For Sunday September 29th, 2013

Hello everyone, as we all have heard many times the future of humanity is astounding. At some point a typical daily life will be infused with that which is now termed ineffable, beauty beyond description. Getting to that point will be a neat trick. 

The media focuses on gunmen, hostages, death, and terror - simply because it sells; in doing so they miss the millions who work and pray for a better world. It's the work and prayers of those millions which will bring about the 'cure' the world longs for, and is well due.

May we add our hearts to that movement this Sunday, as we add our work always. May we lift and be lifted beyond the typical, all the way to the loving warmth which lives within us all.

Humbly offered,

Richard

For Sunday September 22nd, 2013

Hello everyone, Furio Sclano, a minister in the Kriya tradition, mentions the path of growth from belief, to faith, to revelation. He says belief is a mental concept which is held dear, faith is a concept which you invest some of yourself in, and revelation is when you have your own spiritual experience.

This ties nicely with the phrase; religion is when you believe in someone else's experience - spirituality is having your own experience. 

May we sit this evening, in about 50 minutes, for that experience on whatever level. May we recognize it even in subtlety and enjoy it in all fullness.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday September 15th, 2013 - Yesterday..!

Geez, I have to apologize here. I've had a lot of distractions lately due to family coming in from out of town for, wait for it - my daughter's wedding. Whew!

I've kind of been on a non-stop roller coaster of living on cloud nine and woke up this morning realizing that I completely missed last night. Sheesh.

So anyways, with loving apologies to all, two things come to mind. First, the flooding in Colorado. I've heard that many are safe and many are in distress. May we be thankful and may Divine Will be done for all. 

Secondly, I'd like to share what I wished for my daughter and her new husband, that they remember the 3 P's; patience, persistence, and pick up after yourself. Patience, because it takes a long time for the other to grow. Persistence, because it takes a lot of work to grow yourself. And pick up after yourself meaning, don't leave a mess in the other's heart, or in your own.

Thank you all, perhaps my head and heart will return to Earth soon...

Richard

For Sunday September 8th, 2013

Hello everyone, when your heart is truly touched there comes a feeling of 'lightness of being' - and your perceptions change. The world appears to be different because you see it with new eyes. 

In these turbulent political times perhaps our 'leaders' need to see with new eyes. 

May we sit this Sunday for Divine Grace to come down and touch the hearts and give guidance to those involved in directing our nation's future. May we wish them well for their highest good. My we bring them our best.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday September 1st, 2013

Hello all, in the original story of Pandora's Box the 'evils' within the box were meant to be specially crafted 'gifts of learning' for the human race. To engage in any of them was to embark on a full circle journey through many 'learning experiences' and then return back to spirituality. 

The trouble is that humanity has become very enamored of the lures, temptations, and self-focused results encountered along our journeys. We're stuck. This can be seen as nations, political leaders, groups, and individuals of all kinds cling desperately to money, power, anger, revenge, etc. 

Many of the world's problems can be solved if we simply 'move on' along our journeys, back towards spirituality. 

May we sit this Sunday for that movement, that completion of purpose which fulfills us far beyond what we now hold.

With reverence,

Richard

For Sunday August 25th, 2013

Hello everyone, here is a quote from an Edgar Cayce reading, "That is the purpose for which each entity ... enters the material experience; that the glory of the Lord, as manifested in the entity itself, may be magnified in the earth." We can see this in our own lives, and that spirituality often works in tiny increments, nibbling away at our small selves that our greater selves may come forth. 

The ancient promise and process 'As Above - So Below' is in place. Spirituality and compassion are coming forth and we all have our parts to play. Historically speaking, violence is decreasing in the world, between nations and in the home. Yet still, considering the horrendous situations in Egypt and Syria, we have a ways yet to go.

May we sit tonight towards that ancient phrase. May we sit for all those involved in the conflicts of Egypt and Syria. May we sit for the difficulties of the world, and perhaps for what we find at home. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday August 18th, 2013

Hello all, there is a growing sense in the world that human life is meant to be more than a support system for political structures. From Tiananmen Square to the recent difficulties in Egypt this concept keeps peeking through our typical morass.

