Are You Saved?

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Denise Moreland

Am I saved?

A thousand times…

I am saved when I fall into the abyss of fear

Gasping for air, grasping for a tree limb, when suddenly

Warm water begins to fill the canyon

Lifting me back to the top.

I am saved by the hand that reaches for me when I am stumbling,

The voice calling my name when I have lost my bearings,

The shoulder that comforts my grief

And the heart that opens in softness when I’m in the verge of cynicism.

I am saved by the fierceness of life

Offering hope in my despair

A reassuring smile in my terror

And healing tears of re-connection.

I am saved when after a tedious day forging a new path

By removing rocks that feel like boulders, I look up

And notice the most brilliant colors

Painted from east to west by the sun on its way to the other side.

I am saved when I awaken, grateful for a new day of challenges and joys,

To a fresh covering of snow, and I imagine myself

Standing in that same place only months ago,

In my t-shirt and shorts.

Am I saved?

A thousand times…a day.

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God’s Will

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Denise Moreland

Through decades of recovery from Christian fundamentalism, “God’s will” is the concept that has been most confounding. 

I was taught that God has a detailed blueprint for every life.  We must discern through fervent prayer what that is.  If you ask for something and get it, that is God’s will.  Be thankful.  If you ask for something and don’t get it, that is also God’s will.  He is trying to teach you something.  Figure it out.

The Church also taught me that God is love, which I could never reconcile with God’s will.  

Why does God favor some people over others?  Does God love them more?  Why does God protect some churches from hurricanes while others are destroyed?  How does God decide which sports team will win?

Why wouldn’t a loving God want everyone to have food, shelter, security, safety and fun?   

These questions, and more, compelled me to abandon the notion of God’s will.  And yet, I do feel a presence guiding me in my everyday life.

Last week, I had a personal epiphany.   

Maybe God’s will is not personal, but universal.

Instead of a unique blueprint for every life, maybe God’s will is more general, and it is up to us to create our unique blueprints.  

In Christianity, God’s will is revealed in the example of Jesus and Scripture.

“Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.” (Micah 3:8)

“Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31)

“Love your enemies.  Pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” (Luke 12:33)

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

“Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you.” (Romans 15:7)

Beyond Christianity, every religion, ethical framework and act of human decency shares common values, including honesty, compassion, respect, justice and community.  For those who believe in God, could God’s will simply be putting these values into practice?

Perhaps the guidance I feel is pulling me toward these values.  Perhaps my fervent prayers should focus less on what I want from God, and more on how I can live according to these values.  

If God is love, God’s will is to love.

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Re-Compartmentalization

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Denise Moreland

Growing up gay in America, I became a master at compartmentalization.  I could be one person with my family, another with my friends, another at Church, and my deepest feelings and darkest secrets I hid in boxes that no one, not even me, could access.

Then, I fell in love with my partner (now wife!) of 44 years, and hidden boxes began to open until I could be the same person at home, at work, with my family and at Church (a different one of course).  

I strive to live an integrated life, but lately I find myself scrambling to re-compartmentalize when I become overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, anger and, at times, despair, I feel over the state of of our country and the world.  

It seems our collective values crumble more each day.  Corruption and cruelty have overtaken our government.  Conflicts and calamities are on the rise.  Too many days it is just too much.

So, I am reaching back to my well-honed compartmentalization skills.  This time, though, instead of chopping myself into pieces, I choose to compartmentalize my time and my attention.

I am striving to limit my focus on news, skimming the surface to comprehend the big picture without becoming buried under the avalanche.

I am trying to expand my community compartment, being with people having ordinary conversations about life’s challenges.  

I seek more time spent with friends laughing, sharing, giving and providing support.  

I have become more focused on what I can do to push us toward kinder, more inclusive and loving future, becoming more involved in protests, and intentional giving and spending.

I cherish each day my compartment of family, relishing in the the time spent on the patio having coffee, sharing thoughts, feelings, recalling memories and making plans for the future.  

I spend more time watching kids play, going for walks and engaging with our cats—giving them belly rubs whenever they ask, even if it takes me longer to get the chores done.

I find myself more in prayer for those who are suffering, for guidance and hope, and to express my gratitude for all the wonders of the world around me.

Take care of yourselves, my friends.  Don’t let what is happening rob you of joy or your love of life.  For me, this includes re-compartmentalization, but a better version of it.

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LGBTQIA2S+

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Denise Moreland

I got an email from Outfront MN, an advocacy and support agency for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Wait, when did they add the “2S”? Does 2S mean “Two Spirit,” referencing members of our community in some Native American cultures?  Sure enough.  

This is a great example of inclusion!

