Bill and Buck Share Thoughts on the United Nations - What Are Your Thoughts?

ON A PREVIOUS POST ABOUT WHINING DEMOCRATS ~ My long, long time Friend, Christian brother, and Sheffield High classmate, Buck Locke, disagreed with my full agreement with President Trump's "Peaceful Protest" against Iran's nuclear weapons activities.

And I am always excited when a friend, or foe, disagrees with my post - for that leads to further discussions from which you and I can both learn - to agree, or to agree to disagree - and still be friends.

This is what I had written to Buck's dialogue. But Facebook told me my response to Buck was too long. Okay, no problem, I have made a new post and can invite Buck - and you to take a look.

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Hi Buck, If you exam the history of Israel and the United Nations, you will see why Israel does not hold any love for that questionable organization - and in saying that I am being nice.

Since the UN was established in the mid-1940s after World War 2, in all the disputes between Israel and other Middle East nations - the UN decisions have gone anti-Israel and pro-other Middle East nations at least 80-90% of the time - and that is being very conservative in my judgement. Most likely 95% of the time.

The history of the UN is a tale of evil from the beginning. It all began with a nondescript little fellow from Texas name Edward Mandell House. He knew he did not have the charisma to win political office - so he chose to be the power broker in smoke filled behind the scene rooms.

He began by getting 3 or 4 Texas governors elected - and one, out of gratitude, gave him the honorary title of Texas Ranger "Colonel." And since that time, he always wore the name "Colonel Edward Mandell House" even though he NEVER served in any branch of our military.

When he tired of getting state politicians elected, I suppose no more challenge - he set his sight on getting a president elected. After considering all the possibilities, he set his sight on the president of Princeton University, the very liberal Woodrow Wilson.

After convincing Wilson to jump into the politics arena - he got him elected as the governor of New Jersey (only a stepping stone toward the presidency). And yes, he did get Woodrow Wilson elected as president in 1913 - just in time to get America into World War 1.

The question always comes to my mind: "Was House President Wilson's right hand man - or was President Wilson Colonel Edward Mandell House's right hand man?"

I will take a moment to skip a few years for one observation: Wilson served as president until 1921. But the last 6 months of his presidency Wilson was ill and bed-ridden.

During that time House and Wilson's wife, Edith, prevented anyone from knowing he was ill - prevented anyone from visiting him - and made all the decision which came from the Oval Office for those last 6 months. Does that ring a bell? Think Jill Biden!

Edward Mandell House's main goal, his higher stepping goal, during the Wilson presidency was to establish the League of Nations. And while Wilson was initially hesitant about getting America into World War 1 - evidently House was very persuasive.

At the end of World War 1, House assembled a meeting of leaders from other nations in Geneva, Switzerland to form the League of Nations as an international organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was created after World War 1 (supposedly) to provide a forum for resolving international disputes.

Agan, supposedly proposed by President Woodrow Wilson as part of his Fourteen Points plan for an equitable peace in Europe. The United States never became a member. It is my firm belief that it wasn't Wilson's Fourteen Points plan, but House's.

Because the League of Nations was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland - our Congress refused to allow America to join - and the League of Nations failed.

Only to come to life again as the United Nations, the bastard child of the League of Nations. To make it more palatable to Congress and the American people - the Rockefeller family donated a big piece of land in New York City to be the UN headquarters.

And Congress gave its blessing, a decision that all conservative Americans have lived to regret.

What I have written above has long been my personal feelings about the UN. Below I introduce you to a fellow Alabamian, Nathan Tabor, who has written a very informative and accurate book exposing the United Nations as the "Beast On The East River" - which I agree with completely.

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In 2007 I met Nathan Tabor and we became close Friends, and even closer Christian brothers. I have long respected his Conservative Christian Values, his Patriotism - and his deep knowledge of our political process, and his knowledge and wisdom on who is governing America, who is governing the United Nations, and how that is affecting all the world.

When we met in 2007, Nathan had recently, 2004, run for Congress in North Carolina's 5th Congressional District with an impressive list of GOP supporters. His first attempt to run for the high office of Congressional House of Representatives was outstanding, even though he did not win that time.

On the other hand, I personally benefited by his not going to Congress in 2004, for in 2007 when I met Nathan he had founded "The Conservative Voice," an online newspaper. After reading my posts on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, he invited me to be a guest columnist.

I wrote on The Conservative Voice, mostly in the Faith & Family section, but at times visiting the Politics section, for several years, posting about 500 articles. That was a true blessing and a great learning experience.

