MSI Press Blog

  Christian Unity Week always reminds me of something both simple and radical: we already belong to one another. Long before we sort ourselves into denominations, traditions, cultures, or languages, we share the same breath, the same earth, the same human longing for meaning and mercy. We are one family on this planet—not metaphorically, but biologically, historically, spiritually. Religion doesn’t have to divide us. At its best, it does the opposite. Across Christian traditions, the call to unity isn’t about erasing difference. It’s about recognizing the deeper truth beneath our differences: that every person carries the image of God, and every community holds a piece of wisdom the rest of us need. During this week, Christians around the world pray for unity. But the prayer stretches beyond church walls. It reaches toward neighbors of every faith and no faith, toward all who seek peace, justice, and compassion. Unity is not uniformity. Unity is relationship. Unity is cho...

  What Is a Spiritual Memoir? A spiritual memoir is not a sermon. It’s not a self-help manual or a theological treatise. It’s a story—your story—told through the lens of spiritual awakening, searching, questioning, or transformation. At its heart, a spiritual memoir traces the arc of a person’s inner life. It explores how beliefs are formed, challenged, and reshaped over time. It may include moments of doubt, crisis, revelation, or quiet clarity. It often begins with a question—spoken or unspoken—and unfolds as the writer seeks meaning in the midst of ordinary or extraordinary circumstances. 🌀 What Makes It “Spiritual”? Spiritual memoirs aren’t confined to religious experiences. They might center on nature, art, illness, caregiving, grief, or recovery. What makes them spiritual is the presence of longing—for connection, for truth, for something beyond the self. They often wrestle with mystery, paradox, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Some spiritual memoirs are ove...

  In a world often divided by difference, interfaith dialogue offers a radical alternative: connection through curiosity, unity through respect. It’s not about erasing distinctions—it’s about honoring them, and discovering the shared humanity that pulses beneath every tradition. 🌍 Why Interfaith Matters It fosters empathy.  When we listen to another’s sacred story, we begin to see the world through their eyes. It dismantles stereotypes.  Dialogue replaces assumption with understanding, and fear with friendship. It builds resilient communities.  Diverse faith groups collaborating on service, education, and advocacy create networks of trust that transcend crisis. 🔥 From Tolerance to Transformation True interfaith engagement goes beyond polite coexistence. It asks us to be changed by encounter—to let another’s truth illuminate our own. This transformation is not a loss of identity, but a deepening of it. “Interfaith dialogue is not about conversion—it’s about conversa...

  ... Two weeks later, an old friend and I took Grant’s [my son's] remaining ashes to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, my favorite place for Autumn retreats. Scott stayed home to care for our animals and give me a chance to fulfill my final mission with a much needed break during my most loved season of the year.      There was a light, misty rain at times, but the weekend was still lovely. I tried to take momentary breaks from my thoughts of Grant as we enjoyed the hills, foliage and turn of the century charm that’s unique and family oriented.      On our final day, we went to Inspiration Point, a gorgeous outlook that gives a sweeping view of the valley below. In years past, I’ve looked upon multi-colored trees scattered among streams, farm houses and red roofed barns, all of it appearing miniature from the fenced area above. It was always breathtaking in the sunlight, but that morning, it was cloudy with patches of fog as we drove up the wind...