Editorials

The disciples of Jesus spontaneously left their nets, their livelihoods, and followed him. Why? Because they immediately sensed the possibility of aiding their neighbors in a new way—a way promised and revealed to them by the Christ-spirit Jesus lived.

Christ Jesus promised that anyone who would understand and be faithful to his teachings would be able to perform the works he did, and even greater works. That promise may seem way out of our reach until we consider how he ended that promise—“because I go unto my Father” (see John 14:12 ).

Before his crucifixion and resurrection, Christ Jesus had told his disciples that he was going to leave them, but they couldn’t grasp what he meant. When he said they would follow him and that he would prepare a place for them, they were confused because they were picturing a physical place.

We all have a role in replacing our idea of the Genesis tale with a more spiritual view of womanhood.

Recently I came across a diary that my dad had kept as a teenager in Germany during World War II. The first page is just a column of numbers and a few letters.

“I’m Jamie and I’m going to Wales. It’s time for Jamie 2.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.   — Matthew 2:1, 2 Not much is known of the Magi, who may have been part of a Persian priesthood of wise men.

Giving thanks is widely recognized as an important aspect of fruitful living—for individuals, families, communities, and nations. And gratitude is always important, especially when good seems absent.

Can God give us a BMW? At one point in my life this was not a hypothetical question. I was being given a ride in a fully functioning but run-of-the-mill family car when the driver said in all earnestness that he was praying for a BMW.

Once, years ago, after my annual Christian Science students’ association meeting, my Christian Science teacher (with whom I had gone through Primary class instruction in Christian Science) asked if I would help her carry some things to her apartment nearby. As we walked and talked, suddenly she stopped, reached into her purse, and pulled out a rather large address book.