MSI Press Blog

  Excerpt from  Weekly Soul  by Dr. Frederic Craigie: -10-   The heart of most spiritual practices is simply this: Remember who you are. Remember what you love. Remember what is sacred. Remember what is true. Remember that you will die and that this day is a gift. Remember how you wish to live.   Wayne Muller   In May of 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was taking part in an equestrian competition in Virginia when his horse abruptly stopped before a jump, throwing him forward onto the ground. Unable to break his fall because his hands were entangled with the reins, he landed on his head and suffered a broken neck. The former Superman, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down for the remaining nine years of his life. In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Reeve considered his profound disability and told his wife, Dana, that “maybe we should let me go.” Her response was, “You’re still you, and I love you.” Outwardly, of course, Reeve was not at all who he had ...

  Why Might Emotional Abuse in a Christian Home Push a Child Toward Atheism? Emotional abuse—chronic criticism, manipulation, humiliation, or neglect—can deeply distort a child’s sense of self and safety. When this occurs in a home that claims Christian values, the resulting contradictions often undermine spiritual trust and coherence. 1. Contradiction Between Message and Method Christian teachings emphasize love, grace, and compassion. Emotional abuse communicates the opposite: rejection, control, and conditional worth. Children may experience cognitive dissonance : If this is Christian love, it feels cruel. The mismatch between proclaimed values and lived experience can lead to rejecting the entire belief system. This is especially potent when the abuse is framed as “discipline” or “godly correction.” 2. Erosion of Self-Worth Emotional abuse often targets identity: “You’re worthless,” “You’ll never be good enough,” “God is disappointed in you.” These messages can become interna...

  Recently,   Spiritually Homeless  (Girrell), reached   #187 in mysticism and spirituality and #219 in faith and spirituality. Book description: Many have walked away from organized religion not out of apathy, but out of honesty. Still the spiritual hunger remains; the longing for community and a place called home persists.  Spiritually Homeless   offers a deeply compassionate and practical guide for those navigating spiritual life beyond church walls. Whether you left organized religion years ago or never belonged to some sect to begin with, this book will meet you right where you are. Through stories, reflection, and decades of experience in spiritual leadership and psychological insight,  Spiritually Homelesss   explores how we find belonging, create ritual, face the dark night, and rediscover awe—without needing to return to doctrines that no longer fit. keywords: spiritual hunger; spiritual seekers; leaving organized religion; life beyond ch...