The Christian Scriptures trace the birth of Jesus through forty-two generations to the Father of Israel, Abraham.

Through decades of recovery from Christian fundamentalism, “God’s will” is the concept that has been most confounding.  I was taught that God has a detailed blueprint for every life. We must discern through fervent prayer what that is. If you ask for something and get it, that is God’s will. Be thankful. If you ask for something and don’t get it, that is also God’s will.

Growing up gay in America, I became a master at compartmentalization. I could be one person with my family, another with my friends, another at Church, and my deepest feelings and darkest secrets I hid in boxes that no one, not even me, could access. Then, I fell in love with my partner (now wife!) of 44 years, and hidden boxes began to open until I could be the same person at home, at work, with my family and at Church (a different one of course).

I got an email from Outfront MN, an advocacy and support agency for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Wait, when did they add the “2S”? Does 2S mean “Two Spirit,” referencing members of our community in some Native American cultures?  Sure enough.   This is a great example of inclusion! Here is Outfront’s statement of inclusion: We are committed to an inclusive vision of the LGBTQ+ community where all—including Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, gender expansive, intersex, asexual, aromantic, questioning, and other individuals regardless of the labels and language they use—feel welcomed, supported, and reflected in our work.

What if "the Church" is wrong? What if homosexuality is not immoral? What if gay is the way God created us? What if God looks upon his gay children with favor, not with condemnation? Who will be accountable for the loss and human suffering caused by the mistake? Who will stand in judgment... ...for all of the souls that never got saved--

The federal government is driving out Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs across the federal government, organizations that depend on government funding, and as many businesses as they can bully into conforming to their anti-DEI policy. Whether the president has the legal authority to abolish DEI programs is for the courts to sort out. However, telling the American people to abandon their core values is not the role of the government.

She’s onto something!! FLIPPING THE SCRIPT WITHOUT VIOLENCE 😉

Political pundits and pollsters continue to dissect the data, looking for clues about why a well-funded campaign for a highly qualified, competent, articulate, joyful, honest and compelling candidate, who exemplifies equality and decency, and defends the rule-of-law could lose to a convicted felon who lies incessantly, is rude, insulting, hateful, vengeful, and defies the rule-of-law. Harris didn’t have enough time to campaign, didn’t distance herself enough from Biden, didn’t give enough policy details, paid too much attention to Black voters and not enough to Latino voters and didn’t reach out men.

Leverage is a tricky tool within the coercive power tool box. There are times when leverage is necessary, times when it is appropriate and times when it is utterly inappropriate, unethical, and even immoral. We are in those times. When people with less power use leverage to get people with more power to do things, it is called resistance. This is necessary to balance power in order to negotiate.

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