Benjamin Franklin and Authors

Ben Franklin thumb pictureI received a letter a few days ago asking me some questions about my book “The Illegal Trial of Christ.” I politely responded and answered the questions asked of me.

Then today I received a phone call from this same person, with a couple of more questions. We had a nice chat and it was apparent that this person had done a great deal of reading and research about the death of Christ and what led up to it.

This man said he was a neurologist and he is writing his own book about the medical reasons of Christ’s death. Basically the premise of his book is that Christ actually died from a loss of blood. The crown of thorns was really the cause of loss of more blood that had previously been attributed to it. That he was in reality the sacrificial lamb, and it was the time of year for that major sacrifice. He fulfilled his purpose in coming to Earth. read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Warning

Ben FranklinMost people who have a little interest in American history have read Benjamin Franklin’s words which seemed to bring about a final consensus and agreement on the basics of our Constitution. I believe I have even repeated them here on this blog at some time or another. (If you can’t remember them or want to have them again go to the book “FoundingFathers–Uncommon Heroes”. What Ben said is there on page 33. If you don’t have the book yet, for heaven sakes, get it right now. Click here.) read more

Citizens Amend the Constitution

constitutionThere is something I just can’t understand—at all! Yesterday in my blog I gave some little bit of background about our U.S. Constitution. I mentioned that our Constitution has been amended only 17 times since the original Bill of Rights was adopted. Seventeen times since December 15, 1791. That’s more than 225 years.

But two of those amendments came in 1913. What happened in 1913 that allowed those two amendments to be approved? Woodrow Wilson was president and started the “progressive” movement. Which shortly died out for a while, but it’s back now—with a vengeance. Just look, we have our first openly socialist candidate. read more

Christ and the Jellybean Principle

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverThere is another other principle I’d like to share with you. It’s called “The Jellybean Principle.” That’s also the name of a book written by Ron McIntyre. His thesis is that if you are looking at a jar of multi-colored jellybeans, you will most often see the one color you are looking for, the one you want to pick out and eat.

So if you want a green jellybean, you will notice that the glass bowl is full of several colors, but the one you see the most will be green. Same with blue, red, black or white. That’s just what you will notice. Your perception will be that there are more of that color of jellybean in the container. read more

Christ and The Parable of the Scorpion

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverLast Saturday night I was getting ready for bed. I looked around the bathroom and I happened to look into the bathtub. There in the bathtub was a beautiful specimen of a . . . scorpion. It was medium size and had nice proportions for such a nasty, creepy-crawly bug. There he was trying to get up the porcelain sides of the white shiny surface. To no avail.

You know, of course, that scorpions and humans don’t get along too well together. Scorpions like to scare and sting, humans like to kill the thing. So I looked around the bathroom to see what I could discover for a defense. I saw my wife’s hair spray. I thought that might work. So I sprayed the bug with the aerosol. It slowed him down. read more

Benjamin Franklin an Inspired Manager

Ben Franklin thumb pictureYou hear a lot of good things about Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. But usually you don’t equate him with being a good manager. Just look at his success with the printing business from which he retired in his fifties.

He was such a great manager that he not only succeeded and retired early, he helped others get started in the business. He told his followers to seek inspiration ahead of imitation. It worked for him!

Here’s what he said in his autobiography:

“Having emerg’d from the Poverty & Obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of Affluence & some degree of Reputation in the World (what an understatement—he was more well known that even George Washington throughout the world!), and having gone so far thro’ Life with a considerable Share of Felicity, the conducting Means I made use of, which, with the blessing of God, so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own Situations, & therefore fit to be imitated.” read more

The Parable of the Scorpion

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverSaturday night I was getting ready for bed. I looking around the bathroom and I happened to look into the bathtub. There in the bathtub was a beautiful specimen of a . . .scorpion. It was medium size and had nice proportions for such a nasty, creepy-crawly bug. There he was trying to get up the porcelain sides of the white shiny surface. To no avail.

You know, of course, that scorpions and humans don’t get along too well together. Scorpions like to scare and sting, humans like to kill the thing. So I looked around the bathroom to see what I could discover for a defense. I saw my wife’s hair spray. I thought that might work. So I sprayed the bug with the aerosol. It slowed him down. read more

Republicanism and The Trial of Christ

constitutionI know it’s a little bit early yet, but Easter is fast approaching. I have sometimes been asked why I have written my books on totally different subjects. Well, the short answer is my background is in law, therefore the Trial of Jesus Christ became a very real matter of interest to me.

I lived outside of the country for a while which imbued in me a spirit of patriotism. Then when I attended a conference in Philadelphia, in 1976, the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence my interest in the Founding Fathers grew by leaps and bounds. I gave many presentations about my heroes, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, John Adams, and James Madison, to the point where people in my audiences began to ask for me to write a book. So I did. read more

Politeness in Politics Epitomized by Washington

GeorgeWashingtonGeorge Washington could teach all our politicians a thing or two—of course they’d have to listen. George was taught penmanship by a mentor or tutor when he was still quite young. His teacher taught him how to write in beautiful script which was plain and easy to read. George had good penmanship throughout his life.

But the tutor taught him something more by using his method to teach fluid writing. He would pronounce certain maxims or sayings that became a basis for good character. These maxims had to be written over and over again while George could perfect his writing ability. To the satisfaction of his tutor. read more

True Friendship

Landsdowne paintingGeorge Washington was one to give words of counsel and wisdom to those he associated with (or with whom he associated, if you prefer). Pearls of wisdom just seemed to fall from his lips. Some were actually written down. Here’s one I like and understand:

“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.” read more