Inside Trump’s White House: Book Review

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I just finished reading Inside Trump’s White House, by Doug Wead, a best-selling author. Doug’s intentions were not necessarily to write a best-seller, but to write a book for the history of the Trump presidency. Hence, he set out to record events as they actually happened. And this is why he interviewed just those in the White House, especially the President’s family and closest advisors. This book was similar to Bill O’Reilly’s book, The United States of Trump, but there were some differences. Whereas O’Reilly shared more about Trump as a man and what he thought of him and his motives (good and bad), Wead stuck more with just the observable facts, mainly from his interviews. The following are the main points of the book that I gathered from my reading.

The interviews. I think the best interviews came from Ivanka and Jerod, Don Jr., Tifany, and Eric. Ivanka and Jerod were so kind and hospitable. They invited Doug to their home and they talked for hours. A great resource. Jerod, Doug found out, is especially gifted, and he had some great insights to share. President Trump has used him well. It was said that if the job was impossible, he would give it to Jerod—and he would get it done.

Don Jr. and Eric had great things to say about their Dad. Don said that “he is totally focused on doing what is right…he loves the American people…he is working constantly to find more jobs to help more Americans.” Likewise, Eric talked about his father’s greatness, that he is one of America’s greatest presidents.

Tiffany, the youngest, is quite brilliant and beautiful. She is in the middle of law school, but finds time on the weekends to come to the White house and visit her father and family.

On how Trump won the Presidency. The book said a lot about this, because it was predicated to be a blow-out for Clinton; but instead, it was a miraculous turnabout for Trump. I do think that it had much to do with prayer and God’s will. Also. Many worked so hard to bring it about. The President gave his daughter-in-law Lara the Task of North Carolina, and she did a fabulous job—won it. And both Brad Parscale and Melania were so positive. When others had lost hope, Melania “would have none of it.” She consistently said to the President, “You are going to win.”

Trump’s achievements. The book is full of praises for all of the President’s achievements: more jobs, great trade deals, destroying ISIS, many more conservative judges, the wall going up, and the great economy. And he is more of a foreign policy President than he thought he would be. He is a great negotiator and a peace maker. He has worked hard to free hostages, and he has won the votes of many African Americans—up to over 30%.

Trump the man. I loved the way Mr. Wead brought out all of the President’s good qualities—through his interviews. We will start with what Pastor Brunson had to say about him (remember, he was a prisoner in Turkey whom the President worked hard to free). He said to Doug, “The president is very friendly…he has a big heart…he is genuinely caring about people.”

Generally I have noticed that the president thinks the best of people, especially world leader. He always tends to think of a person’s good qualities. But we know that when they cross him, watch out! He will get them back.

Last, and most interesting to me, the book brought out that Trump has a deep religious side. He gets it from his mother and also from his church growing up, where Dr. Vincent Peal was the pastor. Peal wrote the book, The Power of Positive Thinking. The book not only emphasizes our thinking but the power of prayer. He also was greatly influenced by Paula White. Someone much like Peal, she seems to have the same positive prayer philosophy.

For a few years now Trump has been calling on Paula to come and pray for things. He asked her to pray regarding him running for President, and he also has asked her to pray for his children and for business deals. And you remember, he had her bring many Christian leaders to Trump Tower to gather around and pray about the election. But it was pointed out that he never asked Paula to pray for him personally.

This is not from the book, but I hope and pray that the President would begin to ask more for prayer for himself and that he would also try praying himself. I don’t think too highly of Dr. Peal. I think he has led many astray in his teaching. The emphasis in Christianity should be on our relationship with God and our humility, not on positive thinking and positive praying and what we can get from God.

Overall, the book was a great read and I hope it sells well.

Hobbies: How The Jigsaw Saved Me

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This is the puzzle I’m working on: Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Yes, I remember vividly when doing a jigsaw puzzle saved me from going crazy. It is probably my best hobby. In this post I want to write about my hobbies and the value of hobbies.

