J.R. Houck
@hopefulmystic.com
Queer Episcopalian trying to find someway of making sense of faith in a world that seems more intent on weaponizing it then practicing it.
Come find me on my website as I start journeying through the Lectionary Readings. https://hopefulmystic.com
Come find me on my website as I start journeying through the Lectionary Readings. https://hopefulmystic.com
Pinned
J.R. Houck
@hopefulmystic.com
· 10d
βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.
I’m going to go hear “A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28” by Benjamin Britten.
December 13, 2025 at 1:10 AM
I’m going to go hear “A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28” by Benjamin Britten.
I’m going to go hear “A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28” by Benjamin Britten.
December 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I’m going to go hear “A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28” by Benjamin Britten.
In “theory” a federal judge can issue an arrest warrant and assign US Marshals (controlled by the federal judiciary and DOJ) to arrest said offenders. They then in “theory” could assign a prosecutor. All this is extreme hypotheticals of the law. Uncharted territory.
Massie is correct and also I want to hear him talk about what prosecuting members of the DoJ who violate that law will look like.
Q: If DOJ doesn't release the files it has by next Friday, is there anything Congress can do to compel that to happen?
MASSIE: It's a crime if they don't. This is a new law with criminal implications if they don't follow it.
MASSIE: It's a crime if they don't. This is a new law with criminal implications if they don't follow it.
December 12, 2025 at 6:58 PM
In “theory” a federal judge can issue an arrest warrant and assign US Marshals (controlled by the federal judiciary and DOJ) to arrest said offenders. They then in “theory” could assign a prosecutor. All this is extreme hypotheticals of the law. Uncharted territory.
Carrying around two phones because of work is a real hassle.
December 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Carrying around two phones because of work is a real hassle.
My main annoyance here is that there is now an urge to use many words instead of the one to avoid the association. It’s an entirely understandable reaction. But I think setting the captives free, being for the poor, the widow, the foreigner, the oppressed, and the queer is still good news. Gospel.
I think one thing that really bothers me is how the word "Gospel" has been entirely hijacked by a wing of Christianity that seems to think this is either about god sending trillions of un-elect to hell or about holding people at gunpoint to say a prayer and let Jesus into their hearts.
December 11, 2025 at 8:12 PM
My main annoyance here is that there is now an urge to use many words instead of the one to avoid the association. It’s an entirely understandable reaction. But I think setting the captives free, being for the poor, the widow, the foreigner, the oppressed, and the queer is still good news. Gospel.
For the record for someone to be elected to salvation that means there are those elected to damnation there is no 3 point tuliping this. That's my random Calvinist rant in the middle of the day.
I think one thing that really bothers me is how the word "Gospel" has been entirely hijacked by a wing of Christianity that seems to think this is either about god sending trillions of un-elect to hell or about holding people at gunpoint to say a prayer and let Jesus into their hearts.
December 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
For the record for someone to be elected to salvation that means there are those elected to damnation there is no 3 point tuliping this. That's my random Calvinist rant in the middle of the day.
I think one thing that really bothers me is how the word "Gospel" has been entirely hijacked by a wing of Christianity that seems to think this is either about god sending trillions of un-elect to hell or about holding people at gunpoint to say a prayer and let Jesus into their hearts.
December 11, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I think one thing that really bothers me is how the word "Gospel" has been entirely hijacked by a wing of Christianity that seems to think this is either about god sending trillions of un-elect to hell or about holding people at gunpoint to say a prayer and let Jesus into their hearts.
I've started writing through the lectionary, and it being the start of Year A seemed like a good time to do it. I did not grow up in a tradition that used the lectionary, so reading up on the history of lectionaries has been fascinating.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT | DECEMBER 7, 2025
Therefore, as we wait for His return, let us not neglect to live out His words because this King doesn’t baptize with water, but instead He baptizes in the Holy Spirit and fire.
hopefulmystic.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I've started writing through the lectionary, and it being the start of Year A seemed like a good time to do it. I did not grow up in a tradition that used the lectionary, so reading up on the history of lectionaries has been fascinating.
We should call this what it is: “sin." It is a sin and a profound evil to deny anyone, let alone children, their needed healthcare. It's a missing the mark, a sign of separation from the love of god. This is not some cosmetic treatment but life-saving and more importantly life-giving.
