Monday, November 10, 2008

Petra Delli Paoli, Interview #55


Name: Petra Delli Paoli
Where you live: Riverside Farm, Millington, NJ
What you do as a vocation or avocation? Pet therapy in hospitals and nursing homes, Managing Home, animals, Kids .....
Your two favorite books: Dogs Day by Jon Katz; by Thich Nhat Hanh (many favorites) Being Peace
Your two favorite songs: "Hands" by Jewel and "Touched by an Angel" cd by Celine Dion
Why you are interested in spirituality? It centers me and connects me with all life forms.
Your favorite quote: "Don't dream your life, live your dream."
Your favorite web sites:
Christian Science Monitor and Bird Talk
Your hero? Thich Nhat Hanh and Barack Obama.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? To bring compassion more into action.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Iceland, in the pack ice of the Arctic and Antarctic, next to waterfalls.

Major concern: Inhumane treatment of factory farmed animals.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Jian Ping, Interview #54

Name: Jian Ping
Where you live: Chicago, Illinois
What you do as a vocation or avocation? Writing, reading, racquetball and ping pong
Your two favorite books: Among my recently read books: Mahabharata, the Indian epic and China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power by Rob Gifford
Your two favorite songs: Alison Krauss’ Simple Love and Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Why you are interested in spirituality? To find inner balance and be a better person.
Your favorite quote: “Hope cannot be said to exist, no cannot be said not to exist. It is just like roads across the earth. For actually the earth has no roads to begin with, but when many people pass one way, a road is made.” By Lu Xun
Your favorite web sites:
Your hero? My father, for one, for his resilience, optimism, and strength of endurance at difficult times.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Peace and balance in life.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" The trail along Lake Michigan in Chicago where I ride my bike or jog early in the morning with the rising sun and the glistering waves of water.
Jian Ping is the author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China,
see an interview:

Friday, November 7, 2008

Vicki Buerkett, Interview #53


Your Name: Vicki Buerkett
Where you live: Normal, Illinois
What you do as a vocation or avocation? Lead Mentor Secondary Education Unit5/Teacher
Your two favorite books:
The Gift of Change-Marianne Williamson
Anatomy of the Spirit Carolyn Myss
Your two favorite songs: "Songbird"-Eva Cassidy, "What if You" and "Bring me to You" Josh Radin
Why you are interested in spirituality? To "Be" in this world. Be Love, Be light, Be open, Be kind
Your favorite quote: "Be a light not a judge, a model not a critic"
Your favorite web sites: Anything spiriutal/inspirational
Your hero? Jacqui Sabundo-burned alive in a car hit by a drunk driver..burned on over 60 % of her body and after 40 surgeries-She Survived! She only allows herself 5 minutes a day to cry..she has to get up and keep moving. When asked if she wished she would have died in the fire she said,"No, I have too much left to do."She is my inspiration.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? To see past outward illusions to the energy source beneath each person.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Outdoor in Nature, in a church alone.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Jason Moore, Interview #52

Name: Jason Moore
Where do you Live: Tipp City, Ohio ( A Dayton Suburb)
What you do as a vocation or avocation? I mostly get to play. My primary focus is graphic design/motion graphics, video editing, and most things media related. I've also written a few books, and one of the most fun things I do is speak at seminars on worship. In addition to all of this I'm an adjunct professor for Northwest Nazarene University.
Your two favorite books:
The Bible
Horton Hears a Who has become a favorite of the stories I have to read my three year old every night.
Your two favorite songs: That's a hard one...I really like Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want," and I'm also a fan of "The Reason" by Hoobastank
Why you are interested in spirituality? Spirituality sounds so Oprah-ish. I wouldn't say that I'm interested in Spirituality as much as I'm interested in a real, living relationship with my God. To be even more specific, I'm interested in Jesus Christ, His teachings, His story, and His presence in my life. I also enjoy seeing Him in others.
Your favorite quote: "The artist must say it without saying it" -Duke Ellington
Your favorite web sites:

I live at facebook.com



Your hero? One of my heroes is Larry "the father of Christian rock" Norman. What he did in following his heart with his music and lyrics in a time when there was no "Christian music industry" is so inspiring. He took so much heat from the religious establishment for what he was doing, but he kept on doing it. He had a huge impact on the lives of so many who in turn have had an impact on other lives.
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? I am often too quick to judge. I hope that God will continue to open my heart and my mind to new things.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" When my heart is in the right place, anywhere I am can become that place.

Len Wilson, Interview #51

Name: Len Wilson
Where you live: Grand Prairie, TX
What you do as a vocation or avocation?
I am a worship designer, an author, a speaker, a small business owner, anadjunct professor, a media artist/producer, and a daddy.
Your two favorite books:
The Bible
Curious George Flies a Kite
Why you are interested in spirituality? I am not very interested in spirituality, per se. I am actually a very pragmatic kind of person. I have to be reminded of God's work in the world and in my life. I believe that experiencing God is often in the doing, not the being. I guess that makes me a good Methodist.
Your favorite quote: "We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run." - Roy Amara
Your favorite web sites: This fall: Fivethirtyeight.com
In general: Facebook.com
Your hero? Clint Eastwood is a hero because he has transformed himself into a real artistic filmmaker, and he got there by balancing commercial fare (like The Rookie, with Charlie Sheen, in 1987) with personal projects (like The Bird,about Charlie Parker, in 1988).
A spiritual lesson you hope to learn? Patience and trust are never in enough supply.
A place in the world where you feel spiritually "connected?" Hanging out with a group of other Christians.