Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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The Four Agreements
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
ISBN: 9783720525992
–Review by Douglas Balzer
My favorite quote from Don Miguel Ruiz is this:
“Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.”
My last review was 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B Peterson. It is an excellent book in my opinion, but once I put it onto the shelf, it occurred to me, as good as Peterson’s advise is the basis was still founded on principles. It perplexed me for a while as my mind and heart struggled with the principle basis of changing one’s life. Then I spied The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz on my shelf almost next to my new addition. Agreements, yes, I remembered reading The Four Agreements years ago and found the concept of agreements to be inspiring as an approach for the journey of life and relationships from the perspective agreements rather than principles. So, I read the book again and here is my review. I hope you enjoy it. read more…
Wild Thing
Wild Thing Story Lectionary 24 June 2018 The Song of Moses: Our God Who Heals (Deuteronomy 32) Elijah Heals the Son of the Widow at Zarapheth Who Challenges Him (1 Kings 17) An Evil Spirit Torments Saul and He Tries to Kill David (1 Samuel 16:14-23; 18:6-16; 19:1-24) The Prayer…
The Metaphors Around Us –Preaching Tip for 24 June 2018
Metaphors are all around us. In our current culture, we think in metaphors, we dream in metaphors, we imagine in metaphors. Psychologists now know that if we want to change, we need to change our current metaphors and put others in their place. Do you feel in your life that…
Pastor’s Prayer for 24 June 2018
O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore You,
a heart to delight in You,
to follow and to enjoy You,
for Christ’s sake.
–St. Ambrose of Milan
It Will Be Okay
It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change by Lysa TerKeurst
–Review by Ashley Linne
In recent days, my son and I have read this book together nearly every night. It’s been a comfort to him—and to me—as our family has experienced so many changes the past year. Change is hard.
This story beautifully illustrates the tender love and care of the Father for His children through the tale of a Farmer and two unlikely friends, Little Fox and Little Seed. Little Seed likes things to stay the same, and Little Fox is often afraid. The friends stand by each other through a difficult time of change and get to experience the hope and growth that comes on the other side. read more…
No Ways
No Ways Lectionary 24 June 2018 5th Sunday After Pentecost 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 Psalm 9:9-20 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41 Text to Life Did you miss it? There was a big “re-branding” moment that occurred not too long ago. The restaurant chain which a million years ago…
Surprise Yourself
Surprise Yourself Lectionary 17 June 2018 4th Sunday After Pentecost Father’s Day 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 Psalm 20 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17 Mark 4:26-34 Text to Life One of the simplest yet fun projects you can do during these long, sunny days of late spring, early summer is to plant…
Einstein: His Life and Universe and Genius
Einstein: His Life and Universe
Walter Isaacson, Biographer
Kindle eBook, Simon & Schuster, April 2007
Genius
Ron Howard, Director
Creators Kenneth Biller, Noah Pink
10-chapter TV series, 2017, based on Isaacson’s biography
–Book and Movie Review by Guest Reviewer Terry Rankin read more…
Lion of Judah
Lion of Judah Story Lectionary 17 June 2018 Joseph’s Vision and Persecution by His Brothers (Genesis 37) Jacob Names Judah (Genesis 49:8-10) The People Challenge Moses and Aaron and Joshua and Threaten to Stone Them (Numbers 14) God’s Spirit Comes Upon Samson Despite Those Who Would Fell Him (Judges 13-16)…
Hubert Parry –English Terroir
Aficionados place terroir above all in fine wine: the particular taste that can only be imparted by a particular combination of factors unique to one place and time. Terroir includes a distinctive, localized, specific combination of factors including soil, climate, and sunlight that give grapes a distinctive character.
Musical performances also have terroir. Musicians, ensembles, choirs, even middle school concert bands, have something that goes beyond objective standards to an intangible, subjective sound. The same can be said for composers. read more…