THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

                                               What makes a good Christian.

We are well into the start of a new year and I want to just remind us all of what it is that we think makes a good Christian in today’s world.

1Co 13:1  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

5  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

8  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10  but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 

11  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

When I was a child just starting school it became evident to me on the very first day that school was not going to be fun. First of all I did not want to go, so my mother walked me to school. Second, I would be away from home, which no doubt my mother wanted.

 I did not want to be away from what I considered to be contentment, security, and safety. I was basically afraid of school. Of course I did not know that at the time, I just felt that I was being punished. Of course I knew I had to go to school, but I was not ready for it.   

I whined all the way there about not wanting to go. I was five years old, I had no real desire to start going to school, I was satisfied not learning anything. Still, my mother led me to the great double doors of my school entry, and opened the doors, led me inside and turned and left. 

I waited a couple of minutes, milling around with the kids in the hallway just outside my classroom, then turned to the great double doors and opened them and beat my mother back home. Crying all the way.

My mother promptly took me back, and opened the great double doors and took me to the classroom door, opened it and introduced me to my first grade teacher. Ms. Hooper. Who immediately introduced me to her rules for tardy attendance. Fifteen minutes in the cloak room. 

So you see, my foreboding feelings were justified. I had dreaded this day for a whole summer and sure enough, my apprehensions were correct, school was not going to be fun.  

I spent the first fifteen minutes of school in the cloak room, being punished for tardiness. Not a great start to an effort that I would spend the next 12 years of my life trying to cope with. 

But in just a few days I had made new friends and came to understand that actually school was not that difficult. It was not all that long that I learned what it is that I was there to do. I was to be a good student, and all I had to do was to learn what it is that makes a good student. 

 

Some of us Christians come into life that way, we just don't like the way things come into and out of our lives, Jesus too was a rebel of sorts, an inconvenient man for many of his Jewish brothers, the teachers  of the law, the Pharisees and the saducees, He just didn't win many friends with the religious authorities. There was always that feeling when one was around Jesus that there was something he was trying to tell us. with Jesus the feeling always seemed to be that one was lacking something.   Jesus was uncomfortable for some of us to be around. I always felt inadequate around him. Like he always knew what I was thinking. But we began to listen to him and he began to make sense, sure there has always been a God, but He was someone that was always remote, way up there on his throne, just an observer who kept records. We would someday have to face him, but not now. How wrong does Satan make us feel?

ON THE JERICO ROAD

          The Jericho Road, Another Perspective on the Parable of The Good Samaritan                                             

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most popular and insightful teachings of Jesus Christ. This parable, was an answer to a question that came to Him from an expert in the law. These Jewish priests and rabbi along with the scribes and Pharisees were always looking for a way to charge Jesus with breaking the Mosaic law

                                                Scripture Luke 10: 25-37

Luk 10:25,  On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27  He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28  "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor”? 30  In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.34  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36  "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37  The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." 

The story Jesus relates takes place on the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho, about 20 miles of road through mountainous terrain, which travelers of Jesus day either walked or rode their animals when they traveled. The road from Jericho to Jerusalem The Jericho road as it was known, was the scene of many biblical events. From David's escape from the clutches of his son Absalom, and various trips that Jesus made including one when he healed the blind man Bartimaeus. In Jesus day it was a very dangerous place and there was hilly mountainous terrain which made for a difficult journey. And there were thieves and robbers along the road where they had their hideouts in the wilderness which the road passed through, This story told by Jesus includes the dangerous Jericho road as the location for this event. 

Here we read these words and are left to our own imagination as to the events that took place to have left this poor soul in such a near death condition, and just from the events Jesus tells, it is clear that without the help of someone, this man would surely die. Who is the man?.. we do not know...that is open to our imagination.

                                                           Meditation                                                                       

In the parable,...why does this lawyer ask Jesus his second question, "Who is my neighbor?"…. And it is noteworthy that Jesus never answers that question. In the story, the poor victim is beaten and stripped of his raiment,... 

There is nothing about him that can be used to identify him…. This man could be imagined as anyone by his listeners, and Jesus is sensitive to that, Jesus knows his listeners can imagine the man as anyone,...and from whence cometh his help.

Jesus lays out the story and leaves us with the notion of our potential neighbors,...they in God’s own words are to be loved even as we love ourselves

A Pharisee,….a Samaritan,….a Jew,... a gentile, or a pagan… regardless of whether they are followers of Jesus or not….It is not ours to question their beliefs,..are they our neighbors?...

