Month: March 2016

March 27, 2016 – The Astonishing Light Of Our Being

by

Rev. David McArthur
The Astonishing Light of Our Being

I love Easter when I get to go back and learn it all again. In the 1950’s in war-embroiled Viet Nam, there was a 14 year old girl feeling powerless and in pain. She had lost family and others in the poor farming community. She longed for peace and wanted it for everyone she knew. She soon noticed those people who had so little themselves leaving handfuls of their staple food, rice, out for the birds. She wondered if she could be one of their birds. Would these remarkably generous people spare a handful of rice once a week that she could take to the orphans at the temple? Her friends saw what she was doing and they joined her in collecting rice for the children. Throughout those years in that place of war and suffering there was always, in that poor community, a place of peace and generosity. There was always food for the children because a 14 year old girl listened to her heart and stepped out of her powerlessness and pain to that which was in her heart, and created a world that was greater.

That is what Easter is about—that astonishing light within, which flashes and is ours. And we create something greater. Why did Jesus do it? Why did he feed thousands from a single basket, change water to wine, heal the sick, cure the deaf and blind? In the forgiveness on the cross he showed us the transforming power of love. And he knew rising from the dead—he had raised 3 already. All this to show us the power we have within. But we fall into not remembering that we are spiritual beings living in a spiritual world governed by spiritual laws. We look outside ourselves for healing and for our abundance. But it is from within, not without, that the power flows. There is no one else.

Compassion is the powerful expression of this law. In the 50’s there was a famine in China and some compassionate people wanted to ask our government to help. They sent little bags of rice to the White House with tags saying “Feed our enemies.” I have no idea if the government sent any rice, but it was a powerful act of compassion. At the same time there was a dispute with China over some islands, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were urging president Eisenhower to use atomic weapons. Ike turned to his advisor and asked how many of those bags of rice they had gotten and was told, “Tens of thousands.” Ike then told the Joint Chiefs, “When so many Americans want to feed the people of China, I can’t put nuclear weapons on the table.” We didn’t feed them, but the compassion expressed changed the world.

It was the same compassion expressed when, outside the tomb that Easter morning, Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Mary, do you not know me?” and she gasped, “Rabboni (teacher)!” That astonishing light within awakened Mary.

I love the way the 14th century poet Hafez put it: “One day the sun admitted, ‘I’m just a shadow, I wish I could show you The Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image. I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness The Astonishing Light Of your own Being.” That’s what this love and compassion is—the astonishing light of your own being. Are you open to that? I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When you feel powerless, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When the world seems insane, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When something tries to convince you there is not enough, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. I thank you for your astonishing light which blesses us all!

Happy Easter!

March 27, 2016 – The Astonishing Light Of Our Being

by

Rev. David McArthur
The Astonishing Light of Our Being

I love Easter when I get to go back and learn it all again. In the 1950’s in war-embroiled Viet Nam, there was a 14 year old girl feeling powerless and in pain. She had lost family and others in the poor farming community. She longed for peace and wanted it for everyone she knew. She soon noticed those people who had so little themselves leaving handfuls of their staple food, rice, out for the birds. She wondered if she could be one of their birds. Would these remarkably generous people spare a handful of rice once a week that she could take to the orphans at the temple? Her friends saw what she was doing and they joined her in collecting rice for the children. Throughout those years in that place of war and suffering there was always, in that poor community, a place of peace and generosity. There was always food for the children because a 14 year old girl listened to her heart and stepped out of her powerlessness and pain to that which was in her heart, and created a world that was greater.

That is what Easter is about—that astonishing light within, which flashes and is ours. And we create something greater. Why did Jesus do it? Why did he feed thousands from a single basket, change water to wine, heal the sick, cure the deaf and blind? In the forgiveness on the cross he showed us the transforming power of love. And he knew rising from the dead—he had raised 3 already. All this to show us the power we have within. But we fall into not remembering that we are spiritual beings living in a spiritual world governed by spiritual laws. We look outside ourselves for healing and for our abundance. But it is from within, not without, that the power flows. There is no one else.

Compassion is the powerful expression of this law. In the 50’s there was a famine in China and some compassionate people wanted to ask our government to help. They sent little bags of rice to the White House with tags saying “Feed our enemies.” I have no idea if the government sent any rice, but it was a powerful act of compassion. At the same time there was a dispute with China over some islands, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were urging president Eisenhower to use atomic weapons. Ike turned to his advisor and asked how many of those bags of rice they had gotten and was told, “Tens of thousands.” Ike then told the Joint Chiefs, “When so many Americans want to feed the people of China, I can’t put nuclear weapons on the table.” We didn’t feed them, but the compassion expressed changed the world.

It was the same compassion expressed when, outside the tomb that Easter morning, Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Mary, do you not know me?” and she gasped, “Rabboni (teacher)!” That astonishing light within awakened Mary.

I love the way the 14th century poet Hafez put it: “One day the sun admitted, ‘I’m just a shadow, I wish I could show you The Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image. I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness The Astonishing Light Of your own Being.” That’s what this love and compassion is—the astonishing light of your own being. Are you open to that? I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When you feel powerless, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When the world seems insane, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When something tries to convince you there is not enough, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. I thank you for your astonishing light which blesses us all!

