Spiritual research (1)

Carolyn Spence (Clovis, NM) sent me an email this week that embodies the spirit of the MRT Experiments that we will be undertaking this summer. Here's the first part of what she said with a few of my comments...

I was going back over the mail on MRT's to read what I may have missed. Now I have a question. It may be that there are things yet to be discovered and implemented among CO2 and CO 12s and simple church groups, that would make a difference, but there seems to be something missing in the message.

Right on, Carolyn! There are things "yet to be discovered and implemented". That's the premise of the MRT Experiments - we have a lot to learn and we have a Father who delights in us trying things out. And, we often learn best in the context of community - a "community of practice"!

When Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was among them, the message was either preceded or followed by a demonstration of the presence of God, and the rulership of God as found in his kingdom, shown by something, and event or occurrence, that superseded natural expectations. As we become "families of Jesus", it would seem right to expect that the same principle of the evidence of the kingdom of God should be seen among them. This should be "normal" for families of Jesus.

I agree with you. That's what Jesus said in Lk. 10:9. "Heal the sick and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." " Paul says much the same thing in 1 Cor. 2:4. "...my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstrations of the Spirit and of power..."

Carolyn, thanks for raising the issue! At the heart of spiritual research is the practice of relentlessly asking questions. More tomorrow on this.

John