Category Archives: Christian

Easter 2021: Message and example of Jesus more powerful and meaningful than ever, Persecution continues, Christians must openly defy evil and lies

Posted on April 3, 2021 | 11 comments

Easter 2021: Message and example of Jesus more powerful and meaningful than ever, Persecution continues, Christians must openly defy evil and lies

“12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were
buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the
money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13 “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called
a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.”…Matthew 21

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”…Edmund Burke

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”…Jesus, John 8:32

There is nothing new under the sun.

In the days of Jesus and for hundreds of years following his death,
Christians were persecuted and killed and forbidden from practicing
their faith.

In the pre WWII years in Nazi Germany, Christians and Jews were
persecuted and killed.

Evil reigned.

Today, under the guise of public safety, Christians and Jews
have been prohibited from gathering to worship.

Millions of people are silenced for speaking out.

It is the duty of Christians to speak out and defy evil and
lies.

Don’t be confused about the “Prince of Peace” narrative.

Jesus was the antithesis of passive.

He spoke the truth and defied evil.

From The Rutherford Institute March 29, 2021.

“Stand Up to Tyranny: How to Respond to the Evils of Our Age”

“In every age, we find ourselves wrestling with the question of how Jesus Christ—the itinerant preacher and revolutionary activist who died challenging the police state of his time, namely, the Roman Empire—would respond to the moral questions of our day.

For instance, would Jesus advocate, as so many evangelical Christian leaders have done in recent years, for congregants to “submit to your leaders and those in authority,” which in the American police state translates to complying, conforming, submitting, obeying orders, deferring to authority and generally doing whatever a government official tells you to do?

What would Jesus do? 

Study the life and teachings of Jesus, and you may be surprised at how relevant he is to our modern age.

A radical nonconformist who challenged authority at every turn, Jesus spent his adult life speaking truth to power, challenging the status quo of his day, pushing back against the abuses of the Roman Empire, and providing a blueprint for standing up to tyranny that would be followed by those, religious and otherwise, who came after him.

Those living through this present age of government lockdowns, immunity passports, militarized police, SWAT team raids, police shootings of unarmed citizens, roadside strip searches, invasive surveillance and the like might feel as if these events are unprecedented. However, the characteristics of a police state and its reasons for being are no different today than they were in Jesus’ lifetime: control, power and money.

Much like the American Empire today, the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day was characterized by secrecy, surveillance, a widespread police presence, a citizenry treated like suspects with little recourse against the police state, perpetual wars, a military empire, martial law, and political retribution against those who dared to challenge the power of the state.”

“Jesus—the revolutionary, the political dissident, and the nonviolent activist—lived and died in a police state. Any reflection on Jesus’ life and death within a police state must take into account several factors: Jesus spoke out strongly against such things as empires, controlling people, state violence and power politics. Jesus challenged the political and religious belief systems of his day. And worldly powers feared Jesus, not because he challenged them for control of thrones or government but because he undercut their claims of supremacy, and he dared to speak truth to power in a time when doing so could—and often did—cost a person his life.

Unfortunately, the radical Jesus, the political dissident who took aim at injustice and oppression, has been largely forgotten today, replaced by a congenial, smiling Jesus trotted out for religious holidays but otherwise rendered mute when it comes to matters of war, power and politics.

Yet for those who truly study the life and teachings of Jesus, the resounding theme is one of outright resistance to war, materialism and empire.”

Read more:

https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/stand_up_to_tyranny_how_to_respond_to_the_evils_of_our_age

You can’t get more real than Jesus.

The ultimate example.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Unimaginable suffering explained, Worst form of death, Traumatic hemorrhagic shock

Even if you are a believer, you need to have a better understanding of the suffering that Jesus endured.

Here is a small sample of the scourging impact revealed by the shroud.

JesusScourging

If you have not seen the History Channel documentary on the Shroud of Turin, I  strongly suggest that you do.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Unimaginable suffering explained, Worst form of death, Traumatic hemorrhagic shock

Got your attention?

Is this the face of Jesus?

JesusFaceShroud2

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

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https://gab.com/citizenwells

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Posted in Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Evil, Faith, Jesus, Lies

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Mark Galli anti Trumper exposed Part 1, Political views over religious, You cannot support Hillary Clinton and be a Christian, Reminiscent of Nazis anti Jew false narratives

Posted on December 31, 2019 | 10 comments

Mark Galli anti Trumper exposed Part 1, Political views over religious, You cannot support Hillary Clinton and be a Christian, Reminiscent of Nazis anti Jew false narratives

“Mark Galli and far too many Evangelicals have bought this Marxist perspective on race hook, line, and sinker, and they need to be challenged.”
“This Marxist perspective on race promoted by President Obama and his leftist cultural allies has and can only exacerbate problems in the black community; anger, frustration, and violence will be and are the result.”…Mike D’Virgilio, The American Culture August 29, 2016

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.”…2 Peter 2:1-3

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”…Edmund Burke

 

Ordinarily I might ignore the false doctrine of a typical wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Mark Galli’s insincere call for Trump’s impeachment in Christianity Today falls into that category.

