Fragmentary Thoughts From the Great Divide

Posted on by charliej373
St. John Paul in Poland

By Charlie Johnston

It has been revealed that the FBI knew in advance of the Washington protest on Jan. 6 that some people were planning ahead to commit actual violence. That is despicable. Anyone who plotted violence is a criminal who should be arrested. If they are from the right, they should be arrested. If they are leftists, they should be arrested. If law enforcement officials and Congressional leaders knew, they should have acted and taken security precautions to protect both the Capitol building and the massive number of peaceful protestors who showed up.

I was – and remain – angry that a double standard applies to left-wing and right-wing protests. After watching Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and every talking head on the left assure us that antifa and BLM riots that involved mayhem, arson, looting, and murder are “mostly peaceful;” that public employee unions’ take-over of the Wisconsin capitol a few years back was righteous; that the storming of the Supreme Court after Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation two years ago was to be admired; and that the invasion of the Senate Office building and subsequent assault on Republican Senators was a reasonable expression of free speech; I am in no mood to hear from the same people that a truly peaceful protest in which a tiny slice of people got notably raucous is the worst thing ever and actual insurrection. The fraudulent left uses the unhinged reactions of a tiny few on the right to try to purge, censor and cancel everyone on the right – while lionizing the actually violent behavior of their own base. And now it turns out that the most prominent instigators of violence at the Capitol were from the left – and included a reporter from CNN.

I am thankful and glad that none of our people from CORAC were inside the Capitol. We will resist the coup against our system of government steadfastly, but there is no room for violence (other than legitimate self-defense when assaulted) in our ranks. That would defeat our purpose.

*********

Some have advised me not to say that ours is become an illegitimate government, lest I be arrested. I will not stop saying that unless there is a full and transparent investigation of the mountains of fraud. Even so, I do not advocate the overthrow of the existing order. Rather, I advocate treating it with the active resistance and contempt which it has earned for itself. Planned violence is an offense, both unnecessary and counter to our mission to act under God.

The left lusts after power like a slavering dog lusts after a piece of fresh meat. But when it comes to taking responsibility, the left is as baffled as the dog who just caught the car he was chasing. They are, even now, imploding of their own accord. My counsel when an opponent is imploding has always been to take care not to get in their way.

After banning President Trump a week ago, Twitter and Facebook have lost $51 billion in their stock value. That’s billion, not million. Who are they destroying? They are inconveniencing us, but destroying themselves. Yes, they all colluded to shut down Parler, Twitter’s hard-charging competition – but were only able to do so because Parler was on Amazon’s servers. Parler will be back, along with a whole host of other social media sites, such as MeWe and Clouthub. Twitter, Facebook and Amazon are like Detroit – a once-proud city that quickly went to pot when it sought to control everyone’s life. It is inconvenient, but people are moving out of these increasingly seedy online neighborhoods.

The dominance of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Amazon is an illusion – as real as a soap bubble on a sunny afternoon, but almost as transient. You see, the Internet is a leaky thing. Scores of techies are working right now on building their own sources from servers that are not controlled by the tech giants. Facebook, for example, is convenient because it is where everyone already is. But the tech giants are learning that even the trendiest spot in town can die quickly when it starts abusing its patrons. The trouble for newer upshoots is that not everyone is there yet, so they are not yet convenient or familiar to everyone. The death knell for Facebook will be when some techie somewhere discovers a method of connecting people across sites. Just because you use Verizon doesn’t mean you can only call other people who are on Verizon. You can call anyone who has a phone number. When the enterprising techie discovers the means to help anyone on a particular social media site find and interact with anyone on any social media site, Facebook will be humbled. In the 60’s and 70’s, IBM was the unshakeable giant in computing. It told its customers what they would do. Then it collapsed. It may survive two decades of continuous financial bleeding, but only because it is working to do what appeals to its customers now. No one “owns” the internet. Some agencies control access to popular portions of it, but even in repressive China, enterprising and brave types find means around such control – because the internet is actually just a web of electronic connections. When one path is closed, another less traveled path is available. All the tech giants are doing is giving a lot of people the motive to migrate to less-traveled paths.

At this site, we have been prepared for several years for a forced migration. If it comes, it will be inconvenient for us, but we will not be going away. For a provider that kicks you off solely because of ideological or religious content, though, it is another step in its own self-immolation.

*********

Apparently, I am now the king of white supremacists. At least that is what a raft of emails and messages have been telling me these last few days – and that the gathering at the Capitol Mall was a giant white supremacy rally. If that is the case, the supremacists on the Ellipse were really not clear on the concept. What it most resembled was a tailgate party. There were a lot of blacks there, a huge number of Chinese-Americans, and a smattering of Mexican Americans, all laughing, joking and cheering together. Ricky Rebel, the gay entertainer who did the MAGA song to the tune of YMCA was there, attracting a big crowd and lots of cheers.

A hundred years ago, there were some genuine intellectuals on the left. Now all they have is pseudo-intellectuals, folks with a lot of attitude but mediocre intellects. They try to intimidate people by gaslighting them, but they are most successful in gaslighting themselves. They work themselves up into a lather until they actually believe the smears and slanders they lob at us. That is not strength; it is weakness. I always told researchers that I wanted sound, well-sourced information. You can still make bad decisions with good information, but it is almost impossible to make good decisions with bad information. The left intentionally deprives itself of good information. Most of them have failed to gain any notable accomplishments in normal life. This is intolerable to their preening sense of superiority. Their leftism is fundamentally a desperate effort to change the narrative in a way to make themselves the hero of their own story. To be a hero, they must have an archenemy – and who better than those who disagree with their narrative. So, they impute their own level of hatred and anger onto that archenemy – people who, upon examination, turn out to be folks who don’t care what the left does but just wants to be left alone. Oh, and to be heroes, they have to have victims to rescue. They light on poor, benighted minorities, people who they think are too stupid, lazy and irresponsible to make it without their hero saviors. It is, of course, racist drivel – but the left desperately needs its racist drivel to sustain its illusion of heroic superiority. It is ironic that the modern left views minorities almost identically to the way slave-owners viewed blacks. All that is different is the method of exploitation. It is all a giant game of “let’s pretend,” with rage rants directed at anyone who won’t pretend along with them.

The last prominent Democrat I know of who was not economically illiterate was Bill Clinton. I dislike him for a host of other reasons, but he did actually have a clue about how an economy works. When he had to take action to protect the economy in ways his base hated, he had a sly way of blaming Republicans for it. It is one of the few skills I respected in him. In the big picture, Democrats actually do think money is a creation of the government – and if they seize control of all the levers of production, they get to decide who wealth will trickle down to. What they call “trickle-down” economics is market economics – a free people freely able to risk their talent and capital to create new goods and services and find a market for them. This is actually “bubble-up” economics; it bubbles up from the free creative capacity of the whole people of a nation – and has been shown to be the only stable, reliable source of wealth production and freedom in history. But the left can’t control it, so they won’t have it. That is why they always give us desperately impoverished hellholes – and then enact draconian measures of control to maintain power over the hellholes they create.

*********

Over the next six months, I expect to see substantial economic disruption internally and aggressive action externally by the two greatest enemies of Western Civilization – China and Radical Islam. Fortunately, I do not expect many, if any, foreign attacks on our soil. The last thing our more formidable enemies want is to risk creating real unity (rather than the forced submission the left calls unity) in America. Rather, they will take advantage of our impotence. I expect to see great outrages and even invasions in big pockets of Europe, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea in the coming year. The left is about to preside over the dismantling of the modern system of bureaucratic U.S. Government by their ineptness.

The left will busy itself playing “let’s pretend” that there are multiple genders other than male and female, that wealth is a creation of government to do with as it will, that wishing a happy thing in foreign policy is the same thing as accomplishing it, that a new virus that is innocuous to most but deadly to a small but identifiable segment of the population is the greatest scourge in history – and a great means of revoking Constitutional liberty. It will be far too busy to actually deal with real problems and great threats – and it will all slip away from them.

Our job is fourfold: to defend the truth of faith, family and freedom; to give heart to patriots who are disheartened by the massive dysfunction growing around them; to resist those depredations that the control freaks in our institutions try to visit on us; and to assemble the cultural ambulances that will enable us to pick up the pieces and build anew a healthy culture under God. I know many are frightened and with good reason – for the times ahead are frightening. But we are called to be heralds of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. We can’t do that if we are initiating violence rather than defending against it. Our hope is in the Lord.

We are in this mess because we divorced ourselves from the Lord, failing to effectively defend His truth when it has been under sustained assault. The left has divorced itself from reality, believing that with enough force and coercion it can make its illusions into a reality. Though I demand that our people divorce themselves from any thought of offensive violence, I know that when the peaceful means of making your voice heard are forcibly suppressed, people make their voices heard through more forceful means. I know that any instigation of violence by people who are otherwise on our side simply delays the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. I find myself thinking a lot about what the least bloody path forward will be. I have become a budding enthusiast for secession. It will help give everyone a place to go that is amenable to them – and will show dramatically which policies bring life and which bring death. I do not see it as a long-term solution, but a short-term firewall as America descends into madness.

