Unify on World Peace and Prayer Day

June 21, 2014 

Sunrise and again at Noon

Let us all come together in prayer and meditation to assist 

in the manifestation of peace around the world.  

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Easter - a time for peace?

Here is a rhetorical question for you.  What cross are you bearing?

Think about that for a moment and ask yourself one more question.  Isn't it time you laid down that cross and chose peace instead?  Books have been written about it, movies have been made about it, and especially at this time of year people focus their attention on the suffering that Jesus endured prior to his resurrection.  I can't help but wonder.  Is that really what he was trying to show us?

Jesus over came the world.  Why have most of us missed that message?  His resurrection is a testament to the fact that there is no death, only transformation.  We get so lost in the struggles of this experience that we forget that none of this is real.  The harder we struggle for the things of this earth the more difficult is the experience.

Everything that Jesus did, he did with ease and grace.  He healed the sick because he knew that sickness is not real.  Wholeness is the reality of all existence.  To believe in anything other than wholeness is the only real sin.

We are creators!  Whether we realize it or not we are always in creation mode.  The problem is that we don't know how powerful we are, and that we are always creating.  We think that everything is happening outside of us when in fact, it's happening because of our thoughts and emotions.

"Be still and know that I am God!" There is no God sitting on high out there somewhere. We are part of all that is, and all that is is God. So, this Easter let us practice peace instead of crucifixion. Haven't we all had our share of pain and suffering. Let us choose to consciously create peace within ourselves.

Let us choose to participate in the healing of our world. Let's make this Easter truly memorable. Let's start a revolution of Peace!

Happy Easter!

"Calla Lilies"

8" X 8"

Oil pastel on paper

Let go of fear!

To most of us it seems totally impractical that we would not protect ourselves mentally, physically and prayerfully.  The problem with this kind of thinking is that protection is based on the premise that there are two powers, one of good and one of evil.  When we judge circumstances and situations based only on what we see and hear it's easy to believe in the existence of two powers.  Ask yourself, what are your judgements based on?  Are you judging solely by appearance?  Are you judging by the evidence that is before you?

To discover the miracle of Jesus teaching one would need to bear witness to what unfolds naturally from within.  The mystery and the miracle of those teachings can be revealed by turning away from the material world.  There really is only one power, and that power is God.

True security lies in the knowledge that God, or some might call it Substance, is the creator of all things.  Whatever your needs are it is much better to place your focus on the desired outcome, rather than on the need.  Trust that what you are seeking is actually seeking you.

Total health, wholeness, and satisfaction in life is dependent upon whether or not one is being fed by the Spirit.  To be fed by any source other than Spirit is to be incomplete. Incompleteness individually and as a society bears the fruits of disease, and every kind of misery.  By acting as if we are separate and apart from God, we have cut ourselves off from our sustenance.  The time has come to return to the awareness of God (Substance) as the source of all that is.    

According to Joel Goldsmith there is not going to be one single man raised up as a Christ again, it will be a consciousness.  Every single person is contributing to that consciousness by virtue of his or her awareness and experience of the Christ within.  We are the body of Christ!  When Jesus said eat and drink of my body he was referring to our making a conscious decision to walk in the Presence.  He was asking us to live our lives as the rightful heirs to the kingdom of God.  We are all involved in this progressive unfoldment into a higher state of consciousness.  But, we each have to decide how we will participate.  We can be pulled along, or we can go running towards that which will liberate us from this worldly illusion.

So, it is more important now than ever that we dwell in the Spirit.  As we dwell more and more in the Spirit the things of this world will no longer have power to disturb our peace. When we dwell in the Spirit we will have fewer desires, because we will know that the Presence has already provided all that we need.  The more that confidence grows the more we will rely upon it.  To develop a reliance on Spirit try it with small things, and as confidence grows keep trying larger and more important things.  Don't try to jump in with both feet right away.  The experience of Grace takes time to master.

