Allowing a Glimpse into my E mail
My pastor asked me to read an article from a (rather long) substack and wanted my thoughts. The author is a pastor and an essayist. I read it this morning, and sent along my thoughts in streaming consciousness manner.
The reason I am allowing a glimpse into my e mail is to primarily acquaint you with the link at the end of the post which is offered on YouTube. It is long - 2.5 hours. But I recommend you watch it in increments, if your time is limited. I intend to watch it again. Today.
After January 6th our nation did not observe measured prosecution, but deliberate and heavy-handed political persecution of the American citizen. The Biden administration allowed a Gulag mentality to prevail within the DOJ. As Americans, we should never again allow such a massive abuse of the justice system for political outcomes.
So below - that rare glimpse into my e mail.
Redacted name:
Read the article. The problem is not with the sheep. The problem is with the Shepherds.
First - let me tackle a comment he posted a day ago.
America has been called a Christian nation while enslaving human beings.
It has been called a Christian nation while forcibly removing Native Americans from their land.
It has been called a Christian nation while enforcing racial segregation.
"Enslaving human beings?" He is a product of his theological seminary and his education. Not exactly an independent thinker. Our history with slavery was abbreviated along the historical timeline. Does he understand slavery across Sudan (the gold mines), within the Gulf States, within Muslim majority regions? Does he read the Human Trafficking annual reports put out by our government? I find it repugnant that he gives my nation a black eye for something which was initially resolved over 150 years ago with the Emancipation Proclamation.
Does he understand that my own grandparents lived in a car until my father was five years old because they were poor Americans who barely survived? History is never about the vignette but it is about the bigger story of "We the People". He uses a telescope and not a kaleidoscope. Myopia and his own bias prevails.
"Forcibly removing Native Americans from their land?"
Vignette?
My great great grandfather, Solomon Pasco, was the last white man scalped in Oklahoma territory. He left behind a widow (and if I remember correctly) three small sons. I am Cherokee. Do I have a conflict with my history? Nope.
Do read, "Empire of the Summer Moon" the story of Quanah Parker.
Our pioneers want to live. Look through the kaleidoscope and not the telescope, move the fragments of color around a bit. Your essayist is looking at a static image and not observing the moving parts of history.
I take note he speaks of the Moral Majority and casts a critical gaze. I was part of that movement in college and worked at a phone bank to assist Reagan into office. Our focus really was the unborn... and a deep desire to know Jesus. Our seed in the ground brought us to where we are today with the help of President Trump making the life of the unborn a major issue in his first term.
Militant masculinity? Or "toxic" masculinity? There is no such thing. Masculinity stands alone without a modifier and God meant it to drive the protective mechanisms of the man to support and protect his wife and progeny. There are bullies. But masculinity is a natural biological function provided by God.
I find it interesting the pastor uses the word Christ quite a bit, but only uses the name Jesus in one early paragraph, and several times in the story of Jesus temptation. "Christ" speaks of a Risen Lord. "Jesus" speaks of his life and his message. This is what is lacking in the church - not an "anti-intellectualism". (I greatly admire Boenhoffer and his writings.) We are lacking the wisdom of Jesus. The name of Jesus is scarcely mentioned in many sermons. What are we to do with this man named Jesus?
Mexico, Guatemala and beyond experienced an explosion of Christianity when waves of missionaries in the 1950's and early 1960's heeded the call to service. They took the name of Jesus. He did the rest. My father always said that the Gospel is simple, and within that simplicity lies the message of the church. The church is deformed, not because of the Sheep, but because of the Shepherds. We crave... we want... to hear the name of Jesus spoken.
Final note, and he speaks against Jan. 6th. Did you know that I wanted to go with Ada? Lacked the money. And of all the armed men, not one shot was fired? Responsible gun ownership prevailed. The only shot fired was into the throat of an Air Force veteran and I watched as the blood flowed from her neck. This event, the entry into Congress was via agitation propagandists and was orchestrated. This was meant to assure that Mr. Trump would never run again. And in the aftermath, all charges were laddered up. Good men committed suicide. This was no revolution. It was a rowdy moment in our American experience - and we learned from it. Most entered the lower level of Congress and walked about and said, "Oh Wow!" Very few vandalized. Most left when asked to leave.
I highly recommend this link. Very informative. Gritty. I intend to listen to it again.
I hope James is not your cousin or favorite author. Even so, what I have provided is opinion and not truth. And I appreciate the cross-pollination of thought.
SPEAK JESUS!
Smiling,
Tammy
O.K. Done with my drive by shooting. I hope
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