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It’s Not Only Athletes: What Platform Has God Given You?

Last spring I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for NFL players put on by Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), a group which exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence. They have a fantastic outreach to professional football and baseball athletes and their wives. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing difference they’re making. In the off-season I exchanged emails and texts with dozens of NFL players and cha.. Continue reading

Motherhood Is a Marathon

I wanted to do great things for God. In the spring of my senior year of college, on the brink of embarking upon my own journey into adulthood, my future was undecided and that was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling. As a philosophy major, my path was narrower than I had realized, but I was sure it would take me on some grand and glorious adventure. I knew the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “Glorify” sounds like such a grand term. It evokes images of battlefie.. Continue reading

Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?

Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek (pantōn tōn kakōn). It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version. Bu.. Continue reading

Daily Verses

Ephesians 4:24 (01-04-17)

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.— Ephesians 4:24 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... One of the biggest decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear. Well, no matter what we choose in the way of clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be when we became Christians (Galatians 3:26-27). Those are the only clothes that will fit us eternally! My Prayer.. Continue reading

“God Says So” Prayers

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7, NKJVPrayer is a conversation. We speak to God in prayer then listen attentively as He speaks to us through His Word. Do you think the promise that Jesus gave His disciples was like handing them a Divine Genie in a bottle? And that if they would just rub the bottle with enough faith, the Genie would pop out and grant them their “wishes”? As ludicrous as that is, it actually is th.. Continue reading

Ephesians 4:23 (01-03-17)

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind...— Ephesians 4:23 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... We cannot renew ourselves on our own. We can guard ourselves from corrupting influences. We can offer ourselves to God and come to better discern his will (Romans 12:1-2). Ultimately, however, God himself must do the renewing, not just when we are saved, but daily. Only God's grace can sustain, empower, and renew us. Let's offer ourselves to him. Then, let's confidently ask.. Continue reading

Hope

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Christ: The Center

What's the big deal about baby Jesus and his birth? Ah... glad you asked. I want to answer that question in two parts. The first is to center things biblically. The second and the more touching part is the story itself. The Advent, the coming of Jesus Christ to our world, means everything for those of us who believe. The accounts in Matthew and Luke about Jesus' conception, birth, and welcome are more than quaint tales from long ago and far away. The birth of Jesus is the coming of God.. Continue reading

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Live Beyond

When my proofreaders see this title, they are going to want to fix that dangling participle, "beyond"! They will want to add an object to the preposition — e.g., "live beyond tomorrow" or "live beyond our children's faith" or "live beyond the present generation." Sometimes, however, what a phrase communicates is more important than grammatical correctness. We need to live beyond... I want you to choose the object of the preposition that is right for your life! Whatever holds us captive, we .. Continue reading

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Nativity Set

Today we are decorating for Christmas. Decorating is a whole family experience. Our grandsons, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and spiritual daughter, Karen all are part of the event. As we pulled out the nativity set, I couldn't help but remember the story you are about to read. It is one of my favorite Philip Gulley stories because it reminds me why I need Jesus; not just at Christmas, but every day of the year! Blessings to you and yours during this special time of year. Let's not forget the reason for the season and the grace that brought God to the womb of Mary and our Savior to a manger in Bethlehem. —Phil Ware My mother-in-law, Ruby, lives in southern Indiana in the town of Paoli. We spend family Christmas with her. Those good people in Paoli remember what Christmas is all about. Each year, just before Thanksgiving, Herb from the street department hauls the baby Jesus, his mommy and daddy, and an assortment of livestock and shepherds and wise men out of .. Continue reading

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A Caution about Criticism

There is something downright vicious going on out there today. Everybody is passing judgment on you. They are assigning worth to you by measuring your performance. Your boss is criticizing you. Or, if you are the boss, the board has set the date for your annual performance review. Everybody's a critic! Okay, there is a certain legitimacy to it. People can't be carried on the payroll who don't perform. Incompetent persons in critical roles gum up the works for everybody else. Accountability is a good thing. But some things that are done in the name of evaluation and accountability are mean, hateful, and destructive. There is such a thing as a critical spirit that perpetually leaves in its wake a bevy of wounded souls and countless damaged or destroyed relationships. Harsh criticism from people who enjoy dishing it out is like a battering ram against even the most secure, strong-willed people in the world. Enough whining now! The issue is not to decide whether or not such .. Continue reading

Daily Wisdom

Psalm 100:1 (01-11-17)

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. — Psalm 100:1 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... With joy, let's praise and make a joyful noise to the LORD of lords and the King of kings today. Let's find short moments during our day, seize them, and use them to give thanks and praise to our Father in heaven. When we are blessed, let's take a moment and pause for praise. In every good thing, let's share a phrase of praise to our gracious Father. My Pr.. Continue reading

We Are God’s Treasure!

