I watched the first couple of minutes of the football game over the weekend. As they going to commercial, the broadcaster said when we come back, we will honor America. I said out loud to myself we need to mourn what we have known of America. She is dying.
I am going to be hosting a time of mourning, offering prayer into our land. I believe that’s the only thing that will heal us. Even in the protest, hearts are hardened and angry. We reap what we sow. We need to start sowing something different.
We are in a wonderful time of being able to help usher in what is before us. None of us know what the future holds, but we can certainly prepare our hearts. Nothing dies without something bringing life.
We can offer a time of comfort with songs and spoken words. We can begin envisioning what our world can still be. If we are not part of the change, we risk being left behind.
No one will win in this culture war if we do not step up and take a lead into a new world. We’re already headed that way. If we don’t envision it, and create it, it will continue to be more of the same and worse.
If we want something we have to begin doing something different.
We are heading into a major financial crisis both at the state level and across the country. The changes to SNAP and Medicaid changes will begin taking place at the end of the year.
SNAP changes: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/obbb-implementation
American Medical Association’s information on Medicaid changes: www.ama-assn.org/system/files/medicaid-community-engagement-requirements-summary.pdf
You can look at what the Oregon legislative body will be working on beginning next week.
Here is a link to watch this month’s committee hearings. This is the first day. Click on the calendar arrow to see the meetings for the whole week. The joint ways and means committee is where state spending and revenue discussions are that will affect all of us.
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025I1/2026-01-13
Pay attention to budget shortfalls. How do we begin preparing for the much harder times ahead? We can’t keep fighting about what’s already on the way.
I keep saying protesting alone will not move the needle. How quick did people forget about Saturday when the football game came on the next day.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
If you’ve read this far and are still interested, my email is laniciaduke@gmail.com and my number is 503-898-8929.
LaNicia Duke