Arlington,Texas "Proud To Call It Home"

Our vision is an engaged and diverse community where passionate people love to Live. Work. Create. 

[arlingtonproud]

[markjoeckel]

A Treatise of Conscience

A Treatise of Conscience

Preamble

In times of crisis, the church and the people of conscience must speak. We are bound not by silence, but by truth. We affirm that allegiance belongs to justice, compassion, democracy, and the dignity of every person—not to political leaders, nationalist movements, or authoritarian power.

Thesis 1: Truth Alone

We confess that truth is essential for a just society, revealed in honesty, transparency, and the pursuit of justice.

Rejection: We reject lies, propaganda, and deliberate deception in public life. We oppose all attempts to normalize falsehood and distort reality for political gain.

Thesis 2: Democracy and the Rule of Law

We confess that the rule of law, constitutional order, and free elections safeguard human dignity and civic peace.

Rejection: We reject voter suppression, intimidation of election officials, and efforts to delegitimize democratic institutions. We reject any leader who places themselves above the law.

Thesis 3: The Role of Government

We confess that government exists to promote justice, protect the vulnerable, and seek the common good.

Rejection: We reject the misuse of government to enrich the powerful, oppress minorities, or serve narrow ideologies. We reject authoritarianism disguised as patriotism.

Thesis 4: Freedom of Conscience and Expression

We confess that freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the arts are essential to human flourishing.

Rejection: We reject censorship, attacks on the media, and political assaults on artists and cultural institutions. We reject the reduction of culture to propaganda.

Thesis 5: Community and Human Dignity

We confess that every human being is created with equal dignity and worth.

Rejection: We reject racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and the scapegoating of immigrants, refugees, and marginalized communities. We reject violence and the incitement of hatred as tools of political power.

Thesis 6: The Church and Civic Responsibility

We confess that the community of faith and conscience must remain independent of political control, serving as a voice for truth and justice.

Rejection: We reject the exploitation of religion for political gain, the fusion of faith with nationalism, and the silence of leaders who fail to confront tyranny.

Closing

We affirm with courage and humility that conscience demands resistance to injustice. We call upon citizens, artists, workers, leaders, and people of faith to stand together in defense of democracy, justice, and the dignity of all people. We pledge ourselves not to silence, but to truth.

[markjoeckel]

What Are Your Thoughts?

Summary

The conversation focuses on the current societal changes in the United States, drawing parallels to historical patterns of dictatorship and resistance. The speaker emphasizes the need for a unified plan of action to combat the current regime and protect marginalized communities. They call for collective efforts from individuals across various sectors to resist oppression and promote a vision for a better future.

Takeaways

The current direction of society is concerning. Historical patterns of dictatorship can inform our actions today. Resistance requires a well-thought-out plan. Community unity is essential for effective resistance. Demonization of groups is a common tactic in oppressive regimes. A core group of individuals can lead the way in resistance. The civil rights movement serves as a model for peaceful resistance. We must not remain passive in the face of injustice. Local communities play a crucial role in resistance efforts. Now is the time to act and stand together.

Chapters

00:00 The Current State of Society 02:36 Historical Patterns of Resistance 04:52 The Call for Action and Unity

#society #resistance #dictatorship #history #community #action #America #persecution #plan #change

[churchblogmatics-blog]

Books for spiritual formation

Books that have left an indelible mark on my understanding of God or the Christian faith in some way. My spiritual development is unfinished, so this list is unfinished - I'm always open to suggestions

Soren Kierkegaard

The Sickness Unto Death - Explained how sin works psychologically, illustrates how it can be its own punishment

Works of Love - What it means to love, what it costs, what it gives us

Fear and Trembling - What faith means, its miraculous nature

Karl Barth

Evangelical Theology - What theology actually means, how the gospel is good news

The Epistle to the Romans - Shows the need for continual reformation of thought within the church, introduced (to me) the idea of God's freedom in communication to man

Church Dogmatics II.2 - Election is good news! It is God willing to choose humanity despite sin - universal reconciliation can and should be hoped for

The Journal of John Woolman

What undying commitment to justice means, what it looks like

Martin Luther King Jr

Letter from a Birmingham Jail - Made me understand how Romans 13:1 can be integrated into radical politics

