Thank you, Erick, for sharing this insight. There is such a widespread lack of Humility evident today, as if folks can only see one another only through the lens of a sick, twisted media. Social media has driven it to new levels of crazy - creating addictions not only to content, but to the constant stimulation of device use itself. There are no idiot filters. There are zombies among us. They don't even know they're zombies. I loved your suggestion for people to "get out and touch some grass." (For me, it's vegetable gardening), And for goodness sake, talk to your neighbors, people. Have a Blessed Holy Week and Easter.
My little fig tree is not cursed this year. Last year the March freeze eliminated the early fruit. This year the little figs are growing right along with the new leaves.
Good to focus on our world view and Christ every day, and especially during Holy week. Most of us need frequent reminders to consider not only where others are in their faith walk, but where we are ourselves...being careful not to be identified with Romans 2:1 while acting on the direction of Mark 12:31. Navigating the distinction between righteous discernment and hypocritical judgment requires much wisdom for which prayerful petition is warranted! Sermon to self: God first, politics last. Amen.
Thank you for sharing this point of view. It is easy to get involved in the good versus evil debate which leads to thinking of the Dem agenda vs. Republican agenda. Thinking of the political divide is easy because it is front and center each day. The news has been leaning left for years and now it is so unbiased, it is better to avoid it. I will look forward to this week and follow your advice. My minister warns of getting too caught up in politics almost every Sunday. It is very tempting to get caught up due to the unfair treatment of the right versus the pass given to the left. My minister also said to focus on Christ's world view. I know you did not say that exactly, but I get his point. Thank you for your daily updates. It helps me navigate this volatile political environment.
Thank you, Erick, for putting God first in your commentary. My husband and I live in Georgia and have been praying the Prayer of Jabez (2 Chronicles 4:9) to expand our “territory” in ways HE sees fit. Every situation we’ve found ourselves in has been outside politics but require the Lord first. You have validated how we continue our days ahead.
“Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” John Calvin
"If you strip God of His attributes in your thinking, in your doctrine, in your theology, you are committing idolatry. Because the God you are worshiping is not God. If your God is not sovereign, your God isn’t God. If your God isn’t holy, your God isn’t God. You have an idol. Now, I’m speaking to Christians. Your natural disposition as a fallen human being is to be an idol factory. If we don’t do it in a crude way, we’ll do it in a refined way by stripping God of those things we don’t like about God and replacing the biblical God with a distortion." R. C. Sproul commenting on the quote from John Calvin
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf (this means that He became my idolatry), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21
"Little children, guard yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21
Interesting! Both the devotionals I read this morning talk about the same thing - 1) If you use preaching Christ as a "weapon" you are not preaching him at all. (Oswald Chambers)
2) “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
--Matthew 25:34-40
Christ didn't mention belonging or supporting the "right" political party.
I have to say sometimes reading your substack is difficult, I now I will agree, I know I will be angered, and I know I will have to actually put in the mental work and expend energy to think.
I enjoy reading your religious writing, I still have to think but I am left at ease and for it feel better.
Erick, I couldn’t agree with you more, and I’ve been doing politics since 1977. On the other side, however, there is a movement of non-believers using faith (why do we hate so much) to establish the powers of the earth, the kingdom of Satan on earth. In all this, we must stay true to the Gospel. Love our enemies, but do not fear to call them out. Ultimately, to help them confront the truth of Christ.
Ok, I had to look up a couple of words. The example for shibboleths is interesting. Apparently sovereign states are outmoded. Your assessment of of the Peace of Westphalia looks to be accurate.
plural noun: shibboleths
a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important.
"the majority, under the influence of vague nineteenth-century shibboleths, understood him to be associating himself with the doctrine that every nation has a right to be a sovereign state"
Timothy Keller's podcast today, "The Hour of Darkness," is relavant. Jesus is still being betrayed with a kiss, and unfortunately we've become so accustomed with it we hardly notice when it's ourselves... Thanks for this timely reminder, Erick.
Thank you Erick for the change. To few people take the time to even think about Easter even being here this week and are just going ahead and fighting this nation and how it is run.
You are so excellent at doing the right things during the year and focusing on our lives and how we need Jesus and His Father, also our Father, in our lives and taking the time to remember THEM.
Blessings to you this week, and really always, for all you do for us, your readers.
