Christmas, 2025

Today is Christmas, 2025. It is a day just like all the other days and it is a day unlike all the other days. God continues to reveal Godself in the sun, moon, stars and the unfolding galaxies. God continues to show Godself in the mountains, plains, deserts, and valleys. God has always been showing us the I AM with the birds of the air, the fish of the waters and the animals on the land. God must especially like to show us God’s self through the trees, bushes, plants and flowers. God wanted to show us that God likes humanity because God chose to show us God’s self as God revealed God’s self in flesh with growth hormones, feelings, thoughts, emotions from joy to frustration and anger. Christmas 2025, a day just like every other of our days and a day unlike any of our other days. Lord, in your mercy.

Learning Patience from Cooking and Baking

I have discovered that I like to cook, even bake. I have never been one who has been comfortable in the kitchen. Recipes seemed too confined. I now think of them more as guidelines for creativity. Yes, I have had many laughs when I’ve placed some unsatisfying food outside for the birds, squirrels and chipmunks who inhabit our yard. I also enjoy feeding the animals. What I especially like about cooking is the slow cooker. Slow cookers take most of the day to do their work. Slow cookers teach me patience, patience with myself as well as food. I’m also learning to bake bread. Baking bread helps me to learn patience as I wait for the yeast to do its slow work. Another reason for my cooking and baking is there are results that myself as well as others can taste and see. There is a reward, if I am patient and wait. During several days each week, I am a psychotherapist and spiritual companion. There are many situations in which I do not have a clear reward as I wonder if I have been a help for the person who has left the consulting room. When I wonder if I have been a help, I go home to cook or bake.

Speaking truth to power

As we get further into this federal administration, I become more anxious and fearful. I fear the Republicans have sold their soul to Donald Trump. I fear the Democrats have become overwhelmed by fear and have lost their voice. This leaves the control of our government to a man who, in my professional opinion is mentally unstable. He continually demonstrates the symptoms of a narcissist who is possessed by the demons of vain glory and pride. He uses the Justice Department to persecute any who resists him and his ideas. He uses our Homeland Security to be his police and remove those with whom he is uncomfortable which are those who do not look or talk like him. Ministers and churches appear fearful of saying anything about morality and values, as Jesus described them, for fear someone in the congregation might be upset or offended. I am fearfully concerned, not only about the direction of America’s values, but also our churches. I hear few prophets who speak truth to power.