SOTU
I stayed up and watched the President Biden’s State of the Union address last night. As a general rule, I hate listening to politicians speak; however, I have always found Biden to be more pleasant to listen to than most. He has a few phrases that drive me a little crazy because he uses them too much and it makes him sound folksy, although that is also part of his appeal. He seems like a real person unlike a lot of politicians. I thought this was on of the most masterful SOTU addresses I’ve ever seen. It wasn’t the usual self-serving drivel. Instead, he baited the Republicans and did two things. First, he got them to look like absolute fools, even though McCarthy had warned them not to heckle Biden. They did anyway and for some of the stupidest reasons. Second, Biden laid a trap to get them to agree with some of his policies and and stand and applaud him. It was an interesting tactic, and Biden was so forceful at time. He wasn’t “angry racist white man” like Trump always came across looking like, but he came across as a genuine defender of the people and democracy. Trump always pandered only to his base and shipped them up into a frenzy like the fascist he is. Biden didn’t say everything just like all those in his party wanted. Instead, he spoke to the people, and I personally thought he did a great job.
If you watched it, what did you think?
Dust of Snow
Dust of Snow
By Robert Frost – 1874-1963
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
“Dust of Snow” is a short poem by Robert Frost, published in the Pulitzer Prize-winning volume New Hampshire (1923). The poem’s speaker, possibly the poet himself, is initially unhappy. But a sprinkling of snow, dislodged by a crow in the tree above the speaker, brings an element of surprise that partly “save[s]” the speaker’s bad day. The poem thus shows how nature can lift people’s mood, if only temporarily.
Ugh!
I pretty much did nothing yesterday. I was feeling yucky with a migraine and nausea. I’m not really feeling much better today. Thankfully, I’m off work today because I’m working Saturday, so I can have another day of doing nothing and hoping I feel better tomorrow when I do have to go back to work.
Silence
Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
— Ecclesiastes 9:17
There are times when we are to remain silent and there are times when we are to speak up. The times when Christians are to remain silent are when we Are removing ourselves from conflict, listening to instruction, and when controlling our speech. Sometimes we need to be silent and get away from distractions to hear God.
It is essential in our walk with the Lord that we learn how to be in silence before Him. Sometimes silence is a sin. Sometimes it is essential that we do not remain silent. Ephesians 5:11 tells us, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” It’s our duty to speak up against evil because if we don’t who will? I encourage everyone to pray for courage to help with speaking up for what’s right and pray for help to remain silent when we must be silent. Proverbs 31:9 says, “Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” and Isaiah 1:17 commands us, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” We have to speak up to those who can’t speak for themselves, or if they can speak, lend our voices to their cries for help and justice.
It is a shame that many of today’s Christians are silent when it’s time to speak out against sin and evil, especially when it is coming from so-called Christians. If you are purposely doing harm, silencing others who need a voice, yet proclaim to be Christian, you are not in fact following the Word of God. As Christians we are to preach the Word of God, discipline, and rebuke others who work against God’s word. Many Christians are so worldly, often caught up in the current political climate of hate, they’re afraid to stand up for God and save lives. They would rather condemn others to burn in hell than tell people the truth of God’s Word and protect and assist those who need it the most.
A few things to remember as we go about our day:
- Silence can be a source of great strength.
- Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.
- God is the best listener. You don’t need to shout nor cry out loud because He hears even the silent prayer of a sincere heart.
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Joe
The Closet Professor 