Is It Really Compassion to Let Everyone In?

by Ryan Rush | Jul 12, 2025 | Field Notes, Open Files, The Outlaw Files

Is It Really Compassion to Let Everyone In?

“Where is your compassion?”

That’s the question often thrown at anyone who believes in border security or the deportation of illegal immigrants – especially those with criminal records.

The argument goes like this:

We should welcome everyone because people matter.
Keeping people out is selfish and un-Christlike.
True compassion means opening our borders and letting them stay.

But is that really true compassion? Or is it shortsighted empathy that feels good today but harms millions tomorrow?

The Founders’ Vision of Compassion

America’s Founders believed in compassion. They saw each human as created equal by God, endowed with unalienable rights. But their compassion was grounded in responsibility and sustainability.

Thomas Jefferson said:

“To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

That same logic applies to immigration. Is it compassionate to force citizens to fund the welfare, medical costs, housing, and policing required by uncontrolled immigration – especially when it places their own families and communities at risk?

Or is it compassionate to protect your citizens first, build a strong, free, thriving nation, and then help others from a place of strength rather than weakness?

Short-Term Feelings vs. Long-Term Compassion

Let’s be honest. It feels compassionate to let everyone in. It makes for good Instagram posts. It soothes guilt. It avoids confrontation.

But what happens long-term?

✅ Communities are overwhelmed. Hospitals close maternity wards under financial strain. Schools collapse under overcrowding. Social services designed for citizens cannot keep up.
✅ Wages stagnate. Low-skilled American workers – often immigrants themselves who came legally – are forced to compete against illegal labor willing to work off-books for less.
✅ Crime rises. Not all illegal immigrants commit violent crimes. But a portion do. If even 1% commit felonies, that is thousands of innocent victims who would not have suffered if immigration laws were enforced.
✅ National unity fractures. Compassion turns into resentment as citizens watch their government prioritize non-citizens over their own veterans, elderly, and children.

True Compassion: Strong Borders, Strong Nation

If Trump’s second term focuses on:

Removing illegal immigrants with criminal records
Securing the border to end the cartel human trafficking pipeline
Enforcing laws fairly while expanding legal immigration based on merit and national needs

…then this is not cruelty. It is compassion rightly ordered.

Here’s why:

✔️ It protects citizens. The first duty of any government is to its own people. Without that, it is no government at all.
✔️ It builds a nation worth immigrating to. A collapsing economy, overwhelmed hospitals, and rising crime help no one.
✔️ It preserves dignity. Illegal immigrants live in fear, exploited for labor, unable to participate fully in American life. A strong legal system upholds their dignity by ending that exploitation.
✔️ It helps future generations. Children raised in a stable, safe, economically strong nation grow up to invent, build, and lead – creating advancements that bless the entire world.

Compassion That Lasts

Those accusing border security advocates of lacking compassion often confuse emotion with virtue. It feels good to welcome, but true virtue asks:

What are the consequences?
Who pays the cost?
Will this help or harm the people entrusted to my care?

Biblically, compassion begins with family and community. 1 Timothy 5:8 warns:

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

That provision extends outward, but it starts at home.

America’s Founders Understood This

They built a system designed to bless generations. By securing borders, enforcing immigration law, and building economic strength, we create a nation that can:

✅ Bless the world with trade and innovation
✅ Send missionaries and humanitarian aid abroad
✅ Receive legal immigrants who integrate and thrive

Compassion rooted in founding principles builds freedom, dignity, and prosperity – not just for us, but for the world.

Invitation to Think

True compassion isn’t opening the door without wisdom.

It’s building a home so strong, so free, so virtuous, and so prosperous that when you open the door, you have something worth sharing.

That’s what Trump’s second term vision seeks to restore. And that’s what the Founders intended all along.

Polygamy in the Bible

by David Rush | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Misc, Open Files

Polygamy in the Bible

Polygamy in the Bible: A Complex Blessing

Polygamy often raises eyebrows in modern discussions of biblical morality, yet the Scriptures themselves treat it with surprising nuance. While never explicitly commanded, polygamy appears multiple times in Scripture—sometimes as a cultural reality, and other times with what seems to be divine allowance or even blessing.