A Gift of Love - Brought to life 1 John 4:20

A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving

A narrative illustration of unwavering faith

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas Kempis

What we're saved to, salvation has a telos

Flannery O'Connor

Wise Blood - Life without Christ, the perils of sola scriptura

A Good Man is Hard to Find - Shows grace as an intrusive lived experience

Marilynne Robinson

Gilead novels (Gilead, Home, Lila) - Rich illustration of Imago Dei

When I Was a Child I Read Books - Bolstered my understanding of the 8th commandment (reading with charitable intent, in interactions with others in life and on the page)

What Are We Doing Here? - Illustrates what the glory of God means in daily experience

Garry Wills

What Paul Meant - Paul and Jesus were of a unified mind, stop reading Paul as a bible thumper, start reading him as a man who loved dearly and wrote with urgency on live issues

Religio Medici, Thomas Browne

Ecumenism is a beautiful thing and should be strived for in all Christian communities

The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton

The gospel brings peace of mind and soul, searching for peace is a valid epistemology

Eichmann in Jerusalem, Hannah Arendt

Wickedness is not inevitable, it arises from moral and intellectual sluggardliness

The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Learn to love the church, it is the arms of Christ; great exegesis of the Sermon on the Mount; great companion to the book of James

White Evangelical Racism, Anthea Butler

Evangelicalism did not emerge from theological first principles, it is a diseased expression of the faith informed by racism at the root

Jesus and John Wayne, Kristin Kobes du Mez

Evangelicalism did not emerge from theological first principles, it is a diseased expression of the faith informed by misogyny at the root

C.S. Lewis

The Great Divorce - Eternity begins now, sin is its own punishment and grace is its own reward

Till We Have Faces - God has compassion and patience for those who wrestle with him, to summon the boldness to contend with God can be a blessed thing

The Courage to Be, Paul Tillich

The dynamics of Christian faith explained in the abstract

As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner

The thinness of intellectual assent, the richness of faith

The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker

Explanation of the existential need faith meets in the language of continental philosophy

Confessions, St. Augustine

The most theologically and philosophically rich testimony besides that of St. Paul

An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity, Jonathan Edwards

What is the trinity, why is it important

John Milton

Areopagitica - Enforced virtue means nothing

Paradise Lost - Human beings are worth saving even if they aren't deserving of God's favor

Civilization and its Discontents, Sigmund Freud

Illustrates the necessity of grace by exploring a world through the assumption of its absence (excellent foil to A Gift of Love)

[lucidseduction]

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

[absurdlakefront]

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this, the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Bonhoeffer Reader, p. 766–7

[spectre777]

[markjoeckel]

Economic Development by Creating "Places". By Mark Joeckel

When folks are asked to bring up solutions to quicken economic re-development in Arlington, responses typically fall along the lines of: “The city just needs to tear down all ‘those’ apartments!” – “The city needs to clean up East Arlington" – “The city needs to add public transportation." 

Keep reading

[markjoeckel]

The Resistance

A Treatise of Conscience 

Introduction

We, citizens of this nation, recognize a moral and civic obligation to speak against actions that threaten justice, truth, human dignity, the arts, and the foundations of democracy. Silence in the face of wrongdoing is complicity. Therefore, we set forth these points of conscience, declaring our disagreement with acts, policies, and behaviors that endanger the moral, civic, and cultural fabric of our country.

Twenty-One Points of Disagreement

Truth and Integrity

We reject the repeated spread of falsehoods, deception, and propaganda that undermine public trust in institutions and among individuals.

Rule of Law

We oppose any efforts to circumvent the law, attack courts, or weaken the principles of justice that bind a free society.

Equality and Civil Rights

We reject discrimination in all forms, including policies that harm marginalized communities or deny equal protection under the law.

Human Dignity

We condemn the mistreatment, humiliation, or dehumanization of immigrants, refugees, and vulnerable populations.

Corruption and Abuse of Office

We oppose the use of public office for personal enrichment, nepotism, or the pursuit of private gain at the public’s expense.

Freedom of the Press

We defend journalists and independent reporting, and reject attacks meant to intimidate or suppress truth-telling.

