ACE Recovery

We know now, even from physical evidence presented by MRI's, that the brain gets wired in early childhood in ways that hinder or facilitate emotional regulation and the capacity to connect well with others. The magnificent brain can, however be rewired by the disciplined use of the mind. We now also know that it is not just the brain that creates the mind, but that the mind can rewire the brain--and this shows up on MRIs also!
Prayer, meditation, Bible study and comprehension, hymns and spiritual songs, collective worship, chosen compassion and loving service---all these are magnificent ways to rewire the brain and stabilize volatile emotions. They don't necessarily work as quickly as a pill, but the side effects are actually positive, and the long term results are outstanding, with a very low relapse rate when practiced consistently.

Overcoming The Enemy

A young couple that I am seeing who are not very far along in their psycho-spiritual growth reveal in their somewhat primitive naivety [I say this with love and respect--no condescension or criticism] an aspect of humanity that stands out in bold relief in their communication.  They are most comfortable with each other when they are criticizing someone in their social circle; and they do much of it. Someone in their circle has done something "stupid" or "rude", and they find much comfort in talking rather incessantly about that person. When the focus of conversation shifts to them, they unwittingly drag themselves into conflict with each other about everything under the sun, until they come back again to agreement about someone else's incompetence or inadequacy.
It seems like a universal principle that humans can often only unify against a common enemy. Many human groupings are organized against something or some other group. And the more heinous the enemy is perceived, the more cohesive the group. Some energy is therefore exerted in the group to vilify the opposition as an unconscious means [or perhaps a conscious means] of maintaining the momentum of the group. It is the group's responsibility and opportunity to understand the motives of the "enemy", and to discipline themselves to receive whatever truth may be coming from the other side, thereby avoiding unnecessary polarization and useless conflict.
More profoundly, this human tendency to demonize opposition as a way to feel connected and derive meaning points toward the importance of what the Bible says about the human condition:

For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war,
for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...2Cor 10:3-5
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1

It is enlightening to consider that the word "devil" derives from words that mean "to accuse or slander"--commonly used techniques to vilify the "enemy".   The Bible teaches that humans have a common spiritual enemy, and until we awaken to this Reality, we will continue to be deceived by that enemy; and the manifestation of this deception will be "wars and rumors of wars" and fightings among ourselves. The Holy Spirit of Christ is and has ever been the only secure remedy to this malady, in all human relations. He teaches us to love our enemies and to courageously confront the evil that causes unnecessary human suffering. The battle must be spiritual, involving Holy Spirit- guided introspection, recognition of one's own "sinful nature" or "dark side,"  and a sincere commitment to the work of Love--the Love of Christ. This leads to peace, even in the midst of warfare.

Marginalized Christianity

I think it is a matter of grave concern that American society is generally not interested in the Christian message, or more precisely, in Christ Himself. This is certainly due to a number of factors, but generally people seem to be caught up, like lemmings, in the onward rush of  external advancement, neglecting the more foundational and necessary level of spiritual advancement. This results in Christianity being relegated to the margins of society, which is repulsive to youth who want nothing less than to be marginalized, resulting in churches full of elderly people watching sadly as society withers from lack of Living Water while their children worship human idols or get lost in the darkness of addictions, depression and meaninglessness.  Christianity becomes then like a hard-shelled seed, containing Life, but lying on hard ground that cannot receive a root. As in nature, where some seeds require a fire to open and grow, society may require a "fire" of social ills in order to become fertile for the healing, life-restoring power of  the Love of Christ. There is in the Bible an infinite treasure of wisdom, prudence and understanding regarding all affairs of life. Yet we see people generally ignoring it, passing by the dusty copy on the shelf [or failing to Google it, which is a wonderful opportunity we now have!] as they swing from branch to vine like a monkey through the decaying forest of daily life.
In the barren soil of spiritual acedia and material prosperity, many manifestations of  darkness of the soul begin to take root and grow like weeds in an untended garden. Each generation can be carried by the random winds of selfishness embedded in entertainment and demagoguery farther and farther away from the Truth that preserves us.   The word "religion" derives from Latin words meaning "to bind back." In its pathological manifestations it prevents society from moving forward in the great adventure of discovering new frontiers of freedom, joy and peace, as evidenced by the Pharisees in Jesus' time and those religionists who feared scientific discovery  in the 17th Century. In its truest and intended manifestations, religion binds us to that which keeps us free from the many wayward pathways leading to societal decline. What we label the "conservative" and "liberal" viewpoints may be seen as the opposite poles of this human dynamic. And there is both pathology and health on both poles. They are a healthy and necessary counterbalance to each other. Conservatism without the forward pull of liberalism is stultifying. Liberalism without conservatism moves toward licentiousness. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, summarizes: "I do not come to destroy the law [which would be pathological liberalism] but to fulfill the law" [embracing the conservative moorings of eternal principles] Matthew 5:17 [added].  Love in its highest and deepest manifestations [the Love of Christ] embraces and incorporates all that is ultimately true and good from both poles, and is that fulfillment.

