Reflections on the 2026 Midterm Elections

Last night saw a pretty big blue wave roll over the American nation. With some exceptions, U.S. citizens swung their votes toward the Democratic Party which will now control the House of Representatives and the Senate for the next two years.

Since I started voting in 1972, I’ve seen this blue wave midterm result before–especially in the Reagan and Bush-the-younger years.

In 2006, I experienced it myself on this very day–November 4, 2006. I ran for Washington state representative that year and finished doorbelling 11,001 homes on November 4–then lost the election the next day in a Democrat wave. Heart-breaking, but I learned some valuable lessons.

Here are my reflections on the 2026 vote.

Reflections on the 2026 Midterm Elections

I love the United States of America and want to see her free and prosperous (Jeremiah 29:7). Let’s begin with some positives, then turn to the things that concern me, and finish with hope. Many things I share today will be expanded in coming blogs.

First, a couple definitions so that terms are not misunderstood.

“Blue” refers to the Democratic Party which has morphed over 250 years into the anti-God, anti-faith, anti-freedom movement which wants to change America into a progressive/socialist/communist “paradise” nation. I could back up every word in that sentence with quotes from leading Democrats.

Blue also means “left” in politics. Leftists want to eliminate the current Judeo-Christian heritage of Western Civilization. Progressives want to “progress” beyond biblical values.

“Red” refers to the Republican Party which is generally pro-God, pro-biblical principles in society, and pro-freedom. I can back up those words just as easily. Republicans are often referred to as the “right” which means conservative or biblical values (“conserving” or strengthening Judeo-Christian mores).

Republicans can be cowardly. Dems are becoming radicalized.

Let’s start with four positives of the 2026 elections.

First, we are blessed to live in a nation where, for 250 years, we’ve been allowed to elect our own leaders. That is an abnormality in human history–quite a privilege. Most human beings have lived or now live under varying degrees of tyranny. “Freedom” is unique in world history.

Second, our Constitutional system allows for a peaceful transfer of power based on voter choices. We don’t experience coups or face combat over leadership choices.

Third, our founders deliberately designed the federal government to have checks and balances of power through three co-equal branches: 1) The Executive, now controlled by a Republican administration, 2) Congress, which will now be led by Democrats, and 3) The Supreme Court, which currently is 5-4 or 6-3 “conservative” (strict constitutionalists) on most issues. These “checks” stop the accumulation of despotic power.

Fourth, I salute those millions of Americans who went to the polls to vote for candidates and issues. Voting is “Citizenship 101” and reveals who really loves their country and want their voice to be heard.

Now let’s turn to some concerns.

It appears that many voters rejected the Republican Party in 2026 due to dislike of President Trump, The Iran War, high gas/diesel prices, and “affordability” in general. They didn’t think Republicans cared for these concerns.

I understand the Trump thing. Our current president is pugnacious in personality and style much like Andrew Jackson (Democrat) and Teddy Roosevelt (Republican) in past generations. But his policies are good for America. The border is secure. Illegal criminals are being deported. Crime is the lowest in 100 years. Poverty is lowest in history (10.2%) Median income is highest in 40 years ($87,460) .

Trump stopped Iran from terrorizing the world with nukes and will likely liberate the Middle East from the Islamic scourge before he leaves office. A Reagan-like economic boom is beginning. Taxes are down. American respect in the world is up.

But the voters saw the higher gas prices, didn’t care about Iran, and felt some Trump-fatigue.

The next two years will produce a stalemate in Congress. The Democrats will pass bills to stop the energy renaissance (Green New Deal), or push Medicare for All (bankrupting the system) etc. Trump will veto them. Democrats will also waste time and money with impeachment proceedings and “revenge” hearings. America’s economic and moral renewal will be stalled by the new Congress.

Democrats will do nothing about affordability. Their spending policies created it and it serves their purposes.

Affordability is partly due to poor economic choices (not tithing or saving, going into debt, and not making sacrifices to get ahead). I know many young families and singles who are good with finances.  I also know many people who are excessive consumers, not savers, entertain themselves, or don’t want to make the sacrifices to thrive.

Second, big government inflation (fiat money) is the major culprit. The dollar has lost 90% of its value since 1971. That’s why an average house in 1971 cost $40,000, and today it costs $400,000. Both political parties created the “Monopoly” money to feed big government. But Democrats are the worst big spenders. Putting them in charge of the purse in America (Congress) is like hiring an arsonist to put out a fire.

In 2026, America may have crossed the line toward losing its faith, freedom, and greatness. We are the last bastion of liberty on earth.

Europe is burning due to unassimilated immigration and socialism policies. Russia is a dictatorship. China is the most oppressive communist nation in history. Most Muslim nations are controlling theocracies.

