I am really frustrated that the press is discussing the destruction of USAID as something that has happened rather than an illegal action that will likely be undone in two weeks when courts tell the world that it was illegal.

“God is with us, God hasn’t abandoned us, thus we cannot abandon each other.” Mitzi Smith

Shoutout to Black History Month.

We ain’t need no President to co-sign it, and can’t no President take it away.

This month celebrates the surviving and thriving of a people *in spite of* a government committed to ignoring them when it wasn’t underwriting their destruction.

a r2d2 robot is standing in the sand near a rock Alt: a r2d2 robot is standing in the sand near a rock and falling over

Realizing it’s only been 10 days since inauguration…..

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” “Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” 8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied.

Today, I introduced a resolution to fully condemn the distorted prophecy that was preached at King Ahab by Micaiah son of Imlah.

I strongly Congress to act quickly on this resolution to show King Ahab that the prophecy given is not reflective of the prophet community at large.

Kidlit Auction Jan 20th - Jan 26th Raising funds for Los Angeles wildfire relief

About Kidlit For Los Angeles We are a group of kidlit creators who have been heartbroken by the apocalyptic scenes in Los Angeles. Some of us are proud Angelenos, with friends and family members who have suffered crushing losses. We are looking to help raise desperately needed funds for wildfire relief efforts in the many communities that have been impacted. @KidlitForLosAngeles

How Can I Help? • Follow us here on @kidlitforlosangeles. We will be sharing some sneek peeks of our amazing auction items so please follow along! • Spread the word! Share to your Instagram stories, on your social media pages, and in any groups you are in (both kidlit-related and not!) Mark your calendars! The auction will go live on January 20th (9am Pacific Standard Time) and run through January 26th (9pm PST). Thank you in advance for your support!

How will the auction work? • Donations will be listed on our auction page (link coming soon!) • Winners will show proof of donation to one of the auction's four charities as payment for their item (s). These receipts will be reviewed, and winners will be connected with donors after verification. • The auction will go live on January 20th (9am Pacific Standard Time) and run through January 26th (9pm PST).

KidLitForLosAngeles is a group of Kid’s Literature creators who’ve been heartbroken by the devastating California wildfires. They’ve channeled their sadness into action for wildfire relief efforts. Please visit their Instagram for details on their auction/fundraiser & ways you can help ❤️‍🩹 Thank you 📚

Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commita your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good…
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37

michael jordan is wearing a suit and tie and smiling . ALT: michael jordan is wearing a suit and tie and smiling .

Florida, it’s been like two weeks of this.

Appreciate this informative thread. Helpful context on incarcerated firefighters. 🧵

Black residents mourn lost homes, history as wildfires scorch Altadena “All that stuff that you thought was so important can be gone in five minutes.”

I talked to the Black residents of Altadena who say they’ve lost everything but hope.

“When you escape tragedy, you say, ‘it could have got me.’ It didn’t. So I’m going to keep on going,” said 83-year-old Walt Butler.

The legacy of Jimmy Carter serves as a reminder that the most beautifully impactful, human traits often make for “bad” Presidents.

Serving well does not always look like “leading” well.

I feel as though one of those legacies is more worthy of aspiration than the other.

Do not believe the condemnation of the accuser of the brothers and sisters. And do not help him do his work toward others.

Love God and also love others as you love yourself. Which suggests that, if you give way to self loathing, you will not only direct it inward but inevitably outward to others.

Cleopatra lived closer in time to 'yeet' being in the dictionary than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

You know, your own imagination is far more wonderful Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Than any computer could ever be. You know why? Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

You’re a living human being. And a computer is just a machine. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Human beings are far more wonderful than machines. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

Mister Rogers never misses

Resist despair. Resist hatred. Resist fear.

Cultivate joy. Cultivate open-heartedness. Cultivate hope.

It’s going to be hard. But this is how we win.

I’m determined to make at least one new friend this year. Like a real friend…And strengthen the few real ones I already have.

I keep saying I’ll start celebrating Kwanzaa this year and never do 🫠

Lots of churches, Christians, and Christian leaders sounding like noisy gongs and clanging symbols all because they do not embody love. Annoying.

But Jesus is not that way. And people know it. That is why they find it so reprehensible.

Even after 2,000 years the Christmas story can, and should, still shock us. Joseph and Mary were, like so many people today, struggling and desperate during their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A Christmas Eve meditation: outreach.faith/2024/12/jose...

I get overwhelmed just walking through Costco this time of year, the fact that there are people there with 12 hour shifts?!

God, bless the people who serve in the endless-line-places. So be it, amen.

Find Out Why Health Insurance Denied Your Claim You likely have the right to access records that explain why your insurer denied your claim or prior authorization request. Use ProPublica’s free tool to generate a letter requesting your claim file f...

I don't know who needs to know this, but Pro Publica has an online thing that will format a letter to your US health insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial. (which the insurance is then legally required to provide in most cases)

projects.propublica.org/claimfile/

Winter solstice.🌒
Shortest day, longest night.
The most darkness of any time in the year.

But like those waiting between the Advents, we know the darkness is not forever.

Though the wait may feel interminable, we have hope knowing the Son will return.🕯️🕯️🕯️🎄
#Advent
#WinterSolstice

Listen… cuz my brain has not comprehended the craziness of this year AT ALL. Gotta let it out somehow.

There's pastors out here just making stuff up. Just. Making. Stuff. Up.

And when you call them on it, like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, they just make more stuff up to try to cover. It's just blatant. Wow.

Hey you!

Go write 1 positive review today for a podcast, book, game, actual play, or other thing that you like. Bonus points if it's an indie!

It'll take you 2 minutes, but will mean the world to the creative who reads it.

There’s so many ridiculous things about those commercials. I have so many questions: does the couple always make significant financial decisions alone? Do they have separate bank accounts? If not, how did they hide a $50,000 purchase?

If people who know better stopped using friends & children’s programs as excuses and stopped going to toxic churches, we could move the needle much faster.

Christian patriarchy only works bc ‘good people’ support it; Racism only continues bc ‘good people’ let it.

Sorry, y’all. Just tired today.