Silver Linings: Spirtuality in Life

Episode 41: The Breath of Life

Do we ever really stop to reflect on the air that we breathe? Or do we just take it for granted?

Air is the first essential need of life on earth. Besides the need for oxygen in the air for breathing, air plays an important role in human life and nature. All living beings, plants and animals are dependent on air for the generation of life energy. The same air that gives life to and sustains humans gives life to and sustains the rest of Creation. 

In the busyness, the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the simple act of breathing. Yet, scripture remind us of the sacredness in every breath we take. In Silver Linings, Terry Lees reminds us of our commonality with all living things, and of the fact that all life comes from and is sustained by God.

Episode 40: Look to the Stars

Contrary to popular belief, God and science are not irreconcilable opposites and the Catholic Church is not in conflict with scientific theories on creation. Far from seeing science and faith as incompatible, the Church considers that they can and should coexist, illuminating different aspects of the same truth.

In fact, the Big Bang theory was first proposed by a Catholic priest and astronomer, Georges Lemaître, in 1927.  And the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth."

Join Terry Lees in Silver Linings as he takes us on a journey to the stars and explores why science may be able to give the answer and explanation of how the world and universe was created and why “the heavens declare the glory of God.”

Episode 39: Our Life Span Explained

It’s said that laughter is the best medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees highlights that laughter is an amazing gift from God.

Episode 38: Silver Linings from Anthony de Mello

Anthony de Mello was an Indian Jesuit priest, spiritual teacher, writer, and public speaker, de Mello wrote several books on spirituality and hosted numerous spiritual retreats and conferences. He continues to be known for his storytelling which drew from the various mystical traditions of both East and West and for introducing many people in the West to mindfulness-based practices. 

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees draws from some of Anthony’s short stories to share.

Episode 37: Act As-if

The Act as-if technique has been used for centuries by philosophers, spiritual leaders, and motivational speakers to help people change their behaviour, achieve their goals, and improve their lives. The idea behind act as if’ is simple: if you want to change something about yourself, start acting as if you have already changed. 

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees draws on the teachings of the straight-shooting St Paul to show how we can surrender to God by acting as if we are who God says we are.

Episode 36: What is Time?

How often have you heard the statement: "If only there were more hours in the day?"

Time favours no one. We all have the same amount of time each day - 24 hours or 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. We are all equal in that respect. No one receives any more or any less.

The Ancient Greeks spoke of time as chronos and kairos, both Greek words which mean time, yet they imply different things. Yet, what is time? 

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees seeks to respond to this question, while investigating chronos and kairos and how they both influence our lives.

Episode 35: Optimism and Faith

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," a tongue-in-cheek comedy song written by Monty Python member Eric Idle, first featured in the 1979 Python film Life of Brian and was a Top 10 hit in the Australian Music charts. It is a theme song for optimists.

An optimist is a person who engages in positive thinking and looks on the bright side of life. An optimist is inclined to be hopeful and to expect good outcomes.

Faith is described as the substance or assurance of things we hope for but have not yet received.

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees explores the strong connection between optimism and faith. Terry concludes that by maintaining an optimistic outlook, rooted in unwavering faith and a conviction of our own abilities, we unlock the potential for achievement.

Episode 34: I Know the Shepherd

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees shares two stories about the Good Shepherd.

One story is about a priest teaching a group of young children about the Good Shepherd, while the second recounts a Shakespearean actor who would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23 with the incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

Terry poses a question aimed at the listeners of Silver Linings: What is the Good Shepherd calling you to do?

Episode 33: Say G’day to the Creator

The song “G’Day G’Day” written by Rob Fairbairn and sung by Aussie icon Slim Dusty captures the essence of the Australian way of life. Its lyrics celebrate friendship, connection, and inclusivity.

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees shares that he says “g’day” a lot. It is a typical Aussie greeting, an abbreviation of ‘good day,’ used to signify good morning, good afternoon, good evening.  

What might be construed as surprising is that g’day is the first word Terry utters when he opens his eyes upon waking each morning!  It’s part of his prayer life and the way he greets God every day!  Terry shares how nothing is out of bounds when he talks with God.

Episode 32: Just Checking-In Today

In Silver Linings, Terry Lees shares a poem about a man named Ben and his way of praying.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

Terry recounts that life is more than a journey, it’s an adventure, an epic one, much like the turbulent thrilling quests of Indiana Jones! And there are journeys within the journey. The road is not always smooth.  

Terry Lees encourages us to check-in with Jesus today.