What can I Do?

I must find the peace that has its seed within my soul. To the extent that I find this peace and live this peace, I will contribute to the peace of this world. -FEAR NOT

A Franciscan Blessing

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may wish for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

HELP

I am overwhelmed and bewildered by the needs of this world. God help me. I have just given all that I can give.

--

 

Confession

I can not stand by a suffering person and do nothing. I am not blind. I do have feelings.

Have a Great Night

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

            -Ralph Waldo Emerson

An Actual Fact

When I lose sight of God’s love for me, I can not love myself. I can not even like myself very much so I busy myself in a vain attempt to make myself more lovable or maybe just to hide my unlovely nature.

Remember Richard,  God loves you and nothing that you do will make God love you any more or any less. (Romans 5:8 and Romans 8:31-38)

from an unknown wise person

The first to apologize is the bravest.

The first to forgive is the strongest.

And the first to forget is the happiest.

The Holy Clown

I do appreciate people who can take themselves lightly enough to laugh and encourage others to do so. I don't like to be around folks who are always so serious. Laughter is a great way to relax and has great healing properties. God bless the holy clown.
--

 "What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul." - a Yiddish proverb

The Garden

Soft
Shadows
silent
spirit

Contrasts

How can I know joy if I have never known sorrow?
How can I see the light if I have never been in the dark?
How can I know courage if I have never known fear?

Playing for Change

‘Want Prayer?’ Progressive lay evangelists take church to the streets

‘Want Prayer?’ Progressive lay evangelists take church to the streets

amen to that

--
People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.
            - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

a great event so long ago

from the coach

alone

Father, forgive us all for we don't know what we are doing.

Good Advice

Nothing should stand between yourself and God. Not imims, priests, rabbis, or any other custodians of moral or religious leadership. Not spiritual masters, not even your faith. Believe in your values and your rules, but never lord them over others. If you keep breaking other people’s hearts, whatever religious duty you perform is no good.

Stay away from all sorts of idolatry, for they will blur your vision. Let God and only God be your guide. Learn the Truth, my friend, but be careful not to make a fetish out of your truths.

Shams Tabrizi

Silence vibrating is Creation
Silence flowing is Love
Silence shared is Friendship
Silence seen is Infinity
Silence heard is Adoration
Silence expressed is Beauty
Silence maintained is Strength 
Silence omitted is Suffering
Silence allowed is Rest
Silence re-circled is Scripture
Silence preserved is Our Tradition
Silence given is Initiating
Silence received is Joy
Silence perceived is Knowledge
Silence stabilized is Fulfillment
Silence alone is.
-Author Unknown

I Wonder

An Important Sermon - Please Listen

From the Bible

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

                       God loves you personally and particularly.
                            Peace to you, Rev. Peter.

UPDATE

I am tired. Goodnight for now.

--
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
         - Rumi translate by Coleman Barks

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.
            -Unknown

A Lesson Taught

A well-known organist was performing a concert on the huge, antique organ in the local Presbyterian church. The bellows were hand-pumped by a boy who was behind a screen, unseen by the audience. The first part of the performance was well received. The audience was thrilled by the organist's ability at the keyboard of the old instrument. After taking his bows and accepting the ovation, the musician walked triumphantly into a side passageway. As he passed the boy he heard him say, "We played well, didn't we, sir?"

    The organist haughtily replied, "And what do you mean, we?"

    After the intermission, the organist returned to his seat at the impressive five-keyboard console and began to play. But nothing happened; not a sound was heard. Then the organist heard a youthful voice whisper from behind the screen, "Say, mister, now do you know what 'we' means?"

            -Author Unknown

--
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
         - Rumi translate by Coleman Barks
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.
            -Unknown

CARE

Take care of yourself and know that there is a power greater than you are who will be there at all times to see you through the tough times.

PERSEVERENCE

When we persevere with the help of a gentle discipline, we slowly come to hear the still, small voice and to feel the delicate breeze, and so to come to know the presence of Love.

            -Henri Nouwen

The difference in a lover and an activist - ?

The lover participates in the symphony.
The activist is caught up in the sound of his own drum.
      -Anthony de Mello 

advice to a depressed soul

one day at a time ---
one moment ---
now is it.

Presence

“Come Lord Jesus,” we pray. 

And Jesus responds, “I have already come. I am here.” 

And we neither see nor hear him.

from Rumi

My heart is so small
it's almost invisible.
How can You place
such big sorrows in it?

“Look,” He answered,

“your eyes are even smaller,      

yet they behold the world.”

            -Rumi 

TIRED

I'm tired.

Where is the joy I felt just days ago?

My energy is all used up

And to what end?

--
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.
         - Rumi translate by Coleman Barks

Eight Days Later

Eight days after Easter I experienced a totally unexpected event. I had severe blockage in one of my arteries that resulted in my experiencing a heart attack. Fortunately I got to the hospital in time and they got the blockage taken care of. It happened that the Doctor I would have chosen to do the job had I been able to choose was on duty that day and took care of me with great skill and speed. Because of the timeliness of my treatment, I suffered only a small amount of damage to my heart. There was no other blockage so I should be all right if I practice good dietary and exercise habits. This is what I am trying to do.

I thank God for the medical staff who took good care of me and I thank God for all the friends, family. and church family who held me up and gave me strength during this time. - I am much stronger now. Thank you God.  Carry Me, Lord.

Good News

Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed.

Holy Saturday

My feelings are all mixed up. I am full of joy, peace, anger, sadness, eager anticipation of the coming days, dread and apprehension. What were these past years all about? I didn't understand and I do not understand and I don't know what's going to happen. He was and now he isn't. It is all unspeakable and unknowable. I will go home now. Maybe tomorrow life will be back to normal.

SILENCE

The Passion according to Mark

Proverbs 11:24-26

Some give freely, yet grow all the richer;
   others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.
A generous person will be enriched,
   and one who gives water will get water.  

Vocation Found

‎"Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world's greatest need.”

             -Frederick Buechner

WHAT?

For the last several weeks I have been busy doing nothing of any "importance".

It seems that speed is what counts. Quantity seems much more important than quality. Bigger is better and quicker is quite the thing. We get highly frustrated if we have to wait a few extra seconds for something to happen. Why is this?

Take some time off. Do it now. Slow down. Enjoy yourself and the people that you are around.

Will anybody see this?

I say that I post these for myself and this is partially true but I must admit that it would be nice if there was some evidence that someone else cared about what I post to this site...feeling sorry for myself again. I know that most of those who might have read these postings are now spending all of their time on Facebook and Twitter. That's alright. I will continue to post thoughts and other things that I value on my blogs. 

An Idea

A small mind will stay fixed on one idea even unto death.

What is worship?

Is it as you say? 
Is it as I say? 
What is worship?
Is it flashy?
Is it quiet?
Is it all together
or is it all alone?
What is worship?

A New Day

January 1, 2012

Happy new day, Richard.

You can start again this morning.

You can start again right now.