Let Faith Speak To Your Fear: KevinH
I fear for the stability of this country and the future of its democracy.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that extremists may be inspired and emboldened to commit horrific and deadly acts.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that the children of undocumented immigrants may have their parents ripped away from them, never to see them again.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that those facing dire circumstances in their home countries and desperately seeking alleviation may be increasingly turned away.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear for my new friends from church who have fled persecution in their homeland and are awaiting their asylum claim to be processed and judged.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that abortion rates will continue to rise as hearts have been increasingly lost on the issue.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear for the welfare and mindset of our children as it is increasingly demonstrated to them that the way to success is by fear of and denigration of others.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that politicians and other political-adjacent people, who while sinners, have not committed criminal acts and yet may be harassed and tried as if they have.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that the Church in America may continue to succumb to political idolatry even all the more.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that Jesus may be even increasingly represented by his so-called followers as hateful, bigoted, vindictive, and obsessed with earthly kingdoms and political power.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
I fear that many will reject Jesus because of the way He is presented by his so-called followers.
Yet I am reminded that God is on the throne.
“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,”
“Pray then like this….. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
– Jesus
As for me and my house…. We are elated!
Kevin,
Thanks for reflections on many things I have been thinking. However, I keep being reminded that we do have safeguards in our country that are not present in other countries, and that God is sovereign and what happens is controlled by His hand. It will be interesting to say how much was said during the campaign was hyperbole and how much will actually be acted upon. What I am pretty sure of is that we are in for another 4 years of chaos as in Trump’s previous administration.
As for me and my house…we are terrified.
I’m with you Janet.
Lies and hate won out. The scary part is that the House and Senate will be under his control.
I’m gutted.
My dread has turned into a deep depression.
And I’m a Republican.
Linn,
You are correct that this country has safeguards that many others do not, and I thank our nation’s founders for having the wisdom to put them in place. They should help in preventing worst case scenarios from taking place. The fear with Trump, however, is he learned from the first time around what he needs to do to circumvent the safeguards the best he can this time around. While many in his administration the first time around functioned to prevent Trump from acting on his worst of impulses, this time around he will surround himself with Yes Men who will praise his every whim. As reflected in Project 2025, his Yes Men and other sycophants have spent a lot of time and thought developing strategies and plans to give Trump great power.
I sure do hope that much of what Trump said during the campaign was hyperbole, indeed, and he never acts on it. But you never know what this guy may or may not do.
Janet, Bob, and fil,
I totally get you.
Xenia,
I understand that you voted for Trump. What I do find a bit troubling, however, is elation with his victory. With as many troubling things that engulfed both candidates, it’s hard to fathom elation with either one winning. Relief, thankfulness, and even gladness I can fathom, but elation, no.
Kevin H,
I don’t put anything past Trump…he put little kids in cages back in 2017. About 1,000 of those children are still separated from their parents…
That being said, he can’t be a total dictator unless he takes control of the country. If COVID hadn’t interrupted his first term, things might have been worse. I hope that there will be people, any people, who will call his bluff and insist that he do things the right way. I may be wrong; I hope I am not.
Kevin, this morning my husband and I were dancing in the kitchen.
Xenia, I really don’t get that. I really don’t.
Xenia- I really DO get that! I really do! Blessings
I knew you would Jimmie!
And blessings to you as well.
When someone says he finds another person’s reaction to an election result “troubling” or “I really don’t get that”, it could be interpreted that you are implying that such reaction is irrational or immoral or unchristian. It might be better to simply ask “Why do you feel that way?”
The regular readers here are intelligent, mature Christians. Our assumptions should be that everyone can explain their beliefs regarding the election using a Christian lens. We may all have things we can learn from one another.
Not speaking for anyone else, but Trump’s flaws are well known. Imagine the being put in a position where the alternative is so repulsive that a deeply flawed former president is one’s only choice for a Christian voter? Yes, that could be a rational, moral and Christian choice for an individual. It may not be for everyone, but we should respect each other for their political views.
