Mystics

How would you explain faith as a gift from God? What actions can people take to receive and/or increase faith? If you’ve ever tried to ‘get faith,’ and nothing happened, then you know that faith is a gift from God. In other words, we can’t just manufacture it ourselves. God’s initiative is half of a faith relationship, the half that’s beyond our control. And God has a choice, to show up — or not — for a meaningful spiritual encounter.

Thoughts from Dr. Joe by Dr. Joe Puglia Often, I take a casual glance and peek though the window of the past. Not so much to return but to understand the cause and effect of why something is what it is. I've wondered; "Why do I love Halloween?" Is it the fall colors; a chance to be someone else, a harvest moon and apples, the treats or the tricks, pumpkins, make-believe, or is it an opportunity to explore an evening of mystery? The answer is seldom found within the confines of one's own rationale.

On a recent Sunday afternoon 140 friends gathered at the La Cañada Flintridge home of Mary K and Joe DeLurgio for a very special event, a book-signing party celebrating the publication of Mary K's book, "Our Journey to the Sky -- A Guide to the Process of Spiritual Formation." DeLurgio's book has been evolving over the past 25 years through her personal journal writing and that of the people who had participated in one or more of the hundreds of journal writing workshops she has led over the years.

How would you explain faith as a gift from God? What actions can people take to receive and/or increase faith? If you’ve ever tried to ‘get faith,’ and nothing happened, then you know that faith is a gift from God. In other words, we can’t just manufacture it ourselves. God’s initiative is half of a faith relationship, the half that’s beyond our control. And God has a choice, to show up — or not — for a meaningful spiritual encounter.

Thoughts from Dr. Joe by Dr. Joe Puglia Often, I take a casual glance and peek though the window of the past. Not so much to return but to understand the cause and effect of why something is what it is. I've wondered; "Why do I love Halloween?" Is it the fall colors; a chance to be someone else, a harvest moon and apples, the treats or the tricks, pumpkins, make-believe, or is it an opportunity to explore an evening of mystery? The answer is seldom found within the confines of one's own rationale.