I do believe, however unpopular that belief may be, that the American Republic is dead. I have no doubt that our country will rise anew from the ashes. What it becomes may be very similar to the system under which it thrived for two centuries. It may be very different. Leftist poseurs have tried to make themselves into absolute kings. The only king we can thrive under is Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. The king is dead; long live the King.

*********

One of the bright sides of the growing dysfunction is that, over the next six months, I expect a good chunk of religious leaders to come back to the fold, to start prioritizing the defense of the faith and the faithful again. I expect this to happen because they will find that, no matter how much they grovel and plead, the left is coming for them anyway. The left did learn an important lesson from St. John Paul II, who won the Cold War without firing a shot: that orthodox faith is the most powerful potential opponent in the world to the depredations they would visit on us.

Let us call on the intercession of St. John Paul throughout these storms and upheavals, that we may be ever true to the Lord who sustains us.

333 thoughts on “Fragmentary Thoughts From the Great Divide”

  1. Man, are we ever in the rapids. Fast and furious at every turn. It’s like you can barely wrap your head around one event or change and here comes another. So appreciate your research and analysis, Charlie. Especially pondering the fourfold job before us…

    Be not afraid!

    Liked by 13 people

    1. Oh Beckita soooo beautiful!!! You know, last March (April?) when the churches were open but masses were canceled my two consolations during that time were 1) just going to church and sitting 🪑 and praying in that big ole empty church and 2) blasting my 💿 cd, “Abba Pater,” which includes his “Be not afraid,” speech to song! He surely was a prophet and I’m sure a great intercessor today! I’m glad Charlie reminded us to pray to him! 🥰

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Me, too, HttP. He became pope when I was 10, so he was the only pope I ever knew. I can’t even think about his funeral without choking up; and as much as I love and respect B-XVI, I have sort of felt like an orphan since JPII died.

        Liked by 6 people

          5. Yippee! Congratulations, HttP! 🙂

            Have you bought an HT yet? If not, may I suggest the Yaesu FT-60R. Turns out that the FT-65R (which you mentioned to me when we talked) doesn’t appear to have a way to run it if your battery dies an you’re unable to charge it, whereas the Ft-60R has a battery case (which must be ordered separately from the radio) that holds 6 AA batteries for powering the radio.

            Liked by 2 people

      4. I’m retired, Linda, Mick and Juls. Consequently I’m generally able to focus on Charlie’s article, then continue on through all the comments in one go. It’s a bit like ordering a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Large Fries and a Cherry Pie for desert. Eat ’em all in one giant pig-out! Boy, I miss going out for meals, don’t you?

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Yes, I do miss being out and about among others. It seems that our lives became so fast paced and divided along so many lines, by design, that even when we had the freedom and opportunity to be with together, we took one another for granted. At times, we do not appreciate what we have, until it gone. Sigh.

          Liked by 3 people

        2. When this first started happening, we missed being able to go out to eat. Now, when we do pop in and eat our bellies aren’t too happy. Goes to show home cooked is better for our health. Today we decided to have one meal at the table with all of the trimmings to make is “special”. We are retired too and seem to gravitate to our own chairs to eat. Good grief, we used to eat all of the time at the table when the kids were home.

          Liked by 7 people

        4. No doubt, Dave. I just came back from a quick trip to the grocery store in our little town of 1,800. I drove down Main Street, and I could’ve fired a cannon and not have hit a car or a person at 8:45 pm. I drove by two restaurants that were closed… I wonder if they’ll ever open again.

          Liked by 2 people

  3. Dennis Prager also advocates for secession. In case you can’t post the link, it’s a video at the Epoch Times site. A couple quotes:

    “You don’t judge a group by its fools. You judge a group by how it reacts to its fools… Our side is far more moral than their side and the proof is in our reaction to our bad guys v. their reaction to their bad guys.”

    “The left suppresses liberty everywhere they take power – there are no exceptions.”

    “Everything the left touches it ruins. Art, music, schools, sports, late night television, everything. It is a tsunami of destruction.”

    “If for 3 generations you teach people that this is not the land of the free or the home of the brave, you get people who do not value freedom and who are not brave.”

    https://www.theepochtimes.com/video-dennis-prager-this-is-the-reichstag-fire-relived_3657503.html

    Liked by 13 people

  4. Excellent piece, Charlie!!! It’s so chock full of 🥜 🌰 nuts I’m gonna have to be like a squirrel 🐿 and get nibbling!!! 😝 hahahahaha

    I really like this thought!!! I LOVE St John Paul II and I LOVE the thought that the Lord sustains us!!! Something to truly meditate on for hours!🤗🐶🌰🥜🐿🙏☝️

    “Let us call on the intercession of St. John Paul throughout these storms and upheavals, that we may be ever true to the Lord who sustains us.” CJ

    Liked by 4 people

  5. Thank-you, Charlie!
    “Our job is fourfold: to defend the truth of faith, family and freedom; to give heart to patriots who are disheartened by the massive dysfunction growing around them; to resist those depredations that the control freaks in our institutions try to visit on us; and to assemble the cultural ambulances that will enable us to pick up the pieces and build anew a healthy culture under God.”
    And thank-you, Beckita for this video. 💙 I hope I/we have courage in the face of adversity.

    Ongoing prayers and
    God bless us, everyone, katey

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Each day I go to Our Lady – as she invited St. Catherine Laboure to do – and ask for the graces I need, that day, to do whatever He tells me to do. From Our Mother, then, graces of courage will come. 🙂

      Liked by 9 people

      2. Beckita, I’d like to make this a daily practice, too. Is there a particular, formal prayer that you say, or do you simply “freestyle”? 🙂

        Liked by 4 people

      3. Beckita, I also love to do this practice. I picture what has been described as graces flowing from each of Mama’s fingers, flowing down to all of us in my family. How could I survive without her?!

        Liked by 4 people

  8. Another good one Charlie, Thank you!!!
    Especially:
    “Planned violence is an offense, both unnecessary and counter to our mission to act under God.”
    and
    “They are, even now, imploding of their own accord. My counsel when an opponent is imploding has always been to take care not to get in their way.”

    Liked by 7 people

  10. Dear Charlie and CORAC family.

    Wowza, Charlie I have loved your cowboy wit and wisdom from the moment I found the blog of you walking (like a nut) across the USA. Always a great mix of deep holy insights and ideas, forged in your furnace of prayer and love of Christ and years of clinical experience from the political reporting fields. plus a great mix of joyful and cranky! (i never got why you are so moved to joy by squirrel stuff, but oh well-lol).

    But this post, this post! You described so well, simply, and economically yet also fully, my own heart that i was a bit flabbergasted! i had to read it again. Its fully how i have been lead to know through prayer. but i couldn’t in 10 years write so clearly, concisely and respectfully. Thank you brother!!!

    TY for this wisdom and guidance and your ongoing leadership. Pointing us always to Christ (Our Lady too) and keeping us motivated and moving to holy things and His way.

    With deep love and affection…r

    PS- TY you all also for the prayers for Kiron! they have/are working. her cross continues to be heavy but her peace, even joy , overwhelms her!😀💛🙏

    Liked by 17 people

      2. Actually that wasn’t the intent, Pawel. The “Chronicles of Narnia” introduces us early on to some beavers (which I roughly equate to our squirrels), but there’s only one Aslan, and we ain’t Him.

        I know it’s tough to catch up//keep up with the references here sometimes, which have run a gamut from C.S. Lewis to J.R.R. Tolkien to WWII to Star Trek to our own woodsy/folksy squirrels and well beyond.

        That said, I appreciate your imagination, just wanted to clarify the creative intent.

        Liked by 2 people

  12. When possible, after hearing the howling of the angry media, take time to be still with God, wait, until things settle a bit before attempting to discern what is really true and how we should respond. The screaming of the radical left generally only creates fear and confusion in too many and, usually obscures the real truth.

    Liked by 12 people

  13. We have been watching the old John Adams miniseries on HBO. I am thinking how much history repeats itself.

    As a child we were asked if you would die for your faith and all the kids said yes! I never actually thought I may have to do this in our land.

    What times we live in!

    God Bless.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Blessediam: Remember the stories of the Roman martyrs taught in grade school? I remember (smugly as I look back) walking home from school pondering them but thinking that could never happen here in this country.

      Liked by 3 people

  14. Always great words! I love the description of certain entities (especially the tech monopolies) imploding! For weeks I have been saying that I hope they go bankrupt. Saw today that twitter lost billions, as you said, Charlie. Maybe it’s harder for those of us who have lived longer, to imagine a drastically different country. The poor young people never knew what it was like 50 years ago, though it was far from perfect; it seemed like a healthier time at many levels. What we see today is truly surreal to me. The Triumph can’t come soon enough for me! Come Holy Spirit, bring your Spouse!

