091 Trinity 17: COVID is a Story
“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him”. ~Psalm 2
COVID is a Story
The primary cause of war is idolatry.
Where are the idols? How do we cast them down? Who is the right enemy?
If you’re not controlling your inputs, then you have no way of knowing. As much as you let them control your information, you let them control you. This includes siphoning hope into the controlled opposition, and that includes pinning your dreams on a magic white hat mythos of long dead god-fearing Old Glory.
The counterpunch of heaven is Psalm 40:7-8. Go look it up. Read it out loud. The burning rage of the morning can wait.
Now that you’ve done that, do you 1) wish to further ingrain that law in your heart? 2) want to know God’s will for you right now? Or 3) need a moment to treasure it in your heart?
Psalm 119:1-8
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 1:47-55
Pick one and apply liberally throughout the week.
Life is too exciting to waste much time in stories that are not even true.
Till angel cry and trumpet sound,
The Mad Christian
Clickbait Paradise
Off to the races
Over the last two weeks, Haitian refugees have been gathering under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas. Controversy came when mounted border patrol agents were photographed deterring refugees from crossing the border. With some mistaking split reins for whips, the accusations of mistreatment reached the White House, which promptly banned the use of horses for patrolling the border. Although President Biden promised a "widescale repatriation" of refugees back to Haiti, they are being released on a "very very large scale" into the US. The USA's Special Envoy to Haiti resigned in protest over the deportations. But the word games went on, with government officials continuing their trick of referring to illegal border crossings as "irregular migration."
While Mad Christians are awake to the fog of confusion that the white noise of our culture creates, this story illustrates how you can never stop discerning. The internet means that images often travel faster than the context needed to make sense of them. While the prudent thing to do would be to reserve judgement until more facts come to light, many in media and politics seem compelled to make pronouncements, as soon as the outrage kicks in. The resulting need for "spin," cover ups, and diversionary wagging of the dog is what makes our media environment so tricky to navigate.
The are some advantages to our situation— could anyone mistake a world leader for an average Joe in this age of images? With the ubiquity of leaked documents (even some leaked documents about people who leak documents) could anyone cover up the fact that a president was wheelchair bound? Yet, there is still plenty of room for the sheer volume of inputs, both amount and amplitude, to mess with your head. So take Rev Fisk's advice, make sure your main input is the trustworthy Word of God, the one place you can believe everything that you read. Praise God!
Need to know basis
News came last week that leaked documents show that the Wuhan Institute of Virology had intended to genetically-engineer coronaviruses and release them into bat populations. New York City-based EcoHealth Alliance sought funding for the project but was turned down over concerns it could be misused for gain-of-function research.
National Geographic is reporting the USA won't reach herd immunity unless 12 year-olds are inoculated along with adults. A report out of the UK says that it may take a decade to clear the "cancer backlog", including diagnoses and treatment that have been delayed due to the pandemic.
In the meantime, companies are working on daily antiviral pills.
Finally, if you are not vaccinated, you could just insist that you're part of the "control group." And you wouldn't be half wrong...
The war on families
Actor Greg Ellis was guest on the Federalist Radio Hour last week, with a frank conversation about the state of family law in America. Ellis' story is a disturbing one, but not as rare as some think. Ellis was institutionalized after police received an anonymous report, claiming he intended to harm his children. He lost his house, access to his sons, and a lot of job offers "overnight." Ellis' situation highlights the bias against fathers and the unaccountability of family law courts.
The first challenge to Texas' new pro-life law has come, after a San Antonio doctor claimed he performed an abortion in defiance of the ruling.
The bad old days
The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan have said they will reinstate amputations and executions, as per Sharia law. That sits strangely at odds with the news that the Taliban have also asked to be seated on the United Nations. With China and Russia already on the UN credentials committee, anything could happen. The Taliban have also asked airlines to resume international flights out of Kabul.
The drone strike in Afghanistan was a "deadly mistake."
A female US Army officer has been assaulted at New Mexico's Fort Bliss by Afghan evacuees, according to reports.
In other news concerning the Middle East, the Epic of Gilgamesh is being returned to Iraq.
Ice cream company, Ben and Jerry's announced in mid-July that it would no longer sell its products in "occupied Palestinian territories," known to some as "Israel." However the plan has hit a snag, with New Jersey government officials saying that publicly listed companies cannot engage in boycotts. Legal action in NJ could see a $182M fine pulled out of Ben and Jerry's parent company, Unilever.
