I wasn't going to write today. What's the point? I mean... what is the point? The whole world is crazy...
Yet, I already had most of this written, and while on my 12-mile run this morning... I was reminded of something...
So, in these bat-shit crazy times... here are five things:
1. REMEMBER WHEN
Remember earlier this year - just before trump was to begin his second term - and Facebook/Instagram/Threads took the step of no longer fact-checking? Do you suppose that plays into anything going on in the world, or at least USA, right now? (Not to mention that Tiktok ban that was supposed to take place).
Personally, I've been trying to severely limit even looking at any of them (actually, I'm not on Threads; rarely even look at Insta; so mostly it's just ever-briefer glimpses of FB).
Yet, when I do look at it, so much of it isn't even true! It can be anything from sports, to politics, to... basically everything the current fascist administration says!
I think it's all connected; and all designed to create further and further divide among us. I've been thinking this for awhile, and I think it more and more. So why aren't Zuckerberg and all the other 'tech bros' held accountable for what they're doing to the world??
2. ANTIFA VS. FASCISM
Ironically, I posted this on FB yesterday - in light of the president calling for antifa to be declared a terrorist organization:
From Google's AI Overview:
"Antifa is a portmanteau, or shortened form, of the term "anti-fascist"...
Key Aspects of Antifa:
"At its core, antifa is about opposing fascism, racism, and authoritarianism."
FYI: Fascism (according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary) = "a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition."
I mean, antifa isn't an organization, so you can't really ban such a thing. But it will be interesting to see if they try to name certain acts or demonstrations as part of "antifa" in order to justify the use of force.
As the meme says, though, "World War II veterans are Antifa because they fought fascism."
Who'd have ever thought there would be people in this country supporting a fascist regime? I suppose the people of Italy and Germany can understand...
3. THINGS ARE DIFFERENT
I read
THIS POST from Kristin Du Mez with sadness the other day. She drew largely from
THIS PIECE by Jeffrey C. Isaac. Change is happening. The world is not the same as it once was. People are afraid.
What really stood out to me was this blurb by Kristin:
“…it is crucial that all of us find ways to tell the truth—to others, and to ourselves. To be as courageous as we can. To remind ourselves who we are, and what we value. Because another thing that history teaches us is that entire populations can forget these things with alarming speed, given the right circumstances.”
We need this. We need the truth! Even if no one else speaks it, we need to speak it to ourselves.
4. HOLD ME, JESUS
This is what I was reminded of on my run...
"Let people see your struggles, and don't ever fake it." -Rich Mullins
He died in a car crash twenty eight years ago today. His words and music impacted me in a powerful way. Still do. He spoke in a way I'd like to think Jesus spoke.
As I think about this in light of those worshiping trump today and thinking Charlie Kirk was some kind of martyr and... It seems so hopeless.
I
just don't understand how almost every scholar, theologian, pastor, and
thinker I know and know of... can be wrong about trump, christian
nationalism, and the selling out of the church...
While taking a shower after my run... I just completely broke down, bawling like a baby. I don't understand...
I'm glad Rich is no longer alive. I don't know if he could take it. In fact, I doubt he'd have anything at all to do with what people are trying to pass off as "christianity" these days. Although... who knows.
Anyway...
I never could listen to
this song without crying. It's even worse now:
Well, sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what you give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
I'm singing hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?
5. A QUOTE/POEM
What if the conflict was never
real but carefully planted?
Triangulation is a tactic to
turn you against people who
were never your enemy,
because division keeps you
easier to control while the
truth gets buried under
manufactured chaos.
- Robert Wilkinson
Oof. Sorry. That's all I've got...
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