Weather: Overcast and dreary. We are definitely turning the corner into Fall weather patterns. It was rainy and windy several days during the past week, followed by sunny and warm temperatures other days.
Family news and musings on faith:
- Books. To be honest I have thrown in the towel on several books and practically on reading in general. Reading is difficult for me right now, I am so distressed about national politics I can't seem to settle in to read more than a few pages here or there, making poetry or essay books my go-to choices. I did finish a poetry book by Barbara Kingsolver and am finding solace in essays by Anne Lamott. I'm even having trouble making myself listen to the Trevor Noah audiobook. I decided to NOT even attempt a finish one or two other books, one novel dealing with the topic of child sexual abuse and the other a nonfiction title about extinction. Both of those topics were way too serious for me and my moods right now.
- Issues of faith. As most of you know, I am a devote Christian AND a Democrat. If you pay attention to the news you would think that those two conditions are impossibly opposed to each other. I am confident I am not alone. Many of my friends are in the same boat. When we hear about evangelicals voting for Trump, the most profane, self-centered man to ever hold the office of President, it sets our teeth on edge. In fact one of the things that irritates me above all else is when I either lumped together with those evangelical voters or treated like I am not a Christian because I won't follow their lead. This week I found several organizations who are appealing to people like me, calling people of faith to vote their conscience, not the party. Exploring these sites was soothing to my soul.
- Vote for Common Good. Vote Common Good is inspiring, energizing, and mobilizing people of faith to make the common good their voting criteria and to pursue faith, hope, & love for a change on election day 2020 and prevent the re-election of Donald Trump.
- The billboards (three samples on this blog post) contrast the words of Jesus with the words of Trump, encouraging people to vote their conscience, not the party this election cycle. (Fox17 for a three minute video about the project)
- An evangelical pastor encourages voters to vote for Biden NOT Trump. (Time)
- Jackie, a right-to-life supporter is now supporting Biden. She says, "I will not be bullied." (Stand Up Republic on YouTube)
- Not Our Faith PAC. (YouTube) The ad, Associated Press reports, says Trump “has used Christianity for his own purposes… [Christians] don’t need Trump to save them.” it says. “The truth is that Trump needs Christians to save his flailing campaign.”
- A record-breaking number of faith leaders support Biden: over 1600 of them. (The Hill)
- A message to us all from Pope Francis:
- Biden is a man of faith. (NPR)
"All of you remind me of how Scripture describes a calling born out of the wilderness," Biden told the virtual audience. "A calling to serve, not to be served. A calling toward justice, healing, hope — not hate. To speak the good news, and followed by some good deeds. It's not just enough to speak the good news, but good deeds."
This wasn't a one-off religious reference; this is how Biden routinely speaks.
- Halloween is around the corner. That means a three-year-old I know and love is half-crazed with excitement. // We got flu shots this week. That is taken care of now! Whew! // Seahawks football is up and running and the season is going well. Happiness and harmony reign in our home when football is going well.
Good News:
1. On your mark, get set, VOTE!
2. Link to all pro-Biden, anti-Trump videos. Have fun! (Save America 2020)
3. Competing town halls. 15.1 Million viewers watched Biden on ABC and only 13.5 million people watched Trump on NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC. My theory is that Biden supporters watched him and Trump supporters watched the President. If I am right, that is another good sign that Biden will win.
4. Rudy Giuliani's daughter encourages everyone to vote for Biden, obviously splitting from her famous father. (Vanity Fair)
"We are hanging by a single, slipping finger on a cliff’s edge, and the fall will be fatal. If we remove ourselves from the fight, our country will be in freefall. Alternatively, we can hang on, elect a compassionate and decent president, and claw our way back onto the ledge. If I, after decades of despair over politics, can engage in our democracy to meet this critical moment, I know you can too."
5. I just love this list. Everything on it matters to me. What matters to you?
6. "43 Alumni for Biden. Team 46" (YouTube) Alumni working with George W. Bush's administration backing Biden. A lot of them!
