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MADISON, Wis., April 22, 2024 /4 WINDS/ — The U.S. Department of Education will update Title IX regulations. This supposedly will protect students and employees from sex-based discrimination. The ruling will set guidelines for schools on how to handle sexual discrimination complaints. The new rule codifies protections for transgender students. It will supposedly stop discrimination…

4/18/24 Radio interview on 250 stations in 35 states, then worldwide. San Jose State University added a transgender player to its women’s volleyball team without alerting opposing teams or the player’s teammates. The school added Blaire Fleming, who was born Brayden. He is the only transgender player in the Division I Mountain West Conference. Parents…

“BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) Thanks for your prayers and support as we have many opportunities to share the Lord and stand up…

MADISON, Wis., April 10, 2024 /4 WINDS/ — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has banned transgender athletes from competing as women. The NAIA Council of Presidents voted 20-0 at its annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri to do so. The NAIA represents 241 small colleges across the country, overseeing 83,000 athletes in more than…

By Paul Bawden The recent morning earthquake in the Northeast got everyone’s attention, particularly those affected by the quake. This earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Northeast in more than a decade, according to USGS records – 4.8 on the RIckter scale. Thankfully, there were no injuries, although buildings shook and people were on…

By Merrill Olson One of the actions the Lord despises is hypocrisy (Matthew 23:25-33). He said to the scribes and Pharisees, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like white washed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and uncleanness” (v. 27). A hypocrite is a…

MADISON, Wis., March 15, 2024 /4 WINDS/ — 4 WINDS is a worldwide sports ministry, mostly in track and field. Steve McConkey is the President. In 1988, Steve and Liz started 4 WINDS, beginning as a USA National Track and Field Club. After 1992, 4 WINDS dropped the team so they could work with athletes…

October 19, 1955Born in Des Moines, Iowa1961Dunlap Elementary1967-68Two Dunlap field trips to the Drake Relays, a world-class track and field event, in Des Moines1968Moved to the Danbury, Wisconsin area after the sixth grade, near Dairyland1968Webster Junior High School (WI)1970Webster High School (WI)1971Started distance running. Competed in cross country and track. From 1971 through 2016, Steve…

Steve McConkey was a USA National Track and Field Club Coach from 1982 to 1992. Athletes were ranked ninety-three times. The below list does not include the hundreds of successful athletes on the teams who nearly ranked in their events. Marks made by foreign athletes are not included, plus marks made indoors in events that…

I was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1955. We lived near the Iowa State Capitol. Railroad tracks separated our home and the Capitol. We played near the tracks and on the Capitol grounds, plus at the Iowa historical museum nearby. Inside the Capitol, there were Civil War flags and uniforms. Occasionally, we would see…

By Merrill Olson If people deny that there is a wicked force in the world that is the cause of all the violence, hatred, and chaos, they have been personally blinded by this evil (2 Cor. 4:3-4). In fact, the Bible names, among other names, this source we know best as Satan whose evil has…

By Merrill Olson Not too many people know what WEF stands for. But it is the World Economic Forum whose goal is a one world government. Therefore, one of its demands is that all nations end their sovereignty so a world government can take place. By doing so, there will be no limited government or…

By Merrill Olson Whether nations and religious groups plot against Israel, hate and persecute her, God promises her future prosperity: “For the LORD will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall end” (Isaiah 60:20). As a faithful student studies the Scriptures, one will see clearly that Isaiah 60:1-22 looks forward to…

By Merrill Olson What significant areas have led to the decline of American society as opposed to what it was some years ago? Out of several, three of them will be covered. And it is how the first one is handled by certain people that has brought the degeneration of the other two. Therefore, the…

By Merrill Olson Over the past three years with the fear of the health crisis, masses of people chose to trust the government. People blindly approved of the government’s promise to take care of them. The lies filled the media networks and people believed them without reservation. The medical shot would handle their fear. Yet,…

by Merrill Olson The Bible says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased [depraved] mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28). There are Bible teachers that believe God has also turned America over to a reprobate mind. And…

by Merrill Olson In speaking of our human responsibility as far as the earth is concerned, Psalm 8:6-8 is interesting: “You have him to have dominion over the works of You hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen-Even the beasts of the field, The birds of the air and…

By Merrill Olson Three years before he died, Martin Luther wrote a 13-part booklet titled On the Jews and Their Lies whereby he vented his animosity against them. He wrote, “Next to the devil, a Christian has no more bitter and galling foe than a Jew.” Here was a leader in the Protestant Reformation; and…

By Merrill Olson We are in a time when a young generation of confused, desperate, and spiritually hungry people are living in this world. They are not given any absolute answers to the world’s problems and why they themselves even exist. All the ways of sin and depraved morals have not fulfilled their hunger. Yet,…

