tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66709927435466723502024-03-04T20:31:46.379-08:00St Francis PlacePromoting Spiritual Growth through Inter-Faith Peace and Understanding.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-66824075407830767522013-04-21T05:49:00.001-07:002013-04-21T05:49:36.447-07:00A Sign of Our Times.A sign of our times? Thanks DailyEdge.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23WeBrokeUpBecause">#WeBrokeUpBecause</a> you say we can't afford to feed our kids but you want to give another $5T in tax breaks to the rich <a href="http://t.co/Eb8xfhO0cr" title="http://twitter.com/TheDailyEdge/status/325952804697026560/photo/1">twitter.com/TheDailyEdge/s…</a><br />
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyEdge/status/325952804697026560">April 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-60202960436158221722013-02-25T07:56:00.000-08:002013-02-25T07:56:14.031-08:00In The Beginning: Meditation in Genesis 1.<b>"In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of Elohim was over the waters. Then Elohim said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." Genesis 1: 1-3</b><br />
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This creation account in Genesis 1 tells an amazing story. The earth is a wasteland, formless and void. Then Elohim speaks, and suddenly things come into being. "And Elohim sees it is very good!" <br />
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What can this teach us about Meditation? Consider this: What is speech? We might see speech as an extension of thought; concentrated and focused thought. Before you speak, you probably think about what you are going to say. There is a thought process that goes on, however basic, as we engage ourselves in the process of speech. In the Genesis text we might see the process going something like this: Elohim has a profound Thought about Creation. Elohim focuses that Thought and collapses It into physical reality. He/She Thinks in a skilled and focused way, Speaks the thought which becomes thought in action, and it all comes into being. This can be seen as a form of Meditation. <br />
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In Meditation we focus our thoughts and concentrate on just one simple thing. As our thoughts become more focused we come to a more conscious awareness of our own being, and our connection to Universal Consciousness as well. Slowly, over time, what we concentrate on comes into being. This is our perspective of things. With Elohim the process is much more centered, potent, and profound. The Thought is focused, the Word is spoken, the deed is done - no time lapse required. Indeed the creation account of Genesis 1 can be seen as an account of the most perfect Meditation session in the Universe; the time beyond time in which the Heavens and the Earth were spoken (Thought) into existence!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
Frater RalphAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-23236324700652249072013-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-25T07:00:01.421-08:00Jesus And Meditation: Matthew 1: 1-17. The Jewish Roots <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bi3rnpqQU7HZrjS5I9cR6t-dORbOt9GDLq07btzvXvSrCdLF4PGB2unR7gDD6BzwYiCxrsq711PDwQyRCHunQg0o291wyPQrGzFG5Fe5MmiYDTaAZ4NveiEeZBrkKjgqs8roLAGIFjAQ/s1600/Oct0013+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bi3rnpqQU7HZrjS5I9cR6t-dORbOt9GDLq07btzvXvSrCdLF4PGB2unR7gDD6BzwYiCxrsq711PDwQyRCHunQg0o291wyPQrGzFG5Fe5MmiYDTaAZ4NveiEeZBrkKjgqs8roLAGIFjAQ/s200/Oct0013+-+Copy.JPG" width="175" /></a></div>
<i>"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham...." -See Matthew 1: 1-17 </i><br />
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I know what you are thinking: What can a genealogical record (and a disputed one at that) tell us about Jesus and Meditation? Plenty! This genealogical record tells us how the early Messianic Jewish community being addressed in Matthew's Gospel viewed both Jesus and itself. It also puts us squarely in touch with the Jewish roots of one Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus called Christ in Matthew), and challenges us to seek out the Jewish roots of Meditation.<br />
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Most Christians tend to see Jesus as just springing up out of nowhere creating the Christian Church from scratch. Actually Jesus was the product of generations of Jewish thought and practice. Sadly this history is lost on the average church goer who lacks a basic background on Judaism. Yet it is important to go back and form a basic understanding at this point.<br />
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The genealogy presented here in Matthew 1:1-17 gives us 42 generations of Jesus' family tree. How many families do you know of can go back 42 generations in their own history? Probably not very many. The average person in today's world is doing good to know who their own fathers and mothers were, and then perhaps their grandparents and great grandparents. Pushing the family history back beyond that would likely take a computer and a genealogical website. We are simply not as connected to our roots today as people were in ancient societies.<br />
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The same can be said for our religious history and our church histories. Most church goers would know whether or not they like their current pastor, but they may be at a loss as to what their church doctrine is and where in fact it came from. Lutherans would probably say their doctrine came from Martin Luther who rediscovered the Bible during the Protestant Reformation. Calvinists would say the same about their doctrines and John Calvin. But do they know the history connecting themselves back to the teachings of Jesus, and the teachings of Jesus back to early Jewish tradition? Most, even scholars, would have a difficult time at this task. In fact, for many, it remains a work in progress.<br />
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About three years ago I began to wonder if Jesus practiced Meditation. I had been a scripture student for over 30 years, yet I had missed the Biblical texts pertaining to Meditation. I did some research and found a surprising mix on the topic of Jesus and Meditation. Some theologians thought Jesus did in fact practice Meditation (a camp I am firmly in), and others thought that Meditation was "of the devil;" a practice that found it's way into the West via Buddhism and Hinduism, and which had no firm foundation in either the Christian or Jewish Scriptures. I think we will now begin to see that if these latter theologians had a firmer grasp of their own religious history, their conclusions would be completely different.<br />
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Meditation has a sound history in both Scripture and Jewish practice. In Genesis 24: 63 we read concerning Isaac, <i>"He went out to the field one evening to meditate..."</i> Also in Joshua 1: 8 it is written, "Do not let this Book of the Law (Torah) depart from your mouth;<i> meditate on it day and night</i>..." The Psalms of David likewise speak to Meditation. Psalm 48: 9 states, "Within Your temple, O God, <i>we meditate on Your unfailing love</i>." Psalm 77:12, "<i>I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds</i>." And finally Psalm 119: 15, "<i>I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways</i>." This is just a sampling. There is much more, especially if one digs deeper.<br />
