I so much appreciate you sharing your thoughts while refraining from offering quick fixes when there aren’t any. And I also appreciate the thoughtful comments. I am a 76-year-old White woman in a deep red Southern state. I have no one in my current or previous church who is even close to relating to my perspectives or feelings. Thankfully, my siblings, adult children, and young adult grandchildren know insanity when they see it so all of us are pulling closer even though we disagree on many things. Ironically, I am finding support in secular community groups like a dog rescue and programs for us caregivers of loved ones with dementia. At this season in life, it is pretty obvious that my role is to provide a safe home where we welcome younger people from various cultures. God did not give me a gift of tongues, but he gave me the gift of understanding English spoken with various accents. So what starts as grammar lessons at my dining room table evolves into women sharing their hearts and their tears.
I can control my fears when I am awake, but some mornings, like today, I wake up agitated and know my dreams are of a frightening future.
All of this is to say that this group is becoming important to me.
Starting to contemplate the questions and will craft responses.
One thing I am sure of is this: The incoming criminal commander in chief WILL NOT become the locus of my life and work.
Following this text: "And let the peace of Christ rule (govern) in your hearts..." (Col. 3:15)
Also, "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity....Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to harm." (Psalms 37:1,7-8)
I have lost confidence in the USA electorate. There is no collective wisdom, only inattentive people making decisions in self-interest based on false information. Will always vote, but voting isn't the answer it use to be.
Obviously, he can't get much done through slim majorities in congress, so he will resort to authoritarian executive orders.
I'm going to trust Democrats and sensible Republicans to try to hold him accountable and limit his damage. I'll be paying as little attention as possible to this administration and to the news media.
"I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." (Psalms 101:3 ESV)
Been building stronger community with people I know and trust. Only listening to trusted voices like yours, Dr. Jones, Stacy Abrams, and similar.
I intend to try to inspire and educate others, especially the next generation.
Thank you for articulating all that I have thought since the election. We are always told that voting matters, but for some reason, this country decided to vote back in a treasonous felon who cozies up to foreign dictators. Moving forward, I am going to focus on myself and my community. I’m going to invest my time, talent, and treasure with organizations that advocate for the oppressed and the marginalized. And I will continue to draw strength from scripture.
It might help to print the list out. Keep it where you can see it on your desk etc and bring one question each week or day to your own prayer time. Like a little lectio…. Use as needed.
Today my anchor is your teaching, the thoughts of the group, and the task of being lovingly helpful to a challenging friend.
With each passing news cycle, we get a preview of what is to come with the incoming administration. It is frightening to know that the country will be in such deplorable hands for the next four years. I’m just hoping that citizens will come out of their stupor in two years for the mid-term elections. Until then, I will do all I can to protect my peace and serve my community. I value this community more and more each day.
Last week I forced myself to get away for one night and attend the Texas Book Festival in Austin. So many beloved voices and new to me. voices of creativity and brilliance. The vibe was kind, communal, diverse and non binary; the whole giant thing was an antidote to trumpism for me and felt like a soul retrieval. So immersing myself in the arts, in centering prayer, continuing to play pickleball and I want to find a church in the area that is involved in actions for immigrant justice. I appreciate this space and all the comments
Profound wisdom here ... exactly what I've been trying to figure out in this liminal space in which we find ourselves. I have long been mesmerized by James Russell Lowell's poem The Present Crisis. It wasn't my intention to be thrust into our own present crisis, but by God's grace, I hope to be numbered among the brave and not the cowards. Here's one of the 19 stanzas:
Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and 'tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside,
Doubting in his abject spirit, till his Lord is crucified,
And the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.
Thank you so much for this post. I so appreciate the list of questions to ponder and think through. The image that keeps coming to mind when I think about (constantly!) this waiting time for coming months and years is of a storm gathering. The clouds are getting darker and darker. And soon the clouds will burst. But it won’t be a one and done storm. It will storm off and on for an uncertain amount of time. And everyone, whether they realize it now or not, will be affected by it. What tools do I need to begin gathering now, to protect myself and those I love, those in my community, from the deluge? These questions you provide are so helpful to that end.
“There’s a storm cloud on the ocean, and it’s moving this ole’ way. If your soul’s not anchored in Jesus, it will surely drift away.” A congregational song that immediately popped up when I read your post. The Apostle Paul’s shipwreck story in Acts 27 also reminds us that storms can cause great destruction, but God is faithful in sustaining his people in the midst of it all. We just have to hold on to each other, pray, and stand on the word of the Lord.
