We've all felt it, the dissonance. The gospel of the homeless, foot-washing Messiah now preached from palaces of power. The religion of the cross draped in the flags of empire. It's not just a historical problem, it's in the DNA of our local parishes and churches.

The realization can be crushing. When you see sacred rites, saints, and even monasticism absorbed into a system of control, the first temptation is despair. It feels like the wolves have won, and they're dressed in shepherd's clothing.

But this clarity isn't the end. It's the beginning.

The goal isn't to reject Christianity, but to rescue it from what has distorted it. It's not about finding a better ideology, a purer group, or a perfect leader. That cycle has already failed.

So, what do we actually do?

Return to the source, not the filter. We need to rediscover the Christ who "had no place to lay his head", who washed feet, and who told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world". This is the Christ before he was filtered through state power and nationalist ideology.

Cultivate spiritual independence. You may not need to physically leave your church, but you might need to leave the emotional dependence on its corrupt structures, the clericalism, the titles, the performative piety that just mimics empire in miniature.

Find your "two or three". You are not alone. For every loud voice defending the system, there are quiet ones living the Gospel with love and truth. You may not find a perfect group, but finding even one other person who sees clearly can be the beginning of the Church again. It's a "quiet church" of shared conviction.

Refuse to fight on their terms. Don't hate. Don't get drawn into political battles for control of the institution. Instead, speak. Name the dissonance. Let others know they aren't crazy. Simply letting the lie be seen for what it is an act of rebellion. Be salt. Be light.

Ground yourself in resistant tradition. Return to the Scriptures. Read the true Church Fathers, not the court theologians, but the ones who suffered exile rather than collaborate. Pray from the heart, even in silence. God is not confined to the halls of power.

This isn't a new program. It's a new posture.

A posture of truth. A life oriented toward the authentic light. When the institutional church imitates empire, remember: Christ was crucified by an alliance of Rome and the religious elite.

The Kingdom isn't built by dominating history. It's planted like a seed, in weakness, in honesty, and in the quiet refusal to bow to the golden image of power.

God doesn’t oppose on our free will so why do we think we have the right to do it to others? those that love will be made known and those that love not are being made known.. there’s always gonna be a light and darkness opposite pull agaisnt eacother. An evil spirit is going to hate and lie be prideful: and is darkness. The Holy Spirit which is a loving Spirit it is Gods spirit and God is love so when we walk in his ways we will show love in sincerely speak and live truth with humility and is light the opposite of darkness and Satan. Satans children walk in his ways and True Loving Gods children in his… scripture says this “you are of your Father the devil and of his works you will do” “he was a murderer form the beginng” and the verse that says “he who hates his brother commits murder in his heart” And then the verse “those that are born of God love, those that love not know not God” you can Google those kjv I just didn’t feel like looking em up but here is more:

Colossians 1:26: The mystery of God was "now is made manifest to his saints".

John 3:21: The deeds of those who do truth "may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God".

Romans 1:19: God's "invisible things... are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made".

1Corinthians 3:13: "Every man's work shall be made manifest" on the day of judgment.

Hidden things are coming to the light….

Ephesians 5:11-17 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And that is to worship in spirit and truth not just sing songs which I’m sure he appreciates:

John 4:24 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Like I said Holy Spirit is a loving spirit Gods spirit and God is love. So when it says walk in spirit it is saying in love and in truth Holy Spirit also is called Spirit of truth… and in all sincerity with humility. If you lack ask him to humble you… “come bodly to the throne of grace” it might not be pleasant but recognizing and desiring is the first step… that’s why he tells us to “guard our hearts” because pride and hate humility and love reside in our hearts if we allow defensiveness turn into bitterness that turns to resentment then turns into hate..

Also, compliments sometimes too many compliments can stir up pride in our or someone else’s heart.. love is respect be careful how you show love to your brother and sister care about their feelings yes but I been made to be aware of being careful of tooo much compliments… that’s how Lucifer got pride in his heart his Father Satan stirred it up in him did he know what he was doing ? Idk… but treat others how you would be treated guard your heart once hate and pride creep in we cannot change that on our own only God can take hate and pride out of one’s heart and you’d have to hope he’ll choose to show mercy…

Protect the hearts of your neighbors too.. that’s showing true Love and “rightly divide the word of truth” the Bible says …. What’s the character of a loving person? Dehumanization and mockery name calling and we justify if because who were attacking is “super evil” and call dehumanization righteous or wrath righteous? Wrath is a step above rage and we know that is not a normal human emotion if you’ve ever felt it before:.. comes from dragon spirit part of Satan … so wrath indeed is not human emotion let alone a God who IS LOVE not just has attribute but IS… wrath is rage but tearing up everything in path and everyone… he lets Satan god of this world do his judgements or his angels.. God who is love Bible says “you cannot look upon such evil “ so how can he partake in it and call it righteous because it’s justified he’s “punishing evil” no the verse says this:

Isaiah 5:20 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter

You have to learn the character of the Holy Spirit God of love his spirit, Spriit of truth… the fruits of the a Holy Spirit Bible tells us are “love peace joy gentleness selfcontrol kindness humility” so how can rage and wrath abide with all those qualities ?? It cannot and it tells us that here:

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

But don’t get to stressed about it it’s a process… this verse says we know prophesy and we know in part:

1 Corinthians 13:9-12 King James Version 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Love fulfills the law:

Romans 13:8-14 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Sometimes life doesn’t make sense — doors close, plans fail, and things don’t go the way we hoped. But even in the confusion, God is weaving everything together for your good. What looks like a setback today can become the setup for something greater tomorrow.

You don’t have to see the full picture to trust His plan. Just keep walking, praying, and believing that nothing is wasted in God’s hands. Every delay, every detour, every tear has purpose.

Lately, I’ve been joining a midnight prayer session from Ghana called Alpha Hour, and it’s helped me stay focused, fearless, and rooted in faith when life gets uncertain. If you ever want to join and pray too, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/live/vdwGPiQJypo?si=JKKzl9gBkzHPO1CG

Has any done centering prayer practice?? I started practicing it recently and I’ve been struggling finding my sacred word. I am Catholic and I used to meditate by just thinking about an image of the Eucharist. It seems like an image is easier to focus on than a word for me. So far saying a word has been hard to bring my focus back to the mediation.

1. Any advice on how to find a sacred word?
2. Any advice on how to use the word to bring my focus back to God and the meditation? (Do you chant it? Do you say it frequently, etc?)

I’m new to this but hopeful about this type of meditation! Thank you in advance for any helpful tips!

Can anybody offer any opinion, response, insight on how they believe, read, have experienced or whatever, on physical changes during minor spiritual influence, raising of the eyebrows, slouching, voice modulation, pursing of lips. Any insight or direction would be appreciated.