  Spiritual
This week: A Time of Rebirth and Renewal Edited by: SophyBells  
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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A Time of Rebirth and Renewal
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, as trees that appeared dead with cold, gray branches suddenly burst back to life with little green leaves popping out all over. The cold dark ground of winter also comes to life as crocus and daffodils poke their heads through the ground, painting the landscape with bright colors, and robins return to feed on garden worms as the soil begins to warm. No wonder (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway) Spring is a time of celebration and worship for followers of a variety of spiritual paths, many of whom have religious observances that have to do with rebirth, renewal, and resurrection.
Western Christians observed Easter this past Sunday, April 1. Orthodox Christians will observe Easter this coming Sunday, April 8. All around the world people who have adopted Christianity as their spiritual path celebrate the risen Christ, whose message of hope and love could not be halted -- not even by death. That is a powerful resurrection message we need to hear, over and over again, resurrecting our hope and our passion and our commitment to be the good we want to contribute to world, to be the change, the love.
Very close to Easter, followers of Judaism celebrate Passover (also known as Pesach), an eight-day celebration that begins on the night of the fifteenth day of the month of Nissan of the Hebrew calendar. Passover reminds Jews of their deliverance and "rebirth" from Egyptian oppression, when the Israelites were freed from bondage and began their long arduous journey to the Promised Land.The highlight of the Passover celebration is the ceremony of Seder Meal. This year, Passover began March 30.
Pagan religions celebrate Vernal (Spring) Equinox on or near the first day of spring (March 20/22). Day & Night are equal length on this day, and it is a time for planting and celebrating the first signs of fertility and rebirth. As Paganism predates most of the world's religions, symbols like eggs, chicks, and rabbits have been adopted from the Pagans by Christians in their Easter holiday. In fact, the word Easter comes from the name of the goddess Eostra, Ishtar or Astarte.
From the beginning of human history, spiritual observances and religious holidays have been in tune with nature -- which makes perfect sense. Early humans sought to find their way in the world, as we all do, and desired meaning in their lives, as well as understanding the world around them, including the spiritual realm. Since they lived much closer to the land than we do now, they were more in tune with nature especially in terms of the seasons. So of course their spiritual connections would begin with the natural world around them.
Spring, no matter where one lives or what spiritual path one follows, is a time of hope. What once appeared dead and gone suddenly springs to life again -- and does so again and again each year around the same time, as the days grow longer and warmer. Of course early humans celebrated at this time of year, grateful for the return of the growing things around them and the beautiful flowers bursting from what had previously been seemingly barren soil. It reminded them, and reminds us, that what appears to be dead is never really gone, what has died can and will be reborn.
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
| |  | The Chirping (E)
The noctrunal crickets are chirping, jolting up nostalgic memories and mysterious feeling.
#2153758 by Arjun Adat  |
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#2154102 by Not Available. |
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#2153425 by Not Available. |
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (April 5, 2017)" about "Healing Touch:"
From Anne Arthur
Enjoyed this article, and fully agree with you. Healing is of utmost importance, especially if a cure cannot be found. In my experience as a healer, the effects of healing are far reaching. Not only is the sick person at peace but her community as well.
Thanks for writing.
Anne
Thank you for your kind words.
     
From Chris Breva 
I recently became the chaplain of the assisted living home where I live. Chaplaincy was the best decision I ever made. Between my duties as chaplain and my activities at church I am involved in some sort of worship six days per week and around 30 hours per week. It really stresses me to hear people say that attending worship twice a week is enough for them. Do they want God to allow them into heaven only part time? I want to worship as often as possible and even then I am not giving God what He deserves!
From Quick-Quill 
My Father has been gone for 5 years. Time flies and I don't keep track. I wrote a piece, I included here, about my parents anniversary and my father's cancer. I don't really miss him except when I have certain questions. It's like a friend who moves far away in an area that you can't contact anymore. You remember all the good times and know they are having the time of their life where they are at. I don't wish him back for anything.
From Shannon 
What a beautiful newsletter, SophyBells! Thank you for sharing. 
Thank you! 
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! SophyBells |
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Spiritual: April 04, 2018 Issue [#8832]
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