Public Health and Safety

We condemn policies that ignore scientific guidance or jeopardize the health and well-being of citizens.

Environmental Responsibility

We reject actions that knowingly harm the environment, accelerate climate crises, or endanger future generations.

Respect for International Law

We oppose violations of treaties, agreements, and international norms that undermine global stability and peace.

Voting Rights

We reject measures that suppress votes, delegitimize elections, or compromise the fairness of the democratic process.

Nationalism and Division

We oppose rhetoric and policies that exploit fear, identity, or nationalism to divide the citizenry.

Undermining Civic Institutions

We reject efforts to weaken or politicize institutions essential to democracy, including oversight bodies, law enforcement, and Congress.

Incitement and Tolerance of Violence

We condemn words or actions that encourage violence against citizens or political opponents.

Exploitation of Religion

We reject the misuse of faith to justify policies, personal gain, or political power.

Education and Knowledge

We oppose efforts to distort history, suppress science, or undermine civic education.

Economic Inequality

We reject policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy while neglecting the poor and working-class citizens.

Executive Overreach

We oppose attempts to bypass constitutional checks, consolidate power, or disregard accountability.

Protection of the Vulnerable

We condemn policies that fail to safeguard children, the disabled, or those otherwise at risk.

Accountability and Responsibility

We reject the refusal to accept responsibility for wrongdoing or to uphold ethical leadership.

Defense of Democracy

We declare our opposition to any act, policy, or rhetoric that threatens the democratic principles that sustain our nation.

Degradation of Culture and the Arts

We condemn any attacks on the arts, artists, or cultural institutions that enrich society and preserve the human spirit.

We reject the use of power to silence, censor, or diminish cultural expression, whether in museums, theaters, music, or literature.

Conclusion

We affirm that civic courage requires speaking truth to power, defending the oppressed, nurturing the arts, and upholding the principles of justice, equality, and democracy. We call upon all citizens to join in this affirmation of conscience, pledging to resist injustice, protect cultural expression, and safeguard the moral and civic foundations of our nation.

[markjoeckel]

A Treatise of Conscience

A Treatise of Conscience

Preamble

In times of crisis, the church and the people of conscience must speak. We are bound not by silence, but by truth. We affirm that allegiance belongs to justice, compassion, democracy, and the dignity of every person—not to political leaders, nationalist movements, or authoritarian power.

Thesis 1: Truth Alone

We confess that truth is essential for a just society, revealed in honesty, transparency, and the pursuit of justice.

Rejection: We reject lies, propaganda, and deliberate deception in public life. We oppose all attempts to normalize falsehood and distort reality for political gain.

Thesis 2: Democracy and the Rule of Law

We confess that the rule of law, constitutional order, and free elections safeguard human dignity and civic peace.

Rejection: We reject voter suppression, intimidation of election officials, and efforts to delegitimize democratic institutions. We reject any leader who places themselves above the law.

Thesis 3: The Role of Government

We confess that government exists to promote justice, protect the vulnerable, and seek the common good.

Rejection: We reject the misuse of government to enrich the powerful, oppress minorities, or serve narrow ideologies. We reject authoritarianism disguised as patriotism.

Thesis 4: Freedom of Conscience and Expression

We confess that freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the arts are essential to human flourishing.

Rejection: We reject censorship, attacks on the media, and political assaults on artists and cultural institutions. We reject the reduction of culture to propaganda.

Thesis 5: Community and Human Dignity

We confess that every human being is created with equal dignity and worth.

Rejection: We reject racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and the scapegoating of immigrants, refugees, and marginalized communities. We reject violence and the incitement of hatred as tools of political power.

Thesis 6: The Church and Civic Responsibility

We confess that the community of faith and conscience must remain independent of political control, serving as a voice for truth and justice.

Rejection: We reject the exploitation of religion for political gain, the fusion of faith with nationalism, and the silence of leaders who fail to confront tyranny.

Closing

We affirm with courage and humility that conscience demands resistance to injustice. We call upon citizens, artists, workers, leaders, and people of faith to stand together in defense of democracy, justice, and the dignity of all people. We pledge ourselves not to silence, but to truth.