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Jewish practice over the years has preserved the meditation practice, for those who have the eyes to see. The Jewish Sabbath, long taught by Christians to be only a day of restriction upon which work was prohibited, is actually much more than that. The Sabbath is actually set aside as a special day for prayer, Torah study, and Meditation. True no work can be done (except in an emergency) because the time has been set aside for a more noble pursuit and discipline. Far from being a burden, the Sabbath can be seen as an opportunity for Spiritual growth; a day of Meditation one can use on a weekly basis. And this is not the end; only the beginning!<br />
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Back in the 1960's and into the 1970's both Christian and Jewish institutions in the West faced a growing problem: Their young people, influenced by The Beatles and the practice of TM, began leaving their churches and synagogues to seek meditation instructors in Buddhist Sangas and Hindu Ashrams. They had so completely forgotten their own religious and spiritual roots that they felt they had to forsake the ways of their ancestors (the ways that even their own parents and grandparents had forgotten over the centuries) to embrace Meditation as if it were something brand new. Sadly, this need not have been the case. I am grateful that the meditative tradition was keep alive in the East, even as it had been forgotten by most of the religious West. If this had not been the case Meditation might likely had been reserved as a discipline set aside only for the elite few who still had enough of their roots intact to know what the practice entailed. But this has not been the case. Indeed we are fortunate to live in a day and an age in which this most ancient practice is now being rediscovered by many in both East and West alike. A day and age in which all peoples, regardless of their religion, can come together to share their experience and help to guide one another along the way. We now live in a time in which Meditation can be seen as something which has always been. Something which was forgotten by many in the West, then rediscovered and debated in the 20th, and now, the 21st century. Let us return to our ancient roots without regret or fear! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-25597161128992072442013-02-24T06:16:00.001-08:002013-02-24T06:16:19.383-08:00Introducing - Jesus On Meditation: Reflections from MatthewThree years ago I wrote two short articles entitled "Did Jesus Meditate?" which surprisingly received a lot of attention when first written, and continue to get a lot of attention to this day. The articles were written at a time when I was still fairly new to the practice of meditation (having only meditated consistently since December of 2007), and was still new as well to linking the practice of meditation to Scriptural texts. Since then what was new and strange for me has now become glaringly obvious. Not only did Jesus meditate, there are numerous instructions and insights given both in the teaching of Jesus and in other Biblical material concerning the practice of meditation. Some will be obvious; others will need to be fleshed out a bit. But with a little explanation I think we can begin to demonstrate there is a wealth of material in many Biblical texts which the average person has heard (perhaps repeatedly in both Church and Sunday School) but never linked to the practice of meditation. I will begin the series tonight starting with the Gospel of Matthew. Thank you for your continued interest in this topic even after a writing lapse of three years. I promise future updates will not take so long!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
Frater Ralph Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-10836701696573277872013-02-17T06:22:00.003-08:002013-02-17T06:24:46.583-08:00Tarot Reflections. The Hanged Man: Winning Through Surrender!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4tSxAYlMmyd9Wn-IOnEGenKTaZSNG_TECYe0_ypueXyvo7E_nHjQPNVvbN_XxuRvN1iRZxMjXbRyTM4_j1NhtqMEoicrPiMxHyicOrBYQ8Ziz1Q8oH3WeqiH3KFrrzMX81nz7babltxB/s1600/Hanged+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4tSxAYlMmyd9Wn-IOnEGenKTaZSNG_TECYe0_ypueXyvo7E_nHjQPNVvbN_XxuRvN1iRZxMjXbRyTM4_j1NhtqMEoicrPiMxHyicOrBYQ8Ziz1Q8oH3WeqiH3KFrrzMX81nz7babltxB/s320/Hanged+Man.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent"> <br />
According to The Art of War "To win without fighting is best." But
what happens when you find yourself locked into a battle you simply can
not win? Perhaps it is a personal struggle you have been f<span class="text_exposed_show">ighting
for years, but no matter how hard you try, things always get worse
instead of better. Oftentimes these are struggles where our own
personal ego gets in the way of our better judgement. These can be
control issues where we think we should have - or must have - more power
over the situation than we actually do. It can be a problem with
finding ourselves unable to control an addiction such as drugs or
alcohol. It can also be a problem in trying to control other persons,
places, or things which are clearly outside our sphere of influence, but
which we wish to control anyway. Still we exert our own ego to fight
this battle to control either some substance or person or circumstance
which, if we were to be honest with ourselves, we would have to admit,
was clearly outside of our control. Yet we continue to push our own
lives out of control trying to control the uncontrolable. Sounds like
fun? Not really.<br /> <br /> We are trained by our culture to "Never say
die" to "Never give up, never surrender!" Yet when we are locked into a
battle which we clearly can not win - at least not alone - it is
usually best to acknowledge our limitations and surrender; at least for
the moment. Sometimes we learn our life's lessons in moments of
victory, and sometimes we learn them in moments of defeat. The Hanged
Man card speaks to this. He speaks to a surrender of ego where the
limited is let go of so that the Infinite can take over and lead the
seeker into a better Way. The Hanged Man can be seen as a person who
has been fighting a losing battle for a long, long time, who suddenly
has the flash of insight which leads him/her to the seemingly insane
conclusion: Victory Can Be Found Though Surrender & Sacrifice! The
seeker surrenders and makes his/her sacrifice to discover to their
surprise and contentment they are giving up garbage in exchange for
gold! Thus, once at the point of acceptance, he/she makes this
sacrifice with an air of gratitude and serenity surrounding them. The
seeker finds a life without drugs or alcohol becomes a life without the
problems drugs or alcohol has created. The seeker is able to recognize
the insanity of trying to control other people or circumstances which
he/she can not control, and turns the control over to the proper
authority: Spirit as he/she understands Spirit, or God/Goddess as he/she
understands God/Goddess. In this process of turning things over, the
seeker finds joy, peace, and contentment, all through the act of
surrender. This is when admitting your weakness turns into your one
great strength!<br /> <br /> "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over
again thinking that this time the results are going to be different."
