Now, that the shock and initial grief reactions are over...
Now, that the disappointment in people is passing...
Now, that the disillusionment with government is setting in even more strongly...
Now, that the issues manipulated to create fear in people are silent again...
Now, that the threats to undo any good done in the last six years are growing...
Now, that legislation to benefit the few, wealthy on the backs of the rest of us have resumed...
Now, that there is little chance of compassionate care for our most vulnerable...
Now, that there is little hope of living wages, healthcare, safe environment, justice...
Now, that the country will more quickly be on the return track to THEIR "gilded age"...
Now, that it's too late to talk about voting, as we MISSED that opportunity for change at the polls...
NOW is the time to write, speak, protest, demonstrate and ACT...
NOW... it will be harder, now that we did not vote or vote for the sake of the people...
NOW... it will be uglier, because we chose not to do it the civil way at the polls...
NOW... it will bring more strife, more pain, more loss before justice comes...
NOW... it will be met with violent resistance...
but NOW, it must be done.
There are TOO MANY PEOPLE whose lives are at stake NOW, for us to continue, out of complacency, apathy or contempt, to remain silent in the face of injustice, inequity, inequality, corruptions of greed, abuses of power and the hatred out of fear that brings them.
NOW we must act. NOW. For their sake...
Agape Love demands it. Jesus commanded it. NOW.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
What can I do?
So, now that the voting is done...
Now that the stage is set...
Now that the powers and principalities are aligned...
What can I do?
I hope YOU are asking that question.
Pray for Peace, Justice, Equality, Equity and Agape Love and Grace to be lived.
Act on behalf of all those who are most vulnerable and hurting.
Do your best to make it, not only for yourself, but for others around you.
Do your best to help them make it.
Be Gracious and Kind in the face of mean-spirited and ruthless people and policies.
Be Generous with your Love, Kindness and out of your abundance for those most in need.
Work, speak, write, demonstrate for justice, peace, equality and equity.
Expose the works of darkness (greed and lust for power), speak truth to them and demonstrate something else in how you live.
Be angry, but don't let the sun go down on your anger and don't let your anger cause you to sin.
Instead, channel it, focus it and use it to bring about the change you see as necessary. But never, out of anger, become what you do not value.
If we want the world around us to be different, then we must put different things out in the world around us than the things that are now there.
In this environment, engaging in social deviance is an act of Agape Love.
Pastor Jamie
Now that the stage is set...
Now that the powers and principalities are aligned...
What can I do?
I hope YOU are asking that question.
Pray for Peace, Justice, Equality, Equity and Agape Love and Grace to be lived.
Act on behalf of all those who are most vulnerable and hurting.
Do your best to make it, not only for yourself, but for others around you.
Do your best to help them make it.
Be Gracious and Kind in the face of mean-spirited and ruthless people and policies.
Be Generous with your Love, Kindness and out of your abundance for those most in need.
Work, speak, write, demonstrate for justice, peace, equality and equity.
Expose the works of darkness (greed and lust for power), speak truth to them and demonstrate something else in how you live.
Be angry, but don't let the sun go down on your anger and don't let your anger cause you to sin.
Instead, channel it, focus it and use it to bring about the change you see as necessary. But never, out of anger, become what you do not value.
If we want the world around us to be different, then we must put different things out in the world around us than the things that are now there.
In this environment, engaging in social deviance is an act of Agape Love.
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Now what? Post 2014 Election
This is not a prediction. It is more of a prognostication. We have already SEEN these efforts being implemented, their agenda revealed and the foundation laid - clearly...
THE GOOD NEWS IS...
Now, after the people were either duped out of ignorance or caught in complacent slumber, with little to stand in their way, we can expect...
That our black President will be sued and/or impeached, because they hate him so much. He will remain politically impotent for the next two years.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA-ObamaCare) will be repealed (they have already attempted this 51 times, and now have power in both houses)... Healthcare will be privatized again and available only for those who can afford it... some will pay, others will live with their infirmities or die... Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security will all be done in, replaced by for-profit schemes.