Happy Easter!

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March 20, 2016 – Destination or Destiny: Which is the Goal?

by

Rev. Sheila Gautreaux, L.U.T.
Destination or Destiny: Which is the Goal?

Jesus wasn’t a saint. He was a man. He knew what was coming and said “yes”. Everything he said and did was to show us what we could do, that others who would come after him will be able to say yes to their purpose.

I have wondered for a long time why the story of Palm Sunday says that Jesus had instructed the disciples to bring the young donkey colt with its mother so he could ride it into Jerusalem. It’s my “-ism” that he did so because the mother ass would walk with her colt to share its burden, showing that our mother/god would make her presence known to carry our load at the times we can’t take authority to bear it ourselves. And it was a sign of humility, “your king will come humbly.”

Are we willing to say yes to what we don’t even know is coming? Are we willing to let God walk beside us, trusting, and accept our purpose, which was chosen before we came? Are we willing to do what it takes to move to the highest level of consciousness, the Christ consciousness? He accepted his divinity. He knew what it was and he used it. He knew what was coming—condemnation and death, to be hung on the cross between thieves—and he went toward it in peace. He knew he’d never be led to anything he couldn’t handle.

We are saved now from what keeps us, limits us, by our willingness to say we will go and see what lies ahead. The preparation has already been made. Something amazing is about to happen for us. Nothing can stop me or keep me from my goal, my purpose, because the way has already been prepared. We are royalty; without conceit we are to honor ourselves. We are not the scum of the Earth, not lowly worms in the dust, but sons of God. Each and every day walk out “in royalty”.

The story continues, “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” “Name” means “nature of”, so blessed is he who comes in the nature of the spiritual law of highest spiritual truth. When we align with universal laws, the highest spiritual revelations, we can’t fail. When things are put before us God says “prove me”. Put it to the test; exercise your spiritual muscle. “It works if you work it.” With life-threatening illness or loss, put God to the test. Go to see what the end will be. Say yes and go forward, trusting.

To be fulfilled means filled full. The Trinity of Fulfillment is 1) forgiveness—trust and forgive what and who seems to have prevented us from fulfilling our purpose. 2) compassion—have compassion for yourself and others who are struggling to find their way in their misperceptions and unknowingness and are in your way. 3) peace—it comes as we walk our pathway, and it “feels right”. Things hum. It is the peace which passes all understanding. “I feel, I am, peace.” For however long, whatever the pitfalls, Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace. Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace. Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace.

Have a wonderful journey!

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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March 20, 2016 – Destination or Destiny: Which is the Goal?

by

Rev. Sheila Gautreaux, L.U.T.
Destination or Destiny: Which is the Goal?

Jesus wasn’t a saint. He was a man. He knew what was coming and said “yes”. Everything he said and did was to show us what we could do, that others who would come after him will be able to say yes to their purpose.

I have wondered for a long time why the story of Palm Sunday says that Jesus had instructed the disciples to bring the young donkey colt with its mother so he could ride it into Jerusalem. It’s my “-ism” that he did so because the mother ass would walk with her colt to share its burden, showing that our mother/god would make her presence known to carry our load at the times we can’t take authority to bear it ourselves. And it was a sign of humility, “your king will come humbly.”

Are we willing to say yes to what we don’t even know is coming? Are we willing to let God walk beside us, trusting, and accept our purpose, which was chosen before we came? Are we willing to do what it takes to move to the highest level of consciousness, the Christ consciousness? He accepted his divinity. He knew what it was and he used it. He knew what was coming—condemnation and death, to be hung on the cross between thieves—and he went toward it in peace. He knew he’d never be led to anything he couldn’t handle.

We are saved now from what keeps us, limits us, by our willingness to say we will go and see what lies ahead. The preparation has already been made. Something amazing is about to happen for us. Nothing can stop me or keep me from my goal, my purpose, because the way has already been prepared. We are royalty; without conceit we are to honor ourselves. We are not the scum of the Earth, not lowly worms in the dust, but sons of God. Each and every day walk out “in royalty”.

The story continues, “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” “Name” means “nature of”, so blessed is he who comes in the nature of the spiritual law of highest spiritual truth. When we align with universal laws, the highest spiritual revelations, we can’t fail. When things are put before us God says “prove me”. Put it to the test; exercise your spiritual muscle. “It works if you work it.” With life-threatening illness or loss, put God to the test. Go to see what the end will be. Say yes and go forward, trusting.

To be fulfilled means filled full. The Trinity of Fulfillment is 1) forgiveness—trust and forgive what and who seems to have prevented us from fulfilling our purpose. 2) compassion—have compassion for yourself and others who are struggling to find their way in their misperceptions and unknowingness and are in your way. 3) peace—it comes as we walk our pathway, and it “feels right”. Things hum. It is the peace which passes all understanding. “I feel, I am, peace.” For however long, whatever the pitfalls, Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace. Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace. Through forgiveness and compassion I find peace.

Have a wonderful journey!