-Anonymous <br /> <br /> "Wisdom is not knowing what you know; it is admitting what you don't know" -Fr. Joe Martin</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-54240698813298608512013-02-15T01:52:00.000-08:002013-02-15T01:54:39.732-08:00Tarot Reflection: Temperance or The Alchemist! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNGhGA_3_w2NQtXpW9FofrN38tTou59SWYi0QoIw5Td8ZBoJtVnDI52Ii8G34cWG6cxKmTfUkUyuW4EaUQ5kJaf3NhwpDq7gX8E1dBWVO7dEFqZV4Wb5lPwEg-8NXyR0zxpDNj1tRx5zg/s1600/Temperance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNGhGA_3_w2NQtXpW9FofrN38tTou59SWYi0QoIw5Td8ZBoJtVnDI52Ii8G34cWG6cxKmTfUkUyuW4EaUQ5kJaf3NhwpDq7gX8E1dBWVO7dEFqZV4Wb5lPwEg-8NXyR0zxpDNj1tRx5zg/s320/Temperance.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"> Temperance - Take a Sad Song, and Make It Better!</span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><span class="userContent"> <br />
Life does not always give us roses, but we can take the bad things life
gives to us and make them better. If we live dwelling on the negative,
then the negative will be all we see. Many time<span class="text_exposed_show">s
negative things are actually blessings in disguise. The lose of a job
one has had for many years can result in a positive career change one
would never have made otherwise. Or a crippling car accident can lead
to one gaining a whole new perspective on life and becoming a positive
voice for change. <br /> <br /> Things are not always what they seem.
Good, bad, ugly, beautiful are just terms we use to describe things we
understand only on a superficial level. When we look deep down we begin
to understand that all things work for good, or at least can work for good if we have the eyes to see the good within. Find the good in a negative situation today, then begin the alchemical work of transmuting it for the better!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-27583752361913691552013-02-14T09:28:00.000-08:002013-02-14T10:04:05.938-08:00Tarot From A Hermetic View Point. Introductory Readings for $5.99<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WDW_XN-KeUJj-mYbLRlQMP29qi9aGdKuQulhci0RdahPhU5mpbVPIGrQ6osnd9lSbrPDWNOvnSmme5lKuymhP1c1rLGVar80SQCE5VuypRutTLHmobyi-vOJL8Wj_QJrZP0zNwQGyTR5/s1600/Hanged+Man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WDW_XN-KeUJj-mYbLRlQMP29qi9aGdKuQulhci0RdahPhU5mpbVPIGrQ6osnd9lSbrPDWNOvnSmme5lKuymhP1c1rLGVar80SQCE5VuypRutTLHmobyi-vOJL8Wj_QJrZP0zNwQGyTR5/s1600/Hanged+Man.JPG" /></a></div>
A part of our spiritual skills include Tarot Readings from a Hermetic point of view. In doing Tarot readings we do not focus on predicting the future (Pop Divination), rather we focus on what the voice of Spirit has to say to the seeker concerning a particular problem or concern. We view Tarot as a Universal visual Scripture relating Spiritual Truths in the forms of pictures and combinations of pictures. In doing a Tarot Reading we relate these Spiritual Truths to the question at hand and offer guidance based on the insights given.<br />
<br />
As a special introduction to Tarot Reading we are offering the following Lenten Special. An in depth one card reading via Email for only $5.99. This reading will be delivered to your Email address within 24 to 36 hours of payment. All Email readings are delivered in PDF format, and include a picture of the card used. To order click the Buy Now link below. In the PayPal Special Instruction box please give us your name, date of birth, question or concern, and Email address you would like to use for our reply. This introductory offer is good from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Limit one per week per client.
