Every few years we hear another sad story about a child confined in a basement or secret room by demented adults–usually, unimaginably, their parents. The child is severely malnourished, often injured, and living in its own filth. Those stories quickly pass with the news cycle. No one follows up as the child finds its way, usually, into foster care. We can only imagine what the future holds for kids subjected to this kind of trauma.

It is an extreme example, but I think many souls are kept locked away in basements like these children. John Wesley used this diagnostic question in pastoral conversations: “Tell me, how does your soul prosper?” This sounds a bit strange and archaic to modern ears, but it is a profound question. It invites us to consider first whether we even know that we have a soul. We talk far more about our bodies and our emotions than we do about our souls. Few would want to say that they are soulless. But how many know the condition of their soul or whether it is prospering.

We neglect our souls at great peril. An undernourished and unwashed soul can become a toxic force affecting every aspect of our lives, and, sadly, the lives of those we love. We have all met people for whom the only adequate description is that they have a diseased soul. How did they get that way?

How are you caring for your soul? We can answer that question easily for our bodies. We diet and exercise and sleep and take supplements and meds to keep our bodies prospering. We know we have minds and we try to keep them sharp. But what about our souls? How are we feeding and caring for them? A neglected body will sooner or later demand our attention through the gift of pain. Souls usually suffer in silence. We only hear a muffled whimper when things are very quiet.

I encourage you to make 2022 the year of the prospering soul.

This is a fascinating, definitely counter-cultural, “testimony” of a secular, Jewish singer/actress finding her way into Orthodox Judaism. I wonder what insights there are for us in this as Christians.

Often around the edges of websites there is “click bait” with captions like, “Photos from Vegas you can never unsee.” They are usually accompanied by a suggestive shot. We are bombarded with visual stimulation. And it does get into our heads. I’ve heard that we never actually “forget” anything that we have seen or experienced. It’s all in there, even if we can’t call it to mind. That feels true.

Sometimes I feel like my mind is becoming more cluttered than my garage. Like looking for my tape measure on my cluttered workbench, I struggle to recall where an idea or a quote came from, which of the books I’m reading, or which YouTube, or blog or conversation.

I wonder what the long-term effect of all this information will be. It’s not making me any wiser. Mostly just more weary. Processing all that stuff takes mental energy. Feeling like I’ve never got it all sorted creates a low-grade, chronic anxiety. Then there is the haunting awareness of all the stuff I might need to know. What am I missing? It’s overwhelming.

When St. Paul offered this information filter did he foresee the internet, 24/7 “news”, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Instagram, Facebook? Just this alone would surely simplify life. And what would I really miss out on?  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8

Someone shared this with me recently. It is not easy to read, and some may find it offensive. But it opened my eyes to aspects of this challenge that I had not considered. I offer it for your consideration.

To my daughter’s gender therapist: you were wrong.

After pausing for the last two years, I am resuming my musings on this blog. Looking back over some of the older material is like looking into a time-capsule! Some of it seems very old indeed, and almost from another world.