Category Archives: spiritual

Yogis Of Tibet 6-28-19

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BY MADISYN TAYLOR

Every day we can incorporate actions into our lives similar to that of the great yogis of Tibet.

The word “yogi” means “to realize the wisdom of pure awareness.” To do this, the yogis of Tibet practice Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques. They have gained a level of mastery that makes it possible for them to practice in isolation for periods of one to three years. During this time, they focus their complete attention on connecting with spirit and gain an extraordinary level of control over their minds and bodies. We may not want to focus on one activity for one to three years, but there are principles that the yogis of Tibet live by that we can apply to our lives.

Like all yogis, we can make it a priority to connect with spirit. A few moments spent focusing our attention inward can allow us to see life with fresh eyes. We can also expand our view of the world by educating ourselves like the yogis do before they attain yogic mastery. Yogis study not only spiritual disciplines, but they also study science, philosophy, the arts, and medicine. Another way to emulate the yogis of Tibet is to focus our minds on positive thoughts that affirm the well-being of the planet. Yogis chant prayers for the well-being of the world even while doing tasks that don’t require their full concentration. It is through chanting, positive thoughts, and meditation that we learn to have compassion, feel empathy, and look for the good in every situation. We also become aware of our ability to create change in the world with our thoughts, actions, and intentions.

The yogis of Tibet have been called “supreme artists of life” for their ability to treat every situation like a spiritual endeavor. As we aspire to express the same art of patience, compassion, and peace in our lives, we too can radiate the tranquility, warmth, and joy attributed to these spiritual masters.

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Betrayal 4-16-19

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Most of us aren’t likely to betray anyone to a death squad. But as we meditate on the events of the Passion, we might reflect on the times we’ve betrayed a trust, the times we’ve talked about someone behind their back, the times we’ve stayed silent when a friend has been ridiculed. Resolve to keep silent when tempted to gossip and to speak out when others are gossiping. That sounds like a challenge, doesn’t it? It is. Pray for the grace to meet it.

—from the book The Hope of Lent: Daily Reflections from Pope Francis by Diane M. Houdek

Dating God 2-4-19

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Dating God does not require a hermitage any more than taking a spouse on a date requires a special destination. Solitude comes when we create the space and set aside the time to enter more deeply into the mystery that is the very Love that gives us life and meaning. It can be found in the quiet of the morning before the busy day, in the ten minute walk at lunch, or in the restful moments before bed. Just as with creating time and space to be alone with another person, creating time and space for solitude is more about intentionality and the desire to be fully present in the moment than it is about being in this or that location. While solitude may appear scary at first, confronting that fear is perhaps the first step to deepening one’s relationship with God. Just as the prospect of learning more about another person or ourselves can be daunting, the reward comes in the connection that is formed when two know each other in the openness of an intimate friendship. Going into the created space and time set aside for solitude is going on a date with God.

—from Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis 

Gracefully Broken 11-26-18

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I saw this on Facebook this morning. I was so touched I couldn’t resist sharing. I have no idea who wrote this however, what I’m sure of is, this message is a reminder to all of us who feel we’ve been broken.

I was in Dollar Tree last night, and there was a lady and two kids behind me in the LONG line. One was a big kid, and the other one was a toddler. The bigger one had a pack of glow sticks, and the toddler was screaming for them. The Mom opened the pack and gave him one which stopped his tears. He walked around with it smiling; but then the bigger boy took it, and the toddler started screaming again. Just as the Mom was about to fuss, the older child bent the glow stick and handed it back to the toddler. As we walked outside at the same time, the toddler noticed that the stick was now glowing; and his brother said, “I had to break it so that you could get the full effect from it.”

I almost ran, because l could hear God saying to me, “I had to break you to show you why I created you. You had to go through it so you could fulfill your purpose.”

That precious child was happy just swinging that “unbroken” glow stick around in the air, because he didn’t understand what it was created to do – which was “glow”.

There are some people who will be content just “being,” but some of us that God has chosen… we have to be “broken.” We have to get sick.

We have to lose a job.

We go through a divorce.

We have to bury our spouse, parents, best friend, or our child…

In those moments of desperation, God is breaking us. But… when the breaking is done, then we will be able to see the reason for which we were created. So when you see us glowing, just know that we have been broken but healed by His Grace and Mercy!!! ❤💛💜

If you have experienced being broken remember..

“a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.”

