Things I Think…
1. Writing has never been as difficult for me as it is in these days.
Everything I see and everything I try to understand says that we’re living through the collapse of both the government and the church in America.
Let me be clear…I’m not saying that these things could happen, I’m saying they are happening right now.
My struggle is deciding how to react to what I’m seeing and hearing…do I give daily blow by blow of what is happening or do I try and address this apocalypse in progress purely from a spiritual standpoint?
Both?
My emails and social media are full of notes from people who are the early victims of it all…people who are losing careers, homes, medical care, emotional stability and hope.
How can I…(or we, though the site) come alongside and encourage folks to hope in Jesus while they stare into the abyss?
I keep this site up because i know so many of you have hearts to help while you’re healing as well.
What can we do in this present hour for the remnant still hanging on to Jesus?
2. For those of you who think we’ve strayed far from the original mission of The Phoenix Preacher, all I can say is that what we are seeing politically is the Moses Model of government…endorsed by those who follow that model in the church…
3. For many years, Facebook has served a good purpose in my life.
Its been the place where you could sustain friendships with people you don’t see in person anymore…former employers and employees, folks who have moved out of the area, etc.
When one of those folks would come to mind, I’d look them up and see how they were doing, see if they needed prayer, maybe shoot them a note to say i was thinking about them.
Yesterday, one of those people came to mind and I was going to pull up her page and maybe send her a message.
To make a long story short, I found out that not only were we not Facebook friends anymore, she had blocked me.
It didn’t take me long to find out that the issue was political…she’s a fervent Trump supporter.
To my remembrance we’ve never discussed politics…I certainly never associated her with politics in my mind…she was just a friend.
Evidently, not anymore.
Because I have a masochistic streak in me, I decided to check on some other friends I haven’t heard from in a while.
After learning I had been “unfriended” and blocked by three more people I cared about, I called it a day.
Trump now both divides us and defines us…a carny barker messiah who demands fealty in all things as he transforms you into his image for his purposes…
4. Watching and enjoying a superhero movie demands that you “suspend disbelief”…you accept for a bit the fantasy that a man can fly, shoot webs from his wrists or dress up like a bat and wreck hell among the bad guys. You also have to suspend disbelief when you listen to Trump…and accept the fantasy that he tells the truth and has your best interests at heart… I have an easier time believing in Batman…
5. The question arises as to how to deal with these lost friends. For me, first I acknowledge that losing their friendship is indeed a loss and to grieve that loss appropriately. My carnal side tells me to forget them and move on, but the Holy Spirit says to leave space for them. That is an internal battle that I will have a hard time resolving…
6. I’ve learned that I’m different from many people in that I’ve never taken on a political identity…I’ve never identified as a liberal or a conservative, a Democrat or Republican…I’ve been all of the above and none of the above at the same time…but such has never been a part of me like being a Vikings fan or a Kings fan certainly is. As such, I’ve never had to have one political side lose so I could win…my hope has always been that whoever won would bless the country as a whole…one cannot love their neighbor while hoping they suffer loss because of an election…
7. Culturally, the LGBTQ+ sects have run for cover. Are we a more moral people because of this? Do our ethics and attitudes now align with those of Jesus? The reality is that, like migrants, that group was an easy target…the problem will come when all the easy targets have been exhausted and we have to find different groups to hate…because hate is what is fueling this revolution…
8. “What if you’re wrong”? I can only pray that I am…
9. If America survives, the betrayal of Ukraine will be a point of historical shame for the U.S…
10. Watching episodes from “The Bible Project” has been very helpful to me in keeping my focus on Jesus…if I were teaching a new believers class, I’d use them every week…they are also useful for people “deconstructing”…
Except for one subtle post showing a picture from Ukraine, I have kept politics off my FB and LinkedIn profiles. I have been tempted to just post one statement saying that I am not a Trump supporter “and any of you who are, your welcome to unfriend me…”…leave the ball in their court. I still am not sure as I hate conflict and it politics is leaving a sour taste in my mouth and stomach. But then I think how not everything is supposed to be all roses and puppies.
Not all the prophets had pleasant things to say…
…but it has been hard to not say something on FB…I have had to bite the proverbial tongue many times.
Dan,
I keep a meter on how much I’ll engage on Facebook….most interactions are pointless as people are deeply entrenched in their secular dogma.
I always appreciate your cat posts Michael.
Michael – thank you for sharing. I always appreciate it.
#4 – I would questions Mr. Trump’s veracity if he said “Good morning”. The truth is not in him.
#6 – Just know that you are not alone. I’ve been a pastor for 30 years, 21 of under the banner of “Calvary Chapel”, and you have perfectly articulated where I am as well – unaffiliated with either party. The sad truth is, since 2016 I now feel like a foreigner in my own church since both sides of this division look at me askance.
#10 – The Bible Project is one of the bright points of light that has emerged from the apocalyptic landscape of American Christianity. I am a faithful listener to their podcast and have taken many of their offered classes. They rock!
Thanks for hanging in there Brother – you helped me through many difficult decisions over the years, and while I haven’t been vocal, you have been greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Rob.
It helps me much when I know that something we say is helpful…and knowing we have compadres for the ride.
I can’t speak for any churches other than my small synod, where politics is never preached or taught. Regarding secular government, like all governments, it’s a mixed bag of hits and misses.
One thing I am grateful for, and only time will tell if he’s successful or not, is that for the first time in my long life, the root problems in America are finally being addressed. Most Americans recognize our problems and will continue to support the administration as long as they believe he is addressing problems that no previous administration has had the fortitude to address.
