February 1, 2026

At churches, the hymns of congregations rise up and are pleasing to the Lord. Regardless of what words are sung, the sound of singing that is offered with minds directed toward God are on the same wave-length as the singing of angels, and they please the heart of Jesus. With all the oppression that is currently being inflicted on humanity, Jesus’ heart is wounded and painful. When people gather in churches and spiritual groups, this assuages his pain a bit and gives a moment of respite from the heartbreak.

The peace of a church gathering is like a drop of water in the ocean of pain currently inflicted on our people. It is like taking one aspirin to address the pain of surgery or a broken arm.  Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction.

Now the hard times are upon us that we have warned about for a couple of years, and unfortunately it will get worse before it gets better. Pain will add upon pain; climate change will add to the difficulties, on top of government dysfunction. It will be all the more important to band together, as we have been saying.  Seek out those others who seek peace and justice, and care for one another.

Sometimes things have to get worse and reach a crisis before there is a turning point. It can take time for all those who try to do good and to help others to all find each other and join together. But that is how peace and sanity are re-established in due course.  Big lessons will be learned, and many will say, “Never again.”

As we often say as well, how often in human history there has been a despotic ruler or a ruler who is not mentally well.  Think of the history of the great nation of England – the kings who were not mentally well.  Yet we must find a way forward in the name of the Lord and comfort all those we can.  That is all.