When I count the cost to real humans and the fabric of the nation to celebrating Trump, I find it hard to accept that anyone could feel joy over the prospect.
We just elected a felon convicted of sexual assault who fomented an insurrection against the Constitution.
For the free people of Ukraine and neighboring countries that may now fall to Russia, I grieve.
For those of us dependent on SSI and Medicare, I grieve…our days may end in much suffering.
For those families that will be torn usunder through deportations, I Iament.
Dancing doesn’t seem appropriate…
How lowly of God to use Moses a murderer, or David an adulterer, or Paul a co-conspirator to murder.
“God uses sinners- there’s no one else to use”.
Elisabeth Elliot
JimmieT,
I understand that character doesn’t count anymore in evangelicalism, but it still counts in the kingdom…
The point is this- does Trump’s sins or failures exceed the previous ones listed? Each one was called to lead.
They were also called to repentance…a point which evades this cult.
Another point is that God used Saul and Barabbas, and Nebuchadnezzar…for judgment.
“he put little kids in cages back in 2017”
That was Obama, pre-2014.
“he can’t be a total dictator unless he takes control of the country. If COVID hadn’t interrupted his first term, things might have been worse.”
What actions did he take that were dictatorial?
“a felon convicted of sexual assault”
He was not. He was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a civil trial (where there’s a much lower threshold for a finding of liability). He was not convicted of felony sexual assualt.
“For the free people of Ukraine and neighboring countries that may now fall to Russia, I grieve.”
Remember, Putin invaded Ukraine under Obama and Biden, not Trump. Hopefully we’ll continue to support Ukraine with in the intention of getting to an offramp to this war.
“For those of us dependent on SSI and Medicare, I grieve”
Trump has stated multiple times that changes to entitlements are off the table.
I actually agree with what Jean has said on this post and on the “What Now?” post.
Michael-I’m at a mystery of why you use the term “cult” to serve the kingdom of God.
Kevin,
I posted a meme on my FB page I saw a world famous Christian musician post in which he compares Trump to David. The applause from his audience was nothing short of epic.
I am at a loss.
“Another point is that God used Saul and Barabbas, and Nebuchadnezzar…for judgment.”
I think we can all agree that it is God’s will that Trump has been elected. However, how he intends to use Trump is hidden from us. Will God use Trump to rehabilitate, preserve and/or strengthen America? Or will He use Trump to hand the nation over to the sinful lusts of the American people and further and/or hasten our demise as a nation? We do not know. Therefore, we should pray for the next president that God would protect and increase him in wisdom and truth for the good governance of the people.
As the election results are analyzed, sliced and diced, some trends will emerge:
Latinos voted for Trump in unprecedented proportions in key races. It turns out that many Latinos (as well as many black males): (1) do not approve of the aggressive feminism that has taken over the Democratic party, (2) are hard working people who want the traditional American dream, (3) lean conservative on moral issues, and (4) desire orderly and legal immigration and an effective border.
Imagine if you are a legal, hard working immigrant, but are looked at with suspicion by other people because you look like someone who might be an illegal? Illegal immigration hurts Latinos who did all the right things to be hear legally.
When we talk about biblical morality, besides all the issues revolving around gender and sexuality, another scourge that the electorate is increasingly seeing as a failed experiment and is (I hope) rejecting as a source of discrimination is DEI. DEI really harms the people it is intended to help.
Jean,
“It might be better to simply ask “Why do you feel that way?””
“Imagine the being put in a position where the alternative is so repulsive that a deeply flawed former president is one’s only choice for a Christian voter? Yes, that could be a rational, moral and Christian choice for an individual. It may not be for everyone, but we should respect each other for their political views.”
I agree about respecting each others political views and even the way they choose to vote. If you notice, I didn’t at all question Xenia’s choice to vote for Trump, even as I disagree with it. However, the elation and dancing is a whole other element.
Sometimes it is better to ask questions to better understand why somebody does something or feels some way. It does help foster conversation and understanding. But there are also times when something is manifestly inappropriate and hurtful to others given the situation, that it should be challenged.
