Podcast (sunday-thoughts): Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS | Subscribe to Sunday Thoughts
It is written in Deuteronomy 10:17, ““For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.” So why do so many Christians act like he does? Some Sunday thoughts.
Timestamps, Links, & Resources
0:00- Intro
Mark Andrew Ritchie
https://markritchie.me
Arley Lowen, Pamir Ministries
https://pamirministries.org/
6:39- God does not show partiality
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. – Deuteronomy 10:17
a
July 18, 2023: Pro-Paxton group gives $3 million to impeachment trial judge Dan Patrick
Defend Texas Liberty was the lieutenant governor’s largest benefactor in late June, providing a $1 million donation and $2 million loan to his campaign.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/18/ken-paxton-impeachment-dan-patrick/
July 24, 2023: Ken Paxton’s far-right billionaire backers are fighting hard to save him
With the attorney general’s impeachment trial set for September, supporters have risen to Paxton’s defense, fueled by the deep pockets of oil-rich West Texas donors.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/24/ken-paxton-impeachment-dunn-wilks/
9:25- Jere Van Dyk & the dynamic between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Interview with Jere Van Dyk on Soft White Underbelly
Visit his website at
https://www.jerevandyk.com/


20:14- Why am I Christian? My testimony.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. – Psalm 34:18
26:04- The U.S. & manipulation in Afghanistan
Zbigniew Brzezinski
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Brzezinski
Interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski, U.S. President Carter’s National Security Adviser
By ‘Le Nouvel Observateur’ (France), Jan 15-21, 1998, p. 76. Note: There are at least two editions of ‘Le Nouvel Observateur.’ With the exception of the U.S. Library of Congress, the version sent to the United States did not include the Brzezinski interview.
https://www.marxists.org/history/afghanistan/archive/brzezinski/1998/interview.htm
Hubris & arrogance
Arrogant unrepentance. Part of Jere Van Dyk's suggested reading for a history of Afghanistan and the US. @Stevens18Clint https://t.co/uTKeuIe7VO pic.twitter.com/RhUrQwBbqW
— Carla Alvarez (@RaisedtoWalk) July 28, 2023
January 9, 2020: The Myth of the “Afghan Trap”: Zbigniew Brzezinski and Afghanistan, 1978–1979
https://academic.oup.com/dh/article-abstract/44/2/237/5699276

31:46- Christian hubris & hypocrisy
(I think I said Ken Paxton is a member of my church. it is actually Dan Patrick.)
@donmoyn “Presumably if you are a Texas A&M faculty member who suggests it might be a tiny bit problematic for Dan Patrick to accept $3M from the guy whose trial he is overseeing you can expect to get suspended from your job”
Presumably if you are a Texas A&M faculty member who suggests it might be a tiny bit problematic for Dan Patrick to accept $3M from the guy whose trial he is overseeing you can expect to get suspended from your job. https://t.co/q5sK4UeHyB https://t.co/XCMcjqjWQo
— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) July 25, 2023
July 25, 2023: Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture
The professor, an expert on the opioids crisis, was placed on paid administrative leave and investigated, raising questions about the extent of political interference in higher education, particularly in health-related matters.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/25/texas-a-m-professor-opioids-dan-patrick/
@joe_jo4 “Breaking News: Dawn Buckingham’s daughter attended a lecture where the professor criticized Dan Patrick. Dawn contacted A&M to have the professor fired. Now the professor has been placed on administrative leave. Texas is corrupt! Greg Abbott.”
