Joe Hopkins
@parsonjoe.bsky.social
Appalachian ex-pat in Canada. Often absent-minded, sometimes profound, usually caffeinated. Can be found in a pulpit most Sunday mornings.
I have such mixed feelings about this. I am appalled (though not surprised) by Hegseth's reasoning, yet the long relationship between Scouting and the military has troubled me for decades. And I say this as a still proud Eagle Scout.
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
Documents show the U.S. military is planning to sever all ties with the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
www.npr.org
November 27, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I have such mixed feelings about this. I am appalled (though not surprised) by Hegseth's reasoning, yet the long relationship between Scouting and the military has troubled me for decades. And I say this as a still proud Eagle Scout.
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/25/n...
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
And as a reminder...
November 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
And as a reminder...
Sometimes this cuddly guy Sapphire remembers his hiding skills from his former life in the streets. Especially after the humans take him to the vet.
October 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Sometimes this cuddly guy Sapphire remembers his hiding skills from his former life in the streets. Especially after the humans take him to the vet.
I'm joining the #NoTyrants rally in Toronto because my Christian faith teaches that I must stand against oppression and with oppressed people!
October 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I'm joining the #NoTyrants rally in Toronto because my Christian faith teaches that I must stand against oppression and with oppressed people!
I am just watching this on repeat... endlessly. The serotonin just keeps flowing.
EVERY SUPERHERO NEEDS HIS THEME MUSIC 💥 #PLAKATA
October 5, 2025 at 10:36 PM
I am just watching this on repeat... endlessly. The serotonin just keeps flowing.
I'm studying the vineyard song of Isaiah 5, and I just learned that "wild grapes" can also be translated "stinkberries."
Someone PLEASE start a punk band and name it "The Stinkberries."
Someone PLEASE start a punk band and name it "The Stinkberries."
September 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I'm studying the vineyard song of Isaiah 5, and I just learned that "wild grapes" can also be translated "stinkberries."
Someone PLEASE start a punk band and name it "The Stinkberries."
Someone PLEASE start a punk band and name it "The Stinkberries."
Do Canadians struggle with lament? At least, the Ango-descended Canadians?
I had a visit with a church member at a long-term rehab centre that brought up the question for me (an American citizen).
I had a visit with a church member at a long-term rehab centre that brought up the question for me (an American citizen).
September 17, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Do Canadians struggle with lament? At least, the Ango-descended Canadians?
I had a visit with a church member at a long-term rehab centre that brought up the question for me (an American citizen).
I had a visit with a church member at a long-term rehab centre that brought up the question for me (an American citizen).
The Montessori school folks that rent space in my church building are having a "bubble party" just below my window.
To ones such as these the kin-dom of God belongs.
To ones such as these the kin-dom of God belongs.
September 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The Montessori school folks that rent space in my church building are having a "bubble party" just below my window.
To ones such as these the kin-dom of God belongs.
To ones such as these the kin-dom of God belongs.
Mourn the dead; fight like hell for the living.
Even in this age of police bodycams and bystander videos, there are certain categories of footage that most media organizations won’t share with the public.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
The bloody labor crackdown Paramount didn't want America to see
Executives feared their newsreel footage would "cause riots and mass hysteria.”
www.motherjones.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Mourn the dead; fight like hell for the living.
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
Even in this age of police bodycams and bystander videos, there are certain categories of footage that most media organizations won’t share with the public.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
The bloody labor crackdown Paramount didn't want America to see
Executives feared their newsreel footage would "cause riots and mass hysteria.”
www.motherjones.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Even in this age of police bodycams and bystander videos, there are certain categories of footage that most media organizations won’t share with the public.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
But it’s hard to imagine today’s media suppressing, as they did in 1937, footage from the anti-labor crackdown that resulted in 10 deaths.
Church people desperately need authentic, non-proselytizing relationships with non-church people. And I say that as a current church pastor. Groupthink actually harms people.
I once had a conversation with someone high up at Focus on the Family (not Dobson, though his death brought the story to mind). I was talking about folks who experienced church hurt, and he stopped me.
"Church hurt," he said. “I’ve never heard that phrase before."
The irony abounds.
"Church hurt," he said. “I’ve never heard that phrase before."
The irony abounds.
August 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Church people desperately need authentic, non-proselytizing relationships with non-church people. And I say that as a current church pastor. Groupthink actually harms people.
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
This is one of the ways that white supremacy weaponizes civility: by implying that certain people get to be served, and other kinds of people (you know what kinds) need to be grateful, without interrogating it.
Vance goes after NYC mayoral hopeful Mamdani: ‘He should show more gratitude to the United States’
Vance goes after NYC mayor hopeful Mamdani for not showing ‘gratitude’ to the US
www.independent.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This is one of the ways that white supremacy weaponizes civility: by implying that certain people get to be served, and other kinds of people (you know what kinds) need to be grateful, without interrogating it.
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
This is part of it; it’s a display of a kind of wealth. But it’s also meant to intimidate. Every old Trumpist dude I know from home who has this kind of arsenal talks a big game about what’s gonna happen the second somebody messes with him but is quietly terrified of anything new he encounters…
IMO many Americans don't even buy guns for personal protection or to defend themselves against a tyrannical government. They simply have a shopping addiction
August 28, 2025 at 1:13 AM
This is part of it; it’s a display of a kind of wealth. But it’s also meant to intimidate. Every old Trumpist dude I know from home who has this kind of arsenal talks a big game about what’s gonna happen the second somebody messes with him but is quietly terrified of anything new he encounters…
After a quick trip to Portland, OR with hosts in Salem who were decidedly anti-Portland, I read up on the changing drug policies of the area. Would anyone with greater knowledge and insight care to weigh in?