Here is Outfront’s statement of inclusion:

We are committed to an inclusive vision of the LGBTQ+ community where all—including Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, gender expansive, intersex, asexual, aromantic, questioning, and other individuals regardless of the labels and language they use—feel welcomed, supported, and reflected in our work. The movement for queer and trans rights is strongest when we are all working together to provide support and build a better future.

When I was in college in the 1980s, I volunteered to answer phones for an organization called, Gay Community Services (GCS). Calls ranged from asking where the gay bars are, to people contemplating suicide.

Soon, GCS became Gay and Lesbian Community Services (GLCS). By adding “Lesbian” to the name, I finally felt seen and included in a way that I hadn’t before.  

In 1987, Outfront MN was formed to replace GLCS to serve the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Outfront served and advocated for people who identified as Transgender from its inception, shepherding the first human rights law in the country to include gender identity in 1993. 

Outfront has continued its proud history of inclusion, adding letters (and a number), to represent emerging identities in our expansive community. Outfront always ends the list with a “+” in recognition of everyone who identifies as a sexual minority, and for our allies.

Being seen, heard and valued for who you are is powerful. I remember how affirmed I felt when they added “Lesbian” to the community name back in the 1980s, and want the same for everyone who feels marginalized. I will practice saying LGBTQIA2S+ until it easily rolls off my tongue.

To those who do not identify as part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, thank you for seeing us and honoring the diversity of language, perspective and nuance we bring to the culture. In these perilous times, we need allies more than ever!  

The LGBTQIA2S+ community must continue to speak loud, be present and be OUT FRONT!!

Happy Pride!!!

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What If the Church is Wrong?

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Denise Moreland

What if “the Church” is wrong?

What if homosexuality is not immoral? What if gay is the way God created us?

What if God looks upon his gay children with favor, not with condemnation?

Who will be accountable for the loss and human suffering caused by the mistake?

Who will stand in judgment…

…for all of the souls that never got saved–

–because the Church wasn’t welcoming

…for all of the broken dreams–

The teachers who never taught

The ministers who never preached

The parents who never had children

–because fear kept them from trying

…for all of the broken spirits

The artists who did not express themselves

The lovers who never knew love

–because shame kept them silent

…for all of the broken lives–

The “insane” who were denied freedom

The victims of Hitler’s pink triangle

–because they were accused

…for all of the broken relationships

The families which drifted apart

The marriages built on deceit

–because the truth was too awful to face

…for all of the history and culture that was re-written or destroyed

–because preserving it was too threatening  

…for all of the suicides

–because the conflict was too great

What if the Church is wrong?

Who will be held accountable?

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DIY DEI

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Denise Moreland

The federal government is driving out Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs across the federal government, organizations that depend on government funding, and as many businesses as they can bully into conforming to their anti-DEI policy.

Whether the president has the legal authority to abolish DEI programs is for the courts to sort out.  However, telling the American people to abandon their core values is not the role of the government. 

As Ronald Reagan reminded us in his last address as president on January 11th, 1989, 

“We the People” tell the government what to do; it doesn’t tell us. 

“We the People” are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. 

Almost all the world’s constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which “We the People” tell the government what it is allowed to do.  

“We the People” are free. 

As free people, we can debate the details of the DEI programs and polices, which are by nature sensitive, uncomfortable and controversial.  However, as Americans can we really question the underlying values that drive them?  

Can we agree that seeing and celebrating differences is good, that all are created equal, and everyone deserves to participate in all aspects of society?  Can we agree that historically not everyone has had the same opportunities, and it is up to us to correct this? 

If we can agree on these principles, then “We the People” must DIY our DEI.   

Do It Yourself DEI means not relying on federal mandates or national leadership to do the right thing.  

With or without DEI programs, we can seek to understand, respect and appreciate differences among us.  We are a country with varied histories, beliefs, rituals and traditions.  We can learn, listen and understand the ways some people have been mistreated and excluded, and take actions to ensure greater equity and inclusion.

People who hire don’t need DEI programs to ensure that their candidate pools include people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  We know that having a diverse workforce that reflects communities and customers promotes creativity, and is good business practice.  And, even without formal DEI programs, it is still against the law to discriminate against people who are protected due to patterns of historical discrimination. 

Even President Trump agrees that discrimination is illegal.  Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which he signed January 21, 2025 to abolish DEI programs, states:

“Longstanding Federal civil-rights laws protect individual Americans from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.  These civil-rights protections serve as a bedrock supporting equality of opportunity for all Americans.”

“Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex.”

It is up to us to create a society worthy of all who have fought and died for these rights, and continue to resist those who would push us backwards.  