"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession." Malachi 3:17, NIVAs we totally yield our lives to the control of God’s Spirit within us, He uses: the responsibilities and relationships and ridicule, the opportunities and obstacles and obligations, the pressures and pain and problems, the success and sickness and solitude . . . He uses all things to work for our ultimate good, which is increasing, progressive, glorious conformity to the image.. Continue reading

Prayers

TLG Prayer

Daily Prayer for January 7

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1–3, NIV Dear Father in heaven, accept us as your children, whose lives are under your protection and who turn to you for strength. In the midst of all the struggles and temptations in this world keep us .. Continue reading

TLG Prayer

Men’s Dishonor

PassageRomans 1:24-25 PrayerDear Father, to whom all honor and glory is due,How sad that some would choose to dishonor themselves rather than to honor you. When they do so, you give them up to their own dishonorable passions. Women exchange natural relationships for unnatural. The men likewise give up natural relations with women and are consumed with lust for each other. Men commit shameless acts with other men and receive in their own persons the due penalty of their error.Today, Lord, it seem.. Continue reading

TLG Prayer

Daily Prayer for January 6

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1–2, RSV Lord our God, we thank you that you have come to this earth. Let a light shine out again and again among those who hear your gospel, also among those with sincere hearts, whether or not they are Christians. May they come to kno.. Continue reading

TLG Prayer

God’s Honor

PassageRomans 1:18-23 PrayerDear Father, to whom all honor and glory is due,How sorry I am that men do not honor you as their God and King! It is to their loss and to their hurt, but it insults you! They wickedly suppress the truth. Through creation, you have shown them plainly what can be known about you, so they are without excuse. Although they know of you, the true God, they do not honor you as God or give thanks to you as God. Their thinking is futile and their senseless minds are darkened... Continue reading

Christian Quotes

Chesterton: a single sword

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Feast of Saints & Martyrs of England Meditation: This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. —Psalm 34:6-7 (ESV) Quotation: O God of earth and altar, Bow down and hear our cry, Our earthly rulers falter, Our people drift and die; The walls of gold entomb us, The swords of scorn divide, Take not Thy thunder from us, But take away our pride. From all that.. Continue reading

Woolman: the progress of wealth

Monday, November 7, 2016 Feast of Willibrord of York, Archbishop of Utrecht, Apostle of Frisia, 739 Meditation: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. —1 Timothy 6:6-9 (NIV) Quotation: I saw that a humble m.. Continue reading

Temple: hope in the Spirit

Sunday, November 6, 2016 Feast of William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944 Meditation: For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” —Romans 15:8-9 (ESV) Quotation: There is no hope of establishing a more Christian social o.. Continue reading

Tozer: self-promotion

Saturday, November 5, 2016 Meditation: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people... Continue reading

Questions & Answers

Enjoy The Distinctly Christian Holiday We Call Thanksgiving

The pilgrims who came over from England in 1620 were, in many ways, ordinary men and women. Some of them were members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect of Christianity). These Separatists originally fled England and sailed to Holland to escape the religious intolerance and oppression of their homeland. In their day, the Church and the State of England were one, and independent congregations who desired to explore their own, differing relationship with the Christian God were unable.. Continue reading

Did The High Priest Have A Rope Tied Around Him When Entering The Holy of Holies?

Is it true that the high priest had a rope tied around his waist when he entered the Holy of Holies? The Holy of Holies The Holy of Holies represents the very presence of God and is a dangerous place to make a mistake or do something without thinking. The high priest could be struck dead if they did something they were commanded to not do and if they were commanded to do something and didn’t do it. There is no grey area about serving as a high priest. You had to get it right or you’d be dead. T.. Continue reading

Do You Know Your Role in the Kingdom of God?

