Tag Archives: Howard Thurman
Preaching to the Disinherited
The Sermon on the Mount Preaching to the Disinherited Friday, July 23, 2021 Jesus’ primary audience for the Sermon on the Mount would have been the “disinherited,” to use the term from the African American author and mystic Howard Thurman (1899–1981). So much of Jesus’ teaching was meant to allay the fear and despair of… Continue Reading Preaching to the Disinherited
Action Based in Oneness
Oneness Action Based in Oneness Thursday, May 27, 2021 We must proclaim the truth that all life is one and that we are all of us tied together. Therefore it is mandatory that we work for a society in which the least person can find refuge and refreshment. . . . You must lay your… Continue Reading Action Based in Oneness
Unity with the Spirit
Oneness Unity with the Spirit Wednesday, May 26, 2021 While we have the language of philosophy, psychology, modern science, and sociology to describe the truth of universal interconnectedness, the mystics first described it based on their own experience. In this meditation, African American mystic and scholar Howard Thurman (1899‒1981) reminds us of how our love… Continue Reading Unity with the Spirit
The “Givenness of God”
Nature, Cosmos, and Connection The “Givenness of God” Friday, February 19, 2021 To Jesus, God was Creator of life and the living substance, the Living Stream upon which all things moved, the Mind containing time, space, and all their multitudinous offspring. And beyond all these, He was Friend and Father. —Howard Thurman, Disciplines of the… Continue Reading The “Givenness of God”
All Creation Has Soul
Nature, Cosmos, and Connection All Creation Has Soul Sunday, February 14, 2021 Nature itself was the first Bible. Before there was the written Bible, there was the Bible in things that are made. This creation starts with being very good (Genesis 1:31). We come to God through things as they are; spirituality is about sinking… Continue Reading All Creation Has Soul
A Balm in Gilead
African American Spirituality and Song A Balm in Gilead Thursday, February 11, 2021 The Hebrew prophets deeply loved their tradition and profoundly criticized it at the same time. Such truthful love is a very rare art form and a hallmark of prophetic identity. The prophet Jeremiah lived in a time of deep grief and loss.… Continue Reading A Balm in Gilead
The Symbols of Christmas
Incarnation The Symbols of Christmas Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve People often use the word “magical” to describe their Christmas memories from childhood. I hope that was your experience. I have to confess that I am fortunate enough to have some rather “mystical” Christmas memories, too. Two of my earliest God-experiences took place around… Continue Reading The Symbols of Christmas
Giving Birth to Christ: Weekly Summary
Giving Birth to Christ Saturday, December 12, 2020 Summary: Sunday, December 6—Friday, December 11, 2020 If we try to “manage” God, or manufacture our own worthiness by any performance principle whatsoever, we will never bring forth the Christ, but only more of ourselves. (Sunday) We are a part of this movement of an ever-growing Universal… Continue Reading Giving Birth to Christ: Weekly Summary
Wounded Healers: Weekly Summary
Wounded Healers Saturday, September 19, 2020 Summary: Sunday, September 13—Friday, September 18, 2020 When we can trust that God is in the suffering, our wounds become sacred wounds and the actual and ordinary life journey becomes itself the godly journey. (Sunday) Until there has been a journey through suffering, I don’t believe that we have true… Continue Reading Wounded Healers: Weekly Summary