbling and the even greater rebuilding

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Sad and true, STE!

      This morning I called the village and then our County Clerk and finally ended up speaking with the Chief of Staff to clarify what accommodations are being given for mask-free *in-person* voting. The gentleman I spoke to, indicated at one point that “we all have our own common sense.” I firmly believe folks lack moral courage and would suggest otherwise. Some people espouse common sense, while others are content to parrot the more prevalent common non-sense. My guess is that most people know better.

      Lord have mercy and impart in us the grace of holy fortitude and perseverance. ❤

      Liked by 4 people

      2. Did you ever get recruited for wood-chopping detail when you were a kid?

        A dad, or a grandad… or a mom (and even a granny in my case) got all the kids together, organized the crew, laid down rules of engagement with an ax and some wood, and the whole range of everything from mayhem to actual productivity ensued.

        Ever chop wood for money as a seasonal job/odd job in your teens? How much gratitude we owe the mentors once we found ourselves in such a spot. Heck, there may even be folks here who work as professional lumberjacks as we speak. What a beautiful thing to see a crew of wood choppers, whether first time youngin’s or seasoned pros!

        Took a peak at the user metrics regarding CJ’s CORAC initiative over at corac.co and won’t bore anyone with the analysis other than to say GET OVER THERE AND SIGN UP!

        https://corac.co/join/

        That’s not to say that there hasn’t been a great response so far, tech glitches and all, as the country is suddenly crawling with eager wood choppers. Just to say, WHAT ARE THE REST OF YOU WAITING FOR!? Too young? Too old? Too shy? Too bossy? Too busy? Too used to taking and not giving? Doesn’t matter what’s been the case up to this point.

        There’s the wood and and ax with YOUR name on it… and we’re not even really talking about chopping wood here. Yes, that means whatever you have to give is a real thing of beauty, unless of course you’re going to keep it under a bushel basket.

        Liked by 3 people

          1. Should have said that sign-ups “peaked” on 10/10 at 166 wood choppers for that day alone, whereas I took a “peek” at the inner workings and hidden mechanisms of corac.co. That confessed, a silly typo should not be an excuse for anyone to not sign up. Also, never let a good “bing” go to waste.

            Liked by 2 people

          1. When I signed up, the confirmation went to a promotions folder. You may have to dig around for it. Still some quirks with the system, but it’s smoothing out.

            Like

                1. So we must have a confirmation email to be correctly signed-up? Hmmm, I wonder if it is an outlook-based email glitch, or a brave browser glitch…

                  Like

                2. Your confirmation email would be the “sign” that the sign up was successful, Littlelight. I just scrolled through the members list and if you’re using this screen name over there, you’re not on the roll. If you’re using your first name, it’s possible that that member may be you.

                  Like

                3. Littlelight, I got an e-mail from “Corps of Renewal and Charity.” The subject line reads, “Thanks for joining the Corps [my first name].”

                  Liked by 1 person

          2. I checked and noticed you submitted the Volunteer form just fine. Auto-replies go out on those, so you may have something in your mail server that is blocking it. At any rate, regional coordinators get a heads up on sign ups with the onus on them to reach out and connect. I did not see that you registered on the community forum. Filling out he volunteer form does not automatically register people on the forum. You have to register separately for that forum and use login credentials.

            Liked by 1 person

              1. As backup, I just manually sent out separate email blasts to folks who submitted the volunteer form AND folks who submitted the form to get news & updates. Within a few short minutes, I can see a successful delivery rate of 95.77%. Unsuccessful delivery is due to several factors, not the least of which might be that a person provided a bad email address (typo or otherwise). Also, I can see the real time email open rate ascending with 12.2% and 5.5% almost immediately, so I know folks are getting these emails (including the auto-emails).

                Liked by 2 people

                1. I should note that I only blasted the folks who completed the forms on the new CORAC website. Not the ones who had previously signed-up via sending emails to Charlie.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  1. Update to my update: successful delivery rate crept up to nearly 100% leaving only 2 undelivered. Could be someone’s mail server is slow, or could just be a bad email. I still receive those emails in the “promotional folder” of a gmail account, because I keep my incoming settings pretty tight.

                    Like

                    1. Update to my string of updates: 100% those emails were delivered. 0% bounce rate. That, all in a matter of about 45 minutes, so everything working on this end.