The USA has been the beacon of freedom and guardian of liberty worldwide for a century. Prior to the 2026 elections, I thought and prayed we had a good chance of renewing our nation, its faith and its freedoms.

Now the tide is against that renewal–for now.

The America public has voted–really or the first time–for socialism/communism. What will that bring? Equal poverty and suffering under tyrants, economic collapse, open borders, and weakness on the world stage. A vote for the 21st century Democratic Party in 2026 is a vote to destroy the nation as we’ve known it. Many elected yesterday are not your grandparents’ Democratic Party.

Let’s finish with hope.

All is not lost for the next two years. America will be stalled by stalemate in D.C. But the current economic boom will continue and tyrannical tendencies will be restrained by the checks and balances of our marvelously designed government.

If socialism/communism is America’s future, it may not happen in our generation but could come to pass in future generations. It could also be restrained through a national spiritual awakening where Americans realize “they are being destroyed through a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6), repent, and elect leaders who love and fear God, believe in virtue and morality, and fight for faith, family, and freedom.

It’s also true that God often does his best work in suffering and difficult times (James 1:2-4). Trials are often used as the catalyst for spiritual renewal, godly change, and a revival of hope.

It must begin with the 21st century Church which is responsible for “turning out the lights” in our culture and allowing spiritual darkness to grow. I could easily make the case that non-voting believers were a primary reason for the election of socialist/communist candidates.

On a deeper level, America’s 2026 turn toward godlessness might ultimately bring about the last days and usher in the Return of Jesus and the consummation of history.

Maranatha! (Revelation 22:20).

So, be encouraged in God (John 16:33).

Here are some truths to remember:

  • Draw close to Jesus, and share His Good News with others (John 15:1-17).
  • Trust in his ultimate sovereignty (Psalm 103:19).
  • Occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13).
  • And be “faithful unto death and he will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Why Europe is Burning Just Before the U.S. Midterms

When Donald Trump became president of the United States for a second time in 2024, his election (with the votes of 77.3 million Americans) heralded a reversal of the globalist tendencies of numerous predecessors and set in motion the possibility of major change in the 21st century.

I said at the time that the forces of evil would fight that “reset” tooth and nail, inspired by the demonic forces of hell.

Here’s why Europe is burning just before the U.S. midterms.

Why Europe is Burning Just Before the U.S. Midterms

It’s both encouraging and seemingly providential that six insightful books were published in the past few months (all best-sellers) that describe in amazing unity our current global drama. I am reading all six and strongly encourage you to order, devour, and pass on their truths to those in your sphere of influence.

These books are like six prophets standing together and speaking to the world. They come from some of the most respected men in government, education, business, and the media. They’re also some of the smartest thinkers I know. It’s as if God took them up to the “30,000-foot view” of current history and gave each one of them a vital piece of the horizon to explain to us.

The six prophetic books are:

  1. Revolution by Eric Metaxas
  2. Confronting America by Bill O’Reilly
  3. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Kevin Freeman
  4. Trump’s New World Reorder by Rod Martin
  5. The Counter Revolution by Victor Davis Hanson
  6. America’s Golden Age by New Gingrich

Here’s my quick book review of each.

Revolution

Author and historian Eric Metaxas describes the virtue and God-centeredness of the American Revolution which produced the world’s greatest and most free nation in history. His book shows us how it was done in the past and inspires us to emulate the faith and courage of our founders (without white washing their sins and weaknesses).

Confronting America

Media legend Bill O’Reilly uses his life experience and travel to 90 nations to reveal the true human source of “unaffordability” and all other problems facing the USA. His conclusion? Governments can’t fix much–only “We the People” can by repenting in areas of personal and national sin. O’Reilly believes our decline in virtue and voting for bad leaders has brought us to a moment of crisis. It’s our fault. We must be awakened, mobilized, and change our nation.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 

Economist Kevin Freeman of the Economic War Room (which I’ve watched for years), documents the four threats that have stepped into the void of our American decline–Marxism, Islamic jihad, global elites, and cowardly leaders and people. Freeman believes that the door to Western implosion began with one presidential decision on August 15, 1971. This book is the broadest and best on biblical economics and what we must do to survive and thrive in the 21t century.

The Counter Revolution

Former Stanford professor Victor Davis Hanson details how Donald Trump staged an amazing political comeback following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot to win the 2024 presidency and launch a second-term counterrevolutionary agenda. He analyzes how Trump’s time in the political and legal wilderness shaped a more focused second-term presidency centered around immigration enforcement, confronting progressive institutional power (universities, media, and the federal bureaucracy), and economic transformation.