Does Jesus ever say that the injured traveler is the Samaritan's neighbor? No. but he asks which man "proved to be a neighbor."... So the question is not "Who is my neighbor?"... The question is,... "Am I a neighbor?" 

Now the question posed by this lawyer….seems to have been made to convince Jesus that “to love God….is without limits but,... to warrant my love,…..anyone besides God has to meet certain standards before they can be called neighbor

 Of the three men that day,….who had the encounter with the man,… which one... had compassion for him?”...  To whom are we to be a neighbor?... Jesus wants to teach us not so much who is our neighbor…. 

as to make us understand who it is lying there dying….. by the side of The Jericho road,….. the one who it is that needs a Good Samaritan. 

 Are we to choose the neighbor we must love,…. with the possibility to refuse the ones that in our eyes,...are not worthy?... Jesus revolves that question…..

We need only look at whomever is in front of us…. One never can be certain,…. lest there may be a time when,… without warning,...I am the one stripped of my identity and left for dead.

The Jericho Road was a dangerous place,…. we know that because as did the priest,... and the Levite,... one fear they both had,…. was that if they stopped to help,... that would not be the end of it,... 

nor would they be safe while helping this poor man.... It would be a very inconvenient thing,... getting involved in this mans trouble, Besides,…. He may already be dead.

Is the world we live in now comparable to that dangerous Jericho road?…. And as we travel that road... We as born sinners could easily be the unfortunate victim,... felled in this dangerous world by our sins,…. and left there to die in our sins,... stripped of our righteousness, 

We are felled there,... in our sins,... without hope lest there be Jesus... The Son of God,...  the one who sees us there half dead,... yet he sees something in us worth saving,... Jesus it is then,...who takes up our redemption, 

He pours the oil of healing on our wounds and cleanses us with his blood,... saves our condemned soul by taking our sins upon himself,... as he was destined to do,... and at the place of His crucifixion,... 

He gives his life as our security,... and covers the cost of our sin,... and leaves us in good hands,... in the salvation which he provides,... through those with whom he places us,... with instructions to care for us,... at the Inn of our redemption, God’s Church, cared for by His followers…. 

Then it is also Jesus who will return to cover the cost on the day of reckoning…. He has assigned us a place among the righteous….apart from that Jericho road,…. It is Jesus then who saves us,… Jesus is our “Good Samaritan”…We are to be Good Samaritans who Go and do likewise AMEN

WHO IS TO SAY ?

From Habakkuk the third chapter  LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD….. Repeat them in our day,……. in our time make them known;…..in wrath remember mercy….. 

3  God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran…….. His glory covered the heavens…...and his praise filled the earth……….4  His splendor was like the sunrise;……. rays flashed from his hand,……….. where his power was hidden………..

17  Though the fig tree does not bud…... and there are no grapes on the vines,…….. though the olive crop fails………. and the fields produce no food,…….. though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,……... 

18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,………. I will be joyful in God my Savior………..19  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights……….. 

There is a story about an old New Yorker,... a man of the streets,... one who lived by only his wits…….. and the money he got….. from panhandling……..One day while panhandling at his usual post, he was bothered by the noise of a jack hammer out in the street….. The noise was deafening….so he decided to move from there.

Walking away now,... he was looking for another less noisy spot when he noticed a woman walking across the street,….She was leading a little girl by the hand…. It was obvious that the woman was not watching……. where she was going as she walked swiftly along…... She was reading what looked like a letter. 

As she walked along…. it became apparent that she was so engrossed in the letter…. that she did not notice……... a city bus moving towards them,…..Then as they were about to step into the path of the bus…. The man screamed out but the sound from the jack hammer…. and the hustle and bustle of the morning was just too much,... he could not make himself heard…. 

The woman and the little girl were one moment away…. from stepping right in front of the bus, and being killed,... there was nothing the man could do now but watch….. …...He knew it would be instant death for both ….. But suddenly there happened a momentary miracle.

As she and the little girl were about to step into this coming disaster,….. and while still reading the letter……. a quick breeze blew the letter out of the woman's hand……... and over her shoulder,….. backwards….. She spun around and reached for the letter, the force of her action…... also knocking the little girl backwards.

By the time she reached out for the girl….. and the two of them fell backwards the bus had passed by,……. narrowly missing them……. The woman and the little girl never saw it,….. Neither of them knew……. that they had narrowly missed what would have been certain death…...In an instant a miracle,……. witnessed only by the beggar.  

To this day the man who had seen this miracle happen,…... remembers only two things about the event….. The first memory is a question,….Where did that one spurt of wind come from………. to blow the letter out of the woman’s hand?

