Conscious Evolution

Conscious Evolution is a process in the universe that is ongoing; otherwise, our children wouldn't be smarter than us, which they are-and there wouldn't be any progress in the world. So the universe is constantly moving in the direction of higher evolutionary impulses, creativity, abstraction, and meaning. Conscious evolution is the ability of human beings to consciously participate in that process; we are a species that is conscious of our consciousness. We can actually accelerate the process through meditation, through the ability to find stillness through loving actions, through compassion and sharing, through understanding the nature of the creative process in the universe and having a sense of connection to it...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

God Lives Under The Bed

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple. He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure; he still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am.

My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care. Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God. And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

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Blessed One

Blessed One, at this most critical time I entrust the United States Of America to your loving care. Reclaim this land for your glory. I am overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, and cry to you from the depths of my heart and seek refuge in your protection. Look down with mercy and touch the hearts of all people in this country. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life.

Grant this country the wisdom to proclaim that your law is the foundation on which this nation was founded and that you alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Oh Merciful one, give me the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new culture of life.

Trusting in your most powerful intersession, I pray.

Remember Oh most Gracious One, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. I am inspired by this confidence Blessed One...

Vote

AFTM

Life

In order to lead a happy, fulfilled, abundant life one has to be able to hear the quieter voices. To be still and hear them requires some skill. To know what questions to ask requires some knowledge. To know how to create your heart’s desire and live it daily requires wisdom and an action plan...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Foregiveness

Forgiveness is not the misguided act of condoning irresponsible, hurtful behavior. Nor is it a superficial turning of the other cheek that leaves us feeling victimized and martyred. Rather it is the finishing of old business that allows us to experience the present, free of contamination from the past.

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

About Me

Have You Seen My Slippers?

My World

Tonight we touch as if for the first time, remember the excitement the taste of the forbidden love. Our lips will touch, tasting each other. Soft at first, then firm, then with passion. We will watch our inhibitions float away. Unthinkable thoughts turn into heavenly deeds. Lets fade away forever from the mortal souls that pretend to know a love like ours. They will never feel this torrent of passion and desire. The wind is a quivering breath that will turn into a mighty storm. Lighting strikes your heart. We will live a lifetime in these moonlight hours never looking back on the dawn of day. Let's be in love for one night that lasts for millions of years on earth. We will never fade, this fire will not smolder and die. I have given you a gift like no other before me.

I give you my world of fantasy...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

His Light Guides Me Home

I feel an almost instant relief from the tensions of work or the fatigue of travel as soon as I see a light shining from my home. That light welcomes me to the sanctity of my home. No matter how gloomy circumstances may appear, the light from His Spirit is always shining within me, dispelling any darkness and revealing my way.

In the sanctity of my soul, He welcomes me home. Knowing this, I remain focused on what must be accomplished and feel at peace, knowing He will always guide me home...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Touched

On a dark night, kindled in love with yearnings - oh, happy chance! I went forth without being observed, my house being now at rest. In darkness and secure, by the secret ladder, disguised in darkness and concealment. In the happy night, in secret, when no one saw me, without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart. This light guided me more surely than the light of noonday to the place where he was awaiting me. A place where no one appeared. Oh, night that guided me, with light more lovely than the dawn, night that joined me Beloved with lover. Lover transformed in the Beloved.

Upon my flowery breast kept wholly for himself alone there he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, and the fanning of the cedars made a breeze. The breeze blew from the turret as I parted his locks; with his gentle hand he touched me and caused all my senses to be suspended. I remained lost in oblivion, my face I reclined on the Beloved. All ceased and I abandoned myself, leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies...

This be the way and manner which the soul follows upon the road of the union of love...

I was touched by God

I Believe

I believe in the unity of all humankind, and therefore the unity of all religions. This means that I believe that all religions teach the same truth. I therefore reject prejudice--racial, political, or otherwise--and stress ethical teachings such as world peace, education, and sexual equality. Although I believe that God is completely unknowable, I hold that God's presence and works are evident in the creation of the world and the existence of the prophets, among other things...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Saundra

These eyes they grieve in pity for my heart. I have known the suffering of every tear utterly undone they fall. Will they remember the words I spoke? My gentle heart goes willingly with her, but I must remain here. Weeping, I then will speak of her again, and again, who to her heaven came so suddenly, leaving Love grieving here on earth with me.

To the high heaven she has gone, up to the realm where Angels dwell in peace, she lives with them now. To this world she bade farewell. Tis no degree of cold on her has won, nor of such heat as makes all others cease: it only was her goodness, great appeal. So did her shining humbleness excel, it passed the heavens with such wondrous worth, it moved to marvel the eternal Sire, so that a sweet desire pricked Him to call such worthiness from earth, and made her to himself go from down here: for when He saw this life of suffering had not been made for such a gentle thing...

Her gentle spirit, full of gentle grace, at last departed from her beauteous frame, and chose in glory its most worthy home. He who weeps not, {Mark David Breakiron} when talking of her trace, harbors a heart of wickedness and shame, to which no kindly spirits ever shall come...

No mind, if heart is wicked, may so roam as to imagine in the least her lot: therefore no grief or weeping will transpire. But sadness and desire of tears and sighs and death, and every thought that fails to comfort for a loss of immense, conquer those souls that even once recall the thing she was, now taken from us all...

Ahhhhhhhhh so much anguish nearly halts my breath when the least thought to this comes in my grievous mind brings back the one who split my heart in me; and oftentimes, when thinking of her death the color from my face fades utterly. And when the imagining is sharp in me, from everywhere I'm struck by such dismay that at the ache I feel right then I start, and so distraught it grows. Fore it is then that I am alone in every crowd...

I wander in my tears...

For a face that looks like mine.


Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Courage

Kiss

I Am Fall

I am a beautiful shadow, a very special time of the year. I am the season of cool crisp days, clear star lit skies, the glow of the golden harvest moon a palette of breathtaking colors. I give you this time for rides in the country, walks in the woods, hay rides, skipping rocks in a stream, and watching acrobatic squirrels scurrying to gather their harvest. I am the scent of caramel apples, pumpkin pies and mulled cider. I bring you peaceful solitude and special moments with your family, friends, and loved ones. I give you time for walking hand in hand, for snuggling, for romance and for love. I am a special time to reflect upon and give thanks for those that have meant so much to you during the year. Let me truly bless you and wish you the very best of everything that is beautiful this season.

I Am Fall...

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Be Fearless

Prayer For The Abused

You chose, O loving God,
to enter this world
quietly, humbly, and as an outcast.
Hear our prayers
on behalf of all who are abused:

For children,
who suffer at the hands
of parents whom they trust and love;
for spouses,
beaten and destroyed
by the very one
who promised to love
and to cherish them forever;
for all people
ignored, hated and cheated.
by the very neighbor
who could be the closest one
to offer your love.

Hear the cry of the oppressed.
Let the fire of your Spirit fill their hearts
with the power of vision, and hope.
Grant to them empowerment to act,
that they may not be passive victims
of violence and hatred.
Fulfill for them the promises you have made,
that their lives may be transformed
and their oppression ended.

Turn the hearts of the oppressor unto you
that their living may be changed
by your forgiving love;
and their abusive actions
and oppressive ways brought to an end.

Amen. ..

The Mayonnaise Jar And Two Beers

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.'


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