Speaking of Spirit

Over the past few days, several people have asked me where my church is.  Honestly, I stumble over answering this question.  My "church" is the world. But, when I say that, people take a step back and look at me with shock or suspicion.  When I answer that I don't have one, they apologize and begin listing all the churches they know looking for ministers. In reality, I am not a minister to one denomination or faith path, which means I do not have a pulpit from which I preach every Sunday.  I am an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister.  Ministry within this context is far-reaching. Ministry literally means serving others. This may be accomplished through a community of like-minded individuals within the confines of a building, but "the church" is not a building.  The Church is the people that gather together. Therefore, my "church" is wherever people gather and are in need.  This may mean the mother who is exhausted from chasing toddlers

" Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. " (From Story of Life - Author Unknown) As we move through life, we are given choices.  These choices create who and what we are.  Sometimes, we make choices that send us in a direction that isn't healthy for mind, body and/or spirit.  That is when people come into our

The time between winter and full-blooming spring is like being halfway between something.  April brings a mix of weather and the promise of May flowers, but I think it has a more spiritual symbolism. During April, we stand halfway between the cold, oblivion of winter and the gloriously warm days of summer.  Like many whose lives have taken them to places they had not expected, April is between a rock and a hard place.  But, with April comes hope! Hope that the sun will warm the land.  Hope that the flowers, trees, bushes and crops will bloom once more.  Hope that Life will return to a land now gray with death. As you venture out on these sunny April days, take time to look for the signs, the promises of Life.  They are everywhere! Namasté !

Back in January, I wrote that my word for the year was "health."  With the longer days and promises of warmer, more pleasant weather, I am thinking about how "spring cleaning" can help us be healthier in mind, body and spirit. For me, de-cluttering really helps me feel better about life. I usually begin by going through my clothes, books and odds and ends that are cluttering up the house. As the weather begins to warm, I get up early and try to do one little bit of picking up outside in the gardens.  Clearing out material things is great for the physical realm.  However, we mustn't forget clearing out the mental/emotional/spiritual realm, too.  With longer days and better weather, we can begin getting out more...taking walks, sitting in the sun, meditating on the natural beauty around us.  As we breathe in the freshness of spring air, we can mindfully release anything we have been holding within.  Breathe in rejuvenating, refreshing, life-giving air.  Rele