Jean,
You are right about saying that God will use Trump, but that we don’t know how. He could use him to bring about some blessings or return to righteousness in some ways for this nation and its people, or He could use him to bring judgment in some ways upon this nation and its people. Or He could do some of both.
The difficulty in conversation, and it is frequent among those who promote Trump, is they speak in manner as if they know or at least as if it is assumed that God will use Trump primarily, or solely to bless this nation. Such assertions are pretentious and disingenuous and inhibit productive conversation from happening.
JimmieT,
https://www.phoenixpreacher.com/38495-2/
The cult-like behavior has only grown exponentially stronger since I wrote this four years ago.
Reuben,
I saw the posting, and I had actually already seen it elsewhere in my Facebook feed as somebody posted the same thing in support of Trump.
It is dumbfounding, but it is the cult mindset. So many Christians have cut themselves off from critical thinking as they have convinced themselves that Trump is a savior of some sort sent by God. That is how they end up likening Trump to King David, as if they are very similar people in very similar situations. They have willingly made themselves unable to see that while there are a few parallels between them that are pretty much shared with all humanity (we are all sinful, we all do evil things at times, etc.), there are also gross differences between Trump and David in their character and situations. But without a great intervention of some sort, members of a cult can only see what their cult and cult leader tell them. This doesn’t in any way excuse the behavior of the cult members or make them less accountable for what they do, but it speaks to the reality of conditions which impresses them to do what they do.
“The difficulty in conversation, and it is frequent among those who promote Trump, is they speak in manner as if they know or at least as if it is assumed that God will use Trump primarily, or solely to bless this nation. Such assertions are pretentious and disingenuous and inhibit productive conversation from happening.”
I have been criticized here for years for saying that God’s speaks to us through his written word. That we cannot pin our hopes or have any certainty from any personal “revelation.”
What you are describing, Kevin, is the Pentecostal influence on Evangelical Christianity. I find it manipulative and absolutely wrong when someone tries to persuade me or state as fact some extra-biblical revelatory word. How do they really know what the source of the revelation is?
Jean,
I don’t rule out God speaking through “personal revelation” in some sort of manner one way or another, but at the very least, there have been many, many who claim this personal revelation or speak in a manner as if they have received it (even if they don’t speak in a sense of “Thus sayeth the Lord”) who have greatly abused it. So often the “personal revelation” ends up being demonstrably wrong, in conflict with reality, in ignorance of other existing realities, and/or in conflict with the Bible. But that doesn’t stop people from still speaking as such.
Kevin is providing me with a list of acceptable emotions: Relief, thankfulness, and even gladness … but elation, no.
Michael is wanting me to know that he thinks me dancing in my kitchen with my husband is inappropriate. Maybe a struggle session would have met with his approval.
Think on it: Me dancing joyfully with my old husband of fifty years, a man I adore, the morning after our candidate was elected, is troubling, a matter for concern, inappropriate. We can’t have that! Please confine yourselves to the approved list of acceptable emotions.
Xenia,
While in and of itself, I am still disturbed by such a reaction by a believer to Trump’s election, the biggest difficulty I think is that you chose to express your elation of Trump’s election, to the point of dancing about it, in response to my writing of fears for the welfare (physically and spiritually) of many people and the health of the Church….. fears that I do not think are preposterous or without some sound reason. It sure seems like an inappropriate response when someone is expressing concern for others and the Church due to an event, to then express only such joy about the same event.
If this is the kind of man you want as a leader…congrats, you got him.
If this is the kind of man you find worthy of celebration, that tells me a lot about you.
“If this is the kind of man you find worthy of celebration, that tells me a lot about you.”
Xenia did not write that Trump is “worthy of celebration,” only that his election victory over Harris is worthy of celebration. She may feel more, but that’s not what she wrote.
Jean is correct.
Saying its God’s will that Trump won is absolutely meaningless Christianeze. “God’s will” is this big tent consisting of whatever actually happened. Trump won? God’s will. I voted Harris? God’s will. Stubbed my toe? Obviously, God’s will, because God is sovereign, and I did stub my toe, therefore stubbing my toe was God’s will.