Jobs will be shipped overseas, so that our companies can exploit other people and resources. Mass lay-offs will ensue to enhance the profit margins for a few at the top, those who are left working will have to work harder for the same or less pay with no benefits, and will be told to consider themselves lucky to have a job at all. More jobs WILL be created - part time, for minimum wage, with no benefits. Eventually they will kill the minimum wage, as we have heard it discussed. After jobs are eliminated, unemployment will also be cut in both amounts paid out and length of time they are paid, as we have already seen. Public assistance will continue to be cut, fully gutted for the most vulnerable, but Tax breaks for the wealthy individuals and corporations will be expanded. Organized labor will be killed in order to eliminate any possible resistance to unlimited profit for those at the top alone.
Government will be all but eliminated, with only a very few in place to assure that Koch brother-like folks and corporations will run the company unimpeded by the voice of the people. No longer of the people, by the people and for the people, it will be (as it is already being re-defined in the Supreme Court) of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations (those few who own them).
Businesses and Banks will be De-Regulated. Monopolies will ensure that unlimited profit is made for the few, mega-companies left. Pollution, destruction and waste of our natural resources, land, water and air will be stepped up for profit, and our national parks will be laid wide open, along with our shores for drilling, fracking, pipelining, etc. (rape). Alternative fuel source efforts will be halted. We will invade other countries to support our military industrial complex and for cheap oil and minerals, even fresh water. Profit for the Few will rule.
Our black, brown, immigrant, LGBT, female, liberal, intellectual and non-Christian citizens will be disenfranchised fully, their civil rights eliminated, and a police state will keep order for the wealthy class as extreme censorship is practiced by the one media conglomeration. Voters will be suppressed from these populations, while being told that they have the right to vote, but being rendered unable to cast their votes due to poll taxes, intelligence tests, equipment malfunctions, lost ballots, etc., as we have already witnessed.
Education will be privatized, efforts toward which we have already seen, so those who can afford to send their children will have wonderful charter-like schools, but those who cannot afford it will not be able to attend, so the working age will be lowered and children shipped off to the farms and factories in order to help feed their families.
Prisons will also be privatized, the beginning of which we have already witnessed, so that prisoners who have been locked up with ever increasing sentences over less and less severe crimes will be enslaved for cheap labor in the same farms and factories so that the prison owners and share holders can make more profit.
We will return to the "Gilded Age", which will be great for the few Oligarchs and Plutocrats, but horrible for the rest of us.
As Slave Traders and Nazi's in the past suppressed voters, vilified the educated, de-humanized minorities, scapegoated opposition, used fear to justify a police state, rationalized military conquest for economic gain, used media control (propaganda) through deceit and misinformation to dupe the masses (even in the church) and eliminated organized labor (May, 1933), we have seen these same efforts recently and will see more of them very soon...
This may seem extreme and alarmist to you, but efforts have already been made in these directions.
Most of these have come from people who claim to be "Christian", but there is no Christ in this - in fact, it is ANTI-CHRIST. They claim to be Americans who love democracy, but in truth they are most un-American and HATE democracy, but love the laissez-faire capitalism that will establish their oligarchic plutocracy, and will defend it at all cost for their own gain (and at our expense).
While some were being duped into voting for them out of ignorance, and others slumbered in their apathy and complacency, these efforts have been systematically engaged in the public sphere... and THAT seems extreme and alarming to me.
THE GOOD NEWS? In spite of this DESOLATING SACRILEGE, Jesus' Teachings and Examples of God's Kingdom Values are (for now) still available in the Gospels, if should ever decide to live them in this part of God's Kingdom, and the people of God stop being complicit in these efforts, stop reflecting the greed and lust for power in the world, and address it with the Good News of Jesus by speaking the truth in Agape Love for those whom Jesus loves and called "the least of these, my brothers and sisters."
THE GOOD NEWS IS...
Now, after the people were either duped out of ignorance or caught in complacent slumber, with little to stand in their way, we can expect...
That our black President will be sued and/or impeached, because they hate him so much. He will remain politically impotent for the next two years.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA-ObamaCare) will be repealed (they have already attempted this 51 times, and now have power in both houses)... Healthcare will be privatized again and available only for those who can afford it... some will pay, others will live with their infirmities or die... Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security will all be done in, replaced by for-profit schemes.