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If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at:<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
Frater Ralph<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-24180063481380334782013-02-12T06:30:00.000-08:002013-02-12T06:56:47.643-08:00A little bit about St. Francis Place.......<strong>"Lord Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace."</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLMZe0YZ8L1qQZ5D037KnfM3ZyPN3m3HtWyyIusbwLaIclFw6eaJG7ND4wgjHUeQUvbYKkrfUzZTuYRo2p8rCKiebmna0PzxY3bqgphtsM93kSfVeLZeeixQk-_Yvo6eF3PBXS5EFFz-3/s1600-h/2008_0731heydi10021.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429273706868838066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLMZe0YZ8L1qQZ5D037KnfM3ZyPN3m3HtWyyIusbwLaIclFw6eaJG7ND4wgjHUeQUvbYKkrfUzZTuYRo2p8rCKiebmna0PzxY3bqgphtsM93kSfVeLZeeixQk-_Yvo6eF3PBXS5EFFz-3/s400/2008_0731heydi10021.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<em>Lord, make me an instrument of Your Peace.<br />Where there is hatred, let me sow love;<br />Where there is injury, pardon;<br />Where there is doubt, faith;<br />Where there is despair, hope;<br />Where there is darkness, light;<br />And where there is sadness, joy.<br /><br />O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek,<br />to be consoled as to console,<br />to be understood as to understand,<br />to be loved as to love.<br /><br />For it is in giving that we receive,<br />it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,</em><br />
<em>and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.</em><br />
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<strong>"Make me an instrument of Your Peace."</strong><br />
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Peace on earth is perhaps one of the oldest desires of the human heart. Yet for ages it has been most elusive. What is the key to world peace? Can it even be attained at all?<br />
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Some of the greatest spiritual masters have taught that in order for there to be world peace, peace must first come into the human heart; that peace must come from within. How can we bring peace into the world when there is war within our hearts? First we must cultivate peace in the treasury of our own heart, and then radiate that peace outward into the lives of our friends, families, and communities. We must first learn to be the peace we seek.<br />
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How is this task accomplished? One way is through the practice of prayer and meditation. In the practice of prayer and meditation we open ourselves up to the God of our understanding, by whatever Name He or She may be known to us. In prayer we ask The Divine for the grace to be transformed; that The Divine Will be worked within our lives. In meditation we listen in silence and wait for The Holy One's response. Eventually we begin to receive that for which we have asked, a new and transformed inner being. It takes time and sincere practice, as well as the support of like minded people working together in a loving community. That is what we are working to do here at St. Francis Place; an Inter-Faith community helping people of Good Will to transform themselves into the beings we are called to become. We are not concerned with religion. A person may belong to any religion they wish, or none at all. Our concern is with Spiritual growth; a process we are all involved in whether we realize it or not. A process of drawing closer to The Divine, as we understand The Divine, seeking to be transformed by the Grace of Unconditional Love, and thus finding a true inner peace. All it takes is a sincere and open heart, a little guidance, and the time spent to sit and listen meditatively. Eventually miracles do happen!<br />
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If this sounds like a community you might be interested in, please feel free to contact us using the email address in the side bar to the right. Currently we are active world-wide on the Internet, and are seeking to build a physical community in the Missouri Ozarks. Working together we can transform hearts and lives, beginning with our own. Peace on earth is a real possibility which can be attained. But first we must realize this peace within our own hearts and become the peace we seek.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
Ralph and Heydi<br />
St Francis Place<br />
Wheatland Mo.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-51411560813758922902013-02-11T06:27:00.003-08:002013-02-11T06:27:49.893-08:00Our Google+ Online Community. In our continuing effort to build and sustain an online community of friends from around the world we have begun a Google+ Community known as InterFaith InterPeace. This is an interfaith community of people seeking Oneness and fellowship through dialogue and the practice of meditation. This new community will give us the ability to come together in real time through the Google HangOuts function for discussion, seminars, and just to hang out. To get started simply follow the link below:<br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100948637559921175044" target="_blank">InterFaith InterPeace Google+ Community</a><br />
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Blessings,<br />
<br />
Frater RalphAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-43507389781792602612013-02-09T16:18:00.003-08:002013-02-09T16:23:42.851-08:00Ajahn Brahm from the Buddhist Society of Western Australia speaks on deep listening.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hQSBFC_IlVY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-16762200025578999952011-10-29T08:28:00.000-07:002011-10-29T08:33:21.342-07:00Arun Gandhi: Nonviolence in the Age of Terror. (Complete Speech)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="369" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PCUWr-ekGyk?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br />
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Part One of the full speech by Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of M.K Gandhi discussing his understanding of Non-violent resistance, and the importance of returning to this concept and practice today.<br />
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"The choice is no longer between violence and non-violence; the choice is now between non-violence and non-existance." -M.K. Gandhi<br />
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Follow the link below to the complete playlist on UTube:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL42B9DD9334D994A8">Link</a><br />
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Blessings,<br />
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RalphAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-53116673774948886062011-08-21T08:30:00.000-07:002011-08-20T08:21:35.229-07:00Rabbi Laibl Wolf on Unconditional Love and Giving.<iframe width="500" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CK-ZYJARkQs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-80595674900243692852011-08-02T06:19:00.000-07:002011-08-02T06:19:17.119-07:00Tools for Inner Transformation. Sight: Seeing The Need To Change.For the next several weeks I will be doing a series of articles focusing on the Spiritual Tools needed for inner transformation. These tools will be presented in a non-religious framework, using everyday language that anyone can understand. You do not have to be religious or non-religious in order to effect radical transformation at a core level. All one has to be is a Spiritual Person who is open to Spiritual concepts. And deep down, at our root level, we are all Spiritual Beings.<br />