The second memory is,…. if the woman had heard his warning shout out,….. she might have looked up……. as she continued to walk into the path of the bus,…...but there was no possibility….. that his screams could have been heard….with all the noise of that morning. 

So indeed the noise was there for a purpose....  The breeze was there for a purpose. And so it was that two lives were spared…. divinely by the providence of God,…. and witnessed only by this man of the street,….. who by the divine providence of God…..Found himself at church the next Sunday….. Thanking God for the miracle he had witnessed…... Who is to say…… That God does not involve himself in the affairs of  His creation.

Rom 8:27-31  And he who searches our hearts……. knows the mind of the Spirit,…... because the Spirit intercedes……... for God's people in accordance with the will of God….. 28  And we know that in all things…... God works for the good of those who love him,……... who have been called according to his purpose.

29  For those God foreknew……... he also predestined………. to be conformed to the image of his Son,………... that he might be the firstborn……... among many brothers and sisters………..

30  And those he predestined,…... he also called;……... those he called, ………..he also justified;………. those he justified, he also glorified……….. 31  What, then, shall we say in response to these things?……... If God is for us, who can be against us? 

The window to the soul

A window to the soul, a look into the soul of only one.
At one time in my life I was a free spirit, doing whatever my fanciful imagination might happen upon. then I learned of my own selfish desires and selfish concerns. A study of some of my acts left me with a disgusting feeling about myself. Why am I so self aware? It came to me from reading and studying the Bible, here is a sample of what I found about myself

Proverbs 30:17 – The eye is the window to the soul

It is often said “the eye is the window to the soul”.  The eyes do communicate various emotions.  Wide-open eyes communicate fear, while a squint of the eyes communicates anger or disgust.  Dreamy eyes are said to communicate love and affection.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples that the eye is the light of the soul.

Matthew 6:22-23 – “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single [clear; undivided; without hypocrisy], thy whole body shall be full of light. 23  But if thine eye be evil [wicked; malicious], thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Proverbs 30:17 instructs us that a “look in the eye” can tell you a lot about what is going on in the soul and spirit of a man.

Proverbs 30:17 – “The eye [face; countenance] that mocketh [derides; scorns] at his father, and despiseth [disrespect; rejects] to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out [pierce; thrust out; hollow out], and the young eagles shall eat it [feed upon].”

I have studied faces in family photos over the years and been fascinated by the change in countenance of children as they enter their teen years.  The faces of youth Roland and Sadie Whitley grandchildren - circa mid-1960often convey an innocent, unpretentious joy and sincerity; however, those same faces with the passing of years sometimes etch on their countenances an angry, rebellious, squint-eyed appearance.  I have observed in those rebellious eyes a hollow, desensitized soul that is frightening, cold and tragic.

It is that spirit Proverbs 30:17 identifies in a son or daughter who mocks his or her father and despises the mother.  This proverb warns that such a child will inevitably come to a tragic end…rejecting the umbrella of spiritual security and Charles-Manson-2sanity in his parent’s household, this rebellious fool will surely come to a tragic, ignoble end and no one may be there to bemoan such a waste of life.

Matthew 13:15 – “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Someone reading this devotion may fit the description of the son or daughter in today’s parable.  I urge you to open your eyes and ears to your fate should you continue down a path of rebellion and repent of your sin.

covenant relationship

What is a covenant relationship?

The concept of “covenant” is ancient and had its roots in the bible and the various cultures of the Ancient Near East. In this context, a covenant was understood to be a binding agreement through which both parties had certain responsibilities and could expect certain benefits in return. Unlike a simple contract or a “business deal,” however, a covenant implied a meaningful relationship between the two parties. In this way, God made covenant with Noah, Abraham, and eventually all of Israel at Mt. Sinai. God continues this covenant relationship through Jesus Christ.

Why “covenant” with a local church?

Many believe that this model is the best way for Christians to commit themselves to being disciples of Jesus Christ. Being in a meaningful relationship with God, our neighbor, and the world (including all of creation) is what it means to be the church. This is very different in some ways from what is traditionally thought of as “membership” in the local church. Since we “join” many different groups in our society, the word “membership” carries with it certain assumptions that we may wish to avoid in the context of the church. There may be the thought, for instance, that being a “member” of a church means that there can be no dissenting opinion from the leadership or a particular denomination. “Members,” it may be assumed, are expected to “buy into” the professed agenda 100%.  Not so. When a Christian enters into a covenant relationship with a local church, they are agreeing to a meaningful association with that local church, and are expected to exchange ideas and opinions in an environment of grace, love, and mutual respect with other covenant members.