    Liked by 13 people

  15. It saddens me to know that so many have accused you of being a white supremacist. I am sure that the gals known as Diamond and Silk have been accused of being the worst possible version of the black community as well, just because they speak their minds as they honestly see things. Anyone who has been reading your writings for a long time knows who you are, Charlie, and that is most definitely not what the recent accusations claim. Such insults are not constructive. Rather they are meant to silence.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Diamond and Silk are white supremacists, too, don’tcha know. 😉

      It’s pretty ridiculous how the Left labels everybody who disagrees with them. But I firmly believe that ordinary people have stopped listening to and buying the racial bull pucky that the Left has been selling for so long. Ordinary people know in their hearts what racism looks like, and the January 6 DC rally wasn’t it. Ordinary people also know that the America that we loved and that no longer exists was not systemically racist.

      The Leftists who will run things for a time will try to impose racism on us (by demonizing white people, and by demonizing minorities who oppose the Leftist tripe). But if we heed Charlie’s advice and follow the lead of Our Lord and Our Lady, the Left will be vanquished; and we will become, as Charlie says, “the heralds of the Triumph.”

      So… Go, Team Squirrel! 🙂

      Liked by 9 people

    2. It you want to understand where the white supremacy baloney is coming from, look up the Epoch Times link to the James Lindsay interview called the New Leninism is Gripping America and the Epoch Times link to the article, Looking Through an Adversays Eyes, A KGB Agents Propehecy. You might also listen to anything Alveda King, a niece of Martin Luther King and the great Christian King family says.

      Liked by 3 people

  16. “Some have advised me not to say that ours is become an illegitimate government, lest I be arrested. I will not stop saying that unless there is a full and transparent investigation.”
    I want to go on record as agreeing with this quote. If any leftist goobers are watching what we say here, this is what I believe– just want you to know. And I’m proud of it– just sayin’.

    Liked by 11 people

    1. If you want an understanding of what is happening in government i.e “wokeness” and the apparent takeover by socialism and/or the MSM and social media then this is a must see. Dr James Lindsay of New Discourses is a author, mathematician and political commentator who has written 6 books spanning subjects including postmodern theory. If you see truth becoming evil and evil truth, if you don’t understand what is being said on MSM, this explains it.
      https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/video-a-new-leninism-is-gripping-america-james-lindsay_3659590.html
      https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/looking-through-an-adversays-eyes-a-kgb-agents-prophecy_3659634.html

      Liked by 2 people

  19. JESUS = GOOD NEWS..PM .. 😉

    https://sign.org/articles/the-christian-response-to-chaos-in-our-midst-205324?mc_cid=42b82d676b&mc_eid=29a202165e

    https://stream.org/11-questions-the-left-and-nevertrumpers-cant-answer-honestly/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2021/01/15/the-big-shift-continues-narrative-now-lockdowns-have-no-benefit/

    https://issuesinsights.com/2021/01/15/purging-maga-guarantees-no-gop-president-before-2037/

    https://nationalfile.com/texas-ag-ken-paxton-launches-investigation-into-big-tech-monopolies-demands-info-on-deplatforming-of-parler/

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/13/leftists-are-colonizing-red-towns-like-mine-and-local-republicans-are-clueless/

    https://www.wnd.com/2021/01/franklin-graham-10-republicans-voted-impeach-judas/

    https://pjmedia.com/columns/megan-fox/2021/01/14/systematic-racism-is-real-and-democrats-are-the-ones-engineering-it-n1386457

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 6 people

  20. Thank you, Charlie, for your wit and wisdom. Scary times certainly! Yes, the fraud needs to be thoroughly investigated. So sad to think that we may lose the country that I love so much. The possibility of secession is more and more attractive and I’ve wondered how that could work.

    God bless!

    Liked by 5 people

  21. OK. I’m asking for guidance. So much to take in. Our 40 Days for life in CA starts soon and I have always been on the front lines. We may be the first to be martyred. I’m ok with that as long as the “news” gets out. Should we have people out just to take videos or what?

    I’m hearing — we need to be silent and let the abomination run its course.

    So, should we continue to go out or wait?

    When it comes to family, let the consequences come and be prepared to assist?

    I know that there are no affirmative answers at this point. But I do pray for divine will everyday.

    I’m looking for “insight” by all the wonderful prayerful souls on this site to assist me.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Actually, SanSan, I have an idea for a massive pro-life demonstration that will be protected. I have to talk to a few people and make arrangements, but if I can get it agreed upon with a few folks, I expect to have it in May. Yes, we are being targeted now – but rather than hurt us so much, they’re trying to set us up and write us off as domestic terrorists. I have a plan for that. Pray that I get it all together.

      Liked by 20 people

      4. Praying for Our Lady of Tepeyac to assist your endeavors.
        In the meantime, boots on the ground for continued TNRS and giving hope in similar situations…

        Liked by 8 people

      5. Charlie, I’m grateful to hear that since the March for Life in D.C. has been cancelled. The Walk for Life West Coast “will” walk, but no rally this year.

        So, should we just proceed on Ash Wednesday with our 40 Days for Life? Many of the faithful who usually pray in front of PP are scared and probably won’t sign up.

        Liked by 3 people

          2. Too many apostate pastors and members of the flock with distorted thinking.

            Our Lady of Akita said:“The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them.”

            Her words are not about an end to God’s Mercy but a caution from the spiritual wisdom of the ages that the more entrenched in sin we are, the more darkened our intellect becomes, so much so that it is h.a.r.d. to extricate oneself from a life rooted in the serious sin of knowingly rejecting God’s Love. It seems, nothing short of this Storm, now, could draw an abundance of lost souls back to the Lord, thus, Aslan is on the move to reclaim the hearts of Abba’s people.

            Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

            Liked by 10 people

              1. I don’t think it’s a matter of praying harder, Linda. We simply stay the course. In peace and serenity, with faith, pray. In trust and hope engage in the prayer of doing. We do the little we can, with love, and God will do the heavy lifting.

                Liked by 5 people

          3. It appears to be a 2016 regurgitated article, SanSan. That alone speaks volumes to me not to mention, if it is *trending* on the Twit platform, 9 x out of 10 it is gaslighting gone amuck and a clue for me, at least, to disregard it. Many years ago, I cooperated with Dr. Brian Kiczek, aka The Rosary Doctor, and his delightful family to strategically “Storm” twitter with pro-life hashtags in order to trend worthy pro-life causes. That was done away with in short order when *they* suspended accounts for the appearance and suspicion of automated *bot* like behavior. LOL – I think at the time, I even used “not a bot” as part of my online moniker. *They* want us silenced and sadly out of the picture! Conversely, *they* have awoken a sleeping giant.

            Liked by 7 people

  23. Great encouragement, Charlie! Grateful for all here – what a respite from the bitter, angry, judgemental blowhards who demonize conservatives. The Democratic Congressional leaders have been hypocrites for years. They have outdone themselves in the last week. What I found even more disturbing was the way corporations and businesses have allowed themselves to be tools of the Radical Left. They have piled on and unjustly fired and punished people for just attending the rally in DC or expressing support for Trump. I had imagined that living in a dictatorship-led society would be like living among fellow citizens with nasty leadership. Not this. The dictator’s minions are all over the place! Even so – I take great comfort in JPII words spoken so deliberately – Be not afraid!

    Liked by 10 people

  24. I just finished reading all three volumes of The Navarro Report, documenting the various forms of election cheating in the 2020 election. They are well written, well documented, and well worth keeping on hand as we move through these days.

    You can download them from this site:

    https://navarroreport.com/

    Blessings, friends ~
    Sister Bear

    Liked by 13 people

    1. The strongest message in this film given by Karol (later to become JPII) to the Poles and to the world was “Love will always triumph over evil!” A great message for the challenges facing us today. jas

      Liked by 6 people

  28. ok, ok… just in case someone needs a smile/chuckle to end or begin your day…
    This is the most “clean” jokes I’ve seen in one place in a LONG time!!!
    I’ve always appreciated clean jokes, but they are usually hard to come by.