                      Liked by 2 people

                    1. Prayers please for wife in hospital just now with heart and valley fever respiratory issues. Can’t even go see her because of this COVID stuff. We slog on…

                      Like

                    2. Oh MP. Prayers rising right now for your dear wife. Father and I have a private Mass planned for the early morning, so your wife and all in your family will be on the altar as we speak your names in prayer.

                      Liked by 2 people

                2. Hallelujah! I got my confirmation email this morning. I formally signed up a while back. Glitches, man…they take a little time and effort to overcome. But I was glad to see the note from me welcoming me to the organization.

                  Liked by 2 people

                    2. Ha! I often mutter and talk to myself when I am busy. When anyone tells me that is okay as long as I don’t answer myself, I tell them why would I want to stop doing that? I get some of the best advice I know from me. Now I can do it online, too. What’s not to like? Tell me thanks for letting me know!

                      Liked by 2 people

                    3. Ha! I emailed me a reminder to thank you for keeping you informed of your automated thank you email. Wait… did I forget to cc someone? Or maybe that should have been a bcc.

                      Like

                    4. Gosh, Charlie, does your priest scratch his head hearing your confession, as you talk about Charlie Uno and Dos, or does he just avoid going there and declares, “Double the penance as usual, CJ”, to cover all bases? 🙂

                      Liked by 1 person

                  3. It must be the sign of something big coming our way! Another sign has been the emptying of nearly 200 pieces of spam at this site this morning.

                    Like

            2. TY, MP. I think I did both, but I will double-check. I just got confirmation in my outlook-based email acct, so this is most excellent.

              Like

        3. MP, you are a storytelling, analogical, and metaphorical master.

          To everybody who has not yet signed up at CORAC: please heed MP’s exhortation and accept his invitation. We need you, whether you have 10,000 talents or a widow’s mite. Please join us, and may God richly reward you.

          Liked by 1 person

  27. JESUS = GOOD NEWS! – 🙂

    It’s Right & Good to see, finally, some Proof of DC Swamp Deep State Corruption & Worse … but … I’ll say again! Very Rich, Powerful and Evil Criminals will NOT surrender without a Big Fight!
    The Chinese Communist Party/PLA (& International USA Hating Ilk) are NOT going to allow Trump/Deplorables to upset their long planned “Operations’ without a Big Fight?
    The Above have countless radical useful idiots and “True-Believers” in the USA (EU) to do their bidding ……… including in The Church ;-( …. Stand Ready!!

    https://www.crisismagazine.com/2020/revolt-of-the-one-percent

    https://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-let-justice-rain-down?mc_cid=4f63522a8a&mc_eid=2a0b6c7ef6

    Becciu needs to be extradited to Australia to answer some serious questions!! The Vatican has a sad history of cover-up …. especially when it comes to Criminal &/or Pervert Bigs ;-(
    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-finances-cardinal-angelo-becciu-vigorously-denies-interference-in-cardinal-george-pell-trial-42514

    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/10/19/farage-on-london-church-attack-we-are-a-christian-country-and-our-culture-is-under-assault/

    What is it with young USA women & The Radical Left BLM/ANTIFA? ….. Radicalized by Academia ….. obsesses by Abortion?? …. Demonic Forces?/
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/10/73-year-old-vietnam-veteran-assaulted-unhinged-liberal-lunatic-holding-veterans-trump-sign/

    https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/10/the-brownshirts-are-back.php

    https://www.bizpacreview.com/2020/10/17/university-hosts-12-step-recovery-program-for-whiteness-985846

    It’s gonna be Info/Article Overload …….. till Christmas … Beyond…!?!?!
    https://www.americanthinker.com/
    https://spectator.org/
    https://amgreatness.com/
    https://pjmedia.com/
    https://newsbusters.org/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Just watched “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing–part 2–the gender agenda”. Wow! It outlines how we have gotten to this point. I had no idea the agenda was in place in the 1800’s. It is truly chilling.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. I viewed the debut of this documentary on EWTN, Kim. It brought to mind for me the writing of Rod Dreher concerning “Uncle Ted’s Family” (Theodore McCarrick) which referred to those priests and prelates who fell into the swirl of homosexuality, going back to Cardinal Spellman of New York. I remember black and white TV with my maternal grandmother as we watched the Cardinal. My Nanny was so enamored by him. Born in 1889, he was actively homosexual, along with many clerics, in the early to later 20th century. The lies of the gender agenda have tormented too many.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. The evil is so mind blowing. To hear about the horrible corruption of Kinsey and the others! I need to watch it again and take notes. It is hard to absorb. Kind of like the parallel in the Church. But it’s such a positive that they dark ugliness is being uncovered.

