Archives: March 2010
Wed Mar 31, 2010
In our book section, you can purchase Oprah Windrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
St. Ignatius Loyola
Dear Hearts,
How often do we say the words, “I love you”? What do the words, “I love you”, really mean to us? Are those just idle words uttered as we blow a kiss to someone? Let’s remember that “love” is a verb…it’s an action word, and denotes the fact that we care about someone or something so much that we are willing to get into action to show our love.
When we say we love our country, we might ask ourselves, “what am I willing to do for my country”? When we say we love God, what does that mean to us? Does it mean that we are willing to anchor God’s Kingdom, which is a Kingdom of love, peace, joy, harmony, beauty, etc. on earth? When we say we love our children, are we teaching them through our words and actions what love is all about?
Perhaps today, we might remember the words of St. Francis of Assisi who wrote this prayer as the ultimate call to loving action.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
Today, let’s all be activists for love!
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Mar 30, 2010
In our book section, you can purchase Oprah Windrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Lance Armstrong
Dear Hearts,
The above quote from Lance Armstrong is referring to a conversation he had with Will Reeve the son of Christopher & Dana Reeve. Will Reeve was the only child of Christopher and Dana and his mother, father and maternal grandmother all died within several years of each other. One can only imagine the enormous grief that accompanies this kind of gigantic loss.
Sometimes, we avoid people who have suffered the loss of a loved one because we don’t know what to say. Other times we approach someone who has recently lost a loved one and say, “Oh, I know how you feel”. Yet, that is such an inadequate statement, because how can we ever really know how another person is feeling?
What grief counselors tell us is the best way to approach those who have lost someone near and dear is to tell the individual(s) exactly what Lance Armstrong told Will Reeve. Armstrong is telling the young Reeve that he’s there for him and readily available to him whenever needed. What a great and invaluable gift that is! Armstrong is speaking in a language that a young teen readily comprehends. For adults, we verbalize differently but with the same gist…that we’re so very sorry for the individual’s loss and that we’re there for them, whatever is needed. If we’re at their home, perhaps it’s making a cup of tea or coffee for the grieving individual or family or simply straightening their kitchen…something done with loving-kindness.
When loss occurs within our family or to our friends, we are each given the opportunity to show up and be angels of kindness and mercy.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
*James Taylor
Sun Mar 28, 2010
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book.... Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth"...Oprah's Book of the Month.
George Washington Carver
Dear Hearts,
Today, let's think about the way we love. Do we give of our love generously, unconditionally? Or do we place conditions on our love? Does our love become a “contract” inasmuch as, “I’ll be loving to you as long as you take out the trash or clean the garage or fix dinner, etc. etc.”
In this world of ours, many of us forget completely that we are here to love as God loves…unconditionally. Love isn’t about a bargain, thus showing love when we get our way. Love is about loving…no matter what.
We are placed in this world to be lovers, to allow the love of God to flow through us thus touching the lives of others. This kind of love knows no conditions. Today, as we look at our loved ones…let’s not think of making a contract i.e. I’ll love you or be good to you if you do (fill in the blank)_______________for me. Let’s think to ourselves “Today I have the privilege of loving you no matter what you do or don’t do for me… for when I behold your face, I behold the face God.
Today, I know why I’m alive…to love kindly, generously, graciously with no strings attached. Today, I love others as God loves me. Thank you, God, and so it is!
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sat Mar 27, 2010
In our book section, you can purchase Oprah Windrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dr. Michael Beckwith
Dear Hearts,
The ancient Kaballah tells us…. “Every blade of grass has an angel standing over it telling it ‘Grow, Grow’. Aren’t there times in our lives when we need an “angel” standing over us reminding us to grow?
Everyday life offers us opportunities to expand. When we make the decision to expand, we’re making a decision to move beyond the current boundary of what we think we can or can’t do. Daily, we have the opportunity to leave our present comfort zone and embrace a larger way of living.
Embracing a larger life may mean taking time (or more time) for our spiritual life. It may mean investing more of ourselves in our relationships. It may mean making amends to someone we’ve hurt. It may mean being kinder, gentler in our daily interactions. It might mean making a decision to forgive someone who has hurt us. It may mean giving more.
There are myriads of ways we can move beyond the boundaries of our current life. When we do embrace a larger way of living then we have the opportunity to become a larger place for the blessings and goodness of God to flow through us.