Many people say to me that they do not know what God’s plan is for their life. This being considered, in order to know our role there are several things that we must consider when trying to discern this. What most people do not consider is that everyone, believers and nonbelievers, are part of God’s plan in His kingdom. The question is, do you know your role in the kingdom of God? Does God have a plan for His kingdom? Depending on your theological perspective, people have differing ideas about .. Continue reading

Salvation: Why Christians Know They Have Eternal Life (Right Now)

Over the years, I’ve taken many missions teams to Salt Lake City to talk with Mormons about what they believe and the many differences between Mormonism and Christianity. For theists, the most important question we will ever ask (or answer) is simply this: “How does one attain eternal life?” Mormonism is a worked-based theistic system; while Mormons use the word “grace,” they don’t truly believe God gives us eternal life as an unmerited gift. Mormons must work to achieve a place in celestial kin.. Continue reading

Church & Ministries

Hot Topics

Pastor, You Need Some Friends!

Perhaps the absence of friends is the training that pastors receive. Perhaps it is the weight of pastoral ministry. Maybe it is due to the years of hurt that has been inflicted by “friends.” Or perhaps the real reason is pastors have not made friendships a priority. (There is a fourth possibility that says pastors really do have good friends, the survey is wrong and this post is wasting your time.) In a day and age when anyone can have thousands of followers on their myriad of social networks, i.. Continue reading

Digital Heroin

He noted that “once a person crosses over the line into full-blown addiction — drug, digital or otherwise — they need to detox before any other kind of therapy can have any chance of being effective.”: “With tech, that means a full digital detox — no computers, no smartphones, no tablets. The extreme digital detox even eliminates television. The prescribed amount of time is four to six weeks; that’s the amount of time that is usually required for a hyper-aroused nervous system to reset itself. B.. Continue reading

Metaphor or Reality?

How do you represent God’s word to your children? Do you believe the words of God are life to your children or are these words more of a metaphor? Here is an illustration that shows the meaning behind my question. Suppose you gave your child a stack of twenty one dollar bills. Then you tell your child to take good care of them and they will be a blessing to him. An hour later you see your son playing in the back yard with paper airplanes. Then you realize the paper airplanes were made from the .. Continue reading

Why Simple Wins

“The greatest barriers to simplicity, says Bodell, are: meetings, accountability structures, performance metrics and evaluation, red tape, federal regulations and compliance, legal caution, reports, and technology.” On my recent vacation, I read Why Simple Wins: Escape the Complexity Trap and Get to Work That Matters by Lisa Bodell. Although it’s a book written primarily for businesses, I took away a number of lessons not just for my personal life, but also for the Seminary and congregation I l.. Continue reading

Women

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Love: The Deep and The Quiet

When you stand down at the river, the world gets mighty quiet. Like the mightiness might actually come in the quiet. My Grandmother never told me that — But it's what I tell the kids a thousand messy times, though they know I'm the one preaching the gospel of it to myself: When you're worked up, whisper. It's how God can usher Himself into a place — ask Elijah. It's best parenting practice. It's best life-survival practice. When the world gets loud, put your ear dow.. Continue reading

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Where Have All the Gray-Haired Ladies Gone?

I was 39 when my daughter started kindergarten. Elise’s enthusiasm for her new friends led me to volunteer as a chaperone for the pumpkin patch field trip. I chatted with other parents as the children scurried through the classroom putting toys away and grabbing jackets from wall hooks. Then it happened. The question. “It's so great you can help,” the young mom started. “Is Elise your granddaughter?” A sledgehammer would have b.. Continue reading

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The Youth Sports Myth: You Owe It to Your Child

“I don’t really want to pay four hundred and fifty dollars to drive to practices three nights a week or travel to tournaments on weekends,” Jennifer’s friend Amy bemoaned. “But I feel like I owe it to him.” And there it was. Amy had spoken aloud what the nagging, niggling little voice had been hissing in Jennifer’s ear: You owe it to him. He deserves it. All the other kids are doing it. Other parents are willing to sac.. Continue reading

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We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” I met these words scrawled on the bathroom wall at a diner in the Twin Cities about a year ago. I found the statement so confronting, so profound, that I felt its truth before I had the chance to process it. All I could do was take a picture of the words, then return to my late night eats with my friend. We talked and people watched into the early hours. I learned later that the statement came .. Continue reading

Life & Society

Minnesota Veterans Agree to Cut Cross Off ‘Religious’ Memorial Following Complaint