Another person from the left feigning righteous indignation under the guise of religion.

This time was different.

Two of my good friends, who are good people, are anti Trumpers and engaged me in heated debate on Sunday.

I have been reminded for some time of the parallels to Nazi Germany where many intelligent and good people were brainwashed to believe that Jews were bad and Adolf Hitler, good for them and the country.

Sunday I had that feeling of Deja Vu even stronger.

One of my friends quoted Mark Galli in his Christianity Today article:

“Trump Should Be Removed from Office”

From December 19, 2019.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december-web-only/trump-should-be-removed-from-office.html

The article is a political hit piece based on lies and a false narrative and does not resemble anything based on Christianity.

I know that because I read it and having been paying attention, searching for the Truth that Jesus said would set us free, immediately recognized the lies.

I also know that because I did some research on Mark Galli.

Ironically, or perhaps destiny, later that day, after doing a rare search through movies on one of my internet streaming services, I found a documentary on Valkyrie, the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It further reinforced my memories of Nazi Germany and the many lies that good people accepted as truth.

As Christians we must embrace and exercise righteous indignation and repudiate the many lies and false narratives that abound and set the record straight.

Do not let evil triumph.

Wells

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

 

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Posted in Accountability, Barack Obama, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, Clintons, Election 2016, Election 2020, Evil, Fake News Media, impeachment, Leftist, Liberalism, Lies

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Pray for triumph of good over evil, Evil/crazy Democrats destroying country, Vote to impeach attack on American public, On par with 1860-61 secession 

Posted on December 18, 2019 | 39 comments

Pray for triumph of good over evil, Evil/crazy Democrats destroying country, Vote to impeach attack on American public, On par with 1860-61 secession

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”…Ephesians 6:12 

“The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken.  It is also clear that, from its inception, the evidence produced by the investigation was consistently exculpatory. “…Attorney General Barr

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”…Abraham Lincoln

 

Once again we have a moment in history where a small percentage of people in power are controlling the destiny of the US.

A small percentage of Democrats, in lock step with the equally evil/crazy fake news media, are leading Americans down a path of destruction for their own self serving interests.

Just as in the Civil War, where a small percentage of the populace, with their vested interests, got millions stirred up for a fake news cause, and led the entire country down a path of doom, with millions suffering.

We must not let this happen again.

President Trump has requested our prayers.

Citizen Wells echoes that request.

Do not let evil triumph again.

In the true spirit of Christianity, with righteous indignation, pray for a triumph of good over evil.

Amen.

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

39 Comments

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, impeachment, US House of Representatives

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Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Unimaginable suffering explained, Worst form of death, Traumatic hemorrhagic shock

Posted on April 19, 2019 | 23 comments

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Unimaginable suffering explained, Worst form of death, Traumatic hemorrhagic shock

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”…Jesus, John 8:32

 

From CBN News.

“When You Understand it Medically, You’ll Appreciate Christ’s Sacrifice, Suffering, and Death All the More

Christians all know Christ died for them on the cross. But a doctor here in Indianapolis who studied crucifixion for a decade says until you understand what Jesus went through medically, it’s hard to fully appreciate just how much He suffered to pay for the sins of mankind.

“It was the worst form of death that was imaginable,” Dr. Joseph Bergeron, the author of The Crucifixion of Jesus, said. “And the Romans had been using it for three centuries by the time Jesus came along, so it was well perfected.””

“The real cause of death shows up in Christ’s own prophetic words at the Last Supper.

“Jesus told us how He was going to die. He said ‘this is my blood that’s poured out for the remission of sins.’ That’s not suffocation. That’s bleeding to death. That’s shock. That’s the complications of shock.”

The precise medical term Bergeron uses is “traumatic hemorrhagic shock.”

Christ knowing such a grim death was racing towards Him would be one explanation for the odd occurrence of Him sweating blood in the garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus in Traumatic Anguish Before the Physical Suffering Began

“And to be honest with you, I never really understood that or even thought it happened,” Bergeron admitted. “But in studying the crucifixion extensively over the last 10 years, I’ve come to understand that sweating blood does actually occur. There’ve been very few cases – just a handful. They’re always before severe injury, the threat of injury, and usually before execution. That Jesus sweat drops of blood meant that He fully understood what was about to happen to Him.””