The Universe is a magnificent place, each second it is changing, the clouds move, the trees sway, the seasons change, the weather changes, the tides change…and yet somehow we get stuck in our own particular rut. Let’s remember that a rut is little more than shallow grave.
Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Perhaps this is the day we’ll decide to join life's adventure.
Today, I promise to take one step outside of my comfort zone...knowing that I am meant for great and mighty things. Thank you God, and so it is!
Love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Fri Mar 26, 2010
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Tara Brach, Ph.D.
Dear Hearts,
How often throughout our day do we go into “the trance of unworthiness”? Some of us were brought up to believe that by continually berating ourselves we were practicing a form of humility. There is nothing humble about denying who we are. When we deny who we are, we are denying who God is.
When we begin our litany of unworthiness, all the life energy that has been given to us to expand and grow is suffocated. Living in a tunnel of unworthiness and self-deficiency keeps us from living our purpose.
We are here so that when others see us, they see God. But if we are so self-involved that our thoughts revolve around “I can’t… I’m not good enough... I’m not _________”(fill in the blank), we have locked ourselves into a mindset that does not serve God, ourselves or others.
God has created us for a purpose. We are unable to fulfill that purpose when we are lost in the fog of confusion that says we are lacking in any way.
We have the opportunity to break out of any self-centered prison by refusing to allow negative self-talk to sap our life energy. In the busyness of this holiday season, it's sometimes easy to be extra harsh on ourselves for what we have or have not done. Today let’s let our lights shine brightly through the recognition and realization that we are magnificent and mighty because God has created us and loves us so dearly.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Thu Mar 25, 2010
In our book section, you can order Oprah's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
John Morton
Dear Hearts,
In all of our lives, we have our mental list of people, places and things that we love and people, places and things that don't quite make that list. What all the great mystics and saints have told us throughout the ages is the one absolute known about God is that God is Love. What we know about our lives is we are here to reflect that Love through the lens of our daily activities.
What if we made a decision today to "Love it All"? A decision to come from our heart space this entire day. How would that look? It would mean going about our activities and chores seeing from the softness of the heart. The Buddhists call it looking through "soft eyes." It would mean loving others by seeing beyond their behavior into the goodness of their heart. It would mean looking and embracing the beauty that surrounds us. It would mean that in the midst of what ever circumstances are taking place in our lives knowing that God is there...for God is everywhere, therefore, there is good if we are willing to look for it.
They say the longest journey we'll ever take is the 12" journey from the head to the heart -- let's take that journey today and "Love it All".
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Wed Mar 24, 2010
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles.
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Dear Hearts,
There is something deep within each one of us that sincerely wants to wait upon the Lord. How do we do that?
If we are trying to serve some anthropomorphic God somewhere in the sky, the answer may be very ephemeral. However, if we can come to the belief, that God is everywhere present, within each of us, within the animals, the trees, the ocean, the mountains, the sky, the snow, the grass, etc. that it's all God, because God is all Life, then we come to the belief that when we serve Life, we serve God.
Today, can we go forth with the intention set to wait upon the Lord through the face of every individual we encounter? Can we wait upon the Lord through our prayers and acts of genuine kindness? Can we wait upon the Lord through our care of Mother Earth, whether it's planting a thing of beauty of picking up a piece of trash or simply admiring the magnificense of God's earth?
There are infinite ways to wait upon the Lord. Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets who ever walked the earth. He told us clearly what to do and he also told us the kind of life we might expect when we follow his guidance.
Let's step into that promise and wait upon the Lord through the face that is present before us, royalty or puppy, earth, sky or sea. There will be a myriad of ways that will be presented to us today to serve the Lord. We can say "yes"... or ignore the call waiting for something better or bigger or something "more desirable" to come our way.
However, the call will be issued and it's always our choice -- it's up to us. Now is the time, today is the day. What will Life present to us today and what we'll our answer be?
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Tue Mar 23, 2010
In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
- Joyce Meyer
Dear Hearts,
We stand in line at the grocery store or to buy a ticket at the movie, we wait in line at an airline counter or wait to pump gas or we sit and wait in our doctor or dentist's office. A fact of our life is that we do spend time waiting. The problem is that for the most part we're in a hurry. So we try to be patient while waiting...but we find ourselves mumbling to ourselves, tapping our toe, biting our tongue so we don't complain, looking around and giving every sign of impatience.