By Merrill Olson What is tragic today, as centuries before, are false teachers who claim to be believers in Christ but make false statements that are directly in opposition to God’s Word. The difference between those of another time and today is that those presently have huge followers on television, the internet, and buyers of…

By Merrill Olson Looking back sixty years, America today is not what it was back then. For people living at that time, they would never have expected this country to become one manifesting “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1). Therefore, the “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly…

By Merrill Olson The more believers stand up for biblical truth and become fervent in what they believe, the more they will receive persecution. This is not just in foreign countries but also in the United States of America. With that in mind, the words of the Apostle hold true: “If you are reproached for…

By Merrill Olson Satan is called many different names in Scripture. He is referred to as “the dragon who gave power to the beast [Antichrist]” (Rev. 13:4); “a great, fiery red dragon” (Rev. 12:3, 7, 9); He is the “devil” (Matt. 4:1); “Beelzebub” (Matt. 12:24}; “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11); “the…

By Merrill Olson One of the serious issues facing this country as well with others is the redefining of terms for a world takeover. Sadly, but tragically many people are unaware as to what is seriously happening. Yet as one prophetic speaker said, “Things are not falling apart. They are falling into place.” This is…

By Merrill Olson Our country has been on a moral binge, an unrestrained indulgence, for a number of years. It seems to have hit its heights in an orgy of self-importance and gratification. Every part of our society seems to be deteriorating. As people turn away from God and His morals, this orgy becomes worse…

By Paul Bawden The youngest daughter in a family is bringing her mother a mug of coffee she has made for her Mom. The son is clowning around in the room. She looks at him and spills some coffee on the floor. Immediately, before anybody can even say anything, the sister started shouting at her…

By Paul Bawden I read an article recently entitled, “This Time of War, I Propose We Give Up God” by Shalom Auslander. Due to teaching in his younger years, the author gave his view of God in the Old Testament, especially in what happened in Israel’s deliverance from Egypt based on the Passover. Admittedly, such…

By Paul Bawden “Impossible!” replies the atheist. “How can you know?” questions the agnostic. In spite of the scoffers and doubters, the God-man crucified and buried came forth from the grave bodily on Easter Sunday morning. Eye-witnesses give undeniable testimony that the God-man, Jesus Christ, conquered the grave bodily. Lee Strobel, an ardent atheist, searched…

By Merrill Olson The Bible is very clear that with God there is no gender confusion. The Word says, “So God created man in His own image; the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:27). In rebuttal of what the Pharisees challenged Him regarding divorce, Jesus replied, “Have…

By Paul Bawden As I look at the happening in the United States and our world it’s like Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. You can’t make this stuff up. The USA could have given strong weapons to Ukraine ahead of Russia’s invasion. They failed to do so. Instead of implementing biting sanctions before an invasion,…

By Paul Bawden My heart is heavy as I write this article. I’m sure your heart is heavy as well as you read this article. Why? We are overwhelmed by the evil atrocities committed in Ukraine by Putin and his armed forces. At the same time, I’m sure we are inspired by the stellar courage…

By Merrill Olson As the world has viewed the attack on Ukraine by Russian forces, it was a surprise to many thinking that it would not happen. Even though the Russian troops were gathered at the borders of Ukraine, Putin was still giving the world a message that it will take place. It is like…

By Merrill Olson As America moves further and further away from God’s truth, sinful human beings even take on Christian myths that governs their thinking. As their anti-biblical views become more accepted in society, peoples’ undiscerning spirits succumb to them as being good and beneficial overall. Yet, they fail to realize that these myths will…

By Paul Bawden Russia threatens to invade Ukraine. Various country diplomats engage in a boycott of the Olympic games. Human rights abuse allegations are made against China. Putin and Xi now enjoy a “spirit of friendship and strategic partnershipn” after a meeting during the Olympics. Iran is moving toward developing a nuclear weapon. In the…

By Paul Bawden Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away. They fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day. These words of Isaac Watts remind us of the power of time as we move into the New Year. Time appears to have the last word on our lives, but is that…

By Paul Bawden We live in world where what we possess materially eventually wears out. A case in point is our present house which was new when we bought it 19 years ago. Since that time, we have replaced the kitchen appliances, the washer and dryer, the furnace, the hot water heater, in addition to…

By Merrill Olson If you read certain articles on Christian websites and other resources, or those by George Barna, who is the senior research fellow for the Family Research Council, you will learn of a worldview crisis in America. For instance, only 22 % of Americans can retell the Biblical account of the birth of…

By Paul Bawden Would you believe? Thanksgiving season is here again, with Thanksgiving Day this week. Where has the time gone? Regardless of the quick passing of time, in this season set aside to give thanks, the only question to ask is: Why give thanks? The reason to give thanks is that as individuals none…

