Resurrection

 Christ himself does not act as a dead or passive point of convergence, but as a centre of radiation for the energies which lead the universe back to God through his humanity, the layers of divine action finally come to us impregnated with his organic energies... In it we recognise an omnipresence which acts upon us by assimilating us in it, in unitate corporis Christi.  --- Teilhard  de  Chardin, "The Divine Milieu"

The 1st thing that stood out to me this morning in the above quote is the word radiation. I had just read an article about new scientific research on the Shroud of Turin which basically says the image was created by radiation in a way unknown to us. The  writer of the article felt that it validated the shroud as having been the burial wrappings of Jesus Christ. If true that it was radiation that created the image, this is an astounding result, an earth shattering reveal about the shroud.

 Teilhard de Chardin  of course did not have access to modern studies at the shroud. His reference to radiation however was interesting to me. He goes on to say that we get infused, impregnated with the divine energies. It is reminiscent to me of Paul speaking of putting on Christ, the Christ within, and his various Cosmic Christ references. Paul seemed to move away from the person of Jesus. He wrote practically nothing about his life and teachings. But he went on to experience and write about a more Cosmic Christ whose energy we can reach. take on, incorporate in us, and be ncorporated into.

It is the general mystical idea of Unitive experience. In general this is the aim, whether realized consciously or not, of all spiritual practice. In other words we come to live in the idea and experience of Oneness - Oneness with God, Oneness with all life, part of the Cosmic Flow.

Perhaps this is our personal resurrection. In Oneness We live a new kind of life We know who we are and what we are about. The veil has become thin. We live a tune to the infinite.

May you find your way to this place this Easter season. God bless you!

Divine Milieu

 I am enjoying Reading The "Divine ilieu",  I I want to share with you today some ideas that came to me while reading his book.

 One, he says that our intention behind anything that we do is important.  Whether it's a small thing or a major thing, our intention permeates it and sets its character. It is important that we don't do things from an ego position but from, as far as possible, an unselfish, and God centered perspective. 

 Also, he focuses on the importance of our development of our souls.  Everything we think, say, and do either develops our souls or diminishes our souls. I have often said that earth  Is a school for souls, sometimes a mountain climbing school, and we are to flex our spiritual muscles here and develop ourselves in a unique situation that we find on earth in the 3rd dimension. It is a privilege and and an honor to be given the gift of life on earth. 

Some come here and forget. They bat their heads against the walls of earth's challenges and wail and scream, sometimes becoming violent. But some see this opportunity is a challenge and dig into it and do their best, thereby they develop their souls, And oftentimes make a positive difference for others as well as themselves. 

Just a small shift in perspective can change our experience while here in earth. To see this is an exciting challenge, an opportunity to develop our souls, a gift from God, leads us to live a different kind of life than the life of those who resist the exciting opportunities and challenges offered here on earth just for us.

Discovering Spirit and Healing Our Shattered World

 Rufus Jones said, "We shall not be able to rebuild our shattered world until we recover Our faith in eternal realities and we shall not do that until we discover spirit within ourselves."

This past weekend I led a retreat entitled "Practice the Presence of God." I began the retreat By asking everyone to pick a number between 1 and 14 because  I wanted them to learn to listen within and select something they felt guided to choose. 

I have discovered That most people, when they speak of regrets, say I knew I shouldn't have done that. How did they know? Because they had guidance, but they didn't listen to it.

I chose 14 quotes from 14 different mystics that have influenced my life. I told them to intuitively to pick the one that was right for them for today. Then I handed out the paper that had all 14 quotes, and told them they could contemplate the other ones as they felt led in coming day,s but today they had one that was their mystic. Everyone reported after the exercise that they indeed had picked the perfect one for them.

The beginning quote on this entry , from Rufus Jones, was one of the 14. Rufus was a Quaker mystic, and I deeply love his writings. Part of the purpose is to train ourselves to realize the Holy Spirit is always speaking, always guiding, and the thing we need to do is to be still so we can hear it and then follow it.

