This week, as I have been planning a Sunday message based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and particularly asking myself what are the profound truths, universal themes, in the Mock Turtle’s story. The Mock Turtle begins his story by declaring that he used to be a real turtle; now he is just a mock turtle.…
You may have heard. I have two adorable kittens. Although they are still getting used to my place and learning to trust me, they excel at playing! If they are not eating, or sleeping, they are playing. They play well with each other. Although sometimes they seem to get a little rough. I am amused!…
Recently, I watched Brene Brown’s Call to Courage on Netfix. This one-hour talk was funny, insightful and inspiring in true Brene fashion. I absolutely recommend watching it. One of my greatest take-aways was this: “When faced with uncertainty, we are hardwired to make up a story.” But, it is up to us what that story…
Earlier this week, we were shocked to hear that Alex Mercado, Rev. Pattie and Fred’s son, had been in a serious bicycle accident. He was hit by a car while biking home at night. Rev. Pattie sent an email to our prayer ministry immediately asking for prayer support. She said what had happened. Then she…
Let me start by telling the truth. I rarely spend time pouring over the wisdom of ancient or modern philosophers. I found this intriguing quotation in Terry Patten’s book, The New Republic of the Heart. Frederich Nietzsche, who died in 1900, captured many profound ideas in his writing. among them: “Let the young soul survey…
Recently, I came across this quote by Ernest Holmes, “All the Power of the Universe is with you. Feel it, know it, and then act as though it were true.” Sometimes it’s tough to “Feel it, know it and then act as though it were true,” when we are in the middle of crisis or…
Several months ago, when I invited an attorney to help me create a current trust, she noticed the book Barking to the Choir, The Power of Radical Kinship on my desk. She had previously read Gregory Boyle’s first book, Tattoos on the Heart, so I loaned her my book. The process of creating a Trust…
It suddenly dawned on me I have been studying heartbreak for my whole life! I thought I was studying Love but it seems I have devoted much of my attention to the misery of unrequited love! First, when I was three, Mom was reading Bambi to my sister, and she read the part when Bambi…
This month’s newsletter is a little late, mostly because I was waiting for inspiration to whisper this blog post in my ear. School ends in a couple of days. My daughter is graduating from high school. As a school librarian, my “to-do” list overflows. Stuff to do at work….stuff to do at home. Not wanting…