iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Josiah Hawthorne @josiahhawthorne.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

I should have read Arendt's "The Origins of Totaltarianism" ten years ago. Because this is mind-blowing.

For the propaganda of totalitarian movements which precede and accom
pany totalitarian regimes is invariably as frank as it is mendacious, and
would-be totalitarian rulers usually start their careers by boasting of their
past crimes and carefully outlining their future ones. The Nazis "were con
vinced that evil-doing in our time has a morbid force of attraction," 5 Bol
shevik assurances inside and outside Russia that they do not recognize
ordinary moral standards have become a mainstay of Communist propa
ganda, and experience has proved time and again that the propaganda value
of evil deeds and general contempt for moral standards is independent of
mere self-interest, supposedly the most powerful psychological factor in
politics.
The attraction of evil and crime for the mob mentality is nothing new. It
has always been true that the mob will greet "deeds of violence with the
admiring remark: it may be mean but it is very clever." 6 The disturbing
factor in the success of totalitarianism is rather the true selflessness of its
adherents : it may be understandable that a Nazi or Bolshevik will not be
shaken in his conviction by crimes against people who do not belong to
the movement or are even hostile to it; but the amazing fact is that neither
is he likely to waver when the monster begins to devour its own children
and not even if he becomes a victim of persecution himself, if he is framed
and condemned, if he is purged from the party and sent to a forced-labor
or a concentration camp. On the contrary, to the wonder of the whole
civilized world, he may even be willing to help in his own prosecution and
frame his own death sentence if only his status as a member of the move
ment is not touched.7 It would be naive to consider this stubbornness of
conviction which outlives all actual experiences and cancels all immediate
self-interest a simple expression of fervent idealism. Idealism, foolish or
heroic, always springs from some individual decision and conviction and
is s…

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Beth Moore @bethmoorelpm.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

DO NOT forget what prayer can do. Amid all else God’s calling you to do or speak, never for a moment forget that nothing’s more powerful than earnest audacious persistent prayer. The devil—yes, boomer here said the devil, the ever-real prince of vilest darkness—hopes we’ll lose confidence in prayer.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 24/02/2025

In #Genesis 3, when God is talking to Eve, he says "your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." I've heard it said (and it's compelling to me) that that statement is "prophecy, not policy"

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 24/02/2025

Excited (and a little overwhelmed) to be starting some theological study! It's only a single subject, but it's super great to be enrolled at Melbourne's excellent Ridley College :D ridley.edu.au

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𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 @sundaedivine.lol · 05/02/2025

Two paths diverged in the woods and America took the psychopath.

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Trey Ferguson @pastortrey05.com · 04/02/2025

Jesus did not die instead of his followers. Jesus died ahead of his followers. The word was not “take your cross and give it to me.” The word was “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” Those who follow that word will, like Jesus, be counted among the rebels.

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Raymond Chang @raymondchang.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Privilege is the ability to look away at injustice because you aren’t personally impacted by it.

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Dr. Laura Robinson @laurarbnsn.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

I am... baffled. What did you want, Rachel? You wanted Gaiman to be held accountable, but you didn't want him to lose publishing deals? What did you want us to do? Drive to his house and yell at him? This is what accountability looks like! People feel differently about him!

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🔥The Quirky Pastor🔥 @quirkypastor.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

“But i hate him for he never prophesies anything favorable about me, only disaster.” “She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart…the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She’s not very good at her job!” Who said it better? King Ahab or Biff?

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 23/01/2025

This is what I am trying to focus on when every fibre of my being wants to argue and yell. 🙏 #lordhavemercy

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Rich Villodas @richvillodas.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

It’s incredibly challenging when Christians on various sides think the other side is delusional, blind, trapped, etc. How do we know who is being faithful to God? The litmus test I believe is: Cruciform love. Living the Beatitudes. The Sermon on the Mount. That’s how we know.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 22/01/2025

Preached on #Psalm 1 Sunday past, and it’s continuing to kick my butt. All the ways I attempt to self-satisfy are staring me in the face.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 06/01/2025

A reflection on #Psalm 1: A few months ago, we put in some wicking garden beds at our place. You water them from the bottom and the water draws up, or "wicks" through a spongy layer into the soil at the top.

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Rich Villodas @richvillodas.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

Keep Christ in Christians.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 09/12/2024

#Aussie Christians, I'm looking for awesome homegrown theologians and cultural observers to follow. Any suggestions?

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 05/12/2024

I’ve been followed by a bunch of accounts now that seem to follow the same pattern: 1) be from an African country 2) have a Christianish byline 3) posted 2 photos and nothing else

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Ryan Burge @ryanburge.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

My church held its last worship service back in July, but I got a call that one of our members was in hospice care. He told me he'd lived a good life and was ready to go. I read him his last rites. Just because we don't gather on Sundays anymore doesn't mean that the folks don't need their pastor.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 02/12/2024

What's something you're hoping to do in the new year that will deepen your love for God? I'm hoping to read through the Psalms twice next year. One Psalm a day. And try, in the spirit of Psalm 1, to meditate on it throughout the day.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 02/12/2024

Thanks for those who prayed for yesterday’s sermon. I think it was clear; I’m thankful any fruit from it is above my pay grade 😌

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Beth Moore @bethmoorelpm.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

On holidays I always think how one day we who’ve placed our faith in Jesus will all sit together at the great feast. And we will have the most marvelous food and the finest wine. And we will raise our glasses to the glorious Head of our table. And we will laugh and sing and love each other so much.

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Andy Nicholson @jesusthings.dotni.ch · 29/11/2024

Preparing to preach at my church this coming Sunday afternoon, on #Ephesians 5. No, not that bit, the _first_ bit! Please pray for me 🙏

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Andy Nicholson @dotni.ch · 28/11/2024

I find it hard to post things about the diverse stuff I'm interested in without worrying I'm gonna bore those whose interests don't overlap. Or that the other solution – let The Algorithm do the filtering – just ends up with stuff ending up in bubbles I don't have control over.

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