Martin Bennet

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-5 I appreciate all you do in response to what have faced.

Rarely am I brought to tears as a lawyer. But I showed up in a personal capacity to the #moleg multiple times in my capacity as a *mom*. I thought I was golden living in an affluent area - turns out our schools were in the toliet. I cried so many tears listing our house which was minutes from all the grandparents and the city I grew up in and the city we called home…but as a mom I couldn’t face myself in the mirror every morning sending my kids to a failing school. We were fortunate enough we picked up and moved months before my youngest started K. It breaks my heart that’s not an option for every mom and that there are folks from the government standing in the way thinking they know better than what we desire and think is best for our own kids. Shameful.

@megbasham @dmichaelclary Please check this out and help sound the alarm since the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is about to allow Side B pastors. They vote on it is this summer at their General Assembly. presbyterianplumbline.org

.@dmichaelclary has an excellent article out on the theological discussion that the Church must have in the wake of the revelations about Sam Allberry's disqualification. As Michael writes, "[Allberry] became the most respectable face of the 'Side B' movement that was eagerly peddling the idea that a 'gay orientation' isn’t sinful in itself...Given his zealous advocacy for the non-sinfulness of 'same sex attraction,' Allberry’s actions deserve particular scrutiny, especially since he has authored multiple books seemingly aimed to normalize and promote his unusual way of practicing Christianity." Michael continues about Allberry's church: "Immanuel Church features a who’s who of prominent, left-leaning evangelical leaders, such as Ray Ortlund (founding pastor, pastor Emeritus, and pastor to pastors), Dr. Russell Moore (minister in residence), Dr. Gavin Ortlund (theologian in residence and son of Ray Ortlund), and Barnabas Piper (Assistant Pastor, author, and son of John Piper)." So we have to ask what doctrinal rationale led these leaders to decide that Allberry was qualified when he clearly wasn't and to even now leave the door open for his future qualification. (Note that in their statement about Allberry's removal, Immanuel says only that he is "currently" not qualified.) Writes Michael: "The novel, 'side B' view would always have a friendly audience amongst liberals who want to normalize homosexual desires and practices. But it also gained traction in conservative Christian circles because it was promoted beneath a fig leaf of maintaining the orthodox view of marriage as one man and one woman. In other words, their message was, 'trust us on all things related to homosexuality because we reject gay marriage! ... “Prominent Side B organizations include the “Revoice” conference, “Spiritual Friendship” website, “Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender” (founded by Preston Sprinkle), “Living Out” (Sam Allberry’s ministry), and “EQUIP”. This view has also been platformed in popular media outlets such as The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and Christianity Today (CT). CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) uses Preston Sprinkle’s training materials for their staff. In short, this is a large, influential movement promoted by prominent leaders and enjoys solid funding and institutional support. "This is one of the most destructive forces in modern evangelicalism. And the whole godless enterprise needs to be dismantled, brick by brick, and burned to the ground." Amen. And THIS--the pervasiveness of this destructive doctrine and its acceptance and promotion by ministries and leaders viewed as sound and trustworthy by conservative Christians is why we must talk about the doctrine--not to flog Allberry, but to warn about what he and others have been teaching. Read Michael's whole essay here: dmichaelclary.com/p/sam-allberry…

@midwestern_ope Missouri's response is totally justifiable.

Missourians are blessed to have strong pro-life leadership in Jefferson City—perhaps none better than Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin. As Majority Leader and now President Pro Tem, she has been a tireless advocate for the unborn and for families, helping lead HJR 73 (now Amendment 3) across the finish line in the Senate. Missouri is stronger because of her work.

Late-term abortion painfully ends lives just weeks from birth. That’s a line we shouldn’t cross. Amendment 3 reflects Missouri values by protecting both babies and mothers.

Her Health Her Future is proud to have the support of United States Senator @Eric_Schmitt. We’re grateful for his commitment to strengthening families and protecting children. Vote #YesOn3!

We are ready here for antifa or the abolitionists here in St. Louis County as well; and have been across the nation for 400 years spanning 14 generations.

Missouri is one of two states that doesn't have cameras in the Senate chamber. This is UNACCEPTABLE! As your State Senator, I will FIGHT for transparency in government!

@Eric_Schmitt @CAP384076856632 The MCI bathroom situation is unnatural and creepy.

At least 65 women have been recorded by some pervert in an ALL GENDER bathroom at the Kansas City airport. Women deserve better than to have their privacy sacrificed at the alter of wokeness.

This is a Blood and Soil issue to St. Louis County Republicans and many non-Republicans. Tens of thousands of families escaped the city and moved to the county to get away from the wokeness, crime, bad schools, and corruption. The belief is that people will, in the best case, pay higher taxes to support the city they caused. The worst case is that we will suffer the high crime and woke governance as a retribution. The progressives will overwhelm the 60/40 split and cause us to go to a 25/75 political minority. Due to the corruption of Democrats, there are a few sane ones who will work with the GOP to stop crazy hiring and purchasing requirements. As it is, the county revenues are down and the Democrat spending has gone on unabated. With the city's dysfunction, it will only get worse.

I just recorded a podcast about city-county merger in St. Louis. My view is that the time for city-county mergers has probably passed. The benefits were there 50 years ago, but not so much today.

@joseph_palasky @RGreggKeller @wallethub Is it in hc outcomes? What determines ranking? Perhaps it’s personal choices such as diet and exercise that drive those outcomes.

@RGreggKeller @wallethub Those states have some of the lowest rankings in the country for healthcare. Especially Texas.

Missouri’s state and local tax burden is 7.84%. Median burden in red states with no income tax (FL, TN, TX, SD, WY, AK) is 6.33%.* Their S&L taxes are ~25% lower than ours. No income tax = lower overall state AND local tax burden. *Source: @wallethub #moleg #mogov

@ZitoSalena Actually, there were multiple French-Indian Wars. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_an…

French and Indian War reference for the win!

Here is a great article pointing out that Trump is facilitate the breakup of OPEC. "What do you know? U.S. shale fracking has achieved Washington’s longtime strategic goal of curbing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' control over oil prices." wsj.com/opinion/united…

@PresbyInn And here we got their long preservend character, culture and creed...

StL area Public schools are failing because of Critical Pedagogy and DEI hiring. In my upper income school district of Kirkwood, DEI is the cause of lower Black AND White students test scores - see linked article for state test scores. The interviewee of the podcast mentioned he is a member of a Chesterfield Catholic Church. It has a thriving K-8 grade School that has 3-5 sections per grade level (a SIS client of mine). The local State Rep. and State Senator's children are there or headed there - not in Rockwood public schools. missouririvergop.org/content-blog/d…

"I came a year before my family, and we soon realized the city of St. Louis was not the city of Chicago in terms of amenities. And so we ended up in St. Charles. And I think most people make that same decision."

@aaron_renn I live in suburban St Louis. Don't believe the Post-Dispatch. They mislead and lie about so many things.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Downtown St. Louis is safer than you think. No, really. stltoday.com/opinion/editor…

Political conservatives are failing the most important test in all of history The will for self preservation

SPLC Says Funding KKK Only 3% Of What They Do buff.ly/OQ4kkHD