“The author explained, “Now you have to understand that Romans didn’t like the Jews to begin with. They were anti-Semitic. And for this person who’s charge was basically political insurrection: naming Himself King of the Jews, that would have heightened their anger and worsened the beating that He had experienced from Roman soldiers.”

Bergeron said of Jesus, “And so His beating exceeded what was typical for crucifixion victims. And He had extensive blood loss and tissue injury from that.”

So the shock began to set in before Christ reached Calvary.”

“Bergeron realizes it’s tough to face all the gory details of Christ’s death. But he believes it can help us love and respect all the more a God willing to come down to earth and face such pain and agony so humans could be cleansed from their sins and spend eternity with Him.”

Read more:

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/april/when-you-understand-it-medically-youll-appreciate-christs-sacrifice-suffering-and-death-all-the-more

Mark Antonacci, an attorney and agnostic and another author, became a believer after researching the Shroud of Turin.
From the Amarillo Globe News April 14, 2001.

“Mark Antonacci said he was a committed agnostic until he stumbled upon an article about a subject he would eventually spend nearly 20 years researching.
Antonacci, a St. Louis lawyer, is author of “The Resurrection of the Shroud.” He spoke in a telephone interview about his book about the cloth that he and others believe wrapped the body of Jesus Christ.
His book delves into questions about the wounds suffered by the man whose impression is on the shroud, the shroud’s history and scientific challenges to the carbon dating of the shroud.
Now a Christian, Antonacci said much historical, medical and archaeological evidence exists to prove Christ’s death was consistent with Gospel accounts. The evidence he said he found changed his mind about God.
“I came to the conclusion that the literal, actual crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred,” he said.
So why did it take nearly two decades to publish his book?

“I just had no idea the breadth of the evidence and the difficulty in finding a publisher,” said Antonacci, whose publisher is M. Evans and Company Inc. in New York.

Antonacci said scientists from many religious and nonreligious backgrounds have examined the shroud, and none think it is a forgery, although they have varying opinions about it. The shroud has been kept in Turin, Italy, for the last four centuries.”

Read more:

http://amarillo.com/stories/041401/rel_researcher.shtml

Even if you are a believer, you need to have a better understanding of the suffering that Jesus endured.

Here is a small sample of the scourging impact revealed by the shroud.

JesusScourging

If you have not seen the History Channel documentary on the Shroud of Turin, I  strongly suggest that you do.

https://citizenwells.com/2015/04/04/easter-sunday-april-5-2015-resurrection-of-jesus-christian-beliefs-v-science-shroud-of-turin-cannot-be-replicated-today-foolishness-of-god-is-wiser-than-men-and-the-weakness-of-god-is-stronger-t/

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

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Posted in Christian, Christianity, Jesus, truth

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Charlotte Catholic Diocese vicar general and chancellor Monsignor Mauricio West resigns after  “credible allegation” of sexual misconduct involving former adult student of Belmont Abbey College

Posted on April 1, 2019 | 13 comments

Charlotte Catholic Diocese vicar general and chancellor Monsignor Mauricio West resigns after  “credible allegation” of sexual misconduct involving former adult student of Belmont Abbey College

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”… Ephesians 6:12

“And yet we pretend to be godly, know how to adorn ourselves most finely and conceal our rascality, resort to and invent adroit devices and deceitful artifices (such as now are daily most ingeniously contrived) as though they were derived from the law codes; yea, we even dare impertinently to refer to it, and boast of it, and will not have it called rascality, but shrewdness and caution. In this lawyers and jurists assist, who twist and stretch the law to suit it to their cause, stress words and use them for a subterfuge, irrespective of equity or their neighbor’s necessity. And, in short, whoever is the most expert and cunning in these affairs finds most help in law, as they themselves say: Vigilantibus iura subveniunt [that is, The laws favor the watchful].”…Martin Luther

 

From The Charlotte Observer.

“A top Diocese of Charlotte official resigns after ‘credible’ sexual misconduct claim

The chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte steps down after a “credible allegation” of sexual misconduct involving a former adult student of Belmont Abbey College.”

“The second in command of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte has stepped down after a “credible allegation” of sexual misconduct involving a former adult student of Belmont Abbey College, the diocese’s newspaper reported Thursday.

Monsignor Mauricio West, the diocese’s vicar general and its chancellor for nearly 25 years, has denied the allegation, the Catholic News Herald reported. Following a period of counseling and assessment, the diocese’s bishop said in a statement, West will be on a leave of absence from his ministerial duties.

West resigned Monday following a finding by the 46-county diocese’s Lay Review Board that the allegations were credible, The statement by Bishop Peter Jugis said.

