This is an audio version of Mike Murphy‘s Friday rumblings. This is a regular post on Facebook that I’ve turned into a podcast. I decided Mike’s words needed a wider audience. You may agree or disagree with what he says, but there is certainly much food for thought contained here. You can friend Mike on Facebook for the printed version or read it below

Rumblings. 9.13.24 

1. James Baldwin wrote: “The American Negro has the great advantage of having never believed the collection of myths to which white Americans cling: that their ancestors were all freedom-loving heroes, that they were born in the greatest country the world has ever seen, or that Americans are invincible in battle and wise in peace…” 

Baldwin’s sharp critique lays bare the uncomfortable myths many white Americans have adopted about their country. These myths obscure the historical injustices against marginalized groups, creating a national identity built on selective memory.

Historian Jemar Tisby echoes this sentiment: “I am increasingly convinced that the critics on the Right are intellectually unserious about a fuller and accurate understanding of history. Perhaps even worse, they are incurious. I suspect they prefer valorous mythology rather than a precise past.”

I especially want adults who have never heard of Baldwin and Tisby to read Baldwin and Tisby.  Both authors offer insights that challenge the narratives we’ve been conditioned to believe, and their voices are more relevant and needed than ever.

I regularly interact with people whose patriotism blinds them to the darker aspects of American history and I wonder if they’re even open to exploring a more complete version of our past. I won’t know until I ask them, huh? 

My gut tells me that Baldwin’s and Tisby’s insights would be seen as an attack on their core beliefs, not an invitation to reflection and conversation. Plus, their tribe would shout ‘no flippin way!’

2. Hans Küng wrote, “The Kingdom of God is creation healed.” 

What a beautiful thought. 

In the end, everything is restored to its original, intended state. It makes sense that our role in the here and now is to participate in that healing and restoration. Easier said than done, of course, but isn’t that what makes it worth striving for?

3. Trevor Hudson, a Methodist minister from South Africa who marched with and was jailed with Bishop Desmond Tutu during apartheid, reflects deeply on race. He says, “From the moment of my birth, I was recruited into whiteness.”

His words resonate with me, hopefully with you too. Every white person in America has, in one way or another, been “recruited” into whiteness. It has influenced how we have seen ourselves and others, where we live and how we participate in our community. I’ve been sitting with this for a while and grappling with the full implications of the privilege that accompanies it. 

4.  Corrie ten Boom wrote, “What a sad mistake we make when we think that God only cares about Christians.” 

Does God also care for:

Muslims? Yes. 

Buddhists? Yes. 

Atheists? Yes. 

Raging materialists? Yes.  

Securalists? Even secularists. 

MAGA and its subsidiary Christian Nationalism? Yes. But I think He wants to have a long conversation with them. 

God cares about all of us. However, It doesn’t mean He’s OK with our behavior. 

5. Midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear: “I’m not screwing around. All of this pretending and performing—these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt—has to go. 

Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy and lovable, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. 

You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through your veins. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.”~ Brene Brown

Brown is simply using different, but powerful words, to describe the dichotomy between true self/false self. As we age we need to shed the armor we’ve built up to protect ourselves. It’s time to live authentically.

7. “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people, so let’s be clear about that and clearly he’s having a very difficult time processing that. We cannot afford to have a president of the United States who attempts as he did in the past to upend the will of the voters in a free and fair election.” ~ Kamala Harris

As I listened to the debate this week I used this as my prayer. 

 “Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.” ~ Khalil Gibran

8. From time to time, someone points at me and essentially declares that I am “dead” to them and to God. It’s like a scene from “Goodfellas”.

The judgment (minus any kind of conversation) most often comes from someone who is upset that I no longer follow their particular blueprint for what my life should look like. They’re disturbed that I have a different way of approaching politics, cultural issues and spiritual formation. It’s confusing to them. I get it. They need a box to put me in and I’m not cooperating. You see, I don’t like boxes. Too confining. 

What I do know is that I’m on a journey that draws me into the life and teachings of Jesus and the example set by good, thoughtful, and prayerful people who have trekked with Him throughout the ages. ‘Tis a good place to be. I’m in good company. It’s better than living in a box. 

9. “The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be. Only when your roots are deep can your fruits be abundant.”  ~  Henri Nouwen 

So, what’s your ‘take root’ plan? Do you need help? Will you look for and  accept help?

10. Ridding our country of assault weapons is a pro-life initiative we need to start taking seriously. It requires, however, abandoning our cult-like worship of the 2nd Amendment. That’s not going to happen soon. There’s still a mob of folks who believe that holding The King James Bible in one hand and an AR15 in the other is the American way, endorsed totally and fully by Jesus, and they find their justification somewhere in the good book they keep on misquoting.  

Lord, have mercy.

And yes, I know. Some of you are going to say  “You’re dead to me and God”.  Reread Rumble #8.