Speaking of Spirit

Queering the American Dream by Angela Yarber is an exciting, funny, heartwarming book full of stories of strong, fierce women who helped inspire Angela and her family as they lived their dream. One of the things that I enjoyed the most about this book was how down to earth and real it was. Angela's stories of the trials and tribulations of crossing the country, camping in a tiny trailer in the wilds of the US with a toddler and dealing with family issues back home left me laughing, crying, and eager to read more. Intertwined with the adventures that Angela and her wife met head on, are the stories of "Subversive Sister Saints," one of which hangs proudly in my living room reminding me daily that I can be fierce, strong, courageous as well as soft, kind, and gentle.  Subversive Sister Saints are the growing collection of paintings created by Angela, an ordained minister, in order to process the pain and hurt of being an openly lesbian clergy. While on the outside, it look...

Today, I have the great pleasure to share my blog with a fellow academic, writer, artist, activist, and minister, Angela Yarber .  Angela and I met online when I was drawn to her "Subversive Sister Saints," one of which now hangs proudly in my living room. I was so impressed with her work and advocacy that I wrote a blog post about her and her art.   You can find it here . However, today is a time for Angela to share some thoughts on why it is important to publish marginalized authors. This is the topic I chose for her to write upon as part of her Women in Writing blog tour for her book, Queering the American Dream .  So, without further ado, I welcome my subversive sister, Angela Yarber! ~~~~  Did you know that only 16% of published authors identify as LGBTQIA+? Even worse, only 11% are BIPOC.  As a queer woman, these aren’t simply statistics but my lived reality. And after I had my first seven books published with four different presses, it dawned on me t...

  The following photos were all inspired by the sea and then combined with my words or the words of others. May they inspire, heal, encourage and bring you peace. Blessings!

  Thursday is our Day of Thanks but the next day was the epitome of consumerism – Black Friday. In addition, stores start vying for customers with Christmas sales and what I call the Season of Gimme, Gimme starts. How can we break this cycle?  Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chief said, “When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living.”  Giving thanks helps us to count our blessings and realize the richness of our lives.  When I do spiritual counseling, I often recommend that people begin Gratitude Journals. Over the years, there have been a few folks who have commented on how keeping a Gratitude Journal has helped them realize how blessed they are, in spite of various hardships and traumas.  Working with immigrants and refugees, being involved in several nonprofit organizations, I am acutely aware of just how privileged we are. Even with all the up and downs of the economy, ...

We welcome Christian author, Ivonne Morgan. Ivonne shares her wisdom on how Christians can deepen their faith in today's world. Her most recent book is, Gypsy for God, the story of a middle-aged woman looking to answer the call to serve, yet doubting she can actually do the work she is feeling driven to complete. How can we deepen our faith in a secular world? First, we must make Christ front and center every day. Some believers try to box God into a Sunday-only God while living with one foot still in the material world. These kinds of Christians make me think about the old bumper stickers: “God is my co-pilot.” Some Christians still believe they can pilot their destiny without Jesus along for the ride. But is that the relationship God wants with His people?  God created us for a relationship with Him. But, He also made us to serve His purpose in the world. The Great Commission Bible verse found in Matthew 28:19-20 sums up God’s purpose for us, to share our faith in Christ with oth...

  Ivonne Morgan has crafted an inspiring tale of how a woman blessed with the ability to recreate herself after retirement finds, through a series of epiphanies, the work she has always felt she was born to do.  Gypsy for God is a work of love and faith. This book looks at the dichotomy between privilege, poverty, disease and the horrors of human trafficking.  Kathleen, the protagonist of the book, not only has to come to grips with her own self-doubts and biases, but she also has to deal with a husband who has trouble seeing through her eyes. However, through deep faith and support, she realizes the path she is to follow as she travels the world, visiting various countries that often take her out of her comfort zone, which in turn opens her eyes and heart to the work she is called to do.  Gypsy for God is about asking ourselves those difficult questions and then listening with an open mind and heart to the answers.  I recommend this book, especiall...