2/2 This works for a dictatorship, but what about a democratic republic in which another party will eventually be elected? My acquaintances are, of course, not obligated to answer the question, but it would be helpful to see them at least address the concern in their own writings.

1/2 I've thought about the satisfaction MAGA #evangelicals have seeing the president make executive orders, at times personally voiding established constitutional norms.

The weekly Torah portion is Parashat Vayeilech ("and he went"): #Deuteronomy chapter 31. "And their children, who did not know, will hear and learn to fear the Lord, your God..." Deuteronomy 31:13

"We're here, we're ready, we're willing... we're not hard to find." House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries #Democrats

"I love #chess because it’s infinite. There’s always something new to discover." U.S. Chess Champion GM Fabiano Caruana

"I will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways." Psalms 119:15 RSV #DailyOffice #eveningprayer

My evangelical friend, which country's leader made the following announcement, re: #immigration, to the United Nations General Assembly yesterday at its 80th anniversary? "I'm really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell." #evangelicals

Day at a time. We keep our wits about us, treat every person with the #dignity we want for ourselves, speak out for the #children who are hungry and need medical care, and let's see what happens in thirteen months.

With the special election of U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva last night, born in #Tucson, Arizona, the Republican House majority will shrink to 219-214.

Attitudes toward people in the world matter. Friends, enemies, far countries, neighbor countries, different, same, correct, incorrect, perhaps stop with the hostility toward others, and learn #decorum.

"...so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5: 45 RSV

JUST IN: Adelita Grijalva will win US House special election in Arizona, CNN projects, delivering decisive vote for Epstein files push. https://cnn.it/4gFQSMT

2/2 Hating enemies under the banner of Jesus is impossible. You may have a revival of sorts, but to say it is the Lord's work must give pause. #evangelicals

1/2 In the last week, there has been another surge of rhetoric weaving MAGA autocracy seamlessly into the fabric of American evangelicalism. It is deeply unsettling, certainly not a movement I can embrace. #evangelicals

We're speaking about imminent authoritarian fascism, an autocratic regime, to MAGA #evangelicals, as if that must concern them, and there is no reply. But that's the point. It has always been what they quietly want.

"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all them who have pleasure in them." Psalms 111:2 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

To our friends celebrating Rosh Hashanah, in Israel and around the world, Shanah Tovah U'Metukah! A good and a sweet year! #RoshHashanah 🍎

* The Confessions, St. Augustine [continuing]. * The French in North America 1500-1783. * Inspired Enterprise: How NASA, the Smithsonian, and the Aerospace Community Helped Launch Star Trek. * The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper. Autumn #reading

1/2 Welcome to fall, beginning today, 22 September! What will be your seasonal #reading? Here's my Autumn list:

"...continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed... from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you..." II Timothy 3:14-15 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer #Scriptures

"Then [those who wandered] cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress." Psalms 107:6 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

"O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is #mercy..." Psalms 130:7 Coverdale #DailyOffice #morningprayer

"Is that why they want us... to build a colony of slaves?" Captain Christopher Pike, USS Enterprise. Star Trek: The Original Series, pilot episode, The Cage. February 1965 #StarTrek

On 17 September 1787 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. #Constitution document, sending to the States for ratification. #ConstitutionDay

"Turn to me and take pity on me; give thy strength to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid." Psalms 86:16 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

We really must have a national conversation about what it means to win hearts and minds through influence, benevolence, and good will rather than by force.

But don't expect answers to questions. They are going to do their thing, because to them the end always justifies the means. No boundaries.

2/2 If the next president disregards traditional restraints, rules with carte blanche pleasure, implements autocratic measures, occupies American cities with hostile forces, will you still approve? #evangelical MAGA #Republican acquaintances

1/2 To my #evangelical MAGA acquaintances, eventually Democrats will take back the Congress and the White House, unless you plan to help overthrow the Constitution. #Republican

"...populations are crushed by the weight of violence, hunger, & war, and they cry out for peace. Their immense cry challenges us to pray, take action to end all violence, & bring peace to those who suffer. It pleads with God, whose heart trembles with compassion, to bring His Kingdom." Pope Leo XIV

"Then Yeshua put His hands on the man’s eyes again. The man looked intently, his sight was restored, and he began to see everything clearly." Mark 8:25 TLV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name's sake." Psalms 79:9 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

"Will the Lord spurn for ever, and never again be favorable?" Psalms 77:7 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

Since we are visiting Fort Wayne, Indiana family in three weeks, I'm taking up The French in North America 1500-1783, by W. J. Eccles [Michigan State University Press, 1998]. #France

The next book in the Plantagenets trilogy is Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King. I'll take about a six-week break and then resume. #England

Our country is incapable of owning #firearms safely. Since the #evangelical MAGA Congress will not pass common sense restrictions, the only reasonable option is for the states to #repeal the 2nd Amendment.

"Blessed will be your basket and your #kneading bowl." #Deuteronomy 28:5 Rosenberg, Parashat Ki Tavo, the weekly Torah portion. #bread

The weekly Torah portion is Parashat Ki Tavo ("when you go out"): #Deuteronomy chapter 26 through 29:8. "So we cried out to the Lord, God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our #oppression." Deuteronomy 26:7 Rosenberg

Some, including Vice President JD Vance and other MAGA-aligned Catholics, have suggested that prayer — and only prayer — is a sufficient Catholic response to gun violence. That posture betrays both our tradition and our responsibility as citizens. https://bit.ly/48czGwb

"On God rests my deliverance and my honor..." Psalms 62:7 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

It's our moral and patriotic duty to take meaningful action to stop gun violence. Thoughts AND prayers AND policy AND change. Nothing less will do.

Very important message and much appreciated :

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in thee my soul takes refuge..." Psalms 57:1 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer

American history suggests that unjustified killing casts a very long shadow indeed. And then there are the children who are killed in schools every year. I trust that we may not become nonchalant. Lord, have mercy.

It is not a free country when you cannot stand up for a political opinion without risking your life, nor is it free when the weapons to kill are so easily acquired. I may largely disagree with Mr. Kirk, but what we shared in common was our humanity, a family, knowing others. Lord, grant peace.

We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.

2/2 Noticing that my MAGA acquaintances were silent then, but today they acknowledge violence. May God have mercy.

1/2 In June, Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman, Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), was killed along with her husband by a political assassin. She was a mother, Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader, friend to many. ...

"[God] calls to the heavens above and to the earth..." Psalms 50:4 RSV #DailyOffice #morningprayer