Peace members share simple practices, recipes, mediations, etc. on how we all can incorporate peace into everyday life—making the ordinary sacred. Share your ideas by e-mailing office@peacechristianchurch.org.
Abundant Fruit from the Seeds We Planted
“The fruits from the seeds I plant today will be eaten by my granddaughters.” -Kalah Hill
I have always had a keen awareness of my responsibility to live in such a way that my life will be a blessing to those who come after me, a sense of purpose that I am here to help birth and build a different kind of world. I don’t know where this unshakable belief originated, but it was certainly nurtured in me by my daddy, who shared wisdom with me passed down to him from his Cherokee grandmother.
Sharing Happiness – Part 78
My dear Peace friends, this is my final Living Peace. I have been writing these for years, canvassing my family members for what’s been making them happy and storing that to write for all of you. I started writing these in November 2016, so there’s quite an archive of what’s made my family happy over the last 7 1/2 years. I hope it’s made you happy, too.
Doubt About God
About 50 years ago, before I went to seminary, the preacher at our church spoke about his own doubt about God. I was stunned and very, very grateful. You mean ministers could doubt about God? Whew…
What’s Your Plan to Be Well Anyway?
Earlier this week, I got a diagnosis based on MRI results that confirmed the vascular damage COVID has done to my brain. On one hand, this is deeply upsetting. On the other hand, it is simply a confirmation of the physiological cause of my ongoing symptoms.
Standing Out
My dear Peace friends, this is my final Living Peace. I have been writing these for years, canvassing my family members for what’s been making them happy and storing that to write for all of you. I started writing these in November 2016, so there’s quite an archive of what’s made my family happy over the last 7 1/2 years. I hope it’s made you happy, too.
Sharing Happiness – Part 77
My favorite podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” ends their show with each member saying what made them happy the previous week. The rule is that it must be something anyone could enjoy if they chose (i.e., books, movies, twitter feeds, albums).
Stop for Suffering
On days when I race around from task to task, physically or just in my mind, it’s easy for me to succumb to a sense of urgent overwhelm. Everything in me feels tight and anxious, and I push myself even harder to do more. This never ends well. So, I have taken on a new practice: I stop for suffering. Here’s how it works.
Sugar
As recently as a year ago I never dreamed I would write about this. Even when I practiced strict vegetarianism. Even when I was anxious and depressed. Even in the depths of anorexia I believed that sugar was somehow keeping me alive, rather than one of the sources of my disease. And when I began adding weight back on I did it with daily trips to McDonalds- ordering caramel frappés and large fries, rather than meals of protein and healthy fats.
Sharing Happiness – Part 76
My favorite podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” ends their show with each member saying what made them happy the previous week. The rule is that it must be something anyone could enjoy if they chose (i.e., books, movies, twitter feeds, albums).
Name It to Tame It
Human beings are very susceptible to being high-jacked by our own stress responses, effectively shutting down logical reasoning and other capabilities that help us to thrive. Which is to say, pretending we are okay doesn’t help us feel better and can even make us feel even worse.
Gratitude and Guilt
My prayer life is fraught with gratitude and guilt…
So very thankful for —-so much!
Love, life, family, friends, food, shelter…and more.
How dare I be grateful for the “so much” I have?
Sharing Happiness – Part 75
My favorite podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” ends their show with each member saying what made them happy the previous week. The rule is that it must be something anyone could enjoy if they chose (i.e., books, movies, twitter feeds, albums).
We Are the Champions
The week of the AFC Championship game saw a lot of Twitter trash talk between Who Dey Nation and Chiefs Kingdom. Not only that, but the guys who get paid way too much money to wear suits and talk about sports all day were spewing nonsense about how the Chiefs were merely a hopeless hot mess against the bold and brash Bengals.
Slow down. Add calm. Be love.
This simple practice can help you regain a sense of peacefulness in the midst of a busy or stressful situation.
Healthspan
Last Sunday after worship I gave a short synopsis of my Pandemic journey at Peace Church. It’s a lot to cover in twenty minutes and most of it was dedicated to changes I’ve made in my life that are geared towards improved health. I wrote about sleep in this space recently, but that is just one of at least eight fundamental habits for better living. So I want to take a step back and list some amazing podcasts that have impacted me. I ran through these quickly during my discussion and feel like they are important enough to mention to a wider audience.
Are We Powerless?
So am I the only one who feels powerless in the mess of the world? Like a nobody who can’t really make a difference?
I suspect I’m not alone…And it’s true: if “powerless” means we can’t fix every injustice, end every war, feed every hungry person then yep, we are indeed powerless. BUT…But what if we do have power brewing restlessly within our spirits, waiting to be tapped and used? What if simply the desire to help, to make a difference, to do SOMETHING is in itself a power that can matter?
Sharing Happiness – Part 74
My favorite podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” ends their show with each member saying what made them happy the previous week. The rule is that it must be something anyone could enjoy if they chose (i.e., books, movies, twitter feeds, albums).
Sleep
Lately I’ve been saying it to nearly every patient. Focus on your sleep.
Exercise, healthy diet and restorative sleep. These are the most important things you can do for your health. And during these dark cold days of winter the easiest to imagine is sleep. Going to bed early. Waking up late. The bedroom cool and dark. A perfect pillow and the right combination of sheets and blankets.
Angels All Around
My friend is an angel. He has a simple gift, shared generously. He happens to be trans, which is irrelevant, I suppose, but I mention it because his life hasn’t been easy. He works for too little in a sandwich shop and sees a lot of people each day. But he doesn’t just see them. He sees something about them and says a few words of kindness: “I love your blouse”, “your hair is so beautiful,” “you have such a great smile!” and so forth.
Sharing Happiness – Part 73
My favorite podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour” ends their show with each member saying what made them happy the previous week. The rule is that it must be something anyone could enjoy if they chose (i.e., books, movies, twitter feeds, albums).