“Politics makes strange bedfellows” (Puck Magazine, 1899), Artwork by Louis Dalrymple, Library of Congress (Digital ID ppmsca.28593) (PD-old-70-expired)
The following excerpt is from an editorial in Christianity Today, which has caused a great deal of controversy [1]. The editorial addresses the character of Pres. Donald Trump, the actions from which his impeachment arises, and the impact on Christian witness.
“…the facts…are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president’s political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral…
Trump’s evangelical supporters have pointed to his Supreme Court nominees, his defense of religious liberty, and his stewardship of the economy, among other things, as achievements that justify their support of the president. We believe the impeachment hearings have made it absolutely clear, in a way the Mueller investigation did not, that President Trump has abused his authority for personal gain and betrayed his constitutional oath…
To the many evangelicals who continue to support Mr. Trump in spite of his blackened moral record, we might say this: Remember who you are and whom you serve. Consider how your justification of Mr. Trump influences your witness to your Lord and Savior…”
The hope among Evangelicals has been that an alliance with Pres. Trump – and silence with regard to his defects of character – would provide this country with a sufficiently conservative judiciary to restore the rights of the unborn [2].
Unfortunately, that hope is misguided. Read more…
Antisemitic graffiti in Lithuania, Author Beny Shlevich, Source flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
- A Europe-wide CNN poll in November 2018 found a rise in antisemitism and a decline in Holocaust memory [1].
- Antisemitic incidents in Germany rose by almost 10% in 2018, to a 10 year high [2][3].
- In December 2018, a Greek Holocaust Memorial was desecrated for the fourth time [4].
- In January 2019 a synagogue was vandalized in the Bulgarian capitol Sofia [5].
- In June 2019 planned construction on the site of mass graves dating to the Holocaust came to light in the Ukraine [6].
- By July 2019 antisemitism in the United Kingdom had spiked [7]. A video showing West Ham soccer fans singing an anti-Semitic fight song about rival club Tottenham Hotspur (which has a largely Jewish fan base) was posted to Twitter.
There is a monster growing in Europe. Antisemitism has increased substantially since the 2015 immigration crisis [8]. France reported a 74% increase in violence against Jews.
“An alarming pattern of anti-Semitism is spreading across Europe, from France to Germany to Sweden and elsewhere on the continent… Antisemitism is not, and cannot, remain just a Jewish problem. This is an issue that affects all Europeans, and Western society as a whole.”
–Ronald Lauder, Pres. of World Jewish Congress
—
[1] CNN, “A Shadow over Europe” by Richard Allen Greene, 11/27/18, https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/11/europe/antisemitism-poll-2018-intl/.
[2] France 24, “Anti-Semitic attacks rose sharply in Germany in 2018, report says”, 2/13,19, https://www.france24.com/en/20190213-anti-semitism-hate-crime-jews-germany-afd.
[3] New York Times, “The New German Anti-Semitism” James Angelos, 5/21/19, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/21/magazine/anti-semitism-germany.html.
[4] Times of Israel, “Greek Holocaust memorial vandalized for 4th time this year”, 12/17/18, https://www.timesofisrael.com/greek-holocaust-memorial-vandalized-for-4th-time-this-year/.
[5] The Jerusalem Post, “Synagogue in Bulgarian Capitol of Sofia Vandalized by Stone-Throwing Incident” by Zachary Keyser, 1/22/19, https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Synagogue-in-Bulgarian-capital-of-Sofia-vandalized-by-stone-throwing-incident-578217.
[6] Israel National News (Arutz Sheva 7), “Ukraine plans construction atop Holocaust-era mass graves” by Cnaan Lipshiz, 6/18/19, http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/264735.
[7] CNN, “New report shows spike in British anti-Semitism” by Ivana Kottasova, 8/1/19, https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/31/europe/antisemitism-incidents-rising-gbr-intl/index.html.
[8] The Guardian, “Antisemitism rising sharply across Europe, figures show” by Jon Henley, 2/15/19, https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/15/antisemitism-rising-sharply-across-europe-latest-figures-show.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
“The Nativity” by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (Date Unknown), Author Bonhams, 3/19/08, Lot 420, Chester (PD-Art, PD-Old)
“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2: 6-7).
As this festive season reaches its climax, let us not forget that many still have no roof over their heads. The King of kings chose to be born in a stable to remind us of that.
Let us honor Him, by reaching out to those less fortunate. That is the gift He desires.
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com
A sterling silver Hanukkah menorah with 9 olive-oil based lights, Author Daniel Dimitrov (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
Hanukkah or the Jewish “Festival of Lights” celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple, at the time of the Maccabean revolt.
After Antiochus IV issued his infamous order forbidding Jewish religious practice, a priest by the name of Mattathias the Hasmonean prompted a revolt against the Seleucid Empire and the Hellenistic (Greek) influence on Jewish life. This revolt lasted from 167-160 BC.
Following the Jewish victory, the Temple in Jerusalem was found ravaged:
“There they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins. Then they tore their clothes and mourned with great lamentation…” (1 Macc. 4: 38-39).
Only a single jug of consecrated oil remained with which to purify the Temple. Just sufficient to light the menorah for a day, the oil lasted miraculously for eight days by which time additional oil had been prepared. Read more…
A Polish Jew who fled to Wales during WWII to escape persecution has much insight to offer on the plight of today’s American miners.
