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grounded in a mystical, interfaith-Christianity inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg

Reverse the Big Bang, Find Genesis Within
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Reverse the Big Bang, Find Genesis Within

Up until the James Webb Space Telescope came online recently, most of us science-oriented people were pretty sure that the universe started about 14 billion years ago with the “Big Bang.” Now that we can see further out and further back into the universe, not only is our idea of the age of the universe scrapped (it’s clearly much older!), but we have to go back to the drawing board about how the universe might have started. One thing we can learn from this monumental moment in science history is the importance of being flexible, and not investing too much in any one idea – even a popular one. All ideas and all concepts are beliefs and subject to the whims of time, revelation, and perspective, even the most seemingly obvious ones. Even our beliefs that we are mortal, finite, fallen, separate, individuals, right, wrong, false, or true may be subject to revisiting. And perhaps, the truth of the matter, about us and about the universe, is ultimately beyond words: as words at their best only approximately point to the reality of things. Perhaps this revelation about the Big Bang serves as an opportunity to let go of our tight sense of knowing and of judging, and to return to a recognition of the peace and joy of life when we’re not so “in our heads.”

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Turn to the God in Your Heart & Find Yourself
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Turn to the God in Your Heart & Find Yourself

Sages throughout cultures and religions often share wisdom that points to the heart of what it means to be spiritual and find our true selves, things that many of us followers of theirs find hard to stomach. There are a couple of places in the Bible where Jesus warns his followers that just saying God’s name is not enough, and that word service or even service to “God,” “Jesus,” or “the Lord” is not a qualifying act for heaven at all. In fact, as our reading from Matthew illustrates, Jesus told these followers that not even prophesying, driving out demons, and performing miracles in God’s name are enough for the Lord not to cast us away. I don’t know about you, but for most of us, I think it’s been a while since we’ve driven out anyone’s demons! So, what chance do we have? Well, as Christ’s words often attest to, finding the heaven within and uncovering our intrinsic relationship with God is less about outward trappings of belief and religiosity, and more about turning away from our emphasis on outward manifestation and turning within to our very core. You see, it is our choice to step away from hell and enter heaven. This means quieting our minds and opening ourselves to God’s Will, God’s Compassion, and God’s Truth – whatever we may call it.

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