In my own Christian Writing Ministry, my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, Facebook Notes, our Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries blog site, and in the TimesDaily Religion Forum where Nathan and I met - while varying, my list of readers probably never exceeded 2000 people worldwide, predominately Christian. On Nathan's The Conservative Voice, I was now writing to reach about 250,000 readers worldwide - covering a much broader spectrum of beliefs and ideas. That was a challenge which I know God gave to me, through Nathan.

Nathan Tabor, an entrepreneur, businessman, speaker, business consultant, life coach, real estate investor, commercial real estate broker, author, Liberty University adjunct professor, and founder of Handling Life. Since 1999, he has founded and operated more than two dozen businesses, grossing over $150 million in sales.

Along the way, he has had some amazing successes, and some failures, in the areas of commercial real estate, automobile financing, direct product sales, web-based marketing, strategic partnership facilitation, consulting/coaching firm, and online educational courses.

He has authored books on politics, business, and also Christian books. But his book which really impressed me is "The Beast On The East River: The U.N. Threat to America’s Sovereignty and Security."

I am still amazed that a man who was only 33 years old then, but looked to be 21 - had the insight, wisdom, and knowledge to recognize the real threat posed by the United Nations - and the ability to put that understanding into a book.

Below is a short C-SPAN video interview which shows the Nathan Tabor I met and grew to admire on the TimesDaily Religion Forum in 2007. I knew from the beginning that he is a special person, gifted by God with unique intelligence, wisdom, maturity, and a deep love for America. Yet I am still amazed at the level of maturity, knowledge, and intelligence I see in him during this interview in the C-SPAN video.

In the C-SPAN interview, Nathan admits he is 33, but looks 21. Suggesting it was possibly a part of why he did not win the 2004 seat in our Congressional House of Representatives. Yet when he speaks, his intelligence and knowledge make him seem to be a man of twice that age and experience. He speaks intelligently, with knowledge, with the authority of a person who knows his subject matter very well. It is a shame he did not go to Congress in 2004, for we need people like him in Washington DC.

View this video and you will see the Nathan Tabor I know, my fellow Alabamian living in North Carolina, the man who was a very successful entrepreneur, businessman, author - and an even stronger Conservative Christian brother.

THE BEAST ON THE EAST RIVER ~ C-SPAN INTERVIEW VIDEO - Published March 1, 2007

By Nathan Tabor - Founder and CEO, The Conservative Voice

https://www.c-span.org/video/?197059-2/the-beast-east-river

In the C-SPAN interview, Nathan Tabor talks about his book "The Beast On The East River: The U.N. Threat to America’s Sovereignty and Security," published by Nelson Current.

His book argues that the United Nations hopes to establish a “new world order” that limits the sovereignty of the United States. He urges that the U.N. be abolished and replaced with an organization that allows for dialogue between nations, but does not have the power to infringe on the rights of the United States and its citizens.

He also talks about threats to American education and moral values. After his presentation he responded to audience members' questions.

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Bill Gray Note: The book, published in 2006, accurately prophesies what we now see has happened to America's Education and Moral Values. The current decay of our education and moral values began in Bill Clinton's presidency - and then rapidly accelerated under Obama's Secular/Muslim administration - and Joe Biden was merely a puppet carrying forward what Obama and the United Nations started.

All of this was their (Clinton, Obama, Biden) concerted efforts to surrender America's Sovereignty to the United Nations. A major tool in their Anti-America arsenal was the resurrected, nourished, and promoted "Racial Division" in America - all done at the behest of their master puppeteer, The United Nations.

Buck, I apologize for the length of this post, but as you my have guessed, I do feel very strongly about the UN and its real goal and ambition for America and the world.

God bless, Bill

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Do You Have A Song Which Bring Back Those Special Memories?

A song that digs those memories out, even if long buried, dusts them off, and makes them fresh and vivid once again?

The photo composite below, for me, reflects the last lines of the beautiful Billie Holiday song "As Time Goes By" recorded in 1944 ~  "The World Will Always Welcome Lovers - As Time Goes By."   My photo composite covers about 40 years of our 47 year marriage. 

And during that 40 year span, this second stanza from Billie Holiday's song proved over and over to be true.  "And when two lovers woo, they still say, 'I love you' - On that you can rely, No matter what the future brings - As Time Goes By."

Anyone who has a marriage which has lasted 20, 30, 40, 50 years or longer will agree that during those years there have been times when you were soaring to the stars - and other times when it felt as though the world is sitting on your shoulders and you will never recover. 

