Steve Marks
@scmarks.bsky.social
Spiritual Director, Vol Fire Chief, Chaplain, Retired Emergency Manager, Weather Enthusiast, Enneagram 7w8, Contemplative Student of Life living in the mountains of NC... http://blueskies.life
A worthwhile listen... What Pete Thinks of Pronouns open.substack.com/pub/peteenns...
What Pete Thinks of Pronouns
A newsletter about God, science, faith, theology, and other learnings.
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A worthwhile listen... What Pete Thinks of Pronouns open.substack.com/pub/peteenns...
"For Christian leadership to be truly fruitful in the future, a movement from the moral to the mystical is required." ~ Henri Nouwen
November 21, 2025 at 12:57 PM
"For Christian leadership to be truly fruitful in the future, a movement from the moral to the mystical is required." ~ Henri Nouwen
"Spirituality is the ache for more: for connection, transcendence, meaning larger than what can be measured. Religion, at its best, is the wisdom gathered by people who have been following that ache for centuries." open.substack.com/pub/jasonged...
Why I'm Spiritual AND Religious
Midweek Meditation
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:40 AM
"Spirituality is the ache for more: for connection, transcendence, meaning larger than what can be measured. Religion, at its best, is the wisdom gathered by people who have been following that ache for centuries." open.substack.com/pub/jasonged...
Gifts come in all sizes and shapes…
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Gifts come in all sizes and shapes…
"To live within the contemplative tradition is not only to keep searching. It is also an invitation to evolve within and alongside it." ~
@cassidyhall.bsky.social
@cassidyhall.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 1:22 AM
"To live within the contemplative tradition is not only to keep searching. It is also an invitation to evolve within and alongside it." ~
@cassidyhall.bsky.social
@cassidyhall.bsky.social
"Christian faith initially grew as a nonviolent spiritual movement of counter-imperial values. It promoted love, not war. Its primal creed elevated solidarity, not oppression and exclusion." A must (4 minute) read: cac.org/daily-medita...
The Empire’s Power
Brian McLaren reflects on the different understandings of power held by the early Jesus movement and the Roman Empire: The historical reality of
cac.org
September 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"Christian faith initially grew as a nonviolent spiritual movement of counter-imperial values. It promoted love, not war. Its primal creed elevated solidarity, not oppression and exclusion." A must (4 minute) read: cac.org/daily-medita...
An opportunity to be present in the midst of hope continues nearly a year later...
✨ As the first anniversary of Helene and Milton nears, four UCC churches in Western North Carolina and Florida have been working to rebuild capacity for meeting community needs.
📰 Read more: ow.ly/qOe650WSnkW
📰 Read more: ow.ly/qOe650WSnkW
As first anniversary of Helene and Milton nears, four UCC churches rebuild capacity for community needs - United Church of Christ
Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated communities in the Southeast United States nearly a year ago, and United Church of Christ churches in the areas
ow.ly
September 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
An opportunity to be present in the midst of hope continues nearly a year later...
"Love is the unified means by which we seek to affirm the good, and respond compassionately to the evil." ~ Carl McColman
open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...
open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...
Mysticism Matters More Than Ever
It's the Only Real Alternative to Dualistic, Aggressive Forms of Religion and Belief
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 12:36 PM
"Love is the unified means by which we seek to affirm the good, and respond compassionately to the evil." ~ Carl McColman
open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...
open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...
"Meditation: Pathway to Divine Love" ~ Dr. Jana Rentzel closerthanbreath.com/intro-to-cen...
Intro to Centering Prayer: Opening to God’s Presence - Closer Than Breath
Meditation: Pathway to Divine Love In a world of increasing divisiveness and deception, it is becoming crucial that we rediscover our spiritual dimension and its energies, especially that of love. Med...
closerthanbreath.com
July 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
"Meditation: Pathway to Divine Love" ~ Dr. Jana Rentzel closerthanbreath.com/intro-to-cen...