We all have so many things to do and accomplish, it's hard enough to wait let alone wait with a good attitude. Yet, waiting at some point is inevitable. Why don't we make a decision to utilize the time that we're waiting and do something constructive? We can take that waiting time and do our prayer work for our families and friends. We can take that time to look arround and bless each person that we see and bless their families, also. Or we can take the time to meditate, simply clearing our mind and focusing on our breath ~ and watch how our whole body begins to relax.
There is no such thing as wasted time unless we choose to waste it. We can change our thinking about waiting and name that time fruitful and advantageous. "It is done unto us as we believe" so if we believe our waiting time can be valuable to us, it will turn out to be exactly that.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Mon Mar 22, 2010
In our book section, you can Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dr. Ernest Holmes
Dear Hearts,
We may look at Dr. Holmes words and say “yes, God is real in my life, but there is so much else in my life, how can God be the only Reality?” Well, today what if we made a decision to make God our only Reality? What would that mean?
Perhaps it would mean that from the moment we open our eyes to the moment we close them we find things to be grateful for. That we behold the presence of God in every person we encounter. That during our driving time, rather than getting lost in our thoughts we utilize that time for additional prayer work. That we commit to seeing the face of God in every driver and to say a blessing not only for them, but for their families as well.
No matter where our day takes us, we have the opportunity to look beyond the appearance of what’s in front of us and see a quality of God, therefore seeing the face of God. If we encounter a person who annoys us, we get to inwardly thank them for teaching us about forgiveness, compassion and love. We can also choose to look beyond their behavior and see the face of God in all of its magnificence and glory.
Throughout every meal, we have the opportunity to eat consciously savoring every bite of food and we get to send a blessing to every person and their families, who touched the food.
In living our lives this way, we get to keep God front and center of our every activity and we get to know that God truly is the only Reality of our life, because God is all that we see.
With love and blessings,
Rev. Barbara
Sun Mar 21, 2010
In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Joel Olsteen
Dear Hearts,
How much time during our day do we dwell on the negative? We can have 999 wonderful things happen to us and then have one negative experience…and where does our attention go? Often it goes directly to the negative experience! When we focus on the negative it destroys our confidence, it robs our energy and it severely hampers our creativity.
Focusing on the negative is a self- defeating habit. The good news is… we can change that habit by changing where we place our attention.
Today, this beautiful holy day, we can become aware of where our thoughts are directed…to the positive or negative. The moment we feel ourselves slipping into the negative, we have the opportunity to immediately shift our focus to what’s positive and good in our lives.
When we focus on the positive, we open up a whole realm of opportunities for ourselves. We open to the realm of creativity and inspiration. When we dwell on what’s good and positive in our lives, our health is improved and our energy and vitality levels are elevated. Only good can come to us when we focus on the positive. And no matter how dire a situation may seem to us, there is always something positive where we can place our focus.
Where do we find God? We find God in the positive and affirmative side of life. So today how many of our waking hours will we spend thinking about the good and positive that is continually taking place within our lives?
The choice is always ours.
Today, as I focus on the positive, the Law of Attraction draws only the positive into my life. Thank you, God...and so it is! With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara In our book section, you can Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Winston Churchill Dear Hearts, None of us enjoy adversity, yet it comes into every one of our lives. We aren’t at choice about what the adversity will be, but we can choose how we think about the adversity. Often we fight against adversity. We fight so hard that we make ourselves ill. But there's another way to handle adversity. What if we looked at adversity as a teacher? Because no matter how devastating the adversity might seem…contained within that adversity are a myriad of gifts designed to help us grow. However, it takes a very courageous person to look into the adversity deeply enough to discover the gifts that it holds! When things are going smoothly in our lives, we tend to be in a holding pattern. What we’re doing seems to be working, so we keep on doing the same things. But when adversity shows up, it’s a call to think different thoughts. It’s a call to think outside the box we’ve created for ourselves. It’s a Growth Opportunity…a GO! Adversity is a call to GO forward and embrace a bigger life. To expand, to open our hearts, to live more creatively, more compassionately and to further develop the tools necessary to live successful and abundant lives. While we don’t look forward to adversity, when it comes…and it will...instead of fighting it, let’s embrace adversity as the teacher that it is. Let’s be grateful for adversity because adversity invites each of us to “GO” to new heights in the everyday adventure we call our lives. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Sat Mar 20, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