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The first tool I will deal with is that of Sight or Spiritual insight. It involves being able to see the need for change. This is really one of the first steps to a deep inner transformation. In order to seek to change, we first must see and be clearly convinced of the need for change. If we think we are fine just the way we are, then chances are we will not change ourselves, unless forced to do so by outer circumstances. But if we can see some fault or series of faults within ourselves, we will eventually become open to change. Sometimes the faults can be clearly obvious. If a person has a habit of drinking a case of beer every night and has had a few DWI's, it does not take a rocket scientist to see this person has a deep need to change. Of course addicts with this kind of background may still need some convincing, but over the course of time the truth will become clear. With other people the need for change may not be so obvious. What about a person who is addicted to gossip instead of alcohol? They may think they are just fine; that it is everybody else who has a problem. But over the course of time, when a person has spread enough slanted stories conveying a false message which seems true to them; when they have unintentionally, or perhaps even intentionally, destroyed the lives of more than a few good people, then they too may see the need for change. Or let us consider a person who has a very judgemental character, who holds onto grudges and has a difficult time to forgive and let go of past resentments or hurts. They may think they are just fine too. But, over the course of time, this person may begin to feel physical symptoms in their bodies such as high blood pressure or ulcers. If they have the Spiritual Insight to look deeply into themselves, they may see their physical ailments are but the material manifestations of their own inner problems and difficulties. They may begin to see the wisdom in letting go of the past, practicing forgiveness, and allowing love and healing to flow into their lives, both on a Spiritual level and on a physical level.<br />
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So one of the first steps in effecting inner change and transformation is to be able to see the need for change. For some people this is going to be easier than others. Consider for a moment why both Jesus and the Buddha liked to associate themselves with people who were publicly recognized as being sinners? Did they just love to go "slumming" as we might call in today? Why would Jesus sometimes say to the self-righteous of his day, "Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of Heaven ahead of you."? Because these people, the prostitutes and the social outcasts of his day had the grace that the self-righteous could never imagine: they could clearly see their need to change, and thus were on the first steps of the Spiritual ladder which the self-righteous could not even begin to enter upon. They may have been considered the "scum of the earth" by others, but to Jesus, Buddha, and other great Spiritual masters, they were Children of God ready to advance into paradise.<br />
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So it is with us today. It may be surprising, but those who have practiced some very flawed and spiritually corrupt life-styles, such as the alcoholic, addict, criminal or even murderer, may be ready to advance in self transformation more quickly than the average person. And the reason for this is that they may have been beaten down enough and bleed deeply enough to begin to awaken to the need for change, and finally arrived at a point where they are willing to do whatever it takes to effect change in their lives. But it first begins with the ability to see. Do I need to change? What do I need to change? Open our eyes that we might see!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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RalphAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-23783392197994770782011-07-21T10:11:00.000-07:002013-02-10T06:04:32.934-08:00InterFaith Unity, Contemplation, and Humanitarian Outreach: Our Guiding Stars.Here at St Francis Place our work revolves around three basic concepts which together form our mission: InterFaith Unity, Contemplation, and Humanitarian Outreach.<br />
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InterFaith Unity: <br />
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We are all God's Children regardless of how we see or understand God. By coming together in extended community both online and face to face we learn to see the commonalities that exist between us. Eventually we begin to see not just the Unity which exists between us, but also the Oneness of all things; all things being rooted in the Creator. With each other's support and friendship we break through the walls of illusion which have divided us for too long, and begin building bridges of love and Unity!<br />
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Contemplation:<br />
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Contemplation, or Prayer and Meditation; call it what you will. This discipline is known to all in varying forms. Some may sit cross-legged chanting a mantra. Another may take a silent walk in nature. Others may lose themselves in creating or observing a work of art. Still others may gain this state of mind in the very deep and profound study of Scripture. Contemplation gives us the ability to see beyond ourselves and into the Mind of the Universe. In Contemplation we seek out the Will of God, as we understand God, and gain the insight, strength and energy needed to do the work that needs to be done. We cut through the chatter of our day-to-day lives and listen to the silence and the stillness of the Divine. By engaging in these practices on a daily basis we attain Serenity, Peace of Mind, and Wisdom.<br />
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Humanitarian Outreach (Helping Others):<br />
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We have all needed help at one time or another. And in our times of deepest need there was somebody there to help. It is not always possible or even necessary to repay those who have been there for us, but we can honor our benefactors through the simple act of "paying it forward." When we see a person in need, give whatever you can. Give without demanding payment in return. Rather ask only that when their circumstances improve they also repay your kindness by spreading the gift of goodness to others. We all have needs, and we all have abilities. Let us use them not just in the service of ourselves, but in the service of others as well. Thus we fulfill the Scriptural command, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."<br />
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Here at St Francis Place, InterFaith InterPeace, ACA, and our other ministerial outreach programs we practice being open to all regardless of religion (or lack there-of), race, creed, color, sex, or sexual orientation. All with an open heart are welcome. <br />
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If you would like to join our extended online community, message me for details. Those wishing to make a donation to this work may do so by clicking on the "Donate" button above.<br />
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Thank You For Your Care and Interest,<br />
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RalphAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-17583366608670490192011-07-21T05:52:00.000-07:002011-07-21T05:52:46.100-07:00Homeless In Hickory County: A True Story of Extended Community.Back around Christmas a few years ago a homeless man named Steve knocked on our door. I was the pastor of a local Christian Church, so having strangers knock on my door asking for aid was a routine situation. Usually I would talk to them for a few minutes, access their need for help, and slip them a Salvation Army voucher redeemable for goods at most retail stores if the situation warranted. But Steve was different. He did not want a Salvation Army voucher or even cold hard cash. All he wanted was a tent. He told me he had come back into the area to see his family at Christmas, but did not want to live off of his kids even though he was homeless and could not afford a hotel. He shared that he had been living in his car up to that point, and with the nights getting colder, could not afford to run the car's engine to keep warm. His request was simple and to the point: a spare blanket that he could use in his old sleeping bag for warmth, and an old tent if we had one.<br />