 

What is expected of those who enter into a covenant relationship?

Those who enter into a covenant relationship with Westwood Church are expected to sincerely pursue the “Six points of the Covenant Relationship” outlined below. Those in covenant seek to understand God’s ongoing story and apply it in a meaningful way to our current context. Those in covenant also seek to live out their ongoing unique spiritual journey, welcoming God’s healing and wholeness into their lives, being in community with their neighbor, serving their neighbor locally and around the world, and celebrating with others in the life of the church, especially in worship.

Six Points of the Covenant Relationship

1. Tradition

At Westwood Church, we affirm the central truths of the historic Christian faith. We see ourselves as standing in a long line of faithful witnesses who have engaged, wrestled with, and interpreted these truths for their particular historic context. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God that has been transmitted through poems, stories, narratives, and letters that communicate to us the divine will for our lives, put to us in THE WORD OF GOD as stated in the Bible

THROUGH OUR TRADITION, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE PAST.

2. Journey

At Westwood Church, we believe that God is working to restore a fallen creation. Beginning with the covenant with Abraham, God has been preparing a time when the divine presence would draw near and begin the redemptive process. We believe this has happened in the person of Jesus Christ. As a church, we seek to find ways to partner with God in bringing about this renewal both in individual lives and in society as a whole, even as we anticipate the fullness of the future kingdom. We seek to find new and relevant ways to live out and communicate the teachings of Jesus, always knowing that faith is a journey that we must all be on.

THROUGH OUR JOURNEY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

3. Discipleship

At Westwood Church, we believe that it is God’s will for us to be fully integrated persons – mind, body, soul, and spirit. As people of faith, we seek to embrace the grace of God offered through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We value the path of discipleship, seeking to grow in knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, forgiven of our sins, healed of our brokenness, and restored in the created image of God.

THROUGH OUR DISCIPLESHIP, WE COVENANT TO LOOK WITHIN.

4. Community

At Westwood Church, we value the dignity of all human beings, regardless of differences, because the image of God is in all people. We also believe that faith can only be fully lived out in the context of community, for God has called us to be in relationship with one another, to bear one another’s burdens, to be generous with our gifts, to pray for one another, and to share our stories.

THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY, WE COVENANT TO LOOK TO ONE ANOTHER.

5. Service

At Westwood Church, we believe that God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and that the church, through the Holy Spirit, represents God’s continuing presence in the world today. Through the Spirit, we are led to work for justice and peace in the world, bringing relief to those who suffer, comforting those who grieve, and fighting oppression wherever it may be found. We believe that God in Christ calls the church to be a force for change, and that the church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices, and loves unconditionally.

THROUGH OUR SERVICE, WE COVENANT TO LOOK OUTWARD.

Control What???

Control What???
Do we really want to control guns? Well what else then? If we have control over guns can we not then control the people? Most certainly, remove all the guns from all the people and you remove the gun violence. NOT. You have simply made it more difficult to get guns, but I promise that if I want a gun, I will get one. probably any style and or type I want. You have just made it more difficult for honest law abiding people to acquire a gun for themselves. Which then makes them more vulnerable to someone who wants to do gun violence on them. 
        The phrase has two words in it. "Gun Violence". One of the words describes an object, a gun, it is inanimate, it can do nothing by itself, it must have an operator or someone who wields it. The other word is violence. Just the spoken word brings to mind harmful thoughts and vivid images of people and things in a state of uncontrolled mayhem. Just ask a ten year old child what the meaning of or what the concept of violence is, and you will hear a vivid description of some type of physical violence, involving the use of some type of weapon and it is usually exacted by one person against another. 
          So what is it really, that we want to do? We want to stop gun violence. Do we want other types of violence to go uncontrolled? Well actually we would like to remove all violence from society.  How could one do that? By having all of us love our neighbor as ourselves, and that then brings to mind the phrase" that is not possible". So even in the Bible we have very vivid descriptions of violence. From cutting off the heads of our enemies, to driving tent peg stakes through their heads, to crucifixion. Then how can we do this? Did you ever hear of the words "Love your neighbor as yourself"? 

A Thanksgiving State of Mind?

A thanksgiving state of mind?

 It is a seasonal celebration of the gifts God has made available to his people.
It is also a state of mind, an attitude, a prayer of thankfulness. However it changes nothing unless it is a continual and constant state of mind .

 There is most certainly a communal blessing attached to it, and much good comes from it. But unless it becomes a part of ones daily lifestyle, it will only remain a seasonal feeling. Thankfulness is a way of living life to the fullest, and expecting God's goodness to flow as he has most certainly promised that it will to those who believe the message of Jesus Christ, and accept the calling of "Christian".