Breaking News: Dawn Buckingham’s daughter attended a lecture where the professor criticized Dan Patrick. Dawn contacted A&M to have the professor fired. Now the professor has been placed on administrative leave. Texas is corrupt! Greg Abbott. pic.twitter.com/olazQX1ytO
— Hey Jo 🤍 (@joe_jo4) July 25, 2023
35:23- Consequences of our manipulation, reaping the whirlwind
Quality of life: U.S. News & World Report
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/quality-of-life
Living Conditions in US Echo Developing Nations as Democracy Fades
Living Conditions in US Echo Developing Nations as Democracy Fades
September 15, 2022 US is becoming a ‘developing country’ on global rankings that measure democracy, inequality
https://theconversation.com/us-is-becoming-a-developing-country-on-global-rankings-that-measure-democracy-inequality-190486
Abbott’s proxy, Mike Miles, after taking over Houston ISD fired librarians and is converted libraries to “discipline center”
July 26, 2023: HISD to eliminate librarians and convert libraries into disciplinary centers at NES schools
https://abc13.com/hisd-libraries-librarians-media-specialists-houston-isd/13548483/
July 28, 2023: Mayor Turner says HISD’s Miles has ‘gone too far’ with plan to turn libraries into discipline areas
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/mayor-turner-calls-hisd-s-mike-miles-plan-cut-18261945.php
@Jenna___W/ “Kids w/ “behavioral issues” will be corralled into what were once libraries.”
Kids w/ “behavioral issues” will be corralled into what were once libraries.
Kids like the kid who didn’t get breakfast, the kid w/headaches who needs new glasses, the kid w/toothaches, the tired kid who had to work til closing at Whataburger, etc…
So, basically, the poor kids.— Jenna (@Jenna___W) July 27, 2023
@JimGBoyle “The Texas Tribune has written the most complete article about billionaires Tim Dunn and the Farris Wilks efforts to protect Ken Paxton as well as their dedication to pushing the Texas GOP to adopt the most extreme arch conservative dogma.”
The Texas Tribune has written the most complete article about billionaires Tim Dunn and the Farris Wilks efforts to protect Ken Paxton as well as their dedication to pushing the Texas GOP to adopt the most extreme arch conservative dogma. @SanAntoGuera https://t.co/nETvu3oXRx pic.twitter.com/2oZmjMckrQ
— Jim Boyle (@JimGBoyle) July 26, 2023
42:05- Using Scripture to manipulate
@lmcgaughy “Exclusive: In January, a prominent North Texas GOP lawmaker texted Ken Paxton’s advisor with a warning. ‘Folks are pissed.'”
Exclusive: In January, a prominent North Texas GOP lawmaker texted Ken Paxton's advisor with a warning.
"Folks are pissed."
Paxton's agency had just asked for $3.3M to settle a whistleblower lawsuit. The request would lead to his impeachment. https://t.co/PBMXbPvKeQ #txlege
— Lauren McGaughy 🌟 (@lmcgaughy) July 26, 2023
July 24, 2023: Exclusive: Texts show lawmakers were ‘pissed off’ at Ken Paxton before impeachment
Texts between a Collin County GOP lawmaker and the Texas attorney general’s senior adviser show legislators were angry when Paxton’s agency asked for $3.3 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2023/07/26/exclusive-texts-show-lawmakers-were-pissed-off-at-ken-paxton-before-impeachment/
The Paxton adviser was manipulating, trying to get the recipient not to act on Paxton’s criminal actions by claiming that the instructions in Matthew 18 apply. Matthew 18 is not about covering up crimes. It is about disagreements between believers.
Matthew 18:15-17 NLT
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Evil is supposed to be exposed and rooted out.
Ephesians 5:11 NLT
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 NLT
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
@DianeLangberg “Systemic abuse occurs when a system, such as a family, a government entity, a school, a church or religious organization, a political group, or a social service organization, enables the abuse of the people it purports to protect.”
Systemic abuse occurs when a system, such as a family, a government entity, a school, a church or religious organization, a political group, or a social service organization, enables the abuse of the people it purports to protect.
— Diane Langberg, PhD (@DianeLangberg) July 25, 2023
44:45- Callous ruthlessness and totalitarian abuse in Texas
@elizaorlins “Texas prisons raise prices 50% for fucking water for the people locked up in their unairconditioned state prisons as the heat wave continues and it hits over 100°.