In 2021 I had a dream of exactly what you described. It was an unusual and fierce storm unraveling so rapidly I just barely had time to get in my vehicle to flee
I loved your video a week or so ago. I appreciated your honesty and tips on managing the stress of this season. Last time I didn’t have much of a community and we’ve felt a bit like homeless refugees spiritually, but this time I think we a better prepared. We are less shocked and more motivated,less distressed and more determined. I have spent 4 years slowly healing and developing healing practices. I art journal daily and have a community of fellow creatives to spend time with online. Last time I survived because of daily journaling (I also went through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s way) and it was transformative spiritually and personally. I did a lot of trauma work(EMDR) and am in a significantly stronger position emotionally than I was. my diet is significantly better than it was. So, I will try to restart my writing process to figure out where to focus and how to; continue with the art journaling and stay committed to the diet improvements. I will expand community and keep reading and I will focus my ADHD heart in the direction it most needs to go, to support the efforts, to speak out against the harm to vulnerable communities and hope I can sow love and kindness to stand against the powers of oppression.
YES. I believe this is what Jesus was talking about in the parable of the ten virgins 5 of whom were wise and prepared oil, and 5 of whom were foolish and did not do preparation.
I’m reading “On Tyranny” to prepare and I HIGHLY recommend. Thank you for this article, it is grounding. I think we’re going to need all the strength we can get. On Tyranny has excellent advice for managing under a regime and prolonging safety as long as we can.
It is a tiny short read! About 50 pages. Critical information; I’m incorporating it like a devo and reading one point (there are 20) a day in addition to my quiet time and studying and meditating on them. For example the first is “Do Not Obey In Advance” another is “Make Eye Contact and Small Talk” and another “Establish Privacy”
So thankful for this message and wisdom. I am going to journal and meditate on your questions. I am going to invite some people to join me. For those of us who are action oriented, this is perfect.
Thank you so much for all of this and for organizing it in a way that's manageable! To answer your questions -- at your suggestion I have:
* started a journal. Hand-written, five sections, including thoughts on daily scripture readings, what I'm doing to stay healthy, and what actions I'm taking "out there" and what needs to wait for now.
* chosen a couple of trustworthy news sources.
* got music on hand to listen to that helps re-set my spirit. Thinking about a new stereo system to play them on before the tariffs kick in.
* chosen my issue(s) in the realm of justice
* found a good counselor to bounce things off of
I'm also remembering how Kamala and her team used to listen to her opponent just enough to figure out his next move and be ready for it. They were right more often than not. This is an art form I'd like to learn more about.
On a different subject, one observation from today's news: Scott Bessent, nominated for treasury secretary, used to work for George Soros -- a name every QAnon and rabbit-hole diver hates and fears. Soros' name has been connected to more conspiracy theories than I can count, and I've never been able to budge a conspiracy theorist, not one iota, toward the possibility that Soros might not be who they fear he is. I'll be interested to see how this choice plays out among the right wing now.
Thank you so much for providing this exercise that will equip those who engage deeply with it to authentically and reliably face and fight what may come/what is already here in ways that align with the Way and the Waymaker: this is gold.
I've been contemplating the questions and have settled on this one for now:
"What will be my cause or my issue in the realm of justice? I can’t make a positive difference in every area that demands it, but I can focus my time in one or a couple areas. What are they?"
What I think about is tolerance for injustice and racism within spheres of influence. We spend a lot of time thinking about and talking about instigators, but I think enablers are even a bigger part of the problem. There are people who witness wrong doing and listen to hateful rhetoric within their spheres, but say nothing or do nothing.
I've decided to write about it and share among my networks and social media. Part of the problem is that people don't care to pay attention, but I hope my words will educate friends and perhaps influence people on the margins among those who tolerate racism and nonsense.