With your permission may we sit for those involved in the disruptions in Egypt this week. May we petition God's Light to come down for the highest good and greatest upliftment of all concerned. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday August 11th, 2013

Hello all, Chuck Weidenborner a long time member of our list, after 90 plus years, many children, grand and great grand, and with wife Judy Joy at his side, has entered his transition days. While home hospice care sees to his comfort, friends and loved ones gather. Spirituality drops in from time to time, hearts open, and completion beckons.

May we sit this Sunday for Chuck, for Stanley, for seeking the spiritual, for it surely comes to us all in our proper time.

With reverence,

Richard

For Sunday August 4th, 2013

Hello all, there is an old Sufi saying, "God enters our lives through the wounds in our hearts." This is in reference to searching for comfort during times of emotional pain. Stanley Peele writes about finding a connection to God as a result of physical pain, of somehow reaching a place beyond pain:

"When we sink down into this dark pit, we can sink to the very bottom.  Then there is nowhere to go but up.  Then we can experience a glorious blaze of light that completely extinguishes the pain.  We can rise up in spirit and leave our physical bodies.  In that moment we no longer feel the pain, for the pain is only in our bodies.  Our bodies are not who we are.  We are eternal souls.  

And in that moment we become fully aware of the presence of God.   We feel His touch.  He is always with us.  Yet, we had to experience great pain in order to open ourselves to him!  Hallelujah!"

Our eternal selves may not be attainable at this moment but they are always available. Whether we discover this through sincere fervency in our searching, or are driven to it, is difficult to say. May we join with Stanley in this ongoing search this Sunday. May we loosen our material bonds enough to touch the eternal and our guidance lead us ever higher.

With compassion and gratitude to all,

Richard

For Sunday July 28th, 2013

Hello everyone, once again I have a special request this week. Stanley Peele's health has been difficult for most of this year. Why I ask to focus upon him I don't know. It just feels right.

May we hold Stanley and Carolyn Peele in our hearts this Sunday evening. May God's love shine down for their highest good. 

With reverence,

Richard

For Sunday July 21st, 2013

Hello everyone, for those beset by troubles there is an answer; whether psychological, from within one's own mind and emotional make-up; or external, having to deal with people, places, situations, The answer is often stated as 'the only way out is Up'. That is, a clear connection to the Divine lessens the experience of suffering. And there is even more available, patiently awaiting our attention. 

The opportunity is here not only to be more loving within our circumstances, but to be loving beyond them. 

The simple request, "Please fill my heart, that I may follow Thy will" carries answers unseen. This prayer may begin with a personal desire to climb out of a dark hole, and then, with increasing depth, extend even to loving that which is the cause of one's troubles. And then again beyond - to loving the world as it is.

We are creatures of free will. We may recreate the world as we recreate ourselves. Perhaps it may be said, "We recreate the world only as we recreate ourselves" not as a matter of laws, rules, thoughts and belief, but as a matter of an actual change of heart.

May we sit this evening with that simple prayer, "Please fill my heart, that I may follow Thy will" - and see where it takes us.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday July 14th, 2013

Hello all, sometimes it seems we get things into our heads best by taking them on the chin first. The Dalai Lama says, "Your enemies are your greatest teachers." So too, difficult circumstances can also be fine teachers. The view from within the perspective of humanity may be one of, "Oh, no, why must I deal with this?" But the view from outside of humanity, from the perspective of spirituality, may well be, "There, this is a good chance to clean this up." 

As we work our way through the chaos and karma of life, we may be accomplishing far more than we perceive. Obstacles have a way of becoming stepping-stones when viewed with higher vision.

May we sit this evening for that higher vision, or at least an awareness of it's availability. May we sit for a greater realization of what we may be accomplishing in this life, even when we are deeply uncomfortable. We are told there will come a time when all will be known. May we sit tonight for the willingness to fulfill a Higher Will.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday July 7th, 2013

Hello everyone, I hope this gets out to all of you this time. 

With even a brief look at our nation's struggle for independence, and ensuing growth, you can see the hand of Providence at work. It wasn't simple and easy, but there was guidance from Above at many key moments. A quick look at Egypt's situation today clearly shows the degree of difficulty. With your permission, may we petition the Creative Forces to shine upon those involved in, or affected by, Egypt's transformational time. May the highest good be done for all.

Thank you,

Richard