The events are alleged to have occurred in the mid-1980s, when West was vice president for student affairs at Belmont Abbey, a small, Catholic liberal arts college in Gaston County. They involved multiple incidents of unwanted overtures toward an adult student over a two-year period, the bishop’s statement said.”

“The bishop offered his “deepest apologies” to the victim in the case.

The diocese will take “all necessary steps to root out all inappropriate behavior and to being open and transparent about our handling of all allegations of such conduct,“ Jugis said.

The 67-year-old West has been a longtime volunteer leader in Charlotte, including with the United Way of Central Carolinas and Queens University of Charlotte. He chaired the United Way board in 2004, a United Way spokesman said. He joined the board at Queens in July 2016 and resigned last Thursday, according to a university spokeswoman.

‘WE ARE DEEPLY SORRY’

In a statement, Belmont Abbey Abbot Placid Solari said the school cooperated with the diocese’s investigation and pledged that the school would be transparent in its handling of misconduct allegations.”

Read more:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article228524279.html

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

 

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Posted in Attorneys, Catholics, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Crime

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Thrivent employees not required to be Christian, Thrivent misrepresentation, Martin Luther: justified by faith we are sent by God into our vocations to love and serve our neighbors

Posted on February 13, 2019 | 4 comments

Thrivent employees not required to be Christian, Thrivent misrepresentation, Martin Luther: justified by faith we are sent by God into our vocations to love and serve our neighbors

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”…Matthew 6:24

“Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”…Galatians 1:10

“You don’t need to be Christian to join our team. You do need the passion to guide our members on their Wise With Money Journey”…Thrivent claims operations manager employment ad

 

From a recent Thrivent employment ad for a Claims Operations Manager:

“You don’t need to be Christian to join our team. You do need the passion to guide our members on their Wise With Money Journey”

THAT EXPLAINS MUCH.

Thrivent portrays their commitment to “core Christian values.” in the following ways:

“CEO Brad Hewitt told the 1,600 members at the regional meeting at the Henry Ford Museum that while Thrivent traces its corporate roots to the turn of the 20th century, its history goes back to the 16th century and the founder of Protestant Christianity, Martin Luther.

Luther drafted a document in 1523 called the “Fraternal Agreement on the Common Chest of the Entire Assembly at Leisnig,” which established rules about pooling resources to help people in need.

“The phrase he used consistently was, ‘This is done for the honor of God and the love of fellow Christians,’” Hewitt said, adding that Thrivent was formed by Lutheran immigrants for the same basic purpose.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/thrivent-financial-is-no-longer-for-lutherans-only/2014/03/28/2b47102e-b6ae-11e3-9eb3-c254bdb4414d_story.html?utm_term=.d47f5d3f293c

Thrivent’s Christian Calling

“Thrivent’s Lutheran heritage of answering God’s call has led to a strong membership-owned organization that now welcomes Christians seeking to live out their faith.

Fraternal benefit societies have a common bond among members. Thrivent’s common bond is Christianity. We embrace the core Christian beliefs as articulated in the Apostles’ Creed”

https://www.thrivent.com/about-us/files/28023.pdf

Code of Conduct.

“Our organization was founded to help Lutherans care for and support one another in time of need, guided by the principles of the Christian faith.”

https://www.thrivent.com/files/24097.pdf

From Thrivent vs Acosta, US DOL November 3, 3017.

“Thrivent contends that its commitment to individual arbitration is “important to the membership because it reflects Thrivent’s Christian Common Bond, helps preserve members’ fraternal relationships, and avoids protracted and adversarial litigation that could undermine Thrivent’s core mission.””

It is impossible for non Christians to treat others with values and actions that can only emanate from someone who is a Christian.

Therefore, Thrivent has misrepresented their positions.

Martin Luther rejected the working (or buying) your way into heaven and grace through one’s works and efforts that had evolved in the Roman Catholic Church.

Instead, he explained that good works and love for one’s neighbor are a natural product of one’s faith and love for and obedience to God.

Martin Luther on Christian life and vocations.

From “Working for Our Neighbor”:

“For Martin Luther, vocation is nothing less than the locus of the Christian life. God works in and through vocation, but he does so by calling human beings to work in their vocations. In Jesus Christ, who bore our sins and gives us new life in his resurrection, God saves us for eternal life. But in the meantime he places us in our temporal life where we grow in faith and holiness. In our various callings—as spouse, parent, church member, citizen, and worker—we are to live out our faith.”

“Loving and Serving Our Neighbors
God does not need our good works, Luther said, but our neighbor does (Wingren, Luther on Vocation, 10). Our relationship with God is based completely on his work for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Justification by faith completely excludes any kind of dependence on our good works for our salvation. We come before God clothed not in our own works or merits, but solely in the works and merits of Christ, which are imputed to us. But having been justified by faith, we are sent by God back into the world, into our vocations, to love and serve our neighbors.”