By Paul Bawden If we’re honest with ourselves, we all need grace. But what is grace? It’s been illustrated this way. A Christian Education Teacher of Junior High boys was teaching his class about justice, mercy, and grace. After teaching on these subjects, the teacher asked his class how his students would describe these words.…

By Paul Bawden It’s hard to believe what is happening in the USA. We just celebrated Columbus Day, which the President has now called Indigenous People Day. The history revisionists, particularly, the far-left historian, Howard Zinn, whose book, “A People’s History of the United States,” has left a major mark on American K-12 and college…

By Paul Bawden I was in conversation with some friends at a funeral luncheon recently, and the subject turned to what is happening in our world, particularly in the USA. As the conversation went along, it turned somewhat negative, as it was suggested that things are going to get worse and worse. It appeared that…

By Merrill Olson As the Scriptures describe fallen humankind, it gives an appalling thirteen-count indictment against all Jews and Gentiles (Romans 3:10-18). There are no exemptions. Everyone is guilty before God. Describing a few of the indictments, we understand how horrifying they are. For instance: “There is none righteous, no, not one…their throat is an…

By Paul Bawden Recently, I read an article from Answers In Genesis (8/30/21) entitled, “Chimeras – A Frightening Future”? I’ll share below some of the thoughts in that article. What is a chimera? In science today, chimeras refer to human-animal hybrids. It’s artificially combining human and animal cells. Then the article asked the question –…

By Merrill Olson As we look at America today, there is an evil that is returning that we thought was long past. Yet, it is very much in the forefront. What is it? It is Critical Race Theory. It is separating people into certain groups. Tragically, it has entered into many public schools and teachers…

By Paul Bawden I ask myself this question as I watched the recent tragic developments in Afghanistan, the ongoing chaos at the US southern border, and the push to cause us all to lose our true identity and value as individuals. Could the messes in our world be for lack of knowledge? The old master…

By Merrill Olson In one of my pastorates, I took an adult Sunday School class through the beginning of the church to the present in its different time frames. And one very important area was the rise of liberalism that has been around for over 100 years. This came with the attempt of European and…

By Paul Bawden My wife and I recently had our yearly eye appointments – actually two-year appointments due to the pandemic. We like to make sure we take care of our physical eyes. I’m sure you do as well. Yes, there are physical eyes but there are also spiritual eyes – how we see things…

By Paul Bawden This is a relevant question for all Americans to consider. For we are being led to believe by some that the 4th of July is not what we may think it is. Writing in a recent Daily Signal, Jarrett Stepmen informs us that the recently created National Archives and Records Administration Task…

By Merrill Olson One of the definitions of “controlling” is the “inclination to control others’ behavior.” Yet, in recent months we have seen this happening big time! It started with wearing the masks to the present push to get the vaccine. Concerned people first wondered where the science is in wearing the masks when there…

By Paul Bawden If we listen to some people today, dads or fathers aren’t a necessary part of the family. In fact, the family can be anything you want it to be. The traditional family is obsolete and is not necessary for a society to have stability. Regardless of the thinking that’s trying to influence…

By Paul Bawden Memorial Day is on Monday, May 31, 2021. It’s a day set aside to honor the men and women of the U. S. military who have given the ultimate sacrifice of laying down their lives to preserve our freedoms in America. Originally called Decoration Day, it originated three years following the Civil…

By Paul Bawden That question may seem irrelevant in today’s educated world of skepticism and eclecticism. The Bible? What’s that have to do with the future? It’s interesting that Stoner in “Science Speaks” took eight prophecies in the Old Testament that refer to Jesus Christ and are fulfilled in Him in the New Testament. Stoner…

By Paul Bawden CNN ran a report recently that it’s not possible to know a person’s gender at birth, and there’s no consensus criteria for assigning sex at birth. Then the President of the United States included this in a statement, during an “Equal Pay Day” event that there’s not a single thing a man…

by Paul Bawden In the so-called Christian world, Holy Week, is a familiar term. It’s that week from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday – this year, Sunday, March 28 to Sunday, April 4, 2021. Actually, the term was first used in in the 4th century by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of…

By Paul Bawden A lot of terms are thrown around today especially in the American culture. Some of these terms are white supremacy, white privilege, black lives matter, social justice, systemic racism, and critical race theory. Then there is the term, wokeness, which really summarizes the different terms, meaning a coming alive, coming to understand…

By Paul Bawden The US House of Representatives, as you may have heard, has passed the Equality Act, which the House passed once before. The Senate did not take it up at that time. Now the Act goes again to the Senate for consideration and a vote. Certainly, the idea of equality sounds good. We…

By Paul Bawden Is love sweet love ….. The words of this old hit tune came to mind as I observe all the tension, anger, hatred, accusations, and disagreement in Washington D.C. , in the news media, and in the United States. Then it’s Valentine’s Day on February 14 – the day designated to express…