As contributors, we can use engage socially and civically in actions that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.  

As consumers, we can promote and support businesses, organizations, media, arts and entertainment that honor diverse cultures, and causes that fight for equality and inclusion.  We can boycott companies and call out organizations, groups and individuals that do not.

Here is a great example of DIY DEI from “TikTok@stephunnyjane,” reposted by Michele Burton on Substack, on turning the tables on micro-aggressions (a concept I learned about in DEI training).    

Perhaps going DIY on DEI will unite us in our common values in new ways.  Perhaps we can become less polarized on the particulars of DEI program requirements, and more united on the American values that created the programs in the first place. 

There is nothing more core to the American promise than ensuring that every person, regardless of differences, has the right to pursue life, liberty and their version of happiness. 

Honoring diversity, striving for equity and including different perspectives is what makes this country strong, innovative, and culturally rich.  It IS what makes America great!!

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Kamala

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Denise Moreland

Political pundits and pollsters continue to dissect the data, looking for clues about why a well-funded campaign for a highly qualified, competent, articulate, joyful, honest and compelling candidate, who exemplifies equality and decency, and defends the rule-of-law could lose to a convicted felon who lies incessantly, is rude, insulting, hateful, vengeful, and defies the rule-of-law.

Harris didn’t have enough time to campaign, didn’t distance herself enough from Biden, didn’t give enough policy details, paid too much attention to Black voters and not enough to Latino voters and didn’t reach out to men.  She waffled on fracking and lost the middle class, and the price of eggs was too high.

The experts have largely missed the most fundamental reasons for the loss, which they will not find in the data, because it lives in the culture of our country.

Vice President Kamala Harris did not lose the election on November 5th, 2024.  She lost it October 20th, 1964—the day she was born.

Kamala was born a Black-East Indian girl, in the midst of civil rights chaos, 4 years before Martin Luther King was murdered, 10 years before women could open bank accounts or get credit cards, 44 years after women won the legal right to vote, though Black women could not exercise the right until 1965. 

As a society we have come so far in the last 60 years.  At least half of us believe and want to live in a counrty that can elect someone like Kamala Harris to the highest office in the land.  

The truth is, this country cannot elect a Kamala Harris because we have not yet overcome the deep biases, blatant and subtle, that have always defined our culture.  That is a cold, hard, unpleasant, unjust reality.

It is worth reminding ourselves that:

  • Most church-going people in this country worship in places where God is male. Women cannot be ordained, preach, serve in leadership or even collect the offering.  How could these parishioners ever imagine a woman in the most powerful position on earth?
  • In business and politics, the vast majority of leaders and billionaires are white men.
  • Most cultural content and entertainment is created, produced and performed by men, in most sectors white men.  Women can barely break into comedy, and certainly not fill the important role of hosting a late night talk show.
  • Women’s sports are not equal to men’s in coverage, compensation or viewership.  I need to click at least 7 levels into my TV to even find women’s sports.
  • Women are still judged more by how they look than how they think or perform.  Many of us will not even leave home without make-up.
  • Every woman who works in an organization knows that her opinions matter less than her male counterparts.  Black women are hardly heard at all.  Disabled women are invisible.

With this amount of bias baked into the culture, how could we have ever believed Kamala Harris could become the President of the United States of America?  It was an aspirational, inspiring, hopeful, but ultimately, delusional belief. 

There was nothing Kamala Harris could have done to win, because winning was not possible.  The fact that Hillary Rodham Clinton got more votes than her opponent is not instructive to the 2024 election.  First, because Hillary is white, and second because, brutal as it may seem, 2016 was a more progressive time than 2024.  

Only one person, Joe Biden, could beat the most unqualified, immoral man to sit in the oval office.  Biden was well-qualified, but not very articulate, and old, even in 2020.  But he had the qualifications needed to win.  He is white and male.

My advice to the DFL, and all who support them, is to stop nominating women to run in Presidential elections until the majority of churches embrace a female God and ordain women, until half of the CEOs, elected officials and late-night hosts are women, and proportionally, women of color.  Then, maybe, maybe we will be ready.

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Leverage

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Denise Moreland

Leverage is a tricky tool within the coercive power tool box.  

There are times when leverage is necessary, times when it is appropriate and times when it is utterly inappropriate, unethical, and even immoral.  We are in those times.

When people with less power use leverage to get people with more power to do things, it is called resistance.  This is necessary to balance power in order to negotiate.

When people with equal power use leverage to get other people to do things, it is called negotiation, which ideally leads to compromise.  Everyone wins a little and looses a little.  Power remains relatively balanced, which promotes civility.

