For Sunday March 31st, 2013

Hello all, I've received an email from Ceri Booth about and old friend of many of us:

"We have sad news that Marge O'Toole passed away Wednesday evening following a stroke. Jim and her daughter Stephanie were with her when she quietly passed.

Per Marge's wishes, no funeral service will take place. We haven't yet determined if a memorial service will occur, but will let you know if so"

Marge has been in our hearts for many years. She often came to the spiritual conferences in Geneseo NY put on by Carol Chesbro and was a great friend to all.

On what can be a very busy Easter Sunday may we find a moment to sit for the fullness of her spiritual resurrection, and ours as well.

With loving thanks,

Richard

For Sunday March 24th, 2013

Hello to all, in the opening of hearts we tend to move slowly, event by event. The common human frailties of self-protection and the distractions of selfish desires / impulses conspire to keep us walled up. We seem to go about in silence while a vast yearning need for connection goes unspoken, uncalled-to.

Births, deaths, weddings, and meditative trances tend to bring us out of our shells, each in their own manner. Then it is up to us to maintain our openness, to keep breathing and to be willing.

The answering of one heart to another is a powerful expression of spirituality. May we sit tomorrow evening for that opening and answering within and between us. May we be willing. May we have the courage. May we be as we are meant to be upon this Earth.

With reverent appreciation,

Richard

For Sunday March 17th, 2013

Hello everyone, in the spirit of St. Patrick's day may sit for the greening of the Earth and the removal of all 'snakes' from our psyches. Short and sweet this week.

With great reverence,

Richard

For Sunday March 10th, 2013

Hello to everyone, I have sad news and a request from a friend. Many on this list knew Tom Sawyer and perhaps something of his connection to his grand daughter Vanessa. Vanessa died on March 4th due to a drug overdose. Tom's son Todd and his wife Aretha have been living on high alert for the last 7-8 years as they've dealt with her addictions. This is not the outcome they ever wanted but they trust that Vanessa is now in the loving hands of her grandfather.

Todd has asked for our assistance in healing his family. In his own words, "If there's something you can do, I'm asking." He's referring to his mother Elaine, he and Aretha, and their son Alex.

While there is a great deal of strength in his family this kind of pain can be shattering. May we ask for God's Light to come down upon them, that they find the courage to face life as it currently is, that their healing be ongoing and beneficial to all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 3rd, 2013

Hello all, someone recently mentioned the answering of prayers. We so often receive the answers we need, beautiful, loving and subtle, rather than what we wanted or expected. Our divine paths may be circuitous for good reasons. Perhaps there is more to learn, more to be helpful about, more to receive and engage in by going the long way around. Following such a path requires courage to face situations; faith to begin stepping in an unfamiliar direction; and an open mind to receive what must be done along the way.

Tom Sawyer had looked forward to a complete transformation of humanity during his lifetime. That has not occurred as of this writing, but Divine guidance is still at work in the world. This Sunday may we follow our highest guidance as we receive it; may we trust in the loving appropriateness of outcomes; may we give ourselves over to that which is more than us alone. May we find within us the strength to love beyond ourselves.

Thank you,

Richard