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In Hickory County Mo. there is not much by way of housing homeless people for any period of time. What we pastors usually would do was put them up for a day at a local hotel which always gave us a special rate during the off-season, then provide for a bit of food. The next morning the homeless person would hit the road again for the next town that would provide some form of basic hospitality, and the pattern would repeat. But I could tell right away that Steve was different from the majority of people I had dealt with. There was an excitement in his eyes and a child-like innocence about him. He was around 50 years of age, but reminded me of a child of 12. He spoke briefly about "hearing voices" telling him to forsake his faith in God, but that he wanted nothing to do with those suggestions which he attributed to coming from Satan. He said he was a child of God and wanted to live as a child of God. He did not like being around a lot of people, but instead preferred to live out in nature with "God's creatures." I could tell right away I was dealing with a paranoid schizophrenic of the classic type. Not the kind that presented a danger to others, but rather a sweet and loveable one who, while needing help, prefered giving help to others rather than receiving for himself. This would not be one of my typical pastoral missions of mercy. Rather this would be one that would teach me a great deal about human nature and life in general.<br />
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With Steve waiting in our living room I called the local authorities and had a background check done on Steve. He was clean with no prior offences. I called the mental health authorities in the area asking if they knew of any programs he might qualify for. I discovered to my surprise that in our small rural area there were no programs that could take him in. According to one man I spoke with the best that could be done would be to put him into an institution for an overnight evaluation, then, if they felt he was not a danger to others, would cut him loose the next day leaving him again out on his own. After these conversations I took Steve to our backyard storage shed and gave him an old tent I had not used in years, as well as a blanket and some tins of food. Against my usual better judgement, I worked hard to convince him to take $20 for gas. He did not want to accept the money at first, then only accepted it on the condition that he could pay me back when he could. He took his things and headed out to a local campground which allowed the homeless to stay free of charge during the winter months. I never really expected to see him again.<br />
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What happened in the next few days was totally unexpected. Within two days he was back on my doorstep with $20 in hand and a Christmas cake. He told me his son had given him some money and some food, and he wanted to pay back my hospitality. I accepted the money, but told him to at least keep the food. He smiled and said, "Awe Ralph...I really don't like fruit cake. It gives me the runs, and when you are homeless you have to be careful about things like that." No other explanation was necessary for me at that point. I accepted his gifts, and asked how he was doing and exactly where he was staying. He had a place in a local park not too many miles away, and I told myself I would check in with him every few days to see how he was doing. A few days later I did just that. I arrived early in the morning at Steve's campsite to find him feeding a deer potato skins! It was like he was feeding a family pet! The innocence this man portrayed could even be felt by the park animals. He seemed to be doing fine, so while I did not like leaving him out in nature during the cold winter month of December, I left feeling like I was doing the right thing.<br />
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Another day later I knew I had to take more drastic action. The weather report warned of a large ice storm moving into our area, which would last several days. I went down to his campsite and after a long conversation, convinced him to move out of there. We got him packed into his car just as the ice started coming down. I managed to book him into a really cheap hotel for $250 per month paying first and last months rent, and asked Steve to promise me he would stay there for at least the full two months. He said he would, and thanked me for the help. After I got Steve moved in, I managed to make it back home in the middle of the ice storm. Later that night the ice was so severe we lost electricity in our home and over much of the county. The outage would last for over a week. The next morning waking up in a cold house with the temps just above freezing, my concern was more for my family rather than Steve. I wondered how he was doing, but saw also that we were iced in and could really do nothing more to help. So I just camped out in our powerless unheated home with my wife and made the best of it. We ate out of cans and heated by candlelight for the next few days until the roads were cleared enough for us to get out.<br />
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About that time Steve showed up again. He was happy and grateful and was wanting to check up on us to see how we were doing. He was surprised to find that we were without power as his utilities were still on! He offered for my wife and I to stay at his place. I appreciated the offer, but being a church pastor who lived right next door to the church he served, I told him I had to stay on site to keep an eye on things. A few days after that the power was finally restored, and our life began to get back to normal.<br />
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After the Christmas, New Years, and ice storm closure period was over, I took the situation concerning Steve up with the wider church. Most were eager to help out. I told them we had paid two months rent for him out-of-pocket, but that additional funds might be needed from the church until a more permanent living arrangement could be found. One kind church member took out her check book and gave me a check for $250 saying she wanted to split the cost with us for putting Steve up for those two months. Others gathered together more blankets and food. An old cot that had been gathering dust in somebodies basement found its way up to Steve's place along with pots, pans, and other household goods. Within 30 days a church member who did not want to be identified talked to the owner of a local lumber yard and convinced him to give Steve a job. Steve came over to our place that day to give me the news! He was beaming with delight. He loved the chance to work again, and paid his own way for the next nine months. Over that same period of time we got Steve signed up for medical benefits and things seemed to be going well. I thought we had a real success story on our hands. Unfortunately I do not exactly have a happy ending to report as of this writing.<br />
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It seems at one point Steve stopped seeing the doctor we had signed him up for, and stopped taking his medications again. He never fully trusted the doctor, nor did he trust the medications. Such is common with the schizophrenic. Sometime in September after nine months of having settled down into a normal lifestyle, he followed the voices back out onto the road. I have lost track of him, but still wonder where he is and what he is up to, hoping that if our paths cross again we might be able to help in a far better way. Services to the homeless in our county are still few to none except for the outreach of a few small churches and committed pastors. This is where you the reader may be able to help!<br />
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By clicking on the "Donate" key to the right of this post, you can help us provide aid to other people such as Steve. Even donations as low as five to ten dollars per month can be of great benefit. Realistically one person or even one small group of people can not always do much to help out those who can not for whatever reason help themselves. But by joining our limited resources together, we can make a definite difference in the lives of others. All that is needed is the willingness to take action and do what you can to reach out to those in need. Your help today will be greatly appreciated.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Ralph and HeydiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-28018895684812993282011-07-14T06:13:00.001-07:002011-07-14T06:13:45.969-07:00<a href="http://interpeace.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/forgiveness.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-117" title="forgiveness" src="http://interpeace.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/forgiveness.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="247" /></a><br />