When people with more power use leverage to get people with less power to do things, it is called bullying.  The goal of bullying is not negotiation and compromise, but domination and control.

Bullying is always inappropriate, usually unethical, and often immoral.  It exacerbates the imbalance of power, and leads to wars.

Most people learn about power as children.  We learn that bullying is not an acceptable use of leverage against people will less power.  We learn compassion and personal restraint to keep our worst impulses in check. 

Beyond personal decency, professional ethics, moral codes and laws exist to prevent bullies from accumulating power and using it to harm others.  When bullies become leaders, everyone suffers.

The only way to regain safety and civility with bullies in charge is through strong and persistence resistance.   

Resistance must first be focused on personal well-being.  We must not let the bullies consume our lives or take away our joy.  Second, resistance is remaining compassionate and caring for  those who are harmed.  Finally, resistance must be leveraged to remove bullies from positions of power.

For ideas on what you can do to resist the bullies who are trying to destroy our country, here are few of my go-to resources:

  • “News, Not Noise” by independent journalist, Jessica Yellin on Substack, for non-sensationalized reporting (there are lots of other great journalists on Substack too)
  • “Civil Discourse” by Joyce Vance on Substack for legal analysis
  • “We can Do Hard Things” podcast (and soon a book) with Glennon, Abby and Amanda, for your mental health
  • “Assembly Required” podcast by Stacy Abrams for analysis and practical advice on how to become involved 
  • congress.gov to find out who represents you.  Call them often.

If you are dealing with bullies at work or want practical advise on how to leverage your power effectively, please check out my book, Management Culture.

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Coercion

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Denise Moreland

There are many ways to think about power.  From a leadership perspective, I focus on three different power dynamics—coercion, competition and cooperation—each with an important role to play in creating a healthy and safe environment that balances order with freedom, and enables creativity.

In my book, Management Culture, I describe the appropriate use of coercive power in organizations, which also applies to civic life. 

“Coercion relies on the threat of consequences or punishment to compel compliance. I use the word coercion here not to convey an inappropriate use of force, but merely the use of force to get other people to follow rules. Getting people to behave, follow rules, and obey laws is not a bad thing. It is the basis for order in a just and fair society. Law enforcement and the criminal justice systems use force, and the threat of force, to ensure that citizens live in stable and safe communities. Likewise, in organizations it is a legitimate function of authority to enforce rules and punish those who don’t follow them. Force, or coercion, is used appropriately to create safe, legal, and structured work environments. It provides order and should be used to keep people from bullying, being disrespectful, and stealing from the company.  

Unfortunately, coercion often doesn’t stop there. It extends well beyond setting the structure and often deeply influences the work and relationships. Force is too often introduced where it is ineffective or destructive; it is an overused tool by management because it’s the easiest one for us to use. Just as in society, when the force of government extends beyond setting the context within which individuals have freedom, when force extends too deeply into organizations, individuals are robbed of their independence and individuality. In societies, we call the excessive use of force oppression. In organizations we don’t call it anything—that’s just the way it is.”

As a manager, I learned that when employees feel safe, know that rules, trust that they will be enforced fairly, and are given high levels of freedom, they tend to be more creative, productive, committed and collaborative.  Managers and organizations that adopt these democratic principles are more successful.  

Ironically, today freedom-loving people are less focused on coercion-heavy workplaces, and are increasingly anxious about losing our democratic system of government. Coercion, including extortion, seems to be the preferred mode of leaders currently in power, who try to sell it as normal “deal-making.”  

In democracies, extortion is not normal, and coercion should never be employed to make a deal.  Even plea deals made within the criminal justice system, which is by nature coercive and restricts freedom, there are limits on how much force can be exerted.  Law enforcement officers are not permitted to use excessive force, and suspects cannot be tortured to confess to a crime.  In business and in politics, extortion is not legal.  We operate by the rule of law, which protects individual, business and political freedom.  That is a fundamental principle of democracy.

Of late, we have seen an increased use of coercion by political leaders toward government itself, other countries, businesses, and even toward individuals.  Threatening people with harm to themselves or their loved ones to vote or act in a particular way, is not deal-making, it is extortion. Extortion is the opposite of freedom.  Freedom is the lifeblood of democracy. 

So what are we to do when leaders exert excessive coercion, even extortion, to force compliance?

First and foremost, we must focus on keeping ourselves and each other safe, physically and emotionally.  We must come to the aid of those directly impacted.  

Second, we must not give into despair. We must continue to be shocked, appalled, angry, and even fearful about what will be lost if coercion wins.  We must channel our outrage into actions that make sense to each of us.  

