Commentary

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Ask Rusty – For Some Simple Guidance About Medicare

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

SPEND & SPEND

It looks as if the Biden Administration would plan their budget, but no, they just keep piling it on. Here is the difference between a conservative and a liberal. Speaker Johnson offered another solution for money to fix the problem of money for Israel. You know, like pay for it instead of borrowing it. But Biden wants Congress to help allies win two wars abroad and deter a third over Taiwan, but he wants to continue spending on everything as if nothing in the world has changed. He won’t be able to do both.

Biden has asked Congress for $106 billion for arms to Ukraine and Israel, plus money for our southern border and the Pacific theater. These are urgent priorities as two wars rage and the U.S. military isn’t remotely prepared to meet the growing threat of a Russia-Iran-China axis.

During Jesus’s ministry on earth, He said many things that challenged His listeners. He spoke in parables, in metaphors (a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another). He used figurative language to relate common objects or concepts with Himself or His Kingdom so people could better understand His character and purpose. It’s important to read these “I AM” statements in context so we can form accurate understandings of what Jesus was really saying.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens

Ask Rusty – Can I Voluntarily Suspend My Social Security Payments? Dear Rusty: My wife retired in 2015 and is receiving Social Security. I am past my full retirement age, and I still work. I recently filed for Social Security benefits and received my first payment earlier this month, and my benefits are around three times my wife’s. I now find that, due to other income, I am having some regrets about filing for Social Security, as the taxes will be complicated. So, my questions are: 1. If I do a “Voluntary Suspension”, can my wife still apply to get up to 50% of my benefits, or do I have to be “actively” receiving Social Security benefits? In other words, does the “Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015” prevent this?

2. If I do a “Voluntary Suspension”, how soon could I “restart” my benefits?

Ask Rusty – Social Security Disability vs. Spouse Benefits vs. Survivor Benefits (and COLA) Dear Rusty: I retired from working in June but will not sign up for Social Security until age 70 and, to do that, I plan to draw from my IRA for the next 3 years. My wife is receiving Social Security disability benefits and will reach her full retirement age in March of next year. I know that my wife simply reaching her full retirement age will not mean an increase to her benefit – except for COLA. What I’m wondering is, can my wife get spousal benefits of any sort based on my Social Security benefits - either before I draw or after I am drawing - apart from her benefits at my death? Her Social Security disability amount is only a fraction of my maximum benefit. Signed: Baffled Husband Dear Baffled: Looks like you’re confused about your wife’s Social Security disability benefits, retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and survivor benefits.

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

WHERE ARE WE GOING

The beginning of anti-Semitism (discrimination against Jewish people and their land) goes back to the time of creation. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience (sin) God cursed them and sent them out of the Garden of Eden, but He did not leave them or their offspring without hope. He gave them hope by promising them that the Messianic Seed of the Woman, who would, figuratively speaking, crush Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15) This no doubt shocked, enraged, angered Satan. Satan then set out to destroy all possibility of that hope ever materializing.

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Quite a bit, in fact forgiveness is a dominant theme throughout the Bible. It’s not uncommon for us to have questions about this subject. In this fallen world, forgiveness is essential to maintain close relationships. We all need forgiveness, and we all need to grant forgiveness because we all sin and have been sinned against. Our instinct is to recoil in selfprotection when you’ve been injured. Asking for and granting forgiveness is not an easy thing to do. Its not easy to understand, practice, especially on the emotional side. The deeper you’ve been hurt, the more difficult it is to truly forgive. As a Christian we forgive by faith, out obedience. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that our forgiveness will be complete.

( Newsworthy Articles and My Opinion)

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON No doubt you’re beginning to hear a few negative comments concerning Speaker Mike Johnson. The far left is fuming at his selection. We could not have had a better choice than Mike Johnson and they don’t like it. Any negatives that can be contrived will be brought up as they will try to discredit Congressman Johnson in the future. The left politicians seem bent on destroying American tradition. Republicans better start selling their philosophies and stand together if we want to make progress in the future and save this country. November 2024 is not too far off. Stay focused on winning the next presidential race.