We are part of this shattered world.  We can begin to heal our own shattered mess. ,In fact we cannot help heal a shattered world, if we are shattered ourselves. I can just hear someone thinking that they wonder what exactly does she mean by shattered? Fractured -  unfocused - fragmented - inconsistent - broken - ineffective -  insecure - all or some if these.

what to do? Begin some regular spiritual practices for a starter. We began with Lectio Divina._So begin with me with the quote above. Read 'it slowly at least five times. Close your eyes, let those words fill your mind. Be with them five minutes or so. Then write in journal for five minutes without censoring what you write. Just write. Then read what you wrote.

Do this everyday with a quote that has some meaning to you or you'd like to understand the meaning. It could be from scripture or poetry or the writings of some enlightened person. And in a short time you'll discover that wisdom is coming to you, that you know more than you knew on your own. And in a short time you'll discover that wisdom is coming to you because you joined with the Holy Spirit. Once you experience this, you'll realize you're never alone, and the shattered pieces are coming together to form a beautiful you.

Prophetic Wisdom

 Jesus’ own Wisdom teaching was not a doctrine of ascetic renunciation, but rather an invitation to reckless self-abandon to love. Jesus modeled a life of faithful surrender to the unpredictable movement of the divine Spirit. --- The Gospel of Q, Jesus' Prophetic Wisdom 

 When we examine the teaching of Jesus that we know about, we see his instruction about how to be, how to live, what to be. We do not see a description of what we have to believe,  or of any dogma in particular, other than love and surrender to God's Way.

His teaching is very much aligned with the wisdom teachings of the ages. Of course he has his unique view of it. In agreement with most wisdom traditions, he includes time apart, being still, emptying of the little self, listening to God's voice, following God's guidance, being good to everyone, and continually trying to be a better person. 

I recommend the book from which I took the quote at the top of this entry. Q is generally agreed upon by the majority of Biblical scholars to be the document that Matthew and Luke used for the material they have in them but it is not in Mark. In this book he pulls out that material, so you can read it all together, and so you can see the great wisdom and teaching that he's offering and calling us to. 

I think throughout history some, maybe many,  have belabored and mutilated some of his points, so that it's hard to know what he really taught.  It is thought that Q was written between the year 50 and 70, so, if this is accurate, it predates the Gospels. 

Even before I knew about Q, I was particularly drawn to the parts that turned out to be from Q. I find this material from Q has been the guiding light of my life. I hope it will be for you too. It cuts through the murky twists and turns of theology, back to a time before speculation distorted Jesus: precious message.  Just maybe this gives us a glimpse closer to sitting at his feet. 

How Many Moons?

In every puddle , in every lake , In every ocean, and in every. body of  water  there is a reflection of the moon each night. Yet there is only one moon orbiting our earth.

So it is with God. There is one Supreme Divine Energy reflected in all beings, all creation. 

It is up to us to clean out all sludge accumulated in us so that we can clearly shine that light. 

Forgive, release, take charge of thoughts, words and deeds, spend time in silence, send send deep roots into the Infinite One. 

You will thereby be the best person you can be. The Light of God will shine without distortion through you. And you will realize all, everyone is sacred, seeded with this Light. All will be well 

The Gopel of Truth

 The place to which they extend their thoughts is their root, which elevates them through all levels to the Father. --- The Gospel of Truth

In 1947 ancient writings From the very beginnings of Christianity were dug up in the deserts in Egypt They became known as the Nag Hammadi find, and later  were called Gnostic Gospels, although not all of them were exactly Gnostic. The Gospel of Truth is one of those ancient manuscripts. 

There is so much in this Gospel that is fascinating. I am currently rereading it and discovering gems that are meaningful. The above quote struck me this morning. Is the root in us reaching to God through thought, word, and deed, which grounds us in spiritual principles? As we extend and stretch our roots into the spiritual domain, we are fed, guided, and lifted. All of life is different. 