“The economic vocations give us many neighbors whom we are to love and serve: customers, to be sure”

“Vocation Counters Our Materialism
Vocation counters the materialism and self-centeredness of economic pursuits by giving them a new meaning and a new orientation. Similarly, vocation also transforms other social relationships, such as the nature of authority.”

http://www.letterstotheexiles.com/working-neighbor-martin-luther-purpose-vocation/

Martin Luther on Vocations and ethics.

” Luther’s view of justification turned this ethical system on its head and placed Christian ethics into two realms of life in God’s world. In the divine realm, or right-hand rule of God, Christian righteousness is something that proceeds from faith alone and is therefore impossible apart from faith. No matter how good a person is in terms of ethical behavior (what the Lutheran reformers call human righteousness), such a person has no Christian righteousness without faith in Christ, from which Christian righteousness blooms as fruit from a good tree.”

http://eachstorytold.com/2019/02/11/martin-luther-on-vocations-god-created-3-orders-ecclesiastical-civil-economic-all-christians-have-a-vocation-to-serve-god-in-their-household-and-economic-sphere/

Martin Luther Christ centric approach to ethics:

““Gifted by him, Christ’s holy people live their lives enveloped in Christ’s gifts and forgiveness, serving their neighbor in word and deed. Yet there are always temptations in the world that seek to diminish Jesus. Luther warns, “Therefore Satan continually mounts a new battle against us” (WA 40 I: 318, 12; AE 26: 193).23 The devil “often suggests a false Christ to me” (WA 40 I: 321, 32-33; AE 26: 196).24 Since Christians are powerless before Satan, their daily life of vocation is a daily return to baptism.

Luther presents the life of Christians in their daily callings as a life that is lived within the forgiveness of sins. Ethics may not be detached from the body and blood of Jesus that the baptized receive. This is where the forgiveness is bestowed (WA 18: 203, 39-204, 9; AE 40: 214). Bodied together and blooded together, the communicants are enlivened to serve one another in word and deed, not only in the church but in the world.””

http://eachstorytold.com/2019/02/11/martin-luther-christ-centric-approach-to-ethics-ethics-as-the-gift-of-the-lord-ethics-in-each-christians-callings-is-where-the-lord-has-his-way-in-the-world/

From Martin Luther’s Large Catechism:

“If, then, it be asked: How do you understand the Second Commandment, or what is meant by taking in vain, or misusing God’s name? answer briefly thus: It is misusing God’s name when we call upon the Lord God no matter in what way, for purposes of falsehood or wrong of any kind. Therefore this commandment enjoins this much, that God’s name must not be appealed to falsely, or taken upon the lips while the heart knows well enough, or should know, differently; as among those who take oaths in court, where one side lies against the other. For God’s name cannot be misused worse than for the support of falsehood and deceit.”
“Therefore let every one know that it is his duty, at the risk of God’s
displeasure, not only to do no injury to his neighbor, nor to deprive
him of gain, nor to perpetrate any act of unfaithfulness or malice in
any bargain or trade, but faithfully to preserve his property for him,
to secure and promote his advantage, especially when one accepts money, wages, and one’s livelihood for such service.”
“And yet we pretend to be godly, know how to adorn ourselves most finely and conceal our rascality, resort to and invent adroit devices and deceitful artifices (such as now are daily most ingeniously contrived) as though they were derived from the law codes; yea, we even dare impertinently to refer to it, and boast of it, and will not have it called rascality, but shrewdness and caution. In this lawyers and jurists assist, who twist and stretch the law to suit it to their cause, stress words and use them for a subterfuge, irrespective of equity or their neighbor’s necessity. And, in short, whoever is the most expert and cunning in these affairs finds most help in law, as they themselves say: Vigilantibus iura subveniunt [that is, The laws favor the watchful].”

 

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://eachstorytold.com/

 

 

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Posted in Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Ethics, Evil, Insurance

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Thrivent agent indicted on fraud charges December 26, 2018, Jerry Wayne Simpson allegedly stole from widow and clients Mar 2016 to Oct 2017, Feb 2018 barred from FINRA

Posted on January 27, 2019 | 23 comments

Thrivent agent indicted on fraud charges December 26, 2018, Jerry Wayne Simpson allegedly stole from widow and clients Mar 2016 to Oct 2017, Feb 2018 barred from FINRA

“You don’t need to be Christian to join our team.”…Thrivent job opening ad

“Thrivent contends that its commitment to individual arbitration is ‘”important to the membership because it reflects Thrivent’s Christian Common Bond, helps preserve members’ fraternal relationships, and avoids protracted and adversarial litigation that could undermine Thrivent’s core mission.’”…Thrivent v. Acosta Nov. 3, 2017

“I worked at Thrivent Financial full-time (More than 8 years)”                      “Claims to be based on Christian values but does not adhere to them.”…Former Thrivent employee

 

From Kentucky.com.