Its fatalism and detracts from the real fact that people can, and often do, get things wrong. And those wrong things have consequences. Is it God’s will? Only God could know the answer to that, and according to Jean, he’s not speaking to anyone outside of the Bible…so contrary to what the Conservative Christian world says…Trump is mentioned nowhere in the bible.
If God finds a man like this worthy of celebration, that tells me a lot about God.
I’m afraid God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean what we taught it meant. He’s not in control the way we think of someone being in control. By all appearances, he leaves a lot up to us, and lets us deal with the consequences of our actions.
Seriously, if one of my preferred Conservatives had been chosen as the nominee and had won, not only would we have danced in the kitchen we would have hired a band.
I didn’t mention Xenia.
We can all be vague and provocative and pretend we didn’t mean what it was clear we were trying to get across.
I disagree with what I read as condemnation toward Xenia.
Romans 14.4 is ALWAYS true.
Having two sons of military – draft age, I am relieved that *one* policy / declaration resonates hope within me: “I want wars to end. I want people to stop dying”. I truly hope he means that. I truly hope that RFK is heard and gets to improve health by eliminating corrupt agencies.
I hate, hate, hate that so many believe that killing babies makes a better country. That ‘women’s rights’ has been reduced to that one issue is preposterous.
My hope is in Jesus. So is Xenia’s. You cannot have known / read / listened to her words and seen her life example without knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that all her hope is in Jesus.
Then in Romans 14:4 fashion, who are you to judge us?
The “touch not the lord’s anointed” has never flown around here. We’ve all appreciated and respected Xenia for years. I find her politics, and yours, disgusting.
That’s what I’ve come to expect, Josh.
Thanks, Rob. It’s good to see you!
American Christianity has tied their wagon to an openly immoral man. After decades of “character counts”, now we’ve baptized this guy as God’s choice for our nation.
Then you’re gonna show up and dance about it. What kind of reception do you want? What was hoped for or even intended with that? She got what she was looking for, and so did you.
I did not expect my post to be well-received. You might not be surprised to hear that I don’t care anymore what people on this blog think about me.
Exactly. You provoked and were answered.
Rob can clutch his pearls for other reasons.
Matt. 7.6
For a guy who lost so much, here in this thread you display little to no grace, mercy, or kindness, Josh.
I appreciate your rebuke Rob. You’ve always shown mercy and kindness towards me. (That’s sarcasm)
Maybe just stop with the jesus-juke guilt trips, and tell me why Trump is worthy of celebration. My argument is that he is not. If you don’t believe that he is, we have no argument.
You have no clue what I’ve lost, don’t bring my personal life into this.
My concern is primarily about the spiritual implications of American politics.
I had a doctors appointment yesterday morning…she voted for Trump.
Her concerns were almost entirely economic, as many peoples were.
She felt she made the best of a bad choice, but there was no gloating or celebration.
We had a good conversation and hugged when I left.
“I’m afraid God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean what we taught it meant. He’s not in control the way we think of someone being in control. By all appearances, he leaves a lot up to us, and lets us deal with the consequences of our actions.”
I tend to agree…we’ll be talking about this down the road.
I do think God is bringing things together on a macro level, but that doesn’t always look like we think it ought…
I had a conversation with two co-workers that voted for Trump this morning. They are friends and will continue to be friends. They didn’t like their choices, and chose Trump because of what they think he will do for the economy. They admitted that due to my circumstances, I really had no choice, it was a friendly conversation, and won’t be mentioned again.
If they had put their thumb to their noses and wriggled their fingers while sticking out their tongue, I’d have given the same measured response I gave above.
Keven H Nov 6, 2024 5:53am
“Relief, thankfulness, and even gladness I can fathom, but elation, no.”
Brother Kevin, with all due respect who on God’s green earth commissioned you to be the emotion police?