 A question to ask ourselves then, Is what are the predominant thoughts and words and deeds we are engaging in regularly in our  lives?  Are we focused on the trivia of life, the outer of life, ultimately meaningless things? Or are we rooted in the More?  Are we simply skimming the surface? Are we sinking our roots deep?

The prophet's words come to mind, "Like A tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved."

 

Coming Soon - Watch for My New Book

 

It Is Who We Are That Matters

 

you still ought to strive in every effort towards goodness, but this is not reliant upon what one does or the nature of work itself, but upon how one is, for such is the ground of all works. --- Meister  Eckhart

 When we come from pure goodness inside of our minds and hearts, whether we do small things or large things, they are blessed and a blessing because they come from a pure heart, a good heart. Who we are cannot help but show up in all we do. 

 Therefore, if we come with inside anger toward people or criticism or negative energy, if we are manipulating and have ulterior motives, no matter what it is we do, it's going to be distorted in a negative way. It will definitely not turn out to be a blessing either to ourselves or to others, for our shadow will show up and sour what we do. 

As Meister Eckhart said in the quote above, it depends on who one is. I think he is correct. Which leads us to contemplate how we can make our selves right inside so that we are doing things that are Good and come from the ground of our being that is good? How can we heal our issues and our traumas and our fears and pains that we carry inside of ourselves and serve as a distorting lens to all that we think and feel and do?

My experience tells me that we have to have intention to do that healing work inside of ourselves. We have to give up our excuses. We have to get clear that our target is to be a clean clear avenue of God's work here in this world. We need to be committed o do what healing work needs to be done inside of ourselves. 

 A simple beginning includes monitoring our thinking. Whenever we think a negative judgmental or angry thought, stop immediately and turn it around and think something positive and healing and uplifting. Choose to align our thinking and speaking to what we know is right and good and holy.

 As we gain control of our own minds, then our actions begin to change. We notice that service is an important aspect of spiritual growth. We realize that we're not alone here on this planet, for we share it with all life. And so we expand our hearts to include everyone in this planet, and find ways that we can lift maybe just 1 person, and then maybe 10. As we grow in our hearts to be more and more good and pure, life changes, doors open, understanding expands. It is a kind of rebirth. 

Perhaps this is one of our purposes for coming to earth. We seem separate from one another, yet we are in another way one, one people, inhabitants of one planet. Just maybe we are accountable for what we do here, and who we become is important. I completely Believe that each of us were created on purpose with a purpose.

I invite you to think on these things.

 

Women In Church

  Just looking historically, In the Jewish tradition, women were not allowed to participate as leaders. In the time of Jesus there was some loosening in the Roman world where women were able to excel in certain areas,  especially the upper class women. Of course the poor women of the low classes worked, it was a necessity. 

In some ways Jesus broke the mold of bias against women. Contrary to Jewish tradition, he talked to women in public, scandiously to women he didn't even know or who were of ill repute, and he had women friends, as well as some women in his following.

Paul praised women, even calling one of them an apostle. And he declared that in Christ there is no male or female slave or free etc. His writings seem to argue both directions, but mostly it's because of pseudo Pauline writings.   Later works that were written in his name, but not written by him, such as the Timothy s and Titus, spoke harshly against women doing anything in church.

In the beginning of the Jesus Movement, some women had a fairly prominent role, at least more than in most society. But by the end of the second century, that was obliterated. 

That was one of the points of debate among the orthodox and the Gnostic leaders. The orthodox position was very patriarchal, arguing that God was male, and they argued from Genesis two rather than Genesis 1. Gnostics argued from Genesis one, and they placed women, for the most part in places where they rose and were encouraged to become prophets and to participate in the sacraments, even lead the sacraments,  and also preach. This was pne of the reasons the orthodox were horrified and declared them heretics. Plus the Gnostics saw God as the masculine and feminine principle. Being creative by birthing all of creation was the feminine aspect, and thinking it up in the 1st place was the male aspect.

