On Creativity and Spirituality
Creativity and spirituality are intimately connected. We speak of God as creating or bringing being out of nothingness. Our creative endeavor is the search for the apt expression of being.
Soundings
The Blog of Mercy by the Sea
We at Mercy by the Sea have so much we want to share with you:
- Inspiring and transformational quotes, prayers, poems, videos and books we discover or rediscover
- Conversations with upcoming presenters
- News and events about what's happening at Mercy by the Sea
- Resources and thoughts on contemplative prayer, spiritual direction, the second half of life, emerging leadership, creativity, our relationship with nature and much more!
You'll find seasonal photos of the grounds — vegetation, trees and winged and four-legged creatures that make their homes here. We'll capture changes in the light and colors as the seasons change. So bookmark this page and come back regularly. or subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter where these posts will be sent to your email inbox.
Nature’s Healing Ways
Program participants and retreatants frequently walk the grounds here at Mercy by the Sea, as do staff members. For guests, the land and water offer opportunities for quiet reflection. For staff, walking the property can clear our heads or give us the chance to move our bodies, which have been sitting too long. It’s also a beautiful way to walk towards one’s daily goal of 10,000 steps.
Our Christian Calling in These Times
When I originally began this reflection, I had planned to write about the Climate Study which had been released to the media. Within days of my putting pen to paper, Mr. Trump responded to North Korean threats with warnings of “fire and fury,” and we were suddenly on the brink of a nuclear war. Then came the threat of military action in Venezuela, quickly followed by the horrendous events in Charlottesville, Virginia. What’s a blogger to do? It’s all so overwhelming for me that I forget that also this week people were kind to each other, mothers gave birth, families enjoyed vacation time, students prepared for school, and most people continued to prefer love to hatred, violence and bigotry.
Print and Online Spiritual Resources
Many of you who come to Mercy by the Sea see us as a unique, contemplative, restorative and transformative resource that helps you along your spiritual journey. But there are many other spiritual resources that can inspire you in between your visits. Here is a list of old favorites, like The Sun and Tikkun, and some valuable new finds like Anchor magazine and Relief. Check them out and see which one or ones speak to your heart.