Third, we must fight against excessive coercion with courage, make our voices heard with elected officials and support those who are fighting in the legal, cultural and political arenas.  We need to stand strong in our convictions that force must be constrained by the rule of law.   

It is clear that it will be up to “the people” to engage and resist excessive coercion.  If enough of us use our voices, platforms and purchasing power, our leaders will see and feel the impact.  I believe there are enough people in positions of power who still value freedom.  We must push them to use their power to do the right thing.  

I don’t know where this assault on democracy goes next, but we must each do what we can, not only for our own sake but in honor of all who fought to keep the USA free, and for our children and future generations.

I invite you to check out my book, Management Culture for more power analysis, and practical advice for managers and employees on how to create healthy and productive work environments.  You might even find some ideas for how to deal with the political crisis at hand.

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Red Tape

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Denise Moreland

I have spent my career working for state/county government.  I have seen the red tape—incomprehensible regulations, inconsistent policies, cumbersome processes—all the things that inspire jokes about the bureaucracy.  On occasion, I have seen under-performers not held accountable, as is true in most organizations.  

Every day, I have also seen hundreds of intelligent, dedicated, hard-working people focused on serving the public within unimaginable constraints, often as navigators and advocates for residents in need.  They are not the bumbling, dimwits that are portrayed on TV.

I work in IT, which involves hiring contracted vendors.  Often these hot-shot techies comment that they are shocked and impressed by the high level of competence in the public sector, defying the stereotypes they have come to believe. 

Clearly, there is plenty of waste in government, and huge opportunities for reform.  However, to blame government workers is unfair and misplaced.  

Bureaucracy is messy because democracy is messy.  Representative government is supposed to forge compromises among competing interests.  Over decades and multiple layered jurisdictions, we wind up with incomprehensible regulations, inconsistent policies and cumbersome processes.  

I have also seen regulations simplified, policies aligned and processes streamlined, though these successes never make the news.  Reform happens through policy collaborations across jurisdictions, partnerships with the private sector, and policy-making that is informed by experts.  Ultimately, reform happens through good, strategic, visionary legislation.

What I have never seen in my 40+ years working in bureaucracy is contempt for taxpayers or even the slightest hint of corruption.  The public servants I have called colleagues are as honest, earnest, ethical and impartial—exactly what we should expect from people whose salaries are paid by the public.  For most of us, public service is a calling for people who deeply believe in democracy.

Like everyone, bureaucrats may have political opinions but they are barred by law from letting personal views impact their professional conduct.  They implement laws without political bias, even those that they find distasteful and misguided, because they believe in the rule of law or they would not choose careers in public service.  There is no “deep state,” conspiring against the will of the people.

The cruel treatment of public servants in the last few weeks is a cynical attempt to undermine democracy by attacking those who carry out the laws, rather than use the legislative process to change them.  The current administration is using intimidation and fear toward those with no political authority in order to install political loyalists.  What they are doing is illegal, un-American and a disgrace to our country.  And who is stopping them?

But it is “we the people” who will lose in the end.  The decimation of government agencies and politicization of bureaucracy will hamper our ability as citizens to be well-served by our elected leaders.  We lose the confidence that social security checks will be mailed, service providers will be paid, that roads, bridges and planes will be safe, that law enforcement and emergency services will come when we call, and that there will be assistance for those harmed by natural disasters. 

We will lose trust in government data and reports, that every industry and sector relies on.  Boring government statistics will be spun to favor the political party in power.

Are we really willing to trade the bureaucracy, with all of its warts and flaws, for a system that is driven by politics?  I, for one, will fight to preserve a dispassionate, sometimes inefficient, bureaucracy based on political compromise in the legislative arena. The alternative is a corrupt system of deal-making manipulated by the powerful to serve themselves, not the American people. And how will you fight?

Please, call your elected officials and urge them to stop the assault on public services and public servants before it is too late.  

If you don’t know what to say, here are some points you might consider:

  • Elon Musk was not elected, nor confirmed by the Senate.  He has been given too much power without any checks and balances.
  • Actions are being taken without proper evaluation of what is working and what is not. 
  • Government reform should be done through the legislative process, not executive orders. 
  • The administration must follow the laws that protect employees from being fired without cause and due process.
  • Government workers are not the enemy.  They are us.  They deserve respect and appreciation.

If you know a government worker, reach out and offer support and help.  Even if they don’t work for the federal government, they are feeling attacked and wonder when they, too, will be fired without cause.  Also, follow and support various lawsuits by States, unions and individuals.

If we allow the dismantling of the bureaucracy, we will look back with fondness at a time when all we could complain about was red tape.

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