Mike’s Rumblings 07-26-24

Faith Conversations

This is an audio version of Mike Murphy‘s Friday rumblings. This is a regular post on Facebook that I’ve turned into a podcast. I decided Mike’s words needed a wider audience. You may agree or disagree with what he says, but there is certainly much food for thought contained here. You can friend Mike on Facebook for the printed version or read it below

Rumblings. 7.26.24

1. President Joe Biden did America right by pulling out of the presidential race. It was a courageous move by a good man, a man of character and a true patriot. He has served America and the world well.

Now, the Democrats will have to figure out how to come together quickly without short circuiting the give and take that ‘democracy’ demands. That’s beginning to get sorted out. There will be a bit of scuffling but I don’t think it will be a polarizing fist fight. They know that too much is at stake.

When push comes to shove, Kamala Harris will be the Democratic nominee. Who will be the VP? She’s got a lot of choices. It’s a deep and talented bench. When she chooses one they’ll have to move fast, capitalizing on a reinvigorated base and some very good momentum.

It helps that they won’t be defending Project 25 (the playbook of MAGA). Instead, they’ll be warning voters about it. As well they should. It’s toxic stuff.

2. “Christian nationalism is impoverished as it seeks a kingdom without a cross. It pursues a victory without mercy. It acclaims God’s love of power rather than the power of God’s love.

We must remember that Jesus refused those who wanted to ‘make him king’ by force just as much as he refused to become king by calling upon ‘twelve legions of angels’. Jesus needs no army, arms or armored cavalry to bring about the kingdom of God.

As such, we should resist Christian nationalism as giving a Christian facade to nakedly political, ethnocentric and

impious ventures.” ~ N.T. Wright, Anglican Theologian

Trust me. N.T. Wright deserves to be taken seriously.

3. America Is A Gun

“England is a cup of tea.

France, a wheel of ripened brie.

Greece, a short, squat olive tree

America is a gun.

Brazil is football on the sand.

Argentina, Maradona’s hand.

Germany, an oompah band.

America is a gun.

Holland is a wooden shoe.

Hungary, a goulash stew.

Australia, a kangaroo.

America is a gun.

Japan is a thermal spring.

Scotland is a highland fling.

Oh better to be anything than

America is a gun.” ~ Brian Biltson, British Poet

It’s not always easy seeing what others see. Biltson very cleverly reminds us that we have a problem we are unwilling to address. Until we do, people will continue to die unnecessarily and civilized people all over the globe will shake their heads in bewilderment.

4. “In our time, when not only the language but the reference points of the Christian faith have been appropriated by and have come to connote right-wing visions of the world, it is important for us to remember that there has never been a conservative prophet.

Prophets have never been called to conserve social orders that have stratified inequities of power and privilege and wealth: prophets have always been called to change them so all can have access to the fullest fruits of life.” ~ Obey Hendricks, Jr., PhD, Columbia University

Can I get an Amen?

5. “To the limit of my own faith vision, I have sought to describe God‘s good news that Jesus proclaimed. It is, however, important for me to say that reimagining the life God gives does not mean that I have attained it. I constantly seek to catch up to the words I write. There’s always a painful gap between the radiant …life that I see in Jesus and my own life … But I am slowly learning not to despair … God always meets us where we are…” ~ Trevor Hudson, Seeking God

This is also my confession. I know that painful gap. I, too, struggle to catch up to the words I write. And then God shows up and loves me anyway.

6. “The 3rd commandment, Do not take the Lord’s name in vain, isn’t about using curse words . It is about (among other things) appropriating God’s sacred Presence for one’s own gain and schemes. This would be the case, for example, if a political party were to claim God is with them and/or their leader and with no one else. Hypothetically speaking.” ~ Pete Enns

7. The first time I went to the Mall of America in MN I was overwhelmed by its size and I was grateful that at every intersection there was a map and on the map …was a pointer saying – “You are here’. That was a game changer.

I know how to get lost. Knowing where I was helped me to get my bearings so I could get to where I needed to be.

Where are you?

How do you get from there to where you need to be?

That’s the sacred journey.

8. “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” – Charles Spurgeon

What a fascinating insight.

9. “Quit your worship charades.
I can’t stand your trivial religious games:

Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!

You’ve worn me out!
I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,

I’ll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I’ll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.

Go home and wash up.

Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.” ~ Isaiah 1:13-17 The Message

Whew, this is what a prophetic voice sounds like. Thus saith the Lord. This hits home, calling us to account. Let those who have ears, hear.

10. Almost all developed nations have universal health care for all their citizens.

The USA, the richest nation, is the notable outlier. The desire to figure this out isn’t in our DNA I guess. Without that desire nothing can happen and special interest groups work hard to squelch that desire. Why? It’s profit over people for them

When I talk with folks about our biggest national problems, the cost of health care is always near, if not at the very top of their list.

When I chat with Canadian friends and others who have universal health care, they’ll admit that it’s not perfect (what is) but they’ll admit to feeling quite OK, knowing there’s a medical safety net that works and gives them a sense of security.

I am grateful for Social Security and worry when politicians wonder aloud if it’s worth the expense. They should be thinking of expanding it to everyone.

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