Barbara Stevens Ministries

Love in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - February 5, 2023 - URC Reflection - There are two magics, and the difference between them matters. The deep magic, for instance, tells us that ethics and justice matter. The traitor cannot act with impunity or the world will devolve into chaos.

On the other hand, the deeper magic, older and wiser even than the deep one, tells us that love will transform the traitor, that forgiveness is a virtue, and that willing sacrifice overturns evil and sets things right again. That we need to do this over and over is simply the inherent nature of matter and time. If we are embodied, we will know pain. If we have life, we will die. But the myths remind us that death is not the end. Even if anti-matter destroys everything we know, there will still be love.

Love in the Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe – Universalist Recovery Church Aslan, the king of Narnia, sacrifices himself out of love. We may think of love and sacrifice together, but Aslan's sarifice doesn't destroy him.

Love mends all things. Perhaps not at once. It takes time and repetition, and sometimes only the eternal love of a god can do the job, but that doesn't mean love fails. So embrace it. When wickedness strikes, whether in you or others, try to respond with compassion. Allow the love of the universe, of your god, of your inner spirit, to touch you. A gentle heart is a happy one, and when we are joyful, we live in love. https://mailchi.mp/298e337e78cc/being-prepared-november-6-2022-5893042?fbclid=IwAR05kGm0mzYfYFsox_CkjvKUDd4nWL-ZPzHsnHtPr6wSV2lp8yV7nkLCVng

Meaning and Grieving - July 31, 2022 - URC Reflection - As we heal from trauma, we may see ourselves as the loving and sacred beings we are. We have a capacity for wholeness, grace, and love. Those feelings may be so buried we never find it, or we might have to go through horrible losses before we can uncover the kind and joyful person we truly are. Regardless, as the jagged pieces of our soul begin to knit together, we may discover we don’t need to create meaning and purpose, it appears. https://mailchi.mp/609ecb698770/meaning-and-purpose-july-31-2022-5882650?fbclid=IwAR2ftj7vM-E9z9oQMYBoBX_mt12Ers1anoEQPQBbh3HledrFOVHXMbGNvjI

Gratitude and Joy - June 5, 2022 - URC Reflection - We can even be grateful for imperfection, for there is joy in the light that streams from the cracks in our hearts. Flowers grow from the ashes. Every twenty-four hours, night falls, the sun rises. When societies fall apart, new ones arise. One day, there will be no more days. Until then, grieve what must be grieved, be grateful for what is, welcome the heart that is made whole through brokenness and that knows how to feel joy.
https://mailchi.mp/8ec06891db28/gratitude-and-joy-june-5-2022-5851630?fbclid=IwAR1U2C7ELdNvy6zb1FeDPKkCpQFe-fRXFKEW91FfvzuaFk1QwlG7sNqRNxs