The experience of Grace requires Faith, trust and love.  Is it true that there is a Spirit that animates every part of your body?  Do you know how that works?  No, no one really knows for sure.  Scientist can give us a lot of scientific and technical information but they can't explain how it happens because no one really knows.  What is the mind?  How does the mind work?  It's all a mystery.  Yet, the fact of our existence is something that we all accept.

Our bodies and minds, are the temple of God (Substance).  When we know this and decide to live accordingly, we cannot help but treat ourselves and others with kindness and respect.  No longer can we view our neighbors as enemies to be feared, but as brothers to be loved.  The Spirit of God living in each individual is what Jesus referred to when he said, "in as much as you do it unto the least of these." Let us practice loving ourselves, and extending that love to everyone we meet.

"Life Cycles"

Water Soluble Oils on canvas board

12" X 16"

All Paths Lead to God...

There is no journey that I could take where God would not go with me.  This knowing is of great comfort to me.  God is everywhere present whether I am consciously aware of that presence of not.

To see God in everyone and in every situation is a choice, and a challenge.  I can choose to open my eyes and heart mind to see the reality of God,  or I can remain blind and stay stuck in the illusion.  The illusion that there are forces outside of me creating my reality.

I choose to consciously create, knowing that God and I are one.  God will is my will, and we have absolute power and control!

Seeking Beauty

The world is filled with beauty, if you have eyes to see it.  But, if you watch the nightly news or read the newspapers and internet news then you might find this statement hard to believe.  Everywhere there seems to be an abundance of evil, terrible things being done to other people, animals and the planet.  So then what is the answer to this dilemma?  Should we put our heads in the sand and pretend that those things aren't happening?  Or, do we take action, fight, make change happen?

Personally I believe in the old adage that if you live by the sword you will die by the sword.  With that in mind I opt for loving what is, and choosing to see the beauty, peace and love that exists all around me.  I want to believe that the world is not a random place, and that what we think is what we experience.  So, if my thoughts are always turned to what's wrong with the world then that is what I will see.  But, when I look for the beauty I will see more of the beauty.

"Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise -- then you will discover the fullness of your life." - David Steindl-Rast

Resist Not Evil

Recently I watched the documentary, "The Phenomenon Bruno Groening."  Throughout his life, Bruno Groening served mankind as a faith healer.  With regard to healing the sick Bruno has been quoted as saying, "There is no such thing as incurable - God is the greatest physician!"  In spite of mounting opposition from the medical profession, Bruno stayed true to his life's purpose. Whenever anyone with an illness came to him seeking help he healed them. 

Bruno stated also that the way to healing is through love, peace and joy.  In other words look to the good in life and in every situation.  Perhaps that is what is meant by "Resist not evil."  When we perceive a situation to be evil, or not good we are essentially saying that it has power.  Whatever we give our attention to generates power. 

According to Neale Donald Walsch in Conversations with God, that which you resist persists.  If you want to be healed of an illness begin by releasing yourself from the illness as a power.

With so much uncertainty and fear around money and the economy, there is no better time to put our faith into practice.  I propose that we try for one month to abstain from fearful thinking about our economy.  Instead of worrying about what might or might not happen, let's focus our energy on all the good around us. I'm not suggesting that we stick our heads in the sand and try to ignore what's happening.  What I am suggesting is that it does not serve us to walk around talking gloom and doom.  Let's use our words, thoughts and actions to elevate our moods and the moods of those around us. 

Tell your loved ones what you love most about them.  Smile at strangers on the street.  Hold a conversation with your neighbor that is light and uplifting.  Show kindness and generosity to everyone you meet.  Make a decision to be a healer of this world.  Start right where you are.  Begin with yourself.  Look in the mirror and say kind and loving words to yourself first thing in the morning.  Carry that energy with you throughout the day and share it with everyone you meet. 

In Philippians 4:8 Jesus encouraged us with these words: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

God sent Jesus the Christ to teach us how to live.  The light of the Christ consciousness lives on in each one of us.  But, like any power source, it only works when you turn it on.

