For Sunday, April 24th, 2011

Hello all, the recent seismic events in Japan were horrific in the devastation of lives and property. Physical reality can be gross and painful, even while spiritual ideals are pure and perfect. As part of her natural life cycle this big blue marble Earth has to 'do her thing' and humans are sometimes involved. Seeing spiritual beauty in these interactions with Earth's natural processes comes with perspective. There is typically an opening of hearts, an outpouring of love, a spiritual uplifting, after a natural disaster.

Spiritual cleansing is the basic goal of a life on Earth, a preparation for later on. It may come at the ending of a life, or any time before.

While there are many very appropriate responses to any calamity, for this Sunday night, let us sit. May we sit for the cleansing of humanity, for our own cleansing, and for the courage to follow Divine Will, wherever it may lead.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Hello all, in the dog training books by Cesar Millan, of "Dog Whisperer" fame, he maintains that dogs are hard-wired, no matter what their problems, to move toward that which is natural and balanced whenever given the chance. In the human experience we can see the inclination for that but, due to free will, it's not hard-wired. There has to be a level of receptivity in humans, and receptivity requires humility.

To drop our arrogance about being 'right', to drop our selfishness about wanting more, to release our fears of what may be and attachments to what has been, requires an open and intelligent humility.

May we sit for that open, honest, intelligent humility this Sunday. May we sit for it in ourselves and in the world.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 10th, 2011

Hello all, in our culture today, one of the measurements for politicians is 'sticks to their guns-principles-ideology no matter what'. Compromise is equalled to 'caving in' while cooperation for the greater good is completely ignored. Yet, if a traffic light malfunctions people immediately begin cooperating to get through the intersection unscathed; nature itself is healthiest when there is balanced cooperation; and one of the measurments of childhood is 'plays well with others'.

 

It seems clear that ideological differences among politicians are largely a justification for deeper power struggles, who gets to control the flow of money to their supporters. Yet it is compassionate cooperation, the honest concern for others, that is a hallmark of a thriving society.

 

May we sit this Sunday for that compassionate cooperation, for the honest concern, for the opening of hearts in our politicians and leaders. May the Light of the Divine come down and guide us through the times we're facing.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 - additional

Hello all, as the sun shines upon the Earth some will see a sunrise while others see a sunset, some will be shaded by clouds while others receive the light of high noon. Yet it is all the same sun, shining on everyone, seen only from different angles, from different positions in life.

The writings of the great religions of the world are an attempt to uplift, to illuminate, our lives. In our limited human way; with our misunderstandings, inadequacies, and arrogance, we can easily argue over our interpretations of these writings - and completely miss the lessons.

Under the heading of 'completely missing the lesson' I'd like to add Rev. Terry Jones in Florida to our focus. We are each in a unique position to heal the rifts we have incurred by our actions in this life, a lot of good can come from a single open heart. May we sit for each other. May we sit for wisdom. May we sit for the Ultimate Love to shine down upon us all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

Hello all, God's Love for humanity is vastly different than humanity's love of God. We have the physical, emotional, and psychological limitations which come with the condition of being human. God simply Loves without limitation - without condition.

The world is created by us. We create its texture by how we live upon it; by what is inside our hearts, by how we treat ourselves and others. We create and re-create our own little piece of the world daily, by our actions and attitudes. While there may be people and situations in the world with which we are uncomfortable and often disagree, if we are to follow the precedent, we are to Love. We are to Love in spite of ourselves.

Under the ancient heading of "As Above, So Below" may we sit this Sunday for that perfect Love, for the perfect expression of it upon this Earth.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Hello all, as a culture we have sought out ever more sensational forms of entertainment, both violent and voyeuristic. Watching 50 years of movies, TV and the media at large shows that people have been happy to indulge such base desires for financial gain. Whether art imitates life or life imitates art is an endless argument. The more useful personal question is, "What are you promoting?" With each choice we make, whether voting, buying, sharing, speaking, or even thinking, we are promoting something.

As the world we see is in turmoil, may we sit for wisdom, may we sit for courage, may we sit for Divine guidance, for ourselves and others.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 20th, 2011

Hello all, as the world changes, step by step, we grow along with it. In the middle east people are finding a voice and a desire to be treated well. While those who have enjoyed political and military power are relinquishing it, or sometimes grasping tighter in a desperate attempt to maintain what's familiar.

Farther east hearts are opening in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan as tragedy leads us to the common denominator of simply caring for others.

While it is appropriate for some to be of help physically and/or financially, with the many ways that are available, for the purposes of this group may we sit for the ongoing growth of humanity. If it is true that many are here to assist a world in transition, then may we sit for that transition in it's most loving form, whatever that may be.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 13th, 2011

Hello all, several things come to mind this week. May we sit for all those affected by the quake in Japan and it's resulting tsunami. May we sit for Mother Earth which has to "do her thing" even while we are living upon it. And may we also sit for humanity to maintain the minimum level of "spiritual glue", that bond between people, the Earth, and God, which can be so helpful in times of trouble and transformation.

Also, I've been informed that videos of Tom Sawyer are available on YouTube. If you search "Tom Sawyer Rochester" on the YouTube site you'll find nine segments of over nine minutes each. These are culled from videos that Carol Scoville made from 1989 to 1991. I hope you find them interesting and enlightening.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Hello all, it's tempting to look upon problems and want them to be made better. Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Wisconsin, Ohio, all have their current difficulties. Humanly, we pray for the problems to be fixed or resolved. Yet prayers for the courage, strength and wisdom with which to complete the learning process, to gain the spiritual growth, even through the difficulties, may be needed.

 

This Sunday may we sit for such courage, strength, and wisdom to come down and assist those in difficulty in the world. May Divine Light show the way, whether by giant leaps or tiny steps. And may we listen...

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, February 26th, 2011

11 pounds 7 ozs!!! Wow!
That's wonderful.
Congratulations Grandpa

Sunday Evening let's dedicate our prayers to Wren Rebecca Hughson --.

May she only know love and peace in this lifetime.

May humanity finally grow up and be the best place and the best time to raise her and all our children!

May she and all the beautiful souls coming in now know that "In the end, only Kindness matters!"

Love

Barbara

 

To that I'll add that I recall Jesse as a baby, who became a kid, who turned into a teenager, who grew to a young man, who now has a baby. There is a fullness in life, a 'Full Circle' as it may be, and each time it comes around it kicks up a notch, by this we continue forward. It takes a lot of love to make it all the way around each time. I thank you all for all the love you give, all the love you share.

 

With my newly grandfathered love,

 

Richard

 

For Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Hello all, please forgive my lateness this week. There have been many preparations for the impending birth of my first grandchild. So, may we sit this week for the entire middle east, which seems to be going through a birthing process of it's own. May God's Light come down and may Divine Will be followed by all.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Hello all, as the situation in Tahrir Square, Cairo continues, memories of the hopes of Tiananmen Square, Beijing arise. May we sit this Sunday for God's Light to come down, for all involved to listen within and above, for Divine Will to be heard by all and courageously followed.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Hello all, I would like to ask that we focus once more upon the situation centered in Egypt which affects so many. May God's Light come down upon all those involved on all levels.

Thank you,

Richard