"God dazzles us with an excess of truth."
------Olivier Messiaen

"In a time of such ugliness, the only true protest is beauty."

Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom?
The Lord is still the same, today, for ever,
And his protection here, and everywhere.
Still shall thy servants wait on Thee, O Lord,
And in thy saving mercy put their trust.

As with rosy steps the morn,
Advancing, drives the shades of night,
So from virtuous toil well-borne,
Raise Thou our hopes of endless light.
Triumphant saviour, Lord of day,
Thou art the life, the light, the way!
As with rosy steps. . . da capo


----from Handel's "Theodora", an oratorio set in the time of the early Christian persecutions.

I believe that at every level of society—familial, tribal, national, and international—the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.

–Tenzin Gyatso, XIVth Dalai Lama

Theology

(1.) The art of telling stories about the Divine.
(2.) The art of listening to those stories.

Have a Giggle!

A "Lord's Prayer" Transliteration

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best--- as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

-----Eugene H. Peterson
"The Message"

God is both experience and potential.
We come from the womb of God.
We are not simply made "by God."
We are made "of God."