When those times come, you know that Billie Holiday sang the truth all those years ago, when she sang:  "And when two lovers woo, they still say, 'I love you' - On that you can rely, No matter what the future brings - As Time Goes By."  

That is what my composite speaks to me, in both the soaring to the stars times in our marriage, and during those weight of the world times, "they still say, 'I love you' No matter what the future brings - AS TIME GOES BY."

My composite also reflects the beginning of our relationship, in 1977, when Dory and I were dating.  There is one memory from that time which will never grow dusty.  Dory loved singing and was active in Filipino Performing Arts groups.  The groups performed at functions and event around the Southern California area, singing and dancing Filipino cultural dances and songs. 

Once she sang a duet of "The Impossible Dream" with a friend during a reception for the governor of California at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

And then there were those special times when she sang just to me - as we were driving around on a Sunday afternoon, or going on a date.  My favorite was the song "Memories" from the Barbra Streisand / Robert Redford movie "The Way We Were." 

And, yes, there is a special stanza from that song which speaks to me of those precious times:  “Memories / Light the corners of my mind / Misty water-colored memories / Of The Way We Were.”  

But to bring that stanza up to date in my photo composite, I had to make one slight change to that phrase.  While in the movie Streisand sang "Of the way we were" because in the movie she and Robert Redford (actually their characters) closed the movie by getting a divorce, but remaining friends.

Dory and I have to change that one line, for in our lives it reads "Of The Way We ARE." 

That covers our first 47 years and we are just getting started.  Watch as we fly by that 50th Anniversary date - and start counting again.  All I can say is, "THANK YOU, LORD!"  

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: 

Once In A While, We Should Pause To Remember

ONCE IN A WHILE, WE SHOULD PAUSE and lift up those who have played a large part in our spiritual lives.  

This week I was reminded to do that for a long time Christian sister and dear Friend, JEAN FABIAN (or Elizabeth Fabian - I will explain later in this blog). 

So I offer this message to this couple in whose home I enjoyed many Fil-Am Church of Irvine (FACI) Bible Studies, Ed & Jean Fabian.

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HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, JEAN! ~ I am remembering back to the early 1990s when your home was one of our Friday Bible Study homes for our Fil-Am Church of Irvine.  Without knowing it, you were instrumental in helping me get my first attempt at Christian writing started.

My first effort in Christian writing was my Friends Ministry Christian Newsletter and the only snail-mail addresses (before e-mail and internet) I had then were members of our FACI fellowship. 

Dory told me, "Don't send it to them, they may be insulted, thinking you don't believe they are Christians."  But I had no choice, having no other addresses.  So I mailed out about 100 newsletters.

That week we went to our Friday night Bible study at your home and when we entered you were sitting at the dining table with several other ladies.  The first thing you said to us was, "Bill, I got your newsletter and made copies and gave them to my co-workers."  I looked at Dory and smiled.  She knew why.

Fast forward some years, Dory and I were active in the Fil-Am Church of Corona and one of our new member families was the Quintans family: Jun, Rachel, and their two young sons, Nash and Michael. 

One day, after our worship service, during fellowship, I saw a Bible laying on a table and was so excited.  Not because it was a Bible laying on a table at church - but the particular Bible which lay on that table - a Harper NASB Study Bible.

In 1987, when I first became a believer in the FACI Bible studies, I wanted to read through the Bible.  Each night I would read my Bible: first from a book in the Old Testament, the next night one in the New Testament.  All was well until I hit the book of Romans - where I hit a brick wall.

That Friday at Bible study, I talked with Pastor Sam about my problem and he asked, "What Bible are you reading?"  At that time the only Bible I had was a King James Version given to me by young Mormon door knockers.

Pastor Sam gave both Dory and me each a new Bible - the Harper NASB Study Bible - and, wow, the difference that made.  It became my go-to Bible for many years.  Yet finally it began to get a bit worn and I wanted to buy a new Bible.  But that particular Bible, published by Zondervan, had gone out of print. 

For years I searched for one, to no avail.  Then that day at church - there was a new exact copy of my worn Harper NASB Study Bible laying on the table - and I got excited.

It turned out to be Rachel Quintans' Bible.  When I asked where she got it, she told me, "My co-worker and friend, Elizabeth Fabian, gave it to me."  The name didn't ring a bell that day, but next week I asked her, "By any chance, is your friend Jean Fabian?"  When she said, "Yes, but we call her Elizabeth at work" - more excitement. 

Rachel and her whole family had become believers in our Fil-Am Church of Corona after attending our Bible studies.  Yet I never noticed her Bible until that day.