    1. There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. (Only a fraction of people will get this clean joke.)

    2. What do dentists call their x-rays?
    Tooth pics!

    3. Did you hear about the first restaurant to open on the moon?
    It had great food, but no atmosphere.

    4. What did one ocean say to the other ocean?
    Nothing, it just waved.

    5. Do you want to hear a construction joke?
    Sorry, I’m still working on it.

    6. Did you hear about the fire at the circus?
    It was in tents!

    7. What’s the difference between a hippo and a zippo?
    One is really big & heavy and the other’s a little lighter.

    8. What does a nosey pepper do?
    It gets jalapeño business.

    9. Why should you never trust stairs?
    They’re always up to something.

    10. When does a joke become a ‘dad’ joke?
    When it becomes apparent.

    12. Why did the bullet end up losing his job?
    He got fired.

    13. I entered ten puns in a contest to see which would win.
    No pun in ten did.

    14. How do you measure a snake?
    In inches—they don’t have feet.

    15. Where does a waitress with only one leg work?
    IHOP.

    16. What did the Stomach say to the Belch?
    If you’re quiet, I’ll let you out the back way.
    (Note: Beware, Belches don’t always keep their word)

    Liked by 13 people

    5. Kenvinmal: Thanks for the reprieve from all the seriousness. It brought back a lovey memory. Years ago my son’s Catholic grade school hosted a “talent show” performed by its students. My son and his 3 friends were in second grade and wanted to do tell jokes. They reversed like crazy, each had four jokes to memorize. The jokes were like the ones you posted. There costume was a simple dad’s tie around each of their necks on top of a sweat shirt and a baseball cap. Between the silly jokes (they didn’t flub even one joked even waited for the laughter to subside before telling the next joke), the outfits and their age (about 7 to 8 years old), the entire audience including priests, nuns, teachers and parents were doubled over in uproarious laughter. Ahhhh! for so much more innocent times!

      Liked by 3 people

      2. As you read correct my grammar. So sorry it reads like a 2nd grader wrote it. There that should be their, a misplaced “do”, a misspelled rehearsed. I edited it once but 2 or 3 times is in order.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. JP2 and President Reagan together, a joy to watch. I hope we won’t see Pope Francis giving the Holy Communion to Biden. I still hope Trump will continue his work as POTUS for the next four years.

    Liked by 6 people

  30. Charlie, serious question.

    You have read Sholzhenitzyn (?sp) and his “what if insead of passively accepting our arrests we had killed them?” question, yes?

    Hundreds of millions have been murdered by political , domestic authorities with malice and intent; the same malice and intent that is now showing its fangs of hatred for Christendom here in our lands.

    That same crowd has just siezed control of govt by blackmail, murder, theft and bribes. They know it and we know it.

    Is there ever a line they can cross where we should and must go on offence?

    God created these times for our holiness; do you think that He is waiting on us to learn to reject passivity and take active defence of His kingdom?

    To be clear, The Holy Spirit has not given the go , but I expect Him too;

    Will you rebuke us if/when we rescue you from the concentration camp?

    God bless.

    P.s. if this comment endangers your mission, or if you think it divides your team, please do not post it. I support your mission, I just do not think it isthe only front out there.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I’m very glad you asked this question, Timothy.

      I forbade initiating offensive violence while specifically exempting forceful defense. If the left begins mass arrests because of the ordinary individual exercise of Constitutional liberties, that would be a dramatically changed circumstance and I would adapt accordingly. So your premise is flawed from the start. However, great atrocities have been committed in seeking to stop certain people from doing what another segment merely thinks they are going to do. In the confusion of chaotic times, people who are often basically well-intended misunderstand and mischaracterize what others are doing while asserting they KNOW what they are talking about. At the beginning of the last century, almost all the British high command convinced themselves that Arab uprisings were actually a Jewish plot – and so empowered the very people in Arabia that, even then, had Jews as one of their prime targets. We walk a knife’s edge – committed to neither committing horrors to prevent what we only think might happen (no matter how vigorously we say we know) and to preventing an atrocity from being visited on us. History is littered with both people who were too quick on the trigger and with people who were too slow to act in self-defense. To walk with God is to judge righteous judgment at each step so that we are neither victimizers nor victimized.

      I am very glad you asked the question, though, because one of the first things I did when I started writing about these things was to tell people they were going to have to give up their easy, thoughtless pieties and start thinking hard about what they would do in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. You have begun that process and I am glad of it.

      (By the way, I will abuse and cuss you like crazy if you are too slow in liberating me from the concentration camp).

      Liked by 12 people

      1. I feel much better, Charlie.

        Thank you, thank you, thank you.

        The ambiguities you express are a danger I have frequentky fallen into from both sides of the moral divide. A important example that happened last week involved a man at work who gave me the creeps and who would avoid greetings and eyecontact ( the masks make these things worse). To my gratefull and humbling suprise, while in the line to punch the time clock, he stuck up s conversation about the 2 litre soda i tote into and out of work shifts and recommended some alternatives I was so grateful, humbled and suprised.

        He still does not make eyecontact in passing, but the mistrust is gone and I make a point to drop the mask and smile his way when he is in my work area.

        I am sure you see the same danger that I hope I am sufficiently wary of.

        However, the other side of the sharp edge of Chesterton’s knife is misplaced goodwill*. I am severely baffled by this. My comfort is that “confusion” is the reaction of the innocent to evil; yet, it is no easy thing to lose trust in another’s commitment to virtue. We Christians are all experiencing this as our once trusted institutions collapse under sin.

        Regarding your rescue from a concentration camp, I am confident that cussing will not be necessary, as Becks ,Linda , JLynn and the women of CORAC will get to you long, long before I do! (:

        God Bless you.

        *technically not true, but every it was a good literary analogy while it lasted (:

        Liked by 10 people

      3. Our Lady of Arabia, pray for us! her feast Day today.

        16 Jan (where celebrated)
        The recent title ‘Our Lady of Arabia’ accorded to our Lady represents the patronage of the Blessed Virgin over the Arabian peninsula. The devotion to our Lady under this title began in the 20th century with the dedication of a chapel by the Carmelite fathers in honour of Our Lady of Arabia. In the space of a year, the chapel was soon enriched with the same indulgences as the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the image – modelled after that of our Lady of Mount Carmel and solemnly blessed by Pius XII – was installed in it. In 1957, the Blessed Virgin under this title was declared the principal patroness of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuwait, and the statue solemnly crowned on 25 March 1960. The 21st century saw a renewed effort in favour of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin in the newly constituted Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, as emblematic of the missionary character of the Church in the Gulf. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under this title, was declared the principal patroness of the region in 2013 by the Congregation of Divine Worship, and the proper Masses to the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia in 2014.
        Though the title is relatively recent, the Blessed Virgin is not a stranger to the region. On the contrary, her praises are mentioned even among Muslims in the Quran, which regards her as “chosen above all women” (Sura Al-Imran, 42). History bears witness to a flourishing devotion in honour of the Virgin Mary in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula before the arrival of Islam, as evinced by the churches dedicated in her honour.
        The veneration historically shown toward the Blessed Virgin by the native inhabitants of the region has revived and increased in the modern day with the arrival of migrants from all corners of the globe, fulfilling the divine promise uttered in the Spirit by the holy Virgin herself: “All generations will call me blessed” (Lk 1:48). With trust in her powerful intercession, they praise the Lord who “casts down the mighty from their thrones and exalts the lowly”. The Mother of God shines as a beacon of hope for the Christian faithful, illuminating the providence and fidelity of God to those who trust in him amidst the anxieties of life. Whether through her journey to the hill country of Judah with the child in her womb, or her flight with the infant Christ from persecution by Herod, the Blessed Virgin serves as an exemplar for migrant faithful who are sustained by their faith in Christ the Lord. To the missionary Church in Arabia, the Mother of God reveals a life closely associated with her Son, and perpetually pointing to him. Thus, as it strives to be the leaven of the Gospel in the society in which it exists, the missionary Church in the Gulf makes the words of its Mother and Queen its own: “Do whatever he tells you”.
        To their Mother and Queen therefore, on this day, the Christians of Gulf turn with filial confidence, that she “whose radiant glance banishes storms and tempests and brings back cloudless skies (may) look upon these her innocent and tormented children with eyes of mercy; that the Virgin, who is able to subdue violence beneath her foot, may grant to them that they may soon enjoy the rightful freedom to practice their religion openly, so that, while serving the cause of the Gospel, they may also contribute to the strength and progress of nations by their harmonious cooperation, by the practice of extraordinary virtues which are a glowing example in the midst of bitter trials” (Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam, 50).
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Arabia

        Liked by 5 people

      4. Hi Charlie

        I reread your comment and now see the source of my confusion about your position. It is the age old problem , the difference in and misunderstanding of definitions.

        You wrote, “I forbade initiating offensive violence while specifically exempting forceful defense. ”

        That is a distinction I wholeheartily agree with. My misunderstanding , my supposition, was that it is all violence, so I conflated the two and took you to task a bit.

        My mind lacks your habit if precision and I appreciate your patience with me.

        I am praying for you as you go about doing your work. Different memvers, different talents abd all that.

        God bless

        Liked by 6 people

    2. Who knows the mind of God? Did St. Peter? A great example is to be found in Matthew 16:21-25, where one should easily understand why Jesus would so “forcefully defend” the interests of His Father at the expense of honest, but often ruminating Peter.

