Susan Jostyn, C.S. - Christian Science Practitioner

03/05/2026

Read for yourself to learn the facts about Armageddon (Rev. 16-19), a “sword” that is truly Christlike (Matt. 1:1 through John), and the coming of the ever-present Christ. Kings of the earth are gathered together (Rev. 16:14-16) but they don’t do any “righteous” fighting. God does, through angels and the sword / Word of God that comes out of the mouth of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:11-15, 21). To better understand this sword / what Jesus preached, go to the Gospels. He did not teach peace through physical warfare; nor did he call anyone else to engage that way. Among many things, he taught the blessings of spirituality, comfort, humility, righteousness, mercy, pure hearts, peacemaking, and steadfastness (not fighting) in the face of persecution (Matt. 5:1-12). Working to maintain this Christlike, “salty” (Matt. 5:13) disposition is the life-giving (not death-dealing) struggle that I feel called to participate in. If you feel called to battle, please note that the only blood that Jesus was willing to shed or “wear” (Rev. 19:13) was his own. He loved his neighbors and enemies and encouraged his followers to do the same. When we do, Christ comes again within us and is “with [us] always, unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20). Amen.

02/25/2026

How spirituality (or lack thereof) impacts the environment.

Inner change is one key part that has to happen alongside true systems change. Systems that helps humans thrive will be created from the hearts and minds of people who want us ll to thrive - including the natural world.

02/24/2026

What does Jesus teach about women? They’re seen by God, worthy students, capable of independent theological thought and conversation, good examples for male and female disciples, anointed and effective evangelists to their own families and whole cities. Want to confirm this for yourself? Study Jesus’ engagement with women in the gospels; not just the opinions of men hiding behind Paul’s name 100+ years later (through NT books like Titus). Jesus respectfully engaged with women in his family, with longtime female friends like Martha and Mary, and even with unnamed outside strangers like the Samaritan woman at a well. Christians suggesting a restricted, lesser staus for women are not being faithful to what Jesus taught and proved alongside women and men.

02/20/2026

How to know if someone is divinely inspired: “…the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

02/16/2026

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

02/14/2026

Be proactive about promoting / preserving unity / understanding, and thereby prevent violence.

02/13/2026

What does “moral freedom in Soul” (SH58) mean? Freedom from morality or freedom through morality? Freedom from the personal control of others through a commitment to morality is my choice. I prefer to be governed by God, Soul, and the freedom-bestowing law of love for all of God’s creation. Being governed by our own or another person’s unrestricted personal whims is bo***ge, not freedom in Soul.

02/03/2026

Want to assess someone’s ability to lead—spiritually? The Bible puts forward these God-given qualities as essential: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, meekness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22). Those who haven’t done the self-reflection and mustered the self-control required to patiently love even one’s enemies will dodge or diminish this list. Those who want to always be right will resist the spiritual requirement to be “meek” and yet the Bible says that Moses was meeker than anyone else in his day and Paul humbly, openly called himself a major sinner. So how will you lead and who will you follow?

01/28/2026

True might is accompanied by meekness and love, as Jesus demonstrated. “We cannot choose for ourselves, but must work out our salvation in the way Jesus taught. In meekness and might, he was found preaching the gospel to the poor” (SH30).

01/26/2026

Divine law and righteousness are enforced through love, not violence and discrimination. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” (James 2:8)

01/21/2026

Divine law and order do not come from hate or violence. God is Love and does not employ, partner with, or justify Love’s opposite. “Divine Love corrects and governs…” (SH3).