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It’s an amazing testament to volunteers of all kinds, including a whole array of faith-based groups, who have for years been working at shelters, food banks, clothes drives and fundraisers. But we all know that this is not sustainable.

What can we confidently depend on? Recognizing a loving divine presence can bring the reliable stability and support needed for progress

The ideal for me is illustrated by the Bahá’í writings that remind us the non-medical use of alcohol and drugs is destructive to mind and body, which instead deserve our greatest respect.

Most current Bible versions use the pronouns, ‘he’ and ‘him’, when referring to the Holy Spirit. In Aramaic, the Holy Spirit was referred to, and understood, in the feminine.

All of us are looking for a place to belong, a place where we can be ourselves, without judgement or without expectations of how we should be or how we should act.

Liturgy is by no means the only way to pray – silence, music, meditation, walking, and so much more can make up what we often call ‘spiritual practice’, but the shape, the feel, and the experience of being a part of a long line of people who have used and those who still use the liturgies in our prayers leaves me feeling deeply grounded and connected to my tradition.

Ramadan is like a reset button. It’s an opportunity to see the best version of ourselves and the capabilities we didn’t know we possessed.

As I  maintain friendships with people of different Faiths, I try to ensure that they know my respect for their Messengers, and their Holy Books, because they are all part of my religion.

On Ash Wednesday, carrying "Ashes to Go onto the street", I was reminded again that any spirituality that aspires to be authentic has to be lived out in the everyday, among the harried, the homeless and the hospital goers.

The religious differences that divide us can sometimes make it seem as though we are members of quite different tribes. But by focusing exclusively on what divides us, we lose sight of an enormous amount of common ground.