Devotion after Election

Centering . . .

The idea awareness cycle

Ignorance—We’re too busy doing our jobs to notice that.

Dismissal—That? It’s trivial. Kids.

Nervousness—Let’s take a look at what they’re up to, benchmark it, buy a research report… Bob, can you handle this?

Poor Copies—See, I told you it was no big deal. Our new model is almost the same.

Admiration—Wow, look at them go. Every once in awhile, someone comes up with something special. Good for them.

Special case—Of course, this won’t effect our core business. It’s working really well here because that’s unique.

Superman—Holy smokes. Who is this guy?

Catastrophe/Doomsday—Run for your lives. It’s over. Over forever and ever.

Repeat

[Seth Godin, “The Idea Awareness Cycle.” Nov 1, 2016.]

 

Ponder . . .

Oh great God give us rest
We’re all worn thin from all of this
At the end of our hope with nothing left
Oh great God give us rest

Oh great God do your best
Have you seen this place it’s all a mess
And I’ve done my part too well I ‘fess.
Oh great God do your best

Could you take a song and make it thine
From a crooked heart twisted up like mine
Would you open up Heaven’s glory light
Shine on in and give these dead bones life
Oh shine on in and give these dead bones life

Let it shine, let it shine
On and on, on and on, come to life

[David Crowder Band, A Requiem Mass in C (the Happiest of All Keys): “Oh Great God, Give Us Rest.” sixsteps. January 2012.]  Click here to listen.

 

Remember . . .

By the mercies of God,  present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’
No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:1-2, 14-20

, 11/10/2016. Category: Examen, Michael D.

Patriarchy Strikes Back

I’ve been away from my blog for a while.  Somewhat on purpose.  I realized during the election cycle that I might embody road rage through the written word.  I didn’t want to be another space that complained, yelled, and stomped my feet.  I self censored, but spoke to people when asked my thoughts.   Self government is fickle and to borrow a phrase, “you have to want it.”  I want to be able to respect and see the better nature of my neighbor.  Here on Nov 9, and going forward, that will be a bit harder.  Our Nation voted on the social contract yesterday and it appears that the great sage Yoda was right: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.  And hate leads to suffering.  Is that winning?

The GOP didn’t govern alongside the first black man to be elected President.  They nullified his election and the spirit of America with their rhetoric and actions at the Federal and State level.  The red/blue map of the election notes the growing confederacy.  In the end a white, northeastern male who was born into wealth, identified people to blame and a majority of the country bought it.  What a great simple con.  Now what? The Brits have asked themselves the same question since the Brexit vote.

We still don’t know who the President Elect owes, how charitable he is, or what his governing philosophy will be.  We know his ability to insult and belittle.  We know he is impressed with his own brand and that he will do whatever is necessary for the brand to grow it’s bottom line and enrich himself.  We know he thinks women are objects.  We know he thinks he is the only person that can fix a democracy that needs more than a tune up.  We know he is an overt and unapologetic liar.  The GOP own all branches of government for the next few years and the Christian taliban feel energized to crusade.  I wonder how quickly all those infrastructure investments will begin that could not be afforded while a non-white face was President?  I wonder how far back in time our Nation will turn before equity, justice, and the ideals of America shame those that voted for Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

I consider myself a global citizen and wept for the nation of my birth last night and this morning.  No more tears.  I’ll be more politically active in the second half of my life.   I’ll be reading, Go Set a Watchman, this month.  From the reviews I’ve read it will be enlightening fiction that describes and give background to the election of President Trump.

 

, 11/09/2016. Category: Culture, Michael D.
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