So glad to see multiple clergy from the Episcopal Diocese of California at this protest. ⚓️
apple.news/A-RK_lIqJQkm...
apple.news/A-RK_lIqJQkm...
Parents protest Sutter’s retreat on gender-affirming care for transgender teens — San Francisco Chronicle
On her son’s 14th birthday, a few days before Thanksgiving, Nikki got a call from his pediatrician at Sutter Health: In December, the doctor said, Sutter would stop providing all gender-affirming care...
apple.news
December 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We should call this what it is: “sin." It is a sin and a profound evil to deny anyone, let alone children, their needed healthcare. It's a missing the mark, a sign of separation from the love of god. This is not some cosmetic treatment but life-saving and more importantly life-giving.
Slowly but surely “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward Justice.”
Bishop Katrina Foster is first woman and lesbian to lead New York’s Lutherans
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-ny/65725/
Back in only 2009, the Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster helped lead the movement for out gays and lesbians…
https://www.newsbeep.com/us-ny/65725/
Back in only 2009, the Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster helped lead the movement for out gays and lesbians…
Bishop Katrina Foster is first woman and lesbian to lead New York’s Lutherans - New York News Beep
Back in only 2009, the Rev. Dr. Katrina Foster helped lead the movement for out gays and lesbians to be ordained in the Lutheran Church. Fast forward to
www.newsbeep.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Slowly but surely “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward Justice.”
I think this is a problem theologically where queer acceptance is treated as the right thing to do because it just is as an opinion and not treated as something deeply theological. Our acceptance is a political football, not something received by the church via scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
The Episcopal Church needs to wrestle more honestly with this w/r/t to “purple churches” (mix of Republican & Democrat). ⚓️
Queer people are told to put up with casual (& not so casual) homophobia/transphobia from our fellow parishioners b/c “they’ll come around.”
But probably they won’t 🤷🏼♀️
Queer people are told to put up with casual (& not so casual) homophobia/transphobia from our fellow parishioners b/c “they’ll come around.”
But probably they won’t 🤷🏼♀️
As was clear during Trump 1, roughly 37% of Americans are committed to white supremacy &/or Christian nationalism, no matter the cost. Very much reminds me of the Reconstruction South, which doubled down on the plantation regime that had destroyed the country in the aftermath of emancipation.
December 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I think this is a problem theologically where queer acceptance is treated as the right thing to do because it just is as an opinion and not treated as something deeply theological. Our acceptance is a political football, not something received by the church via scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
They aren't going to visit liberal churches because these are specifically designed to cater to conservative evangelicals who are having a hard time accepting their own shrinking congregations. What we are seeing here is propaganda not journalism.
As a member of a rapidly growing Episcopalian church (they're reopening the balcony, and the kids' area has taken over a second wing of the transept), I wish sometimes these stories would visit liberal churches. Not saying we're the bulk, but we do exist.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Religious leaders say they’re observing a hidden trend among younger Americans
Religious affiliation has been dropping among young people for decades, but examples abound of surging interest on college campuses and in cities like D.C.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
They aren't going to visit liberal churches because these are specifically designed to cater to conservative evangelicals who are having a hard time accepting their own shrinking congregations. What we are seeing here is propaganda not journalism.
Reposted by J.R. Houck
1. For weeks, EITM has reported that Republicans would push a trans healthcare ban in their ACA negotiations.
Now, the plan is released, and it includes heavy restrictions on ACA plans, a medicaid ban, an EHB ban, and more.
Democrats must not capitulate.
Now, the plan is released, and it includes heavy restrictions on ACA plans, a medicaid ban, an EHB ban, and more.
Democrats must not capitulate.
Democrats Must Reject The Premise Of Trans Healthcare Bans In Republican Healthcare Offer
Republicans new healthcare bill would bar transgender healthcare as an essential health benefit, bar trans medicaid coverage, and would bar HSAs from considering trans healthcare medically necessary.
www.erininthemorning.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
1. For weeks, EITM has reported that Republicans would push a trans healthcare ban in their ACA negotiations.
Now, the plan is released, and it includes heavy restrictions on ACA plans, a medicaid ban, an EHB ban, and more.
