Things I Think…
1. I was mucking about in Facebook yesterday and thought I’d send a note to an old friend I hadn’t heard from in a while. That’s when I found that we were no longer Facebook friends and I had been blocked by him. This…is a picture of what 2025 was.
2. This would have troubled me more if any of the departed “friends” had reached out to have a conversation…but they didn’t. MAGA only communes with MAGA…
3.“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.(Matthew 5:11-12 NLT-SE)
Everything I say and everything I do, I do with the hope that I’m following Jesus. I’m always open to correction…but my goal at this stage of my life is to be found faithful…
4. This is what this season in this country is about as we are governed by one with the spirit of anti-Christ…it’s an opportunity to do what the first century Christians did…which was to stand out as faithful followers of Jesus despite the loss of friends, family, community, and maybe even freedom. This is our turn to stand against idolatry and evil and further the kingdom…our turn to be historically faithful…
5. I finally found a descriptor for my politics and my theology…I’m “conservatively progressive”.
6. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-45 NLT-SE) This is the biggest challenge, at least for me…but this is what the One I’m following demands…
7. I would exhort my fellow believers to always leave the door open for reconciliation…the light is slowly coming on for some…
8. I’m not big on New Years resolutions, but if I am going to be found faithful, I have to be more disciplined in my prayer life above all else…
9. When Clint Eastwood was asked what the secret of his longevity is he replied, “I don’t let the old man in”. Unfortunately, I let him in and gave him a furnished apartment and cable tv…I intend to evict him this year…
10. Many thanks to those of you who have stayed the course with us…we want to stand for the truth, against the lies, and serve our readers. Pray for us…to be found faithful.
I don’t comment much here, but I am staying as it is only one of the authentic communities I have. I want to be found faithful too.
#5 – I consider myself “radically moderate”. Resisting the gravitational pull of Left and Right is a constant struggle, and you have to question every news source or opinion as potential propaganda, or at least factor in a political bias.
Instead of being wishy washy, its a position that requires constant vigilance and intellectual honesty.
Amen to all ten!
I think #5 is a good descriptor. It probably fits me as well.
#9 – What do you think it would take to evict the old man? Asking for a friend.
Dan,
We’re glad you’re here…
Terry,
That was really well said and I’m right with you on the need for vigilance and intellectual honesty.
CK,
The challenge for me is to not let my physical and cognitive decline define me.
I get so wrapped up in what I can’t do anymore…I need to do the things I can and do them with a measure of joy and gratitude.
#9 – For the past 4 years I’ve gradually upped my daily walk from a half hour to an hour a day. That doesn’t sound like much, but is an increase from 5,000 to 10,000 steps per day. At 65 I hope to keep upping that as long as I can.
I really like #5. Though to be conservative these days isn’t much what it means historically. Much of it today is just reactionary and knee jerk. Knee surgeons must .be raking it in these days.
I’ve always liked John Stott’s POV, to be radical conservatives — preserve what’s eternal and true and radical (and Kingdom-focused) WRT how we live out our Xn values. That sounds pretty similar to #5, IMHO.
Terry,
I have to start some sort of similar program…but I really don’t want to… 🙂
bob1,
I knew someone had to have said something similar…Stott is good company.
Michael,
That’s a challenge for me too. Unfortunately, I’ve done the opposite of Terry. I used to walk almost daily, but I’ve allowed fatigue to cut it down significantly. I need to remedy that.
Michael-I’m so sorry about your friend. It’s so hard when politics make people cut us off completely. Sometimes, things get better. My friend who yelled at me over the phone before the 2020 elección has slowly crept back into my life. She lives far enough away that it really isn’t convenient to try to go see her. We’ve kept up with birthday and Christmas cards, and occasional phone calls.She doesn’t want to discuss politics at all, and she also knows that I attend church and spend significant amounts of personal time with people who could be disappeared in a heartbeat. So, our conversations can be a bit awkward. I keep hoping we can improve. ☹️
I think faithfulness is key, even with continuing to try to love those who hate us or strongly disagree with us. There is a lot going on in MAGA right now. The crazier the Donald gets, the more nervous MAGAites become. TPUSA is falling apart, GOPs and Dems want to know how far Trump was in cahoots with Epstein, and on it goes. At some point, for the safety and sanity of all of us, we will need to talk about it.
Oh, and I love the term “radical conservative!”
I loved John Stott, too. I was able to hear him in person a couple of times, and he was such a great speaker. JI Packard as well.
Off to being productive. Despite being fully vaccinated, I anm getting over a week of the flu. Of course, my cat was very happy with the arrangement, but now it is time to return to the land of the living.