Old Testament Examples

Jacob, Leah, Rachel… and Two More
In Genesis 29:31–30:24, Jacob marries sisters Leah and Rachel, and later has children with their maidservants. Though the family dynamic is messy and full of strife, God is intimately involved—opening wombs, giving children, and building the twelve tribes of Israel through this very household.
David’s God-Given Wives
In 2 Samuel 12:8, the prophet Nathan conveys a striking word from God to David:

“I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms… And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.”
The implication is startling—David’s multiple wives are not condemned here, but are part of God’s provision.
Solomon’s Excess
1 Kings 11:3–4 records Solomon’s hundreds of wives and concubines. While Scripture does condemn Solomon’s eventual idolatry influenced by his wives, God had still granted him immense wisdom and blessing beforehand. The issue isn’t quantity—it’s compromise of faith.
Law for Additional Wives
In Exodus 21:10, Mosaic law includes instructions for a man who takes another wife:

“He must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.”
The law doesn’t forbid polygamy—it regulates fairness within it.

New Testament Direction

The New Testament shifts the focus. It emphasizes faithfulness, character, and spiritual leadership—but doesn’t offer a direct condemnation of polygamy.

1 Timothy 3:2: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife…”
Titus 1:6: “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife…”

These verses elevate monogamy as a standard for leadership, not as a universal requirement for all believers.

What Can We Conclude?

The Bible does not condemn polygamy, nor does it explicitly endorse it as a divine ideal. Instead, it presents it as a real part of human relationships in certain times and cultures—often accompanied by blessings, and just as often followed by human frailty, jealousy, or spiritual decline.

Polygamy in Scripture is not portrayed as sin, but it is often the backdrop for sin. And like many blessings, when received without faith or handled without wisdom, it can lead to brokenness.

Rather than judging ancient lives through modern lenses, it’s better to reflect on the heart of the matter: God desires faithful, loving, and covenantal relationships. Whether monogamous or polygamous, when human relationships lose sight of the One who gave the gift, the blessing often turns to burden.

Jesus Drank Wine

by David Rush | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Case Studies, Just for Fun, Open Files, The Outlaw Faith, The Outlaw Files, Tobacco & Alcohol

Jesus Drank Wine

11 Reasons Alcohol Might Just Be… Biblical

(A lightly cheerful list you can read with a smile—and a Bible in hand)

1. Jesus drank wine.

“I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
— Matthew 26:29

Yep. Real wine. And He plans to have a glass with us in the Kingdom.

2. Jesus gave wine to others.

“Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant…”
— Matthew 26:26–30

At the Last Supper, He served the cup—not just symbolically, but literally.

3. Jesus made more wine when they ran out.

— John 2:1–11

Not just any wine. Good wine. And the guests had already had plenty. Miracle #1: A wedding wine upgrade.

4. The Apostle Paul prescribed it.

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
— 1 Timothy 5:23

Apostle-approved. Doctor-endorsed. Moderation encouraged.

5. It’s recommended for stress relief.

“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.”
— Proverbs 31:6

Sometimes you don’t need a lecture—you need a little peace in a glass.

6. God approves it for celebration.

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:7

That’s right—cheers, with permission.

7. Even church leaders can have some.

“Deacons… must not be addicted to much wine.”
— 1 Timothy 3:8

Note: It doesn’t say no wine. It says not too much. Big difference.

8. Little old church ladies are in the clear too.

“Older women… not slanderers or slaves to much wine.”
— Titus 2:3

So yes—Grandma can sip her merlot while mentoring the younger women.

9. It’s perfect for after church.

“Eat the fat and drink sweet wine… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
— Nehemiah 8:10

A holy day? That calls for a holy toast.

10. It was part of Old Testament worship.

“Their drink offerings shall be… a half hin of wine for a bull…”
— Numbers 28:14

God didn’t just allow it—He expected it on the altar.

11. It’s great for the church picnic.

“Buy whatever your heart desires: oxen, sheep, wine, or strong drink… and rejoice, you and your household.”
— Deuteronomy 14:26

There’s a reason potlucks are biblical.

When Church Moved Into the Living Room

by David Rush | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Open Files, Personal Stories, The Outlaw Faith

When Church Moved Into the Living Room

A Personal Story of Rediscovering Real Faith

In those days, church was just “doing church.”
We’d get up on Sunday morning, put on our good clothes, go listen to five songs and a lecture, then come home.