There were other distinctions of course. For More details, I recommend Elaine Pagel's book on the "Gnostic Gospels".

The orthodox thinkers and leaders called everyone who disagreed with them heretics and in some cases put severe penalties upon them, even imprisoning them or having them executed. The early orthodox writings used extremely negative violent words and of actions upon those who disagreed with them, excommunication, shunning, even torture. The leaders had gosoels they did not like burned, and those hiding them punished. 

It took centuries for women to gain agency in churches again. Even today there are some churches who do not know history Do not recognize the origins of the Jesus movement as pro or at least inclusive of the feminine.. As late as the 1970's, the Pope stated unequivocably that women could not participate fully as "our Lord was a man." And so still in some churches today, not just Catholic, women are a subservient and substandard species not able to lead or preach or teach. Some profess women must be subservient.to men. 

History Can be our teacher, if we pay attention to it. I think it's time that we let go of the ancient irrational patriarchy and realize God created us all, male and female.

Hear My Talk/Sermon

 To hear and see my Sunday Sermon

Go to either Facebook or YouTube

Temecula United Methodist Church

February 15-2026

"The Gift of the Mountain "

It was my honor to be invited to speak. 

I pray it touches and lifts you. 

Letting Go

  A friend once said, That everything she ever released had claw marks on it, because she held onto it so tightly even while trying to let it go.

Sometimes in life we have no choice but to let go. My longest and dearest friend died Saturday night. I have to let her go for she's no longer here. It's sometimes hard. In many ways I'm happy for her because she had so many physical problems and was in such agony. It is really a relief that she is free and no longer in pain and suffering. My reluctance to let go was about me not about her. My grief is about the hole left in my heart, while my joy is about her happiness that she is free now and having a grand adventure.

Sometimes it seems that we humans have a hard time letting go. We have a hard time with change.   When we hold on to negative things such as  anger, resentment, negative memories, ETC, we are eally hurting ourselves.We're hurt by our resistance and own negative thoughts and fears, negative charges running through our bodies and holding us back. The most spiritual thing we can do with that is to live in the moment and release the past - because in the one moment where we are alive and breathing, we can be the best person we can, touch the presence of G,od. We can be guided. We can remember we are whole and holy.

Ultimately we come to remember that one of our prime missions in life is to learn unconditional love toward ourselves and toward all other people. Opening ourselves to love unconditionally opens us to awareness that we are living in the presence of God, realizing we're not alone, realizing that we have guidance available, that we are loved unconditionally, and we should pass that love on.

Instead of holding on to the past or to the stories of how we wish it was, let us learn to let go and live fully and gloriously in each moment. We can't change the past But we can make the moment that we are alive the moment where we are, the second in between seconds, that glorious moment make it a moment of love. Let's go forth today and shine that love, let the light of love lift us and lift everyone who comes in contact with us. What a wonderful day you're going to have God bless you.

Knowledge, Where Does It Lead?

 This morning it occurred to me the huge difference between knowledge of something and use of that knowledge.  A simple example - reading a recipe, understanding the ingredients and directions, and putting it down and never making it. Versus then actually making the recipe, sharing the results and enjoying eating it. 

For those of us on a spiritual quest, the example can also apply. There is a difference between reading, say the Sermon on the Mount, understanding what is asked of followers of Jesus, and putting it down without actually applying it in our lives. 

Christians are criticized for being hypocrites. Reading the Bible, going to church, wearing a cross does not make one a Christian. Going out and bad mouthing someone, being harsh and judgemental, being unforgiving and not shining unconditional love tells the world and God you are Christian in name only. You know God's recipe for living His Way, but you don't implement it in your life. 

If we want to really awaken spiritually, want to make a difference with our lives, be responsible with the gift of life, we need to examine our own lives and get to applying what makes us actually a follower of The Way. 

How Do We Approach Problems/Opportunities?

 In meditation this morning I saw the anger and strife erupting all over the world.