[arlingtonproud]

It's my 12 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[markjoeckel]

Economic Development by Creating "Places". By Mark Joeckel

Keep reading

[arlingtonproud]

East  Main Fest Music Line-Up & Event Map - May 5, 2018

May 5, Noon-8pm - 32 Bands On 5 Stages. Music Schedule for the East Main Arts Festival.Bring you lawn chairs. (No coolers)

SpyderPop Main Stage: 12:00pm Buddy Whittington 1:30pm The Uptown Drifters 2:45pm The Lannie Flowers Band 4:15pm The Pengwins 5:45pm The Big Red Ants and 7:00pm High Point: The Band

Lester's Backyard East Street Stage: 12:00pm Emo BlunderBuss 1:00pm Pink House 2:00pm Flip & the Combined Effort 3:00pm AdamMarie 4:00pm RoloVexy 5:00pm Svenny Baby and 6:00pm Idol Job

Division Brewing Stage: 12:30pm Herd of Instinct 1:30pm Torbe Vida 2:30pm Paradise Within 3:30pm Whelmed 4:30pm Novakain and 5:30pm The Prof. Fuzz 63

Skywalker Property Partners Stage: 12:00pm BlueGill Hill Band 1:00pm September Moon Band 2:00pm Circle of Peace Band 3:00pm 2:14 4:00pm David Tribble and 5:00pm Voodoo Witness

Mavericks Bar & Grill Stage (inside) 1:00pm Joseph Laws 2:00pm Evelyn 4:00pm Court Hoang 5:00pm Able Delilah

[arlingtonproud]

Sponsorship Opportunities for The 2018 East Main Arts Festival, May 5, 2018

Looking to brand your business/non-profit among young influencers & music/art lovers? Like supporting the local artist scene? Then you or your business should consider becoming a Sponsor for the 2018 East Main Art Festival #EMAF2018 on May 5th, 2018. The event will be held on in Downtown Arlington, Texas on E. Main Street Between Division Brewing and Mavericks Grill and Urban Alchemy from Noon - 8:00 pm. 

Who will be seeing your company’s information?

3500 attendees at the festival

50-60 thousand online followers on social media

2,100 email subscribers

54% of Arlington Proud partners and online followers are female, well-educated between the ages of 24-45, with average aged child 13 and under, active in the community, ethnically diverse, and regularly attend special events.

How is Arlington Proud spreading the word to DFW Art and Music Lovers?·  

1500 “art card” invites to individual that are art purchasers and festival attendees.

Place event posters throughout DFW in high visibility locations  

Utilize All of Arlington Proud’s Social Media Platforms to promote event (55,000 followers) and send 4 email blast to 2,100 subscribers  

Full page ads in the Fort Worth Weekly, 4 weeks before the festival

Promote the event daily, for 30 days leading up to the #EMAF2018 on BizTalk Texas’s, The Mark Joeckel Show and via BizTalk’s Social Media Network

Projected attendance for 2018 is 3500. Attendance for 2016 was 3000 and 2017 was 3200.

$25-$100 - Friend of the East Main Festival

What’s included in my sponsorship?

$250: Frame Sponsor - Small Business Membership in Arlington Proud ($159 value)

Three “Sponsor” posts leading up to the event. Your business will be linked to your website/Facebook in each post 

Arlington Proud has 55,000 fans and followers (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest) 

Recognition in Event Handout (3000 copies) and verbal recognition throughout the day from the stage by professional emcee, Brian Weatherford

$500: Canvas Sponsor - Small Business Membership in Arlington Proud ($159 value)·  Six “Sponsor” posts, leading up to the event, on Proud’s social media channels. 

Business listed in four blasts of Proud’s “Local’s Guide” E-Newsletter, prior to event. Proud has 2,100 email subscribers, 210 business partners and 120 Friends of Proud  

Business listing on banners at event

Recognition in Event Handout (3000 copies) distributed at event and verbal recognition throughout the day from the stage by Professional emcee, Brian Weatherford  

Logo on art card and poster

$2000 Stage/Mural Sponsor - Downtown, Arlington Management Group  (1 more avail) All of the above plus:                                           · 

Additional 10 social media posts·  Business Partnership in Arlington Proud: 14 or less employees ($159 value) or 15+ employees ($259 value)·  Logo on Stage Banner·  Logo on art card mailer and poster Presenting Sponsor

