Faith & Life Inspirational Message

One of the reasons I hang out with people different than I am and read rather widely is to expose myself to ideas I would not otherwise get.  It enriches my life and gives me opportunities I could never create on my own.  I frequently tell students my association with others has provided me better things in life than I ever could have come up with on my own.  If I had only followed my own dreams, my life would have been much poorer. A recent article I discovered on Twitter, which is actually an extended interview, provoked me to think about the theme of optimism.  I have thought about it in the context of hope.  But I had never really explored the theme.  The article is by Steven Pinker, who is a cognitive psychologist and linguist at Harvard.  He is a popular figure, but one who is doing serious work.  He is one I trust. One question Pinker was asked was why so many folks are such negative nellies.  His response comes from his scientific res...

The title of today’s reflection jumped out at me when I read these words in a book I am reading for one of the classes I teach.   I thought, “wow, so that’s the choice: fear or love?”  I guess I thought it would be more complex than that. Education has so many good things going for it.  I cringe every time I think about the growing educational gap between the “haves” and the “have nots.”  Those who have not pursued education will likely be so short-changed in our increasingly technological world, that I can only shake my head.  So I do have high regard for education. But education and progress is not everything.  This was brought home to me when I was reading the section that contained the title of this reflection.  Richard Rohr, the author, began a paragraph by saying, “It’s an enchanted universe; there is nothing new under the sun in terms of the soul.”  Basically, I agree with Rohr. Sometimes, this might be disappointing.  Proba...

I share a story which is true, but it is not about me.  Credit is due, but it is not credit to me.  That’s what makes it a good story.  Recently I had to travel for a conference.  I asked an alum of the college and a friend if he would fill in for me in one of my classes.  I think it is my responsibility to find someone good to cover for me, so the learning process can go forward, even if I am not there.  I know students would probably prefer not to have class when I am gone.  It has nothing to do with me being a good teacher.  Oddly enough even though they are paying tuition to be in the class, they would miss it if they could! Part of my teaching is to model to the younger ones what I think makes an effective adult in the world.  I don’t think that is a vain statement, so much as a comment based on experience.  Of course, I recognize they have a choice what kind of person they want to become.  But they don’t have a choice about ho...

I became involved yesterday in a conversation about believing.  It was a cordial discussion between some folks who have a firm belief that God exists and somehow is involved in the world in a caring way.  Another couple of people were dubious about God’s existence.  They were not wildly opposed to God’s existence.  Rather, they simply felt like they have had no evidence that God exists.  They do not see any signs of a God who is involved in any kind of caring way. Rationally, both sides make sense to me.  I think I could easily develop an argument for both of those sides that could convince me.  But sometimes the issue of God’s existence is not just a “matter of the head.”  To say that is to say perhaps coming to believe or disbelieve in God’s existence is not a matter of just figuring it out. Of course, I do believe in a God who exists.  And I am just as certain I have no compelling evidence to prove that existence to someone who has see...

To many of the younger generation with whom I deal every day, Kobe Bryant was an idol.  I also understand some readers of this inspirational piece might have no clue who Kobe was.  And some readers who are really squeamish, might be backing away from even a look at what I am going to say.  I understand all of these perspectives and, oddly, think I relate to all of them and can speak to all of them. Kobe, as he was affectionately known throughout the basketball world, was born in 1978.  I am old enough to remember his father, Joe, played basketball professionally in the NBA.  So, Kobe had athletic genes and it was no surprise that he bypassed college and started playing professionally in 1996.  He spent his entire career with the LA Lakers.  He was a prolific scorer and was a world champion five times.  For younger people, he was larger than life.  He was good looking, superbly athletic, a bit of a playboy and wildly successful.  Kobe was...

I suppose a very high percentage of time any of us spend “being spiritual,” whatever that is, is pretty routine.  Of course, it is the mountain top experience that is so appealing.  Reading the mystics of any age is both thrilling for me and also daunting.  It is fun to relish vicariously in their experience.  But when it comes to my experience, I have not been up the mountain yet! If I am honest, most of my spiritual experience is best described as “plugging on.”  That does not make it bad.  It does not mean that I think God has shortchanged me.  I am good with what is given me and what my own discipline leads me to experience.  I know it is very important for myself not to get into the comparative shopping mode where my spirituality is concerned.  I am convinced no denomination has an edge on any other denomination.  Spirituality is not denominational.  Spirituality is about the lived experience with the Holy Spirit---my lived...

My friend was with me for some full day working sessions.  We are collaborating on a big project.  This is different than most of my work.  Most of what I do is solitary work.  As a college professor, I spend quite a bit of time by myself reading, getting ready for classes, grading papers and examinations.  Of course, there are the times in class with students.  That is great.  But it is a minimal amount of time compared to the other duties.    And I am not complaining; it is a good way to live life. But I also learned a long time ago, I like to be part of teams, projects, and community endeavors.  As an introvert, I appreciate those times of solitude.  And I seek out solitude if I have to spend too much time with people and in groups.  We all need balance…and I know how to balance my time, commitments, etc. As far back as twenty years, I remember reading a couple books about “collaboration.”  I was not too impre...