“A financial advisor in Western Kentucky used lies and false paperwork to steal $400,000 from clients, a federal grand jury has charged.

The grand jury indicted Jerry Wayne Simpson on three counts of wire fraud, a charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Simpson was a licensed agent for Thrivent Investment Management Inc., in Madisonville, according to the indictment. He allegedly took money from clients between March 2016 and October 2017.

In one case, Simpson allegedly forged a clients’ name on paperwork requesting to have money withdrawn from the person’s annuities. Simpson withdrew about $248,000 from the victim’s accounts and had it deposited in his personal bank account, the indictment charged.

In another case, Simpson falsely told a widow that her late husband had taken out a loan against his life insurance policy and gave her a cashier’s check for $54,769 when the policy actually was worth $82,000, the indictment said.

Simpson allegedly kept the rest of the money.”

Read more:

https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article223738450.html

From The White Law Group.
“What is Failure to Supervise? FINRA RULE 3110 (SUPERVISION)”

“According to the Financial Industry Regulatory authority (FINRA) FINRA Rule 3110 requires a firm to establish and maintain a system to supervise the activities of its associated persons that is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the applicable securities laws and regulations and FINRA rules.

The rule details requirements for a firm to have reasonably designed written supervisory procedures (WSPs) to supervise the activities of its associated persons and the types of businesses in which it engages.

Among other things, a firm’s WSPs must address supervision of supervisory personnel and provide for the review of a firm’s investment banking and securities business, correspondence and internal communications, and customer complaints. WSPs should describe:”

Read more:

https://www.whitesecuritieslaw.com/2016/09/23/what-is-failure-to-supervise-finra-rule-3110-supervision/

From FINRA for Jerry Wayne Simpson.

THRIVENT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
(AAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION,AAL DISTRIBUTORS INC.,FORTRESS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,THRIVENT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.)
CRD#: 18387/SEC#: 801-29618,8-36525
B   Brokerage Firm Regulated by FINRA (Kansas City district office)
IA Investment Adviser Firm   Visit SEC Site
MAIN ADDRESS
625 FOURTH AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55415-1665 UNITED STATES
Direct Owners and Executive Officers
Name    Position
THRIVENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
OWNER
BOUSHEK, RANDALL LEE (CRD#:4120176)
DIRECTOR
GOLIS, ANDREA CORIN (CRD#:1401462)
CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER
LARSON, KAREN LYNN (CRD#:4122142)
DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT
MEEHAN, TIMOTHY SEAN (CRD#:1492218)
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER & SECRETARY
TURESON, KURT SANDER (CRD#:1758373)
DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATE ACCOUNTING, CFO & TREASURER
YOUNG, THOMAS LINDBERG (CRD#:3073410)
DIRECTOR AND VICE PRESIDENT

https://brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/18387

 

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23 Comments

Posted in Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Crime, fraud

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Thrivent new employee dispute resolution mandate?, Effective January 1, 2019?, Citizen Wells breaking news?, Teresa Rasmussen new Thrivent CEO October 2018

Posted on December 8, 2018 | 55 comments

Thrivent new employee dispute resolution mandate?, Effective January 1, 2019?, Citizen Wells breaking news?, Teresa Rasmussen new Thrivent CEO October 2018

“Thrivent contends that its commitment to individual arbitration is ‘”important to the membership because it reflects Thrivent’s Christian Common Bond, helps preserve members’ fraternal relationships, and avoids protracted and adversarial litigation that could undermine Thrivent’s core mission.’”…Thrivent v. Acosta Nov. 3, 2017

“pre-dispute mandatory arbitration provisions are inappropriate in insurance policies and incompatible with the legal duties insurers owe policyholders when handling their claims.”…NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, August 15, 2016

“Companies don’t want to go to court because it puts them on a level playing field. Courts are ruled by law, legal precedent, and legal discovery, which allows litigants to obtain information and evidence from their opponents or from third parties. Discovery is a privilege in arbitration, but not a right. Arbitrators can’t enforce subpoenas, meaning you have to file a lawsuit just to get a third party or a piece of information into the hearing. In open court, you don’t have to jump through nearly as many hoops. Further, judgments in court are often more favorable to the consumer, both in the rate of success and the dollar amount of judgments.”…North Carolina Consumers Council

 

 

Has Thrivent Financial implemented a new employee dispute resolution mandate similar to their MDRP dispute resolution mandated for members since 1999?

