From 'No Way' to 'Okay!' — Sprouting Positive Vibes
Sunday Talk - May 4, 2025
Sunday Talk Notes is a regular feature of Dr. Jim Turrell’s Wisdom of Life. Here he shares the thoughtful preparation and content of actual talks from his highly regarded Sunday Services.
Spring calls us to embrace new starts and fresh possibilities. This talk explores the power of rebirth, growth, and starting anew, both spiritually and personally
OPENING COMMENTS
Need to establish how our philosophy describes God and our relationship with God and the Effect or Conditions of our life.
So we break it into three parts:
1st part is called First Cause (which is God) This is the energy of life that constitutes all form in the infinite expression of Life and is not exclusively in Human Form
2nd part is called Secondary Causation (which means humanity is equipped with all the power to create their life because at the heart of who we are, we are all God individualized and God animates or energizes our experience in exact accordance with what we BELIEVE. For it is done unto you AS YOU BELIEVE.
3rd part is the EFFECT which constitutes the coming and going of FORM. And all forms are finite are created, experienced, and made manifest over and over again until we decide to believe something different.
These are the Challenges described as Simile:
Desire for Stability and Security
Simile: Like a tree that refuses to sway in the wind, fearing the storm might uproot it, we hold onto our routines, too afraid of change to let the winds of possibility shape us.
Need for Confidence and Clarity
Simile: Like a sailor lost in fog, we may feel uncertain and adrift, struggling to find our bearings, until the fog clears and the sun reveals the true path forward.
Fear of Loss and Need for Support
Simile: Like a tightrope walker frozen in midair, we cling to the rope of what we know, fearing the fall, even though the net of support is
There are four areas of life the can be evaluated and changed:
Mentality: Shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Release fear and doubt and realign with you true purpose
Emotions: Embrace feelings of Curiosity and let yourself experience true growth.
Physical Presence: Embody grounded state.
Spirituality: Trust in the spiritual flow of live.
When you make a choice aligned with Cause (God) You declare your freedom
When you use Peace to stabilize your life You declare Security
When you affirm your direction aligned. You receive Knowledge of the PATH
When you take action in Peace. Your productivity engages your esteem.
When you, aligned with God, experience Growth your STATUS registers in you confidence.
WISDOM PRACTICE
Don’t just align with God to GROW, Align with God to grow and MATURATE
Growth fills your toolbox with skills.
Maturation teaches you which tool to use it--and when to put it down.
A spiritually mature person doesn’t just act from ability, but from alignment.
The Parable of the Burned-Out Son
A young man left home after college, eager to “find himself.” He cashed out his savings, moved to a big city, and dove headfirst into the grind—startups, parties, bad dates, worse decisions.
He posted highlights online, but offline, things fell apart.
Credit maxed out. Friends faded. Anxiety kicked in.
Eventually, he hit bottom—broke, alone, and ashamed.
Too embarrassed to call home, he crashed on couches, scrolling through photos of his family, wondering if he’d burned the bridge too badly.
One day, desperate and tired, he texted his dad:
“I messed up. If you don’t want to hear from me again, I get it.”
A minute later, the reply came:
“Just come home. I’ll be at the airport. Bring yourself. That’s all I ever wanted.”
When he arrived, his dad hugged him like no time had passed.
No lecture. No shame. Just love.
His older brother wasn’t thrilled. “He blew everything, and you’re throwing a party?”
Their dad replied,
“He was lost and found his way back.
You’ve always been here, and I’ve always loved you.
But today, we celebrate grace.”
Millennials (also called Gen Y) use to illustrate how different groups verbally look at life.
Born: 1981–1996 Ages in 2025: 29–44 years old
Often navigating careers, parenting, or midlife shifts. Tech-savvy, purpose-driven, and value authenticity.
The Lost Son Texted Home
(aka: “He ghosted himself.”)
Dude had dreams. Big ones.
Left home, said he’d “figure it out.”
Burned through his cash on fast living, fake friends, and bad vibes.
Started posting less. Stories got quiet. 🫥
Sleepless nights. Empty fridge. No one checking in.
He ghosted his own heart.
Finally, he texts his dad:
“Hey… I really screwed up. You probably don’t wanna hear from me.”
Three dots. Then:
“Son. Just come home. I’ll meet you at the gate.”
He expected shame. He got a hug.
No judgment. Just love. Like—deep, unconditional, you-are-enough love.
His brother was big mad.
“He messed up and you throw a party?!”
Dad said,
“Yeah. ‘Cause he was lost and now he’s back.
That’s what love does.
We celebrate returns, not perfection.”
Such a great story with so much inspiration insight and truth ♥️