7. Must watch! Peter Souza'a "The Way I See It." Souza was the White House photographer under the Reagan and Obama administrations. He is speaking out with his art about how Trump is not the right man for the job, by comparison to the other two men. Find it. Watch it. Tell others to watch. Wow. (King5 News Promo)
8. Must read "End Our National Crisis (New York Times) Read the whole thing and all the links. (Figure out how to get past the paywall!) "Donald Trump’s re-election campaign poses the greatest threat to American democracy since World War II."
On the Lighter Side:
1. I guess Trump IS someone's crazy uncle. Ha!
2. Referring back to last week and all the fly jokes after the Vice-Presidential debate..
3. At a Trump rally on Friday the President threatened if he doesn't win, he'll leave the country. Talk about a bad loser. Speaking of losing...
Trailing in the polls and at a significant cash deficit compared to Mr. Biden, Mr. Trump attempted to argue that he was opting against raising more money as he enters the final stretch of the election.
“I could raise more money,” he said. “I would be the world’s greatest fund-raiser, but I just don’t want to do it.” What Trump is saying is the classic thing every bully says when he knows he’s beaten and but doesn’t want to admit it.
4. Maybe this is why he wants to leave...
5. I love this part in Willie Wonka... (snark)
6. I just talked to a friend on the phone. She had to stop cleaning out a closet to talk to me. Me? My house is getting junkier by the day.
7. Do you think this is supposed to be the child (wild, unkempt) or the parent (wild, frantic, unkempt)?
8.Sadly, this is probably true...
9. The Biden campaign sure seems to have a sense of humor. Got to love cat videos...
We’ve got to come together to defeat Donald Trump –– Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and yes, even Demo-cats. pic.twitter.com/LtsTWy7MmI
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 17, 2020
10. And be sure to choose your humans wisely... White House Dogs.
Please join in the discussion below in the comments section or on Facebook. I'd especially love to hear from you concerning your thoughts on faith related to this election. Thanks for reading my blog. Two more weeks and two days to go. VOTE EARLY!
-Anne
Thank you. Sadly, some of my Christian friends are supporting 45 still. Your posts help me remember that there are many Christians who seek equality with compassion and grace. Bless you for your unwavering belief that we can change the political landscape.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on the reading slump. Can’t wait until Jan 22, 2021 when I can read for pleasure and tweet cat videos again. I love you Anne. Keep up the good work.
Can't wait until this pandemic is over so we can get together again. I often feel so isolated even though I have a hubby, two daughters and grandsons. I think of people who don't have anyone.
DeleteI feel about the same about months before reading can calm down and I can concentrate again.
OMG, the Pete Souza documentary was wonderful, a tear or 2 were shed. I miss decency! It has been so hard to concentrate with all that is going on, so sick of all the lies.
ReplyDeleteI cried in a few places again. The sharp difference between Trump and Obama were easy to see.
DeleteI've had a hard time concentrating on books the last several weeks, too... only finishing one since late September. I feel somewhat better after voting this week, but am still distracted (perhaps consumed is a better word) by the news. Reading your Sunday Salon post always brings a smile to my face though - thank you.
ReplyDeleteI work on my Sunday Salon in my mind all week. Perhaps after the election I will fall into a slump because I won't know what to focus on. Pray that Biden wins.
DeleteHi there Ann, I can feel your sentiment in your post. Even though I'm not American and just stay very clear from your politics. Our circus is enough for one Christian to handle.
ReplyDeleteI do believe the Lord gave us the gift of discernment for a reason. Don't follow the masses because they say the "right" things or because you form part of the group. Follow your gut instinct, especially if it's supported by the Word of God.
Have a peaceful week and try to get something light and funny to read.
Elza Reads
Thank you for the encouragement.