A question presented itself  - Where are the spiritual leaders leading with spiritual principles?

Where are large groups praying for us to remember we are one human family, praying for peace and understanding, for win/win solutions, for ways to live the things we know to be the highest and best?

Where are the great teachers reminding us we are accountable for what we do on earth?

Where is the spiritual response? Where are the potential leaders that are to remind us of who we are, to speak of higher choices, to awaken us out of ego's dream that leads to destruction?

Oh wondrous God, awaken Your people. Awaken visionaries to lead us out of the trap we have fallen into, helped to create. Open us to Your solutions, to the ways we need to think and act to move the future to higher ground. Inspire us. Open our eyes and ears and hearts. Save us from ourselves. Tap just the right people to speak and lead us to spiritual sanity while there is still time.  May the highest and best prevail. Amen

Cooperation Factor

 

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. --- Teresa of Avila

How profound is this little quote!  It might seem like a new idea here in the 21st century, but it goes at least as far back asTeresa in the 1500's. 

Consider what a friendship entails. In general, it includes trust, support, cooperation, communication, and shared experiences that build deep bonds, among other things. Prayer (and I would add meditation and contemplation) helps us develop all of these aspects of friendship with God, with The More.

The more in tune with God we are, the greater our trust in God. The primary way we get in tune with The Infinite is prayer. We feel supported as we experience the Presence in our prayer time, and this support carries us throughout the day.

We may not have thought of cooperation, but it seems to me that we have to do our part in this relationship. We need to cooperate with the things asked of a person in relationship with God. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive, judge not, take care of others, show mercy as mercy is shown to us, let our light shine, etc.  When I think of cooperation, one of the scriptures that also comes to me is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and the goats. I urge you to re-read it today. It is a clear picture of what is asked of us. As we share in God's work here on earth, it changes us.

Add cooperation into your equation of how to live spiritually, and something truly amazing will unfold. All aspects of your relationship with God will expand and deepen. And just maybe, if enough of us do it, it will change everything for the better, helping to create the long-held vision of the kingdom of God on earth.

Bread and Wine

The wine  is the wine of divine wisdom. The bread is the bread of life: these nourish the soul and enlighten the mind of the spiritual body.   --- Origin

 First, concerning the cup. We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine, David thy Son, which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.And concerning the broken bread. We thank thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.  -- The Didache

 We see from early teachings a different view of the Eucharist than is common later on.  

It makes more sense, particularly when we consider the Jewish understanding of blood, for example, having to be drained from an animal before cooking it.  The idea of drinking blood and eating flesh would have been abhorrent. It still is abhorrent. 

I think the early ideas above would make the experience more meaningful. 

Knwing God Is Not Just a Mystical Event

My love of the mystics and my own mystical experiences are something I cherish. And, knowing God can be practical as well.

Yesterday I decided to wear to church the pearl ring L.B. gave me our first Christmas so long ago. I tell the story in my book I hope to publish soon. He was the father of our children and a great love. He had an aneuyrism in his brain Christmas 1976 and died on New Year's Day 1977. This ring was all I had left from him because of Gilbert's disasters (see entries starting in April, 2025)

I stopped at the car wash and a grocery store after church. I was putting away the groceries and realized the ring was not on my finger. I panicked. I looked everywhere I had been in the apartment and in the trash and recycle bag, retraced my steps, and thorouhly checked my car. Then I texted several people to see if they had seen it at a church, called the car wash and grocery store. 

I cried deep grief. I had lost so much.  Not this precious reminder of love too, please God NO. I prayed and prayed - God You know where it is. Lead me to it, bring it to me.

Finally, I went to bed after 11, so exhausted I couldn't even pray anymore. I woke up praying, and I had an irresistible urge to look in the recycling in the kitchen, even though I had gone through it yesterday. Nothing. Then I saw the crumpled-up plastic bag that friends at church had given me, filled with their homegrown lemons. I had looked in it too yesterday, but I now had a strong, strong urge to do so again. I looked and saw nothing. I ran my hand through it and felt a lump under the fold in the corner. I turned it out, and there was my ring!

