These are days in which the citizen seems small.  Government has grown dangerously, cancerously big and its tentacles now reach far into the lives of We the People.  In such a situation as this, where is one to begin?  How does one make a difference?  

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May I suggest that these questions - while practical - are not necessarily relevant.  What is relevant now and is relevant always is this:  To do what is right regardless of the immediate earthly outcome and despite the cost and consequences.  I am advocating neither violence nor foolishness.  Rather, I am advocating thoughtful and principled recklessness.  We ought pursue what is right and oppose what is evil with enthusiastic abandonment.  What should we abandon?  Fear.  Propaganda.  Inconsistency.  Reluctance and dread.  Pessimism.  Instead - through the power of the Holy Spirit - we ought seize the day and pursue the following...

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Cultivate the vision that God is great.  The Sovereign God who inhabits eternity transcends history, culture, and the individual challenges we face.  He is more powerful than the enemies we encounter.  He - who defeated death, sin, and hell - is already victorious and in Him, we are more than conquerors.  Whatever happens to our physical bodies, our victory is assured if He is Lord of our lives.  There is nothing mere mortal man can do to the children of God.  If He is your God, then fear not.  Cultivate a grand vision of who He is and what He does.  Cultivate a grand view of the Bride of Christ - the Church Universal - which shall prevail.  Then, go forth enthusiastically, and press on optimistically, and run the race well.   

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Consume the truth.  We live in times of universal deceit.  The media is no longer a source of truth, but of propaganda.  Thus, it is essential that you seek truth and identify sources of news, current events, and historical episodes and incidents that are trustworthy and fact-driven.  The foundation of absolute truth is Scripture.  Without a doubt, it is here - on the solid ground of God's Word - that one must stand and from which one must proceed.  Seek news sources - most likely alternative ones - that care about truth.  Avoid media that is agenda driven.   As you seek accurate, fact-based news - be a thinker.  Ask questions.  Skepticism is a valuable tool of the mind in days in which lies abound.  Demand confirmation of claims and beware of believing information just because it sounds good to your ears.  In other words, some healthy doubt of all news sources will drive you to ask questions and seek confirmation before you re-post, re-tweet, or believe.   

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Construct a Biblical Worldview.  Have you noticed that mankind is looking at the same evidences, and yet drawing very different conclusions?  This is due to "worldview."  We all have one.  It is the set of starting assumptions that we bring to the table as we encounter and examine the events of the world and of our individual lives.  Worldview is like a pair of glasses we wear through which we filter all the information and sensory input that comes our way.  It is what we use to try to make sense of the world in which we live.  To view the events of yesterday and today through the grid of Scripture is to view the events through a cohesive lens that will  ultimately connect the dots of what so often has the feel of chaos and randomness.   In addition to constructing a Biblical worldview, it is important to learn about other worldviews so that you will be more equipped in conversations and in critical thinking.  Worldview "noise" can sometimes make it impossible for people to talk to one another in a civil or effective manner.  If you can learn to cut through that noise, it may be possible to dialogue in a deeper way.   Having a clear understanding of your worldview and the worldview of others will give you confidence to have conversations that otherwise would seem unbearable. 

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Craft the arguments.  It takes time and hard work.  But, this is the heart of the battle of ideas in which we must engage.  We must know WHAT we believe.  And, we must know WHY we believe.   These are echo-chamber days.  It is very easy and common for people now-a-days to stay surrounded in a bunker of like-minded folks.  There is something wonderful about being with like-minded people.  There is comfort.  There is support.  There is rest.  BUT... our echo-chambers are not always places of growth.  We must be challenged - both in and outside of our echo-chambers - to craft arguments in defense of the ideas we value.  Our positions should always be thoughtful and thought-provoking.  We are not to be name-callers and foul-mouthed parrots of talking points.  We are to know what we believe and why... and we must take the time and put in the effort to develop our positions.  This is the principled approach that resists the modern trend of ad hominen attacks and of shouting louder and louder.  This is the principled approach that withstands the modern drift toward cognitive dissonance in which people somehow convince themselves that contradictory views they hold can all be true at the same time.  The war we face is ideological.  We will only win if we win in the marketplace of ideas.   Having a clear understanding of your position will give you confidence as you go forth into this cacophonic marketplace.  

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Consider your abilities and circumstances.  You are uniquely designed with abilities and gifts as well as inabilities and limitations.  Know them both.  Honestly evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.  This is not about pride ("I can do everything") or false humility ("I can do nothing").  It is about truly knowing yourself and what you can and can't bring to the table.  You are also living in a particular season of your life.  You must evaluate your circumstances and priorities.  You must know them so that you can commit to what makes sense in this season of your life.  It is important to seek wisdom from He who knows you best:  God Himself.  Ask Him to help you think straight and clearly about these practical questions.  Ask Him to guide you to know what to say, "Yes" to and what to say, "No" to.  Having a clear understanding of your abilities, limits, and season will give you confidence as you determine how to best participate in days such as these.  

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Connect to the culture.  Conservative values are pro-freedom.  In the heart of most people, beats the desire to be free.  The modern progressive movement - which is Marxist to the core - is the forging of chains that destroys freedom.  It is an ideology that promotes group identity over individualism and then uses group identity to create hostility between the groups.  The language of Marxism is often soothing to inexperienced ears.  It is utopian in language, and thus sounds good.  But, reality utters a different story.  Reality is clear:  Marxism is responsible for 100 million deaths in the 20th century.  In addition, Marxism is responsible for the deaths of exceptionalism, individualism, and beauty in the cultures it infects.   Marxism - and the trendy progressivism of the 21st century - is an ideology unconcerned with truth and consumed and driven instead by agenda.  Today, to the culture in which we live, we must find ways to speak words of truth, freedom, and beauty.  Courage is required to connect to a culture which has been told to despise us and is very confused about what is right and what is wrong.  But to the heart of humanity, conservatism - in reality - appeals.  It is we who have experienced the freedom and beauty of conservatism who must make that appeal, one conversation at a time, in our mission to connect to the culture.   The culture has been told that we traditionalists are - at best - obsolete and out of touch, and - at worst - bigots.  We - the traditionalists - have been told that the culture is no longer interested in our ideas.   But I, an optimist, believe people still hunger for truth and freedom and beauty. I believe people long for what is exceptional and will soon grow weary of the depressing mediocrity of this progressive moment.   So I will not go quietly into the shadows.  I love my fellowmen and humanity too much to shrink back and hide safely and  comfortably in the corner.   

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