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Why forgive? Why should I let somebody off the hook who has done me harm in the past? People today are usually slow to forgive, thinking they have a right to their anger (which we do), but not thinking of the harm holding onto anger does to themselves. Long ago the Buddha put it this way, "Hanging onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at somebody else. You are the one who gets burned."<br />
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When we hold onto to anger, all sorts of bad things can happen to us. If you have held onto a resentment for any length of time a simple demonstration will make this point clear. Think of somebody whom you have not yet completely forgiven who has caused you harm in the past. Now, what do you notice about yourself and the way you are feeling? Has you face turned red yet? Do you feel your blood pressure going up? Any signs of stomach upset? If you are thinking about this close to bedtime, do you have trouble going to sleep afterwards? Do you feel like crying, pounding a wall, or going out for a drink? These and other things are warning signs that not forgiving another person for the harm they have done to you in the past is screwing up your present moment. Also notice that holding onto the anger is not causing these things to happen to the person you are holding the anger against; rather they are happening to you.<br />
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Forgiveness clears the way for us to get on with our lives. If we are holding onto anger and resentments, we are hanging onto the past, and a very nasty part of our past. Focusing on the past obscures our view of the present. Rather than going ahead with our lives, we are stuck looking into the rearview mirror as it were (and a cracked rearview mirror at that). How can we move forward when we spend too much time looking behind? We can not. We must eventually see the wisdom in leaving the past behind, for ourselves and others, so we can see the present for what it is, and move ahead into the future. Forgiveness makes this possible.<br />
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Most Christians today believe they do not have to forgive anyone. They tend to believe that if they accept Jesus as their Lord ans Savior, then God will forgive them. But that is about as far as forgiveness goes for many of them. Is this what Jesus taught? A simple look at the Gospel of Matthew will show that it is not.<br />
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In Matthew 6: 14-15 Jesus makes this clear. "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (NRSV) Here Jesus teaches a very simple law of Karma: You reap what you sow; or, what goes around comes around. As we forgive others, so will God forgive us. In other parts of Matthew Jesus again points out the urgency in forgiving the sins of others. "When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5: 23-24, NRSV). The Christians of the 1st century took this teaching seriously. There is a practice recorded in the Didache (Teaching of the Apostles) which reads, "On the Lord's Day assemble in common to break bread and offer thanks; but first confess your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. However nobody who is quarreling with their brother may join your meeting until they are reconciled; your sacrifice must not be defiled." (Didache 14: 1-2) This should make it abundantly clear that forgiveness is not just something the first followers of Jesus believed in; it is something they practiced and taught others to do as well.<br />
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Today in churches and even in some pop psychology circles forgiveness is taught as being optional. Nothing could be more harmful or further from the truth! Forgiveness is essential to the life of a healthy human being. People working in recovery groups have noticed that when alcoholics practice forgiveness, their chances of complete recovery dramatically improve. But if they hold onto resentments, it is usually only a matter of time before their next drink. Even non-alcoholics notice a life improvement when they learn to forgive. They gain the ability to see life more clearly and live life more fully. In some people who begin to practice forgiveness for the first times some amazing physical changes are noticed as well. High blood pressure may stabilize; insomnia may disappear and stomach ulcers may heal of their own accord. When these changes are noticed in ordinary human beings who practice forgiveness for the first time in their lives, the "why" of forgiveness becomes obvious; we do this to stop punishing ourselves!<br />
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There is an old saying, "Time heals all wounds." When we forgive this saying is proven to be true. However there is an opposite yet just as true saying, "Time wounds all heels." When we refuse to forgive others and ourselves, this saying is borne out in spades. <br />
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This all is not to say that we should forget the harm that others have done to us and to set ourselves up to being hurt all over again. John F. Kennedy once said, "Forgive the sins of others, but remember their names." In other words we should forgive the trespass, but remember and respect the weakness in the other person (and in ourself) which made the trespass possible in the first place. If your husband is an alcoholic who has beaten you and your children while drinking; forgive the trespass, but take measures to protect yourself and others from any further abuse, even to the point of leaving the home and seeking legal recourse. If somebody has cheated you out of a large sum of money, again forgive the trespass, but be cautious about trusting your money with that person again, and if appropriate, file criminal charges. Yet we should always leave the door open to repentance and transformation! We never punish an evil doer out of a sense of revenge. Rather we do so out of love hoping the wrong-doer will learn from their mistakes and change, and also remembering the times in the past in which we ourselves had been the evil-doer. Remember too that people do change and grow over time. An alcoholic who once did terrible things to themselves and others may become an outstanding citizen and parent once they seek help and put their drinking days behind them. Likewise common thieves can become trustworthy once more when they truly learn the errors of their ways and seek to move forward as more Godly persons. Forgiveness leaves the door open to such transformation. A lack of forgiveness tries to shut this door tight.<br />
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Great spiritual masters such as Jesus, the Buddha, and others knew about the power of forgiveness and transformation. They commonly associated with criminals and riff-raff that the normal religious people of their time would avoid. And in the literature of the great world religions, we see accounts of people who were once thought to be completely lost being redeemed; thieves becoming great teachers and killers becoming saints. Redemption for anyone is possible. Let us never shut the door.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-67935775576195489172011-05-28T11:30:00.000-07:002011-07-21T11:51:13.674-07:00Music. The Greatest In The World.A Global Music Project of Bnei Baruch...<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g2hTYzMkhQU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-56971855410183293822011-05-27T06:55:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:55:38.939-07:00What if...?What if Moses stayed out in the desert and remained a shepherd for the rest of his life? What if Jesus remained in Galilee and did nothing but carpentry? What if Mohammed continued on as a caravan leader and nothing more? Where would we all be then.<br />
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Each of these men went on to chance the world as we know it, each in his own way. What if they all just gave up and said to hell with it? How would that act of saying no to God have altered human history? We too play a part in the world around us and in God's plan for humanity. What happens when we say no to God? How big of a change could we see when a few simple people, be they farmers, carpenters, or tour directors decide to say yes to God's Will in their lives? The choice is ours!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-4863701218357116412011-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:002011-07-21T11:53:53.427-07:00Why Is The Middle East in Crisis?<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3TxuGjuhECA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-79700427942012078022011-05-09T09:33:00.000-07:002011-05-10T06:33:39.646-07:00Peace Is Every Step (Thich Nhat Hanh) and Building The House Of Peace (Ajahn Brahm).For those who are not yet familiar with Thich Nhat Hanh or Ajahn Brahm I present the following two samples of their teaching. May peace be within you!<br />