If so, why is there no news of this until now on the internet or Thrivent’s website?

Was this supposed to be kept secret?

Did someone inadvertently place this on their website where it got on the internet and was subsequently “rectified”, scrubbed?

A lot of questions have been raised.

Teresa Rasmussen, formerly general counsel and a president at Thrivent became CEO in October.

Is this tied to her?

Did this evolve from Thrivent’s lawsuits against the Department of Labor?

Was this lawsuit a catalyst?

“Executive sues Thrivent, saying he was fired because he is black”

http://eachstorytold.com/2018/05/26/thrivent-executive-fired-gregory-m-smith-lawsuit-says-he-was-fired-because-he-is-black-represented-by-attorney-clayton-halunen-we-are-going-to-get-rid-of-that-black-piece-of-shit/

The following link was scrubbed.

Click to access Employee-Dispute-Resolution-Program.pdf

WE CAN’T FIND YOUR PAGE

You may have used an out-of-date link, bookmarked a page that has moved or typed the address (URL) incorrectly.

To find the information you are looking for, use the site navigation, visit our homepage, or use the site search.

Nothing was found by searching on their website or the internet.

However, this was found in cache:

This is Google’s cache of https://www.thrivent.com/privacy-and-security/dispute-resolution-program.html. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on Nov 12, 2018 11:25:51 GMT. The current page could have changed in the meantime.

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ESWyoGuIC10J:https://www.thrivent.com/privacy-and-security/dispute-resolution-program.html+&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

The following was found under the FAQ section:

  • Why is Thrivent introducing the Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program?
    • • Thrivent has had a successful Member Dispute Resolution Program in place for 19 years, and now we are providing our workforce with a similar dispute resolution program that is:
      • Neutral.
      • Timely.
      • Cost-effective.
    • Introducing this program puts us in line with many Fortune 500 companies. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 55% of U.S. employees have agreed to arbitration agreements.
  • When does the program take effect?

    Current employees and field sales members must sign their agreements via DocuSign by December 31, 2018, and the program takes effect on January 1, 2019.

  • Am I obligated to use the Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program instead of filing a lawsuit?

    Yes. Thrivent provides the Dispute Resolution Program as the exclusive means to resolve workplace disputes. By contracting with, or accepting and continuing employment with Thrivent, you agree to resolve all work-related disputes within the rules of the Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program. This agreement is binding on Thrivent, its employees and independent field sales members. Workplace disputes not resolved through Workforce Relations, Code of Conduct, the initial appeal or mediation must be arbitrated under the rules of the Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program.

What if I don’t sign the agreement?

Because agreeing to a Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program is a condition of employment for employees and condition of contract for field sales members, employment/contracts will not be continued for anyone who does not agree to the terms of the program. Employees and field sales members who choose not to sign the agreement will not be eligible for any type of severance or transitional pay.

These agreements are binding on both Thrivent, its employees and field sales members. Workplace disputes not resolved by mutual agreement must be arbitrated under the Thrivent Dispute Resolution Program.

Why is there no mention of this dramatic change in Thrivent news or the internet?

Did  they change their minds?

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

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55 Comments

Posted in Accountability, Announcements, Arbitration, Attorneys, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Civil rights, Courts, News

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Put Christ back in Christmas, Holy back in Holiday, Give Santa Claus and commercialism the boot, Make Christmas the celebration of Christ’s birth

Posted on December 5, 2018 | 44 comments

Put Christ back in Christmas, Holy back in Holiday, Give Santa Claus and commercialism the boot, Make Christmas the celebration of Christ’s birth

“What’s to-day, my fine fellow?” said Scrooge.
“To-day!” replied the boy. “Why, Christmas Day.”
“It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it.”

“He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew.”

“God bless us every one!”…Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”

“Thank God for the life of Charles Dickens.”…Citizen Wells

 

I think about this often, especially during Christmas Season.

I have been planning this article for some time, what I would say, saving fitting articles.

And there it was a few minutes ago, running errands getting back in my car, on the rear of the car in front of me.

Santa was very much a part of Christmas and the gluttony of “I want I want” of my childhood.

As I got older the empty feeling after it was over began to make an impression on me. The empty feeling of thinking more of myself instead of others and the letdown that material goods always eventually provide.

Thank God it did.

Even though I was raised in the church and actively took part in the services, the pull of material possessions was too great.

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, being with family, giving not receiving and reflecting on life.

Sadly, the focus on non Christian materialism, Santa etc., has steadily increased since then as well as the me me me mentality that permeates our society.

Many folks these days substitute holidays to avoid a reference to Christ but even that word originated as Holy Days.

