At Times Our Own Light Goes Out

May 22nd, 2010 by Alan | No Comments | Filed in People

Albert Schweitzer - What if this quote could be extended beyond humanity?

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

A quote by Albert Schweitzer, 1952 Nobel Peace Price Laureate.

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Thank God for Evolution by Michael Dowd

March 18th, 2010 by Alan | No Comments | Filed in Books, People
Thank God For Evolution by Michael Dowd

Thank God For Evolution by Michael Dowd

Rev. Michael Dowd and his wife Connie Barlow have a traveling ministry.  Michael pastored three United Church of Christ congregations.  Michael recently recovered from a bout with Cancer.

Rev. Dowd has written a survey book that draws praise from six Nobel Laureates. This is no easy task.  If you’re interested in getting an overview of how the marriage of science and religion may impact upon your life, read it.  You’ll find quotes from a wide variety of scientists, some fresh insights, and an interesting discussion about what is going to happen to the Earth over the next 250 years.

I’m still digesting this book, and if you stop back later on, I’ll tell you how it influenced the Harmony Series.

View a variety of YouTube videos.

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Green Space, Green Time – One of many books by Connie Barlow

March 18th, 2010 by Alan | No Comments | Filed in Books, People

Green Space, Green Time:  The Way of Science is a survey book that presents the reader with a tremendous amount of information, and enables the reader to do research into the concept of the Cosmos from a scientific perspective.

One of the unique qualities of this book is Connie Barlow’s presentation of what she calls a Conversation With Catalysts, in which you get to listen in on a 1996 conference entitled “The Epic of Evolution,” sponsored by the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science.

I’m still digesting this work, and will provide additional details later, including some of the influence that it had on the Harmony series.

Connie Barlow is married to Reverend Michael Dowd.  The two of them make a living traveling and speaking.  Check out their website The Great Story.

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Thomas Berry and The Story of the Universe

March 18th, 2010 by Alan | 1 Comment | Filed in People, The End of All Times

In The Awakening Universe, a film by Neal Rogin, there is a quote by Thomas Berry, (11/9/1914 – 6/1/2009) a cultural historial, Geologican Catholic Priest and the father of the Ecozoic Era.  There is an on-screen graphic, ”

To tell the story of anything
You have to tell the story of everything.

Thomas Berry goes on to say,

We will be alienated from the universe until we have a story, an adequate story of the universe that tells the story of the human as well as the story of everything else, because it is part of one single process that has been going through a sequence of transformative episodes. Thomas Berry Quote about the importance of living in Harmony with the Universe.

I agree with this statement, and I am taking it to the next level in the Harmony Series, which expresses the belief, in a dramatic way, that humankind must learn to live in harmony with the Universe, or perish.

More about Thomas Berry at Wikipedia

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Harmony and Stewardship

February 3rd, 2010 by Alan | No Comments | Filed in About the Books, People

A part of the mission of  the Harmony Series is to help each person come to their own conclusion about the responsibility of humanity to serve as a steward of the Universe. 

It will please me greatly if after reading the books readers feel that stewardship is a fidicuary relationship, that humanity is one of the races that are responsible for managing part of the Universe, which we obviously do not own.

Edward Everett Hale, an American author an Unitarian minister inspired part of Jon’s character when he wrote,

I am only one.
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
And, because  I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Part of my feeling that humanity is a steward of the universe was inspired by Kennon L. Callahan, a Baptist minister in his book Giving and Stewardship in an Effective Church.  He wrote “Living is giving. We live life best as we give our strengths, gifts, and competencies in the service of God’s mission. We are called to serve, not survive. Our giving makes a difference in our families, our work, our community, our world, and . . . .” 

I feel strongly about the words, “We are called to serve, not survive,” as being part of the mission of humanity, and I would conclude Rev. Callahan’s quote with , . . . “our Universe.”

These words of Albert Schweizer, a physician who received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his philosophy of “Reverence for Life” made a statement that I feel relates to the responsibility of each person to be a steward to others:  “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” I would extend this quote by adding, “. . . and when our light is burning strong, pass along our light to others in need.” 

I trust that my feeling about stewardship is conveyed in the books of the Harmony series.

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People Who Influenced Decisions that I Made Writing this Series.

January 18th, 2010 by Alan | No Comments | Filed in Influences, People

Following is a list of people who have influenced the writing of this series.  The list is incomplete.  Please check back from time-to-time as it will be updated.

Liz Sheppard - Liz has repeatedly advised me to write what I love to write, unless I truly want to make money quickly from a particular piece.  Liz puts up with my being distracted by writing, so the advice is treasured.  Also, Liz’s love of gemstones, and their qualities, is one of the reasons that I originally choose to write a series of books that focused on the spiritual qualities of gemstones.

Kat Miller – Kat hosts a weekly talkcast where she discusses alternative healing, EFT, and the Law of Attraction.   Kat’s love of switch words and the power that they convey is one of the reasons that this first book uses sound.  Here’s are two excerpts from her January 16, 2010 talkcast.  I didn’t tell her that I was planning on using it for my book. Kat-UniversalKnowledgeExcerpt.  Here’s a discussion where I asked a question about whether it is possible that plants and animals could share knowledge with people, AlanKatSwUniversalKnowledgePlants.  Note:  Kat has given me permission to excerpt information from her Talkcasts.

Markus Allen - It may seem strange to say that someone who provides advice on internet marketing influenced the writing of a series of a book, but some of the tips and techniques that I have picked up from Markus’s weekly Talkcast, Stump Markus are reflected in this site. I’ve listened to Markus for over a year, and I can recommend that you check out his advice.  Frankly, it’s not for everyone, but you will know if you like the advice, and you can listen and participate for free.  As an example of advice that I have taken, he recommended this WordPress theme.  If you’re into Internet Marketing check out his site.  Standard Link Affiilate Link I’d appreciate if you use the affiliate link, just in case you decide to buy something.  I make a few dollars, and it does not cost you anything extra.

Lisa Rosati- Bridenbecker - Thanks for the information on Light and string theory.  You advised: “Modern string theory suggests that here are as many as 11 spatial dimensions. Each of these are thought to be components of our universe. In another universe, where (hypothetically) the natural laws as we know them are arranged differently, actual causes and effects may also be arranged in different sequences. Hope this is of some use!” and pointed me toward this article.  http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/51059/title/Frozen_light_stays_fresh_longer

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