Davison's Doodle

Rainy Day Thinking

I’m a liberal. I don’t think of myself as a progressive though have an appreciation for friends and colleagues that claim the progressive label like I do colleagues and friends that claim the conservative label. Yesterday was a rainy day in my part of Oklahoma. I office at home. A perk of having my office at home is that on rainy days I can listen to my entire Pink Floyd collection on vinyl as loud as I want. The themes and lyrics of Dark Side of the Moon and The Final Cut remain relevant today.

Two stand out.

From: Us and Them, Dark Side of the Moon
And in the end it’s only round ‘n round (round, round, round)
Haven’t you heard it’s a battle of words
The poster bearer cried
“Listen son”, said the man with the gun
There’s room for you inside.

From Two Suns in the Sunset, The Final Cut
And as the windshield melts and my tears evaporate
Leaving only charcoal to defend
Finally I understand the feelings of the few
Ashes and diamonds
Foe and friend
We were all equal in the end

And today, in her latest email from, The Cottage, Diana Butler Bass identifies how a brand of repackaged Pentecostalism with an eschatological authoritarianism has found its way into the Virginia’s election for the next Governor. As I reflect on what has happened to the GOP more broadly and the nostalgia of the SCOTUS for “religious freedom” with a Christian Nationalist’s lens, I realize just how far the ends justifies the means that some will go to gain power and gerrymander control. The patriarchy is striking back systemically and fundamentalism, religious and political, of all kinds has bubbled up in our Nation and around the globe. It is just packaged differently.

An excerpt from, Wolf in Fleece Clothing.

And that’s where Holy Trinity Brompton comes into the story. In 1994, a new Pentecostal revival broke forth in a church in Toronto – thus earning the moniker “The Toronto Blessing” – and made its way across the Atlantic and landed at Holy Trinity. The church became Ground Zero of the revival, a powerful “third wave” of charismatic enthusiasm. This third wave movement emphasized spiritual warfare, the centrality of supernatural signs and wonders, and, perhaps more than anything else, a profound belief that the Spirit is transforming the true church – a purified church – into the actual Kingdom of God on earth. In short, this third wave Pentecostalism is not escapist – it is necessarily and purposefully political, complete with enemies (those who disagree with their theology), a miraculous tool-kit (financial prosperity, charismatic leaders), and a mission – to renew the entire globe on the basis of God’s order through the body of true believers. There is nothing shy about this, it is obvious to insiders, but to those unfamiliar with this history and language, it is hidden in plain sight.

And the faithful marched to a new crusading hymn:

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Wolf in Fleece Clothing, Diana Butler Bass. October 28, 2021

Hidden in plain sight. That’s how former President Trump brought his brand of graft and transactional leadership to the Federal government. I think political leaders in our Nation that profess with their words or actions a “biblical” worldview are dangerous. Those persons are, more often than not, some version of a religious or ideological fundamentalist with authoritarian leanings. If you think citizens of Russia, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia have it good, then you might be comfortable with authoritarianism disguised as “democracy-lite.” Persons in those countries certainly “know their place.” And as the wealth gap grows in our Nation we are certainly more a capitalist caste system than a bootstraps, work hard, change your stars system. There are, of course, exceptions in both systems.

If you are reaching for a keyboard to point out my white privilege, thank you. I understand that many feel like culture is changing too fast. I experience that as well. As a GenX’er, I empathize with those frightened by the speed of change, and those for whom cultural change that includes them cannot come fast enough. But, I’ve put away childish ways. Well, most of the time I’ve put away childish ways. The comedy “Blazing Saddles” remains relevant for a time like ours.

When will the space aliens arrive? Really. A global pandemic hasn’t brought people together. Really.

Appreciative Inquiry

appreciation (noun)

• a feeling of being grateful for something;
• an ability to understand the worth, quality, or importance of something;
• full awareness or understanding of something.
  (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appreciation, accessed September 29, 2021)

Has the pandemic made appreciation easier or harder for you?

appreciate (verb)

• to understand the worth or importance of;
• to admire and value;
• to be grateful for;
• used to make a polite request.
  (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appreciation, accessed September 29, 2021)

Has the pandemic made it easier or harder for you to appreciate?

I think the old saying goes, “You don’t appreciate something or someone until you no longer have it or they.”  The pandemic and the politics of the first twenty-one years of this millennium has challenged my appreciation and what I appreciate.  Why? 

We live in a time when everything matters and nothing matters most.

On a good day my words, my choices, and my living are consistent with my beliefs, my values, and my discipleship following Jesus. I’ve not specifically denied knowing Jesus, but that “love your neighbor as yourself” part of the great commandment and journey in faith has been harder.  You would think that might be different given that I’ve been a Jesus follower for many, many years.  Apparently, it is not just me, but many Jesus followers and those that place faith in Jesus are having similar struggles.  Why?

We live in a time when everything matters and nothing matters most.

There have been ministers, laity, persons who practice other faiths, and persons of no faith during my life that helped me figure out what matters most.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) recognizes October as Minister Appreciation Month.  Specifically, October 10th, is the Sunday that many congregations will recognize their minister(s). In the next couple of weeks, pause for thirty minutes to write a note to a minister(s) that expresses your appreciation for their walk alongside you in faith.  It doesn’t have to be lengthy. 

Jesus often went away from the crowds to recharge his spiritual batteries for his life in ministry.  Your note of appreciation might be that recharge moment your minister needs.  Remember, the ministers among us have prayed for, modeled faithfulness, and led struggling people, struggling congregations, and struggling institutions through this pandemic while having their own professional and personal struggles.

Some of these struggles I share.  Some I appreciate.