Category Archives: Current Events
Why Not a Woman Pope?
If a woman, of any race, feels called to follow a life of God, then maybe she will be the next Pope, Buddha, Prophet, or Messiah . . . as she lovingly tends to all in her care and gently nurtures Mother Earth. Arundhati Roy, author of The God of Small Things, says, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way! On a quiet day, if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing.” Continue reading
Models for Living a Life of Courage
“Who are your role models? Whose life do you admire? Who reminds you to stay strong when you feel discouraged or feel like giving up? Who models the values and life choices that inspire you to be your absolute best self? Who helps you have the courage to voice your deepest desires and heartfelt dreams?” Continue reading
Love Letters to Indiana’s LGBTQ Youth
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we sent an outpouring of love to our LGBTQ youth? What if each one of us took five minutes to write a note to the youth at IYG to let them know how much they are loved? And if so moved, we could also include a check to show our care and support. Can you imagine how amazing it would feel opening all those letters and knowing that your community loved you—more than you knew? Perhaps one such small act will save a life at risk. Continue reading
Veterans – Toward Peace & Healing
Perhaps in 2013 we can find ways to bring peace into our lives and create more peace in the larger world community. To do so, we might have to examine our emotional triggers. We may have to understand the conflict and anger within ourselves. We might need to listen to the suffering we have caused others. We may have to share our own sources of suffering. “Practicing nonviolence is first of all to become nonviolence. … This applies to problems of the family as well as to problems of society.” Continue reading
We Can Love Better – Lessons from Chick-fil-A
If we look back to the work of Jesus, in his time, women were the victims of disparate and cruel treatment. Individuals who were poor and individuals who suffered illnesses fared no better in those social structures. Jesus stood up for those who were oppressed. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out for the freedom (and legal rights) of all people. Gandhi likewise spoke for the imperative right to equality for all who were considered outcasts. These men risked their lives on behalf of others . . . in service to justice and fairness. God does not discriminate is the message they carried. God is love. Continue reading
Love Will See Us Through
If we want to see peace, then we have to learn inner peace. If we want to see love, then we have to give it. If we are in a position of influence (musicians, singers, actors, political leaders, parents, religious leaders, teachers), then we have to show our youth that we are practicing what we preach: that drinking, drugs, self-interest, greed, exploitation, hate, and violence are never the answer to our problems. We must live out our spirituality by actively demonstrating an all-inclusive love, expansion of heart and soul, care of the earth and all her creatures, and world peace: that’s the message. Continue reading
Stepping into our Calling – Ordination of Maria Thornton McClain
“The changes in our life must come from the impossibility to live otherwise than according to the demands of our conscience.” -Leo Tolstoy I’ve been thinking about the ordination of the former nun, Maria Thornton McClain. When we feel called in our hearts to serve Spirit, it does not matter whether we are black, gay, female, male, or transgendered; it does not matter if we are Asian, Latino, Arab, European, or Indian; and it does not matter if we are pagan, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Native American, Hindu, or Jewish. What matters is that we feel called. And more importantly, that we feel called to serve others. … Continue reading
Waging Peace
“If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children.” – Mohandas Gandhi “Many think peace in the world is impossible. Many think inner peace cannot be attained. It’s the one who doesn’t know it can’t be done who does it!” – Peace Pilgrim There’s a wonderful narrative by Johnny Cash in the song, “It Could Happen Again,” (Lyrics by Collin Raye), where the soldiers of 1914, on both sides, lay down their weapons on Christmas Eve for an unofficial ceasefire that lasted for two days—until they were ordered to fight … Continue reading
The Highest Love
“Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” –Martin Luther King, Jr. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” –Martin Luther King, Jr. I recall an image from the civil rights movement of an angry white woman shouting furiously at a young black girl as the girl walked past (to attend a court-ordered integrated school). I imagine the young girl was extremely brave and frightened in the face of such vocal hatred. I also recall the images of black students sitting at a restaurant counter while angry white mobs … Continue reading