      I’ll simply add (having grappled and fallen into many of the pitfalls over the years) that time would be better spent developing healthy habits for mind and soul (without overly paying heed to body), than to dwell too much on scenarios that may or may not come to pass. Does that sound like an easy, thoughtless piety?

      I’m not big on having everything spelled out for me in great detail, so much as having some reliable guidelines that lead me to healthy thinking and acting as God wants me to think and act. Much as I see the Gospel.

      For example, if we catch oursevles fixated on a certain situation, is the time spent actually going to bear some fruit? Yeah, set aside some quality time to think on important matters and imagine the worst case scenario (as has been advised) if necessary. Maybe ask yourself some better questions if you find yourself too frequently agitated, such as “what’s triggering me?” Then, focus on some positives. Focus on some positives. Focus on some positives. Talk to a reliable friend. Get added support if necessary. Bury yourself in fruitful work. Live in the present moment.

      Beware rumination. It’s that state where the satan will bat you around like a nasty cat playing with a hank of yarn.

      And remember, authentic Christianity is not for wimps.

      Liked by 10 people

  31. Can you imagine Hunter Biden and Biden Jr. are associated with Catholic Charity and DACA, illegal children and foster children.

    Liked by 5 people

  32. Thank you Charlie,

    So what does secession look like? I live in s blue state.

    It appears it’s mostly cities that are totally blue.

    Thoughts?

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Secession is not a good idea. We won this election hands down. Are we going to let them tear our country apart? Divided we fall. One nation under God. USA.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Beckita, yes we as a country are divided. But 80 million of us are in unity. Standing down to Evil is not what we should be doing. Secession puts your brother and sisters in blue states in great peril. Should we not lay down our lives for this great United States of America?

          Liked by 1 person

          1. SanSan, your brothers and sisters in both blue states and red states are in great peril already. Secession would give them an option for a place of safety. It would give patriots a safe place to stand for liberty and the values that once made this country great – and in a way that would shortly illustrate which side offers life and hope and which side only offers misery. Right now, secession is not a method of “standing down” to evil, but of standing up to it with the least amount of bloodshed. You sound as if you are advocating for full-blown civil war. I hope not, for history is replete with people who took a fully martial stand at the beginning and after they and their friends were touched by the massive bloodshed, prayed for deliverance from the scourge of the war they once so eagerly sought. I, too, am now an advocate of secession if the left continues its efforts to censor and deny the basic civil rights of half the country. It is the least bloody effective path forward.

            Liked by 7 people

            1. Thank you, once again for shedding a light on secession, Charlie. I certainly don’t want a full blown civil war. I will think about all you have said. I just can’t yet wrap my brain around “how” so many good people, without the “means” will be able to “trek” to a place of safety.

              Liked by 3 people

              1. San San, I don’t think any of us can wrap our heads fully around how God’s Plan will completely unfold nor around how so amazing is His call for us to co-create with Him. As I continue to ponder it all, I focus on how God’s thoughts are so far above what we can imagine as well as on the truth which Charlie has often written: God never leaves us bereft.

                Liked by 2 people

                1. That is true. We are all here in the present moment because of the gifts, graces, blessings and miracles put upon our paths everyday of our lives until today. That is over 20,000 days for me! That will not change until we are brought into our eternal home, which is the finish line. May live live this moment well. ❤

                  Liked by 4 people

              2. Dearest SanSan,
                Reread the Exodus story. Trust God. Hold on to your PEACE.
                Boy, when I get out over my skis I panic. I’m probably writing this more for myself than you but if you get any PEACE from it, thank you LORD.

                Liked by 4 people

            2. That’s interesting, Charlie. It would unify the Red and divide the Blue, leaving the Blue supply lines at the mercy of the Red if thy want to remain connected among themselves. Strategically, it’s a strong act, especially if the central Canadian provinces join and divide Bleu [sic] Canada and provide energy to themselves and the central US. Perhaps the Capital of the Red US would be Denver (heh).

              Liked by 3 people

            3. 🤔 maybe I need to look up secession??? Don’t understand what this sentence means, Charlie?

              “. I, too, am now an advocate of secession if the left continues its efforts to censor and deny the basic civil rights of half the country. It is the least bloody effective path forward.”

              But maybe I’m not meant to understand it…just yet?!?!??

              Liked by 1 person

  33. JESUS = GOOD NEWS.. .. 😉

    https://www.catholicleague.org/celebrate-religious-freedom-day/

    I’m thinking an cohort of Amazons armed with Flame Throwers would be more efficacious.
    https://www.ncregister.com/cna/cardinal-pell-clear-headed-women-will-help-sentimental-males-clean-up-vatican-finances

    Trial Run of Mark of the Beast or ….? ;-(
    https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2021/01/15/big-tech-coalition-is-developing-a-digital-covid-vaccination-passport/

    Yep!! Let The Enemy take glee in their “victory” and crawl out from under their rocks …. and expose themselves to The Good-Guys!
    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/01/15/jesuit-priest-says-catholic-leaders-contributed-capitol-riots-criticizing-democrats/

    https://www.lifenews.com/2021/01/15/liberal-catholic-priest-claims-pro-life-americans-responsible-for-violent-capitol-riots/

    https://catholicphilly.com/2021/01/news/world-news/rome-university-reverses-decision-to-honor-father-pavone/

    Yep!! Even in the Military ;-(
    Just Who decides what “Extremism” is? …. Eh?!? ….CNN? …. Chucky Schumer? … SPLC? ….. SanFran Nanny? …. “Revs” Al & Jesse? . .. Jesuit “Father” James Martin? ….. Planned Parenthood?…… Eric “ChinaBoy” Smallwell? ….. ANTIFA? …….. your Radical Democrat Neighbor? …..
    https://www.npr.org/2021/01/15/957503046/defense-official-scores-of-current-and-former-military-probed-in-extremism-cases?

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/01/oathkeepers-issue-warning-american-patriots-beware-false-flags-traps-now-set/

    https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/federal-prosecutors-walk-back-sensational-allegation-plot-kill-lawmakers

    Just good investing … or something sinister? We quite simply have to ask and watch out …. These-Days ;-(
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2021/01/14/americas-biggest-owner-of-farmland-is-now-bill-gates-bezos-turner/?sh=7eac29336096

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. CrewDog: Last one one Gates buying up farmland is worrying. I saw it too through my links on business news. It appeared just after I read an article on how communism always results in starvation. Case in point, Venezuela. Communism states that it wants to control all means of production and distribution. So do the elite who are communists at heart and motivation. Gates is enormously wealthy and has huge amounts of cash to spend. What to do with it? The answer is in your link. He can control production and distribution. He can farm it or not. He isn’t planning a Disney like theme park. (Disney did the same in Florida when purchasing huge swaths of land for his theme park. He hid behind a LLC that did the purchasing to control the price of his purchases.) I wonder if Gates continues the purchases as now he has been exposed. Think about how much power he now has to control government and us.

      Liked by 3 people

          1. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
            Ephesians 6:12 NRSV-CI

            Liked by 3 people

              1. That’s for sure!!! It’s comforting to know God can draw great good out of these great evils. I pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so those of us chained by the satan can see clearly once again. I pray for the scales of darkness to be removed by an unprecedented grace via Ave Maria Stella Maris!!! ❤️ 🙏

                Liked by 2 people

  36. I just wanted to say that I thought this was another great piece by Charlie, and I continue to PRAY MUCH in these days for/about everyone and everything! 🙂 God is with us all, and he will continue to be, as we each strive to turn to him each day. 🙂 We should also strive to have an “attitude of graditude” to God for all his blessings, graces, etc. that he allows/gives us each day. 🙂

    Liked by 7 people

      1. I also like that verse. I was reminded though, by someone once…, (because I had misread/misunderstood it at first) that it is not saying to be thankful “for” circumstance/situation, but be thankful “IN” all situations/circumstances.
        i.e. there’s always a bright side, because God will make fruit of the tough circumstances!!!
        I’m also learning that Thankful and Joyful are really close cousins!!! lol

        Liked by 3 people

  38. In the stream of these ponderings, especially a nod to Timothy, a movie to be recommended safely and rather poignantly is “April Morning” and if I may add, can be found in whole on youtube (April Morning” 1988 Lexington/Concord – American Revolution TV-Movie) for free (if you watch it on Brave browser there are no interruptions and annoying commercials). it painstakingly offers a glimpse into the lives of the first of the revolutionary skirmishers, is exemplary and the epitome of “acknowledge God, take the next right step and be a sign of hope” and fodder for introspection and contemplation for all of us at some kind of crossroads in the days ahead…
    (its from the 80’s so don’t be jilted by the lack of special effects) with some real gems to take to heart, backed by the authenticity of Tommy Lee Jones. With the threads of the human condition woven within, it reveals the angst they felt in trying to decide whether to take up arms and how the first blood was shed, and in a gritty way, how this country got its backbone. Our times and people are somewhat different now without a lot of hardship and without the common crowd orienting itself toward God but there’s still time for that!
    Makes one think at what point is it worth standing up and actually risking your life for your way of life. And not even fully assuming you are certain of your stance and the measures you’re taking. One of the prayers towards the end really struck me .
    You’ll have to watch the whole movie to really get the punch of this prayer that goes something like this ….”But if we must kill to live free and in Your light then we don’t ask You to bless our killings, we don’t ask for Your protection but only the right to protect ourselves. My father used to say, ‘Don’t ask the Almighty to choose sides, bear your grief and trust to reason.’ It’s been a long day Lord, thank you for the rain.” Simple. totally honest.
    Life isn’t always easy when you live by principle but it is always good; some days are much harder than others…

    Liked by 6 people

    2. Yeah, that’s fortunate, but I did witness this squirrelly thing a couple of weeks back. Spied this ruminant up on Cougar Bluff, trodding a tiny single track game trail only fit for squirrels. Maybe it was ruminating on more ruminating, since pickins’ are slim in this season. Can’t remember what I was pondering, but when a fella is working a fly line along the cattails on the far side, there’s not much time to look inward or outward, so much as just being actively content and grateful in the whole.