 A commitment to live a life of forgiving gratefulness, of thankfulness, of endless love for our fellow man, A life where one is sharply aware of thankfulness to God. Where one is aware that all good things come from God, and only one gift, Jesus Christ,  is God's loving gift to mankind for salvation. All else is simply the stuffing for the turkey.

All good gifts are from God and all blessings are God created to suit the individual need of the moment. Much as one needs breath to live, one cannot take in all the breath one will ever need in one great gulp of air. One can only breath one breath at a time, for which we should certainly be grateful. And by the same comparison one does not receive all the blessings one can have at one time. God's blessings come more on an as needed basis. But one does not thank God personally for every breath taken, or for every blessing God sends our way. We are always breathing, and just as breath is a blessing, we are also always receiving God's other blessings, It is just that we do not always recognize them as blessings.

 It is a matter of living a life of thanksgiving. Allowing God's free gifts to flow in to and out of our life much the same as we breathe. It should become a matter of continual routine, like breathing, that we thank God for the blessings that he provides us.

Then it should become a matter of continual routine that we dispense our ample supply of God's blessings to others we meet. Those who are more needful than we of the good gifts from God that our life has been blessed to receive. Then as the parable of the talents implies, We are meant to share these gifts the same way as those servants were intended to invest the talents that their master left with them when he went away for a long time. Upon returning from his long journey he expected a return on his investments. We are in receipt of God's blessings, and we are in charge of them. God will expect a return on his investments. Our blessing is that God has chosen us to use his investments wisely. We are fortunate indeed to have a God who will trust us with his blessings. and for that we should always be in a thanksgiving state of mind.

Obama The Great; A Fool And His Democracy Are Soon Parted

Obama The Great; A Fool And His Democracy Are Soon Parted
Every move Obama made during his first year in office was pro-Islam and anti-Israel and Christian. Went to Middle East and gave speeches that were not pro-American. Stopped the trials at Gitmo even though the perpetrators admitted they were guilty. Changed the Rules of Engagement downrange. Had our men start reading Miranda Rights to those they caught killing us. Went to Gaza and told them he would give the lands that 200,000 Jews lived on. At the Democratic Convention last election, the Libs wanted to get God and Israel out of their theme. This caused a tremendous uproar and they were foiled but it again was proof of where they stand. Obama went to the U.N. to involve us in Libya and have Ghadaffi slaughtered and interfered in Egypt to get Mubarak. Both men no threat to America and both men kept Al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood at bay. This move raised eyebrows in Europe and Israel. Egypt went on to get rid of Morsi and tell America and Obama to pound sand. They realized what they were up against and wanted no part of it. Now Syria, Libya et most of the Middle East along with much of Africa is over flowing with Al Qaeda and the news yesterday from the Congressional Hearings on terrorism is that we are at the same risk now that we were before 9/11. This is no accident on the part of Obama and now McCain and much of the world, is more than willing to say the truth that Obama has upset the balance throughout the Middle East and Africa. He has accomplished his goal. America is in serious danger and the Muslims are gaining footholds throughout the world killing Christians and threatening everyone. Obama is the most dangerous man to ever hold office and will go down in history as a tyrant.

Early Bird Brief - Military Times

    Early Bird Brief - Military Times

Nov 10, 2016  
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Good morning and welcome to the Early Bird Brief. Please send news tips and suggestions to: earlybird@militarytimes.com.
Today's Top 5
  1. Inside the Pentagon, early fears Trump will micromanage the generals more than Obama did
(Military Times) There are plenty of reasons to believe Trump's White House will continue Obama's pattern of heavy-handed management.

  2. After Donald Trump's surprising win, Pentagon launches immediate transition
(Military Times) Election Day ended just a few hours ago, but transition work at the Pentagon begins this morning.

  3. Trump administration promises more aggressive, less political cyber stance
(Federal Times) In an election that rarely dipped into policy specifics, cybersecurity was front and center as both a political weapon and a major platform for both parties.

  4. Defense Industry Expecting Boost from Trump Election
(Defense News) The election of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States should give a boost to the defense industry, although one analyst warns there may be new challenges that arise in the international market.

  5. Anti-Trump Protests Break Out In Cities Across The Country
(npr) rotesters have marched in several cities across the United States, angered by the surprise election of Donald Trump.

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Donald Trump & the Presidency
  Who will be Trump's secretary of defense?
(Military Times) President-elect Donald Trump’s surprise victory this week has left defense watchers scrambling to figure out who will take over key national security posts next year, including defense secretary​.