She told me, "Elizabeth often gave us inspirational tracks and pamphlets at work."  I showed Rachel a copy of one of my early newsletters and asked, "Did she give you a copy of this track or one like it?"  Rachel told me, "Very likely, for she was always giving us material."

Then I got really excited.  For possibly some of my writings had been among those that Jean Fabian had given her - and may have played some small part in preparing Rachel and her family to eventually give their hearts and souls to Jesus Christ.

To complete the circle, in 2019 when I told Rachel that I had been trying for years to find a place where I could buy a new copy of my Harper NASB Study Bible - she gifted me her copy.  Circle closed!

Jean, that is a beautiful example of Concentric Circle Evangelism.  Like a pebble dropped into a body of water will cause concentric circles to ripple and flow from that one pebble - in a larger sense what we do to share Christ with others can continue to ripple and flow to all the world.  One little pebble, or act - and we never know who, where, of when God will use it to share Jesus with folks who need Him.

Maybe, Jean, a piece of my writing became that pebble which you dropped into your co-workers' lake of life and it flowed out to encompass the Quintans family.  I can't prove it.  But just the slightest possibility that something I wrote may have been even a small part of that Concentric Circle which reached the Quintans family through you, excites me.

Jean Fabian, my long time Christian sister and dear Friend, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO USE YOU for many more years. God bless, Bill

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Jean's daughter, Luisa Collopy, responded:   "Bill Gray - Sweet Rachel!  Now her son Nash is a pastor!"

Hi Luisa Collopy, Yes, and Dory and I are so proud of him.  When we first met the Quintans family at our Corona church, Nash and Michael were middle school students - and Dory was giving them piano lessons.

Both boys are not boys anymore - both are happily married to very special Christian wives and have started their own family.  And when I heard that Nash was going to plant a new church, I was so excited.  I would have been the first one through the door.

But then Nash told me it would be in Redlands - and I cannot drive that far.  So sad, for I would have loved to watch him grow that next step.  I guess I can, but only vicariously.

One of the benefits and rewards of being a wee bit older - is watching the next generation grow.  In 1987, when I was saved in our FACI Bible studies, we had an active young adult/college student group. 

And I was able to see four of them become pastors and marry young ladies in our church.  Needles to say, being a part of the Fil-Am Church fellowships in Orange/Riverside Counties has been a rewarding experience for me.

But I owe it all to God and the Godly couple He sent to shepherd me, Pastor Sam & Ida Lacanienta.  God knew that from my experience with a traveling Revival Preacher when I was twelve years old - and all those years I spent running from God because of that preacher, until I was fifty years old - I would need a very special and Godly love to bring me into the family of God. 

He sent Pastor Sam & Ida Lacanienta. whose pure love and ministry illuminated my way to the foot of the cross.  Thank you, God - and thank you Pastor Sam & Ida, for because of you I have Jesus' immutable promise and guaranty of eternal life in His presence.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: 

 

 

This Blog Touches My Heart In So Many Ways

THIS BLOG TOUCHES MY HEART IN SO MANY WAYS  ~  Today, Feb 17, 2025, is my brother, Bob's, 91 birthday, which he is celebrating in heaven with our mom and so many, many other loved ones today. 

As a child growing up in the Shoals of Alabama I virtually had three moms ~ my mom, my Aunt Nina, and my Aunt Ola.  In 1993, living in Orange County, California, I knew that Aunt Ola was in the hospital in Alabama, but did not realize it was serious. 

One day I was at work and I had a strong feeling that I wanted to call Aunt Ola in the hospital.  My cousin, Bobbie Byrd, answered the phone and told Aunt Ola, "Billy Joe is on the phone.  Do you feel like talking?"  She answered, "No, just tell him that I love him."  An hour later she passed away.  My mom joined her in heaven in 1994.  Aunt Nina had preceded them in 1973.

Watching the video below touches special compartments of my heart reserved for them and other very special ladies - for I find myself in the Winter of Life, a time when I keep losing so many parts of my heart, so many friends, loved ones, and very special ladies who, each, own a piece of my heart - and are gone, for now. 

In the winter of 1955 I was in the Air Force Tech School at Lowry AFB, Denver.  During that time I met two very special women - Jacquie Lynn Dodge and Betty Martinez.  I married Betty, but never forgot Jacquie and our moments together.