      Only a couple of minor challenges that day. (1) Might need to rename Cougar Bluff (since I only once saw cougar track once up there, but never a cougar), and (2) I might also have some ‘splaining to do how that cow came to be named “Bear.”

      Liked by 3 people

      2. Watched all your videos. About 15 years ago spent way too short of a time visiting on a huge ranch near San Antonio. The owner let my drive his Kubota as he jumped out to open and close gates behind us. Cactus and brush everywhere. A child of westerns, it was a thrill I’ll never forget.

        Liked by 3 people

  40. I can’t say I share your sanguine view of what a right-leaning tech platform would be like. I’ve long since abandoned many “conservative” news sites because they’re saturated in gutter-level lewd content involving women. One of my major sticking points and frankly, sources of rage, is that the only internet content that enjoys vast bipartisan support is pornography, some of which is so incredibly degrading and sourced from trafficked women and girls and/or obtained without their knowledge or consent. Articles posted on the subject of pornography on supposedly conservative websites draw either crickets or “shut up prude” in the comments section. So call me cynical, but I have very little hope of anything promising or triumphant when it comes to tech.

    Liked by 4 people

  41. I ruminate too much and tend toward despair these days. I need to shift focus away from all “they”do that saddens and angers me and towards my God and my family and what I “can” do. This video makes me so happy. It’s my favorite thing on the internet. I hope it brings some happiness to y’all.

    Liked by 8 people

    1. That video is so cute, Missy! And you have the right idea: focusing on what you CAN do (thats kind of my approach, too). God bless you and yours. 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Thanks, Mick. The video just makes me happy. I do hope I can shift my focus towards what I can do. I know it’s the right thing for me but fear it will be hard and I will fail. I’ve been sucked into the news muck for so long now. May God guide us, as someone commented before and Charlie’s next right step, to do the duty God puts in front of us. God bless you and yours.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Thank you, Missy. My 11-year-old son watched that cute video with me on Saturday evening. We watched it about 10 times. Then yesterday (Sunday) we were at dinner at my dad’s, and I was dishing up the vegetable (guess which one). As I put them on my plate, my son quipped, “I’m afraid about broccolis.” We both had a good laugh. Thanks for spreading some sunshine. 🙂

          Liked by 3 people

  42. I read your post Charlie I read the comments..I am sorry I am not doing well at all ..To see evil triumph to know more babies will be butchered to see our beautiful blessed country fall..I don’t understand I am beyond heartbroken and Imsorry I can find absolutely no humor..So all of our prayers all of our trying to live our lives for GOD going to church helping others giving financially to make others lives better and evil triumphs here on earth .. I truly don’t understand..help me LORD to put one foot in front of another..
    I’ve studied the BIBLE and love Gods word I understand sin and repentance and GODS great mercy which I am forever thankful for.. I must be really missing something to try to do everything GOD calls me to do and my life has been full of struggles but it has brought me closer to GOD but to see this despicable evil triumph?? I’m struggling to say the least

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Robin, I understand and sympathize with your heartsickness. But we have allowed babies to be butchered for almost five decades. The evil has been there all along, but in a way that did not much inconvenience us. Alas, we did not inconvenience ourselves enough in an effort to stop it and to defend the faith. Now it does create real problems for us, but not as much as the Russian Revolution, Mao’s takeover of China, or Hitler’s rise in Germany did to the Christians living in those lands – and not even as much as the Vatican’s deal with Communist China a few years ago did to faithful Christians living in China. I have long said that the prayer of doing is the most neglected form of prayer there is. Now God demands the prayer of doing. I tell you, though, that while this is the end of the beginning for us, it is the beginning of the end for the forces of darkness that have so long prevailed, often hidden from our sight. Read through the Bible, read through history and wonder at how often the seeming moment of the triumph of evil is, in fact the beginning of its downfall. There are no words I can use to beguile you from your grief, but since I began I told you of my conviction that this – and worse than this – is coming as part of the great renewal. Set your jaw like flint and enter the storm with confidence in the saving power of the Lord. But it is certainly okay to grieve for a while before you do. If you sprain your ankle, you do well to stay off it for a while to let it strengthen. Many people’s hopes have been sprained. Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.

      Liked by 13 people

      1. Beautiful and heartening, Charlie. Evil is not from God; it comes from our sins, our selfishness. We are being purified and disciplined in this Storm as it is and as it is to come.

        I think of SO many people from my grandparents’ era, down to folks today, who have spent a good portion of their lives dedicated to living what Our Lady of Fatima asked us to do. Thanks be to God for their witness, their prayers and their offerings which have brought mitigation, real and true. I think, too, of the words of the Venerable Archbishop Sheen: “Evil may have its hour, but God will have His Day.”

        Liked by 11 people

        1. I understand how Robin feels. I think a lot of people are going through a similar experience right now. I really like the advice to “set your jaw like flint and enter the storm with confidence in the saving power of the Lord.” As was mentioned in a couple of previous posts, I don’t want to put all my trust and hope in anyone except God. I will continue to pray much for President Trump in the days and weeks ahead, but I don’t want to see him as a “savior” figure. I also appreciate how Charlie directs people to God and not himself, Obviously for each of us, our relationship with (and trust in) God is what will help us through all these ongoing and coming events. The storm is and will be a little bit different for each of us. God helps us to find and directs us to like minded people, (like on here! 🙂 ) but we must keep God first in our lives, especially now. 🙂 Continued prayers for everyone here! 🙂

          Liked by 6 people

            2. And that step (or steps) will be different for each of us, according to our circumstances, etc. For now at least, I will continue to work at my job (and thankfully, it’s only about a mile from my house! 🙂 ) That may change in the coming days, weeks, months, but that’s up to God, and I choose to strive to trust in him completely each day, and also thank him each day for letting me be able to have a job, and to be able to attend daily Mass before I come in to work! 🙂 God isn’t “waiting” to pull the rug out from under any one of us. If he allows our life circumstances to change (especially if it feels or seems like) for the worse, I know I must choose to trust in him EVEN MORE than before, and keep thanking him for everything! 🙂 And yes, that’s easier said than done, but I KNOW that Mother Mary and the Saints will also help us with that. As a Priest we know has often said, the Saints are always “cheering us on” to victory! 🙂 We all must keep in mind that no matter how bad things will get, this is all part of the great renewal of faith, etc. 🙂 God Bless all! 🙂

              Liked by 4 people

          2. I may be mistaken, but for me, it’s our “works”.
            i.e. our “participation” in doing God’s will/work of restoration of Godliness of ourselves and those around us, (rather than let someone else do it for us.)
            In parallel to this is like what St Paul said in col 1:24, what is lacking in Christ’s suffering… That is exactly “our participation” in his suffering.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. Yes I often think of the phrase faith without works is dead: and then I wonder is this too the prayer of doing???

              James 2:14-26
              English Standard Version
              Faith Without Works Is Dead
              14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith (A)but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 (B)If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 (C)and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

              18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith (D)apart from your works, and I will show you my faith (E)by my works. 19 (F)You believe that God is one; you do well. Even (G)the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 (H)Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that (I)faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed (J)by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, (K)“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a (L)friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also (M)Rahab the prostitute justified by works (N)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

              Liked by 1 person

    2. I totally understand where you are Robin. To watch Evil run around unabated is one thing, but to see so many “good” people who are lukewarm or indifferent to God in our world is even worse. I am so sorrowful for them and at times physically sick and terrified for them (and at times for me). To witness so many “lost” souls–is heartbreaking.

      A dear wonderful man, a catholic, died a few years back. He had so many “friends”, they had to rent a huge hall so that everyone could eat, drink and be merry for him. But he no longer had his faith in God or His Church. It was such a sad “party” to me.

