The Light in Every Thing

In this episode, Jonah and Patrick take us back to the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he introduces himself as “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…” With that simple line, they take us on a journey—of Saul taking on the name Paul, of becoming an apostle or ‘sent one’ of God, and of discerning the many ‘wills’ at work in the depths of our beings. In the letter, Paul is inviting us to turn towards and unite ourselves more and more with the thoughts, feelings and will impulses of the True Human Being. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Dear Listeners, If you have a moment to listen to the audio clip above, you will hear a special invitation from Patrick and Jonah to participate in the Seminary Open Course, May 5th - 10th. The Easter liturgy tells us that “in the delight of our devoted soul we find the resurrection forces.” What does it mean to experience Easter—the risen Christ—in our own beings and in our communities today? We can look forward to Jonah and Patrick shepherding us through these themes. Online participants can join via Zoom for Patrick and Jonah’s presentations on the theme from 11am - 12pm (Toronto Time) each morning. Presentations will also be recorded and available to download. Participants able to join in Toronto will have a full daily program. You can access the Open Course schedule when you click on the registration link below. Suggested Donation: $200 for online participants, $400 for in person participants. These are suggestions only. Please give what you can. Registration will close on May 3rd. Link to Seminary Events page and Registration: https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/events/dlp-end-of-year-retreat-w9ejl Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

It’s been quite awhile since we’ve had a Q&A episode here at The Light in Every Thing! But after fourteen packed episodes all relating to the Letter to the Ephesians, it was clearly time. We are always grateful and inspired by the deep listening of our audience. This was evident again in the thoughtful and vulnerable questions posed within our Patreon community. Jonah and Patrick took extra time in this episode to delve into three questions, and touch on a couple of others. We would love for you to consider joining our Patreon community, where there is the opportunity to comment on each episode, participate in “live” Zoom conversations with Patrick and Jonah, monthly facilitated conversations with other listeners, and much, much more. Since Easter, 2020 our patrons have grown to over 400 contributing members, almost half of whom joined at the $3/month tier. This steady stream of support is both deeply meaningful and vitally important to allowing Jonah and Patrick’s work in the world to spread and flourish. Through these conversations, some listeners have heard the call to priesthood and understood what seminary study might be like. Other listeners find these conversations essential to deepening their direct relationship with Christ Jesus and a significant part of their discipleship path. https://www.christiancommunityseminary.ca/podcast https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/membership As is so often the case in these conversations, The Light in Every Thing shines throughout. Dear listeners, thank you for all the ways you participate in bringing this work of love into your lives and into the world! Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In our last couple of episodes, Jonah and Patrick focused on Paul’s call to prayer (Ephesians 6:18). Here, they shift to an earlier portion in the heart of the letter to consider Paul’s own prayer for the community. It is a beautiful example of the kind of prayer Paul is calling us to, and can begin to help us unlock the mystery and work of prayer. What is the activity of prayer? How do we form a prayer out of our inmost selves? What shall we pray for? “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV) Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Our conversations focusing on Ephesians 6:10-20 have delved into the deep question and need that lives in every human heart—with everything that comes at us in this life, where can we turn for true protection? How can we face the attacks of this world, stay standing and cultivate a heart that is still open, whole and capable of generative, loving work? Once again, Christ shows us the way, demonstrating the protection offered by each aspect of armor as He made His way to the cross, faithfully oriented towards the Father. The Father received his beloved Son and raised Him up. Christ Jesus offers us no less. It is for us to transform our hearts and turn towards Him with honesty and humility. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In our next episode, Patrick and Jonah begin to explore Paul’s exhortation to pray—“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” Eph 6:18 (KJV). What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? First, we acknowledge our need, then choose where to turn. Having taken up the sword of the Spirit, and aware of the spiritual battle all around us, we offer our prayers to the true source of wholeness and healing. And finally, we become a chalice, opening ourselves to receive God’s will. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

Jonah and Patrick walk us through Paul’s call to “put on the whole armor of God” so that we might stand against the schemes of our spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:10-20). Having clothed ourselves in the belt of truth, the breastplate of right relationship, the shoes of peace bringing good news, the shield of faith and the helmet of healing salvation, we earned the right to take up the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Only with this preparation can we hope to wield the sword rightly, freeing us from our enemies, rather than succumbing to them. Christ clothed himself in human form and transformed the garment, offering it back to us so that we might become the goodness of God. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series, Patrick and Jonah help us reimagine what is meant by the word “salvation.” They work to pinpoint the longing of the human heart that is related to the word—the longing for safety and protection from all that afflicts us. But where can true safety and deliverance be found? The strange power of Christianity is to seek this safety in the person and life of someone who bore such terrible humiliation and pain—to experience the mystery of salvation at the cross. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode of our series “Letter to the Ephesians” focuses on the spiritual protection offered when we put on the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). Jonah and Patrick explore the nature of salvation, the protective aspects of a helmet, and how our thinking can reflect either the thoughts of God or the thoughts of the adversaries. The spiritual battle for control of human thinking wages on. When we open our minds, when we put on the helmet forged by Him and endeavor to think His thoughts as revealed in the Gospel, then we can enter into the redemptive realm of salvation, a realm that is available to us now. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