In 1965, there was Pat Goodwin, an amazing woman I met while working at Boeing in Seattle for six months, then she followed me to Los Angeles where we had a very special three years relationship.  Later in the 1960s, there was Judy Seale with whom I shared many life experiences, traveling America and experiencing the wild, decadent 1960s decade of America.

Betty passed away in 2001, just a week before 9/11 - Jacquie Lynn in October 2010 - Pat and Judy both in 2024.  Dory and I have been together for 47 years and I daily ask God to give us many more productive years together.  My sister-in-law, aka, my sister, Mary Gray, in Florence, Alabama, is a couple of years older than me and seems to be in very good health.  Thank you, Lord.

About 15 years ago I discovered that I have a half-sister, Imogene Donaldson, who lived in Port Angeles, Washington.  After we discovered one another, we talked often on the phone, but due to my travel limitations, I never had a chance to meet her face-to-face. 

Yet I was amazed at her strong yet loving voice, even though she was a few years older than me.  She seemed to be ten years younger than me.  She was promoted to heaven in 2022 - but we will meet again and this time it will be for eternity.

I have read, and written, about the Winter Season of life - but have never admitted being there.  When anyone inquires about my age and if I am getting to be old, I declare, "When I get old, I will let you know!" 

While I may continue to ignore Father Time, so many of those close to me have not - and each one takes a piece of my heart with them.  There is a consolation to that ~ when I get to heaven it will be easy to find all my loved ones and and special friends - each will be holding a piece of my heart. 

Through the years there have been so many special people and if I try to include even a few sentences about all of them - I would be writing a book instead of a blog.  Yet when we meet again, I will recognize each one, as they will also be holding a piece of my heart.

For some reason this song popped into my head:

"I wish you bluebirds in the spring,

to give your heart a song to sing.
And then a kiss, but more than this,

I wish you love."

Until we meet again, in this world or the next - to all of you, My Friends and Loved Ones, "I wish you enough!"  God bless, Bill

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Bill Gray posted on Feb 17, 2017:

THE VIDEO BELOW DEFINITELY BROUGHT A MAJOR FLASH-BACK FOR ME ~ In February 1994, I was home in Alabama for my mom's funeral. I stayed a week and then had to come home to California.

My Aunt Anne wanted me to visit her before I left - but I ran out of time.  I promised her that I would be coming home again soon and would definitely visit with her then.  She was killed a month later in a car accident.

When Dory, Lana, and I left Alabama to fly home, my brother, Bob, was in good health and I had no doubt that we would be home often to visit.  But life has a way of changing even the best plans.  I was never able to go home again while Bob was still alive. 

We talked often on the phone and I was thrilled by his devout walk with our Lord - but the last time I saw Bob was at the Huntsville airport in 1994.  He was promoted to heaven January 12, 2016.

Yes, I will see him again one day.  I will see him, mom, and the many other loved ones who have gone on before me.  But I miss talking with him today - and I cannot tell you how many times I have reached for the phone to call mom or Bob - then realize that I cannot.

Why am I sharing this with you?  Watch this video and you will understand.  Every time we part - may be the last time.  Did you remember to say, "I love you"?  Three little words - but the most powerful words you can ever say - for they may have to last you a long time.

I Wish You Enough!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-rCB97IWGA

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Click on the image to enlarge:

 

 

 

Nehemiah 6 Recitation By Chantelle Gibbs - Amazing! ~ 2014, And Today In 2025

Our daughter, Lana, is in a Bible Study Group at Harvest Christian Fellowship and they are studying the book of Nehemiah. 

That brought back a beautiful deja vu memory of our Fil-Am Church of Irvine (FACI) Home Bible Studies - and especially of a young toddler, Chantelle, who was always at our home Bible studies.  Of course she brought her mom, Nimfa, and younger sister, Gabrielle.

When Chantelle was a senior in high school, or maybe just entering Biola, she gave the recitation of Nehemiah 6 in church - and her mom, Nimfa, shared it with us. 

In 2014 I was so inspired by her recitation that I have shared the video a number of times over the years.  And because Lana's Bible study group is in Nehemiah, I am inspired to share it again.  Maybe Lana can share it with friends in her study group.

 

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NEHEMIAH 6 RECITATION BY CHANTELLE GIBBS - AMAZING!
Thu, 17 Jul 2014 16:17:42 -0700
Bill Gray <billdory@pacbell.net>

Back in the 1990s, our church, the Filipino-American Church of Irvine (FACI), had what I still view as the perfect Home Bible Studies.  I call them Family Bible Studies, for no one was excluded. 