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<strong>Peace Is Every Step Trailor </strong>Thich Nhat Hanh<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dpyWD7y84ms?rel=0" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<b>Building The House Of Peace </b> Ajahn Brahm<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxK7iqG2XQA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sxK7iqG2XQA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-82601108580680168112011-04-17T06:05:00.000-07:002011-04-17T06:07:18.293-07:00The Golden Key. By Emmet Fox.The Golden Key<br />
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Scientific prayer will enable you to get yourself or anyone else, out of any difficulty. It is the golden key to harmony and happiness. <br />
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To those who have no acquaintance with the mightiest power in existence, this may appear to be a rash claim, but it needs only a fair trial to prove that, without a shadow of doubt, it is a just one. You need take no one's word for it, and you should not. Simply try it for yourself. <br />
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God is omnipotent, and we are God's image and likeness and have dominion over all things. This is the inspired teaching, and it is intended to be taken literally, at its face value. The ability to draw on this power is not the special prerogative of the mystic or the saint, as is so often supposed, or even of the highly trained practitioner. Everyone has this ability Whoever you are, wherever you may be, the golden key to harmony is in your hand now. This is because in scientific prayer it is God who works, and not you, and so your particular limitations or weaknesses are of no account in the process. You are only the channel through which the divine action takes place, and your treatment will be just the getting of yourself out of the way. <br />
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Beginners often get startling results the first time, for all that is essential is to have an open mind and sufficient faith to try the experiment. Apart from that, you may hold any views on religion, or none. <br />
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As for the actual method of working, like all fundamental things, it is simplicity itself. All you have to do is this: Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead. This is the complete rule, and if only you will do this, the trouble, whatever it is, will disappear. It makes no difference what kind of trouble it is. It may be a big thing or a little thing: it may concern health, finance, a lawsuit, a quarrel, an accident, or anything else conceivable: but whatever it is, stop thinking about it and think of God instead -- that is all you have to do. <br />
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It could not be simpler, could it? God could scarcely have made it simpler, and yet it never fails to work when given a fair trial. <br />
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Do not try to form a picture of God, which is impossible. Work by rehearsing anything or everything that you know about God. God is wisdom, truth, inconceivable love. God is present everywhere, has infinite power, knows everything, and so on. It matters not how well you may think you understand these things: go over them repeatedly. <br />
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But you must stop thinking of the trouble, whatever it is. The rule is, to think about God. If you are thinking about your difficulty, you are not thinking about God. To be continually glancing over your shoulder in order to see how matters are progressing is fatal, because it is thinking of the trouble, and you must think of God and nothing else. Your object is to drive the thought of the difficulty out of your consciousness, for a few moments at least, substituting for it the thought of God. This is the crux of the whole thing. If you can become so absorbed in this consideration of the spiritual world that you forget for a while about the difficulty, you will find that you are safely and comfortably out of your difficulty -- that your demonstration is made. <br />
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In order to "golden key" a troublesome person or a difficult situation, think. "Now 1 am going to 'golden key' John, or Mary. or that threatened danger": then proceed to drive all thought of John, or Mary, or the danger out of your mind, replacing it with the thought of God. <br />
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By working in this way about a person, you are not seeking to influence his conduct in any way, except that you prevent him from injuring or annoying you, and you do him nothing but good. Thereafter, he is certain to be in some degree a better, wiser, and more spiritual person, just because you have "golden keyed" him. A pending lawsuit or other difficulty would probably fade out harmlessly without coming to a crisis, justice being done to all parties concerned. <br />
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If you find that you can do this very quickly, you may repeat the operation several times a day with intervals between. Be sure, however, each time you have done it, that you drop all thought of the matter until the next time. This is important. <br />
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We have said that the golden key is simple, and so it is, but of course it is not always easy to turn. If you are very frightened or worried, at first it may be difficult to get your thoughts away from material things. But by constantly repeating a statement of absolute Truth, such as: There is no power but God: I am the child of God, filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God: God is love; God is guiding me now; or, perhaps best and simplest of all. God is with me -- however mechanical or trite it may seem -- you will soon find that the treatment has begun to "take." And that your mind is clearing. Do not struggle violently; be quiet, but insistent. Each time you find your attention wandering, switch it back to God. <br />
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Do not try to think in advance what the solution to your difficulty will be. This is called "outlining" and will only delay the demonstration. Leave the question of ways and means to God. You want to get out of your difficulty that is sufficient. You do your half, and God will never fail to do God's. <br />
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by Emmet Fox<br />
Early 20th CenturyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-36622391516163224062011-04-16T21:27:00.000-07:002011-04-16T17:06:49.561-07:00United We Stand. A Brotherhood of Man.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/460INShy3BU?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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An oldie from the 1970's, but the message still stands. Now more than ever!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-47851143823332244472011-04-16T17:05:00.001-07:002011-04-16T17:05:53.837-07:00Muslims For Peace (the kid version).<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GP42uFlvYcA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-87639983384774815542011-04-16T17:03:00.000-07:002011-04-16T17:08:45.142-07:00Heal The World.<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="311" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JavBC4HfW6s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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What is the missing element? Love your neighbor as you love yourself. We've all heard the phrase, now let's try living it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670992743546672350.post-83659693695542193462011-04-16T17:00:00.000-07:002011-04-16T17:08:07.078-07:00Muslims For Peace.<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="500" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DDfSLfvCkCA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13997927161490537062noreply@blogger.com