I just started this new Personal Blog a few days ago and I have big plans for it—something I’ve been thinking of doing for a while now. A typical blog focuses on one main subject. But this personal blog is much more inclusive. It will cover everything I am interested in and want to write about—that is, everything that I feel will be interesting to my audience—to you. Here is a list of categories I am planning to write on.

  • My Life Story (with ten sub-categories)  
  • My Salvation Story
  • My Work
  • Church life
  • Singleness
  • My Devotional Life
  • My Writing
  • My Hobbies
  • My Books (promotional)
  • Books I’m Reading (short summaries)
  • Political Interests
  • Bible Prophecy (mainly why I am interested it the subject)
  • Sermon Notes
  • Critical Issues (problem issues that are a particulate interest to me)

So far, I have been writing on my writing style and also on my interest in politics. I will probably write more on these topics down the line, but I don’t want to get stuck on any one topic for very long. I will change now to the topic of hobbies…

How the Jigsaw Saved Me

I remember the day well. My wife of six years announced that she wanted a divorce, and she demanded that I leave the house—and our four children. I won’t go into the details, but the memory of it was that I was devastated and almost in shock. I knew we were not communicating, but I really didn’t see divorce coming.

When I moved out, the only thing I took with me was a card table, a chair and my favorite puzzle. I left everything else with her. After all she had the kids. And I knew that I didn’t need stuff. But I had to have something to keep me sane—besides prayer. So, I sat at that card table and prayed and cried, and put together that puzzle. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to think too hard about my situation, lest I become bitter. So I did the puzzle. God gave it to me to calm me down—to save me from going crazy.

What is a Hobby?

I looked up “hobby” on my computer thesaurus. It gave me these words: diversion, relaxation, pastime, sideline, leisure pursuit. That’s a start, but we can add a lot more to it. It’s something that’s fun for us. As I mentioned above, for me it was something that calmed me down and kept me from overthinking my situation, and from getting bitter and thinking vengeful thoughts. It really helped me to pray. Because when we pray it requires that we say to God, okay I give up. I will leave everything to you. I can’t do anything about it anyway. She had made up her mind and I knew it.

You know, since my divorce (thirty years ago) I have continued to do puzzles. I’m doing one right now, a 2000 piecer (pictured above). I’ve been at it for a long time. I do it a little every day. I try to get at least two or three pieces together a day. Did I tell you it was a hard puzzle?

One of the things a jigsaw puzzle will do for you is give you a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. As you see the puzzle coming together day after day you will actually feel your poor life come together. And this is also true of other hobbies. I like to do wood working. I haven’t done it for a while, but I have been able to make a few pieces of furniture. So much fun. And the joy is in seeing it come together.

I suppose you could also consider watching TV and movies a hobby. But you have to be careful that they don’t become an obsession and a huge waste of time. Anything you do as a hobby (to relax and for fun) has its limits and purpose. We should never allow it to take over our life so that we find that we are using it to escape daily responsibilities. TV I think can especially do that. If we allow it, it can become an idol.

Donald Trump and the Media

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In my last article on this subject I revealed how I became interested in politics and how I came to root for Donald Trump. I also wrote about how I got hooked on Fox News and how I see it as far superior to any other so-called news. Here I will carry on with the same thing, but maybe more on Trump.

You know I don’t think most people are even aware of all that the President has done, what a really good person he is. I see it especially where I live, in Minnesota; a very liberal, Dem state. I blame it mostly on the liberal news media. Sometimes I get the feeling that we are no better informed than communist countries—that restrict and control, and even alter the news. When I was younger, I remember hearing how people in Russia have no idea of the freedom we enjoy, because their media only gives them the news they want them to hear—to keep them in control. Well in this country we are doing the same thing. Most of the media is liberal and pro Democrat, and so they are always praising Dem candidates and criticizing Republicans, especially conservatives. They do talk about Trump, but 95% of their coverage of Him is negative, or just false. It really is fake news!

I buy a newspaper every day, mainly for the funnies and to check the sports pages. But I do read over some of the frontpage news articles. And without exception the coverage is slanted—a negative, liberal slant against Trump and the GOP. It’s really disheartening. My Pioneer Press isn’t as bad as CNN, but it’s still slanted.

