Best this month The Wisdom to Survive This documentary, produced by
Presbyterian minister John Ankele and educator Anne Macksoud, offers the most inspiring, creative and prac- tical overview of the spiritual dimen- sions of climate change that we’ve seen. With rare clarity and depth of insight, it reveals the challenges and possibilities that this situation bestows upon the sons and daughters of God. We are called to be co-creators and caretakers of the good Earth and to love our neighbors— humans, animals, plants, waters, soil and rocks. To do so, we have to face climate change and all its ramifications. Speakers in the film include Christian activist Bill
McKibben, Buddhist practitioners Joanna Macy and Steph- anie Kaza, biologists Roger Payne and Amy Seidl, environ- mental lawyer James Gustave Speth, Nikki Cooley of the Navaho Nation and many others. Issues covered include water shortages, melting of glaciers, acidification of the ocean, and the impact of the continual burning of fossil
What If ...? Joe is going to his first big party at his friend Tom’s
house. His mother accompanies him since he lost the invitation with the exact address on it. Joe is anx- ious about how others at the celebration will treat him. He convinces himself that he won’t have a good time. But when they find the house, everything is just fine. He goes inside, and now his mother begins to worry. This is the kind of every-
Author bio:
The Brussats publish the website www.SpiritualityandPractice. com where you can find more information about the items reviewed in this column.
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www.thelutheran.org
day experience that we all go through. Telling ourselves negative stories about what might happen nearly ruins our experiences. The remedy in this book by Anthony Browne is to live in the present moment and not to try to psych out the future (Candlewick Press, www.
candlewick.com).
Buddhist author and activist Joanna Macy is one of several speakers featured in The Wisdom to Survive.
fuels. The filmmakers salute the energy and curiosity of chil- dren and the creativity of youth who are stirring things up with permaculture, alternative fuel options and city gardens. At the end, the activists express why they still have hope
that humans can turn things around and save the planet (Old Dog Documentaries,
www.olddogdocumentaries.org).
Like a Child: Restoring the Awe, Wonder, Joy & Resil- iency of the Human Spirit
Jesus said, “Unless you change and
become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mat- thew 18:3). This paperback challenges us to get in touch with our childhood self and to culti- vate the childlike qualities that can deepen our spiritual lives. It covers trust, humility, seeing as God sees, dis-
cerning the gifts of desire and emotion, reclaiming the beginner’s mind, practicing forgiveness, listening to your body, laughing and playing. Timothy J. Mooney is a Presbyterian minister,
visual artist and spiritual director. A pastor for more than 21 years, he currently leads the Community of ONE, a worshiping community in the heart of urban Denver, and offers retreats on spirituality and spiritual formation throughout the U.S. (SkyLight Paths, www.
SkyLightPaths.com).
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
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