“And what is the use of praying if at the very moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are busy planning our own kind of answer to our prayer?” –Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
June 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“And what is the use of praying if at the very moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are busy planning our own kind of answer to our prayer?” –Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
“Love Your Neighbor” Christianity! ❤️
May 31, 2025 at 11:15 PM
“Love Your Neighbor” Christianity! ❤️
Living in the moment…
May 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Living in the moment…
Honored to be presenting with the Spirituality In Nature Gathering at the Valle Crucis Conference Center Labyrinth, Sunday, May 4 at 4:30 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket as come together around the theme of water for a time of mindfulness and sharing.
May 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Honored to be presenting with the Spirituality In Nature Gathering at the Valle Crucis Conference Center Labyrinth, Sunday, May 4 at 4:30 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket as come together around the theme of water for a time of mindfulness and sharing.
“The Most Important Spiritual Discovery of All Time” - www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeup...
"The Most Important Spiritual Discovery Of All Time"
Do you know the universal spiritual secret contained in all religions? A hint: It can be found within.
www.patheos.com
April 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM
“The Most Important Spiritual Discovery of All Time” - www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeup...
Reposted by Steve Marks
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown
There is strength in an open heart. It’s one of the bravest things we can do.
🧡
#kindness #positivity
Picture by Katie Abey
There is strength in an open heart. It’s one of the bravest things we can do.
🧡
#kindness #positivity
Picture by Katie Abey
April 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown
There is strength in an open heart. It’s one of the bravest things we can do.
🧡
#kindness #positivity
Picture by Katie Abey
There is strength in an open heart. It’s one of the bravest things we can do.
🧡
#kindness #positivity
Picture by Katie Abey
Let this soak in, please…
April 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Let this soak in, please…
"We find ourselves hungry for communion with others who are also seeking to live examined, mindful lives, to pull aside with even two or three mindful people for deep, honest fellowship." cac.org/daily-medita...
Islands of Sanity
Richard Rohr explores the nature of evil—and our collective complicity in it. After all our religion, higher education, reformations, and
cac.org
March 30, 2025 at 1:06 PM
"We find ourselves hungry for communion with others who are also seeking to live examined, mindful lives, to pull aside with even two or three mindful people for deep, honest fellowship." cac.org/daily-medita...
"This is the nature of mature, mystical religion: simple and clear. We shave away as many religious assumptions and judgments as possible and reground religion on one lone conviction... a divine love that can only be experienced and not proved by rational logic." ~ Richard Rohr @cac-org.bsky.social
March 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"This is the nature of mature, mystical religion: simple and clear. We shave away as many religious assumptions and judgments as possible and reground religion on one lone conviction... a divine love that can only be experienced and not proved by rational logic." ~ Richard Rohr @cac-org.bsky.social
"Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that if you want to be a follower of the 1st-century rabbi from Nazareth..." www.patreon.com/posts/can-lo... @carlmccolman.bsky.social
Can Love Be Saved? | Carl McColman
Get more from Carl McColman on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 23, 2025 at 2:19 AM
"Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that if you want to be a follower of the 1st-century rabbi from Nazareth..." www.patreon.com/posts/can-lo... @carlmccolman.bsky.social
When someone recognizes the error of their ways, it may be difficult for them to say, “I was wrong.” And at the same time, it may be difficult for those who feel wronged to say, “I forgive you.” May we all strive to practice acceptance and forgiveness in this ever changing climate of chaos.
February 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
When someone recognizes the error of their ways, it may be difficult for them to say, “I was wrong.” And at the same time, it may be difficult for those who feel wronged to say, “I forgive you.” May we all strive to practice acceptance and forgiveness in this ever changing climate of chaos.
Reposted by Steve Marks
"I always hesitate to bring my political beliefs into this space. I don’t think my listeners would expect that from me and some of you will find it disappointing: not what you were looking for... "
[1 of 2]
[1 of 2]
February 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
"I always hesitate to bring my political beliefs into this space. I don’t think my listeners would expect that from me and some of you will find it disappointing: not what you were looking for... "
[1 of 2]
[1 of 2]