I’m glad to hear you agree on that Michael, and I find it very interesting. Its one of the major roadblocks I have for understanding God at this point. The traditional understanding of sovereignty just doesn’t work in my mind.
Jimmie, what reaction are you looking for? Xenia admitted she came to rile the hive. Just tell me what reaction you want, and I’ll give it to you.
Josh,
I agree with many of your concerns, but at the same time caution you about making sweeping judgments.
Rob hasn’t said Trump is worthy of celebration, he has only defended Xenia for feeling the ways she has. Rob has also demonstrated significant remorse over the past year for past ways as to how he approached political conversation, so I think he deserves some benefit of the doubt.
I myself, still find elation and celebration disturbing, but I can see how people may have feelings of relief, thankfulness, and even gladness due to personal circumstances (such as Rob’s example of his son being in the military and his seeing a greater chance of the de-escalation of war’s with Trump) or of other political issues which are concerning to them (such as the Left’s ardent push for abortion and acceptance of all things LGBTQ, such as biological males competing in women’s sports).
Kevin, blessed are the peacemakers for they shall see God.
We are not exactly agreeing on all this but I do appreciate your efforts to bring peace.
JimmieT,
If Harris would have won and I came here expressing elation at her victory (which I wouldn’t do but let’s just say I did) in response to those expressing fears and concerns for others about the furtherance of the Left’s agenda such as on abortion and LGBTQ issues, would you find that as being an appropriate emotion?
Thank you, Xenia. We do have real disagreement, but I appreciate your seeing my heart.
Read back through all my stuff. No sweeping generalization. Xenia purposefully provoked and met pushback from you, me , and Michael. None of us were personal or inflammatory. Just responded.
Rob jumped to her defense, and pissed me off talking about “all that I’ve lost”…because he has no clue and it was just used to try to guilt me into acting the way he wants me to act.
No matter what was said, we always knew he was going to vote for Trump, so that was no shocker.
Anywho, I’m not so interested in that, but am interested in the “God is in control” aspect, and glad that Michael wants to talk about it soon.
Josh,
I would highly recommend Kate Bowlers first book to you…”Everything Happens For A Reason And Other Lies I’ve Loved”.
She tackles it head on…
I will say here loudly…I’ve had many a blessed conversation with Rob in recent months…he’s just trying to follow Jesus .
His path may be different than mine or yours, but we’ll end up in the same place…
Josh –
You’ve brought up your personal life here numerous times. You made it public.
And you are incorrect about my voting.
Psalm 7.15
Will get it right now! Thanks Michael! BTW – my wife is a Duke grad and would love for me to further my education at Duke Divinity. I see no purpose right now, but maybe someday. (Bowler teaches at Duke, if that didn’t make sense).
We went to a debate there a few weeks ago between an atheist, a Christian, and a Muslim and I ave to admit, old fires were stoked.
Tell me what I’ve lost Rob. You literally have no idea, and won’t just admit it and move on.
It sounds like I was correct about your voting. You voted for Trump right? You believed the line about ending wars and voted for Trump. That’s what you said.
But I’ll repeat again Rob –
Tell me why Trump is worthy of celebration. My argument is that he is not. If you don’t believe that he is, we have no argument.
Josh
Sweeping generalizations such as your contention that Rob and Xenia have said that Trump is worthy of celebration while neither of them has stated that. Or you contention that Rob voted from Trump based on the types of things he was saying but never actually said that and has actually stated the opposite.
It is possible to celebrate that Trump won the election (even as I find that troubling) without actually celebrating the man himself, even as many Christians do celebrate the man himself.
Kevin- I’m sorry that I am unable to answer your question to me at this time (four major strokes recently) plus 100% ptsd plus brain fog from COVID plus just old age 🤪
If there is a player on the Eagles who I personally dislike, which there certainly have been some, I can still celebrate an Eagles victory which they contributed to, maybe even significantly contributed to.
Jesus. Christianeze is such a freaking puzzle.
Xenia provoked and was responded to. Rob stepped in, and I have twice told him that if he doesn’t believe Trump worthy of celebration, we have no argument.