Jobs will be shipped overseas, so that our companies can exploit other people and resources. Mass lay-offs will ensue to enhance the profit margins for a few at the top, those who are left working will have to work harder for the same or less pay with no benefits, and will be told to consider themselves lucky to have a job at all. More jobs WILL be created - part time, for minimum wage, with no benefits. Eventually they will kill the minimum wage, as we have heard it discussed. After jobs are eliminated, unemployment will also be cut in both amounts paid out and length of time they are paid, as we have already seen. Public assistance will continue to be cut, fully gutted for the most vulnerable, but Tax breaks for the wealthy individuals and corporations will be expanded. Organized labor will be killed in order to eliminate any possible resistance to unlimited profit for those at the top alone.
Government will be all but eliminated, with only a very few in place to assure that Koch brother-like folks and corporations will run the company unimpeded by the voice of the people. No longer of the people, by the people and for the people, it will be (as it is already being re-defined in the Supreme Court) of the corporations, by the corporations and for the corporations (those few who own them).
Businesses and Banks will be De-Regulated. Monopolies will ensure that unlimited profit is made for the few, mega-companies left. Pollution, destruction and waste of our natural resources, land, water and air will be stepped up for profit, and our national parks will be laid wide open, along with our shores for drilling, fracking, pipelining, etc. (rape). Alternative fuel source efforts will be halted. We will invade other countries to support our military industrial complex and for cheap oil and minerals, even fresh water. Profit for the Few will rule.
Our black, brown, immigrant, LGBT, female, liberal, intellectual and non-Christian citizens will be disenfranchised fully, their civil rights eliminated, and a police state will keep order for the wealthy class as extreme censorship is practiced by the one media conglomeration. Voters will be suppressed from these populations, while being told that they have the right to vote, but being rendered unable to cast their votes due to poll taxes, intelligence tests, equipment malfunctions, lost ballots, etc., as we have already witnessed.
Education will be privatized, efforts toward which we have already seen, so those who can afford to send their children will have wonderful charter-like schools, but those who cannot afford it will not be able to attend, so the working age will be lowered and children shipped off to the farms and factories in order to help feed their families.
Prisons will also be privatized, the beginning of which we have already witnessed, so that prisoners who have been locked up with ever increasing sentences over less and less severe crimes will be enslaved for cheap labor in the same farms and factories so that the prison owners and share holders can make more profit.
We will return to the "Gilded Age", which will be great for the few Oligarchs and Plutocrats, but horrible for the rest of us.
As Slave Traders and Nazi's in the past suppressed voters, vilified the educated, de-humanized minorities, scapegoated opposition, used fear to justify a police state, rationalized military conquest for economic gain, used media control (propaganda) through deceit and misinformation to dupe the masses (even in the church) and eliminated organized labor (May, 1933), we have seen these same efforts recently and will see more of them very soon...
This may seem extreme and alarmist to you, but efforts have already been made in these directions.
Most of these have come from people who claim to be "Christian", but there is no Christ in this - in fact, it is ANTI-CHRIST. They claim to be Americans who love democracy, but in truth they are most un-American and HATE democracy, but love the laissez-faire capitalism that will establish their oligarchic plutocracy, and will defend it at all cost for their own gain (and at our expense).
While some were being duped into voting for them out of ignorance, and others slumbered in their apathy and complacency, these efforts have been systematically engaged in the public sphere... and THAT seems extreme and alarming to me.
THE GOOD NEWS? In spite of this DESOLATING SACRILEGE, Jesus' Teachings and Examples of God's Kingdom Values are (for now) still available in the Gospels, if should ever decide to live them in this part of God's Kingdom, and the people of God stop being complicit in these efforts, stop reflecting the greed and lust for power in the world, and address it with the Good News of Jesus by speaking the truth in Agape Love for those whom Jesus loves and called "the least of these, my brothers and sisters."
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Voters' Guide
People
of the Way of Jesus VOTER GUIDE
“look
not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others…” Philippians 2:4
Take
care of the most vulnerable and resident aliens – Matthew 25:31-46
WHO IS
MOST LIKELY TO…
Benefit
the poor, working families and the middle class, and not only the wealthy and
powerful?
Fund
education equally for rural, urban and suburban children, and restore the HOPE
scholarships for those who most need them?