I so much appreciate you sharing your thoughts while refraining from offering quick fixes when there aren’t any. And I also appreciate the thoughtful comments. I am a 76-year-old White woman in a deep red Southern state. I have no one in my current or previous church who is even close to relating to my perspectives or feelings. Thankfully, my siblings, adult children, and young adult grandchildren know insanity when they see it so all of us are pulling closer even though we disagree on many things. Ironically, I am finding support in secular community groups like a dog rescue and programs for us caregivers of loved ones with dementia. At this season in life, it is pretty obvious that my role is to provide a safe home where we welcome younger people from various cultures. God did not give me a gift of tongues, but he gave me the gift of understanding English spoken with various accents. So what starts as grammar lessons at my dining room table evolves into women sharing their hearts and their tears.
I can control my fears when I am awake, but some mornings, like today, I wake up agitated and know my dreams are of a frightening future.
All of this is to say that this group is becoming important to me.
Thanks for this post!
Starting to contemplate the questions and will craft responses.
One thing I am sure of is this: The incoming criminal commander in chief WILL NOT become the locus of my life and work.
Following this text: "And let the peace of Christ rule (govern) in your hearts..." (Col. 3:15)
Also, "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity....Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to harm." (Psalms 37:1,7-8)
I have lost confidence in the USA electorate. There is no collective wisdom, only inattentive people making decisions in self-interest based on false information. Will always vote, but voting isn't the answer it use to be.
Obviously, he can't get much done through slim majorities in congress, so he will resort to authoritarian executive orders.
I'm going to trust Democrats and sensible Republicans to try to hold him accountable and limit his damage. I'll be paying as little attention as possible to this administration and to the news media.
"I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." (Psalms 101:3 ESV)
Been building stronger community with people I know and trust. Only listening to trusted voices like yours, Dr. Jones, Stacy Abrams, and similar.
I intend to try to inspire and educate others, especially the next generation.
Thank you for articulating all that I have thought since the election. We are always told that voting matters, but for some reason, this country decided to vote back in a treasonous felon who cozies up to foreign dictators. Moving forward, I am going to focus on myself and my community. I’m going to invest my time, talent, and treasure with organizations that advocate for the oppressed and the marginalized. And I will continue to draw strength from scripture.
Well said! I hope my outlook will improve over time. :-)
Jemar
These prompts can anchor us in days to come.
It might help to print the list out. Keep it where you can see it on your desk etc and bring one question each week or day to your own prayer time. Like a little lectio…. Use as needed.
Today my anchor is your teaching, the thoughts of the group, and the task of being lovingly helpful to a challenging friend.
And to get outside and behold the Beauty.
Thank you all❤️
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I really appreciate the list. I didn’t anticipate just how hard this season would be personally, but it is.
With each passing news cycle, we get a preview of what is to come with the incoming administration. It is frightening to know that the country will be in such deplorable hands for the next four years. I’m just hoping that citizens will come out of their stupor in two years for the mid-term elections. Until then, I will do all I can to protect my peace and serve my community. I value this community more and more each day.
Last week I forced myself to get away for one night and attend the Texas Book Festival in Austin. So many beloved voices and new to me. voices of creativity and brilliance. The vibe was kind, communal, diverse and non binary; the whole giant thing was an antidote to trumpism for me and felt like a soul retrieval. So immersing myself in the arts, in centering prayer, continuing to play pickleball and I want to find a church in the area that is involved in actions for immigrant justice. I appreciate this space and all the comments
Profound wisdom here ... exactly what I've been trying to figure out in this liminal space in which we find ourselves. I have long been mesmerized by James Russell Lowell's poem The Present Crisis. It wasn't my intention to be thrust into our own present crisis, but by God's grace, I hope to be numbered among the brave and not the cowards. Here's one of the 19 stanzas:
Then to side with Truth is noble when we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and 'tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses, while the coward stands aside,
Doubting in his abject spirit, till his Lord is crucified,
And the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.
Thank you so much for this post. I so appreciate the list of questions to ponder and think through. The image that keeps coming to mind when I think about (constantly!) this waiting time for coming months and years is of a storm gathering. The clouds are getting darker and darker. And soon the clouds will burst. But it won’t be a one and done storm. It will storm off and on for an uncertain amount of time. And everyone, whether they realize it now or not, will be affected by it. What tools do I need to begin gathering now, to protect myself and those I love, those in my community, from the deluge? These questions you provide are so helpful to that end.
“There’s a storm cloud on the ocean, and it’s moving this ole’ way. If your soul’s not anchored in Jesus, it will surely drift away.” A congregational song that immediately popped up when I read your post. The Apostle Paul’s shipwreck story in Acts 27 also reminds us that storms can cause great destruction, but God is faithful in sustaining his people in the midst of it all. We just have to hold on to each other, pray, and stand on the word of the Lord.