Linn, I also encountered Stott during a one hour Q&A at a famous missions convention. Erudite, kind, smart and humble come to mind. Don’t know why but I still think about it several decades later.
Never met Packer but also a big fan. I’ve read a bunch of his books. Looking forward to seeing him in heaven!
Plus he must have endorsed literally hundreds of books by other authors. Wow. As an avid reader and writer myself, I was always really impressed that he did that!
Linn,
“At some point, for the safety and sanity of all of us, we will need to talk about it.”
Yes…
bob1,
Packer was exactly what most imagined him to be.
He was a wonderful man.
Unfortunately, he didn’t read all the books he blurbed…probably most of them.
My church’s pastor has self-published a couple of books. From his Amazon reviews and those I’ve read for other books, different groups of authors seem to critique each others’ books to make sure they are getting some reviews for their obscure publications.
People blocking you is like blocking the sun. Instead of light they prefer darkness. There are voices out there….voices of reason. Voices that direct one to the Truth. Why would that be something to block? Oh my…..I remain in a distant country….and might remain here….there was a recent report that this government in this particular country gathered up a group of Christians and arrested them….the uproar from those in the US who claim freedom of religion is being controlled….actually…this particular government protects their people, millions who suffer from poverty….protects them from grifters….those type in the US who use tv to promote false theology and then beg for money. This government does allow the freedom to worship but not to take advantage of its citizens. Decades ago, there was this company, most know…Amway, which actually grew inside the Christian church in the US, then moved to other countries to gain followers. In this country, after a few years, the government shut down Amway. To protect it’s citizens from a company that was taking advantage of them….via the multi level marketing approach leaving millions of citizens in debt, etc. One main purpose of government is to protect its citizens. I am not a citizen here but I follow the laws. I am welcomed here. I register at the police station every 90 days as the law states. I do not secretly move around or hide my identity. I can still go where I want or move where I want within the borders but still must register. Michael, you are both faithful and true. Your voice is out there to protect…..
prodinov,
Good to see you again old friend…someday I hope to live up to your estimation of me.
Interesting story about Amway…it’s founders are deep into Republican politics here…
Michael and Captain Kevin – 10 years ago I was walking two large dogs 3 miles per day because that’s what they required. Michael – dogs were my cats. As they got older, I was down to walking them a half mile per day. When I said goodbye to the last one I determined to get back up to our original amount. We’ve decided on no more pets, but I enjoy every dog I meet each day. Its like they’re all mine.
You have always provoked me to think about how much more I owe Christ. You are a light in a darkening world, and we who read your posts need that light. You help us gird ourselves with the armor of God. I look forward to spending 2026 reading your blog
Terry: “I enjoy every dog I meet each day.”
Perhaps that’s the incentive I need to get out in the neighborhood.
There is this direct correlation between so called Christians who have used the Government for ill gotten gains….Amway being one….Matt Stoller an attorney with a great substack also has videos posted called “Organized Money”…part 1 and 2 the DeVos family, Amway, the church (SBC and Calvary Chapel were 2 big promoters during the 70s and 80s) and Gerald Ford. At one point the government was going to shut them down….but money over rode that decision while millions lost their savings….the DeVos family enriched themselves to the tune of billions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWyB30eKhCI . Where I live….this government works hard at protecting the citizens of 1.5 billion. It is a country that is not anything like what is being promoted in the US. The US is nothing more than a group of Oligarchs, a government of Oligarchy. I bring this up because the church is similar in the US. The control…the visual displays of their virtue…and yet…Michael…you voice truth and get blocked. My head hurts thinking about how that is….but Biblically speaking….it was foretold….
Thanks Michael, and sorry that you had to endure another lost friendship due to politics. I have yet to lose FB friends as I have mostly kept my beliefs off of FB. The only time I broached culture/Christianity/politics through my posts was a few weeks ago when I couldn’t stomach holding silent on Trumps garbage/Somali people comment.
Living with immigrants during this adminsitration will radicalize you quicker than you could imagine.
2026 is going to be devoted to upright bass. Hope to land myself in a big band by the end of the year. I played a lot of jazz in college and into my twenties, but never big band…and my twenties were a long time ago. So, its a challenge and a goal. Keeps me alive and matters to me. My counsleor says that if it matters to me, it matters. I can’t cross that bridge yet.
Im only 51, but a few years ago was in terrible shape. I walk 3-5 miles a day now, and really enjoy it. I feel better than I have since my early 30’s. I would urge that if you are able to get up and be more active – do. Everything feels better when your body feels able.
I found the right church for now. Been there for a little over a year. EPC church. Big. Met with the pastor a couple weeks ago and found him to be kind and smart and honest. It may only be a temorary home, but its odd how God spweaks to em there.