Trump’s New World Re-order

Entrepreneur Rod D. Martin reveals how the Trump presidency is renewing freedom and prosperity in America and restructuring the world to stop the threat of Chinese communism–its number one objective. He points out that Trump’s seemingly chaotic leadership style is actually the “Art of the Deal” for the greatest change in global history since World War II.

America’s Golden Age

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich positively discusses a possible golden age of American influence for the next fifty years in government, science, medicine, education, and even in space. But that’s only if the forces of darkness are held in abeyance or defeated in our time.

Now to what’s happening across the Western World.

Europe is burning because they are a decade or two ahead of the United States in rejecting biblical faith foundations, allowing mass, unassimilated immigration, and toying with socialist economics. Their rejection of a God-fearing-and-loving culture (Reformation-based) opened the doors to unchecked immigration–especially Muslims from North Africa and socialism-communism economic principles.

Socialism is the economic system of atheism (government control, satanically inspired). Free enterprise or capitalism is the economic result of Judeo-Christian principles.

As Europe left the faith and opened its doors to pagans, it lurched toward big government tyranny in the name of misplaced compassion (welfare state). Now the inmates want to take over the jail.

That’s why Europe is burning today.

The riots are not organic. They are well funded by global socialist/communism billionaires and their organizations. The weakness of Europe due to its rejection of faith opened the flood gates of chaos.

Meanwhile, the United States faces a midterm-test where citizens (or illegal alien voters) will either choose to follow Europe’s path or affirm the Trump Administration’s reset to steer us back to our godly, freedom-oriented roots.

How is Donald Trump resetting the USA and world?

  • USA: renewal of faith in God, revival of patriotism. rebirth of free speech and due process, secure border and lowest crime rate in decades (due to deporting illegal alien criminals), bringing back manufacturing (economic boom), energy independence (Drill, baby drill!), shrinking the federal government, and fighting the Deep State.
  • World: ended eight wars, stopped Iran’s nuclear program, kicked China out of Panama and Venezuela (Western Hemisphere), reviving the U.S. military, using our navy to control the world’s sea lanes (Greenland), rerouting global energy through the Gulf of America (not the Middle East), and reviving the space program to the moon and beyond.

The demonic forces and their human collaborators are furious at this re-direction of the United States and the globe. Satan knows this “reset” moment could revive Western Civilization and export liberty. The devil wants to control the world. God wants faith and freedom to blossom.

Satan has not been this close to world domination since World War II. He wants European riots to continue, America to lurch left, and global chaos to follow with the eventual rise of a one world government to “save the planet.”

Forced tyranny, not freedom.

I agree with Eric Metaxas that God raised up Donald Trump to stop the satanic crescendo of evil in our time. He was the only leader strong enough and visionary savvy to point America toward the rebirth of liberty. You may not like him or his leadership style, but God needed a Samson to take on the Philistines of the 21st century.

He found him in Donald Trump.

Here’s how Gary Randall of Faith & Freedom sees it as to voting in the midterms:

“Your family’s faith is on the ballot. And if you don’t show up, that faith will put a target on their backs for years to come…When President Trump said, ‘In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you—and I’m just standing in their way,’ he was talking to every Christian family in America, and his Administration has continued to stand in the gap for Christians and fight for faith ever since.  Defend your faith on November 3 or lose it all.”

Now you know while Europe is burning just before the midterms.

The Trump reset began in 2024 because believers turned out to vote. Pray passionately and vote faithfully because you have a vital role to play in 2026 and beyond.

What I Have Learned from 50 Years of Marriage

Shirley and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We traveled by ferry to the prettiest city on the west coast–Victoria, British Columbia, Canada–for the weekend. We’d been there many times since 1999, but not for eighteen years (due to caring for elderly parents.)

We spent two nights at a lovely hotel that showcased a nearly panoramic view of the harbor with sea planes zooming by, kayakers paddling, and ferries coming and going. At night the entire city lights up, highlighted by the Parliament Building directly across the harbor.

On our Golden Anniversary (Saturday, October 10) we visited the world famous Butchart Gardens. Sunday dawned with the running of the Royal Victoria Marathon (as we’d experienced in past anniversaries) with 17,000 participants and multitudes cheering them on. The finish line was right across from ferry terminal where we boarded for the return trip. We felt like they were also cheering us for our 50 years of wedlock.

Only six percent of Americans make it to their Golden Anniversary.

Here’s what I’ve learned from 50 years of marriage.

What I Have Learned from 50 Years of Marriage

Marriage/family is the greatest discipleship course in the world. God created it as a primary means for transforming us into his loving image. God uses marriage not only to expand his heavenly kingdom (through the birth of children) but to teach us to die to self, live for others, and become more like Jesus.

Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned.