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. — Veterans in a Minnesota city have removed a cross from a memorial erected in a public park after a prominent professing atheist group deemed the inclusion of the symbol as being an unlawful government endorsement of religion. According to reports, the Belle Plaine Veterans Club had recently placed the display in Veterans Park next to an inscribed stone honoring local residents who had lost their lives in various wars, from the Indian War of 1862 to the Korean and Vietnam W.. Continue reading

Baptist Lawmaker Seeks End to No-Fault Divorce

(Baptist News Global) — A Southern Baptist lawmaker is trying to make it harder for couples in Texas to get a divorce by proposing legislation to eliminate “insupportability” as a grounds for dissolution of marriage. State Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) says the prevalence of no-fault divorces has contributed to the breakdown of the family in society. “I don’t know if we don’t take our vows as seriously as we used to, but I think getting rid of the no-fault divorce piece of this may make folk.. Continue reading

Music

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Leeland Announces Pre-Order For New Album

Today Bethel Music announced the pre-order of Leeland's first album as part of their artist collective. "We're excited to announce that Leeland's first album with Bethel Music is now available for pre-order on iTunes. 'Invisible' offers a refreshing perspective on a gospel that is alive and moving in us and through us," Bethel shared. Invisible will mark Leeland's first release since 2014's Christ Be All Around Me EP and will be available July 22. Click here to pre-order the album now and get 3 instant song downloads "Invisible," "Carry It All Away" and "Son Was Lifted Up." Invisible Track Listing 1. My Treasure 2. War 3. Spirit 4. Ever Love You Lord 5. For Your Glory 6. Perfect Love 7. Lock & Key 8. Invisible 9. Breath of God [...] Continue reading

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​Project 86 Announces PledgeMusic Campaign for 10th Album

Project 86 has launched a special PledgeMusic campaign in support of their upcoming tenth studio album and their 20 year anniversary as a band. The project will be comprised of ten original songs and five covers. All of the songs will be available to backers on a one song per month basis, beginning with a cover of Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" as an immediate download for all backers. The PledgeMusic campaign is designed as both a preorder for music to come and a celebration of music past, with offers including vintage merch. Accompanying tour dates are coming soon, with Project 86 promising to play fan favorites from their early days alongside current tracks. Above all, the band sees the campaign as a way to celebrate the past two decades alongside their fans. "You have stuck by us for twenty years. We want to meet you, spend[...] Continue reading

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Word Entertainment Scores Two Trophies For Christian Retailing’s Best Awards

It was announced earlier this week that Word Entertainment was honored two times at the annual Christian Retailing's Best Awards. Big Daddy Weave's acclaimed album Beautiful Offerings (Fervent Records) won in the music category and When Calls the Heart Complete Season 2 (Word Films) won for the DVD Movie division. The awards, honoring the best new products of the year, were given on Monday, June 27 in Cincinnati during the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). "At Word Entertainment, we are passionate and intentional about delivering the best in Christian entertainment to people everywhere," shares Rod Riley, President & CEO, Word Entertainment. "Big Daddy Weave's Beautiful Offerings and When Calls the Heart Complete Season 2 are two projects that we have seen impact thousands and thousands of lives with the good news of the Gospel. To be recognized with awards for each of these projects from Christian Retailing's[...] Continue reading

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​Metalcore Group Toarn Signs With Luxor Records

Christian metalcore band Toarn has announced their signing with Luxor Records, making their upcoming EP Giant Killer their debut with the label. Toarn released a new song titled "In Flander's Fields" alongside the label news, giving fans an initial taste of Giant Killer prior to its July 15 release. Preorders for the EP are available through major retailers like Amazon, BestBuy and Barnes & Noble as well as through VictoryMerch.com. The Washington-based band has developed a grassroots following through the release of past independent projects Protoevangelium and Brood of Vipers. Toarn will be hitting the road with Hemarosa in support of the release, with tour dates listed here. You can listen to "Flander's Field" below. Continue reading

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Britney Spears Endorses Pastor/Author Max Lucado

Britney Spears has a new album coming out and is about to kick off a two-year residency in Las Vegas, so she’s out there working the publicity machine. During a recent Twitter chat, a fan asked Britney what her favorite book was, and the singer replied, “Anything by Max Lucado.” Lucado is a Texas-based preacher and author of a hundred (yes, a hundred) Christian-themed adults and kids’ books. Their titles include Grace for the Moment, Outlive Your Life: You Were Born to Make a Difference, and God.. Continue reading