Support
EQUAL rights among ALL citizens, in EVERY aspect?
Encourage
the exercising of rights within our democracy equally, and not limit them for
some?
Make
sure that ALL have access to affordable healthcare?
Safeguard
our environment for future generations?
Insist
that those with means ALL pay their taxes?
Ensure
that there is equal pay for equal work, and that all workers have a LIVING
WAGE?
Thursday, October 23, 2014
A Shameless Plug
I still have copies of my two books -
JESUS, WHAT DO YOU WANT? Living Jesus' Teachings as Kingdom Values
This 125 page study is my Theology as a Person of the Way of Jesus, based solely on
Jesus' Commands, Teachings and Examples as we have them in the Gospels. It
covers, Gospel by Gospel, chapter by chapter, quote by quote studies on Jesus'
Authority, Jesus' Imperative Statements (commands), Jesus' Law of Agape Love,
Authentic Kingdom Relationship Values (Humility), Kingdom Societal Values (living with the
most vulnerable among us), Kingdom Economic Values (Wealth), Kingdom Socio-Political
Values (Power), Kingdom Community Values (Unity in Justice) and other Kingdom Values
shared by Jesus. It is a VERY GOOD resource for Individual, Family, Small Gathering and
Church Group studies.
$15 each plus $2 toward postage or $12 each (12 or more) plus $5 toward postage.
PEOPLE OF THE WAY OF JESUS: 1st Century Radical Community in the 21st Century
This 52 page companion to the first book is all about what the First Century followers
of Jesus did with His teachings, commands and examples. It is how they LIVED their
faithfulness as Jesus' followers. It is also a great study guide, and provides insight on
why Rev. Jacqui and I lead People of the Way of Jesus the way that we do. In it are
teachings and examples on Radical Agape Love, Radical Worship, Radical Community,
Radical Generosity and Ownership, Radical Leadership, Radical Inclusion and
Radical Freedom and Liberation, with examples on how we strive to directly live what
Jesus taught and what His followers practiced in the First Century, here and now.
Another VERY GOOD resource for Individual, Family, Small Gathering and
Church Group studies.
$10 each plus $2 toward postage or $8 each (12 or more) plus $5 toward postage.
These are both studies that require looking up the passages, preferably in an NRSV Bible.
Maybe you would like to have a new devotional guide for yourself, that will guide your walk with Jesus your Lord.
Maybe you would like to have a guide for Couples' or Family Devotions or Bible Study.
Maybe you would like to suggest this for a Church Bible Study Group to which you belong.
Maybe you would like to start your own group in your neighborhood or with other couples
or friends.
Maybe you are looking for Christmas gifts for your family or friends, pastor or church members.
For more information, email me at propheticvc@hotmail.com
Jesus' Way is a better way for EVERYONE in the world, if those who claim to follow Jesus LIVE IT.
Pastor Jamie
JESUS, WHAT DO YOU WANT? Living Jesus' Teachings as Kingdom Values
This 125 page study is my Theology as a Person of the Way of Jesus, based solely on
Jesus' Commands, Teachings and Examples as we have them in the Gospels. It
covers, Gospel by Gospel, chapter by chapter, quote by quote studies on Jesus'
Authority, Jesus' Imperative Statements (commands), Jesus' Law of Agape Love,
Authentic Kingdom Relationship Values (Humility), Kingdom Societal Values (living with the
most vulnerable among us), Kingdom Economic Values (Wealth), Kingdom Socio-Political
Values (Power), Kingdom Community Values (Unity in Justice) and other Kingdom Values
shared by Jesus. It is a VERY GOOD resource for Individual, Family, Small Gathering and
Church Group studies.
$15 each plus $2 toward postage or $12 each (12 or more) plus $5 toward postage.
PEOPLE OF THE WAY OF JESUS: 1st Century Radical Community in the 21st Century
This 52 page companion to the first book is all about what the First Century followers
of Jesus did with His teachings, commands and examples. It is how they LIVED their
faithfulness as Jesus' followers. It is also a great study guide, and provides insight on
why Rev. Jacqui and I lead People of the Way of Jesus the way that we do. In it are
teachings and examples on Radical Agape Love, Radical Worship, Radical Community,
Radical Generosity and Ownership, Radical Leadership, Radical Inclusion and
Radical Freedom and Liberation, with examples on how we strive to directly live what
Jesus taught and what His followers practiced in the First Century, here and now.