~ Og Mandino Dear Hearts, It is said that we’re spiritual beings having a human experience. Our spiritual self is naturally kind, loving and patient. However, our human self can often be impatient, unkind and not nearly as loving as we’d like to be. What a great practice Og Mandino is offering to us in the above quote. So many things that seem important to us at the time they occur...in the overall scheme of things really aren’t significant at all. We allow annoying behaviors to bother us and we respond with words or actions that we often regret. However, if we went through today treating each and every indiviual we encounter as though it were the last day of their lives wouldn’t we be more patient and kind? Wouldn’t we go out of our way to be helpful and comforting to that person? Wouldn’t we look at the individual through the eyes of love and compassion? The truth is that we never know when it will be another’s last day. How many people have lived to regret unkind words or actions or regretted holding back saying “I love you” to another person? What if something happened to that other person and we were never able to make amends or say a final “I love you.” Then we live with the agony of “what if” or “if only”. Today, let’s treat and greet every person we encounter as though this were the last day of that person’s life and let’s allow kindness and compassion to guide our every step. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara In our book section, you can Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Eckhart Tolle Dear Hearts, There is a world of difference between pleasure and joy. Pleasure often depends upon a circumstance or an acquisition outside of our self. However, when the circumstance changes, the acquisition wears out, the job ends, the loved one walks out the door or dies or someone’s behavior changes, our pleasure diminishes and sometimes disappears completely. We then start the cycle over again ...looking for pleasure somewhere “out there”. Joy on the other hand has no price tag, will never wear out, never change with circumstance, and never leave us. We are born filled with joy only we forget and become hypnotized by the media message that we need some acquisition outside of ourselves to experience joyful living. We have the opportunity to access joy by being aware of joyful things such as a bird singing, the laughter of a child, the wind blowing in our hair, the pounding of the waves, feeling the warmth of the sun, having a simple dinner with friends. When we are living in joy, we are living a spiritual life for joy is a quality of God and can never be taken from us. Perhaps we can ask ourselves “what can I do today to access the joy within me?” The joy is there, it’s simply waiting to be re-awakened. Take time to celebrate how magnificent God is and all the gifts that have been given us so freely, live in the present moment and you will find joy. Today, I am surrounded by the love of God. I make a conscious choice to remember that joy is not somewhere “out there” but joy is within. I will celebrate and “in-joy” each moment, each person and each activity of this glorious day. Today is God’s day and I rejoice in it. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara White-Steinberg Fri Mar 19, 2010In our book section, you can order Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Award-winning journalist Judith Valente Dear Hearts, So often we feel in order to be holy we must be in church or temple. Yet, the truth of the matter is, when we do each and every task placed before us with loving care and attention and come from the heart with every person that crosses our path, we enter into a holy realm. There was a 15th century monk by the name of Brother Lawrence. Brother Lawrence’s job was to buy food from the market and cook for the other monks. Soon, others in the monastery noticed the joy which Brother Lawrence lived his life and the great love he seemed to express. When asked about it, Brother Lawrence explained that whatever project he was doing he gave it his full attention, did it with love and dedicated it to God. Today, each one of us can do as Brother Lawrence. If we’re at work, driving our car, playing with the children, interacting with loved ones or friends, etc. we can be fully attentive, we can do it from the heart and most importantly we can do it for the love of God. Then we will find ourselves living a most holy day. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara *Straight from the Heart by Bryan Williams Thu Mar 18, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith Dear Hearts, Isn't that a great question? Often we become so focused on our problems that we can't see anything but the problems. The more we look at the problems the more they seem to grow. It's a very basic question of where we put our faith...in our big problems or our big God. Einstein said, "We can never solve the problem at the level of thinking that created the problem". Somehow we think that if we keep continue to obsess about our problems, we will eventually find an answer. However, the answer doesn't come because nothing changes if nothing changes. Today, why don't we recognize that there is a Power and Presence for Good in this Universe that has the answer. If we are willing to surrender the problem (no matter how grave or large it might seem) to this Power and Presence, a way to solve our problems will be revealed to us. Out of the blue, we will have a new thought or a new idea that never occurred to us before. Or, someone will appear and say exactly the words we need to hear or refer us to the right person, place, book, etc. That is how God works ~ through ideas, through new thoughts, and through Its people. If we're stuck in our problems, let's surrender them to this higher order of thinking. Then, let's be patient for the answers to come....because they will come. Today, I commit to turning my little problems over to my big God. Thank you, God. And so it is! With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Wed Mar 17, 2010You can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle in our book section.You can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle in our book section.
