Red Shoe Pastor

Writings of Rev. Robert Glen Brown (Robby)

A space for compassion and love.

Category: Politics

  • Be Kind To Yourself

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    Be kind to yourself. Stop judging yourself, stop trying to make yourself fit into the morality of anyone else — myself and the Church included — stop “shoulding” all over yourself. The world is better — fuller, richer, more beautiful — with you in it… Read more

  • The Problem with Our Contempt

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    When our hearts get sick with hatred, we start dehumanizing the other and no longer see suffering but just justice served. Once you celebrate the suffering of one, then there is no bar to cross of how evil or bad someone needs to be to celebrate their suffering, and eventually you cheer when ordinary people… Read more

  • Create and Be Loud

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    Counter-cultural art is active resistance — especially when just loving your neighbor is deeply counter-cultural even in the church — so be actively resistant by creating. Do not just rely on others; flood the field with as much love as the powers flood is with cruelty and hate. Read more

  • It Is Not Enough, but I love You

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    I love you, and I hope I love you enough to break open your heart a little to see the pain and struggle in another — and to condemn every action that would cause that pain. I love you, and my heart breaks for you. Read more

  • I (Finally) Found What to Say

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    If you have contempt for another, if you celebrate the suffering of another, if you condemn another, you do not love. Period. Love is universal and available to all, not just those you think need or deserve it more. Read more

  • The (Chilling) Flag Outside the Window

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    And so I stare at that flag, let the chill go down my spine, and preach against it while it definitely flies out the window. Read more

  • The Purpose of Lament Today

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    I lament today because all I can do is cry out. I cannot fix it today, I cannot even improve it slightly today, I can out cry out to God and ask why, even if God will stubbornly refuse to answer and refuse to intercede. Read more

  • Calls for Justice are not “Political”

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    …in thinking about the flippancy that some people treat the humanity of others and my lack of words to directly address the present situation, I found myself wondering about the term “political” and how it gets used (especially surrounding preaching and churches). While thinking about this, I realized I need to define “political,” a task… Read more

  • A Late Reflection for 9/11

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    I will remember this day by praying for peace for all. I will remember this day by praying for the fulfillment of Isaiah 2:4 4 God will judge between the nations,     and settle disputes of mighty nations. Then they will beat their swords into iron plows     and their spears into pruning tools. Nation will not take… Read more

  • Boring Truth Versus Charismatic Lies

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    The bad actors who create and spread misinformation, the deceivers, say truth and truthtellers take good and holy things away from you – like community, corporate worship, closeness in this season – and tell you believing and following their lies will give those things back. Read more