  Dear President-elect: Advocacy group's open letter to Trump outlines key concerns of military families
(Military Times) Less than a day after the election of a new commander in chief, military families are making their frustrations known to Donald Trump via an open letter from the National Military Family Association.

  From Moscow: Russian Politicians and Pundits Shocked by Trump Election
(Defense News) The Russian media had been preparing for Hillary Clinton for weeks, if not months. On state television channels and news outlets, the former secretary of state was routinely derided as a corrupt, anti-Russian war monger. Some Russian media even went so far as to depict her as possibly insane, and out to start World War III.

  Arab-Israeli Hardliners Eye Brighter Days Under Trump
(Defense News) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi was the first Arab leader to call and congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump, and others throughout the region quickly followed suit, offering hopes of closer ties than those frayed by eight years of President Barack Obama.

  Northern Europe, Baltics Worry About the 'Unknowns' of a Trump Reign
(Defense News) Worried Nordic and Baltic-rim state governments are seeking "early" individual meetings with Vice President-elect Mike Pence to discuss what US security policy may look like under Donald Trump’s new administration.

  Analysts: Trump Victory Forces Europe's Hand on Russia Policy
(Defense News) Europe must start making its own decisions on confronting Russian aggression following the shock victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, a European analyst has warned.

  Cautious Optimism in Turkey After Trump Wins US Presidential Election
(Defense News) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Donald Trump’s election as the 45th president of the United States would mark a “new era,” adding that he hopes the US election will “bring favorable developments.”

  Yonhap: U.S. President-elect Trump pledges commitment to defend South Korea
(Reuters) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged his commitment to defend South Korea under an existing security alliance during a phone call with South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Thursday.

  French President Anticipates 'Period of Uncertainty' After Trump Is Elected US President
(Defense News) French President François Hollande has said the US election results have ushered in a time of uncertainty, even as the French head of state congratulated Donald Trump for his victory.

  Will top cyber talent join the Trump team? Jury's out.
(NextGov) Some former officials and cyber experts said Wednesday duty to country would outweigh partisan divisions or hostility to Trump’s particularly divisive style in technology and national security sectors. Others were less sanguine.

Advertisement

  Cotton: Trump can make 'tough calls' on waterboarding
(The Hill) Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Tuesday that President-elect Donald Trump is ready to make “tough calls” if it comes to waterboard terrorism suspects.

Overseas Operations
  U.S. Says It Has Killed 119 Civilians in Iraq and Syria Since 2014
(New York Times) The United States has killed 119 civilians in Iraq and Syria since it began military operations against the Islamic State there in 2014, military officials said Wednesday.

CyberCon 2016
  Register Today for CyberCon 2016!
(Federal Times) Join Defense News, Federal Times and C4ISRNET on Nov. 16, 2016, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Air Force
  Air Force starts selecting second round of enlisted RPA pilots
(Air Force Times) The Air Force will choose its next class of enlisted airmen seeking to fly remotely piloted aircraft in 2017.

  American, British and Korean fighter pilots come together for Invincible Shield
(Air Force Times) American, British and South Korean air force fighter pilots are wrapping up the 10-day Invincible Shield exercise on the Korean Peninsula Thursday, a show of force in the face of continuing North Korean provocations.

Army
  The Army is building an airborne bomb squad
(Army Times) The Army is building an airborne bomb squad that can respond to contingencies around the world as quickly as the 82nd Airborne Division and the Global Response Force.

  DIA employee sentenced for making child porn on work laptop
(NextGov) An Army lieutenant was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for producing child porn and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, the department said in a statement.

  Army “networks” combat vehicles with Ethernet
(Defense Systems) The Army is integrating sensors, weapons, computers, communications gear and display screens into its tactical and combat vehicles.

  Army’s Multi-Domain Battle To Be Tested In PACOM, EUCOM Wargames
(Breaking Defense) The major inter-service exercise will work out what that Multi-Domain Battle concept means in practice.

Navy
  Randy Forbes is the Favorite for Trump’s Secretary of the Navy
(USNI News) An advocate for a 350-ship Navy and $20-billion annual shipbuilding budgets and a vocal opponent of Chinese aggression in the Western Pacific will likely be the pick for the next Secretary of the Navy in a Donald Trump Administration.

Marine Corps
  Happy Birthday Marines! What makes the Corps great — in 10 awesome images
(Marine Corps Times) Nov. 10, 1775, marks the beginning of the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. To celebrate the Marine Corps' 241st Birthday, we looked at the top 10 things that make the Corps awesome.