Not too big to fail
Western markets were jittery last week with all eyes on China. Massive Chinese real estate company, Evergrande, is reported to have defaulted on an $83M interest debt, prompting concerns that the company's $300B in other debt may also be at risk. Earlier this year, Evergrande asked its own employees for short term loans. In other news, the Chinese government has banned all cryptocurrency transactions, causing BitCoin to take hit.
In the US, the White House has warned agencies to prepare for a potential government shut down. Congress has passed a stop gap spending bill in a bid to avoid shut down, but Republicans are opposed to lifting the debt ceiling further.
New Merch!
Check out the new designs added to the Mad Christian Red Bubble. Support the work of Mad Mondays while repping Rev. Fisk!
Old and young
Futurity has reported on two studies of cognitive resilience, especially in older folks. One study found that those who live in neighborhoods with opportunity for exercise and socialization had lower levels of cognitive decline. In another study, senior citizens who had someone in their life they can count on to listen to them fared better when it came to brain aging. While we are speaking about our oldest neighbors, a New York Times investigation has revealed that antipsychotic drugs are being overprescribed in understaffed nursing homes.
At the other end of life... A study has shown that baby formula advertising may discourage breastfeeding. Scientists are working on a nanobot, which helps lazy sperm reach their goal. The future of the human race is a very strange place.
Apple is reportedly working on features for its iPhones to detect depression, autism, and cognitive decline. What could go wrong?
Headlines from far away
Ukraine's president survived an assassination attempt
Confirmed: Russia was responsible for poisoning a spy in London
Israel killed top Iranian scientist remotely
Norwegian mobile phone company Telenor is leaving Myanmar after the military government insisted on using its network to surveil citizens
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel is stepping down
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has congratulated Taiwan's newly elected opposition leader for his willingness to reopen talks with China. China has been sending fighter jets to the island nation in a display of force.
Justin Trudeau has been returned to office in Canadian elections, but not with the majorityhe was hoping for
Mondays can be tricksy...
Quick Hits for the Eyebuds
⛏️ A collection of underground buildings
🍗 The future might be overrated: Scientists think the best way to cook 3D printed chicken is with lasers
✨ Fragments of a story of Merlin found inside a centuries-old book
🖥️ A flying microchip
🚂 In 1892, a whole locomotive was swallowed by a sinkhole
📞 Public payphones are still around
🎙️ A plumber who was singing on the job has been offered a record deal
🇫🇮 Makes sense: Finnish daycare planted trees and lawn and found that kid's immune systems improved
🚢 A gigantic boat that carries other gigantic boats
🌌 The final frontier: Star Trek actor William Shatner is considering going to space with Jeff Bezos
🥨 Iowa grain cooperative hit with a ransomware attack
🗳️ Maricopa County audit says ballot tally was accurate but there are many discrepancies
🇸🇪 The mystery of Sweden's sleeping refugee children
👜 Volvo will stop using leather in its car interiors
🚌 What's the deal with the shortage of bus drivers?
🏈 A crazy fake reverse fools everyone in Marshall University game
🧶 January 6th "insurrection" narrative might well be unravelling
🤩 Watch this guy juggle tennis balls on a keyboard
A Good Word: Rec's from Rev. Fisk
The Fisks are at it again! Check out this week's episode of Stop the White Noise with Jonathan and Meridith to hear them advise some difficult situations with prayer and wisdom from Jesus Christ. Here's what was mentioned.
A Brief History of Power with two white guys- check out their new website!
Kid Prison- a BHoP series on education in America
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by Dr. John Gray
Bringing Up Boys by Dr. Dobson
Wild Things: the art of nurturing boys by Stephen James and David Thomas
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Here at Mad Mondays, we data-mine many sources to bring you news shorts with a Christ-centered focus. In a similar way, the Fisks have resources that they have benefitted from. Whether they are recommending book or we are sending you into the matrix of blue links, know that these are not endorsements. We trust that you will discern for yourself. Let the red letters guide your thinking and do not doubt the wisdom your Father has given you.
And as always, and with full endorsement:
1 Peter
1 John
Psalms
Proverbs
Day after day
If you have questions for Jonathan and Meridith, submit them at the contact page, and (anonymous, this is for you) use a Fantasy Name Generator for some name inspiration.
Sweetness You May Have Missed
Let us pray: Everlasting Father, source of every blessing, mercifully direct and govern us by Your Holy Spirit that we may complete the works You have prepared for us to do; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.