Josh –
I did not vote.
Your loss is incalculable.
Thank you Michael and Kevin for bearing with me and speaking kindly about me.
Correcting Kevn’s note, I have two sons who are draft-age. I spent much time wrestling with worry over the last four years as I watched the warmongers…. well, mongering. I have concern wherever war-mongers are in office.
It was really challenging to set aside my ‘I gotta do something’ this election cycle.
I forsook my so called ‘Civic -Christian – Duty’, decided it was at best a privilege to endorse a preferred boot for my neck, and did not vote.
I could not and will not lend my name to anyone or anything the campaigns or government offered. None of those people or policies expressed any desire to fulfill the prayer “your kingdom come, your will be done.”
I expect to be excoriated from all directions. I love Jesus, though, and so he knows me, and He is all my hope. 1 Cor. 8.3
JimmieT,
If all those issues contribute to you not being able to answer a question that should be simple to answer, then maybe you should consider the wisdom of jumping into contentious online conversations and giving strong opinions or making accusations, knowing that you’re thinking may be clouded.
Josh,
What Christianeze have I given you? I have expressed my agreement with many of your concerns, but am only trying to suggest the pulling of the reins back a little for the good of the community, where I see you as going too far.
Rob.
I apologize. I misread an earlier post and jumped to the worst conclusion about you.
I was foolish and I hope you’ll forgive me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCDJjbpxxUA/?igsh=MTBlZjE4YzMxOA%3D%3D&img_index=1
I’m not this will load, but I agree with what has been said.
Josh,
You are a good man.
Josh, i receive your words with thanks and fully knowing I will always be in need of mercy, grace and forgiveness.
Kevin – I seem to prove otherwise quite often 🙂
Josh,
A good man still makes plenty of mistakes and does wrongful things. But he is willing to change course and make amends when he sees the error of his ways.
Maybe you just like creating opportunities to display your goodness. 🙂
I’m a Dodgers fan. Unrepentant.
Josh,
Being that there is no MLB franchise particularly close to you, we will let you slide on that one. You are absolved.
Being a Panthers and Hornets fan has been punishment enough. 🙂
However this election had swung, God is on the throne.
I pray for all the strained and broken relationships that suffered because of election 2024. Social media has only made it worse.
Guess what? We get to do this in 4 more years. Who’s excited?
Everstudy,
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-27/presidential-immigration-debate-fact-check-and-who-built-the-cages
A fact check about kids in cages. Obama did build them (for unaccompanied minors), but it was Trump that used them to “store” children that were separated from their parents (not coyotes or smugglers) at the border until a court order forced ICE to put them in more appropriate facilities. There are still 545 of these children whose parents have not been found, per the article.
Xenia,
Your responses in this struggle session were read aloud to my wife of 50 years and we were elated.
Dancing Dread
I’ve cautiously approached thoughts of rejoining the discussion here, after allowing politically-related sentiments to inflame my sensibilities, quenching the Spirit and allowing the worst to come out of me.
I thought it best to wait until after the election, to seek permission to participate again. I sincerely apologized to Michael for expressing unkind predictions of reader alienation …affecting this blog’s vitality, due to perceptions of partisan bias.
Heightened emotion & rising blood pressure should have been my clue that nothing ‘praiseworthy, noble or edifying’ would follow. I commit to ‘do better’ amongst my brothers and sisters here.
Last night I tried something novel …I intentionally sought out some progressive/liberal leaning blogs, and decided to just listen. I camped out at the Huffington Post, Daily Kos & NPR.
My desire wasn’t to engage …I just thought I should hear the ‘other side’ (for myself), without the spin of a conservative news commentator.
What became immediately apparent, was a profound sense of collective despair and resigned hopelessness …that was palpable, and I absolutely did NOT rejoice in that discovery.
I was instead, horrified by the frank expression of a commentor’s suicidal ideation. Thankfully, a prompt groundswell of compassionate supportive comments came to the aid of the individual …the thread moderator being one of them.