Another VERY GOOD resource for Individual, Family, Small Gathering and
Church Group studies.
$10 each plus $2 toward postage or $8 each (12 or more) plus $5 toward postage.
These are both studies that require looking up the passages, preferably in an NRSV Bible.
Maybe you would like to have a new devotional guide for yourself, that will guide your walk with Jesus your Lord.
Maybe you would like to have a guide for Couples' or Family Devotions or Bible Study.
Maybe you would like to suggest this for a Church Bible Study Group to which you belong.
Maybe you would like to start your own group in your neighborhood or with other couples
or friends.
Maybe you are looking for Christmas gifts for your family or friends, pastor or church members.
For more information, email me at propheticvc@hotmail.com
Jesus' Way is a better way for EVERYONE in the world, if those who claim to follow Jesus LIVE IT.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
what we have seen
"By their fruits you will know them." Jesus
What we have seen when Republicans have been in control of government, has been...'
The De-Regulation of Business, allowing for corruption, exploitation, manipulation,
price gouging, fraud, quick money grabs at the expense of the public and the
waste and destruction of our natural resources, claiming corporations to be
people, so they can further manipulate the system toward their gain at the
expense of everyone else.
The Regulation of people's own bodies, love lives and religious practices.
The gerrymandering and voter suppression aimed at keeping them in power, while
taking away civil voter rights that were fought for and established in the past for
those who are brown and black particularly, who would likely not vote for them.
The slashing of programs for the most vulnerable in the nation they represent (food
programs, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, schools, infrastructure, etc.), while
doing all they can to also slash any taxes paid by the most powerful and wealthy
among us, adding to our deficit while claiming to be the fiscally responsible ones.
The obstruction of positive legislation and movement for the sake of nation, so that
they could hurt this President, playing political games to hurt him and those who
voted for him, rather than genuinely govern... Shutting down government and
holding our nation back purposefully to gain leverage... stonewalling appointments
to government positions, refusing to allow legislation come to the floor for votes
and leaving DC for breaks without accomplishing necessary actions.
The getting into or creating of ANY war possible, to make lots of money for the
military industrial complex, oil companies and para-military contractors, at the
price of the blood of our own soldiers, the blood of the residents in those lands,
the fiscal strain it produces for our nation and the cost of peace and security in
the world.
The fear-mongering blatantly exaggerated on their propaganda networks on both
TV and Radio, aimed at getting people to fearfully give control over to them,
along with the misinformation and blatant LIES about the President, Democrats,
progressives, leaders of other nations, the economy, ACA, immigration and
immigrants, ISIS, Ebola, other candidates, people of other faiths or no faith,
the LGBT community and anyone not them...
And yet, some are still gullible enough to be so easily duped that they will support
these folks and vote for them.
How about you? Will your apathy, complacency, bitterness, prejudice, bigotry,
selfishness or ignorance allow you to either not vote at all, or for vote for people
who do things like this? VOTE for ANYONE else, who will not do these things...
Pastor Jamie
What we have seen when Republicans have been in control of government, has been...'
The De-Regulation of Business, allowing for corruption, exploitation, manipulation,
price gouging, fraud, quick money grabs at the expense of the public and the
waste and destruction of our natural resources, claiming corporations to be
people, so they can further manipulate the system toward their gain at the
expense of everyone else.
The Regulation of people's own bodies, love lives and religious practices.
The gerrymandering and voter suppression aimed at keeping them in power, while
taking away civil voter rights that were fought for and established in the past for
those who are brown and black particularly, who would likely not vote for them.
The slashing of programs for the most vulnerable in the nation they represent (food
programs, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, schools, infrastructure, etc.), while
doing all they can to also slash any taxes paid by the most powerful and wealthy
among us, adding to our deficit while claiming to be the fiscally responsible ones.