Ordinary Men
Josef Herman, a realist painter who lost his family to the Holocaust, embraced the coal mining community of Ystradgynlais (where he lived from 1944-1955) [1][2][3][4]. Herman’s works celebrate the miners – ordinary men who daily risked their lives to earn a meager living, in the process building a tight-knit community and a culture that is now lost.
A Connection to the Earth
Herman actually accompanied the miners down into the pit. He spent hours in that dark, dirty, dank, and dangerous setting, sketching them by the light of a miner’s lamp. Herman recorded the miners’ camaraderie and courage, their connection to the earth imbuing them with a kind of nobility. His images are powerful and moving.
Dignity in Labor
What Herman observed and what he tells us is that there is dignity in labor, heroism in everyday life. He tells us that we are stronger working together than standing alone.
Dismantling Communities
What he asks us to consider is whether we have the right to dismantle vibrant communities and destroy an entire industry, even for the sake of what we may think is a greater good. Read more…
Advent wreath with one rose candle and three purple candles, all lit, Author Jonathunder (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7: 14).
Advent is a season of spiritual preparation in the Christian calendar. It recalls the period of anticipation as the world awaited the coming of the Messiah.
The use of a wreath and candles during Advent is a longstanding tradition, dating as far back as the Middle Ages. The circular shape of the wreath symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life believers have in Christ.
The individual evergreens comprising the wreath, also, have symbolic meaning. Pine, holly, and yew are symbols of immortality. Cedar is a symbol of strength and healing. Laurel is a symbol of victory over trials and persecution. The pine cones decorating the wreath symbolize life and resurrection.
The candles have special significance. Four candles are lit in turn during the four weeks of Advent. Three of these candles are purple because that liturgical color signals a time of prayer, repentance, and sacrifice.
- The first Advent candle represents hope. This is, also, called the Prophecy Candle – referring to the prophets, particularly Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ.
- The second candle represents faith. It is called the Bethlehem Candle, as a reminder of the journey to Bethlehem.
- The third candle (which is pink or rose) represents joy. This is called the Shepherd’s Candle.
- The fourth candle represents peace. It is called the Angel’s Candle, reminding us of the angelic message, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2: 14).
In recent times, use of a fifth, white, candle in the center of the Advent wreath has become popular. This represents purity. Called the Christ Candle, it is lit on Christmas Eve.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com
Homeless man with sign, Author Enver Rahmanov (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported).
IRS statistics indicate that the gap between rich and poor in the United States is the largest in nearly a century. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that gap is widening. The average income of the wealthiest 5% is thirteen times more than that of the poorest 20%.
A few of the websites with figures relating to poverty can be found, below. But an onslaught of numbers is mind numbing to most of us. A snapshot may convey more.
Demographics
Picture yourself a single or divorced mother. You are more likely to be white than black. You and your children live in rural poverty, on an army base, or in what is now politely known as the “inner city” (apparently a more acceptable term than the older “ghetto”).
Employment
You work outside the home, in a full or part-time job (sometimes two). Since you have no more than a high school diploma, you are limited to minimum wage, blue and pink collar jobs. Never mind that you grew up in poverty, yourself. Never mind that you somehow survived a drug addicted mother and absent father, without succumbing to drugs or alcohol, yourself.
Childcare
Childcare is an ongoing challenge, sometimes costing you jobs. When a child is sick, you miss work. Child support is little more than a fantasy. Even if involved in their lives, the children’s father may be out of work, himself.
Health Issues
Poverty and all it entails is a recognized cause of chronic health problems. You may already be suffering from depression or heart disease. Your children still have their dreams. They, also, have asthma. Read more…
In Uncommon Poems for the Common People Charly Priest has penned a book of poetry for the rest of us.
Charly Priest, for those who do not know him, is a funny and irreverent blogger with a zest for life. A Spanish veteran, a man of faith and courage, and a devoted son, Charly writes free verse on topics ranging from war to romance.
Like Mark Twain before him, Charly calls things as he sees them, deftly using irony to highlight the ridiculous. This approach and occasional coarse language may offend some readers. But Charly Priest’s purpose is not to offend. It is to open minds to new ideas and different viewpoints.
While Charly enjoys playing with words and ideas, his most outstanding quality may be his honesty. Charly fearlessly confronts difficult subjects, employing dark humor to deflate enlarged egos, pillory hypocrites, and undermine political correctness. Read more…
Small waterfall at Furnas Dam, Brazil, Author Marilia0102 (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22: 17).
“Jesus says, ‘Take freely.’ He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if you be but willing, you are invited; therefore come! You have no belief and no repentance — come to Him, and He will give them to you.
Oh, how many there are who are rich in their own good works, and cannot therefore come to Christ! ‘I will not be saved,’ they say,’in the same way as the harlot or the swearer. What? Go to heaven in the same way as the chimney sweep. Is there no pathway to glory but the path which led the thief there? I will not be saved that way.’ Such proud boasters must remain without the living water; but ‘whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’ ”
–Charles Spurgeon
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com
The Peace Cross, Bladensburg, MD, Author Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
The Peace Cross (a 40 foot cross of concrete and granite displaying the words courage, valor, endurance, and devotion) is a memorial in Bladensburg, MD honoring those from Prince George’s County who died in WWI. A cross-shape was chosen to echo the grave markers of servicemen buried overseas. The names of 49 local men are inscribed.
Although the cross was originally built on private property using private funds, the land and monument were acquired by the State of Maryland in 1961 by reason of traffic concerns.
In 2017, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that public maintenance of the cross was contrary to the separation of church and state [1]. Read more…
A Lawyer's Prayers 