The Voice of the Infinite in the Small

This morning I woke up thirty minutes before my alarm clock was set to ring.  I got up and went to the bathroom, since that was the reason for my premature awakening.  I am currently using my cell phone as an alarm clock.  So, I picked it up on my return to bed and held it in my hand, while I tried to gain a little more much needed rest.  The alarm sounded as scheduled and I promptly turned it off.  I lay there for roughly fifteen minutes more.  The cell phone, which was still in my hand, rang.  No one ever calls me at 7:30am.  I looked at the caller ID and immediately recognized the name of my good friend (who will remain anonymous).  Her mother has been in a nursing home for quite some time slowly losing herself to alzheimers.  My first thought was that her mom had made her transition from this human experience of being.  

I answered and immediately she spoke.  "I'm so sorry for calling this early but I am in need of prayer."  She went on to say that she was scheduled for a biopsy this morning and was feeling some fear about the prognosis.  Of course I said yes, absolutely I would pray with her.  So began my day.  

I was a Prayer Chaplain for almost two years for my church.  So, it was not unusual or out of the ordinary that my friend should call me with her request.  For several months I've been asking the question, "How can I help? How can I heal? And, how can I serve?"  I gave up being a prayer chaplain because I felt that what we were doing as a group was too structured.  I was not feeling the free flowing way of Spirit.  I did feel it when I was actually praying with someone, but all the meetings and retreats that were required did not feel to me consistent with the process of connecting and allowing the spirit of God to move through me as a vessel.  So, I gave it up.  Or so I thought.

About mid morning my phone rang again.  This time I let it go to voicemail because I was engaged in conversation with someone else.  Later after retrieving the message I learned that another friend, (who too will remain anonymous) was also asking for prayer.  Her father was lost in the mountains.  She believed that he had gotten snowed in and was hunkered down awaiting rescue.  There had been no word from him for three days.  She felt that he was still alive, but just wanted to ask everyone she knew to pray for him.  My friend is probably the most positive person I know.  She recognizes the power of prayer and the use of positive words  to help and heal any situation.  I immediately said a prayer for him, and then called her back just to assure her that I had received her message and had responded accordingly. 

To the African Bushmen the praying mantis is the oldest symbol of God: the manifestation of God come to Earth.   The praying mantis is thought to be a divine messenger sometimes referred to as, “the voice of the infinite in the small.”

It seems completely appropriate that I have seen two praying mantis in the past week. Especially, considering that it has been years since I've seen one up close and in person. I spotted the first one on the hand rail outside of my residence early one morning, as I was leaving to take my daughter to school.  The other was on the window screen peering into my art studio.  I watched it from inside the room for quite some time with my face almost pressed against the screen.  It amazed me that it just stood there peering back at me.

With all aspects of my life up in the air I could certainly use a little guidance. The praying mantis is a symbol of quiet, meditation and reflection. Just what I need right now.  The last three weeks have been one of chaos and too much busyness. So now I am finding the need to turn within.  Perhaps it's all about timing.  It is after all, fall.  And, nature is turning down the covers preparing to settle in for the long winter's night.  A perfect time to retreat from the busyness of life. 

The first friend who called to ask for healing prayers for her body called back in the afternoon.  Somehow I missed the call, but she left a message. She received a clean bill of health from her doctor.  Good news indeed!  Did our praying together change what was going on in her body?  We cannot know. What I know for certain, is that this morning on the phone I heard the fear and stress leave from her voice.  So, if for no other reason, I can say that prayer has the power to connect us in a loving, peaceful way.  Perhaps, that is where true healing takes place. 

The praying mantis is quite small in comparison to a human, but we humans are miniscule in comparison to the allness of God.  I can honestly say that I can see no better way for me to serve than to open myself as "the voice of the infinite in the small."  As I breathe, trust and know that all that God is I am.  And, we are.