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
'It's Like a War Zone': What Happened When Portland Decriminalized Fentanyl
Portland, Oregon, decriminalized fentanyl in 2020 but the experiment failed. Can a blend of law enforcement and harm reduction prevent overdoses?
www.rollingstone.com
August 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
After a quick trip to Portland, OR with hosts in Salem who were decidedly anti-Portland, I read up on the changing drug policies of the area. Would anyone with greater knowledge and insight care to weigh in?
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
I once literally broke up a fight between two middle-aged men who were wrestling on the floor.
However, it occurred on the Chicago el. Does it still count?
However, it occurred on the Chicago el. Does it still count?
everyone tell me your favorite subway interactions. one time this older dude sat down next to me, called me a snow bunny, and opened his bag to show me that it contained piles of banded cash
August 24, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I once literally broke up a fight between two middle-aged men who were wrestling on the floor.
However, it occurred on the Chicago el. Does it still count?
However, it occurred on the Chicago el. Does it still count?
"If you're used to privilege, equality feels like oppression."
This sentiment extends far beyond Silicon Valley and explains so much of the MAGA movement.
This sentiment extends far beyond Silicon Valley and explains so much of the MAGA movement.
Nick Clegg really nails the most disappointing and pathetic aspect of Silicon Valley. It’s an industry full of the richest and most powerful people in history, who believe they’re victims because their power is not absolute.
It hurts to be so rich yet not be treated like kings by us “peasants.”
It hurts to be so rich yet not be treated like kings by us “peasants.”
August 24, 2025 at 1:55 AM
"If you're used to privilege, equality feels like oppression."
This sentiment extends far beyond Silicon Valley and explains so much of the MAGA movement.
This sentiment extends far beyond Silicon Valley and explains so much of the MAGA movement.
"Only service animals are allowed in the airport," said the pre-recorded message over the public announcement system. "And they must remain on a leash or in a cage."
August 18, 2025 at 2:10 AM
"Only service animals are allowed in the airport," said the pre-recorded message over the public announcement system. "And they must remain on a leash or in a cage."
I once sang at a choir festival in E-town, PA, and then several years later spent a very snowy night there. I am afraid to watch this movie because of the truth it probably tells: my homeland is being torn apart.
Kyrie eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Auberi Edler’s documentary captures the religious rifts and book bans of a divided Pennsylvania community
‘An American Pastoral’ chronicles a small town’s culture war | Broadview Magazine
Auberi Edler’s documentary captures the religious rifts and book bans of a divided Pennsylvania community
broadview.org
August 15, 2025 at 1:37 AM
I once sang at a choir festival in E-town, PA, and then several years later spent a very snowy night there. I am afraid to watch this movie because of the truth it probably tells: my homeland is being torn apart.
Kyrie eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
Auberi Edler’s documentary captures the religious rifts and book bans of a divided Pennsylvania community
‘An American Pastoral’ chronicles a small town’s culture war | Broadview Magazine
Auberi Edler’s documentary captures the religious rifts and book bans of a divided Pennsylvania community
broadview.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Auberi Edler’s documentary captures the religious rifts and book bans of a divided Pennsylvania community
Reposted by Joe Hopkins
Almighty God,
shepherd & guardian of all,
We pray for your servant Kimberly. Grant her grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, & to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
shepherd & guardian of all,
We pray for your servant Kimberly. Grant her grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, & to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And just like that…there is a new Moderator-Elect for the United Church of Canada.
Congratulations to the soon to be:
Right Reverend Dr. Kimberly Heath!
Congratulations to the soon to be:
Right Reverend Dr. Kimberly Heath!
August 10, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Almighty God,
shepherd & guardian of all,
We pray for your servant Kimberly. Grant her grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, & to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
shepherd & guardian of all,
We pray for your servant Kimberly. Grant her grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, & to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
August 9, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I tried listening to the sports podcast "Pardon My Take" today, and I immediately unsubscribed when one of the hosts said that he thought cycling was for kids only, not adults, and would prefer golf any day.
I will indeed pardon his take, but I will not listen to his podcast.
I will indeed pardon his take, but I will not listen to his podcast.
August 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I tried listening to the sports podcast "Pardon My Take" today, and I immediately unsubscribed when one of the hosts said that he thought cycling was for kids only, not adults, and would prefer golf any day.
I will indeed pardon his take, but I will not listen to his podcast.
I will indeed pardon his take, but I will not listen to his podcast.
"[Samson's] story is not just one of strength but also of longing, intimacy and deep emotional vulnerability."
An interpretation of the Samson saga that we desperately need in the era of the "man-osphere."
An interpretation of the Samson saga that we desperately need in the era of the "man-osphere."
OPINION: The story of Samson is defined also by Samson’s failed search for companionship.
religionnews.com/2025/08/05/b...
religionnews.com/2025/08/05/b...
Beyond brute strength: A fresh look at Samson’s search for intimacy in the Hebrew Bible
(The Conversation) — While the biblical figure of Samson is often characterized as driven by poor judgment, a Hebrew Bible scholar argues why he could instead be interpreted as a figure of emotional…
religionnews.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM
"[Samson's] story is not just one of strength but also of longing, intimacy and deep emotional vulnerability."
An interpretation of the Samson saga that we desperately need in the era of the "man-osphere."
An interpretation of the Samson saga that we desperately need in the era of the "man-osphere."