DeleteI can't wait to see it! I loved his books of pictures he put a few years ago. Thanks for letting me know about this.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Trump is leading 10 points in my state. I didn't know Trump said he's leave the country if he loses. That's a positive sign since I'm still wondering if he'll even accept the results if he loses. So maybe...that's probably the most positive thing I've read that has come out of his mouth!
I hope you can find some peace over the next few weeks. Thanks as always for your insightful and inspiring posts. All my virtual hugs to you this week!
I hope you can find THE WAY I SEE IT easily. I have no idea if it is readily available.
DeleteSadly, signs for a certain candidate have been popping up in yards during the last few weeks in my town. I was particularly upset with a neighbor who had a "God, Guns, and T-" sign. Yesterday, when we walked, we noticed all the signs were...gone. Golly. I wonder what happened. I suspect a non-T person got fed up and did some petty thievery. But I'm choosing to think that my neighbors have had a change of heart.
ReplyDeleteI keep imagining that T will leave America when (I'm thinking "when," not "if") he loses. He needs to live in a place where his take on leadership meshes with the policies and practices of the country. Perhaps North Korea.
I understand exactly what you are saying about being a Christian and being a non-Republican. I tell my other Christian friends that I am a liberal and I think Jesus was a liberal. And I think that is true.
I don't get the love that people I know extend to DT. And that is what worries me most. Even if he doesn't get elected, even if he willingly leaves the White House, I feel sad to think such a nasty man has so much support, admiration even, in America.
Thank you for this post, Anne. Don't let all this get you down. I count on you to keep my hopes high for this election.
I'll pretend that all the Trump signs disappeared because finally his real character has broken through. Thanks for your encouraging words each week.
DeleteThese weeks are stressful now ... getting closer to the election. Who can breathe much less read. It's difficult. But I remain hopeful ... we can win. The last debate this week should be a doozy. Keep pushing!
ReplyDeleteDemocats-LOL. I'm still reading a lot but mainly am watching cooking shows. It's my latest escape. Great, thoughtful post. I am saddened and frustrated, not just by DT but mostly by those who ignore who and what he is, and condone the horrors that he says and does in a kind of blind idolatry. It's terrifying and disheartening.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking the same thing about all of his followers who seem so willfully blind.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! The election is taking up most of my attention. It's been an eye-opener for me as far as people go and I want this to be over.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, but I fear that the Q-Anon crowd are going to continue in their horrible ways into the future.
DeleteGreat post! I love them all, and enjoy chuckling at each tidbit. Having read Mary Trump's book, I had to laugh at that "crazy uncle" comment.
ReplyDeleteI hope he does leave the country when he loses, and doesn't stay behind to incite a Civil War, like he and his supporters have been talking about.
Love that 2020 American Girl Doll.
I have already mailed in my ballot, and because I have signed up for Ballot Tracking online, have received notification that it was received.
Let's all stay vigilant and hang in there!
I believe in the separation of church and state. I’m not religious for a number of reasons, but especially because of the cognitive dissonance all faiths deliberately foster, though some more than others, which is in full view with this election.
ReplyDeleteOur current Prime Minister belongs to a Evangelical Pentecostal Megachurch and his faith is becoming problematic for our country because their tenets about prosperity (they deserve it, are owed it, & aren’t interested in sharing it) are in direct conflict with compassionate social policy. I’m finding it so frustrating as more now than other tax benefits, and financial incentives are directed away from those that need it most.. the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. Trump of course has a history of doing the same, and honestly the fact that he gets away with outright cronyism and corruption emboldens other leaders to do the same.
It is in the best interest of the world, not just the USA for Trump to be defeated in November.
Sorry, I got ranty and forgot to wish you a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteLove this post and Homeschool Heather is the perfect American Girl doll for 2020. I get to hear Barbara Kingsolver speak (virtually of course) next week; I am really looking forward to it. 15 days.... Of course, then there's 2 months of him being vindictive.
ReplyDelete