          Liked by 2 people

    2. CD, your question about “what is it with young USA women and the radical left” echoes what my husband says when he watches some of the news. He claims, only half jokingly, that women are ruining the country. It’s b/c the lamestream media only shows the bad eggs.

      However, I had an insight long ago that the evil one had repeated the Garden of Eden technique. He has gone after the women. See what they fight for now – abortion, etc. Of course there are plenty of deceived men also! And there are plenty of us good “guys” (gals)!

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Wow – that makes so much sense. Every time I watched President Trump take questions from the young female reporters, I would end up asking my husband if he thinks the mothers of those rude, disrespectful women are proud of their daughters. The hate and vitriol that came out of their mouths was very disheartening.

        Liked by 2 people

  29. Watch Ep 445 of Steve Bannon’s War Room: Pandemic. Hunter Biden’s laptop exposes all the depravity, greed, and selling out of America to the CCP. The CCP has Joe Biden lock stock and barrel.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. It is not just China! Quid Pro Quo Joe is all over the world when the price is right. In the meantime, Trump works for zero dollars, tried to prove Joe did corrupt things in the Ukraine, and he was impeached for it!

      Liked by 2 people

  30. Need a laugh? How to give a cat a pill. (since quite a few of CORACers are cat owners)
    1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
    2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in
    left arm and repeat process.
    3) Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
    4) Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear
    paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
    5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
    6) Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.
    7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.
    Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
    8) Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill inside end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
    9) Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
    10) Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
    11) Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
    12) Call fire brigade to retrieve the cat from tree across
    the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
    13) Tie the front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak filet. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
    14) Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the
    emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and remove pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
    15) Go back to the vet and doc will do it in a second.
    HOW TO GIVE A DOG A PILL:
    1) Wrap it in cheese.

    Liked by 5 people

    3. My family had a cat years ago.

      The cat knew we all loved him so he trusted us when he had to take a pill … It pretty much involved coating the pill in vegetable oil, holding the cat steady, prying the pill into the cat’s closed mouth, then holding the mouth shut and saying “Swallow it” until the cat swallowed the pill.

      Now giving the cat a medicinal bath was another story. I did that only once. I prepared by dressing in a thick winter coat and wearing a winter hat and gloves. What I did not prepare for was the cat walking up my head with its claws out. Never again. The cat was not trying to purposely hurt me, he just wanted to escape. Somehow I did not get badly hurt.

      Somewhere (to stay on topic) there must be a lesson in discernment here …

      Liked by 4 people

  31. Some good points made there Charlie…

    To be quite honest Charlie, despite the obvious of the left using Covid 19 to control everything & everyone, I’m not sure what is true or false in the mountains of contradictory information on it.

    I’ve been through mountains of information, historical, phrophecies, events & trends; there’s no clear picture how events will evolve. All I can do is state the obvious, sometimes it’s the elephant in the room eveyone has been ignoring… There’s definitely a lot of misleading information out there created by those who serve freemasonry, atheism, socialism, occult & the devil; find anyone of these in the mix and their claims are not trustworthy.

    I’m still here Charlie not because of your “accuracy” on matters, but because of your cautious & sane approach to proceeding in these times.

    Liked by 5 people

  33. Hmm… I’m sorry to hear that Taylor Marshall has lost your esteem. He is one of the few voices I trust these days. I’d be interested to hear more about your skepticism, since I think Marshall’s”Infiltration” is an extremely important book.

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    1. Well, I used to think Dr. Marshall a very solid and insightful guy – and I hope that one day I will think so again. As I mentioned, I started seeing some things that were red flags to me a few years ago. His book, Infiltration, though, was when I was convinced he had gone completely off the rails. It is ahistorical and reminded me of some of the overheated rants I used to get from all sorts of groups when I got a little prominent in Chicago media. Though it was more harshly blunt than I would have been, I laughed out loud when I read Dr. Jeff Mirus’ review of the book – for it is largely what I had thought of it as I realized, in sorrow, that we have lost Marshall for at least a time.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Charlie– do you think Vigano is going off the rails, too? He has been so outspoken about Vatican II (that it was a big mistake?)and Pope Francis ( that he is destroying the Church). But were it not for him, the McCarrick filth would not have come to light.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Kim, I believe Vigano’s voice and input has been essential to get a picture of so many things that otherwise would have remained hidden.

