Starry Messengers

 

Dear Friends,

August is my favorite time of year to stargaze in Vancouver, partly due to the annual meteor showers, and partly because there is a good chance of clear skies in the evening, when, even in the city, one can see the major constellations and perhaps even a planet or two.

We know from mainstream science that the starlight we see has in fact begun its journey thousands, if not millions of years ago. What we are seeing therefore, are messages from the past, reaching us in the present.

Ancient astronomers from many different cultures studied the stars and their movements in a desire to make future predictions. A similar argument could be made for the study of archaeology, geology, etc. What is the past, being revealed in the present, trying to tell us about the future? That is to say, what lessons are there for us to learn? What are the stars trying to tell us?

We can try to live only for the present, that is, to remain in stasis, or we can choose to participate in the future advancement, or evolution, of the Human Being, AND the Earth, in a positive way. We can try to stand still and do nothing, to look the other way, to gaze down, as the saying goes, at our navels. The fact is, change is always happening, whether we wish it or not. We are as much a part of nature as the plants and animals. Even the topography of the earth changes over time.  We can choose to look up and around us and make a decision to work towards the future. We can choose to work with nature, to ensure a sustainable future for new generations.

We do not even have to look that far back in history, only 100 years, to see that what happened then is being repeated now in many areas – economic, financial, geopolitical, and in nature. For example, in the 1930s, the Prairies became a giant dustbowl where nothing could grow. There was no food and there were no jobs. In desperation, countries turned upon each other, resulting in the deaths of millions of people around the world through violence and epidemics.

The signs are all around us that history is repeating itself; in other words, we are moving in circles. Dear Lord, help us to boldly chart a new course, to break out of old patterns. Guide our footsteps, that together, we can co-create a future of inherent humanity, compassion, kindness, understanding and cooperation. Let us be mindful of the lessons from the past. Let us consider the consequences of our actions for future generations It is our task, and our destiny, to prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of the Christ, and the creation of the New Jerusalem.

Sparky

BREATHING IN, BREATHING OUT, PART II

 

In the northern hemisphere in winter, as nature rests, the seeds in the ground receive nourishment from the cosmos (as do we).

In springtime, as the sun warms the ground, the seeds begin to sprout upward, seeking the Light. In addition, deciduous trees and shrubs burst into leaf and flower. From my windows, a sheltering green canopy greets me every day, providing a barrier from noise and pollution.

Not far from my home, is a salmon bearing river, a tributary to the mighty Fraser River. Along the river one can find a portion of the Trans Canada Trail. In the summer heat, it is a refuge, shaded by trees and cooled by the freshness of the fast-flowing water, fed by melting mountain snow.

One can imagine the Consecration of the Human Being as a process of breathing in and breathing out. During the sacrament, we are privileged to partake in the conscious breathing in of the Holy Spirit. Then it is up to us to breathe out into the world on a daily basis, this spirit of unconditional love. The more often you are able to make this sacrament a regular part of your life, the more you can come to realize and appreciate this process.

Make the giving of unconditional love a regular practice in your life, like breathing in and breathing out, for we need it now, more than ever.

If you live in a plant zone that allows for rhododendrons to grow, I wonder if you have noticed the red flowering ones in particular this year. When the sun shines, they are positively glowing. To me, it is a confirmation that, the greater the adversity we face, the ever brighter the Light of the Spirit shines…

 

𝅘𝅥𝅮 Shine Sun Spirit with Thy Radiant Light 𝅘𝅥𝅮

Sparky

COME UNTO ME

 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 My heart was very heavy the past year, watching my daughter battle a potentially fatal illness, compounded by an underlying bone marrow disease, and the effects of radiation therapy. Eventually, she got to a point where the doctors said she only had days to live, and she was given the sacrament of last anointing in hospital. Amazingly, exactly a week later, on the winter solstice, she and her boyfriend were wed in the hospital, with much help from the hospital foundation and her community mommies group.

Just over a month later, she was well enough to go home, even though the doctors had not yet been able to fix any of the problems. She is still with us, by the grace of God, but we know she is on borrowed time.

What changed during that time?

Primarily of course, it was my daughter herself. She refused to give up, while at the same time, she recognized the need to begin to prepare for approaching the threshold.

Once she was well enough to go home, I had to do some soul searching myself. I concluded that the best thing I could do was to ask for this burden to be lifted from me and trust in God. My brooding needed to be put aside so that positive, healing energy could enter. It was a little like holding an umbrella to keep the rain off, when the sun was trying to shine.

Many different approaches have confirmed that when one can focus on the positive, it is much easier to receive positive energy. You can call it good vibrations, karma, or the Law of Attraction, or simply stepping aside to allow the Holy Spirit to do its work. It could also be called standing firm in the center of the I, as the storm rages on. No matter what happens, I know she is being held in the arms of the Lord.

 In God we trust.

 With deep gratitude to our caring and dedicated health care workers, and the support of family and friends.

 

  But if doubting and darkness, in the heart hold sway, then is banished from the soul the Light of         day.

 Sparky

REVELATIONS

The Spirit is always on the move, through all human beings, all nations, at all times, seeking those who can hear Christ’s message. Our times are biblical times, just as they were for those living thousands of years ago, and will be for those living thousands of years in the future. What will history write about us?

What was that sudden rush of wind that blew through my soul, ruffling my feathers, while I sat quietly one day in church? I surreptitiously looked around, but no one else seemed to be affected. My hair and clothing were still in place. Perhaps it was meant to blow away the cobwebs from my brain, or lift the veil of Earth, briefly revealing the world of spirit.

 Not long afterwards, as one day I stood serving at the altar, albeit in emotional turmoil, it felt as though the roof had caved in and the truth came out. Like glass shattering into a million pieces, I realized that there was nothing in this world that really mattered, in terms of material possessions.

Yes, I still needed to provide my children with a roof over their heads, and food on the table, but the desire for ever more and better things was gone, revealed for what it was – a rat race, led by the pied piper, until we fell over the cliff into oblivion – uncaring as to who was trampled, or what was destroyed in the process.

No more. When we experience turbulence in our lives, the Christ can lift us up, through His teachings, and His example. If we allow our thinking to concentrate on the I AM statements, we will not be so susceptible to the chaos and destruction happening around us. With Christ as our guide, we can find and keep to, the path that leads us upward.

Sparky