Editor’s Commentary: We are launching a new podcast, The Morning Sentinel, with my wife as the voice for the message. This replaces our joint podcast project from 2020, which was known as Conservative News Briefs. The Morning Sentinel will be very different from its predecessor as we will be focused on a single topic of the day, delivering a message we believe to be both relevant and sustaining. They will be short monologues about the state of affairs in America. We face existential threats on multiple fronts. Keeping it all in perspective requires calm urgency as we fight to keep America from falling into the abyss. Here’s her first episode:
There’s a difference between depending on someone and being dependent. As humans, we should be able to depend on the people around us to help us when we need, just as they should be able to depend on us when we are needed. There’s nothing wrong with depending on family and friends. Even our neighbors can be benefits to us just as we should be benefits to them. That’s part of the American way and it’s part of being human.
There are times when we should be able to depend on our communities as well. In times of major strife, being able to turn to the local community, our church, or local organizations can be true blessings when we need them the most.
With family, friends, neighbors, churches, and our communities, we can engage in the fellowship associated with being both dependable to others and depending on them when we need. Dependence on government, however, is completely different. It is a one-way street. They do not depend on us for anything, and while we may believe they depend on us for tax dollars that they steal regularly or our productivity that they rely upon to keep society going, they don’t really need us. We are a number to them, and as such, to them, our existence makes no difference.
This is why being dependent on government in any way is an affront to our freedom. It is why we should, as a free people, strive to rid ourselves of any dependency we have on government. By being dependent, we are beholden. By being beholden, we are at their mercy. And if you think that any government is benevolent and working only on behalf of the people, then you haven’t been paying very much attention. What they say and what they do are two very different things.
By no means am I suggesting that we don’t need government. Law and order require governing bodies to make certain those who do wrong are held accountable. But even in this basic expectation we should have for our government, so many of them have been failing miserably at it. From defunding police to letting violent criminals off regularly, it’s clear that many governments at every level are not fulfilling their oath to defend the constitution and thereby defend the people from forces of evil.
It’s a reasonable expectation that our government should keep us safe from foreign invaders. Yet even the most tone-deaf politicians are having a hard time ignoring the sad song being played at our southern border. If an illegal alien enters the country and tests positive for Covid-19, they will not be sent back for instance. If an American citizen tries to reenter the country after testing positive for Covid, they will be turned away. This is just one of dozens of examples of the hypocrisy that we’re facing with a government that has abandoned its role of preventing foreign invasions.
As billions of dollars are being sent to Ukraine to be distributed among their oligarchs and helping to prolong the war with Russia, thereby prolonging the suffering of the Ukrainian people, American citizens are getting shafted with massive food shortages, including the insane baby formula shortage. We’re often told by virtue-signaling politicians that we must defend the most vulnerable among us. Well, there are no Americans more vulnerable than infants, and our government has failed miserably to prevent or end the baby formula crisis. Shelves in the baby aisle should be the last ones to go bare in a civilized and caring society, yet they are the first in the long line of food shortage dominoes to fall. That is an unexpected insult to add to our growing list of injuries.
As a free people, we can no longer have a reasonable expectation of safety, security, or prosperity safeguarded by our government. That hasn’t been the case for a long time in the United States of America, but it’s quickly becoming our present-day reality. And perhaps that’s a good thing. Perhaps we have grown too complacent, too expectant, and too beholden to government. Right now, today, it is time for Americans to wake up from the slumber that our past comforts have afforded us and take matters into our own hands. This should have happened long ago for most of us. Some have been doing it for years. If we are to continue to be a free people, we must take full responsibility for our own safety, security, and prosperity. At no time during our generation has that been more obvious.
And to do that, we must break free from any and all dependence on government.
That does not mean taking action against government, let me make that clear. It’s a sad state of affairs when I’m forced to declare that important caveat. I am not calling for insurrection. I am not calling for crime, violence, or terrorism in any way. Breaking free of government does not require us to topple it. All it means is that every attachment we have to government apparatuses should be dissolved as quickly as possible. Some think of that as living off the grid. That may be the best way to go for some. But even those who are not able to run off to their secluded homestead in Montana should be striving to relinquish government control over our lives.
It starts with food. If food shortages are coming, and they certainly seem to be, then we must do whatever is in our power to preserve, store, stockpile, and possibly even produce our own foods. Prices are going up and that’s not going to change for the foreseeable future. It behooves all of us, even if we’re not in the “doomsday prepper” camp, to secure as much long-term food as possible. When the grocery store shelves go empty, the vast majority of Americans will be demanding that our government do something about it. You do not want to be among those waiting in breadlines. You do not want to feel the need to join marauding bands of desperate people trying to steal whatever food they can find. And you do not want to hold your hand out and hope your government selects you to be the beneficiary of their largesse.
Today, many are dependent on government to keep us safe from crime. That is already fool-hardy for most. As they say, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. Being able to defend your person, your family, and your property is a natural right that has been fundamental throughout human history. With many politicians pushing to eliminate our ability to defend ourselves, it is time to take the opportunity while it is still available to us. In the very near future, we may not have that option.
Our healthcare is arguably the toughest need for us to fulfill independently. Many of us need government in some form or fashion, whether through insurance or government-beholden medical systems. But just as food will be used to control the masses, healthcare will be used to control those who have their own food security in hand. This is why it is a best practice to find doctors who are willing to work outside of government programs. It’s also a best practice to work through private medical funding organizations like medical cost-sharing programs. If we’ve learned anything over the past two years, it’s that even doctors and hospitals will allow themselves to be played like the government’s fiddles on behalf of Big Pharma. To break free from that requires a willingness to find those in the medical field who are just as skeptical of government as you are.
We could talk for a very long time about the various ways to build and sustain our freedoms by breaking away from government dependency, but it really comes down to you and your situation. Examine what attachments you have in your world to government and determine a strategy to remove those attachments as quickly as possible. Today, government offers a series of conveniences that act as anchors to keep us compliantly docked in their ports. That is not freedom. Perhaps there was a time when freedom and working closely within the government system was possible, but today they’re mutually exclusive. You’re either reliant on government in many ways or you’re not. You’re either dependent or you’re free. There are degrees of dependence and freedom, and as patriots we must strive to reduce our dependency as we progress towards freedom.
One does not have to be isolated from society to be free. There’s a difference between detaching from government and detaching from society. Perhaps someday that won’t be the case, especially if society reacts to near-future catastrophe by running to government for solutions, which they most certainly will do. In that case, we may find ourselves isolated.
Our nation is on a collision course with disaster. It may not be too late to reverse course, but it’s foolhardy to assume that will happen. We all have difficult choices to make, and those choices must not be pushed off much longer. Will you choose to be free and isolated or enslaved with the masses? If enough people are isolated in their freedom, are we not the seeds upon which a future rebirth of freedom can be realized? Whatever the future holds, I choose freedom, and I hope I am not alone.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