Texas prisons raise prices 50% for fucking water for the people locked up in their unairconditioned state prisons as the heat wave continues and it hits over 100°. https://t.co/JxRXno83Vp
— Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) July 25, 2023
July 20, 2023: Texas charges prisoners 50% more for water as heat wave continues
https://www.tpr.org/criminal-justice/2023-07-20/texas-charges-prisoners-50-more-for-water-for-as-heat-wave-continues
Matthew 25:40-46
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
@RaisedtoWalk “Yes Greg Abbott wants to be the authoritarian sovereign of Texas”
Yes, @GregAbbott_TX wants to be the authoritarian sovereign of Texas … Until the next hurricane or natural disaster when he needs a federal bailout. Like Biden bailed out the grid when Abbott's donors raised costs but wouldn't maintain the grid https://t.co/jT7nS5mieF https://t.co/Fv5yjdWTzi
— Carla Alvarez (@RaisedtoWalk) July 24, 2023
@Will_Bunch “Texas is currently the 13th poorest state in the nation. But it’s spent $4.5 billion to amass a 10,000-troop army that’s attacking refugees along the Rio Grande. We should have a problem with this.
Texas is currently the 13th poorest state in the nation
But it's spent $4.5 billion to amass a 10,000-troop army that's attacking refugees along the Rio Grande
We should have a problem with this https://t.co/0lrX7zpusj
— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) July 24, 2023
July 23, 2023: Why are Texas and Florida building their own large, sadistic armies?
State troops under Texas Gov. Greg Abbott commit brutal war crimes against migrants at the Rio Grande. Why are red states forming armies?
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/texas-troops-abbott-rio-grande-abuses-20230723.html
@RaisedtoWalk “Texas under Greg Abbott = Afghanistan under the Taliban”
Texas under @GregAbbott_TX = Afghanistan under the Taliban https://t.co/WNdRPGxZkS
— Carla Alvarez (@RaisedtoWalk) July 24, 2023
@RobertDownen_ “A new Texas law eliminating the elections department in Harris County is likely to cause large disruptions and problems for voters in this fall’s elections and potentially 2024, experts say.”
A new Texas law eliminating the elections department in Harris County is likely to cause large disruptions and problems for voters in this fall’s elections and potentially 2024, experts say. via @NataliaECG @TexasTribunehttps://t.co/OVu6UEjWKz
— Robert Downen (@RobertDownen_) July 26, 2023
July 20, 2023: Texas Republican leaders want to improve elections in the state’s largest county. Their solution could backfire.
Unless a judge intervenes, Harris County is expected to dissolve its elections administration office later this year. The duties of running elections will once again be split between the county’s tax assessor and clerk.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/20/Harris-county-elections-law-challenges/
July 26 2022: Rudy Giuliani concedes he made ‘false’ statements about Georgia election workers
The Trump ally’s acknowledgment came in a filing Tuesday related to the 2020 election workers’ lawsuit about baseless claims of fraud he made against them.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/rudy-giuliani-concedes-made-false-statements-georgia-election-workers-rcna96395
47:32- Afghanistan News
@SarahAh998 “A Systematic Suppression of Rights. Since assuming power on August 15, 2021, the Taliban has implemented 86 edicts, decrees, instructions, and new rules that profoundly affect all aspects of Afghan women’s lives in society.”
A Systematic Suppression of Rights
Since assuming power on August 15, 2021, the Taliban has implemented 86 edicts, decrees, instructions, and new rules that profoundly affect all aspects of Afghan women's lives in society. #ActforWomeninAfghanistan https://t.co/rQORyyxGYc
— Sara | ساره (@SarahAh998) July 27, 2023
July 26, 2023: The Egregious Reality of Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
“We would get help from the Taliban,” President Biden claimed on June 30, 2023, in defense of his decision to withdraw U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. This statement was made in response to a question about the State Department’s declassified version of the After Action report that sharply criticizes both him and President Trump for their decisions regarding the end of the military mission in the country.
https://www.hoover.org/research/egregious-reality-gender-apartheid-afghanistan
@StephanAJensen Taliban plan to stone a young couple
This is the so-called "Taliban 2.0" https://t.co/lzM2WE2giy
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) July 28, 2023
@heatherbarr1 “Reliable local sources in Baghlan say the Taliban are going to stone a man and a woman to death tomorrow for running away from home in this province. Sources say the woman’s name is Qadria and the man is Atiq, and they are residents of Karkar village.”
