October 13, 2013 – A Consciousness of Generosity

10/13/13 Rev. David McArthur
Daily Generosity, and One Outrageous Generosity

After straightening out an order she had screwed up, a waitress continued to serve a large group cheerfully, but their “tip” was a note with a big zero and the words, “maybe you’ll get it right the next time.” What consciousness is that?! The next table had heard them preparing the “tip”, and left her a note, “Don’t let anyone take away your smile,” and a $100.00 bill! Now that was a consciousness of inclusion and creativity. The mind tells us what we get out of an experience. But the heart sees that what we give is ours.

Walking to school, a mother and her small son were reading signs. A homeless woman had a sign saying, “I am hungry and need food.” Taking half half of his sandwich from his lunchbox the boy gave it to her. Then he took his mother’s hand again and continued to school without commenting. A consciousness of generosity.

I have remembered “past lives”, if that’s what they were. I gained much from those memories. From being a war leader instrumental in spreading much human suffering to an obedient foot soldier on the front line, facing certain death. As a woman, I was abused, beaten, and raped; and as a child abandoned and starved to death. But I never experienced anything that I had not given previously. In each of those experiences there was always someone of loving generosity. These people were experiencing their spiritual selves. The more I learned of generosity from them, the more wholeness I began to experience life after life. Consciousness grows over time. Through the generosity of others I began to change. To the saying, “If you give a man a fish…” add, “If you teach a man to LOVE you feed a village for a lifetime, and they will feed the world.”

It’s like there’s a great energy that flows into the people and their lives. If there is a lack in our lives it is a reflection of a lack within ourselves. So we need to increase our generosity and be aware that we are opening our consciousness to this great energy. This week, each day, experience giving a little more, and once this week, give with outrageous generosity. Affirm with me, “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” It does, through you!–and it’s a kick! Bless you!

Play

October 13, 2013 – A Consciousness of Generosity


10/13/13 Rev. David McArthur
Daily Generosity, and One Outrageous Generosity

After straightening out an order she had screwed up, a waitress continued to serve a large group cheerfully, but their “tip” was a note with a big zero and the words, “maybe you’ll get it right the next time.” What consciousness is that?! The next table had heard them preparing the “tip”, and left her a note, “Don’t let anyone take away your smile,” and a $100.00 bill! Now that was a consciousness of inclusion and creativity. The mind tells us what we get out of an experience. But the heart sees that what we give is ours.

Walking to school, a mother and her small son were reading signs. A homeless woman had a sign saying, “I am hungry and need food.” Taking half half of his sandwich from his lunchbox the boy gave it to her. Then he took his mother’s hand again and continued to school without commenting. A consciousness of generosity.

I have remembered “past lives”, if that’s what they were. I gained much from those memories. From being a war leader instrumental in spreading much human suffering to an obedient foot soldier on the front line, facing certain death. As a woman, I was abused, beaten, and raped; and as a child abandoned and starved to death. But I never experienced anything that I had not given previously. In each of those experiences there was always someone of loving generosity. These people were experiencing their spiritual selves. The more I learned of generosity from them, the more wholeness I began to experience life after life. Consciousness grows over time. Through the generosity of others I began to change. To the saying, “If you give a man a fish…” add, “If you teach a man to LOVE you feed a village for a lifetime, and they will feed the world.”

It’s like there’s a great energy that flows into the people and their lives. If there is a lack in our lives it is a reflection of a lack within ourselves. So we need to increase our generosity and be aware that we are opening our consciousness to this great energy. This week, each day, experience giving a little more, and once this week, give with outrageous generosity. Affirm with me, “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” “Joyously and generously God’s abundance flows through me!” It does, through you!–and it’s a kick! Bless you!

January 13, 2013 – Generosity Expresses the Presence of God

1/13/13 Rev. David McArthur

Generosity Expresses the Presence of God

Kimeli, a young Maasai African, lived in a rural village that did not even have roads. He had no father, and was considered a lower human. But Kimeli admired the generosity of doctors, and wanted to be a generous doctor. And there is always the next step. So Kimeli ran away to a town that had a school, and the headmaster allowed him to attend. From there he applied to colleges in America. The University of Oregon offered a scholarship. Grants from a benefactor in Florida let him attend. Subsequently he got his masters from Stanford! If he can do it without resources…

What’s impossible doesn’t bother God. There is a flow of abundance that is completely inconsistent with what we “know”. But it tells us there is more to this consciousness. What this is, is when you say “yes”, that’s your purpose. It constantly unfolds in our lives. And in this time of powerful human consciousness, you can always go deeper! We are on purpose! The universe opens up and provides. It is “fulfillment”. The whole universe is wired to fulfill your purpose!