I remember talking to one of my clients (I’m a house painter) a while ago. I think I was listening to a Fox News radio program, and she interjected something about how bad she thought Trump was. Oh, he did this and believes that and is so racist, etc. I could tell she was a CNN listener. She was just parroting what she had heard.  I tried telling her some of the good things President Trump has been doing, but she didn’t believe any of it. It was like foreign to her. It’s sad. So many people are so brain washed.

You know, in spite of the terrible impeachment fiasco, I think it has a good side. Since it has been televised, many are for the first-time hearing both sides—if they choose to listen. It is always good to hear both sides. I even try to force myself to hear the liberal view, to see where they are coming from.

And I know that many Dems are good people—I mean they honestly are seeking the truth. But so many are blinded by evil forces. The devil keeps them from the truth. But that is a whole different topic for another time.

How to Engage in Spiritual Conversations

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The sermon today at my church had to do with witnessing to our neighbors—or anyone we would have a chance to talk to. It was good for me, because, over the years I have become sort of lax in this area. I don’t know why. I was thinking that maybe it is because I just haven’t taken the time with people to get in a lot of deep, personal conversations. Or maybe I have become too Christianized, or too proud—if you know what I mean. Anyway, I what to give you a few questions (taken directly from the sermon notes) that every Christian can ask his friends in order to stimulate a spiritual conversation.

  • Do you believe people can change?
  • What brings you a sense of meaning of purpose?
  • Do you think our world is getting better or worse?
  • Is there a movie or book series that has meant a lot to you?
  • If you won the lottery, what would you do with your free time?
  • What is the biggest challenge facing humans?
  • Have you ever had a mentor who meant a lot to you?
  • What is the best advice you have ever received?

Two Questions for Anyone Who May Have Some Doubts About His or her Salvation

  • Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you can say you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven?
  • Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and he were to say to you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would you say?

These are good questions, aren’t they? To help you answer them I want to encourage you to look at a couple bible verses. For the first question look at 1 John 5:11-12. As for the second question, that may be a little harder. To help you answer that question you can look at Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Ephesians 2:8-9.

My New Interest In Politics

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During the Bush (Jr) years I was sort of interested in politics. But I think I was more forced into it by all that was happening in the country—you know, the Twin Towers. So tragic! Everybody was glued to their set, and concerned, and praying. And I was so proud of the President, the way he took charge.

I remained sort of interested in politics during the Obama years, but for a different reason. I was always praying that our people wouldn’t give up in the face of so much corruption in the government. As I witnessed more and more Christians around the world being persecuted and denied help from our countries it drove me to prayer. As I saw Muslims being let in and put in positions of government, my mind turned to bible prophecy—thinking about end times. You know, I just couldn’t believe how our country and the media loved Obama so much when he was doing such terrible things—and how Mrs. Clinton was involved too.

I looked forward to the next election. Anything was better than Obama. The wicked Clinton was running against a dozen Republicans. At first, I was rooting for the Florida Senator, Marco Rubio. By the things he was saying he sounded pretty good. He seemed smart and serious and good for the country. And he is a Christian. A plus! I was also a little interested in the other Bush brother and also Ted Cruz. I noticed that the billionaire Trump was running, but he was way down in the polls. Everybody thought he was a joke—that he wasn’t really a serious candidate. And I thought that way too. I didn’t much care for him—I don’t know why. I think maybe it was all the money he had, and he tended to flaunt it.

Well, toward the end of the election process Mr. Trump rose up in the polls, until it was Trump, Rubio and Cruz. I had a bad feeling that Trump would be the nominee. How could it happen? But I’ve always loved a winner, so I slowly developed a strange attraction to him. I continued to dislike him, but at the same time I grew to like him.

I decided that I was going to study this guy myself instead of just listening to the media. I read articles on the controversy with his business college. Most of it, especially from the media, was negative. But then I slowly was hearing some positive things—people that graduated actually had some good things to say. I began to discover that there were two sides. The Dems and all the media were always negative about him, but I discovered that many people actually liked him. Before long I was on his side and was cheering for him. I read a couple of his books and was more motivated. The one I really liked was The Art of the Deal.

