Like the Biblical verse (which happens to be in this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson) that identifies us not as Americans but as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
What a beautiful blessing this morning! Thank you so much, Keith, for this powerful and clear message. I'm so grateful for your voice, full of inspired clarity and hope.
As an American, I’ve been encouraged by writers like Daniel Hunter from Choose Democracy who explain what's going on with Trump from a step back. Instead of reacting to every individual crisis Trump creates, Daniel calls our attention to the patterns of behavior common to declining dictators. He assures us that what's happening is to be expected and somehow that dissipates the fear. It's like he's Toto pulling back the curtain on the "Wizard" of Oz so we can see the frightened little man behind the power and violence.
This view point has shifted my approach to prayer in surprising ways. I've been thinking a lot about how Jesus frequently "cast out devils." I never paid much attention to those Bible stories before because I thought "Oh, we don't believe in devils anymore." But maybe that was how people of Jesus' time spoke about what we now call mental illness? If that's the case, it seems like there’s a whole heap of devils to be cast out of American life and thought!
Maybe we're in the process of doing that work? When Jesus cast out devils it was often described by witnesses as a wrenching experience. These misconceptions did not want to leave their victims. They talked back. They pleaded. They left their hosts spent and lying on the ground as if dead. But afterwards, there was peace. Individuals sat clothed and in their "right mind." They rejoined society as productive, healthy people.
Jesus' healings demonstrated that real power comes from God and that we shouldn't be distracted by the devils of unhinged mortal thought. These thoughts are being cast out by the One Mind. There is a blessed peace waiting for all of us right now. Thank you, Keith, for encouraging us to stay spiritually engaged. 🙏
This is great, LC. Powerful insights. Your work is exactly what we need. Jesus didn’t respect the “devils” as just alternative viewpoints. He called them out for what they were, death and destruction — ultimately, nothingness — masquerading as life and intelligence. And he put them in their place.
Like the Biblical verse (which happens to be in this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson) that identifies us not as Americans but as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Helpful perspective, Frank. Thank you!
What a beautiful blessing this morning! Thank you so much, Keith, for this powerful and clear message. I'm so grateful for your voice, full of inspired clarity and hope.
As an American, I’ve been encouraged by writers like Daniel Hunter from Choose Democracy who explain what's going on with Trump from a step back. Instead of reacting to every individual crisis Trump creates, Daniel calls our attention to the patterns of behavior common to declining dictators. He assures us that what's happening is to be expected and somehow that dissipates the fear. It's like he's Toto pulling back the curtain on the "Wizard" of Oz so we can see the frightened little man behind the power and violence.
This view point has shifted my approach to prayer in surprising ways. I've been thinking a lot about how Jesus frequently "cast out devils." I never paid much attention to those Bible stories before because I thought "Oh, we don't believe in devils anymore." But maybe that was how people of Jesus' time spoke about what we now call mental illness? If that's the case, it seems like there’s a whole heap of devils to be cast out of American life and thought!
Maybe we're in the process of doing that work? When Jesus cast out devils it was often described by witnesses as a wrenching experience. These misconceptions did not want to leave their victims. They talked back. They pleaded. They left their hosts spent and lying on the ground as if dead. But afterwards, there was peace. Individuals sat clothed and in their "right mind." They rejoined society as productive, healthy people.
Jesus' healings demonstrated that real power comes from God and that we shouldn't be distracted by the devils of unhinged mortal thought. These thoughts are being cast out by the One Mind. There is a blessed peace waiting for all of us right now. Thank you, Keith, for encouraging us to stay spiritually engaged. 🙏
Oh, so grateful. LC Maculla! Your words resonate so deeply. 🙏
This is great, LC. Powerful insights. Your work is exactly what we need. Jesus didn’t respect the “devils” as just alternative viewpoints. He called them out for what they were, death and destruction — ultimately, nothingness — masquerading as life and intelligence. And he put them in their place.
Thank you!