In order to begin to grasp the levels of evil and the unending darkness of Trump 2.0, it's important to understand some of the background that explains his behavior.

The story I try to impress upon folks is that we are Beloved Partners who have agency, choice, gifts and callings that we must use to heal ourselves and the world. This partnership is our responsibility.

Court orders are being ignored, people are unlawfully detained, those who speak out are intimidated and threatened, universities lose grants, and millions of innocent people are treated as though they did not exist.

Anyone studying the psychology of the public knows full well that if you want that public to approve and accept something, like tax policy that helps the rich, make it sound like an irresistible brownie and ice cream. How about a tax break, ya’ll? 

As one of the most conservative administrations in recent times settles into the White House, concern grows on the left around what this means for reproductive rights. The overturning of Roe v Wade, back in June 2022, was a seismic decision by the Supreme Court and one that has made abortion one of the most important and divisive issues in the United States, but why?

I began to write this reflection on a historic Monday in January, when Donald Trump was sworn into office as our president on the same day our nation observed the annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In one of the most astonishing political transformations in the history of democracy, Hitler set about destroying a constitutional republic through constitutional means.

Nowadays, the most obvious current flashpoints are the Israeli/Palestinian and Russia/Ukrainian conflicts. Turf wars by either dreams of empire, or religiously inspired claims of a so-called “promised land,” are nothing new. Just peruse the history books or biblical scriptures.

For years, the celebration of Black History Month, especially among white conservatives, has always brought up their ire around "identity politics" and "special rights. 

Inclusivity has always been a core value in progressive Christianity.  We're reminded, for example, of Jesus' practice of open table commensality.  Radically inclusive, this was a core practice of Jesus' ministry.  At his table, everyone was welcome.  As Christians, therefore, we are encouraged to do the same.  It is in this way, as we lift up the common good, that the new covenant in Jesus is served.  

There is nothing we can do to stop the expansion of the universe or escape the fate of black holes. But there is much we can do to end the rampant evil that rears its ugly head at this moment in our history, and that includes fighting back against the illegal and the immoral.

Satire is one of the most potent forms of non-violent protest. Its unique strength lies in its ability to enable those with limited power to voice dissent and spotlight problematic issues in an engaging, humorous, and effective manner, all while remaining relatively non-threatening to those in power.

In the ongoing drumbeat of this "era of Trump," as Christians and as "we the people," we need to remind ourselves--again and again--how "we're all in this life together."  Always, there is more that unites us than divides us.  Trump has a lot invested in us not believing this.

The news is bad here in Washington, DC — from the traumatizing executive order two days ago to the plane crash and pretty much everything in between. Like me, you might be feeling the sadness and stress of the day. And so, I’m sharing about my walk along the Potomac and a poem from this morning. I hope you’ll take a few minutes and listen.

It seems beyond doubt that the tech billionaires are motivated by greed and that the rest of the MAGA club is motivated by racism. They swear at each other, insult each other, and vow to fight to the finish. But it’s all a distraction, whether they know it or not.

A spiritual warrior takes care of his or her body and soul in order to be strong.  And a spiritual warrior knows what he or she stands for, refines it, and finds allies for the resistance.

Human attitude toward land is two-sided. We always want more, that’s one side, but once we get it, we don’t take very good care of it. That’s the second. Beginning with the wanting more, the search for good land and what it can provide has always been a driving force in human history.

One lesson learned during the pandemic was that we are all “essential workers.” We function as an integrated web of builders, truck drivers, doctors, painters, teachers, and librarians. Some will have more wealth than others, but no one should live in the fear of poverty or with the stigma that you are not important and essential to the functioning of society.

We must not forget the fighting spirit of Governors Newsom, Pritzker, Hochul and many others. All of this, I say, is a sign for hope. Although we may often feel alone and discouraged with what appears on the horizon, a new era may now be opening.

Today—and it seems like for forever—the geopolitical dynamics in Palestine/Israel/Gaza are complicated, mired in conflict about land, identity, and belonging. The West didn’t help. Christianity has not helped.

So, who is mostly responsible for electing Trump? White, churchgoing Americans. In spite of the fact that Trump violates everything Jesus stood for, including love, mercy, kindness, honesty, marital fidelity, compassion, character, decency, justice, humility, care for the sick, welcome of the stranger, and the list goes on and on.

November began with the election of a leader blind with hatred and revenge who lacks concern for long-term consequences—and who expects his cabinet, Congress, and base of voters to blindly follow his demands. Therefore, Thanksgiving is a time for grief at what has already been lost and for even greater losses on the horizon; but grief must not over shadow the gratitude we should feel for the blessings from the vision and compassion of President Joe Biden.

Two locally raised St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church of Brookings OR leaders were honored on October 30th with humanitarian awards.

People keep telling me that I’m “just disappointed about the election.” I’m not just disappointed. I’m something else…something taught by Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King.

Borderlands is the story of the courageous people who risk everything for the safety and well-being of themselves and their families, and the people of El Paso who accompany them. While the media saturate the news with antagonism and images of violence, the volunteers at Annunciation House and other organizations provide hospitality and care for those who leave their homes behind at great personal cost. Rather than seeing the stranger as enemy, they meet their guests as relatable, complex human beings like themselves.

This issue driven nonpartisan VOTE PSA is produced by Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson & features Rev. Irene Monroe

In a settlement reached, the council approved $400k legal fees, rescinded what Federal Magistrate Mark Clarke called an “ill-conceived ordinance” to control and limit church feedings and dropped an abatement measure threatening to fine the congregation $720-a-day unless it stop undefined “social services.”

But rather than folding our arms in disgust and writing off those friends, family and neighbors who are checking out and sitting out this election, what if we turned from the harsh political rhetoric to Jesus’ teachings for clarity?

American Christians often wonder exactly how their faith and politics ought to intersect.  It’s an understandable confusion, especially for those who value freedom of belief and religious diversity.  I often hear that we should “keep politics out of the pulpit,” but doing so is a theological impossibility for those who take Jesus’ teachings seriously because Christianity is inherently political. 

Best Selling Theologian Matthew Fox Challenges Trump & MAGA with his new book: "Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election"