          It’ll be interesting to hear from you on this question, Charlie. I’m concerned that Vigano – and many orthodox Catholics – are veering into territory that is dangerous by questioning and – positing that they’re problematic – the documents of Vatican II. It brings to mind a spew of demons, seen by a dear friend, one year at Christmas time. It was shown that the very pious would be targeted by this demonic charge.

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        2. No, I do not, Kim. I disagree with some of his conclusions, but I do not see him going off on some fantastical comprehensive narrative that explains everything. I guess one of the things that bothers me about things like the Marshall book is that, temperamentally, I reflexively reject large-scale explanations that posit that all of us are poor, innocent bystanders of this grand over-arching conspiracy by the bad guys. We bear serious responsibility – and any explanation that suggests that all the dysfunction is from the “others” and that we are just poor victims is repugnant to me. One of the things most deeply drilled into my core is that, when it comes to determining who killed Christ, the first step is to acknowledge that I am among the killers.

          I think Abp. Vigano’s grief has led him to some conclusions that I disagree with, but that is all. And he remains a critically important source of our knowledge of much of the dysfunction. Disagreeing with the judgment of someone who takes care to get his facts right does not bother me – nor lessen my respect for that one.

          Years ago I was asked by a serious fellow what I thought of the late exorcist, Malachi Martin. I remarked that I thought he was brilliant, but that like so many who have been in actual combat on the field with the devil, he bore battle scars that sometimes impaired his judgment. He was neither to be treated as infallible, nor should he ever be dismissed. I feel somewhat the same way about the admirable Abp. Vigano – a great man who bears some of the scars of battle. It affects his judgment, but has not unhinged it. I admire Abp. Vigano.

          Liked by 2 people

  34. Great advise Charlie. I have to sharpen my thought process and mental tools to keep the right approach to people, advise, articles etc. As we know the devil is the details in talk word and deed.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. If the great saints struggled with the devil’s deceptions, what hope do the rest of us have who are their lessers & inferiors? I admit I’m in over my head some days, when I’m up against people like these:

    “Humanists can show more moral fortitude than many religious. I lean towards Spinoza’s philosophic on God.”

    “The choices seem to be care for one another but not have a religion or hate others and call yourself religious – Jesus must be embarrassed for us.”

    “So if someone commited atrocities like the Inquisition in the name of Christianity then Christianity as a way of thinking must be wrong. Communism is based on the ideas that an individual has a duty to care for others – horrible people have seized on the movement to subjugate powerless people. The same has happened with capitalism or any other political idea. In fact feeding the poor and clothing the naked sounds more like the communist ideal than capitalist.”

    These kinds of statements from people who claim to be Catholic & have a higher education…

    I can relate a little with you on these people who think theu know-it-all Charlie, but the big difference is you’re a lot more competent at dealing with people like these than what I’ll ever be.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah but, Al, God’s Grace is sufficient for each one of us. When He marks out our path and we go the way He nudges us to walk, He never ever leaves us over our heads. The truth that the best way is the ordinary way, the little way, the way of doing the little we can right before us becomes sweeter by the day. Besides, where sin abounds, God abounds all the more.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Easier to say, than figure out some days… The whole point of me mentioning the stuff above is give a rough idea on some of the people I encounter, sometimes I wonder if the encounters are just to wake me up to the depraved state of society & the Church, as any attempt to reason is met with a vast wall of justified denials.

        Perhaps the best any of us can do is testify to the truth and move on leaving the rest to God, as God accomplishes things in his time.

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      2. Contemplating on what the “little way” means, we have such a disconnect on the wisdom of the saints, as society drills into us fast paced & result driven mindset, I suppose that’s the reason & point why the devil made our modern lives like this.

        The “little way” I suppose is to do the best with what we have on hand at the moment to aknowledge God and leave the rest for God, as results, victory, success, and ego are the traps the devil sets to make us reach beyond what God wills. Just do what you can, and leave the rest to God. Nothing more, nothing less, the glory is God’s not ours.

        Is that it? Or am I still missing something?

        Like

          2. St. Therese of Lisieux made a good point here:
            “I understood that the Church being a body composed of different members, the most essential, the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her; I understood that the Church has a heart and that this heart is burning with love; that it is love alone which makes the members work, that if love were to die away apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that love comprises all vocations, that love is everything, that it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal!”
            The presence of anti-Church inside the Church has made the Church disabled & sick, leftist ideologies (like abortion & assisted suicide) are absent of Love that brings God’s light into the world.

            Liked by 1 person

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.