Democrats must not capitulate.
Now, the plan is released, and it includes heavy restrictions on ACA plans, a medicaid ban, an EHB ban, and more.
Democrats must not capitulate.
Clicking on any of the Christian feeds on here is a form of self harm. I like how some work on keywords alone so someone says Episcopalian and suddenly are injected into a feed for Episcopalians. In fairness only an Episcopalian would be talking about Episcopalians. Everyone else forgot about us.
December 9, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Clicking on any of the Christian feeds on here is a form of self harm. I like how some work on keywords alone so someone says Episcopalian and suddenly are injected into a feed for Episcopalians. In fairness only an Episcopalian would be talking about Episcopalians. Everyone else forgot about us.
Reposted by J.R. Houck
Don't say "this isn't who we are". This is exactly who we are. It is not who I want us to be; it is not who we should want to be; it is profoundly shameful because this is not what any country should be. Process the shame; grieve it, and let it fuel your efforts to make us better.
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Don't say "this isn't who we are". This is exactly who we are. It is not who I want us to be; it is not who we should want to be; it is profoundly shameful because this is not what any country should be. Process the shame; grieve it, and let it fuel your efforts to make us better.
Narratives of "revival" have always felt like wish casting. I also don't think it's possible to have revival without a long, hard look at the damage many have done in this country under the banner of Christianity, nor can it happen with many of those same people backing fascists.
Decline of religion remains stalled, says new Pew report. But there's no revival yet.
(RNS) — For the past five years, the decline of religion in America has stalled, after years of decline.
religionnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Narratives of "revival" have always felt like wish casting. I also don't think it's possible to have revival without a long, hard look at the damage many have done in this country under the banner of Christianity, nor can it happen with many of those same people backing fascists.
Reposted by J.R. Houck
Second Sunday of Advent and we hear from John the Baptist.
December 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Second Sunday of Advent and we hear from John the Baptist.
I get the feeling 5 years on the NRSVue feels DOA. Literally only two Bibles to choose from if you want the apocrypha, and only two Bible commentaries that use it. No one seems interested in publishing new works, and no lectionary book uses it, even though the NRSV is now out of publication.
December 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I get the feeling 5 years on the NRSVue feels DOA. Literally only two Bibles to choose from if you want the apocrypha, and only two Bible commentaries that use it. No one seems interested in publishing new works, and no lectionary book uses it, even though the NRSV is now out of publication.
Second Sunday of Advent and we hear from John the Baptist.
December 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Second Sunday of Advent and we hear from John the Baptist.
He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT | DECEMBER 7, 2025
Therefore, as we wait for His return, let us not neglect to live out His words because this King doesn’t baptize with water, but instead He baptizes in the Holy Spirit and fire.
hopefulmystic.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
As we approach the second Sunday of advent here are my reflections on the first week. And remember as we look forward we live for today.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT | NOVEMBER 30, 2025
Today, at the start of Advent, we are reminded that while his Kingdom is now amongst us, it is also an incarnational event coming into being.
hopefulmystic.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:38 AM
As we approach the second Sunday of advent here are my reflections on the first week. And remember as we look forward we live for today.
When people tell me the demonic doesn’t exist I’m going to just keep pointing back to the current administration.
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 2:59 AM
When people tell me the demonic doesn’t exist I’m going to just keep pointing back to the current administration.
There is something funny about how Mark Wahlberg's entire career has devolved into doing bad family comedies while his brother still gets to be the worst cop on TV.
December 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
There is something funny about how Mark Wahlberg's entire career has devolved into doing bad family comedies while his brother still gets to be the worst cop on TV.
I do think this is not explored enough, and I also think if it weren’t for his connections to the emperor and the Roman bishop, he likely would not have had as much influence in the West. There is a reason most of the East holds him in derision.
Not enough people talk about how the Gnostic Manichaean cult influenced Augustine's theology, even to things like Total Depravity. I genuinely think if he had never fallen in bed with the emperor, he would have rightly been condemned as a heretic. (I am being somewhat hyperbolic here lol)
December 3, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I do think this is not explored enough, and I also think if it weren’t for his connections to the emperor and the Roman bishop, he likely would not have had as much influence in the West. There is a reason most of the East holds him in derision.