Discrimination: Ideological

Discrimination is defined as "the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex." I would add, "on the grounds of ideology". I think, as a nation, we are afflicted with ideological discrimination. By that I mean that we tend to judge the ideology of a person or group, label them, and either wholistically embrace them or dismiss them based on that label. Consider the labels "conservative" or "liberal". I'm concerned that it is a common practice to label a person or group "liberal" or "conservative" and then, unknowingly discriminate, in the unhealthy definition of that word, against that person or group, and basically write off, so to speak, anything that that person or group is setting forth. It is as if we see some ulterior regressive or malicious motive in that person or group, and fear that if we capitulate on any point, no matter how credible or helpful, we will be allowing our culture to move in that regressive direction.  This could be based on a sincere desire for the common good, or on baser, more selfish motives. I think it is predominantly motivated by fear. In either case, the discriminatory process does not seem to be in the best interest of anyone, at least in the long run.  It generates the kind of polarization and gridlock we have seen in our government, but it is evident in our culture at large, not just in the political arena. Perhaps its presence in our culture is why it is prevalent in our political process.
We circumvent this regressive tendency by simply seeking and receiving what we believe to be True, in the altruistic since of that word, no matter what person or arena it is spoken from, and no matter how it affects the position or direction of power. I can be inspired by the loyalty [ if it is indeed evident ] of gang members without embracing any justification for criminal behaviors on their  part.  This brings to mind the other definition of "discrimination":  recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another;"discrimination between right and wrong."  This form of  healthy discrimination in regard to ideologies makes it possible for us to confidently avoid the other, regressive form of it.

Putin

Theodore Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Putin may indeed have a big stick, but he is speaking loudly, which is a manifestation of immaturity. We pray that the people of Russia are advanced enough to realize that no one wins in a nuclear exchange.  The damage that a number of nuclear explosions of the magnitude now available would likely inflict wounds upon the already ailing earth that would diminish  quality or sustainability of life for all its inhabitants. In that light it is foolish or insane to rattle the saber of nuclear power as a threat to gain or maintain power. We are trying to evolve beyond the lust for power toward compassionate collaboration for the good of all earth's inhabitants. The "stick" that Roosevelt spoke of has gotten bigger than he could have imagined at the time [1901]. Speaking softly, earnestly, carefully and compassionately has become extremely important.

Christian Meditation: Links

https://www.allaboutgod.com/christian-meditation.htm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGUWbhK_zU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmv2kyIUF6g


Find many more in Google-land


Blessings in your stillness.

Prayer For Earth

Please Lord help us to be good stewards of this beautiful paradise that is our temporary home. Help us to preserve it for our grandchildren. Deliver us from the cancer of greed that drives us to destroy the very lungs of our planet. Deliver us from the pursuit and inappropriate use of power, especially now that we have accumulated so much of it. Awaken us to the magnificent beauty and sustaining gifts of nature. Help us to not get lost in what we have created. Help us to remember that everything we create comes from that which we did not create--that which has been gifted to us, even as life itself, along with our creative powers, has been gifted to us. Help us to not be wasteful, to be generous with our excess, and content with less. Thank You for this beautiful earth!
 "The heavens declare Your glory and the earth shows forth Your handiwork." Ps 19:1