This guy is a great guy! He is smart, a great business man, a great motivator, he gets things done, and he never quits. The thing I was so impressed with in his book is that he was going, going, going all the time. If he wasn’t making deals on the phone, he was out on a job directing workers and motivating them. He has so much energy and he was loving his work. I was amazed at all the buildings he has built—and huge sky scrapers. An amazing man.

And so, I became hooked on Trump. I listened to all the debates and the rallies. I also tuned into Fox news. I don’t have cable so I just get on to the web sites and watch the ten minutes news clips. I do it every day—probably too much. I have been amazed by the contrast between Fox news and other news like CNN. I am convinced that FOX is the best by far—the most truthful. Actually, CNN and MSNBC are a joke. It’s not really news; it’s pure opinion, pure bios and disgusting. But I am amazed by people who tune into it and swear by it—as if it were all true! Of course, they think that FOX is disgusting.

Well, I think I have written enough for this article so I will quite here. Next time I think I will just continue with this topic. I can hardly wait to hear what I have to say. Ha, ha!

My New Free-Flowing Blogging Style

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This is my second article for my new personal blog. Actually, I wrote it a while back but now I’m rewriting it because I thought it would work well for this new blog. I have four other blogs going: a prayer blog which I started I think in 2011, then a few years later I began a bible prophecy blog, and then more recently I began a political blog and also a nature blog. The first two blogs are still going fairly well, but the nature blog and the political blog aren’t doing well at all. So, I have decided to delete those and put this one in its place. It will be freer flowing and easier. The following is the article I wrote a while ago. I think everything is still relevant.

My New Free-Flowing Blogging Style

Up till now, when I’ve blogged, I will usually study a subject, do research, or go off of other sources, especially on the topic of politics and government. I just haven’t felt confident enough, or really smart enough. I have never really been interested in politics or government so I have felt that I need more input. But recently I have been thinking that it would be good for me to think more on my own, to develop my own thoughts. I think it would stretch my mind out a little. And I think it would help me to be able to more freely and confidently express my thoughts—even though most people tend to be quiet on the subject of politics. They are so afraid to talk about it—about Trump. I guess we are afraid of starting a fight and a very tense situation. People where I live—in Minnesota—don’t like that. We are Minnesota nice. We are so polite.

I’m not sure what I will blog about on this subject, whether it will be just rambling, or on a particular topic. I think I should have some direction, some topic. Here are a few political topics I have in mind:

  • How I got more interested in politics
  • How I have been thinking about President Trump
  • The evil democrat party
  • The never Trumpers
  • Why the Dems are so hateful of Donald Trump?
  • What will become of the U.S. if Trump gets re-elected, or if a liberal like Bernie Sanders get elected.

Wow, that sounds scary to think of Bernie Sanders as President. But sadly, I think our country may be headed in that direction…. after Trump.

But maybe we should think more positively. Maybe 2020-2024, with the house and senate as Republican we will see the country being forever set in a new direction, with a godlier government. We should pray that way. We can be a shining light to the world—until the Rapture. After that I think the U.S. will be gone. I mean since so many of our people will be taken to heaven, I’m afraid other countries will sweep us up—like the EU.

Well, these are my new thoughts. Hopefully, the Lord willing, I will be able to continue on this path of freer blogging. Maybe next time I will have something more specific to blog about.

My New Personal Blog

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For a while now I have been thinking that I really want to change my writing and blogging style. For so long now I have been blogging on one particular topic. I have a blog on prayer and another blog on bible prophecy. Those are good blogs, but I wanted to do something different. So far on the blogs I have, I have been very careful about getting all my information accurate. So I do my research before I write. But on this new blog my style will be different. I will be writing on things I already know about. I will be basically writing about me: my life,. my work, my interests, my thoughts or views on things. I think it will be much more free flowing and fun. I’m looking forward to it. I have so far thirteen different categorizes I want to write on–so I will be busy. I hope you find my blog interesting.