So let’s put the Christ back in Christmas and Holy back in holidays.

Greet people with Merry or Blessed Christmas even if they don’t understand or feel uncomfortable.

Help them to understand.

God bless and Merry Christmas.

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

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44 Comments

Posted in Christian, Christmas, Religion

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Thrivent claims experiences impact on my faith and others, Thrivent claims core Christian values but that was not my experience, Impact not just financial physical & emotional 

Posted on November 13, 2018 | 7 comments

Thrivent claims experiences impact on my faith and others, Thrivent claims core Christian values but that was not my experience, Impact not just financial physical & emotional

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”…1 Corinthians 13

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.”…2 Peter 2:1-3

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”…Jesus, John 8:32

 

This may be the most important article that I write about my claims experiences with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (and now anybody).

Aside from the devastating financial, physical and emotional impact of their treatment of me over many years and 2 claims experiences, there was potential for impacting my faith.

If Thrivent had been my predominant experience with the Lutheran Church, I would have run away screaming in despair.

From the Washington Post March 28, 2014.

The change from “Thrivent Financial for Lutherans” to just “Thrivent Financial” was not a simple response to declining membership in the Lutheran church, Moeller said, although that factor was discussed during the lengthy transition talks.

It’s more about having a long-term strategy to share the company’s Christian business principles with more people, he said.

“It will open many, many new doors for us in terms of our ability to expand and help our members and communities,” he said.

The U.S. has three main Lutheran denominations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The ELCA, the largest of the three with 3.9 million members in the U.S., reported a drop in weekly attendance of 26 percent from 2003 to 2011.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/thrivent-financial-is-no-longer-for-lutherans-only/2014/03/28/2b47102e-b6ae-11e3-9eb3-c254bdb4414d_story.html?utm_term=.acc9a426cfda

There are 2 main messages in what I write here:

1. Put your faith in God and the message of Jesus.

2. Whether you are involved in an organized religion or not, live your life properly, as Jesus taught. People may not believe what you say but they will certainly believe what you do.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church, raised attending, was an acolyte, attended catechism class and confirmed at age 12.
I sang in the choir for years.

As I grew older I became less enamored with organized religion, with its emphasis on money, buildings and temporal matters.

I have attended other denominations and hung out with the Baptists.

I have known many Godly people of various denominations.

I have also observed behavior that would turn many away.

During my first claims experience with Thrivent in 2002, I had a conversation with Sandy Kruse. I had been in great pain before, during and after surgery. I had been trying to get a proper date of disability from the surgeon to Thrivent. It was frustrating. As it turns out, and well documented now, Thrivent used the incorrect language of “unable to work” instead of “unable to perform regular occupation.” Thrivent later corrected a form but never apologized to me or made reparations.

During the conversation, as indicated by Thrivent in the transcript of the call I requested, I quoted 3 different bible verses. Ms. Kruse was offended and went on to slander and libel me with the local Thrivent rep.

In the second claims experience, beginning in 2009, I now have proof that Thrivent fraudulently misrepresented the policy provisions and used this posture for unreasonable requests and ultimately to accuse me of fraud when in fact it was they who were committing fraud.

Thrivent has been the antithesis of exhibiting core Christian values.

I am not the only one affected.

George Tiedemann, a Lutheran, was surprised at how he was treated by Thrivent:

“The insurance the Tiedemanns bought in 1993 didn’t restrict their ability to sue over disputes. But in 1999 Aid Association for Lutherans amended its bylaws, effectively blocking policyholders from the courts and substituting a three-step dispute-resolution process.

For members who have found themselves in disputes with Thrivent, the retroactive change rankles. “You’re wondering how Lutheran organizations can treat their own customers that way,” says Mr. Tiedemann, an 83-year-old retiree who navigated the dispute-resolution process for more than two years before giving up. The couple is maintaining Lucy Tiedemann’s policy, who is recovering from a recent fall.”

http://eachstorytold.com/2018/06/24/george-tiedemann-obituary-mr-tiedemann-featured-in-wsj-article-about-thrivent-some-life-insurers-play-by-different-rules-george-and-lucy-tiedemann-navigated-the-dispute-resolut/

I quote the bible more than ever.

Putting too much faith in people and institutions will fail.

Thrivent has not shaken my faith.

However, my trust in the Lutheran Church or any other organized religion has diminished.

Perhaps that is a blessing.

I have long believed that there needs to be another reformation.

I strongly believe that now.

I consider myself more a Christian than Lutheran.

 

More here:

https://citizenwells.com/

http://citizenwells.net/

 

7 Comments

Posted in Accountability, Christian, Christianity, Citizen News, CitizenWells, Jesus, Lies, Reform, Religion

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