I witnessed an impressively noble Christ-like response of loving concern by strangers …whom weren’t claiming to be united under a religious banner. (Witnessing the selfless outpouring of loving kindness among ‘secular neighbors’ …shamed me further, still)
When I was registered, I voted as a conservative but resisted the R label. I have two close friends whom vote Democrat, one is a fellow believer, the other …a secular Jew. I know how strongly they are repulsed by the Republican presidential candidate, and that their reasons for supporting the opposing candidate, involved personal character.
I love both men and treasure their friendship, and wouldn’t think of deliberately provoking/tormenting their diminished spirit, by raising election results in conversation.
They both know I am unregistered to vote …but recognize that I evaluate a candidate’s merit by their legislative policy positions impacting the daily lives of millions, and tend to deemphasize the sphere of personal behavior.
The ‘personal vs professional compartmentalization’ abortion/LGBTQ rights and the effect of partisan journalism …helps to account for the divide amongst secular voters.
I expected a ‘replay’ of 2020 election vote tabulation ‘irregularities’ …multiple states suspending ballot counting at similar early morning times (with one candidate significantly leading) …followed by a long pause, then resumption of ballot tallying suddenly reveal a massive lead by the opposing candidate in EVERY state where the ‘anomoly’ occurred.
I’m grateful to be wrong, and feel that a ‘landslide’ popular/electoral vote victory by EITHER party, was best for the nation …as it helps restore public confidence and integrity to the process.
And Dread shows up wanting some heat 🙂 🙂
I won’t provide it this time. Any other takers?
Dave,
Well said…thank you.
I spent a great deal of yesterday and most of the night thinking about what went down here yesterday.
I’ve been doing this for a very long time and I can read the cyber room pretty well.
Some of the glee demonstrated wasn’t just that Trump won…it was that Kevin and Duane and myself and like minded folks lost.
It was such a joyous moment it led some to dancing.
I’m ok with that…it just let some people express their true feelings about me, feelings that have changed over the years from friendly to contentious.
I think that this was also national referendum about how people think about institutions and the people that inhabit them…and the hope that both are reduced to ashes.
It was also a congregational meeting where Christian nationalism was enshrined as the state religion.
From a positive standpoint, lets hope that Trump folks are at least partially right…that even though the only character he’s ever demonstrated was the antithesis of Christian, he somehow strengthens the moral fiber of the nation and brings prosperity to all.
While we no longer want the best for each other, we all want the best for ourselves and we can hope for that.
We can hope that even though almost everyone who worked in his first administration called him incompetent at best and dangerous at worst, he is able to bluff his way through a very dangerous world and none of us get radiation poisoning.
We can and should still hope.
My resolve is to be a place of resistance…biblically informed with compassion for the least of these and committed to the ethos of Jesus.
Like one of our commenters , I’ve never cared much what people thought about me if I thought I was on the side of the angels.
For some of us, the next few years could bring trauma and horror.
Mass deportations and the surrendering of Ukraine to Putin will bring grief upon grief.
At the least, we can share our grief and pray together.
In reality, it is good that the masks are off and we can see each other clearly…no one need pretend anymore.
I’ll still be here as much as my health allows and I hope to finish my days bearing witness to Christ and resisting the darkness.
“Be careful,” warned Nietzsche, “lest in fighting the dragon you become the dragon.” I see the confusion of politics and religion as one of the greatest barriers to grace. C. S. Lewis once said that almost all crimes of Christian history have come about when religion is confused with politics. Politics, which always runs by the rules of ungrace, allures us to trade away grace for power, a temptation the church has often been unable to resist.”
― Philip Yancey, Christians and Politics Uneasy Partners
My desk is stacked with Lewis and Bonhoeffer…guides for the season…
No Michael, I wasn’t thinking about you. I am elated because the majority of Americans saw through the Big Lie.
I am thinking about you now. I am thinking about how you have allowed me to continue voicing my opinions about religion and politics here even though I have become a thorn in your side. That is very gracious, and I am thankful.
