Thank you. This particular article resonated deeply and truly for me and caused me to upgrade to paid subscriber, a drop in the stream of those who've unsubscribed and perhaps, chosen to keep on their "blindfolds." Thank you. Your voice and observations are needed now more than ever.
“a call for introspection about our roles as individuals and collective communities in the stagnation and decline of our world. It is about understanding the interconnectedness of our actions and their ripple effects on the global and hyper-local stages. The pieces invite readers not only to critique the societal problems they observe but also to evaluate their own participation in creating or perpetuating these issues.”
I thought your piece on greedflation was so important. Unchecked capitalism and wild wealth disparity puts us all in a position that encourages saving ourselves, instead of saving all of us together. As someone close to retirement, with a retired spouse and 3 kids in their 20s trying to navigate today's economy, I feel the weight of trying to find safety for all of us. I recognize the dangerous headspace that dilemma creates.
I'm so glad I read all the way through because I'm SO excited to see your upcoming releases. Keep speaking you mind, telling the truth and trust that most of us are here because it's YOU we want to hear from. Don't stay in any lane. We want to know what's on your mind and we are grateful for your generosity in letting us in.
Mr Joseph, thank you for this brutal, painful, truthful vulnerability in this column. I'm so sorry of what you have experienced because you were brave, took risk, and spoke truth from your heart and experience. I'm sorry for the financial hit you took from this and I'm encouraged that this motivated some of your readers to become paid subscribers.
As I read this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus. I seek to be more like Jesus, not the white Jesus I grew up on, but the brown Jesus that embraced and loved the marginalized, spoke truth to power, railed against greed and authoritarianism and challenged me to love and welcome all. Your words reflect the truth of the Jesus I love and follow.
Luke 6: 22-23“ Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.
24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get.
25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.
26“ There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously.
31-34“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
35-36“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
Thanks for this offering. I yelled "YES" internally multiple times throughout this piece, though *especially* at this part:
"When we shun or disregard the voices that challenge our preconceived notions, biases, or comfort zones, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to grow, evolve, and better understand the intricate world around us."
Thank you. This particular article resonated deeply and truly for me and caused me to upgrade to paid subscriber, a drop in the stream of those who've unsubscribed and perhaps, chosen to keep on their "blindfolds." Thank you. Your voice and observations are needed now more than ever.
💯💯💯💯 this!!! 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
“a call for introspection about our roles as individuals and collective communities in the stagnation and decline of our world. It is about understanding the interconnectedness of our actions and their ripple effects on the global and hyper-local stages. The pieces invite readers not only to critique the societal problems they observe but also to evaluate their own participation in creating or perpetuating these issues.”
I thought your piece on greedflation was so important. Unchecked capitalism and wild wealth disparity puts us all in a position that encourages saving ourselves, instead of saving all of us together. As someone close to retirement, with a retired spouse and 3 kids in their 20s trying to navigate today's economy, I feel the weight of trying to find safety for all of us. I recognize the dangerous headspace that dilemma creates.
I'm so glad I read all the way through because I'm SO excited to see your upcoming releases. Keep speaking you mind, telling the truth and trust that most of us are here because it's YOU we want to hear from. Don't stay in any lane. We want to know what's on your mind and we are grateful for your generosity in letting us in.
Mr Joseph, thank you for this brutal, painful, truthful vulnerability in this column. I'm so sorry of what you have experienced because you were brave, took risk, and spoke truth from your heart and experience. I'm sorry for the financial hit you took from this and I'm encouraged that this motivated some of your readers to become paid subscribers.
As I read this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus. I seek to be more like Jesus, not the white Jesus I grew up on, but the brown Jesus that embraced and loved the marginalized, spoke truth to power, railed against greed and authoritarianism and challenged me to love and welcome all. Your words reflect the truth of the Jesus I love and follow.
Luke 6: 22-23“ Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.
24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get.
25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.
26“ There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously.
31-34“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
35-36“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
Thanks for this offering. I yelled "YES" internally multiple times throughout this piece, though *especially* at this part:
"When we shun or disregard the voices that challenge our preconceived notions, biases, or comfort zones, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to grow, evolve, and better understand the intricate world around us."
Beautiful sentiment elegantly expressed, bravo