Yes, God, I was almost hysterical yesterday, even though I prayed. You just showed me, again, that You are here with me in large and small moments. Thank You, Thank You!!!!! 

If I had focused on that Truth, I could have saved myself a pile of emotional turmoil. But, it did show me how raw I still am over all of the losses due to Gilbert. There is definitely more healing to do. Scratch the surface, and tears lurk there.

Dear and Wondrous God, my heart is overflowing in joy and gratitude for the return of my pearl ring from L.B. What a powerful lesson, and what a powerful reminder of the need for more healing.

I ask that You guide me to find the way out of this valley of darkness and grief. Help me release Gilbert fully to You. Help me to release my treasures so that the pain is neutralized. I am thankful that I once had them, and I do miss them so. I realize I shall never have them physically again as they are scattered to the winds via the auctions. Please grant me peace.

I am incredibly thankful to know You hear my prayer and are always with me. I give thanks in advance for my healing.

I release this all to You as I seal it with the ancient seal of faith and integrity, Amen, Amen and Amen.

The Second Coming

For two thousand years, Christians have been waiting for the second coming of Christ. Predictions of the day have come and gone countless times. People have given away all of their possessions and eagerly awaited the appearance in magical clouds with angels and trumpets. But, as we know, that has not happened.

Over the years, I have pondered this escatology. It seems more in line with Greek and Roman gods than with the Jesus I know in the Sermon on the Mount.

I have done a lot of study, trying to understand the first century, trying to get back to the original Jesus before speculations from men piled upon him and hardened into dogma - before the fights and intrigue, and sometimes murder and war over theological ideas.

Dr. James Tabor suggests the closest we can come to the historical Jesus is Q (the material in Matthew and Luke and not in Mark), the book of James, and the Didache. These are before the Pauline idea took hold that it was only about his death and resurrection, not about his life and teaching. Q is the Sermon on the Mount and on the Plain, parables, one liners, etc. It is the Jesus that has framed my life.

I have a theory about the second coming, maybe a stretch for you who are "reular" Christians. In Luke Jesus says that you have looked "lo here and lo there" but the Kingdom is within you. I think the second coming is when we open our hearts to the teachings of Jesus, letting them guide our lives, doing our best to be like him, letting the Divine Light of Christ fill us,  lead us, and instruct us. It is when we become followers of The Way, the Sacred Way, so much so that we embody it.

When we say "Marantha" - we really say come into my heart Lord Jesus. 

The Two Ways - The Didache

 Once upon a time, I read of the Didache, and I recently decided to download a copy so I could read it. What is it you might ask? It is basically a first-century instruction manual for new Christians, mentioned in ancient writings, but no copy was extant in modern times. That is, until 1873 when a copy was discovered in the library of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople. It generated a lot of excitement in scholars, theologians, and lay people alike. It was written as early as 50 CE! It bridged a gap of silence between then and the early writers, often called church fathers, in the middle and late second century and on.

This morning, I decided to open it and begin reading. The beginning chapters are about the two ways - The Way of Life vs The Way of Death. There are similarities to the Qumran community writings of the contrast between light and darkness, truth and falsehood.

Flashing before my mind came my Genine vs Impostor values that I have just been sharing on this blog. I thought they were heavily inspired by Aristotle's book on Ethics, but - they also somehow seem directly related to the Didache's Two Ways!

Not that the Didache has a long list, but the lists it has are in harmony with "my" lists, plus two ways are the same concept.

Did I somehow tap into this very early Christian way? Did I read it in the past, and it came up expanded from my subconscious? Did God inspire me to write them to bring the Two Ways to more eyes and hearts?

I don't know the answer, and it feels significant.

If you are interested in all of this, please do download the Didache (pronounced DidaKay) or buy a copy and see what you think.