I've seen some wild ocean storms living in the Canadian Maritimes for nearly two decades. Yet, I always, always believed the storms would eventually end and calm will return. The current storm hitting the United States and the world has already caused horrific damage, with no clear sign of when the damage will stop so that we can get back to some sense of normalcy.

We knew the political divide in the US, for example, had been brewing for years. As the November 2020 election neared, we expected upheaval. If Biden lost, radical leftist would storm the streets and riot. If Trump lost, right wing zealots would do the same. Well, it happened, and it might only get worse. I read so many posts on social media claiming, "This is not America!" Unfortunately, it's time for all of us to face reality and admit America is what it is!Why are we  shocked? Our political leaders and law enforcement authorities have failed us miserably.

Here's a rundown of the most shocking events of this week (Jan 4-10, 2021), a week like no other in my more than five decades of life.

1. Chinese Communists arrested the entire democratic opposition in Hong Kong, reversing any hope of a free and fair election. You can read more about that from the Wall Street Journal.  However, what seems to be more shocking is the lack of attention and interest from mainstream media.

2. Donald Trump, the outgoing President of the USA, held a protest rally down the street while US Congress met to certify electoral college results in favor of Joe Biden. 

 

3. US citizens (pro trump folks and likely Antifa, BLM and other rioters) easily stormed The People's House, the Sacred Temple of Democracy, while the electoral college was being certified. Our elected politicians cowered in fear, running for their lives. Civilians and one law enforcement died. 

5. The American Civil Liberties Union seems to be the lone voice in sounding the alarm of Big Tech's censorship. Yes, that's shocking, because the ACLU is so partisan and favors Progressives. 

My bible readings this week have brought to attention one key verse, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2: 3-4). May this key verse guide my thoughts, words, and actions in the coming weeks and months.