Barbara’s Columns

Stars superimposed over the image of a young man - showing the randomness of the universe — Creation and Creativity
The Power of Speech Christians and Jews often use a lectionary to choose readings for worship. This Sunday, […]

June 3, 2023 in Scripture Study tagged Creation / Creativity / God / Language / Word by Barbara Stevens

A man looks at a burning newspaper - representing the destruction of democracy, the tools of autocracy, the burning of truth — AI and Being Human
Modern Inventions Some modern inventions are so dangerous, we choose not to use them. Developed in the 1940s, […]

May 9, 2023 in Political Events and Recovery tagged Artificial Intelligence / Being Human / Creativity by Barbara Stevens

Woman dancing in stage light - a simulation of real life — God and the Computer Simulation
Our Shadowy World They say reality is an illusion. For instance, maybe we’re dreaming. In the Zhuangzi, an […]

February 26, 2023 in Spiritual and Emotional Themes tagged Beloved Community / Computer Simulation / God / Illusion by Barbara Stevens

A father lion snuggles a young lion, showing love — Love in the Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe
Myth as Sacred Story Myths, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica’s article on the topic, are traditional, symbolic narratives […]

February 4, 2023 in Spiritual and Emotional Themes tagged Addiction / Choose life / Jesus / Love / Sacrifice by Barbara Stevens

A child splashing in a puddle, living fully in the moment, mindfully — This Moment Is Not Preparation
This Moment Could Be Your Last In his treatise on Zen Buddhism, Shunryu Suzuki wrote, “Treat every moment […]

January 24, 2023 in Spiritual and Emotional Themes tagged Choose life / Living in the Moment / Mindfulness / Zen by Barbara Stevens