  1. Marriage is a gift from God

Recently a person who was reading my autobiography (One Small Life) remarked: “God sovereignly brought you and Shirley together, didn’t he?” That answer was an easy yes. I traveled the world looking for a wife, then came back to my hometown for a brief period and found her in a revival. She was a gift to me. We knew almost instantly we were to marry. Our hearts beat the same to serve God, yet we brought opposite strengths into the union to make a better “whole.” God knew who each other needed.

“Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD” (Proverbs 19:4). Shirley is my greatest gift on earth from Jesus.

  1. Choose a godly spouse who demonstrates Christ-like character.

Here is my main marriage advice to young people: Choose a noble spouse–one with character i.e. the fruits of the Spirit. (The choice to marry is the biggest one you make on earth. Choose well.) Next, I add: “Then, do what she says!” Usually the bride-to-be laughs at that comment and I quickly add, “It goes both ways.” Both of you must learn to submit to one another.

Character is destiny. Choosing a godly life partner propels you both to fulfill your God-given purposes.

  1. Communicate with each other clearly and transparently, but with self-control.

Happy married couples must learn to communicate well. Before we got married, Shirley and I had a time of openness and brokenness with each other confessing our past sins. We didn’t want to bring any unknown skeletons into our marriage. We have continued to be vulnerable and open with each other for the past 50 years. Transparent communication builds trust.

In our later years, I’m learning to control my speech on certain subjects which might be hurtful to Shirley. This is not keeping secrets, just discerning what is edifying to communicate. I was more of an open book early on. I’m more of a “wise read” in our latter years. “Quick to hear, slow to speak.”

  1. Focus on the strengths your spouse brings to marriage–not the weaknesses.

Our fallen minds tend to exaggerate each other’s faults. We all have them. If we focus on the faults, our “glass” of marriage will seem more empty than full. It’s not. But our eyes can become skewed.

I have learned over 50 years to admire and magnify Shirley’s strengths. I need them desperately in my life because many of her positives are my greatest weaknesses. I must learn daily from her if I am to become more like Jesus. When both of us cherish and value the strengths God has given us, love grows.

  1. Base your marriage on humility and forgiveness.

The key to number four is seeing your spouse through the eyes of humility–which I believe is the atmosphere of heaven. God is the humblest being in the universe and his loving humility emanates “Paradise.” Pride and bitterness are poison pills in marriage. Learn to hate and reject them in every interaction with your spouse.

When you’ve said or done something wrong, humbly confess it. Freely forgive your mate’s shortcomings. If you forgive each other as God has forgiven you, a richness of love and companionship blossoms. Go further than “I’m sorry.” Make it “please forgive me” and name the wrong attitude or action. Then hold each other tenderly in arms of grace and watch your unity deepen.

  1. Marry in purity or second-chance virginity.

Sex before marriage cheapens the relationship, like testing out used cars. Save sexual intimacy for the one God has chosen for you. Then enjoy the greatest and most complete expression of love on earth–heart (will), soul (emotions), mind (thoughts), and strength (body). Make sexual intimacy a regular “dessert after a good meal” in your relationship.

If you take past sexual baggage into wedlock, be honest about it with your fiance, cover it with grace, and marry as “second chance virgins” in the will of God.

  1. Serve each other unselfishly.

One key to a great marriage is to unselfishly serve one another. Be willing to do the chores your spouse doesn’t like to do. You are in the relationship to serve, not to be served. Prefer them and their needs over your own. If both of you live to serve and please the other, great blessings follow. One servant heart in a marriage can keep it together. Both spouses serving each other (and their family) create a bond you will deeply cherish.

  1. Develop good rhythms as a couple catered to each other’s desires.

Establish patterns of life together that create security and stability. Shirley and I have our morning quiet times in our living room. We then share breakfast by reading five (short) devotionals. At this stage in life, we shop together on Tuesdays and Saturdays and stay in contact by text/phone on busier days.

We end most evenings in each other’s presence with a wholesome television show and a time of prayer before bed. Date nights, extended-family gatherings, and seasonal traditions are the icing on the cake of “being one.” Each married couple has a “style” or rhythm. Make them consistent and endearing to each other.

  1. Keep God at the center in every stage of life.

We met in a revival where God was everywhere present. I loved Shirley’s prayers, mercy, and love from the moment I experienced them. She appreciated my faith and leadership. We have kept Jesus at the center of our lives in conversation, values, family upbringing and traditions, prayer, reading God’s Word, church and missions involvement, and in numerous wonderful friendships for half a century.

We taught our kids early on, “Jesus first, yourself last, and others in between,” as a golden rule of living. Now, we cherish fifty years of married love because of the salvation and presence of Jesus in our lives.

All glory to God for his amazing gift of marriage. It’s a wonderful “warm-up” to becoming the bride of Christ for eternity.