Psalm 51:17

Copper Penny 11-6-18

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A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. (Mark 12:42)

Your copper Penny is enough. Your one vote. Your one prayer. Your one little good deed. Any gift given with love is filled with God and so with infinite power.

In faith, give the copper Penny. Trust each one. And give many.

Imagine a life full of such miracles – SGH

Don’t Give Up 8-11-18

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By Pastor Rick Warren

GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 The Message).

When God gives you a mission, you can be sure you’ll run into delays, difficulties, detours, and dead ends along the way. They are a natural part of life. But you can be ready for them.

For example, if anybody had a right to be discouraged, it was Noah. Do you know how long Noah worked on that ark? It took him 120 years. Could you spend 120 years on a project without one word of encouragement from anyone?

Noah trusted God. And when he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah believed him, even though there was no sign of a flood. I bet there were many days that Noah didn’t feel like going to work, but for 43,800 days, he went to the same place, and he worked. He never gave up.

Don’t give up on your dream, either. Don’t give up on your marriage. Don’t give up on your health. Don’t, don’t, don’t give up. God is in control. You haven’t read the final chapter of your life. God’s already written it, but you haven’t read it yet.

The Bible says, “GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 The Message). God is looking for people who are committed to him and his plan so that he can bless them.

He Makes All Things Beautiful 8-9-18

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As a Catholic, we believe the rose is very significant. The rose represents unconditional love from our blessed mother. It is also a sign our prayers have been heard and are being answered. If you have been praying for something and the rose appears in your life, (it could be on a stamp, a photo, a vase)….however it comes in to your life recognize it as a sign that your prayers have been heard and are being answered. Interestingly enough, the rose has appeared several times in my life this morning. When I saw this post I realized that maybe it was a sign that God has heard me and my prayers are being answered. Now all I need to do is sit back, trust and believe god is in control. He’s working behind the scenes and everything is falling into place. Everything is going to be ok. 🌹

Summer 6-3-18

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Summer may be the most unconscious and muddled of the seasons. There is divine wisdom in this..Summer draws us into the labyrinth of sacred confusion whereby becoming lost we rediscover aspects of ourselves that habit, routine, and duty have held in check. Summer travel. for example. can be a maze in which we allow the unfamiliar to shock us into realizing that we are not as secure as we think and that our lives are awash in mystery…In deep summer, God woos us into the wilderness of unknowing where we are tempted by deeper senses.

Doing For Others 6-29-19

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Doing for Others

BY MADISYN TAYLOR

In doing service for others, we often find answers to our own questions and solutions to our own problems.

When we feel bad, often our first instinct is to isolate ourselves and focus on what’s upsetting us. Sometimes we really do need some downtime, but many times the best way to get out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other people. In being of service to others, paradoxically, we often find answers to our own questions and solutions to our own problems. We also end up feeling more connected to the people around us, as well as empowered by the experience of helping someone.

When we reach out to people we can help, we confirm that we are not alone in our own need for support and inspiration, and we also remind ourselves that we are powerful and capable in certain ways. Even as our own problems or moods get the better of us sometimes, there is always someone else who can use our particular gifts and energy to help them out. They, in turn, remind us that we are not the only people in the world with difficulties or issues. We all struggle with the problems of life, and we all feel overwhelmed from time to time, but we can almost always find solace in service.

In the most ideal situation, the person we are helping sheds light on our own dilemma, sometimes with a direct piece of advice, and sometimes without saying anything at all. Sometimes just the act of getting our minds out of the obsessive mode of trying to figure out what to do about our own life does the trick. Many great inventors and artists have found that the inspiration they need to get to the next level in their work comes not when they’re working but when they’re walking around the block or doing dishes. We do ourselves and everyone else a great service when we take a break from our sorrows and extend ourselves to someone in need.

The Smallest Seed 6-18-18

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Smallest seed

The reign of God is like a mustard seed,  which, when sown upon the ground,

is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;yet when it is sown it grows up

and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches,

so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. —Mark 4.30-32

You are a tiny speck of God’s infinite love.

When you let yourself be sown into this world,

given to low places,

what seems tiny unfolds,

miraculously multiplied

because it is God,

and becomes great,

a cedar of Lebanon, a mighty oak of love,

a safe refuge for the weary,

a source of life and comfort for the meek,

a welcome home for God’s little ones.

We only see the seed,

but the unfolding awaits.