December 11, 2023

Alex Jones Back on X, Tennessee Tornadoes, Shohei Gets Paid

December 11, 2023

Quote of the day:

“They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud.”

^{- John Flavel}

Today’s Headlines

Alex Jones Back on X

Elon Musk restored Alex Jones' Twitter account following a user poll where 70% voted in favor of reinstatement. Jones, known for claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax, was previously banned in 2018 for abusive behavior. Musk, who advocates for free speech, indicated that Twitter's crowd sourced fact-checking service “Community Notes” would likely monitor Jones' posts closely. This decision marks a change in Musk's previous stance against reinstating Jones and has raised concerns among advertisers on the platform. Jones is currently facing legal challenges and has been ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion to families of Sandy Hook victims, a decision he is appealing.

This incident is part of a larger trend where Musk has reinstated several previously banned accounts, including those of former President Donald Trump, Kanye West, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The return of Jones' and other accounts has raised concerns among advertisers, some of whom have paused their advertising on X due to fears of association with those who were granted “X amnesty”. Musk, a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist seems to not be bothered by this and is moving forward with his decisions. ‘

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The Remnant's Response

Even before Alex Jones was reinstated to X, there were a myriad of wisdom principles demanding our attention when it comes to what we consume in our reading, listening, and "companioning". Among them are these words of wisdom:

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the hearts (and tweets) of fools it is made known.” (Proverbs 14:33)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of (those who follow) fools (on Twitter) will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts (and tweets) of fools are not so.” (Proverbs 15:7)
“It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5)
“Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

The remnant is charged with being “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1) so it must be especially careful to not compromise their credibility by trafficking in nonsense tweeted by fools and the conspiracy theories of the masses. Every tweet, news story, sermon and “prophecy” by every individual needs to be carefully evaluated before it is embraced (Acts 17:11) and especially before it is “evangelized”. (James 3:1)While it might be entertaining to speculate with friends about what could be true, it is excellent to proclaim what is eternally True. (1 Peter 2:9) We can't be trusted to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) of the work and perfection of God if we traffic in the speculations and conspiracies of men “fit only for old women”. (1 Timothy 4:7a) The wise discipline themselves to study Truth (1 Tim 4:7b) so they don’t fall prey to the tales told by the world... and especially the wackiness and endless drivel available on “X”.

Read widely...but especially read wisely. (Proverbs 4:1-9). “Bible first, Bible most” is your best defense against finding yourself saying, “'It is a conspiracy!' in regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.” (Isaiah 8:12)

Tennessee Tornadoes

Severe tornadoes struck Middle Tennessee, resulting in at least six deaths and leaving over 160,000 residents without power. The damage was extensive: homes and businesses were destroyed, cars overturned, and power lines downed. The Big Play game center in Hendersonville saw its roof collapse, and in Nashville's Madison neighborhood, many homes suffered severe damage.

Local officials, including Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, expressed their sorrow and called for community support. Emergency shelters and support were organized, with places like Mosaic Church offering aid. The tornadoes also caused significant damage in Hendersonville and Clarksville, with numerous reports of structural damage and dangerous conditions due to downed power lines and debris.

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The Remnant's Response

Because our 'federal head' (Romans 5:13-14) failed to say no to the tempter (Genesis 3:1-6), we live in a world filled with deadly tempests (Romans 8:20). This is not the world our loving Father intended for us, but thanks be to God (2 Corinthians 9:15), via the miracle of Christmas and all that followed, we can look forward with joy to a new world free from tempests and even temptation (Revelation 22:3-5). Isaac Watts understood the miracle of the first Christmas, but his most famous hymn, the most popular and published hymn in North America through the 20th century, is really about the second 'Christmas,' describing Christ’s triumphant return, not His first humble entry. Both Christmases should make us sing, the first for bringing hope, and the second for fulfilling it.

In a world filled with so much suffering because of sin, we can be thankful that it is still improbable that we would make it through this “most wonderful time of the year” without hearing someone sing about “the wonders of His love.” We can thank Isaac Watts for that grace. Unbeknownst to almost all, his hymn, “Joy to the World,” was not written after he reflected on the story recorded in Luke 2; it was written after he spent time meditating on the hope of Psalm 98, specifically verses 4-7, which anticipate the culmination of human history as we know it, when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1) and to crush our 'last enemy,' which is death (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). Interestingly, the third stanza of Watts' song, the one that reminds us of this hymn in light of the tornadoes in Tennessee, is not found in Psalm 98, but is a reference to the fullness of what Psalm 98 anticipates, which is a reversal of the curse found in Genesis 3, specifically verse seventeen. There will be no tornadoes in the coming Kingdom, “nor thorns infest the ground,” because the beautiful One, our soon and coming King, will “rule the world with truth and grace” and make “His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.”

Surely we have much to sing about because of that coming day, but until then, let us not forget to pray for brothers and sisters around us who are suffering because of tempests and who are beset by sin because they don’t know the power of God that with every temptation provides us the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is the job of the remnant to proclaim this joy to the world every day (2 Timothy 4:5) and to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15) until that day comes.

May the remnant serve the King by singing, praying for, and comforting others until the second Christmas is here.

Shohei Ohtani Gets Paid

Shohei Ohtani, a once in a generation two-way baseball player, has signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the largest in baseball history. This deal, announced on Ohtani's Instagram, surpasses previous records in both baseball and North American professional sports. The contract, which includes salary deferrals but no opt-outs, demonstrates Ohtani's long-term commitment to the Dodgers.

Despite a recent setback with a new tear in his ulnar collateral ligament requiring surgery, Ohtani's historic performance as both a pitcher and hitter has made him the most highly sought-after player since Babe Ruth. Ohtani's addition to the team is expected to be a major boost, with his debut eagerly anticipated by fans and the baseball community.

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The Remnant's Response

While Solomon had no idea that having an unusual ability to throw a small sphere in such a way that men would swing at it and miss, while at the same time possessing the an extraordinary ability to hit that same sphere when others throw it would prove his observations true, thanks to Shohei Ohtani, that day has come.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

And apparently, he will also be paid like one. May the remnant step up to the plate and pursue excellence in knowing the Truth of God’s Word so no matter who they stand before they find themselves ready to serve their King with excellence. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Other news you should know

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🏈 LSU's Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman trophy over the weekend

📲 Data from nearly 7 million users leaked in 23andMe hack