In 2021 I had a dream of exactly what you described. It was an unusual and fierce storm unraveling so rapidly I just barely had time to get in my vehicle to flee
I am taking comfort in the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, especially verse 19, "go in peace".
God knows that relationships are messy and we don't always know what we should do or have easy answers, but God will give us peace.
I loved your video a week or so ago. I appreciated your honesty and tips on managing the stress of this season. Last time I didn’t have much of a community and we’ve felt a bit like homeless refugees spiritually, but this time I think we a better prepared. We are less shocked and more motivated,less distressed and more determined. I have spent 4 years slowly healing and developing healing practices. I art journal daily and have a community of fellow creatives to spend time with online. Last time I survived because of daily journaling (I also went through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s way) and it was transformative spiritually and personally. I did a lot of trauma work(EMDR) and am in a significantly stronger position emotionally than I was. my diet is significantly better than it was. So, I will try to restart my writing process to figure out where to focus and how to; continue with the art journaling and stay committed to the diet improvements. I will expand community and keep reading and I will focus my ADHD heart in the direction it most needs to go, to support the efforts, to speak out against the harm to vulnerable communities and hope I can sow love and kindness to stand against the powers of oppression.
YES. I believe this is what Jesus was talking about in the parable of the ten virgins 5 of whom were wise and prepared oil, and 5 of whom were foolish and did not do preparation.
I’m reading “On Tyranny” to prepare and I HIGHLY recommend. Thank you for this article, it is grounding. I think we’re going to need all the strength we can get. On Tyranny has excellent advice for managing under a regime and prolonging safety as long as we can.
It is a tiny short read! About 50 pages. Critical information; I’m incorporating it like a devo and reading one point (there are 20) a day in addition to my quiet time and studying and meditating on them. For example the first is “Do Not Obey In Advance” another is “Make Eye Contact and Small Talk” and another “Establish Privacy”
So thankful for this message and wisdom. I am going to journal and meditate on your questions. I am going to invite some people to join me. For those of us who are action oriented, this is perfect.
Thank you so much for all of this and for organizing it in a way that's manageable! To answer your questions -- at your suggestion I have:
* started a journal. Hand-written, five sections, including thoughts on daily scripture readings, what I'm doing to stay healthy, and what actions I'm taking "out there" and what needs to wait for now.
* chosen a couple of trustworthy news sources.
* got music on hand to listen to that helps re-set my spirit. Thinking about a new stereo system to play them on before the tariffs kick in.
* chosen my issue(s) in the realm of justice
* found a good counselor to bounce things off of
I'm also remembering how Kamala and her team used to listen to her opponent just enough to figure out his next move and be ready for it. They were right more often than not. This is an art form I'd like to learn more about.
On a different subject, one observation from today's news: Scott Bessent, nominated for treasury secretary, used to work for George Soros -- a name every QAnon and rabbit-hole diver hates and fears. Soros' name has been connected to more conspiracy theories than I can count, and I've never been able to budge a conspiracy theorist, not one iota, toward the possibility that Soros might not be who they fear he is. I'll be interested to see how this choice plays out among the right wing now.
Thank you so much for providing this exercise that will equip those who engage deeply with it to authentically and reliably face and fight what may come/what is already here in ways that align with the Way and the Waymaker: this is gold.
Excellent questions for discussion! Perhaps the questions you have posed for reflection can be the focus of your next Office Hours.
I've been contemplating the questions and have settled on this one for now:
"What will be my cause or my issue in the realm of justice? I can’t make a positive difference in every area that demands it, but I can focus my time in one or a couple areas. What are they?"
What I think about is tolerance for injustice and racism within spheres of influence. We spend a lot of time thinking about and talking about instigators, but I think enablers are even a bigger part of the problem. There are people who witness wrong doing and listen to hateful rhetoric within their spheres, but say nothing or do nothing.
I've decided to write about it and share among my networks and social media. Part of the problem is that people don't care to pay attention, but I hope my words will educate friends and perhaps influence people on the margins among those who tolerate racism and nonsense.
https://www.bryanhudson.com/2024/12/racism-matter-of-tolerance-or-zero.html