~ Seneca Dear Hearts, We often place so much of our valuable energy and time thinking about what others think of us. Our job is to value ourselves enough that we respect our thoughts and actions regardless of what others may think. If our intentions are pure, if we are being honest in our dealings, if we do our best, then that’s what's necessary. We're to be confident in our own self…in our own worth. When we live our lives in such a way that we are continually thinking about what others think of us, we compromise who and what we are. Our job is to follow our heart and to make the best decisions each and every day that we’re capable of doing. Our job is to live our life not act like chameleons that continually change colors simply to blend in. We are called to do what Shakespeare advised, “To thine own self be true.” If others approve… fine if they don't approve...it is their problem, not ours. Each of us is called to fulfill a certain part of life’s magnificent tapestry. In order to do that, we must live an authentic life. We can never be authentic if we’re trying to live our lives according to what others might think of us. Terry Cole-Whittaker said it so well, “What you think of me is none of my business!” Today, let’s live our lives in such a manner that the only place we turn for approval... is within. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Tue Mar 16, 2010You can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book, "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle in our book section.
~ Thomas A Kempis I have never been with a person as they approached the end of their life expressed regret that they had not done more business or that they didn't keep their house cleaner or didn't do more shopping. I have found that the primary concern of individuals as the end of their lives approach is always “Did I love enough?” or “I wish I would have loved more” or “I wish I would have told them I loved them more often”. We don’t have to wait until the end of our life. Let's not confuse our tasks today with our primary purpose. Even though it may seem that our primary purpose is our career whether it be in an office or at home or retirement, our primary purpose is really to bring love to each individual and every situation, whether work or play, that presents itself to us…no matter how challenging or how mundane the task may seem. We are created so that the love of God may be seen, heard, felt and experienced through us. We are here for God…meaning we are here so that the love of God can express through us. When we are about to take our final breath, will we know that we loved fully and completely? If we know that, then we know we have fulfilled the primary purpose for which we were born. Today, I am surrounded by the love of God. I make a conscious choice that wherever I am, whatever I’m doing or whomever I am with; everything I do or say, I will do with great and abiding love. Today is God’s day therfore it is a day of love. Rev. Barbara Mon Mar 15, 2010In our book section, you can orderOprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
John 14:9 Dear Hearts, When people see us today what exactly will they see? Will they see a loving, kind, giving individual who practices integrity in their daily affairs? Or might they see something quite different, depending on the “mood” we’re in. Many people say they can’t help the “mood” there in. However, we know differently. At any moment during our day, we can simply start the day over! How? By taking a new thought. Instead of dwelling in our place of moodiness or anger or sorrow, we can move to the positive side of life. By making a decision to take a “new” thought, we have an opportunity to switch our mood. And if we don’t know how to do that…then let’s simply stop and think of something we’re grateful for. The very breath we’re able to breathe is as good a start as any. We’re alive and get to create this day anyway we choose. We never know how many days we have on the beautiful place called earth. So why waste a day sunk in a “mood”? Life is so precious. When people looked at Jesus, they saw God in action. Why? Because of Jesus’ kindness, compassion, his love for children, his ability to look beyond other’s behavior and see the good within them. Jesus gave us an example of how to show forth the glory of God in our daily lives, So today, what we’ll we choose? We’ll we be kind, giving, compassionate? Will we make a decision to look past another’s behavior and see the goodness within? Will we, at the end of our day, be able to say, "Today, all that have seen me, have seen the love and the light of God, shining through me. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Sun Mar 14, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
-Thomas Jefferson Dear Hearts, Today, if we examine our lives, where would we find our predominant thought pattern? Would it be in the excitement of what the futures holds for us? Or do our predominant thought patterns lie in our past? When we live our lives continually thinking about past events, we are living a passive life, because there is no “life” in the past. The past is done with and over an we can’t change it, no matter how much we would like to. In the great tapestry of life, each one of us are here to fulfill our potential and fulfilling the dreams of our heart allow us to fulfill that potential. When we choose to live in the past, we are not fulfilling the potential for which we are created and our part of the beautiful tapestry of life is unfulfilled. A woman I know had a very difficult time in the past. For many years her past held her captive as that was all she could talk about. One day she told me that she had a dream of finishing her college degree and becoming a teacher. In that moment, she made a decision to stop living in the past and start building her dream…to one day be a teacher. And several years ago, she achieved her goal and has been teaching every since. Affirmation: Today, I no longer allow my past to hold me captive. Instead, I begin to look toward building my dreams and I do so one baby step at a time. Thank you, God, and so it is! With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Sat Mar 13, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Carl Jung Dear Hearts, In Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, “Simple Abundance” she recalls a story that the great Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber would tell about a Hasidic tzaddick or enlightened master, named Rabbi Zusya. Rabbi Zusya often wondered if he were living an authentic life, “If they ask me in the next world, "Why were you not Moses, I will know the answer. But...if they ask me, why were you not Zusya, I will have nothing to say." We often lose our authenticity because we're so busy trying to be all things to all people. We are here to live our authentic purpose… that is to give our unique and special gifts. In the stillness of our heart...what are we called authentically to do...to be? And when we get in touch with that calling...we can begin slowly, one small act at a time to reclaim our authenticity. We often fear the words, “the will of God”. The truth of the matter is the will of God is for one thing only – that we be true to our authentic self. It’s OK to pray for God’s will to be done in our life – because by praying those words, we are praying for support for our authentic self to come forth, to spring to life, to shine, to give its gifts and to reflect the glory of God through our daily living. If someone asks us, "Are you the best and the most authentic you can be?" How would we answer? If the answer is no, perhaps this is the day we become still, listen to our heart and then follow where it leads us… one step at a time. Today, I commit to following my heart and to listen to the still small voice within me, knowing that when I do this, I will never stray from being me. I accept this for me and mine. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Fri Mar 12, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Margaret Anderson Dear Hearts, Probably none of us would disagree with that we want nothing but good for those we love. And...sometimes we mistakenly believe we know what that good is. We feel we know what is good for them to do, to wear, to think, to say, etc. The truth of the matter is we can never know what is truly good for another person! We have a full time job simply trying to discern what is good for ourselves. So today, as we look around at our loved ones, let's allow them the dignity and the acceptance to find what is good for them. It may take much trial and error for those we love to find that good; but let's remember, this is their life, their path to walk, not ours. Our job is to surround them with our love and to continually pray, not for our will to be done in their lives, but for Divine Right Activity to take place in every area of their lives. That kind of love and prayer works does miracles and gives those we love the support and courage to move forward to find and accept what is truly their highest good. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Thu Mar 11, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dali Lama Dear Hearts, Haven’t we all prayed for specific outcomes that never came to pass? The job or promotion went to someone else, the relationship didn’t work, the children went their own way, etc. And we wonder what happened to our prayers? Why weren’t our prayers answered? All great religions teach that God is everywhere present, all knowing and always available. So, the good news is every prayer that has ever been prayed has been heard and despite appearance…all prayer is answered. However, sometimes prayers are answered in far different ways than we expected or in a completely different time frame than we anticipated. Let’s learn to trust the wisdom of the Universe. Each prayer is also a request for God’s action in our lives. So why would God bring forth something into our life (no matter how much we want it) that in the long run isn’t in our best interest and might keep us from growing and unfolding in the highest possible way? Our egos get so attached to outcome...the outcome we want. Let’s remember that God has a plan for our lives. Let’s never doubt that. The next time we pray for a certain outcome and it doesn’t come to pass…that simply means it didn’t come to pass the way we wanted or when we wanted it. That prayer has not been wasted. That prayer is busy working for us, leading and guiding and directing us to what is truly the best, the most uplifting, the most inspiring and that which will help us grow develop and unfold into our greatest yet to be. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara *Job 13:22 Wed Mar 10, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Oprah Winfrey Dear Hearts, Often in times of trouble or sadness we see ourselves through tunnel vision. Our lives seem very small. We feel alone, deserted and in need. It’s as if our life has simply shrunk to fit whatever problems we are facing Our life situation may loom so large, that we feel there is no way of overcoming it. At time such as these, when our lives seem to have collapsed in on us, we forget to ask for help. We have gotten lost in our human life, forgetting that who we are and what we stand on is so much bigger, so much more. That is why being connected spiritually is so important for us. When we have a spiritual practice, on a daily basis we are given the opportunity to remember that there is our human self, but there is our spiritual self that is always so much more. When our human self and spiritual self are united there is nothing that can daunt us. However, we live in a world where without daily spiritual reminders, we forget, we go to sleep, and we fall prey to a belief that we are powerless. If we are feeling alone and lonely today, let’s remember that at our beck and call, there is help. When we sincerely use the words, “God help me.”, we will be amazed at the chain of events that begin to occur in our lives. When our human self is integrated with who we are on the spiritual level, there is nothing can vanquish us, nothing or no-one that can defeat us, because we understand that if God be for us, nothing can be against us. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Tue Mar 09, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth and "The Power of Now".