  Top Marine general tells units to suspend operations to curb mishap toll
(Marine Corps Times) One hundred and fifty-two Marines died in fiscal 2016. The causes ranged from motorcycle crashes to a mid-air collision between two CH-53 helicopters that was among the deadliest Marine aviation accidents in years.

  Marine Corps fighter jets collide near San Diego
(The Hill) Both pilots safely ejected and are in stable condition and have been taken to medical facilities for observation, a Marine Corps statement said.

National Guard
  Military MMA update: UFC officially scraps Kennedy fight, WSOF's new schedule, more
(Military Times) Lost amid some of the other news emanating from New York City over the past few hours was the official word from the UFC that Green Beret Tim Kennedy's fight set for Saturday against Rashad Evans at New York's Madison Square Garden is officially off.

Defense Industry
  Navy awards $13M network emulator contract
(C4ISRNET) Scalable Network Technologies, Inc. has been awarded a $13.1 million Navy contract to support a network emulator.

  Israeli navy considers deploying new UAV type on corvettes
(Flightglobal) The Israeli navy is assessing the deployment of a fixed-wing extremely short take-off and landing (ESTOL) unmanned air vehicle on its new fleet of corvettes.

  U.S. Air Force to "Cyber-Secure" Nuclear Arsenal
(The National Interest) The Air Force is seeking more interactions with private sector firms to build better networks for securing nuclear weapons computer systems.

Veterans
  Walmart's Greenlight a Vet returns as retailer's foundation donates $5 million to veteran nonprofit
(Military Times) While the Walmart-spearheaded Greenlight a Vet campaign rolls into its second year as Veterans Day approaches, one of the promotion’s partners has received a $5 million donation from the retail giant's charitable arm.

  Former Navy SEAL Wins Governorship as Vets Head to Congress
(Military.com) In an election night that proved to be an unexpected nail-biter for the presidential race, a number of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars found their own paths to victory.

  Personal information for thousands of Colorado vets may have been compromised
(KKTV) More than 2,100 Colorado veterans may have had their personal information compromised, the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) said Wednesday.

  Report: Vets face serious health issues, but are less likely to complain about them
(Military Times) Veterans are more likely to contract cancer, battle heart disease and face substance abuse problems than their civilian peers, but are also less likely to see problems with their overall health.

Congress & Politics
  The number of Iraq and Afghanistan vets in Congress will rise in 2017
(Military Times) More veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are headed to Capitol Hill next year, despite an overall drop in the number of representatives and senators with military experience.

National Security & Intelligence
  DARPA Banks on Robot Copilots to Help Quell Military Pilot Shortage
(Defense News) DARPA is making headway on two different concepts for robotic copilots that would be able to autonomously operate aircraft and offer advice to the human pilot onboard.

International Affairs
  Russia receives first Il-22PP Porubschik electronic countermeasures planes
(UPI) Russia's air force has taken delivery of the first three Ilyushin Il-22PP Porubschik aircraft, featuring up-to-date jamming equipment capable of disabling electronics systems on enemy planes.

  Depleted by coup, Turkish air force seeks to lure back seasoned pilots
(Reuters) Turkey's air force in September made a public appeal to hundreds of former pilots to return to its depleted ranks to replace more than 350 airmen purged after July's failed coup.

Commentary & Analysis
  The CVN, at Full Speed, But Going Where?
(Defense News) In seven months in theater, the Truman’s combat sorties averaged 10 per day. And, an average of about 0.78 pieces of ordnance were dropped per combat sortie.

  Why GOP national security experts must agree to serve in a Trump administration
(Washington Post) A president as seriously deficient in knowledge, experience and temperament as Trump is going to need a lot of help, and he will need it from the A-Team.

  Doors Slam Shut for Afghan Refugees
(New York Times) Inside Afghanistan, tens of thousands have become internally displaced in recent months as fighting between the Taliban and government security forces rages in several provinces.

  How much will Donal Trump really spend on defense?
(War On The Rocks) Defense industry stocks are soaring in reaction to a clean Republican sweep of the executive and legislative branches. But how much will President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to rebuild the military actually cost?

  Donald Trump's First 100 Days: How He Could Reshape U.S. Foreign Policy
(The National Interest) This is his chance to undo Obama’s legacy.

  What Will Donald Trump’s Asia Policy Look Like?
(The Diplomat) A closer look at what America’s incoming president might do.

  The Prompt Launch Scare
(RealClearDefense) Recent news stories about how, in a crisis, a president would have to quickly launch nuclear-armed missiles are dead wrong.

