For Sunday March 27th, 2016

Hello everyone, there is a little known ecological truth that says 'you can't plant a forest.' If you were to precisely measure everything that is growing in a section of forest then tried to recreate it in a nearby field by planting all the same things in the same places, it wouldn't work. A major percentage would fail to flourish and you'd end up with a skeletal representation of the original. 

Perhaps the same is true of our spiritual growth. Just as forests develop naturally over time from grassland, to scrub brush, to saplings, to mature trees with a complex undergrowth, we also grow into our spiritual completion. 

In this season of rebirth and resurrection may we celebrate this process. May we make loving use of all that has come before. May this lifetime bring fullness. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 20th, 2016

Hello everyone, given the current difficulties seen in our country's electoral process perhaps it would be worthwhile to ask for God's Light to come down upon us and our choices. 

May we sit this Sunday for the wisdom and strength required to find our way through this miasma of attitudes and distractions. May we find the quietness and self-honesty to detect the same in others. May our choices be in keeping with the highest good of all.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday March 13th, 2016

Hello everyone, while watching the calculated use of anger, bitterness, and division in our political arena part of an Edgar Cayce reading came to mind. "Take an interest in thy fellow man because he, or she, is one with thine own self, and a manifestation of the might of the God thou would worship!"

This is said not only to those who use anger to promote their personal agendas, it is also said to those who are disheartened at watching it occur. Even the bitter and angry are manifestations of God, lost and spiraling into their smaller selves though they may be. 

May we sit this Sunday for the highest good of those whom we find offensive. May 'prodigal sons' of all variations find their way. May their paths be exactly what they need to bring them home. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 6th, 2016

Hello everyone, we search for peace in this world. Politicians promise it. Religious leaders preach it. Victims and survivors demand it. Our hearts yearn for it. And yet, peace is always within reach.

Our fascination with material power and it's accompanying violence, evidenced in so many popular movies and some politicians, keeps us from our peace. Moment by moment we choose our paths just as our thoughts reflect our desires. In truth, we bring peace to the world by being at peace within ourselves. 

This evening may we sit for inner guidance. May we honor our higher selves as Light shines through us. May we be the change we wish to see.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 28th, 2016

Hello all, the ancient saying, "As above, so below" refers to a similarity of love, kindness, and wisdom displayed on Earth as in Heaven. Humanity has embarked upon this journey but the larger heart-felt perspective, the compassion which comes from walking in the other's shoes, is yet to arrive. 

May we sit this evening for the shoes of others. May we find they fit lovingly. May we find our hearts one mile closer to each other. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 21st, 2016

Hello everyone, as we meet people in this life we find they are not all admirable, nor agreeable, and sometimes downright infuriating. This is where Oneness can become a questionable concept. There is a trick to getting past our human psychology at such times.

It can take a while but look for something about them with which you can identify, something which you also own. This can be difficult when dealing with someone with whom we are deeply disgusted. But the truth is this: that which we despise most in others is the very thing which we find most disgusting within ourselves. They may be hard to find but honesty and humility are helpful here.

May we sit this evening for the strength and courage to be honest with ourselves, for the humility to see clearly, and for the love which may reach outward from us when we do.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 14th, 2016

Hello all, today is Valentine's Day in the US. Typically limited to personal romantic entanglements perhaps it should be released into an all-encompassing love for the world at large. The world has it's troubles and is in need of love. Here is a quote from Helen Keller: "The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker."

May we each add our tiny push of love on this Valentine's Day for the entire world. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 7th, 2016

Hello all, a theme which we'll be returning to throughout this year is of asking for Divine Light to shine down upon those involved in our political process. Lord knows we could use it. Short and simple, "May Thy will be done" covers more than we can see and opens the door to wisdom and fulfillment of the future. May we be receptive when it calls.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 31st, 2016

Hello all, the biblical phrase 'become a fisher of men' is often interpreted by religions as a numbers game, the more people you can pull into your belief system the more you win. However, a more spiritual interpretation may be that of casting your personal realm of love about them, bringing them into a greater awareness of what is loving, no matter where they stand otherwise. 

Each person has their particular need in any particular moment. To be sensitive and to respond to it in an unselfish, outwardly-loving manner is a good thing. Being human it's not always within our reach but is always good when it happens. 

May we sit this Sunday for the sensitivity, strength, and love to follow our deepest 'heart of hearts' and to always treat people as well as humanly / spiritually possible.

With love,

Richard

For Sunday January 24th, 2016

Hello everyone, here is a true story. Chloe C. planned her suicide with all the detail an 11 year old can muster. She gathered what she needed, had her reasons, and decided upon a time. Her saving grace was that her parents would often play a dinner table game of "What would you do if...?" wherein the topics were wide ranging and all viewpoints considered. 

It was this familiar ease of communication which created a sense of safety and trust so that her courage was enough. She told her parents of her plans and how she was feeling. She is now on the long and overall upward road of healing.

May we sit this evening not only for her and all others in such dire circumstances, but for the creation of trust and safety in this world. May we find them within. May we have the courage and strength to bring them out. May we in the world be more at ease with each other. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 17th, 2016

Hello everyone, the old question about whether a glass is half full or half empty misses an important point – the glass itself is beautiful. Beauty in the moment is easy to see when the glass is full. But standing back to take a longer view, to watch the glass filling and emptying and refilling, shows the beauty of patterns in our lives over time. 

May we sit this evening, in whatever place we may find ourselves pattern-wise, and take a longer view of our own selves. May we recognize patterns in others and find them similar to our own.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 10th, 2016

Hello all, we exist here on Earth as part of the path toward being a companion with the Creative Forces, toward Oneness. Our ultimate responsibilities are always in this vein and our advancement may be measured by our interactions with others.

In our current political climate it's easy to find people with whom we disagree. It can be more difficult to treat them with kindness. Our spiritual job is not to convince anyone that our view is right. Our job is to search for wisdom and treat them well.

May we sit this evening for the strength to search for wisdom in the face of our own discomfort. May we find the deeper truths within. May we bring them forward from ourselves.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 3rd, 2016!

Hello everyone, sunshine and rain do not argue with each other, winter and summer are not enemies, daytime and nighttime exist together upon the Earth. Each has its place as the forces of nature work as one for the greatest good. So it should be with us. 

May we sit this evening for the natural coming together of humanity. May we allow each other our time and space and may our differences begin to blend, like sperm and egg, into an entirely new creation.

Thank you,

Richard