In our Friday Night Home Bible Studies, we often had as many as 30, 40, or more people there to study God's Word.  And we had all ages, from toddler, to youth, to young adult, to mom and dad, grandma and grandpa - and all in between.

The kiddies sat on the floor in the middle of the room, we adults sat on sofas and chairs - and Pastor Sam Lacanienta taught us.  Being a kid at heart, sometimes I also sat on the floor.  I will admit that Pastor Sam has always been very adept at keeping the young ones interested, while not boring we who were a wee bit older. 

I have heard folks complaining that having children in the Bible studies with adults is distracting.  Not so, when they are included. 

So, what did we have?  We had youth hearing the Word of God, hearing our discussions, and most often able to be included in the discussions.  True, the toddlers cannot do that, but what they do see is mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and all their friends sharing love, the love of God, and Christian love for one another.  That image will always stay in their minds. 

And as they grow older, they, too, can join in when we read and discuss God's Word.  In a Family Home Bible Study of God's Word, nothing is wasted - not the love, not the lessons, not the memories.

In that large Bible study group we had in the 1990s, I was blessed to watch the young people grow in knowledge of God's Word.  And I have been blessed to see them put that knowledge into action.  

At least four of our young men from those studies have become Godly pastors leading local fellowships.  All four married young ladies from our Family Bible Study groups - and are raising their own children up to be Godly children.  That is truly paying it forward.

Over the years, I have had the joy of watching all those young children who were in our FACI Bible study group in the 1990s go on to lead positive Christian lives, virtually all of them in some way involved in ministry - from mission trips, to becoming missionaries, to being active in local Christian fellowships, to being pastors and pastors' wives, and so much more.

I have even had the joy of seeing my own granddaughter, Elyssa, who is now a junior at a wonderful Christian college in Santa Barbara, going on several mission trips.

As are told in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he (she) should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

My reason for writing this blog is my memories of a young child, Chantelle, who was in 1990s Family Bible Studies - who is today a perfect example of what I have written.   One of the families in those studies was my Christian sister, Nimfa Veneracion, and her two young daughters, Chantelle (left) and Gabrielle (right). 

The photo below is how they looked during those 1990s Bible studies.  Several years ago, Nimfa posted a video of Chantelle doing a recitation at church.  At that time, Chantelle was still in high school or maybe just entering Biola University.  But, that video totally blew my mind.

In this video, Chantelle is reciting, not reading, but reciting the full chapter of Nehemiah 6.   And, she does it so well that we get the feeling that Nehemiah is actually telling the story himself.   This is an amazing performance and I pray that you enjoy it as much as I always have - every times I have watched it.

Nehemiah 6 @ Celebration - Chantelle Gibbs Recitation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcFt_iXtqq4

My Friends, this family is a perfect example of paying it forward.   And, that is what Jesus Christ has instructed all Christian believers to do in His Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. . . 

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. . . Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation."

My Friends, there can be no greater example of that Great Commission - than seeing Chantelle Gibbs reciting Scripture is such an exciting and inspiring way.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Click on the image to enlarge:

 

 

 

Here’s Everything President Trump Did His First Week Back

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS OFF AND RUNNING  ~  Surprising all of us with his youthful vigor!  Just look at his schedule on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, a schedule that would have taxed a 30 year old did not seem to phase him at all. 

He started the day early with church service and then a full day of official events, speaking at multiple venues, normally ending his day after the multiple Inaugural Balls.  But then, as I understand it, President Trump went back to signing more Executive Orders in his heartfelt effort to start Making America Great Again.

This is what he has done for YOU and me during his first week in office:

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Here’s Everything Trump Did His First Week Back
DailyWire - News and Analysis
By  Mairead Elordi - Jan 25, 2025
https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-everything-trump-did-his-first-week-back

From the southern border to the federal bureaucracy, Trump swiftly delivered on a slew of campaign promises!

President Donald Trump Began His Second Term This Week With An Explosion Of Actions - spending his first few days in office going full speed on his agenda and reversing the work of his predecessor.  The dizzying march of executive orders, presidential pardons, firings of Biden appointees, calls with foreign leaders, and visits to disaster zones started immediately after the inauguration on Monday, and the breakneck pace did not let up for the rest of the week.

On day one, Trump signed more than three dozen executive orders: the southern border, gender ideology, American energy, the economy, and other issues.  In a flurry of orders on immigration, his signature issue, Trump took several drastic actions.

* * The President Declared A National Emergency At The Southern Border - deployed thousands of troops there - ordered construction of the border wall - ordered Homeland Security to remove illegal migrants AND go after the drug cartels, which he designated as Terrorists.

