Author inspirations;
Christine Sine – The Wonder of God, podcast Liturgical Rebel, Newsletter Walking in Wonder
This author and her book, The Wonder of God, opened my eyes and heart to a whole new
relationship with nature and God. Time spent outside has never been the same for me since
following her insightful approach to honoring God in all creation and being grateful for every
creature. I am thankful for the microscopic bugs buried deep in the dirt layering all the way to
the center of the earth, to every varied leaf, spring bud, and chirping bird. All of creation is
fascinating in its diversity, purpose, and connection.
John Philip Newel – Books Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, and The Great Search, Website Earth &
Soul.
In his book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, this author set my spirit free to think outside of
church walls for experiencing divine presence and optimal ways of worship. He said exactly
what I thought but didn’t have the courage to speak it or words to explain it. His faith is deeply
rooted in divine love, the truth, and our earth including the mysterious unknowable universe. I
willingly join his movement to call out the “religious Christians” and change what doesn’t work
or doesn’t represent the true nature of a loving and peaceful pro-environment God. His book is
liberating souls one reader at a time.
Matthew Sleeth, MD – books Reforesting Faith, and Serve God, Save the Planet
We can blame Dr. Sleeth for my first tattoo. It was his knowledge of and respect for trees
and their connection to our spiritual health which unearthed the dendrophile in me. So much, that
I created a tree from a number four (4 for my four children) as part of my tattoo. This book is
both scientifically and spiritually enlightening.
Movies –
On Golden Pond – The cast alone makes this movie worthwhile, with Katherine Hepburn, and
Henry and Jane Fonda… legends. The dynamics of tense and misunderstood relationships, and
lack of communication, become undone and restored while spending time away from their
regular lives in a secluded cabin in the woods on a pond. This movie is visually and emotionally
moving.
My Octopus Teacher – A colleague recommended this one, I was extremely hesitant because I
think octopuses are one of the ugliest creatures on earth, cringe worthy, their suction cups make
my skin crawl. Once in elementary school I looked at my cafeteria hamburger and saw little
pockets that looked like little octopus suction cups. I still gag thinking about it. I gave this movie
a chance because I trusted my colleague’s opinion. I’m so glad I did. My heart softened with
every minute of this movie, it is one of the most endearing, fascinating, and captivating nature
education movies of all time. I like, not love, octopuses now and appreciate the purpose and
beauty of their suction cups.
Chocolat - The movie and the delicacy are both divine gifts. I saw Chocolat the year I had my
first and only daughter, and the year of my first bible study. Both were life-changing events. This
movie has more layers than a British trifle. It exposes hypocrisy in the church, judgmental people
and situations, adding in the unexpected twist or two and kindness of strangers makes this movie
very rich. Within this tasty trifle is the good stuff, the filling, which included the relationships
between three very different mothers and daughters. One with a young child who does her best to
please her mother, until she can’t. Another with a daughter who couldn’t let go of her deceased
mother’s powerful constant existence. The other between an adult daughter and her elderly
mother with failing health. Each one fascinating and thought provoking. This movie gets two
thumbs up for spotlighting the wrongs of religion and religious zealots, and the significance of
the wind, the river, letting go, and giving people a chance, and, even more so…seeing and almost
smelling chocolate for the duration of the movie.
Homeward Bound – I can’t believe how a fictional dog movie can touch my heart and dampen
my eyes. The scene where the dogs and cat return home as they come into view up over the hill,
gets me every time. This movie is special for a few reasons, first, I could watch dogs all day
long. Second, it was filmed in Oregon, where I had an unforgettable vacation adventure with my
daughter. Lastly, this movie could be watched without sound, watching the animals traipse their
way through the scenic pacific northwest is pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul.
LA Stories –
I will not be ignored
Something out of nothing
Knocked to the ground, by a feather