“Reliable local sources in Baghlan say the Taliban are going to stone a man and a woman to death tomorrow for running away from home in this province.
Sources say the woman's name is Qadria and the man is Atiq, and they are residents of Karkar village.” https://t.co/ywAH3KY7y8
— Heather Barr (@heatherbarr1) July 28, 2023
Taliban will stone a man and a woman tomorrow in Baghlan
@RaisedtoWalk “It’s not infiltration, it is by design. The Taliban have been supporting Al Qaeda all along”
It's not infiltration, it is by design. The Taliban have been supporting Al Qaeda all along https://t.co/n7K1c6QvD8
— Carla Alvarez (@RaisedtoWalk) July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023: UN Reports States Al-Qaeda Infiltrated Taliban Govt’s Institutions in Afghanistan
https://www.afintl.com/en/202307284150
@StephanAJensen “The Taliban’s desire to control every aspect of everyone’s life based on arbitrary and bizarre religious speculations now extends to whether or not it is ok to wear a tie. How long until they (once more) start punishing people for not having long enough beards?”
The Taliban's desire to control every aspect of everyone's life based on arbitrary and bizarre religious speculations now extends to whether or not it is ok to wear a tie. How long until they (once more) start punishing people for not having long enough beards? https://t.co/FqAJFyxBf3
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) July 27, 2023
@StephanAJensen “Despite the fantastical stories of intentional and accidental propagandists – this is the utterly devestating reality of the Taliban’s Afghanistan:
A country (still) in such a state of collapse that parents are forced to literally sell their children to put food on the table.”
Despite the fantastical stories of intentional and accidental propagandists – this is the utterly devestating reality of the Taliban's Afghanistan:
A country (still) in such a state of collapse that parents are forced to literally sell their children to put food on the table. https://t.co/dQTLfHL5yV— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) July 25, 2023
@EveZLuz “feel completely heartbroken today. An Afghan adorable baby girl, who I care for, is in a critical condition in one of the hospitals in AFG. There is no O2, no ECG, no surgeon……..they have nothing to save lives….
This is the Taliban run Afghanistan”
I feel completely heartbroken today. An Afghan adorable baby girl, who I care for, is in a critical condition in one of the hospitals in AFG. There is no O2, no ECG, no surgeon……..they have nothing to save lives….
This is the Taliban run Afghanistan— Eve (@EveZLuz) July 25, 2023
@TheHomira “Taliban killed two children and injured 15 in an open fire yesterday during an Ashura procession. Their crackdown of religious freedom is taking lives.”
Taliban killed two children and injured 15 in an open fire yesterday during an Ashura procession.
Their crackdown of religious freedom is taking lives. pic.twitter.com/JsOEXvt3C4
— Homira (@TheHomira) July 29, 2023
53:40- U.S. and Afghanistan News
@BWBailey85 “Next week, @Mikaelcook89 and I start releasing our series on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This week’s episode about moral injury featuring Lt. Col. Will Selber (@AggieWill00) is a moving reminder of why we choose to focus on that tough period.”
Next week, @Mikaelcook89 and I start releasing our series on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This week's episode about moral injury featuring Lt. Col. Will Selber (@AggieWill00) is a moving reminder of why we choose to focus on that tough period.https://t.co/xEK63PrTcc
— Beth Bailey (@BWBailey85) July 28, 2023
@josephazam “The Taliban are holding Afghans hostage in Afghanistan for a ransom from the Intl community, and
@TomCottonAR is holding resettled Afghans hostage in the US for a chance to be able to make our immigration policies less humane and even more dysfunctional. That’s the bottom line.
The Taliban are holding Afghans hostage in Afghanistan for a ransom from the Intl community, and @TomCottonAR is holding resettled Afghans hostage in the US for a chance to be able to make our immigration policies less humane and even more dysfunctional. That’s the bottom line.
— Joseph M. Azam (@josephazam) July 27, 2023
@StephanAJensen “Our defeat in Afghanistan and the fall of the Republic was first and foremost a self-fulfilling prophecy. The real turning point was defatist narratives taking hold in the West and in Afghanistan. And the real enemy was not the Taliban, but our own impatience and fatalism.”