* * The Executive Orders Also Blocked All Illegal Entries including asylum seekers and refugees - shut down the CBP One app -  beefed up visa screening - and attempted to end birthright citizenship for the children of non-citizens who are already facing legal challenges.

~ ~ ~ Bill Gray Note:  The CBP One is an app to allow illegals to schedule asylum appointments at a port of entry.  The language of President Trump's action, more specifically, orders officials to cease using the application “as a method of paroling or facilitating the entry of otherwise inadmissible aliens into the United States.”

In his inaugural remarks after taking the oath of office President Trump declared, “All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.” 

Trump also threatened to prosecute officials and strip funding from sanctuary cities and states that refuse to cooperate with his deportations, which have already begun.  Less than 48 hours after Trump was sworn in, ICE had already arrested more than 460 illegal migrants.

* * Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security reinstated the term “ILLEGAL ALIEN.”

* * One Of Trump’s Biggest Moves Of His First Day - and week - was granting pardons to nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the January 6 riot at the Capitol.  Most of the defendants received full pardons, while 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, most of whom were convicted of seditious conspiracy, got their sentences commuted. 

* * The Justice Department Was Directed To Dismiss Any Pending Indictments Related To The Riot.

On Thursday, Trump Pardoned 23 Pro-Life Protesters prosecuted by the Biden administration, including a woman in her 70s, and the mother of a two-year-old, both imprisoned.

* * Relatedly, Two More Executive Orders Ban The Weaponization Of The Federal Government against political opponents including censorship of free speech.  And They Direct Investigations Into Past Government Misconduct.

* * Another Day One Order Addresses Gender Ideology - which became a hot button issue during the election.  The Order Officially Recognizes “Sex” As Biological, Only “MALE” OR “FEMALE.”

The Order Reverses Allowing People To Change Their Gender On Passports - bans federal funds from promoting gender ideology - or paying for medical gender transitions for prison inmates, AND protects women and girls from trans-identifying men in women’s prisons, rape shelters, and “intimate spaces.”

* * Trump Also Took An AXE to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) initiatives with several actions.

In One Order He Scrapped ALL Government DEI Programs - and put their staff on leave. Trump also rescinded an executive order from President Lyndon Johnson that mandated Affirmative Action by government contractors.

And in another order he directed the Federal Aviation Administration To Stop DEI hiring practices - noting that it is responsible for the safety of nearly 3 million airline passengers every day.

* * In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Trump posted that his first day in office was not over yet.  He was busy FIRING more than 1,000 presidential appointees from the previous administration, “who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again.”

Among those who got the boot from presidential advisory councils was retired Army General Mark Milley, who was fired from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.  Milley has called Trump a Fascist and was granted a preemptive pardon by Biden just hours earlier.

~ ~ ~ Bill Gray Note:   +September 28, 2021 - Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Marco Rubio called on Biden to fire Milley, stating that Milley had undermined "the sitting commander in chief" and "contemplated a treasonous leak of classified information to the Chinese Communist Party in advance of a potential armed conflict with the People's Republic of China."  Many Republicans accused Milley of treason and called for his resignation, firing, or court-martial.

“YOU’RE FIRED!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

* * Meanwhile, Trump’s State Department issued guidance that U.S. embassies should fly ONLY the American flag and not activist flags like the Pride and Black Lives Matter flags, both of which flew over government buildings under Biden.

In another spate of executive orders, Trump took action on energy.

* * He Declared A National Energy Emergency - withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, revoking any related financial commitments - directed the deregulation of domestic energy production, especially in Alaska - paused all new federal leasing and permitting for wind farms - eliminated the Electric Vehicle Mandate - and announced plans to get rid of regulations on products like light bulbs, water heaters, and washing machines.

* * On The Economy, one order aims to deliver emergency price relief to Americans by having executive agencies work to lower the costs of housing and healthcare - eliminate harmful climate policies - and create jobs, “drawing discouraged workers into the labor force.” 

* * Another order pauses assistance to foreign countries for 90 days as they are reviewed. 

* * The president also directed the Secretary of State to issue guidance on putting America First.

* * He issued an “America First” trade policy that includes exploring an "External Revenue Service" (as opposed to the Internal Revenue Service) to collect revenue related to foreign trade. 

~ ~ ~ Bill Gray Note: Funding America through foreign tariffs instead of taxing American citizens into poverty.

* * Several other Executive Orders took aim at the Federal Bureaucracy and directed a regulatory freeze - a federal hiring freeze with exceptions for areas like the military - and required federal employees to return to in-person work. 

