“What is your life?” asks the Letter of James. “You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Letter of James 4:14b (NIV)
When a megalomaniacal public figure fears that his Echo is growing faint, and that the spotlight is fading, or turning against him, an ingrained and well-practiced defense mechanism kicks in, as surely as night follows day:
When a critic attacks, project onto your critic what you yourself are, and fear becoming.
Former Director of Homeland Security, later chosen to serve as White House Chief of Staff, retired Marine Corps general John Kelly, claims that his boss tried to use the FBI, the IRS, and other federal agencies as weapons against the president’s perceived enemies — former FBI Director Jim Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, among them.
The former president’s current spokesperson refutes Kelly’s claim with the defense mechanism to which Americans have become accustomed:
"It’s total fiction created by a psycho, John Kelly, who . . . made it up just because he’s become so irrelevant.”
“You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?” asks the Epistle of James. “You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James
A Letter to the Editor
A Letter to the Editor in today’s Star Tribune (Nov. 17, 2020) asks and answers a few vexing questions about fiction, psychos, and irrelevance.
Gordon C. Stewart, public theologian, author, Be Still! Departure from Collective Madness (2017 Wipf and Stock), Brooklyn Park, MN, November 17, 2022
Views from the Edge 
Way back in 2016 I said Trump had one lone talent — to bring out the worst in people. It is one he still has, but I think now more people are finally seeing that clearly. At least I hope so.
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Carolyn, as usual, we’re on the same page. In that respect, we haven’t changed a bit -:). Let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later. A Warnock election victory may add further evidence that the number of folks who rebuke the one talent president is growing.
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Well, Gordon, he’s not going away quietly. Interesting how many are energized by him. He appeals to our own ego, and selfishness…such a contrast to the Leader, Teacher, Healer we follow. And, maybe that is why this fires us up? Recognizing our own shortcomings in T, we have an alternative…transforming all that energy into compassion, mercy, asking forgiveness and repairing the harm we have done. A daily opportunity. Lots to ponder, pray about and work towards. Blessings my friend, And peace, Chris
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Thank you, Chris. Your comment is what your reflections always are — thoughtful, seeing the deeper issue of our own humanity, and pointing us away from ego to the way of Christ. Thank you!
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