On 9/11 Kimeli wanted to respond to the pain he saw in Americans. Now held in honor, he went to his tribe at “storytime”. (Without technology, they communicate through their stories.) Kimeli went and told how the generous people in America were hurting. The Maasai couldn’t even conceive of a place like New York City. But he asked for permission from the elders to give his cow to the Americans. In Kenya, a person’s cow is their most important possession. Having one is comfort, it is security, it is life. The Maasai were very touched by his story and decided to give 14 cows! They asked the American ambassador to receive their gift. At the ceremony a thousand Maasai in full warrior dress sang the Star Spangled Banner with their hands over their hearts!

Kimeli’s response had been one of compassion and generosity. All along the way he had a consciousness of generosity. Jesus taught, as you give you will receive. Abundance comes not to us or for us, but through us. “…for God so loved the world that he gave his only son. For who so ever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” This quote is mostly used in other ways, but here are the words love and give. What is given is the Son—the divine pattern, the Christ, the Atman, the Buddha Mind, the I Am. Out of love. Jesus showed us the pattern and it is in everyone of us. God doesn’t give because we ask, but because it is the very nature of the divine. God can’t reject. Yes, we can reject, but it is not in God’s nature. Life always flows abundantly.

And there is always the next step. This week look for the opportunity to be more generous, every day, with your time, understanding, compassion. Listen. “Divine generosity flows freely through me.” This is when it gets to be fun! It’s ok to give away the cow!

Play

January 13, 2013 – Generosity Expresses the Presence of God


1/13/13 Rev. David McArthur

Kimeli, a young Maasai African, lived in a rural village that did not even have roads. He had no father, and was considered a lower human. But Kimeli admired the generosity of doctors, and wanted to be a generous doctor. And there is always the next step. So Kimeli ran away to a town that had a school, and the headmaster allowed him to attend. From there he applied to colleges in America. The University of Oregon offered a scholarship. Grants from a benefactor in Florida let him attend. Subsequently he got his masters from Stanford! If he can do it without resources…

What’s impossible doesn’t bother God. There is a flow of abundance that is completely inconsistent with what we “know”. But it tells us there is more to this consciousness. What this is, is when you say “yes”, that’s your purpose. It constantly unfolds in our lives. And in this time of powerful human consciousness, you can always go deeper! We are on purpose! The universe opens up and provides. It is “fulfillment”. The whole universe is wired to fulfill your purpose!

On 9/11 Kimeli wanted to respond to the pain he saw in Americans. Now held in honor, he went to his tribe at “storytime”. (Without technology, they communicate through their stories.) Kimeli went and told how the generous people in America were hurting. The Maasai couldn’t even conceive of a place like New York City. But he asked for permission from the elders to give his cow to the Americans. In Kenya, a person’s cow is their most important possession. Having one is comfort, it is security, it is life. The Maasai were very touched by his story and decided to give 14 cows! They asked the American ambassador to receive their gift. At the ceremony a thousand Maasai in full warrior dress sang the Star Spangled Banner with their hands over their hearts!

Kimeli’s response had been one of compassion and generosity. All along the way he had a consciousness of generosity. Jesus taught, as you give you will receive. Abundance comes not to us or for us, but through us. “…for God so loved the world that he gave his only son. For who so ever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” This quote is mostly used in other ways, but here are the words love and give. What is given is the Son—the divine pattern, the Christ, the Atman, the Buddha Mind, the I Am. Out of love. Jesus showed us the pattern and it is in everyone of us. God doesn’t give because we ask, but because it is the very nature of the divine. God can’t reject. Yes, we can reject, but it is not in God’s nature. Life always flows abundantly.

And there is always the next step. This week look for the opportunity to be more generous, every day, with your time, understanding, compassion. Listen. “Divine generosity flows freely through me.” This is when it gets to be fun! It’s ok to give away the cow!