Red Pine Mountain

In the quiet of the Red Pine Mountaintop in the US Northeast Kingdom, more commonly known as the US state of Vermont, is a transplanted southern girl who writes about finding love and a new life on the world wide web. That girl is Mountain Woman, who uses her blog as a place to show that love really is possible on the internet, and that healing from the past is possible, too.

Red Pine Mountain - Why You Should Go

Red Pine Mountain is best categorized as a personal blog, but it is also in part a lifestyle blog, as many posts illustrate the way of life of the northern mountain-dweller. The blog is more than, that, too. It is also Mountain Woman’s place of positivity and expression; “I focus on issues that are important to me and my personal growth. I try to be positive and this blog is a reflection of my point of view. I do know there are people who find this way of thinking unrealistic; syrupy, I’ve even heard it called, but if I allow myself to get mired in negativity, I won’t accomplish my goals. Every problem becomes insurmountable and the smallest step forward impossible.”

To this end Mountain Woman writes about topics such as faith and religion (including her journey from forced-childhood religion to disbelief and back to true faith again), love, the effects of negativity on the world, the stories of her life and reflections on life in general. These are stories that are offered in the spirit of camaraderie and sharing, not to preach or teach, but simply to discuss.

Summing Up Red Pine Mountain

Mountain Woman writes with care. She is open with her readers and respectful of opinions, truly welcoming her community into her life. Hers is a blog to read if you find yourself in need of a place to enjoyably contemplate life, or are in search of a friendly spirit to connect with on the web.

Go here to check out Red Pine Mountain.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Original Faith:
Blog URL: http://www.originalfaith.com/blog/index.html
Category: Faith, Spirituality

Original Faith

There are many blogs, books, and resources that deal with the nature and topic of spirituality and religion. But there are few that deal with that topic at its most fundamental level—at the level of personal faith and meaning, regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation. One of the select few people who is dealing with this fundamental is Paul M. Martin, author of Original Faith (which is altogether a personal life experience, a book, and blog).

Original Faith - Why You Should Go

Original Faith is the culmination of a lifetime of experience, reflection, and research. But unlike the majority of faith-based initiatives this is not one that started in religion. On the contrary, Paul M. Martin started his journey because of his lack of religion—but still ever-present system of personal belief.

What ultimately occurred to Paul is that although he was not a particularly religious being, he was still a spiritual one. He was still a person of faith even though he was not a person with categorical beliefs. This made him understand that people are, fundamentally, spiritual or faithful, and that there is true power in being cognizant of that and of embracing the power of faith for what it is. It is this strong faith that has brought Paul through both good times and bad (including a debilitating disease from which he still suffers and which has severely limited his physical abilities), and helped him realize the power within—the power of personal spirituality and positivity.

Summing Up Original Faith

Original Faith is a place where anyone, with any degree of religious or spiritual belief, or even a complete lack of it, will feel welcome as they explore their own personal experience. As Paul says, his blog is a space “where respect for all viewpoints on religion is a spiritual passion.” It would seem this includes as well a complete lack of religious belief. More than anything this is a place for respectful exploration and discussion. Like others, it’s not a place of answers; it’s a place of enlightenment and perhaps a little guidance; a place for “Finding the interfaith soul of progressive religion and spirituality.”

Go here to check out Original Faith.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Spirituality Guide:
Blog URL: http://www.spiritualityguide.com/
Category: Spirituality, Religion

Spirituality Guide

As Spirituality author/editor Aura is ready to point out, everyone has questions about our origins and about spirituality. For some those are questions of religion and for some they are questions of creation; for others they are questions regarding the fundamentals of being human and the meaning of it all; and often, the questions that we have are a combination of all of these, and much, much more. And as Aura tells us on her ‘About’ page, “…It’s not strange or unusual to ask these questions of yourself and of the universe, no matter what your upbringing.” It’s just human. So does she claim to have the answers?

Spirituality Guide - Why You Should Go

Aura does not make claims of grandeur, and she does not promise to provide the answers to all of your questions for you. What she does promise is to work with you and with her greater community in search of them. She says, “Spirituality Guide isn’t going to answer those questions for you. Rather, this site is a place where you can explore all these and more. This is a place to question and contribute. And maybe find yourself along the way.”

To this end Aura and her contributors offer posts that are a combination of history, theory, and theology and religion. The questions relative to spirituality and the human condition are explored in some very new (as in, not solely mainstream religion), interesting, and insightful ways. Through discussion and research and contemplation Aura invites her readers in to explore the many potential meanings of things, and to help as she can as you find your own personal meaning and answers to questions of being.

Summing Up Spirituality Guide

If you are looking for a person who can tell you precisely where the word begins and ends, you might not appreciate what Spirituality Guide has to offer. But if you are looking for a level of enlightenment to help you decide for yourself mysteries like, ” Is there a God? Are we alone in the universe? [and] What does life mean?” then you will surely appreciate what Spirituality Guide offers. This is an open community where guest posters are welcome, as is discussion and community contribution. It’s not a place of answers, but it is a place of contemplation and personal exploration.

Go here to check out Spirituality Guide.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008

Where to Find Tall Skinny Kiwi:
Blog URL: http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/
Category: Faith, Spirituality

Tall Skinny Kiwi

From the looks of his interests (About page), it seems that Andrew Jones, aka Tall Skinny Kiwi, is living the good life. Those interests include pizza, tea, family, marriage, mac mags, reading, camping, and God (probably not in that order), and they are what Andrew Jones lives for.

They also make up the bulk of what Andrew’s Tall Skinny Kiwi blog is about‚Äîwith a little more weight given to faith and belief, and a healthy smattering of life with teenagers and family thrown in. Formally, Andrew says his blog is about social media, social enterprise, and mission in emerging culture. It all makes for some interesting reading and refreshing insight.

Tall Skinny Kiwi - Why You Should Go

Naturally not all of us are as religiously inclined as Andrew is, but even those who waiver in faith, or stand strong yet are in need of a higher level of understanding, have something of value to learn from Andrew. Andrew presents emerging religion and related issues, but is not preachy or overbearing in any way. His blog is as a blog should be—a platform for conversation and education.

Summing Up Tall Skinny Kiwi

Tall Skinny Kiwi hosts an interesting array of information that’ll get you thinking about spirituality and more, along with a touch of humor, and insight and knowledge gleaned from Andrew Jones’s personal and professional life. You’ll appreciate it most for the open dialogue about faith and society and the changing face of religion and belief‚Äînot only for what is presented, but for the open and easy way that it’s given.

Go here to check Tall Skinny Kiwi.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2008