COFFEE BREAK 138

+ updated at 6:02pm EST, Thursday, February 4, 2010

+ TruthOut offers "The Hidden Issue of 2010" by E.J. Dionne Jr. Excerpt: "For Republicans, American power is rooted largely in military might and showing a tough and resolute face to the world. They would rely on tax cuts as the one and only spur to economic growth. Obama, Biden and the Democrats, on the other hand, believe that American power depends ultimately on the American economy, and that government has an essential role to play in fostering the next generation of growth. Notice that when Obama spoke (in the State of the Union address) about keeping America in first place, he said not a word about the military. He referred instead to the efforts of our competitors in the public sphere of the economy, and of our past complacency."

+ Ecumenical News International offers "Tuvalu church leader expresses pain of betrayal at Copenhagen" by Kim Cain. Excerpt: "For Falani and the people of Tuvalu it fits a package: his people are the victims of climate change forces they did not create and which they cannot change. And the United Nations climate conference in December was a harsh and disheartening experience."

+ The Abundancetrek Blog offers "Interspiritual Wisdom -- 4". Excerpt: 

I have reflected for years on The 12 Pathways to Higher Consciousness offered by Ken Keyes Jr. which you can find at http://community-2.webtv.net/babaluie/LivingLoveThe/page3.html

Number 5 and number 6 seem to contradict each other but not really and maybe this is what forgiveness is all about. Here they are:

5) I take full responsiliblity here and now for everything I experience, for it is my own programming that creates my actions and also influences the reactions of people around me.
6) I accept myself completely here and now and consciously experience everything I feel, think, say, and do (including my emotion- backed addictions) as a necessary part of my growth into higher consciousness.

My own thinking about these things over the years has led me to conclude that ...

We are intimately, intricately and infinitely connected by a matrix of unconditional, unlimited and uniting LOVE which is miraculous, mysterious and marvelous.

+ Spirituality and Practice offers a book review of A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith by Brian McClaren.  Here's an excerpt from the review: "We've been very impressed with what is coming out of the Emergent Movement, and we welcome the prospect of its growing momentum as more and more seekers find a spiritual home that speaks to their faith, openness to other religions, need for practice, and passion for mending a broken world. Certainly McClaren's books, lectures, and buoyant spirit provide a light to show the way into the hopeful and holy future!"

S&P also offers an excerpt from the book.