      I have a beautiful family and friends, decent “good” people who support abortion, who have left God and his Church. They worry more about BLM and LGBTQ rights and lifestyles. The pain and sorrow is not for me but for all of the outrages and abuse towards Our Lord and His Creations. So many lukewarm and indifferent people. I’m praying continually for their conversions; and for me to stay in a state of grace before I am called home.

      On a side note, to further my point, I was with my 8yr old God daughter yesterday and picked up a book she was reading for school. It had ugly cartoon pictures and it was about a fish that died before they could remove or work on his brain. So they we’re going to some “science” place to help the fish come back to life by finding him a new brain….3rd grade propaganda on how “man-science” is god. There’s nothing in there about taking organs from “live” donors against their will, or the sacredness of life. Childhood innocence being raped from our children. Worldly parents that just don’t “get it”?

      Do we really think God will continue to put up with all of this? Thank you Dear Lord for your immeasurable LOVE and Patience with us. I would have pulled the plug a long time ago. I wait on the Lord with trembling and awe.

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Yes, it’s understandable, and, yes, there are limits as each lifespan here is for a time, limiting the evil committed herein. Equally tragic are the limitations we place on the good we can do during that span. Does that make life a neat little line or box? Is that what God made of it? Yet, look at all these little boxes too many have meticulously crafted for themselves. No small wonder when folks get distraught or agitated when things don’t fit in that little box. Is God contained by anything? What does it really mean for Christ to dwell in us? Something to think about.

        Liked by 5 people

    3. Honestly, Robin, I didn’t get out of bed for 4 days after the election. I sat is utter disbelief at the audacity of the steal. Americans did this. I wondered what the heck the Lord was thinking to let this happen? I’ve had to claw my way back to trust in Him. There is so much suffering ahead. It is being revealed to us daily the remarkably little backbone many of our leaders have. I ask myself, if I can collapse so easily, how will I measure up? I am struggling too. But every once in awhile, I remember something-like those 33 martyred Christian saints beheaded by ISIS a few years back, or what the BVM has been warning and asking of us at Medjugorje. Good Lord, forgive my impatience for you to act. Jesus, not as I will, but as you will. I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Charlie’s correct, good Catholic Germans in Hitler’s Germany had to choose too. Pope Benedict’s parents were precisely in that position. JPII has called The Rosary the weapon to fight evil.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Joanne1950 I’m so sorry you had trouble getting out of bed for 4 days after the election…I know what that feels like. The energy was just Zapped out of me for a time too…plus it’s cold out (we keep our home at 60-64 degrees) and we got these beautiful flannel sheets this winter from lands end because the velvet cotton was from guess where??? 🇵🇹Portugal!!! It was our Christmas gift to each other in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and believe me you… they are hard to get out of in the very cold 🥶 morning!!! Ha!!! But anyhow…I digress…I really struggled a lot to find joy again until I just had this huge meltdown, cried my eyes out, stomped my 🦶 feet and then cried some more!!! Unfortunately my meltdown was in front of my son, Tommy and for that I am beating myself up over!!! Good golly! I’m SUPPOSED to be the parent!! 😫 Anyhow…I pray you are feeling better now. We are heralds to the Triumph 🥰

        Like

  44. In this article, Charlie mentions the following;

    “At this site, we have been prepared for several years for a forced migration. If it comes, it will be inconvenient for us, but we will not be going away.”

    An extremely well thought out and prudent plan. Just today, an evangelical Pastor that I often listen to, J.D. Farag , had his most recent video banned by Youtube! Just as with your site, they had anticipated this turn of events, preparing their own website in advance. They even had a fitting verse for the occasion;

    Proverbs 22:3 says, “The prudent see evil ahead and take refuge, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.”

    For me, it shines light upon this previously obscure warning from Jesus; “𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬.”
    Matthew 10:16

    Dave

    Liked by 5 people

  45. Upon reading the title to Charlie’s article;

    “FRAGMENTARY THOUGHTS FROM THE GREAT DIVIDE”

    this wonderfully unique American song came to mind. To me, it speaks of a country and lifestyle that we left behind long ago. In our race for the future, to what we thought would be a better, greater, wealthier society; the peace, the tranquility, the ability to consider events calmly were lost in the distant past. Nanci Griffith sings, “Across The Great Divide”, from 1993, runs for 3 minutes;

    Dave
    ps. if you haven’t heard this before, then please give it a listen. It might surprise you!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Here are the words:
      I’ve been walkin’ in my sleep
      Countin’ troubles ‘stead of countin’ sheep
      Where the years went I can’t say
      I just turned around and they’ve gone away

      I’ve been siftin’ through the layers
      Of dusty books and faded papers
      They tell a story I used to know
      And it was one that happened so long ago

      It’s gone away in yesterday
      Now I find myself on the mountainside
      Where the rivers change direction
      Across the Great Divide

      Now, I heard the owl a-callin’
      Softly as the night was fallin’
      With a question and I replied
      But he’s gone across the borderline

      He’s gone away in yesterday
      Now I find myself on the mountainside
      Where the rivers change direction
      Across the Great Divide

      The finest hour that I have seen
      Is the one that comes between
      The edge of night and the break of day
      It’s when the darkness rolls away

      Liked by 5 people

  48. JESUS = GOOD NEWS.. .. 😉

    It’s none too soon for Jesus, Mary and Joseph to come!
    https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-119-she-will-come

    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/democrats-morality-outrage-head-spin-miranda-devine

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/15/grandma-killer-gov-andrew-cuomo-deflects-from-his-failures-by-attacking-janice-deans-career/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/01/fox_news_reportedly_considering_top_executive_firings_over_
    their_postelection_ratings_collapse.html

    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/migrant-caravan-biden-administration-commitments

    Prez Biden will do as his PuppetMaster tells him … No more .. No less!
    https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2021/01/16/biden-readying-legislative-executive-blitz-in-administrations-first-10-days/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2021/01/16/more-u-s-military-troops-needed-to-install-joe-biden-than-we-have-in-afghanistan/#more-207187

    From Canada …. Yup! ;-(
    https://galganov.com/2021/01/16/anyone-now-who-disagrees-is-a-terrorist/

    http://www.floppingaces.net/2021/01/15/the-week-in-radical-leftism-1-15-2021/

    https://townhall.com/
    https://newsbusters.org/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 4 people

  49. This nation was based on the principles of freemasonry. It was never Christian…unfortunately I’ve come to learn that since I started teaching my children through homeschooling. Then now I hear it more in Traditional circles which is evidently true. Our country has been called from the beginning “The New World” made at some point in time (now) to change the whole old world into a New World Order. The prophets and Saints have prophesied about this for centuries. We as Catholics have the responsibility to learn the Truth, speak it and teach it in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We were misled by clerics and false prophets. Be reminded that the Church too (Vatican) has also reached a spiritual demise. I don’t speak against the True Roman Catholic Church, but against those who infiltrated the sanctuary to bring many to perdition. So all of this has led to what you, dear author, talk about in this article. Are we on our knees begging God to save us? Are we simple, humble human beings that can offer nothing else to God but ourselves, our free will, our hearts? Do we still live and follow our faith in which God has led us to do and taught us to do? If we were, we surely wouldn’t be in this situation. There are so many angles that lead to this country’s demise…yes we will be chastised but so will the whole world. Are we ready?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Welcome to commenting, Gloria. Not sure what your source is that promotes the idea that America was founded on the principles of freemasonry because that’s a false statement. Here‘s but one of many writings for you to read and consider. IF you read more of Charlie’s writing and the comments here, you’ll find a community that’s been dedicated to continual offerings and prayer, including the prayer of doing, that is partnering with God to work and make a stand for Faith, Family and God-given Freedoms upon which our country was founded.

      If you’re not a regular reader, do consider reading these foundational pieces which give a deeper sense of what we’re doing here.
      https://asignofhope379.com/2020/06/25/my-purpose/
      https://asignofhope379.com/2020/07/02/what-the-next-right-step-really-means-2/
      https://asignofhope379.com/2020/07/10/cherishing-the-light-of-rescue/
      You can also read about/hear about the organization founded by Charlie, CORAC, the Corps of Renewal and Charity
      The website for Corac: https://corac.co/
      While on You Tube, there’s more info and interviews:
      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh0U8JZ6SHSbXhzPR5q4TQ

      God bless you.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Hi Gloria Lopez!!! I am girding here in Ohio. Lol… haven’t quite figured out what that means yet but Charlie says to do it…so I am. God bless you for homeschooling your kids! I did that too many moons ago. It was my favorite time of my life! Kids rock!🥰

      Like

  50. Sometimes things just happen beyond our control, if any of us would of never been born, these events would of still happened reguardless, our impact on these events have a net impact of ZERO!

