ARCHIVES 2023
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ARCHIVES 2023
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An Alabama firefighter, Will Svetkovich, was serving at a community event when he noticed a child struggling to put on a toy helmet. The young boy’s hair was braided and up in a bun, which prevented him from wearing a helmet like other kids at the event. Will promptly grabbed a pair of scissors and cut a hole in the helmet so the child could proudly wear it. “Kindness is so quietly woven through our ordinary days that sometimes we don’t even notice it. Everywhere there is tenderness and care. There is beauty.” – John O’Donohue Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, today I align with the natural order of a spiritual Universe. With kindness, empathy, and a generous heart, I open avenues through which a Divine current of love can naturally flow. We are all blessed. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Beans are an extremely important crop in Africa, providing protein for millions and serving as a key source of income for farmers. Climate change is threatening the crops, but the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance is fighting to keep them thriving. They facilitated the research, development, and distribution of over 650 new bean varieties. From sugar beans in Zambia to snap beans in Nigeria, 32 African countries are seeing improved beans reach their markets. “Nourishing ourselves and each other helps us to prosper in the way Spirit intends. We're invited to move in the direction of authenticity, generosity, growth, and abundance. We are worthy of what the Universe offers.” – Scott Awbrey Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for the ingenuity implanted into each one of us. I allow the Divine creativity within me to go unbridled in my interests, my work, and my projects. So much good is manifesting in the arenas of my life. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. It’s been a month since Hamas launched raids on Israel, killing and kidnapping hundreds of people. Israel’s retaliation has killed thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, and there seems to be no letting up to the war. Meanwhile, wars rage on in Ukraine and in many other regions of the world. “In the midst of war, I no longer pray for peace. I pray for miracles. I pray that stone hearts will turn to tenderheartedness, and the soldiers already deployed will be snatched out of harm’s way, and the world will be astounded onto its knees. I pray that the whole world might sit down together and share its bread and its wine. Some say there is no hope, but then I applaud those who never give up on our faith: that we are loved by God, that we can truly love one another. I no longer pray for peace. I pray for miracles.” - Ann Weems, Presbyterian elder Affirmative prayer: I affirm that the love of God, nestled in the hearts of us all, is finding its way into the decisions, motives, and actions of those in command and of all citizens. May those in the throes of conflict be rescued, healed, fed, and attended to in body and spirit. May solutions show themselves with such clarity, truth, and fairness that peace become the order of all our lives. Infinite Presence, I bare the combative nature within me, and raise my consciousness to one of compassion, serenity, and harmony. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. A tiny wooden shed perched on a cliff in southern China has earned the nickname of “most inconvenient convenience store” in the country. Hanging 394 feet above the ground in the Shiniuzhai Scenic Area, the little shop replenishes climbers with drinks and light refreshments. Staff members climb to the store every day, carrying supplies. “When you trust that the Universe is providing for the needs of your soul, that trust allows for the experience of bliss.” – Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul Affirmative prayer: I’m thankful to know that right where I am, God is. That all I need for a safe, fulfilling journey is provided. To quote Hafiz, “The place where I am right now, God circled on a map for me. Wherever my eyes and arms and heart move against earth and sky, the Beloved has bowed there, knowing I was coming.” Thank you, God, forever. Amen. The Beatles’ final song, “Now and Then,” has just been released, featuring the voice of the late John Lennon, who wrote and recorded the song in the 70s. Yoko Ono gave the demo to the remaining Beatles members in 1994, but the group had to shelve it a year later due to technical problems. Finally, new technology made possible the release. Listen to it here. “Our journey in the story of creation has come full circle. It all came from God in the beginning, and now it returns to God in the end.” – Brian McLaren, American minister and author Affirmative prayer: I give thanks that Divine Life is forever begetting more of Itself, and I pray that I may be a channel through which the love, beauty, and power of Got are made known. I’m grateful that we are all artists and that our creations find their perfect expression. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Daylight saving time ends this Sunday at 2 am. People across most of the nation will “fall back,” turning the clocks back an hour. Authorities say the practice saves energy, prevents traffic accidents, and reduces crime. Plus, when we change our clocks, we can also turn back the bathroom scales a few pounds. “Eternity is not an awareness of everlasting time, but an awareness which is itself totally without time. The eternal moment is a timeless moment, a moment which knows neither past nor future, before nor after, yesterday nor tomorrow.” – Ken Wilber, No Boundary Affirmative prayer: Today, I allow the instances when I look at the clock to be moments of pure consciousness. I pause and sense that my life is transcendent, that I am boundless energy, fully alive in this moment, forever. Thank, you, God, forever. Amen. Traditional medical imaging that diagnoses medical conditions has long struggled to get clear pictures of patients with dark skin. But now researchers have found a way to improve the imaging process through which physicians can observe the inside of the body, regardless of skin tone. The research can hopefully pave a way to eliminating discrimination in health care. “No person is a finished thing, regardless of how paralyzed their image might be. Each one of us is in a state of perennial formation. Inside each journey a secret harvesting is at work.” – John O’Donohue Affirmative prayer: I own the truth of who I am: an expression of pure Spirit. The Divine wrote my storyline before I was born and cast me in Its great production of a wondrous life made real. I’m on this journey with everyone, for we are all made in the image and likeness of God. It’s an all-star cast. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. ALL SAINTS DAY “Today – All Saints' Day – we remember celebrated saints like Mother Teresa, St. Francis of Assisi, and Thomas Aquinas - individuals who have discerned spiritual truth and who did great works. We also honor the saints among us: those who feed the hungry, visit the sick, comfort others, stand guard at a school crossing zone... They give and sustain life. There is a saint in us all.” – Scott Awbrey “Saints are honored as heirs of God. Let us observe the manner of their lives, people who announced the presence of God. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, and perseverance so that we may also share their glory.” - St John Damascene, seventh century monk Affirmative prayer: Infinite Presence, I give thanks for the saint in us all, affirming that we each find our unique way to give, serve, and love. I know that the Divine takes pleasure in our inspired living, our saintly actions, and in the sound of our voices. Thank you, God, forever, Amen. A great-grandmother just had the best Halloween of her life. When trick-or-treaters knocked on the door of 86-year-old Brenda Burdon, she said with regret that she didn’t have any treats for them. “It’s okay,” was the kids’ response. Then they went to the store, bought chocolates and muffins, and left them on Brenda’s doorstep with a card addressed to “the kind lady.” “Halloween time. The biggest trick we play on ourselves is the illusion that we are separate from one another and from our Creator. We put on masks and play various roles. But we can treat ourselves to the truth: that we are made in God’s image and likeness. We are Spirit’s living enterprise.” - Scott Awbrey Affirmative prayer: On this hallowed evening, I honor little ones in costume and grownups in delight. I celebrate the simple joy of treats given and received. I celebrate innocence, family, and neighbors. And I celebrate knowing the truth of I am, a pure expression of light and love. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. Clean energy will provide half the world’s electricity by 2030, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. Increases in electric vehicles, solar power, and offshore wind will mean a considerably different global energy system. “The transition to clean energy is happening worldwide and it’s unstoppable,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “Perhaps you can look at this world in transition and dare to echo God in Genesis: ‘Behold, it is good.’ Perhaps you can see transition as an essential part of that goodness.” – Brian McLaren, author and progressive minister Affirmative prayer: I give thanks for the emergence of new ways of being in our lives. For new insights, new practices, new positive outcomes. I welcome change, and am glad to be on a life-journey of renewal and transformation. Thank you, God, forever. Amen. |
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