Spiritual Development.

When we consider the matter of Spiritual Development it is necessary to be aware of influences which work against us.

It is not sufficient, however, to disavow materialism and profit motive in our quest.

We must be aware of Satanic influences in our popular culture.

Satanism in rock music, entertainment, and sports actively sabotages and opposes our spiritual development.

Satanism in rock music wrecks our relationships by encouraging promiscuity and cheating and pushing pleasure and hedonism as sin.

This is intended to induce a spiritual death which leads to damnation and hell.

Hence all the flames.

Entertainment is full of dark themes: darkness, shadows, violence, and evil.

And vices and decay like: rogues, despicable, abominable, malice, moral ambivalence, and evil.

This is not a popular position because most people don't believe in the devil any more.

But the damage done by those who do is substantial.

This is subtle, hidden, and disguised.

They are dogs* and divas.

But they are false messiahs, false saviors.

And their influence should be avoided.

Sacred classical music and study of the scriptures are recommended to replace rock music and dark entertainment.

And devotion must replace drugs.

Then our prayers will be answered.

And our souls will be home.

(*gods backwards)

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Looking for Love.

We are all looking for love.

Everyone in the world.

And this is the longing of the soul within us.

To be loved is good.

But to love is even better.

And so when we open our hearts to God and to others we find peace and happiness.

For love is flowing through us.

And love satisfies the soul.

Even our bodies find peace and satisfaction.

So do not despair of finding love.

Because love resides within us even in our own hearts.

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A New Interpretation.

When you see that Satanism hijacked the peace movement of the 1960s it is not sufficient to just switch to the Religious Right.

Because the Religious Right is the equivalent of the Priests and Pharisees in the story of Jesus.

Jesus called them "blind guides". (Matthew 15;14)

They do not know God, nor do they reflect His nature.

They are political.

And their politics is driven by money.

So if you return to the Bible as a spiritual guide you must reinterpret the scriptures in view of the times and context of each passage.

This is the new interpretation that forms the basis of Progressive Christianity.

It is realistic, non-violent, merciful, and gracious.

And it will inform the religion of the future.

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The Seed and The Sower.

In the Parable of The Seed and The Sower a man goes out to sow his seed and some fell on the path and the birds ate it up, some fell on rocks and it withered, some fell among thorns and they choked it.....But some fell on good soil and it flourished.

This is what happens with the Word of God.

Some is soon picked off, some has no roots, some are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this world.....But some hold fast in a good and honest heart and bear fruit with patient endurance.

(Luke 8:5-15)

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The Kingdom of God.

What are the values of the Kingdom of God?

The values of the Kingdom of God are set out in the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5:3-11)

Justice, comfort, non-violence, righteousness, mercy, pure love, peacemaking. and endurance.

These things are blessed.

And they lead to the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Values.

What do we value in life?

Do we value: money, kudos, status, possessions, power, pleasures, and hate?

Or do we value: truth, justice, mercy, charity, forgiveness, equality, and love?

Do we value the way of the world?

Or do we value the Kingdom of God?

It is a clear choice.

But most of us fudge our faith.

We compromise the values of the Kingdom of God.

And we submit to the exigencies of the world.

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The World.

Many of us are horrified at the things that are happening in our world.

Corruption. war, violence, ignorance, deceit, prejudice, persecution.....

All these things abound in our world.

And we feel powerless to stop them.

But we cannot just sit back and say it does not affect us.

Martin Luther King said that if there is injustice anywhere in our world it is injustice to us all.

And so we hope and we pray.

And we do what we can.

But it is not enough.

We can only hope that the world will come to its senses.

And turn to a God who is love, truth, and justice.

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