The obstruction of positive legislation and movement for the sake of nation, so that
they could hurt this President, playing political games to hurt him and those who
voted for him, rather than genuinely govern... Shutting down government and
holding our nation back purposefully to gain leverage... stonewalling appointments
to government positions, refusing to allow legislation come to the floor for votes
and leaving DC for breaks without accomplishing necessary actions.
The getting into or creating of ANY war possible, to make lots of money for the
military industrial complex, oil companies and para-military contractors, at the
price of the blood of our own soldiers, the blood of the residents in those lands,
the fiscal strain it produces for our nation and the cost of peace and security in
the world.
The fear-mongering blatantly exaggerated on their propaganda networks on both
TV and Radio, aimed at getting people to fearfully give control over to them,
along with the misinformation and blatant LIES about the President, Democrats,
progressives, leaders of other nations, the economy, ACA, immigration and
immigrants, ISIS, Ebola, other candidates, people of other faiths or no faith,
the LGBT community and anyone not them...
And yet, some are still gullible enough to be so easily duped that they will support
these folks and vote for them.
How about you? Will your apathy, complacency, bitterness, prejudice, bigotry,
selfishness or ignorance allow you to either not vote at all, or for vote for people
who do things like this? VOTE for ANYONE else, who will not do these things...
Pastor Jamie
Thursday, October 9, 2014
THIS ELECTION
VOTE AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST CHANCE... it may be... if the Reprobates get more seats in government, we can expect EXPANDED efforts like we have already seen in gerrymandering, voter suppression and other ANTI-DEMOCRACY tactics... they will take away the vote of anyone who opposes them, much like the Nazi's when they rose to power... THEN, LOOK OUT!
UNCHECKED GREED is the REAL platform for Reprobate Candidates... for the corporations and wealthy... fewer taxes... fewer restrictions... no recourse for employees... no workers' rights... no living wage... no healthcare... no benefits... no time off... cogs in the wheel of THEIR fortune...
UNCIVIL INJUSTICE is what we can expect from them, as we have already seen... POLICE STATE TACTICS... making constitutional gatherings illegal... using unnecessary force in peaceful protests... shooting unarmed, young, black men at will... courts backing them up...
INEQUITY will rule... white, wealthy privilege will prevail... the poor will be used and discarded... the black and brown exploited and scapegoated.... ultimately destroyed... held down, back and out... LGBT folk de-humanized and outcast at best... WOMEN not respected or paid equally, or given power over their own bodies or lives...
INEQUALITY will be the norm... unequal funding of urban schools will continue... privatization of public schools and prisons will provide more profit on the backs of the poor and minorities... basic human rights taken away for some... entitlements the norm for others... some will have new laws written and used to beat them down, while others will be above any law, any constitution, any integrity...
You DO see this coming, right? All indications are that we will have MORE of what we have already seen from the Reprobates, if they get more of a stronghold in government... and all who supported them will not benefit from it... it is a VERY small club and they will keep it that way...
VOTE, as if it is your last chance. It may be.
UNCHECKED GREED is the REAL platform for Reprobate Candidates... for the corporations and wealthy... fewer taxes... fewer restrictions... no recourse for employees... no workers' rights... no living wage... no healthcare... no benefits... no time off... cogs in the wheel of THEIR fortune...
UNCIVIL INJUSTICE is what we can expect from them, as we have already seen... POLICE STATE TACTICS... making constitutional gatherings illegal... using unnecessary force in peaceful protests... shooting unarmed, young, black men at will... courts backing them up...
INEQUITY will rule... white, wealthy privilege will prevail... the poor will be used and discarded... the black and brown exploited and scapegoated.... ultimately destroyed... held down, back and out... LGBT folk de-humanized and outcast at best... WOMEN not respected or paid equally, or given power over their own bodies or lives...
INEQUALITY will be the norm... unequal funding of urban schools will continue... privatization of public schools and prisons will provide more profit on the backs of the poor and minorities... basic human rights taken away for some... entitlements the norm for others... some will have new laws written and used to beat them down, while others will be above any law, any constitution, any integrity...
You DO see this coming, right? All indications are that we will have MORE of what we have already seen from the Reprobates, if they get more of a stronghold in government... and all who supported them will not benefit from it... it is a VERY small club and they will keep it that way...
VOTE, as if it is your last chance. It may be.
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