🇦🇫 Our defeat in Afghanistan and the fall of the Republic was first and foremost a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The real turning point was defatist narratives taking hold in the West and in Afghanistan.
And the real enemy was not the Taliban, but our own impatience and fatalism. pic.twitter.com/Pz6rWEYWGB
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) July 27, 2023
@StephanAJensen/ “The Taliban are far weaker than they look – they always have been. They did not win because of their strength, but because we stupidly believed their propaganda and clumsily gave them opportunities to exploit. But even after ‘winning’, their shambolic government cannot last.”
The Taliban are far weaker than they look – they always have been.
They did not win because of their strength, but because we stupidly believed their propaganda and clumsily gave them opportunities to exploit.
But even after 'winning', their shambolic government cannot last 🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/k7Ie2gSwZD
— Stephan Jensen (@StephanAJensen) July 25, 2023
July 28, 2023: Afghans awaiting US resettlement say they’re being deported from Pakistan back to the Taliban
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/28/asia/afghanistan-pakistan-taliban-us-visas-intl-cmd/index.html
@Larkabroad “Countries that currently host the largest refugee populations: Turkey with 3.6 million (mostly from Syria), followed by Iran with 3.4 million (mostly from Afghanistan), and Colombia with 2.5 million (mostly from Venezuela). In 2022, only 25,465 refugees were admitted to the US”
Countries that currently host the largest refugee populations: Turkey with 3.6 million (mostly from Syria), followed by Iran with 3.4 million (mostly from Afghanistan), and Colombia with 2.5 million (mostly from Venezuela). In 2022, only 25,465 refugees were admitted to the US
— Lark Abroad (@Larkabroad) July 28, 2023
@RaisedtoWalk “Every person screaming about “open borders” while they know very well it is a LIE deserves to burn in hell. Whatsapp today: Afghan families trying to escape the Taliban. How to tell them they have better odds against the Taliban than falling into the hands of @GregAbbott_TX”
Every person screaming about "open borders" while they know very well it is a LIE deserves to burn in hell.
Whatsapp today: Afghan families trying to escape the Taliban. How to tell them they have better odds against the Taliban than falling into the hands of @GregAbbott_TX pic.twitter.com/1RXNdd57z0
— Carla Alvarez (@RaisedtoWalk) July 26, 2023
July 25, 2023: Federal Judge Blocks Biden Administration’s New Asylum Policy
Immigrant advocacy groups had challenged the administration’s decision to sharply limit who is allowed to apply for asylum in the United States.
@Larkabroad “A study done in the USA claims that although each refugee resettled costs the government around $15,000, the return is greater. Refugees pay an average of $21,000 more in taxes than they cost the government, indicating an overall economic gain associated with refugee resettlement”
A study done in the USA claims that although each refugee resettled costs the government around $15,000, the return is greater. Refugees pay an average of $21,000 more in taxes than they cost the government, indicating an overall economic gain associated with refugee resettlement
— Lark Abroad (@Larkabroad) July 28, 2023
@Larkabroad “Economists argue that even a 10% increase in refugee resettlement to the United States will likely gain the U.S. economy at least $1.4 billion, and a gain to public coffers (federal, state, and local) of at least $310 million, cumulatively over the following years.”
Economists argue that even a 10% increase in refugee resettlement to the United States will likely gain the U.S. economy at least $1.4 billion, and a gain to public coffers (federal, state, and local) of at least $310 million, cumulatively over the following years.
— Lark Abroad (@Larkabroad) July 28, 2023
@DianeLangberg “No system that carries oppression, silencing, dehumanizing, violence, abuse, and corruption within is healthy. Tolerance of such things, out of fear, disbelief, or self-deception, will not protect the system from the disease that will kill it if left untreated.”
No system that carries oppression, silencing, dehumanizing, violence, abuse, and corruption within is healthy. Tolerance of such things, out of fear, disbelief, or self-deception, will not protect the system from the disease that will kill it if left untreated.
— Diane Langberg, PhD (@DianeLangberg) July 26, 2023
1:03:50- Update on Kabul Hope