Marianne Williamson Dear Hearts, As we travel through this day, each interaction we have offers us the opportunity to open our hearts to love…or to close our hearts in fear and judgment. The truth is we’re spiritual beings having a human experience, so our human response is often to shut down, judge and close our heart. As spiritual beings our charge is to remember that our primary purpose on this earth is to love. Unconditional loving is Spiritual Practice at its best. Do we have to approve of, or agree with, what another does? Of course not, but our charge is to love…regardless of what others do. Often times in our lives, we become rigid. If others don’t adhere to the standard we’ve put in place, we close them out of our heart. Perhaps today, we can loosen up and realize that each of us is on our own path, our own journey and doing the best we know in this moment. Today, Life is issuing us a primary challenge and that is to keep our hearts open in love...no matter what. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Mon Mar 08, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Carl Jung Dear Hearts, Haven't each one of us said at some point in time, "I'm not creative". The truth is we are incredibly creative. For moment by moment, we're creating our lives. In India, when a baby elephant is born it's tied with heavy rope to a tree so that the elephant can only move within a certain circumference. After the elephant is three months old, a slender river reed replaces the heavy rope. By now, the elephant is so conditioned to the boundaries that have been set for it, that it never moves outside that circumference even though with the slightest tug it could break the reed and go free. Let's look at our lives. It's easy to believe that the life we're living is "all there is". But just on the other side of the circumference we have drawn for ourselves is a whole new world waiting for us to explore and create. Will this be the day that we break the false belief system that keeps us tied to the proverbial tree? Will this be the day that we move out and create a bigger life for ourselves? That life is beckoning us. With each step we take outside of the life we know now, we begin creating a more adventurous life, a more loving and fulfilling life ~ a life filled with more wisdom and clarity ~ a more joyous life. No one can make the decision for us. What kind of life will we create for ourselves...starting today? Will we be brave enough to step outside of the self imposed boundaries we have established for ourselves? We are the only ones that can answer that question. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Sun Mar 07, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth and "The Power of Now".
Anonymous Dear Hearts, How many times do we get upset over something small and fairly insignificant, and actually go to battle about it? Rather than get caught in the minutia of life’s irritations, we might ask ourselves if this is a battle really worth fighting? We might find that most often it’s not worth the toll it takes on others and ourselves. Let’s remember our purpose in this lifetime. We’re here to love, to create, to be abundant, to find joy & beauty in our everyday life, so why would we want to disrupt our primary purpose to do battle over something that in the long run has little or no meaning? Many of us at one time or another have lost friends because of a battle fought and we can't even remember what the quarrel was about. Life is so short. If we lived each day as though it were our last (and we never know…) would we want to nit pick? Would we want to battle over who’s supposed to do what and when? We're so much more than a petty quarrel. Next time a quarrel arises let’s visualize ourselves rising above that quarrel and either letting it go or resolving it with love and kindness so that everyone is a winner. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Sat Mar 06, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
~ Catherine Ponder Dear Hearts, If we knew there was a Genie following us around each day listening to our words and thoughts and giving us back those words and thoughts as the experience of our life …what would we choose to think and say all day? The truth is we do have that Genie. The Genie’s name is called the Law of Cause and Effect and it never ever fails us. What we put into that Law through our words and thoughts is our Cause...the Effect is our life. It's so easy to get careless and we think and say the very things we don't want in our life... forgetting that these very thoughts and words create the lives that we're leading. If we want to change our lives for the better, then it stands to reason that we need to change our words and thoughts for the better. Right now we can make a decision to begin thinking those thoughts and saying those words that reflect what we wish to experience in our lives. If we want more love, then let’s think loving thoughts and speak loving words. If we want to experience more abundance then let’s begin to think and speak in terms of an abundant life. If we want more joy in our lives, then let’s think joyful thoughts and speak words of joy. Whatever it is that we wish to experience in our lives, the Law of Cause and Effect will grant us ~ it truly is our Genie. God has given us all we need to create a wonderful life...the life of our dreams. let's begin today to think and speak about those things we wish to experience in our lives. And lo and behold, the Genie in our life will respond in kind...and before we know it we will be living the life of our dreams. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Fri Mar 05, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Psalms 27: 1-5 Dear Hearts, When we read the 27th Psalm doesn’t it bring our lives into perspective? Fear creeps into all of our lives so insidiously. Yet we have a great and mighty God that walks with us every step of the way…so whom and what shall we really fear? Faith is the opposite of fear. When we have faith…there’s no room in our lives for fear. Conversely if we are in fear we have no room for faith. Faith reminds us that no matter what circumstances, diagnosis or loss come our way… God is always more. When we feel fear creep in, let’s remember instead of reaching for the fear based thought we can reach for the faith based thoughts that say, “My God is bigger than this. My God is so much more than this. If God be for me, who and what can really be against me?” In the Course of Miracles there is a wonderful quote, “If you knew who walked beside you at all times on this path that you have chosen, you could never experience fear again.” Today, let’s remember who walks beside us and that there is nothing that can daunt us when we are clear that instead of having big problems and a little God...we have a mighty God and little problems. With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Thu Mar 04, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dr. Robert Fulgham Dear Hearts, For the last ten years, I have used the above quote from Dr. Fulgham in every wedding ceremony that I perform. If I could keep only one sentence in my entire ceremony, it would be that sentence, because I feel it will be key to the quality of the couple's marriage. Age and wisdom tell me that during a life together a couple will have many dreams crumble and fall apart. What I know is that it's not what happens to the couple, it will be how the couple chooses to handle what happens to them that will determine the quality of their relationship . If the couple can keep before them the knowledge that behind every broken dream there is another dream waiting to be born and yet another and another, their relationship will continually blossom. It will be up to each of them to move beyond the sadness; the broken heartedness ~ and be open to the next dream which is always one thought away. So may I bless each of us today with this beautiful wedding blessing: "May your dreams come true, and when they don't may new dreams arise for you." With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Wed Mar 03, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Richard Bach Dear Hearts, How often in our day do we argue for our limitaions by using the words I can't? Author Alan Cohen tells us "Some of us have become lawyers for our own persection. We argue to the death for everything we cannot do and then we wonder why we feel limited." Today, let's become aware of every "I can't" we utter. Let's ask ourselves is it the truth - we really can't or is it simply an habitual excuse used to keep us tight with in the boundary of the box that we have created for ourselves? When we catch ourselves saying "I can't" let' ask "Why can't I? We have been made in the image and likeness of a God that has no limits - so any limit we put on ourselves is self-imposed. "I can't love that person, I can't forgive that person, I can't ask for a raise, I can't begin my diet today, I can't start exercising, a litany of I can't." Why not? If this is the first day of the rest of our lives, let's move into "I can" through our possibility thinking. With every "I can" we expand our lives. Pablo Casals said "its never about our IQ level only our "I can" level. What is our "I can” level today? With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara Mon Mar 01, 2010In our book section, you can order Oprah Winfrey's favorite book ~ Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth".
Dan Fogleberg Dear Hearts, One of our great challenges is often to find inspiration in our mundane everyday tasks. How do we find meaning in changing diapers, or doing our repetitive office work, or cooking, or driving, or cleaning or the myriad tasks that we are called on to perform during our daily affairs? The secret is to look beyond the appearance of the task. Beyond the appearance of the soiled diaper is a precious child ~ a gift Life has entrusted to us to care for and nurture. When we're at our office doing what seems like repetitive or boring work, we can realize that this is our opportunity to be of service to others. When we're cooking, we can know that what we're really doing is nurturing and caring for our bodies - for without healthy bodies we have no vehicle in this life. Beyond what seems like wasted time driving is the gift of quiet time...time to pray or listen to our tapes and learn and grow. In God, there is no great or small. So no matter what we do, great or small, if we realize that it’s a way to be of service and give our gifts....then what we do becomes a blessing, a benediction and healing to all concerned including ourselves. Today, we might ask ourselves to fill in this blank with a spiritual purpose, ”I’m doing this because________________.” With love and blessings, Rev. Barbara |