Thank you, Erick, for sharing this insight. There is such a widespread lack of Humility evident today, as if folks can only see one another only through the lens of a sick, twisted media. Social media has driven it to new levels of crazy - creating addictions not only to content, but to the constant stimulation of device use itself. There are no idiot filters. There are zombies among us. They don't even know they're zombies. I loved your suggestion for people to "get out and touch some grass." (For me, it's vegetable gardening), And for goodness sake, talk to your neighbors, people. Have a Blessed Holy Week and Easter.
My little fig tree is not cursed this year. Last year the March freeze eliminated the early fruit. This year the little figs are growing right along with the new leaves.
Good to focus on our world view and Christ every day, and especially during Holy week. Most of us need frequent reminders to consider not only where others are in their faith walk, but where we are ourselves...being careful not to be identified with Romans 2:1 while acting on the direction of Mark 12:31. Navigating the distinction between righteous discernment and hypocritical judgment requires much wisdom for which prayerful petition is warranted! Sermon to self: God first, politics last. Amen.
Thank you for sharing this point of view. It is easy to get involved in the good versus evil debate which leads to thinking of the Dem agenda vs. Republican agenda. Thinking of the political divide is easy because it is front and center each day. The news has been leaning left for years and now it is so unbiased, it is better to avoid it. I will look forward to this week and follow your advice. My minister warns of getting too caught up in politics almost every Sunday. It is very tempting to get caught up due to the unfair treatment of the right versus the pass given to the left. My minister also said to focus on Christ's world view. I know you did not say that exactly, but I get his point. Thank you for your daily updates. It helps me navigate this volatile political environment.
I love the story of the fig tree. Even God can have anger issues. But then we know that from the Old Testament.
Thank you, Erick, for putting God first in your commentary. My husband and I live in Georgia and have been praying the Prayer of Jabez (2 Chronicles 4:9) to expand our “territory” in ways HE sees fit. Every situation we’ve found ourselves in has been outside politics but require the Lord first. You have validated how we continue our days ahead.
I have a cousin with the last name of Ferguson but he lives in Michigan.
“Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” John Calvin
"If you strip God of His attributes in your thinking, in your doctrine, in your theology, you are committing idolatry. Because the God you are worshiping is not God. If your God is not sovereign, your God isn’t God. If your God isn’t holy, your God isn’t God. You have an idol. Now, I’m speaking to Christians. Your natural disposition as a fallen human being is to be an idol factory. If we don’t do it in a crude way, we’ll do it in a refined way by stripping God of those things we don’t like about God and replacing the biblical God with a distortion." R. C. Sproul commenting on the quote from John Calvin
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf (this means that He became my idolatry), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21
"Little children, guard yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21
"Christian" idolatry is nothing new.
Interesting! Both the devotionals I read this morning talk about the same thing - 1) If you use preaching Christ as a "weapon" you are not preaching him at all. (Oswald Chambers)
2) “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
--Matthew 25:34-40
Christ didn't mention belonging or supporting the "right" political party.
and this is why I read your column!!
I have to say sometimes reading your substack is difficult, I now I will agree, I know I will be angered, and I know I will have to actually put in the mental work and expend energy to think.
I enjoy reading your religious writing, I still have to think but I am left at ease and for it feel better.
Erick, I couldn’t agree with you more, and I’ve been doing politics since 1977. On the other side, however, there is a movement of non-believers using faith (why do we hate so much) to establish the powers of the earth, the kingdom of Satan on earth. In all this, we must stay true to the Gospel. Love our enemies, but do not fear to call them out. Ultimately, to help them confront the truth of Christ.
I always look forward to Holy Week reflections from you. Can’t wait for the Good Friday show
Ok, I had to look up a couple of words. The example for shibboleths is interesting. Apparently sovereign states are outmoded. Your assessment of of the Peace of Westphalia looks to be accurate.
plural noun: shibboleths
a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important.
"the majority, under the influence of vague nineteenth-century shibboleths, understood him to be associating himself with the doctrine that every nation has a right to be a sovereign state"
Amen and Right On!! 🙏🏾😇🙏🏾😎👍🏾
Timothy Keller's podcast today, "The Hour of Darkness," is relavant. Jesus is still being betrayed with a kiss, and unfortunately we've become so accustomed with it we hardly notice when it's ourselves... Thanks for this timely reminder, Erick.
Thank you Erick for the change. To few people take the time to even think about Easter even being here this week and are just going ahead and fighting this nation and how it is run.
You are so excellent at doing the right things during the year and focusing on our lives and how we need Jesus and His Father, also our Father, in our lives and taking the time to remember THEM.
Blessings to you this week, and really always, for all you do for us, your readers.