* * More orders establish the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - encourage federal hiring based on merit (instead of DEI) - and aim to restore accountability to federal workers who can influence policy.

In one fell swoop, Trump also revoked nearly 100 of former President Joe Biden’s executive actions on day one.

The Biden Actions Involved:  Advancing “racial equity” - preventing discrimination over “gender identity” - ensuring an “equitable” pandemic response - “restoring science” to tackle the “climate crisis” - immigration enforcement - “clean energy” - “accountable policing” - establishing an “African diaspora” council - withdrawing parts of the U.S. from oil or gas leasing - along with dozens more moves.

* * Trump also withdrew from the World Health Organization, citing its “mishandling” of the pandemic.  He called the move a “big one.”

* * In a hotly-anticipated move, the president suspended the TikTok ban and expressed hopes to strike a deal with TikTok’s parent company.

Trump also made several Anti-Abortion moves during his first few days in office.

* * He joined every Republican president since Ronald Reagan in restoring the Mexico City Rule - Which Prohibits Federal Funding to any overseas nongovernmental organization that performs or promotes abortions. 

* * He also restored the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayers from being forced to pay for most abortions.

On Friday, Trump addressed the annual "March for Life" in a video message in which he praised their aim to “protect every child as a beautiful gift from the hand of our Creator.”  Vice President JD Vance addressed the march in person, his first speech as vice president.

* * The new administration also made a statement “strongly” supporting the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" which passed the House, but was blocked in the Senate this week - and he shut down the Biden administration’s Pro-Abortion Government website.

On Thursday, Trump spoke virtually to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and accused the CEO of Bank of America (and the CEO of JPMorgan Chase) to his face of debanking Conservatives, saying, “What you’re doing is wrong.”

~ ~ ~ Bill Gray Note:   De-banking, more commonly spelled debanking, also known within the banking industry as de-risking, is the closure of people's or organizations' bank accounts by banks that perceive the account holders to pose a financial, legal, regulatory, or reputational risk to the bank - such as the enforcement of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, the closing of bank accounts of sex workers, and people considered to be politically exposed persons (aka wrong political party?). The closure of accounts is generally performed without giving a reason and without the prospect of appeal. Wikipedia

He spoke with several foreign leaders, including a “fiery” call with the Danish prime minister about national security concerns around Greenland - a call with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on illegal immigration - and a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said he wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years.

* * The administration said it has already secured a total of over $1 Trillion in new investments in the country (America).

* * The president also re-designated Yemen’s Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.

* * Trump also signed an order aimed at “Putting People Over Fish” in California - ordering federal agencies to work on routing more water from Northern California to the Southern California areas damaged by wildfires - and to stop prioritizing the Delta Smelt fish.

* * Trump declassified files related to the John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations - a move praised by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

* * On Technology Innovation, Trump issued an executive order aimed at eliminating Biden policies “harmful” to America’s global Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominance.  He also set up special groups to focus on Science and Technology as well as Cryptocurrency regulation.

* * Trump also revoked the taxpayer-funded Security Details of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo - his former National Security Adviser, John Bolton - and Anthony Fauci, who was the face of Trump’s White House pandemic task force.

* * Another order Revokes The Security Clearances Of The 51 Former Intelligence Officials - who signed a letter discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story.

* * He also pardoned two Washington, D.C. Police Officers convicted in the death of a black man during a police car chase in 2020.

* * He directed the Attorney General "To Seek The Death Penalty" for federal crimes involving either the murder of Law Enforcement (Officers) - or an ILLEGAL migrant (who was) committing a capital crime.

* * Trump also directed the Secretary of the Interior to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and restored the name “Mount McKinley” to the country’s highest peak after the Obama administration changed it to a Native Alaskan name in 2015.

* * Other orders addressed smaller issues including withdrawing Biden’s menthol cigarette ban - getting rid of the Biden administration’s White House security clearance backlog - recognizing North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe - and promoting beautiful civic architecture.

On Friday, Trump turned his attention to disaster zones, flying to North Carolina to view hurricane damage and then to California to survey wildfire destruction.  He is set to hold a rally in Nevada on Saturday, saying he wants to “thank” Nevada voters for supporting him.

Meanwhile, Trump’s Cabinet confirmations are working their way through the Senate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the first to be confirmed on Tuesday, and Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Defense Secretary late Friday evening, with Vance casting the tie breaking vote.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Folks, since this is only President Trump's first week in office, just imagine what he will do to Make America Great Again in the next four years.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

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