I’m sure there were sermons that were inspiring.
We got to know a few people.
But nothing really stuck.

There had to be more.

This couldn’t possibly be all that God intended for Christianity.
It couldn’t possibly be all there is to faith.
It couldn’t possibly be all there is to God.

I wanted to know Him in a real way.
I wanted to know who He really is.
But the church had no real life.

The singing was polished, the preaching was passionate, the programs were well-run—
But it all felt hollow.
Relationships were shallow.
And if we didn’t return, the relationships faded.

We visited other churches—some better than others.
We found great preachers, good people.
But that sense of family, of purpose, of living faith… it wasn’t there.

So we stepped away.

A few families, like ours, were frustrated with how church was operating.
It wasn’t that we were bitter or rebellious—
We just couldn’t find what our hearts were hungry for.

We knew we needed spiritual connection, even if it didn’t come in the form we were used to.
So we got together.
Just a couple families—husbands, wives, and kids.

We started simply:
Sharing some of our struggles, then opening the Bible together.

There were no sermons.
No structured curriculum.
Usually someone would show up with a scripture or topic on their heart,
And we’d just start talking.

It was informal, but not shallow.
Spirit-led, but not chaotic.

We met on Sunday afternoons or evenings—
When everyone could relax, bring a snack, and bring their full selves.

And something began to grow.

Not just spiritual insight—
But relationships.
The kind traditional church often doesn’t have room for.

We shared our homes, our kids, our food, and our lives.
Over time, some of those relationships became the most meaningful we’ve ever had.

We talked about marriage, child-rearing, money, fear, calling, and failure.
We dug into the Bible—
Not because someone told us to,
But because we wanted to.

Some weeks it felt like the Holy Spirit Himself was guiding our questions,
Revealing truth none of us expected.

I started to pray more.
And I started to know God in ways I never had before.

My faith became real and personal in a way that never happened for me in the structure of Sunday services.

“I’ve grown more in the past few months sitting in this living room than in years of sermons.”

That season changed me.
It made me hungry for that kind of shared spiritual life all the time.

I’ve looked for it since,
But often “home church” ends up being a smaller version of the very system we were stepping away from.

What we had back then wasn’t about creating a church or running a ministry—
It was simply a space to be the Church together.

We didn’t need a platform or a plan.
We needed presence—God’s, and each other’s.
We needed time, conversation, and the freedom to ask questions out loud.

And the Spirit met us there.

I can read the Bible alone—
And every preacher says we need to.

But nothing compares to opening the Scriptures together.
Learning, digging, praying, struggling, listening…

It is so much more than daily devotions alone and lost.
The house of the Lord is built using all of us as stones.

Faith was never intended to be walked alone.

That’s why I believe so strongly in this call to rediscover participatory, Spirit-led teaching.
I’ve lived it.
I’ve tasted it.

And once you’ve experienced it, you know—
This is what Church was meant to be.

The Blessing of Alcohol

by David Rush | Jun 22, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Case Studies, Open Files, The Outlaw Faith, Tobacco & Alcohol

The Blessing of Alcohol

Wine in the Bible: A Gift, Not a Sin

In some corners of modern Christianity, a persistent myth lingers—that all alcohol is inherently sinful. Though often well-intentioned, this teaching doesn’t align with the full counsel of Scripture. It frequently stems from a misunderstanding of the biblical words translated as “wine.”

In both Hebrew and Greek, the words yayin (Hebrew) and oinos (Greek) refer to fermented wine—not unfermented grape juice. The Bible doesn’t use a separate word for “grape juice” as we define it today. When Jesus turned water into wine at Cana (John 2) or shared the cup at the Last Supper (Matthew 26), the word used is oinos—fermented wine. The same is true when Paul instructed Timothy to “drink a little wine” for his health (1 Timothy 5:23). A simple word study dismantles the claim that biblical “wine” was merely juice.

In truth, Scripture speaks frequently of wine and strong drink—not only as normal in everyday life, but as a gift from God, woven into worship, celebration, and covenant, and symbolic of joy and the coming Kingdom.

1. Jesus Drank Wine and Shared It with Others

Jesus drank wine. In Matthew 26:29, He said:

“I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

This wasn’t metaphorical. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples wine and said:

“Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant…” (Matthew 26:27–29)

Earlier, His very first miracle was turning water into excellent wine for wedding guests who had already been drinking (John 2:1–11). This wasn’t juice—it was real wine, and it was served at a joyous celebration.