What Happens Next

Mueller has released the hounds, The Fox is at bay; What the Dems do not understand, and the least perceptive of them (the Dumbocraps) is Nadler.

Once they get ahold of the impeachment process, and actually do the deed, The process will involve many and varied charges, witnesses will be called and accusations will be brought against the Fox, but this time the Fox gets his day in court. The Fox will stay silent and wait for his chance. The process will allow that this time around, the Fox will get his chance to conduct his defense. Remember this is a trial, not an investigation. They are playing right into his wheelhouse. When the Fox gets his turn (and he will get a turn), he will call into question all the dirty tricks. And the truth shall be told, and the Fox will own the hen house. Then the feathers will fly. The Dumbo's will turn on each other quicker that a lightning strike, and the Fox will have four more years and the Dumbo party will be over.

I’ve been studying politics and political history for the past 30 years. My specialty is U.S. Presidents.  I hope that the House of Representatives actually does impeach Trump.

Let me tell you what will happen next.

1. The House can pass articles of impeachment over the objections of the Republicans, and refer to the Senate for trial.

2. The Senate will conduct a trial. There will be a vote, and the Republicans will vote unanimously, along with a small number of Democrats, to not convict the President. Legally, it will all be over at that point.

3. However, during the trial, and this is what no one is thinking about right now, the President's attorneys will have the right to subpoena and question ANYONE THAT THEY WANT.. That is different than the special counsel investigation, which was very one-sided. So, during the impeachment trial, we will be hearing testimony from James Comey, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Bruce Ohr, Glenn Simpson, Donna Brazille, Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Christopher Steele, Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, James Clapper, and a whole host of other participants in this whole sordid affair and the ensuing coverup activities.

A lot of dirt will be dug up; a lot of truth will be unveiled. Finger pointing will occur. Deals will start being made, and suddenly, a lot of Democrats will start being charged and going to prison. All this, because, remember, the President's team will now, for the first time, have the RIGHT to question all of these people under oath - and they will turn on each other. That’s already starting.

 4. Lastly, one more thing will happen – the Senate will not convict the President. Nothing will happen to Trump. Most Americans are clueless about political processes, the law, and the Constitution. Most Americans believe that being impeached results in removal from office. They don't understand that phase 2 is a trial in and by the Senate, where he has zero chance of conviction. Remember, the Senate is controlled by Republicans; they will determine what testimony is allowed -- and **everything** will be allowed, including: DNC collusion with the Clinton campaign to fix the election in favor of Hillary, the creation of the Trump dossier, the cover up and destruction of emails that very likely included incriminating information. They’ll incriminate each other for lying to the FISA court, for spying and wiretapping the Trump campaign, and for colluding with foreign political actors, especially George Soros.

After the Senate declines to convict the President, we will have an election, and Trump will win. It will be a backlash against democrat petulance, temper tantrums, hypocrisy and dishonesty. Even minorities will vote for Trump, because, for the first time, they will see that democrats have spent 2+ years focused on maintaining their own power, and not doing anything at all about black murders in Chicago, homelessness, opioids, and other important issues that are actually killing people. And, we will spend the following four years listening to politicians and pundits claim that the whole impeachment was rigged somehow.

A new high school lesson

A Speech Every American High School Principal Should Give.
-- By Dennis Prager.
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal and honored to be so.
There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our
school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of
the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked
against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First --
this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care
less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white I could
not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian
or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on
slave ships. The only identity I care about, the only one this school
will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your
scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school
will care about is American.
This is an American public school, and American public schools were
created to make better Americans. If you wish to affirm an ethnic,
racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go
elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity, race and non-American
nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one
of its three central values -- E Pluribus Unum, "from many, one." And
this school will be guided by America's values. This includes all
after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students
based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual
orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by
political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic,
racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate
narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the
purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will
have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music,
astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If
the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being
interested in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that
means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second --
I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only
interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking
and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has
united America's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at
this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of
immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this
school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in
my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in
the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is
deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want
classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is
not your school.
Third --
Because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this
school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other
things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people
in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church
or school. These people have their priorities backward.
Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth --
No obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property
-- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events If you can't
speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I
mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus
epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to
address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a
girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time
you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to
instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the
holy and the obscene.
Fifth --
We will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will
be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided
otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence
is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth --
And last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from
politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you
about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment
or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing
and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a
health issue.. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you
are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual
or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this
school and does not consider him or herself inordinately fortunate -- to
be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of
our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers
will hand them out to you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pass this along if you agree. . . .