For more information:
| The Testimony Of the Truck Driver- Mary K. Isaacs | Mary K.'s tow-truck ride returning from a religious education retreat leads her find spiritual insight in unlikely places. A message about avoiding UU "snootiness". |
| The Velveteen Person Martin Bryant |
A classic children's story, a Hollywood movie about schizophrenia, Christian mystic Khalil Gibran - the transformative power of love. |
The Recovering Rationalist - A Twelve-step Program Mary K. Isaacs and Martin Bryant |
Many UUs may need structured support to overcome their dependence on over-rationalization and the tyranny of reason. We’ve developed a twelve-step program to set your feet on the path to recovery and a more spiritual life. Delivered to Live Oak UU in Austin on Sept 17th, 2000 and Wildflower Church on Feb 25th, 2001. |
What is a Sacred Text and Why Would We Need One? Martin Bryant |
The Tao-te-Ching, the Bhavagad-gita,
the Bible…What makes ancient religious texts sacred?
Bringing a spiritual humanist perspective can yield some refreshing, but not
surprising answers…. Delivered to Live Oak UU in Austin on January 19th,
2001 |
| Chchch-changes
- Turn and Face the Strain Mary K. Isaacs & Kathleen Bryant |
What does it mean to "come of age" in 2nd millenial America? Why do the "hero stories" described by Joseph Campbell that resonant through almost all human cultures across time have special relevance for adolescents? Turn and face the strain... Given to Live Oak UU on August 2nd, 2001 |
| Beyond
Belief Martin Bryant |
Martin reflects on the spiritual practice, the "devotion" shown by devoted moslems during his travels in Saudi Arabia and wonders whether UUs can find relevance in religious practice and the cultural religion that Moslems, Jews, and some Catholics share. |
| Vegetarianism - A Commitment of UU Faith Kathleen I. Bryant |
Twelve year-old Kathleen expresses why being a vegetarian is part of her developing UU Faith and her hopes for a common future for these two commitments. Delivered to the First UU Church of Austin on August 8, 2000. For other parts of this service recognizing the souls and roles of animals including hymns and the children’s story Koko’s Kitten, click here... |
Thanksgiving - America's Holy Day
Mary K. Isaacs and Martin Bryant |
People make pilgrimages home; the
emphasis is on togetherness and thankfulness. This trek doesn't require any particular
belief system and reminds us of our reliance on each other as well as the importance of
gratitude. We will explore how, secular as it is, Thanksgiving is nevertheless an American
holy day. Delivered to Live Oak UU in Austin
on November 19, 2000. |
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Mary K. Isaacs Martin Bryant |
Two short homilies that are companion pieces. “The Place of Brotherhood” includes two readings and observations on community. “This is your village” is about appreciating church, yours and others… Delivered at the Horizon Unitarian Universalist church in Carrollton TX - Nov 29-99 and UUs of South Austin Nov 19-2000. |
| Walking the Labyrinth Mary K. Isaacs For more information about Spiritual Labyrinths in Texas |
Recently, at a UU retreat, I had the opportunity to walk a labyrinth, an ancient, pagan spiritual tradition used for many hundreds of years in Christian churches and enjoying a recent revival. I share my experience of the labyrinth as a powerful metaphor for life. Delivered to the Waco U U Fellowship on March 19th, and First UU of Austin on July 16th, 2000. |
| Masai Greeting Mary K. Isaacs and Martin Bryant |
In this homily, written for the
December 31, 2000 service at Live Oak UU in Austin, we explore how we can learn something
about our societal values by the most commonly used speech of the Masai tribe of Africa. |
| The Moral Instinct Martin Bryant |
Most of us accept that we have "instincts" developed by natural selection. How far do these instincts go? Do we have an instinct for spirituality? Given to the Austin UU Fellowship on December 2nd, 2001. |
| An Easter Story Martin Bryant |
A non-Christian looks at the Easter story and finds inspiration. A reason to rejoice with my Christian friends in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Given to First UU - Austin on April 8th, 2001. |
| Cross of Iron Revisited Martin Bryant |
This sermon describes the United States as "The Greatest Warrior Nation the World has ever Known" and questions whether our nation's commitment of resources to this empire of defense is damaging not only to our economy but our collective psyche. Delivered as part of a Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday service at the Tyler UU Fellowship in Tyler TX on January 23, 2000. |
| Faith of the Founders Martin Bryant |
The Freedom of Religion we enjoy in the United States was due to the efforts of the American founders to secure these liberties. The sermon examines the four most prominent founders: Washington, Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson using their own words and actions to characterize their faiths. These individuals were religious radicals, heretics for their time, and their efforts to guarantee religious freedom was a necessary part of their faith. Delivered at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin - August 15, 1999, Mount Juliet, TN's Celebration Lutheran Church June 27, 1999, and Brazos Valley UUF on July 2nd, 2000. Also: Wildflower Church July 1st, 2001 & Austin UU Fellowship July 8th, 2001 |
Better Living Through the Placebo Effect Marshall Jon Fisher |
First appeared in Atlantic Monthly. Was the Nobel Prize Winning chemist and
pacifist Linus Pauling also a master of mass psychology?
A humorous look at why “It pays to believe”. |
Raymond Smullyan |
In this dialogue between mortal and God the differences between Western and Eastern religion are explored by looking at Free will, Sin and Morality, and the relationship between God and man in an often humorous, sometimes dramatic way. |
| The
World that Came in the Mail Carl Sagan |
In this essay, written by the late scientist, educator, and atheist, Sagan, with a very personal story, presents a fascinating analogy of our planetary ecosystem that may help us reflect on our philosophy and religion as well. |
| Why You Wanna Trip on Me? Mary K. Isaacs |
He’s the most successful entertainer in history, even his
critics concede. Brilliant, talented, rich … and weird. What is it about
Michael Jackson that raises people’s hackles, and prompts them to nod with suspicious
certainty when the child molestation charges against him are mentioned? When confronted
with the unknown, it might be our first impulse to shoot to kill, but don’t we have a
spiritual obligation to keep our hearts open? I think we have a lot to learn from the pop
icon. He seems to test even those most dedicated to the ideas of strength in diversity and
accepting everyone, even the most eccentric. Are we up to this test? If you were in his
jury, would you give Michael Jackson a fair trial?
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Do you have questions or comments about any of the sermons? You can e-mail mkisaacs@ibfam.net or Martin@ibfam.net for any info you might like.
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