2. Wine Was Normal and Celebrated in Jewish Life

Wine was a regular part of Jewish daily life and religious practice:

Genesis 14:18 — Melchizedek brought out bread and wine to bless Abram.
1 Samuel 1:24 — Hannah offered wine at the tabernacle with her sacrifice.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 — “Drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Psalm 104:15 speaks plainly of God’s generosity:

“Wine to gladden the heart of man.”

Wine was not viewed as a moral threat, but as a gracious gift.

3. Wine Symbolizes Joy, Blessing, and the Kingdom

Scripture associates wine with joy, healing, and future hope:

Proverbs 31:6 — “Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.”
Judges 9:13 — Wine is said to “cheer God and men.”
Isaiah 25:6 — God prepares a future feast with “well-aged wine.”
Amos 9:13 — “The mountains shall drip sweet wine.”

Wine was also part of worship through drink offerings (Exodus 29:40; Numbers 28:14), and Isaiah 62:9 describes God’s people drinking wine in His sanctuary as a sign of blessing.

4. Moderation—Not Abstinence—Is the Biblical Standard

Paul advised Timothy:

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”
— 1 Timothy 5:23

Likewise, when addressing church leaders, Paul didn’t command abstinence but warned against excess:

1 Timothy 3:8 — Deacons must not be “addicted to much wine.”
Titus 2:3 — Older women must not be “slaves to much wine.”

Scripture calls for wise self-control—not legalistic prohibition.

5. Wine in Worship Was Commanded by God

God didn’t merely allow wine—He included it in worship and commanded celebration:

“Spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink… and rejoice, you and your household.”
— Deuteronomy 14:26

And in Nehemiah 8:10, after reading the Law to the people:

“Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

This wasn’t secular partying—it was sacred joy.

6. Drunkenness Is a Sin—Drinking Isn’t

The Bible is clear about the dangers of excess:

Ephesians 5:18 — “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery…”
Proverbs 20:1 — “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler…”
Isaiah 5:11 — “Woe to those who rise early to run after strong drink…”

But drinking itself is not condemned. In fact, Jesus was falsely accused of being a drunkard:

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at Him! A glutton and a drunkard…’”
— Matthew 11:18–19

They said this because He drank wine—yet He was without sin.

7. Legalism Adds What God Never Said

Some preach abstinence as if it were a divine command. But Paul warned against adding man-made rules:

“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom… but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”
— Colossians 2:23

Jesus rebuked those who “teach as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7). Legalism doesn’t produce holiness—it often hides pride.

8. Summary: Wine Was Normal, Sacred, and Celebratory

Wine in the Bible was:

Drunk by Jesus and His disciples
Used in sacred offerings
Celebrated at feasts
Permitted for leaders
Symbolic of joy, healing, and the Kingdom

Even in eternity, Jesus promises to drink wine again—with us:

“Until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
— Matthew 26:29

Conclusion: Let Scripture Speak for Itself

Wine is not sin. Wine is not evil. It is part of God’s good creation—given for joy, healing, worship, and community. Drunkenness is clearly condemned, but drinking itself is not.

To claim otherwise is to replace Scripture with tradition.

“Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
— Nehemiah 8:10

Let truth set us free—from both bondage and the fear of man.

Pearl of Great Price

by David Rush | Feb 23, 2025 | Biblical Perspective, Open Files, Personal Stories

The angels rejoiced that warm spring day as a penniless child opened her heart to Jesus. But the child was ignored by the house of worship, for an impoverished child has no place in the modern church of human worship. Those who are hungry and naked are not welcome in the hearts of those who worship in those hallowed halls. Oh, but place an ounce of gold in her hand and the cathedrals would have welcomed her with open arms into their game of churchianity. Angels rejoice for they perceive with the eyes of God, but the congregation with eyes of carnal man.

In the wisdom of God a great pearl, formed by a mote of great pain, was hidden inside that child that no congregation of human eyes could discern. God used those sands of affliction to polish and perfect a pearl of great value.

On that day, before the Kingdom throne, we will not be judged for our ability to prosper with greed and gold but our ability to seek and buy the pearl of a great price.