Celestial Lands Journal
The original reason for the existence of Celestial Lands, the Journal is the online repository for the writings and thoughts of me, David Pyle. Now, having a journal like this may seem like the ultimate in ego, but it is not! The idea for the journal actually came from reading a biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who kept journals and notes about readings through-out his life. In fact, it took him over 5 years just to catalogue and index his journals he wrote so many of them. The Celestial Lands Journal, running on the PHPBB2 forum platform, allows me (David) to keep all of my sermons, writings, worship materials, and thoughts in one place, easily accessible through the web. Its security features allows me to make some sections available only to me (like my daily journal) and other sections available to anyone who wishes to view them (like my sermons) and still other sections that I approve who can see them (like my seminary papers). I do not allow others to write in my journal, because it is an archive of my writing and collected worship materials.
If you want to talk about something there, please comment here on this page, and reference the article. Please feel free to use anything you find here, so long as you properly cite me (David Pyle) and this website. Enjoy, and I hope to hear from you!
The moderated comments section below is for any questions, thoughts, or ideas related to an article, sermon, or essay in the Celestial Lands Journal. Please reference the Sermon or Essay about which you are commenting by leaving the address. I look forward to your thoughts.
On the sermon “From Whence does Good and Evil Come”: I have been thinking about my ‘elevator speech’ on what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. I should say I’ve been struggling with finding one such abbreviated way to e xpress my faith. After the excellent sermon today answering Bill’s question, I now have my ES! Finally I can say to a stranger to UU, this is what I believe. The short version is that the origin of good and evil is within the human heart. What is good or evil is based on our perceptions, and so it truly matters what we believe.
I can always choose to think about my actions within the context of my faith. I can be, like all humans can be, an instrument of good in the world. I must choose good as often as I possibly can.
Thanks to you, David, for bringing more light into the world.
Martha
Thank you, Martha, for your kind comments. It is good to know someone found something of value in my sermon… thank you for sharing… And thank you for being the first person to use this comments section to respond to one of my sermons!
I also wrote an article in my “Defining Religious Language” series on Good and Evil that you might find interesting.
I have enjoyed being in conversation with the members of UCE through the pulpit this year, and will miss that when it is time for me to go…
Yours in Faith,
David
David,
Once again, I read your sermon “A Call of Christmas Peace”. It’s a beautiful story about the power of love and community which is the true meaning of this season.
Last night at service, this was shared with all: “Blessed is the Season which engages the Whole World in a Conspiracy of Love.” (Hamilton Wright Mabie). Thought I’d pass it on to you as well.
Your sermons continue to influence my thinking. Thank you for your inspiring words.
In peace,
Mary
Dear David Thank u for ur service
I am the hospice nurse from heartland palatinne thank u for ur sermon I am reading it this morning prior to my son marching in the memorial parade.. remembering it is all coming back will finnish later want to step away now
Denise,
Thank you. I’m glad you were there to show your pride in im, marching in the parade.
It was wonderful to meet you the other day.
Yours in Faith,
David