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Book List
The Universal Christ
Richard Rohr
Convergent Books, 2019Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari
Penguin Random House, 2014Living the Examined Life
James Hollis
Sounds True Publishers, 2018The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life
Mark Nepo,
Harmony, 2006
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Neil Postman,
Penguin Books, 2005Prayers of the Cosmos: Reflections on the Original Meaning of Jesus’s Words
Neil Douglas-Klotz,
HarperOne Paperback Reprint Edition 2009Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle
Rev. Ted Loder,
Augsburg Press, 2016Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ Know About Life and Love and How It can Revitalize Christianity
Rev. Elizabeth M. Edman,
Beacon Press, 2016Love: A History
Simon May,
Yale University Press, 2011The Great Spiritual Migration
Brian McLaren,
Convergent Books, 2016Original Thinking
Glenn Aparicio,
North Atlantic Books, 2015On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old
Parker Palmer,
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2018Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World–and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling,
Flatiron Books, New York, 2018Finding Purpose in a Godless World: Why We Care Even If the Universe Doesn’t Hardcover
Ralph Lewis,
Prometheus Books, Amhurst, NY, 2018Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science
Peter Watson,
Simon and Schuster, UK, 2016The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link between Music and the Structure of the Universe
Stephon Alexander, Basic Books, 2016Integral Christianity: The Spirit’s Call to Evolve
Paul Smith, Paragon House, 2011Evolutionary Faith
Diarmuid O’Murchu,
Orbis Books, 2002The Holy Trinity and the Power of Three
Cynthia Bourgeoult,
Shambhala Publications, 2013I’m Right and You’re an Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It UP
James Hoggan with Grania Litwin,
New Society Publishers, 2016The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
Timothy Snyder,
Tim Duggan Books, 2018Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos
Bruce Sanguin,
Copper House, 2007The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
Francis Collins,
Simon and Schuster, 2007Other Resources
The Cross and the Lynching Tree,
Rev. Otis Moss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6985UG0Z3k&feature=youtu.bePentecost sermon
Bishop Michael Curry at the Washington National Cathedral. (https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-michael-currys-pentecost-sermon-live-streamed-service)10 Positive Psychology Studies to Change Your View of Happiness
Joshua Becker, 2014
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/happierCanticle to the Cosmos
Brian Swimme, Center for the Story of the Universe DVD Series, 1996Willie Nelson, April 2017 God’s Problem Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMT4nJwbjAU
Richard Rohr, Center for Action and Contemplation daily blog, https://cac.org/sign-up/
Author Archives: John Griffith
What’s Going On?
A question that has come up consistently throughout my ministry is: “Do we always have to go through trouble to learn and grow”. My answer has always been: “Yes, it seems to be the only way we really learn what … Continue reading
White Privilege and Retirement
The first weekend in November I attended a workshop led by Brian McLaren who wrote the book, The Great Spiritual Migration, noted in an earlier blog. He first addressed the question, “Should I stay in the church or should I … Continue reading
Random Thoughts and Rants
My last post was August 26th. What was I thinking in the past 7 weeks? I have been stuck in a negative rant about how bad things are in the world and what can one person do anyway! When I … Continue reading
Back From Holidays
“As much as summer should remove the burden of “should” and give an invitation to rest and frolic, the world is rarely a respecter of the calendar’s mood. It’s been deeply disturbing to watch, yet again, dozens of innocent lives … Continue reading
Thinking About Love
It is spring (you can see I have been thinking about writing this for over a month) and my thoughts always turn to gardening, weather, having more time to be outside, and re-engaging with the neighbours. The cycle of the … Continue reading
He Doesn’t Have a Prayer
“He doesn’t have a prayer,” is a phrase that I have heard from time to time meaning that the situation is hopeless. Like many people at my age and stage of life, I have been thinking about my life and … Continue reading
I Have Been Feeling Blue
The election in Alberta has been on my mind for months. I was away on a holiday for the last two weeks of the election campaigning. I heard the polls and yet held on to hope that the NDP would … Continue reading
Taking Care of Business
Procrastination has been a strategy I have practiced most of my life. That is why this blog has been in my journal and half-finished on my computer for over two weeks. It is true that in that time new ideas … Continue reading
The Great Spiritual Migration
It is already mid-February. I seem to always be wondering about my faith and how the Christian message relates to the world I live in, a world which seems out of control right now. There seems to be no limit … Continue reading
On the Brink of Everything
I wish you many blessings for this new year. Some people make New Year’s resolutions because there is something about new beginnings that gives us a second chance to renew our commitment to whatever or whoever it is that brings … Continue reading
After graduating from seminary I was in pastoral ministry for 30 years then moved into community ministry as the Founder and Director of Spiritual Directions, a not-for-profit personal and spiritual development centre in Calgary, Alberta. During this time I was also involved in offering spiritual direction and training spiritual directors at the FCJ Catholic retreat centre in Calgary. After retiring from 50 years of professional life the ground is still shifting, and my mind is still processing all the change in light of the gospel. I have decided to write this blog about what I am thinking and I hope you readers will respond with your own thoughts. I believe Truth comes to Light in dialogue as well as in the shadows and pathways of my mind.
What Was I Thinking! 