All the best,
-Xenia
Wait, what is the Big Lie? Apparently, I still believe it?
And that’s not trying to pick a fight. Genuinely interested in what The Big Lie would be. That has commonly been used for the idea that the 2020 election was stolen.
Yes. Please enlighten us stupids.
When I google “the big lie” the answers I receive is the view that the 2020 election was stolen.
One would have to believe in a special divine personal revelation (which everyone knows I don’t) to believe that the results of the 2020 election was a lie. That election was litigated in dozens of state and federal courts and there is not a shred of evidence that the election was stolen.
If there is no evidence, then the belief is by faith, faith in what Trump says. Does that sound like idolatry?
A person would have to be under a delusion or demonic influence to believe in the big lie. Regrettably, over the years, Trump had spiritually enslaved many weak minds to his lies.
The Big Lie is Trump! He told enough of them.
I do not believe the 2020l election was stolen.
But I think suggesting those who do believe that the 2020 election was stolen are under demonic influence is a bit much.
Ok, it’s been an experience here today.
I hope everyone’s worst fears don’t come to fruition and may you all be happily surprised by some good that might come of Mr. Trump’s presidency.
All the best to all of you,
Xenia
Well that reads like a farewell. Though I wouldn’t blame you I hope not. Is there somewhere that you reflect upon things of the LORD? I should like very much to see it.
I would dun this thread as Xeniaphobic.
I know it’s only funny to me. 🤷🏻♂️
Hi Dread,
I am not saying farewell. I’ve done that so many times here that it’s ridiculous. The fact is, I care about the PhxP people too much to say goodbye forever.
This morning I inadvertently clicked on one of the recommended links following the article and was whizzed back to discussions here on the day after the 2016 election. It was the same conversation as now: it’s going to be terrible, don’t be afraid, etc. Only difference is I was on the anti-Trump side back then. Eight years showed me that Trump wasn’t as terrible as we were told he’d be and the Democrats were more terrible than I thought they were.
There is a lot of talk here about lives being lost. I think Trump’s election may have averted WW3, because that’s where the Dems were heading. I think in the end we will see that Trump saved lives.
I find Church to be the place where I am able to reflect on the Lord the best. But online, there’s some Orthodox YouTubers that help me, mostly trad priests. Fr. Josiah Trenham, Fr. Peter Heers. And of course, Jonathan Pageau, who is a friend of a friend. I only wish I could understand half of what he says. My husband and I are reading out loud through a three-volume commentary on the New Testament.
I’ve been chatting with my old CC pastor lately. You know, the one I used to criticize here back in the day. (I apologized, he graciously accepted.) I really appreciate that man. There’s so many wonderful evangelical pastors in the world who, when they get to heaven, will hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” My old Pastor Bill will be one of those.
What I have always tried to do here is emphasize the hands-on aspect of loving one’s neighbor. THAT is more important than having the correct political opinion. Many Americans don’t even know their neighbors. I recommend walking around town a few times a week. Kiss the babies*, pat the dogs, buy some Mexican cookies. Be part of your town. (*I don’t suggest literally kissing strangers’ babies!)
I have also thought about Xeniaphobia. 🙂 It’s ok; they were miserable and I was doing the Snoopy dance. They are certainly allowed.
Thanks Dread. I was hoping you would put in an appearance. 🙂
-Xenia
That’s a great post. Thanks.
Grace and Peace Dread
I immediately say the Snoopy dance! Haha!
*Saw
“I did not expect my post to be well-received. You might not be surprised to hear that I don’t care anymore what people on this blog think about me.”
“The fact is, I care about the PhxP people too much to say goodbye forever.”
Which Xenia are we to believe?
That’s the challenging thing about loving one’s neighbor, it doesn’t depend on what the neighbor thinks of you.
Jean,
I just wanna know which one to believe…
You don’t have to believe me, Duane.
But if you must, believe the person who is able to strongly disagree with a group of people but still has affection for them.
As Michael said yesterday, we should say what we believe is true and not worry about what people think of us.
Xenia
Just wondering…