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Katy Perry’s Song “By the Grace of God” Is a Flashback to Her Christian Singer Days

Before Katy Perry was an animal-print-and-candy-loving pop star, she was Katy Hudson, aspiring Christian singer. Though her switch to the secular side of music helped make her a star, Katy (whose parents are pastors) hasn’t given up on her Christian background. Her new album Prism features the ballad “By the Grace of God,” which probably won’t ever be released as a single but does a bang-up job appealing to one of her core constituencies. But what does John Mayer think? Continue reading

World

American

Weekly Meanderings, 28 January 2017

This is inexcusable and un-American: A massive group of violent demonstrators spat on, assaulted and screamed obscenities at a Gold Star widow and sister Friday outside an inaugural ball honoring the military, one of the women told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday. Amy Looney, who lost her husband Navy SEAL Lt. Brendan Looney in 2010, and Ryan Manion, whose brother Marine First Lt. Travis Manion died in 2007, said they were attacked as they tried to enter the American Legion’s tribute to Medal of Hono..

Tennessee Bill Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks, Planned Parenthood Calls That “Concerning”

The state of Tennessee is considering a new piece of legislation that would ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation when scientific evidence indicates a baby can feel pain from an abortion, WBIR-10 News in Knoxville reports. “I think the climate and the culture, the pendulum is swinging…It’s the right thing to do,” said State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, who filed the bill in state legislature, according to WBIR. “There’s a time and a season for everything. People are understanding, our cul..

Scientists Create Human-Pig Hybrids for Organ Transplants That Could Develop Into “Monsters”

Scientists announced this week that they successfully created the first human-pig hybrid, a living pig embryo with some human characteristics. National Geographic reports the disturbing new experiment involved pig embryos injected with human cells. Researchers at Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California said they implanted the living pig-human embryos, or chimeras, in adult pigs’ wombs and allowed them to grow between three and four weeks. Later, the scientists said they re..

Amazing Time-Lapse Video Shows Thousands of Pro-Life People Marching for Life

An amazing new time-lapse video shows thousands upon thousands of pro-life people marching for life through the streets of Washington D.C. It’s always difficult to capture the exact number of people who participate in the March for Life ,the rally and various pro-life events in the nation’s capital throughout the day. But this tremendous video gives you a visual glimpse of the tremendous outpouring of pro-life support for the March for Life as it streams through the streets of the nation’s cap..

US

A nation of suburbs

Big cities seem to get most of the attention. People debate their merits compared with small towns and the rural life. Suburbs don’t get the same respect. But according to a report from the Urban Land Institute, 79% of the American population live in suburbs. That includes 85% of the nation’s children and 75% of Millennials. Contrary to the stereotypes about “white flight,” suburbs are racially and ethnically diverse, with 76% of the minority population living in suburbs. And suburbs are where m..

Thomas Oden, ex-liberal theologian turned classical Christian, has died

Thomas Oden has died. A prominent liberal theologian who replaced pastoral care with psychotherapy, Oden converted to classical, historical Christianity when he read the church fathers. An Oklahoman (whose life in many ways paralleled mine), Oden gave us the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, insightful work on postmodernism, and much more. Please read my review of his autobiographical memoir, A Change of Heart: A Personal and Theological Memoir. Then read that book for an inside look at..

Trump’s appointments & WWE connections

Donald Trump’s choices for his cabinet and other high-level positions in his administration are interesting, to say the least. He is stacking defense-related positions with generals, well-qualified to be sure, but this has some worried about the tradition of civilian control of the military. He is awarding some loyalists but also including some Republican establishment figures, including, magnanimously, some who opposed him (such as Nikki Haley for UN ambassador, with Mitt Romney a contender for..

The triumphs of nationalism

The victory of Donald Trump–along with other political insurgencies in England, France, Italy, and other countries–was a triumph of nationalism. It was not a triumph of conservatism, though conservatism went along for the ride and is generally hospitable to nationalism. But the new political force is, above all, a rejection of globalism in favor of local cultures and a revival of the nation-state. So says Mark L. Movesian in a stimulating essay, quoted and linked after the jump. He says that nat..