What is the protection God offers us, as described in Ephesians 6:10-20? The next episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series continues with the discussion of the “shield of faith” as protection against the flaming arrows of the adversary. Jonah and Patrick share examples out of their own experience, pointing to a protection that is established when we turn towards him and begin to sense our true self in Christ Jesus. In Him, our true self lives protected. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this episode, Patrick and Jonah lead us into the next aspect of God’s armor (Ephesians 6:16) —“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” What are the characteristics of a faith that can offer us protection against the flaming darts of the adversary? Paul points towards this earlier in his Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:16-19). Rather than adherence to a set of beliefs, faith is a dynamic activity meant to be built upon over time. Our growing trust in Christ becomes a portal through which He can enter our hearts, receiving the fullness of His love and protection. When we put on the shield of faith, the flames of the adversary are extinguished, even as we are pierced. How far can our trust in God extend? Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The next episode of our “Letter to the Ephesians” series takes us a step further in the practice of putting on the armor of God. Jonah and Patrick delve deeply into Ephesians 6:15, “shoe your feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (translation by Patrick Kennedy). Jonah offers the picture that Christ forged these shoes of protection during his Temptation in the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). We can see how the Gospel oriented Christ Jesus to the will of the Father in each temptation and thus protected him as he battled the dark forces attempting to divert him from his mission. The Gospel’s power offers us protection as we walk in the realm of the adversaries, battling temptation both within and without, following the path Christ sets before us. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In the next episode of our ”Letter to the Ephesians” series, Patrick and Jonah continue to help us understand what it means to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Through Christ, we are gifted a belt which separates truth from deception; a breastplate of radiant sun energy that puts us in right relationship with reality, with human beings, and with God, while offering protection despite our pain and suffering. Next, we are to put on shoes for the way—shoes that prepare us to stand and walk in the world, sharing His Gospel and Peace. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In the fourth episode of our ”The Letter to the Ephesians” series, Jonah and Patrick share with us their reflections on the next element of the “armor of God” from Ephesians 6:10-20. What does it mean to put on the breastplate of righteousness? First, they explore some regular-world usages of righteousness, the self-oriented, “self-righteous” kind, when we proudly stand our ground justifying, protecting and defending whatever image of self we are clinging to in the moment. Righteousness in the heavenly worlds, however, is permeated by the signature of relationship—most importantly, our heartfelt relationship with God. When we are in right relationship with God, His strength and protection flows towards us. Through Him, the arrows of this world can become, perhaps surprisingly, the gateway into God’s Love and Grace. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

We begin the next episode in the ”Letter to the Ephesians” series (Ephesians 6: 10 - 20) with Patrick and Jonah pointing out that the spiritual forces attacking humanity aim their blows at many different aspects of the human experience: our senses, minds, feelings, will, physical bodies, egos, life forces, etc. In this letter, Paul tells us that our hope against these evil forces, which outrank us mightily, can only be found in strength greater than our own: the strength of the Lord and the gifts He offers us through the Father. But our first act is to stand—an act that is easily taken for granted, but uniquely human. We are called to stand again and again. Through our uprightness we can then begin to “put on” the armor of God, each aspect offering a different quality of protection and strength, each aspect allowing us to withstand the presence of the adversaries, so that the Good may endure. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The second episode in our “Letter to the Ephesians” series stays with Ephesians 6: 10-20, but takes a deeper look at Paul’s description of the true enemy of humankind. If we can expand our consciousness to perceive those beings who are truly against us, we will better understand the spiritual weaponry needed to stand against them. And, even more so, we might begin to sense the wisdom and love that allows us the opportunity to face powers far greater than ourselves. Can we put on the whole armor of God and take our place in the hierarchies? Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

We begin with a new series this year that will take us into an entire book of the New Testament: The Letter to the Ephesians. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been a source of inspiration for both Patrick and Jonah, as it beautifully describes God’s vision of a new community, a community of human beings united in and through Christ Jesus. Our first episode delves into Ephesians 6: 10 -20, where Paul describes the spiritual forces of evil which threaten humanity with enmity and division. Paul goes on to reveal the armor of God that bestows his strength and power—truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation. These virtues act as living spiritual armor, transforming our souls through His power. When we “put on” these spiritual forces each day, we can begin the practice of recognizing the enemy within us, and by following Christ’s example, wage a different kind of battle—one that allows true healing and blessing to flow out into the world. For more notes, suggested further reading band further resources, check out our patreon page for this series on the letter to the Ephesian. Conversation Notes and References ~ for another perspective on how Alice in Wonderland is a story of redemption, read this article “Why Wonderland is a Parable for the Kingdom of God” on the website seekingwonderland.org. ~ for an overview on leading psychologists’ thoughts on the value of healthy fighting and how it can foster love, click here. ~ “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi Key Points From This Episode: • A brief recap of our previous series, “Sacred Scripture.” • What led us to the letter St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: In a crisis of terrible division, we are called to become builders of a Christ-community. • We begin at the end, Ephesians chapter 6:10-2 — Who is our enemy and where is the battlefield? • Scripture’s purpose of giving us new eyes to see and new ears to hear. • How learning to properly engage in conflict leads towards deeper love. • Looking to Jesus as the person who fulfilled the victory on the spiritual battlefield with the powers of darkness (we need what he has, and he can give it to us). • The enemy is NOT other human beings • The enemy is in us but other than us. • Magical protection? • Putting on the moral qualities of the whole armor of God for the inner battle so that from there will flow healing and blessing into the community and the world. Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