    Whether we see ourselves as Job or not, care must be taken NOT to act & judge as Job’s friends nor as Job himself, the situation simply IS! God will watch & do nothing as the devil destroys, God’s ways are not our ways and he doesn’t think as humans do, the book of Revelations says if we’re meant to die or be enslaved, then that’s what will happen reguardless what we desire.

    We’re all sinners in need of Christ’s mercy & forginess, this situation ISN’T a puzzle we’re meant to SOLVE nor change, assigning nor claiming extra blame will accomplish nothing, Revelations says our purpose is to ENDURE in FAITH reguardless of the unfairness, unreasonable, & unjustified malice of the devil & his minions is upon us.

    There’s nothing else we can do other than offer up the sufferring of these times as a sacrifice and to pray for those who persecute us…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Al, we walk in a great mystery as we consider God’s gift of life to each of us in these days. For sure, we inherited the consequences of the choices of our forefathers on these times and, because of our own sins, we’ve also contributed to what is happening around us. While praying and sacrificing are critical elements which, in fact, have already mitigated elements of this Storm. (Whew boy! I shudder to imagine our circumstances right now without the prayers and love of those who took seriously Our Lady of Faitma’s words and responded by putting her exhortations into action.) SO, really, our impact has been palpable as we each have contributed to the disorder AND we have great potential to further contribute to the rebuilding and renewal by partnering with God to bring order out of chaos. The prayer of doing is a one of the pillars which uphold our core message: acknowledge God, take the next right step and be a sign of hope. Yes, there are and will be things we can only endure. At the very same time, we’re called to bring about change.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Pope Leo XVIII witnessed the conversation between Christ & the devil, just as the devil approached sought to destroy Job.

        We must NEVER forget the devil is at FAULT and the CAUSE of many of these EVILS. Humanity’s greatest fault has been to FORGET the devil is as a lion ready to devour those who ignore him. Humanity’s greatest weakness has been to be unprepared for the battle against the principalities and the powers. If we and our forefathers switched places with people of a more just time, it would of changed nothing, nor any events. Evils such as abortion come from the devil.

        As for what we DO? We have failed in every effort, all we have is the moral & principal of choosing to go against evil in faith, and we WILL continue to be persecuted by evil until God says the test is over like with Job.

        Gold is tested in fire, and faith is tested in persecution & tribulation, perhaps the serpent’s head can only be crushed with the sacrifices of the faithful…

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Amazing mystery in that vision given to Pope Leo XII, Al. The devil is a definite foe; as Peter cautions: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Still, as Our Lord has exhorted Paul, thus all of us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul replied: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” We have free will. No one is blameless but Our Lord and Our Lady.

          Liked by 5 people

          1. That’s right, no one is blameless before the Lord. Our & our recent forefathers failings has been to forget the devil & his fallen angels are REAL enemies and not ALL the world’s evils originate solely from people that can be solved by people alone, that’s not to say some people don’t buy into the devils lies and choose those evils.

            I feel sometimes the emphasis of blame is too heavy placed on humanity often ignoring the elephant in the room that the devil has been given this time to destroy the Church like he tried with Job. Of course we must seek out ways of choosing to stand up to these evils to acknowlege & show our faith to God.

            Thanks for the discussion on the topic Beckita, I suspect we’ll have to accept many more losses before this nightmare is all over ..

            Liked by 3 people

            1. I agree, Al, that many have ignored the devil. At the same time, we have and continue to exert our own free will to make choices… without it we’d be puppets. And through it all, we can either dwell on evil or dwell on good and the potential to rebuild with the Lord. There is wisdom in knowing that whatever we focus on, we get more of. Why give the enemy too much attention? God’s Light IS shining in this darkness and the darkness can n.e.v.e.r. overcome His Light! God bless you and your family, Al.

              Liked by 5 people

              1. I don’t think it’s as simple as ignoring evil and dwelling only on good, or else we wouldn’t be in this situation. I suppose we’ll come to grips with this reality in the weeks to come. I opt to say a St Micheal prayer when I can.

                God bless & protect you and your family too, as well the readers on this blog.

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Oh I didn’t say ignore evil, Al. It needs to be named and confronted. I do advocate for dwelling on good, the ways of love in doing what we can as we honor our duties… the ways of love as we make our stand for and with God in CORAC.

                  Liked by 3 people

                2. Al, having just read that dialog, it does not appear that you’re ready to assimilate Beckita’s sound and wise advice until you get rid of the clutter and baggage. Sorry to be so frank, but I’m trying to help, and time is playing out.

                  Maybe understand this: we don’t actually confront Evil and fight it, Jesus does. (What does it really mean for Jesus to dwell in us?) The degree that we help Him in this endeavor is no more complicated than following His lead on loving (avoiding sin, living charitably, trusting in Him, NRS’n, etc.) Yeah, confronting Evil on our own makes a statement, but not a prudent one. Fact is, we are no match for the devil on our own foolish terms, and he plays fear into it from the get-go. Love casts out fear.

                  You started out sharing about how many events are beyond us and it probably wouldn’t matter one way or the other had we been born as far as us making an impact (I’m paraphrasing), then spring-boarded off that to outline an action plan on recognizing and confronting evil. Love ya, brother, but does that make a whit of logical sense?

                  If we’re going to proceed, wouldn’t it make perfect sense to follow the Gospel example of Jesus? I like to anchor with the “Sermon on the Mount,” then go from there, lest I get ahead of it and imagine HIm marching right for the Temple, cleaning house and taking charge from the get go. What kind of redemption would that be?

                  Liked by 3 people

                    1. Hi MP I didn’t see the point of adding more, PHILLIP G FRANK & STEVEBC made excellent points. To put it in a videogame concept, the game starts at level 1 not level 50, overconfidence is a person’s greatest weakness. One doesns’t know what they’re made of until they’re tested, and even if God doesn’t allow a person to be tested beyond their strenght, that person could still fail miserably. Everyone will learn what they’re really made of in the coming weeks & months, and many will find they fall short of their self beliefs & egos.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    2. Hm. Just seems like you assume an awful lot, Al. That a confident living translates necessarily into an unbalanced self-confidence, rather than confidence and trust in God, that folks don’t already have a reliable measure of themselves after a lifetime of ups and downs/ trials and tribulations, etc. I say it all boils down to habits. Don’t know much about video games, but If Helen Keller was still around for the next round of trials, I wouldn’t bet on her buckling.

                      Liked by 1 person

                  2. Do I have it right that Padre Pio fought every night against the satan and that he began with a large sword but that as he grew older and more faithful, his sword got *smaller*? I think so. If I have that right, then the more faith we have that Jesus will take care of evil, the fewer and smaller weaponry we will need, even as our positive deeds and impacts on the world can increase.

                    Liked by 2 people

                  3. There are two Scripture passages that highlight AL2’s thoughts:
                    “*We* wrestle not against flesh and blood”
                    And:
                    “For man, it is impossible, but *with* God, all things are possible”.
                    The clarifying of these passages, if you note, is they still require US to work.
                    Free will MUST be utilized and this requires a correct conscience, right judgement, not a hardening of our hearts and a firm purpose of amendment. We must fight the good fight, run the race and keep the faith. We must love our enemies and do good to those that hate us. We must follow His commandments. We must love one another as He has lived us.
                    We must clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the prisoner.
                    We are in this and God uses our hands and feet for His purpose because He WANTS IT THAT WAY. He wants us to gain merit and be heavily ladened with it when we enter Glory.
                    We must always hope and never give up that hope because real hope is not what the world would expect it to look like or feel like. That “jaw of flint” is the confidence to know it is right judgement (Truth) to believe in that hope.

                    Liked by 3 people

                    1. I have never once said we don’t have to work, Phil. Not once. But obviously I think we can work wiser. Thanks for the input. I’d like Al to engage on this one.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    2. I was commenting on Al2’s remark about it not mattering if we were born. I actually didn’t see your comment MP until after I wrote mine.
                      Of course God doesn’t NEED us, but He wants it that way.
                      Our Lady said at Fatima that “God wants to establish devotion to my immaculate heart”.
                      Why?
                      Can’t God do it all by Himself?
                      I can mix mortar and spread it by hand on the floor without tools if I so choose. But I have tools created in proper order to accomplish this so I use them for the purpose they were created.
                      But they gain no merit and I do not bring them home to live with me!
                      God created us for Himself to share His joy. He thought of us before time began and we were born for “these times” to deal with these times what we are delt to deal with. And His grace is sufficient to deal with what we are delt but we must remember we are not alone and we must use the great tools He has given us- ie; faith, the Church, the sacraments. the saints and His mother.
                      Then we become a proper “tool” to help establish His Kingdom.
                      And THAT is why it is good we were born. Unlike a tool, we won’t be discarded when we are no longer needed but will become the sons and daughters of the Great Architect who created us as a THE proper work of the material form of creation and the link between the material and spiritual realms where He came to be the Emmanuel and summit.

                      Liked by 2 people

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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.