$7,500: Customized - Presenting Sponsor

$10,000: SpyderPop Records - Title Sponsor

For more information, please contact Mark Joeckel at 682-248-8424 or [email protected] 

Sponsorship for the #EMAF2018 supports community development through the arts and marketing of Arlington, Texas to the 35 & under crowd. Arlington Proud has spearheaded the Little Free Library Initiative and the Public Art Project of Arlington. Additionally, your sponsorship supports Stages, Musicians, Tables, Chairs, Marketing, Printing, and Event Fees.  If you are not able to support at the below levels, but, would like to donate send check to: Arlington Proud  PO Box 172136 Arlington, TX 76003

Music Line-Up For The #EMAF2018 12pm-8pm. Please Tag and Share.

4 Stages -30 Bands - Main Stage Sponsor - SpyderPop Records

The Pengwins/Kennedale, Texas Lannie Flowers Band Buddy Whittington Band Big Red Ants Uptown Drifters Voodoo Witness Flip and the Combined Effort roloVexy Pinkhouse Svenny Baby AdamMarie Emo Blunderbuss idoljob Highpoint : Band The Prof.Fuzz 63 Paradise Within Whelmed Herd of Instinct Novakain Court Hoang Bluegill Hill Band David Tribble Music The Circle of Peace Band Joseph Laws Evelyn_Music September Moon Loose Change Able Delilah Torbe vida 2:14

Desert Diamonds MindWorks

The following artist/food/vendors were chosen to be featured at the East Main Arts Festival 2018!

142flow Studio 75Central Photography 817ArtsAlliance A Bit of Earth AJ’s Bounce Houses Aleisha Art Amy Chandler Art Amy Stephens Art By Sara Rose Arlington Proud Baby Creations x 2-Blessing BathBombs by AliciaG Blastopolis Blueberry Ragamuffin Brandon Snyder Camie Scott Camp Bowie Beard Company Camp Gladiator - Arlington Candlelite Inn Castillo's Creations Cindy's Crafts Colorful World of DeAnna Crafted By Kathie Division Brewing EPicCreations Epoch81 Faces by Chelsea Keesler Gibson Design Co Glass Blooms Good Karma Designs Hard Silver Jewelry Heather Campo Hippie Notions Hippy Gypsy Furniture and Finds Honey’s Sugar Shack, LLC HoukWalker Originals Inked Leather Invading Dreams Jackdaw Folk Art JBW Vending, LLC Jefrey Barton Jennifer Nicole Photos Juan Guerrero Judiths Glass Concepts Kim Estes Face Painting Knights of Columbus 8895 KnwldgTheArtist KW Made L&M Rocks Ladybug Botanical Soap Laura Canon Linda joyeria LORI ANN ART Mardi Gras Cajun Cuisine Mavericks Bar & Grill Maroches Bakery Mary's Glass Creations, LLC MICHAEL'S GUITAR STUDIO MLNart Molly Kelsey Nature's Finest Art Nature's Way O'Bannon Studios One Two Three Salsa Paydunor PixelMoon Studios Pokey O's Porch Swing Fine Art Quel Hynson Razorblade Art REE-defined Rare Earth Elements Roslynn's Healing Touch S&J Designs Metal Artwork SC Imagery Shiny Penny Workshop Sidney Henderson Simon Grey Designs Stacy's Henna Sugar Momma Scrubs T2CParacord Tammy's Treasures The Barkery Tidepool Productions Urban Alchemy Wine & Coffee Bar Watson Art Studio World of Texas

[markjoeckel]

Thanks to @arlingtontoday magazine & Donna Darovich for the great article on #BizTalkArlington and the @markjoeckel show. #kfjz870am 102.5FM M-F 3-5pm Listen online at biztalkarlington.com or download the app. Check out the online edition at arlingtontoday.com @arlingtonnights @arlingtontxlib @arlingtonlifeshelter @cityofarlington @lina_muhammed @joeckelly88 @dancetheatreofarlington @utashorthorn @utamavs @utaradio (at BizTalk Arlington)

[markjoeckel]

FULL VIDEO - Arlington Voice Transportation Public Forum at The University of Texas at Arlington. 

[arlingtonproud]