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Ripples into the World

“I want to remind us all that the world is listening, all the time. How we are ripples out from us into the world and affects others. We have a responsibility – an ability to respond – to the world. Finding our particular way of living this responsibility, of offering who we are to the world, is why we are here. We are called because the world needs us to embody the meaning in our lives. God needs us awake. The world we live in is a co-creation, a manifestation of individual consciousness woven into a collective dream. How we are with each other as individuals, as groups, as nations and tribes, is what shapes that dream. “ — Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Spiritual Beings

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Teilhard had a profound effect of me as a college student, being required reading in a college theology class called The God Man Christian Experience. Not the Old Testament class or the professor I expected. I was being forced to think and see things in new ways and I wasn’t ready to let go of the old ones. Let’s just say I was not pleased.

But that class ended up being life changing for me. It laid a foundation to help me find way to where I am now on my spiritual journey even though there were a few detours. And it all began with the words, “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

We never know who the wayshowers in our life will be or when and how they will show up. Let’s be open to their appearance and willing to follow.

Compassionate Action

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members.” — Coretta Scott King

I have been blessed during my life to be a part of strong communities. Although they were each different the one thing they all had in common was “the compassionat action of its members.” We all genuinely cared and looked out for each other.

My first experience with this kind of community was church. I grew up in a church where we were family. I had spiritual brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents who looked out for me.

Growing up with this type of community I thought all churches were this way. I was shocked when I realized that was not the case.

I have also experienced community in “outsider” groups. People who just don’t fit in the world can come together to form their own communities. There can be strong bonds in these groups.

I am concerned that these types of communities are disappearing. I have watched as the compassionate actions of communities have been considered bad things. I’m not talking about a controlling hierarchy, I am talking about people who genuinely care for each other.

Mrs. King was a wise woman in the company of her husband Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who spoke of “the beloved community,” Mohatma Ghandi, the Buddha, Jesus and others who throughout history have tried to show us the way. May we seek to create communities of compassionate action as we follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us.

Something Revolutionary

“Something revolutionary happens in the heart when you recognize that every single person you will ever meet is made in the image of God.” – Jackie Hill Perry

This can be a difficult statement to live. It is much easier to dislike, blame or even hate someone we see as an outsider, bad or even evil. But if we are going to change the world, this is how we do it. Every person we meet is made in the image of God. Everyone.

Not everyone will be our best friend. But we can see the image of God within them, even if they do not.

There is blessing that says,

I/we love you,.

I/we bless you.

I/we appreciate you.

I/we behold the Christ in you.

Some groups change that last line to “just the way you are. I still say “I behold the Christ in you”, because sometimes we cannot see the Christ, the presence of God within ourselves. We are beloved children created in the image and likeness of God. All of us. Whether we believe it or live like it.

The Friday Affirmation

There is joy and beauty in every day.

Let us affirm together. There is joy and beauty in this and every day.

Thoughts, Fear and Beliefs

“Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs.” – Marianne Williamson

Even One Voice

When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. —Malala Yousafzai

You may not be familiar with her name but Malala Yousafzai rose up as an advocate for education for girls in Pakistan at the age of 12. This couragous young girl just wanted to learn. For this she was shot in the head. But she survived and in 2014 she joined her family in the UK, graduating from Oxford University in 2020. She continues working for education and equality for women and girls.

God in the Simple Things

“I understand once again that the greatness of God always reveals itself in the simple things.” – Paulo Coelho

Living at the lake I see this truth demonstrated every day. The sunrise and sunset, the singing of birds, the presence of wildlife, the kindness of neighbors and the little girl who calls out “Hi Miz Genie,” all reveal the presence of God.

What simple things reveal the presence of God to you?

The First Step

“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” — Rosa Parks

Many years ago I voluteered in a kindergarten classroom. I still remember how inspired the children were by the story of Rosa Parks. They all knew the story and could tell it. Her example of dignity and peaceful protest inspired them to be the best they could be even when faced with racism and bigotry. Ms Parks was a wayshower for those young children as an example of non violent protest. We never know who is watching us as we go through life and how it may influence them. Let us live as wayshowers shining our light out into the world.