This is probably the most difficult newsletter I’ve had to write.  Thank you for your encouragement and for your faithful support for us.  Over the last 30 years, the message of Back to Basics Christian Bookstore has seen lives saved, marriages repaired, prisoners restored, suicides called off, addicts freed and thousands of people have found Christ.

We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to take care of you!  It’s hard to admit the struggle, but the internet, changing media formats, consumer buying patterns and publisher price erosion have caused tremendous havoc in our industry.

We have a heart to continue and would be overjoyed to be able to find a way to keep Back To Basics Christian Bookstore in the community.  At this point, we’re looking to leave our home of 33 years unless there’s a Divine Intervention.

The big story on Facebook was about all the people who don’t want you to accept a friend request from someone who will hack your email.  Yet, although this was proven to be a hoax, it shows  that the concern is real.

Surprisingly, this far after the election, allegations of Russian hacking is still a hot topic  Does anyone else get tired of hearing about how Russia interfered with our elections?  We can all agree that hacking computers is not honorable.  However, it amazes me to hear the mainstream media express outrage as if the Russians are the single source that made Donald Trump the President of the United States.

To clear up any confusion, the outcome in every election is a result of the votes cast.  The most we are hearing is that the Russians hacked into computers.  If the Russians camouflaged themselves as illegal aliens so they could stuff our ballot boxes with Trump votes, I could understand how people could feel our elections were tampered.  However, that didn’t happen.

The old expression is “Good publicity or bad publicity…it’s all the same just as long as you spell my name right!”  How can we expect to make a difference in the world if nobody knows who we are or what we are doing?  Some people spend all their time consumed with “busy work” – one that consumes quantities of time or just amuses.  But what if the goal is to impact the culture?

Many people are silenced or ineffective because they are afraid of being ridiculed.  That never stopped me and it didn’t stop Ray Comfort either.  When he was mocked by the Atheists, he only increased in popularity.  We can all learn some lessons from him.

All kids should do chores and get jobs.  Whether it’s volunteering or for a paycheck, there are so many lessons and character development opportunities that only happen when meaningfully employed.

The fact that so many people support government mandates on how much employers pay their staff is a cause for concern.  It also shows how poorly most people understand economics.  Every time minimum wage goes up, it hurts the most marginalized employees, especially teenagers and costs  them opportunities.