God in our soul

Lady Julian of Norwich is one of the mystics I love to read. She was the first woman to write a book in English, and she is one of the highly regarded mystics. I am sharing this quote from her:

The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate, for in us is his home of homes, and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there... The soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated.

This idea is also in the New Testament such as John 14:20 - On that day, you will know that you are in me and I am in you.

I also am thinking of the quote in Luke where Jesus says that we've looked everywhere, but the kingdom of God is within.

These all point to what we need to do, awaken to that which already is. Contemplation, prayer, and various meditative practices done regularly can whisk away the clutter that has led us to look all over the place for God.

We find God simply by awakening to God within. We can be in a redwood forest, a seaside pile of sand, our homes or wherever. There is no rigmarole required. There are no special garments required. There are no dietary requirements. We don't have to be perfect for we are forgiven. We just have to look where what we want can be found -- in our very own souls -- now -- forever -- there!

Oh God of my soul, of all souls, lead me inward. Guide me on the journey to fully awaken. I come surrendered to Your Guidance. Lead me.

Cosmic Christ

I've just been listening on YouTube an interview of Fr. Robert Rohr on the Cosmic Christ. And a new slant on an idea, to me anyway, was expressed.

On the first day the Light described in Genesis was the Cosmic Christ. So many places in the New Testament mention the Christ being from the beginning.

Just as I've often said (as did Rohr), Christ is not the last name of Jesus. Jesus became the anointed one, the Christ. He was able to shine the Christ though his physical vehicle with no distortion. People met God in him.

From the Desert Fathers, Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Jacob Boehme, Thomas Acquinas to Teilhard de Chardin and more recently Matthew Fox and Richard Rohr - the Cosmic Christ has been discussed and it was known that it has been always. The first body of Christ is creation. As Celtic Christianity speaks, we read God in scripture and in creation.

If we settle for a smaller understanding, we miss the inner message and the direct experience that Paul spoke of, The Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Thankful I Am

This Thanksgiving was overflowing with blessings. We were able to be with our daughter, her husband, her two girls (aka granddaughters) and one boyfriend plus a huge number of our son in law's family members. All was in a lovely home high in the hill overlooking Temecula. The food was fantastic. Nothing could have been nicer.

I am feeling a shift in the force, one might say. After a long, dreary, but faith and hope-filled time in several valleys, sprouts of newness emerge. Lord, shine your Light upon the sprouts peeking up and help them to grow and flower and express in fullness. May this be the time of our freedom from that which bound and be the time of freedom to do and be as You Call us. Help us to remember that no matter how something appears, there are Your seeds about ready to sprout. Your Love is with us always. Your Guidance whispers always. Help us to see and hear that which already IS.

As I used to say as part of my benediction, Something wonderful is happening right now...

God Wins - Richard Rohr

I've been reading his books with fascination. I started watching some of his YouTube posts, which I love. This little 4 minute one is pretty much my take on hell, devil, etc. Hope you click on it.

Serve

In the final analysis, life is about service to others. I shudder to think of the hours wasted focusing on myself rather than reaching out to do what I'm called to do to make a positive difference on this planet. The funny thing about giving is that it creates a perfect loop so that giving and receiving are the same thing. For example - I give you a quilt I made out of love and want you to have. I don't want money or anything for it. I want to give it to you. Your joy and gratitude come back to me and complete the loop. In giving I receive. But the rub is I cannot give in order to manipulate receiving - that fizzles out and backfires. I must give purely because that is who I am. Unconditional giving and unconditional love freely given are what we are called to do in our spiritual journey. Yes, even to the irascible, difficult and downright screwed up; even though there does not seem to be any benefit to you; even though you don't want to - as said below - do it anyway.

I love what I've put below!!!

On the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta is this quote:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

The Lepers

Imagine the 1st century when lepers were thought to be unclean, unable to be part of society, outcasts doomed to wear torn clothes and wild hair to warn people they were lepers so stay clear.

Along comes Jesus who not only talks to them, he touches them and heals them. Try to imagine the spinning heads of the upright. But also imagine what it meant to a person so hated and dreaded to be suddenly cared about and touched for the first time since becoming ill. Not only their bodies, but also their hearts were uplifted.

Who can we uplift today? Who can we reach out to? We need to remember ourselves too. We need to become whole so that we can shine more of God's Light. What part of ourselves can we touch with love and lift up?

I am so thankful to have come to know that God is with us and all is well between us.

Fruit

Jesus told us that the results tell so much when he told us that by our fruits we are known. We are told that the fruits of the Spirit are signs of holiness. People may bluster, people may spout this or that theology, but it is the fruit by which we are known and by which we can discern how we are doing on The Path.

Love - Joy - Peace - Patience - Kindness - Generosity - Faithfulness - Gentleness - Self-Control--- these are the fruits of the spirit according to Richard Rohr and Paul. Look for these things in ourselves. Look honestly.

I look at this list and see myself and also see that I still falter and am not constantly radiating all of the above. I need to honestly look at myself and let go where I am less than what I am called to be. Let go and let God be God in and through me. That is my prime goal.

So back to contemplation, silence, being, revealing, releasing, opening, listening, ising.