It will be messy, but our system is resilient, so pray that the decline of America is being arrested and that we will return to sustainable growth in the near future. Especially our children and grandchildren’s futures depend on the success of the policies presently being implemented by the administration.
Tell me how the “root problems” of America are being addressed.
He’s gutting systems that all Americans depend on and he’s turned being a civil servant into a living hell.
Betrayed our allies and snuggled with our historic enemies…all to enrich himself and his cronies.
America wasn’t actually “in decline’…it’s doomed today.
Having spent years in public service in political positions, I left because it was time to go back into private practice and because I couldn’t take it anymore in terms of what I saw, what I knew, and what it was doing to me. Politics is a dirty business, more than most know. When I left, I was done with it, and that was true for years.
But the election of 2016 scared me so much that I became minimally involved again. I dropped out when 2020-2024 occurred, what with sanity reigning once again, and the pandemic, and some devastation in my own family that took all my time.
But now it is 2025 and it is more insane than it ever has been. I am older and hopefully wiser. I determined when he was elected to not follow politics and just sorta coast through the next 4 years. I dropped out from most news sources before the inauguration, stopped following those who are political, and tended to my own garden.
But then I started seeing headlines, reading the outrageous things that were being said and done, began to be contacted by those who were being hurt or in fear of being hurt, asked my opinion on “What should I do? What should we do?” When I tried to say that I was not involving myself, I increasingly felt badly about myself. I determined that now is not the time to remain silent and uninvolved and neutral. These times require all of us to examine ourselves and take whatever action we deem in the best interests of ourselves, our values, and of the Kingdom.
Since I retain some influence in my area, I do post on FB, and sometimes write short articles, about the most egregious, democracy-destroying things that are occurring. A little bit. I do this not only because I think we all need to take a stand in these times, but also because I know that my reasoned stance is having some effect amongst those who value my opinion.
And I interperse my political posts with dogs and poetry and my sweet child and other things to remind myself to remain balanced and to look for joy.
I hike and garden and must stop adding to my dog family (currently up to 4 and trying hard not to get a 5th).
These are extraordinary times, times that have affected or will effect every single one of us in some way. I want to know that I did my part to try to contribute to the good.
#6 I’ve been registered with both parties over the years. but I’ve never been a die-hard for either. I find flaws in both parties, and they are not my “religion.” I have found political discussions on FB to be fruitless, so I avoid them. I guess I’ve been undercover for a long time, but I’d rather work with my kids at school or my church friends than fight. However, given the amount of time I spend in the immigrant community, I know some folks are suspicious of my motives, but unless I asked, I mind my own business. There may come a time when I can’t do that anymore, but I will avoid conflict while I can. The arguments go nowhere, and I don’t enjoy the yelling (it’s not me that’s yelling).
That doesn’t mean that I’m not concerned about what is happening. I continue to pray for the number of lawsuits I’m aware of and wisdom for the judges. At some point, something will go south for The Orange Julius, and I pray it will be soon.
Alex,
I have drawn courage and wisdom from you…I’m grateful for you.
Linn,
Taking care of those kids at school is mighty resistance to the darkness…a godly calling that you fill well.
Rob said – “The sad truth is, since 2016 I now feel like a foreigner in my own church since both sides of this division look at me askance.”
Perfectly summarizes my exodus from ministry. In a sense, the divorce that finally got me out was an act of grace, because I was dying from the effort to keep that life up.
I feel for you Rob.
Michael, I’m hoping “LFTGQ+” is a typo…
Steve,
It’s just a catch all for the various sundry folks who are not straight.
If it means something other than that, inform us.
The “F” threw me off, thought you might have meant “B”. I can’t think of anything “F” would stand for other than a pretty nasty slur…
I’ve not blocked anyone from Facebook nor unfriended anyone, but have snoozed some for thirty days simply because they were posting inflammatory or false information frequently throughout the day. I’ve resorted to praying for mercy on all things political. Sanity is a rare commodity these days.
I am backing off a wide range of financial decisions as my SS checks seem to be in the line of fire from those who will never need to draw a dime from this program. I retired this past summer and already it appears I may be headed back to the salt mines. At least I have two new knees to stand on…
It was a typo…fixed it.
#1 is real for me too, especially the part about “deciding how to react to what I’m seeing and hearing.” I am convinced that being gospel-informed should help us see current events through the correct lens. I wonder, though, if more needs to be said? I’m fairly certain that when certain topics are mentioned or alluded to from the pulpit on Sunday morning, some people immediately disengage and stop listening. Yet we walk in a prophetic tradition that has always called “Babylon” to account, regardless of the consequences—speaking truth to power. Our brothers and sisters in local black churches do this often, though sadly to very small congregations who already share these views in our community. I too post Facebook comments when overwhelmed by the news of the day. Though it’s only happened twice in the last month, these posts draw ire from other Christian brothers, many of whom have little influence and tend to be keyboard warriors. My “friends” count has dropped by 30 in the last month. That’s okay—I’ve tried to figure out who they were but can’t, which probably says more about me than them. I’ve been encouraged every time I visit and read your thoughts, Michael (and everyone else). Grateful for this space.
Michael , I wish I had time to comment here more often , but for now I just wanted to add my two cents of encouragement . Thank you for keeping this up, you are a source of hope, strength , and wisdom for many of us, brother.
Thank you, Peter…well said.
It’s an encouragement to all of us knowing that there are like minded brethren…
Owen,
Thank you, my friend…you and your family are blessings to me.
Glad to know you’re here…