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Paradox and Wonder
Oh, this most amazing day, a day of paradox and wonder, of depression and delight, when wild grapes fall into my hands and hawks sail overhead, when butterflies of every size and hue and bees and hummingbirds too celebrate color, so that little wings carry joy with pollen, and beauty, abundance, and pleasure are everywhere […]
Islam, toward understanding
Of the major Semitic religions, many westerners no doubt know the least about Islam, which, in fact, comprises some 20% of the world’s population. Unfortunately too few people actually know the connections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This gulf of ignorance has led to a great deal of prejudice and stereotypes. For example, many people […]
The Story of Evolution by Rumi
A Poem by Rumi We began as a mineral. We emerged into plant life, and into the animal state, and then into being human, and always we have forgotten our former states, except in early spring when we slightly recall being green again. That’s how a young person turns toward a teacher. That’s how a […]
Xenophanes Quote-6th Century BC
“The Ethiops say that their gods are flat-nosed and black. While the Thracians say that theirs have blue eyes and red hair. Yet if cattle or horses or lions had hands and could draw And could sculpture like men, then the horses would draw their gods Like horses, and cattle like cattle, and each would […]
American Independence and Religious Tolerance
On this July 4th day of celebration, I meditate on the importance of the separation of church and state, and how essential it is to our democracy, and on what it takes to achieve and maintain these freedoms: In 1820 James Madison wrote: “…Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, […]
Again, and yet again
Like the storm troopers in the movie Star Wars, they were in the multitudes and they were marching out in all directions, much to my horror. I stood in shock, watching them, as they moved. Squash beetles. Overnight they had taken the life from every beautiful green squash plant that I had so carefully planted, […]
Our grandmothers
I received this on email, and because it has long been important to me, I post it here that we may all (women and men) remember that our freedoms, including the freedom of religion, may never be taken for granted, and that prejudiced or biased groups always exist. Here is the email being circulated […]
Creative Recovery
When hurricane Ike ripped through Galveston, it killed more than 40,000 trees, including the magnificent stately old oaks on the main boulevard. As those of us who love Galveston grieved this loss and the recovery got underway, the city was finally able to pay contractors to cut and remove the dead trees, leaving all those […]
Mother-Daughters
On this day set aside to honor mothers, I want to add my gratitude and congratulations to all those who Mother the world…not only their biological children. Mothering is an incredible skill, one that requires, I think, every positive attribute one can dream up: not only creativity, but also patience, foresight, courage, stamina, a willingness […]
David Weber’s Wise Words
This message was forwarded to me by Carol Henderson in Fort Worth. David Weber is a minister in Jacksboro, Tx. I have shortened it slightly (forgive me David) but I think you will find it to be very worthy of your time to read. I am old enough to remember, as an eighth grader, being […]
