Religion

Words are powerful. They have the ability to shape our lives and the lives of the people around us. A simple phrase can encourage us to be brave, remind us of our worth or even change the direction of our future.  Think about the times...

In the innovation-driven culture of Silicon Valley—where breakthroughs are currency and knowledge is power—Psalm 19 offers a surprisingly relevant and timeless reflection on the nature of wisdom and understanding.  C.S. Lewis once described it as “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the...

This Sunday, April 20, Christians throughout the world celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. For Christians, Easter is the most important day of the year (Christmas is a distant second) and this year all Christians celebrate it on the same day.  The date of Easter...

I believe in you. You picked out a great outfit this morning. You have what it takes to accomplish the tasks in front of you. You are going to make someone smile today. Did any of that lift you up? Make you smile? There’s no...

Most of us have seen a caricature artist at a fair or amusement park. In just a few minutes, they can draw a face that looks familiar but exaggerated. The nose is bigger, the smile wider, the eyes brighter. It’s recognizable, but not quite...

Our days are filled with extreme concerns for our immigrant population, especially refugees seeking asylum in the United States. Levels of anxiety, uncertainty and fear seem to rise daily, not only for those who are directly affected but by those of us whose faith...

Doubting God? That question carries far more weight than the advertising slogans we’ve heard over the years—“Got Milk?,” “Where’s the Beef?,” or “Wanna Get Away?” For people of faith, it can spark deep concern, even panic.  But the truth is, doubt is something all of...

I had a call a few nights ago from a good friend. She had just heard some news and she needed a person to listen while she talked and processed what she had heard. We have been friends for many years and this was...

Every year, on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, Buddhists worldwide come together to honor Vesak, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. More than a religious observance, Vesak signifies humanity’s collective journey toward wisdom, compassion and inner...

While on vacation this summer, one morning my husband and I awoke to a loud alarm. Within seconds we realized the sound was coming from outside and was a fire alarm. We quickly left our room and went to the hotel front desk. We...