For Sunday January 26th, 2020

Hello everyone, the word 'fervent' is an adjective which refers to having or displaying a passionate intensity. It's archaic meaning is 'hot, burning, or glowing' and in Latin it means boiling.

Now let's consider the phrase 'fervent prayer.' It's the intensity of prayer which Padre Pio, Saint Francis of Assisi, the modern Tom Sawyer, and many other great prophets employed while doing their spiritual work. It has been described as the condition in which, for the person praying, nothing exists but the actual prayer itself.

May we sit this Sunday toward fervent prayer. There are many, many circumstances in the world which could benefit from that degree of effort, including Mother Earth herself. May we meet each other there.

Thank you all for all you do,

Richard

For Sunday January 19, 2020

Due to poor time management skills here is an 'oldy but goody' from three years ago: 

Hello everyone, comedy guru Swami Beyondananda talks about changing the world, "...when it comes to healing our lives - or the world - the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. The heartless minds that value money over all else have tried to convince us that their inhuman nature is our human nature. I say if we want the Golden Rule to overrule the rule of gold, we have to embody the heart core values of truth, beauty and goodness."

I don't know how to say it better. This Sunday may we sit to see ourselves clearly, laugh at what we find, and love beautifully.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday January 12th, 2020

Hello to all, in these turbulent times of wildfires, earthquakes, and political upheaval, when great spiritual work is essential – a soothing salve is necessary.

Let's combine Tom Sawyer's comment, "It's like the song 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' and now that you're happy – get to work" with the writer Anne Lamott who opines 'laughter is carbonated holiness.' 

Intensive times require extensive spiritual effort, followed by maintenance and renewal. May we practice all three as needed in our journeys.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday January 5th, 2020

Hello everyone, for all the difficulties that exist in the world today, grace still endures; quietness can be found, seabirds still float on water, and deer disappear into woodlands.

Taking time to renew ourselves can be as simple as gazing out of a window. The faster events occur in life the more essential it becomes to do so.

May we endeavor to keep up with the world by taking moments to slow down. May the windows of our souls open to the beauty of the world. May our hearts shine in the darkness.

Thank you all,

Richard

Welcome to 2020!

Hello everyone, I've been looking forward to this year ever since the beginning of last year. I have nothing to point at to say, "This is why." But, I've been enjoying the idea of this year coming for quite some time. 

As I wrote, it feels like this year is chock full of wonderful things just waiting for a chance to occur. It's as though spirituality sends down these carefully selected 'bleams of goodness' to the Earth which then look for open, receptive individuals and situations through which they may manifest - all done for the enhancement of humanity. 

If so, then let's stay open and receptive to what may come. 

Thank you all,

Richard