In this 5th episode, Patrick asks Jonah to tell us how in the world he came to love sacred scripture or "the Bible." He shares how, despite his strong, direct experience of Christ's presence in his life, it was really hard to relate to the Bible, especially the Old Testament. This remains true until he found a key that unlocked the whole thing for him. At first, Jonah reached out for an understanding of God and Christ by reaching for Rudolf Steiner's work, and his students, known as Anthroposophy. And there were prejudices about what was in the Bible that he had to shed and overcome. He himself had been deeply wounded by an overreach and misuse of scripture which kept it at arms length. Overtime, though, he found a key that opened "the window" of scripture. This key had to do with what it means to be a human being, to be on a path of becoming truly human and how this all is connected to the mysteries of Jesus Christ. The deep longing of Jonah's soul to understand who the divine creator word is, the one we know as "Christ," and who the human was/is into whom Christ incarnated - this pursuit unlocked the Bible for him. Tracking the mysteries of the being who calls himself most often, "The Son of Man" in scripture became the key that unlocked the whole story of the whole bible. The story culminates in Jonah sharing his own wrestling with the more difficult elements in the Bible. Jonah takes us into the challenging ideas of "guilt" and "sin" and, ultimately, the theme of "Divine Wrath." This theme appears in the Hebrew scripture (Old Testament), especially in the prophetic books, but is also very much present in the gospels, the letters of the apostles and the Book of Revelation. In other words, an honest engagement with scripture cannot avoid "God's wrath" ("Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 BSB). How can this element of wrath be united with this other truth: "God is love" (1John 4:8)? We get to hear how Jonah engaged this troubling and challenging element that Scripture presents and how it opened his mind and heart up to a much deeper understanding to who God is, how life works and the deeper nature of love. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary. Notes , and his book on The Childhood of Jesus explores in great detail the mysteries behind the two different genealogies in Matthew and Luke and their spiritual background.Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

This episode takes us deep into the relationship dynamics of working with the most difficult and confronting passages of the Bible. Patrick shares first how the study of cultural anthropology prepared him to meet the Other with utmost respect and interest. The willingness to transcend our own likes or dislikes, for even a moment, gives rise to the possibility that the Other could reveal something of itself. Patrick goes on to share specific details of his wrestling with the gospel passages describing Jesus Christ’s cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem (Matt 21: 12-17). What began as an anathema became a journey with an Other — a journey which ultimately was permeated with Healing Medicine. Conversation Notes and References ~ “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5: 39 - 40 (NIV) ~ For more information on The Jesus Prayer, click here. Mount Athos, Greece has been an Orthodox monastery since 1054 AD. It currently is home to roughly 1,400 monks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information and a beautiful photo gallery, click here. ~ To learn more about the award-winning anthropologist and poet Renato Rosaldo that Patrick references, click here. ~ For a pdf version of How To Know Higher Worlds by Rudolf Steiner (translated by Christopher Bamford, 1994), click here. ~ The topic of exegesis and eisegesis as two distinct ways of approaching scripture is a broad one. For a straightforward introduction to the theme beyond what was already presented in this episode, click here. ~ For a window into the Jewish tradition of wrestling with God and scripture, click here for an article by Rev. Aaron Eime. To read the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32: 22 - 32), click here. ~ To learn more about Thomas Jefferson’s wrestling with scripture, down to creating his own redacted version of the New Testament, click here. ~ All four Gospels describe Jesus cleansing the temple of money changers in Jerusalem. They are Matthew 21: 12 - 17, Mark 11: 15 - 19, Luke 19: 45 - 49 and John 2: 13 - 16. ~ “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ But the temple he had spoken of was his body.” John 2: 19 - 21 (NIV) ~ “Don’t you know that you yourselves are G Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.

The third episode in our series “Sacred Scripture” takes us a step further as Patrick and Jonah continue to offer details of how their relationship with the Bible evolved through their priesthood. Through them, we are given new pictures of the Gospel and granted the freedom to enter into our own personal relationship at a pace that reflects our own experiences of the Spirit. Where has Grace revealed the power and radiance of Love streaming through the holy window of the Gospel for you? Support the Show. Many thanks to Camilla Lake for show notes and Podcast/Patreon production and communications. Thanks also to Elliott Chamberlin who composed our theme music, “Seeking Together.” The Light in Every Thing is a podcast of The Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Learn more about the Seminary and its offerings at our website. This podcast is supported by our growing Patreon community. To learn more, go to www.patreon.com/ccseminary.