It seems to me there are many inconsistencies in approaching GOD, and prayer.

It has been my experience to see people close their eyes when they pray. As a child, I was taught this too.  I wonder though?

With everything going to GOD in prayer, what if we kept our eyes open in relationship and respect to the universal presence we are calling upon?

Personally, I can see - feel the presence of GOD in a bowl of peas, in the steak I eat, or the tea I drink. I would rather feel a part of creation than anthropomorphize a vision of GOD on the blank/black picture screen I 'see' with my eyes closed.

As I offer my prayer of gratitude (silently,) a visual connection to what I am grateful for seems appropriate. Also, if GOD were to appear in the window I face each night I wouldn't want to miss the Loving Smile. -:)

Recently someone shared this prayer with me for meal time; "Thanks to the farmer." 
I say "Gratitude - gratitude, how sweet the words!"

PRESENCE

The sudden rustling of the small tree just off the patio startled me as in the early hours of morning I sat alone, waiting for dawn. It was an owl. Small; brown in color of an unknown species to me. Its large eyes seemed to be fixed in a stare on me. I don’t recall ever seeing an owl around here before. It must have strayed in from the woods some where near. 
Boy, this coffee is good this morning and the grapefruit is just right. More and more I’m coming awake, alive to the possibilities of this day. That fool owl is still there. Is it my imagination or do those eyes follow me everywhere I go?
I really am looking forward to seeing this cabinet finished. Wow! These stripper fumes are strong. Thank God for today’s breeze, keeps the odor moving across the yard. That fool bird aught to move. Then the fumes couldn’t bother it. Are those eyes tinged with red?
Being watched constantly is becoming annoying. I’ve done everything short of a frontal attack and the birds still there. Fool bird, go away. Why in the world would anything or anyone want to sit and watch me putter around all day?
The heat wasn’t so bad today. I love late afternoon, the approaching dusk. The bright colors of day go mute blending into ever lengthening shadows. Finally the horizon becomes a pencil sketch. Long sharp edged lines in stark contrast to broad bands of grey.
Darn, it’s still there. Has that owl even blinked today? It must be disappointed, nothing – absolutely nothing of interest happened today.
What a gorgeous night. Feel that wind, it has a tint of rain to come in it. No need for air conditioned sleep tonight. Tomorrow I can start staining that cabinet. In a strange way I feel as though the owl watching me caused me to hang in there and get the stripping done. I didn’t want to let it down I guess. It feels good to complete a task. OK, owl you win. If watching me all day was your way of getting a free meal, so be it. I wonder what owl’s eat?
Well now, you’re still here and it looks like the water and meat are gone. My guess must have been right. Well bird I’m glad my simple fare made for a good supper for you.
Good Night; My God, he blinked at me, twice. Was it acknowledging my thought? Do owls smile?
An angel of the Lord, one of those countless thousands whose eternal task is to be a guardian began another entry in his great record book.
"Today, I took the form of an owl......"

jdc, 1988

Father - Mother GOD

Father - Mother GOD,

Thank You for creating me.

Father - Mother GOD,

I accept in joyful gratitude

the imspiration given me through

The Holy Spirit!

MOVING SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit moves; making wonders within me, and miracles around me!  cjc

DARE TO DREAM

The happiness that moves you to follow your dream, is pale

in comparison to your joy when that dream comes true.

                                                                                 cjc

What Service?

What service is there to act in faith


And truth when all those about you


Are so self oriented that issues go


Unrecognized and injustice runs


Rampant in a lethargic society?

Song of the Spirit

A voice stirs deep within
A song of praise for all to sing,

To God from His created in
Joy filled appreciation for the
Blessing of life, community,
And friendships shared.

To God, who in infinite wisdom
Imbued all of mankind with a vision,
Each unto his or her own, a path to
Follow with an unwavering sense of
Direction – a path to Bliss, that state
Of being known and shared with
God, each other, and all creation.

For it is through our separateness
That we find ourselves in communion
As we move to reunite – once again,
A steadfast part of the
Greatest Expression of Love.

YOUR INDEPENDANT CONNECTION WITH GOD

YOUR CONNECTON WITH GOD IS CONSTANT, IMMEDIATE AND UNBROKEN.

NO ONE ELSE’S PATH WILL LEAD YOU TO GOD. NO ONE ELSE’S ANSWERS

WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO YOU ARE, WHY YOU ARE HERE, WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO OTHERS; TO NATURE, TO GOD.

IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY HAVE YOUR ANSWERS; THEY DON’T.

IF SOMEONE SAYS MY WAY WORKS BEST; IT DOESN’T.

IF SOMEONE SAYS FOLLOW ME; DON’T.

WHEN SOMEONE SHARES THEIR TRUTH; LISTEN.

WHEN SOMEONE TEACHES; LEARN.

WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN; TEACH.

SEEK OUT OTHER SEEKERS, BUT HOLD ON TO YOUR TRUTH. SHARE YOUR LOVE, YOUR POWER YOUR INSIGHT; EXPECT NOTHING IN RETURN AND CHERISH WHAT COMES YOUR WAY.

In the name

In the name of Jesus,
my savior God, my creator;
and the Holy Spirit,
bearer of gifts divine.

I Pray for the strength to work

God’s will, empowered by The

Holy Spirit to enact good works,

Inspired by Jesus to save the lost.

May God’s triune gifts be my

Guide and solace forever. amen

jdc1988

IMAGE AND LIKENESS

TO BE MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS

OF GOD MEANS WE CAN BECOME

WHAT WE MOST TRULY ARE WHEN WE LIVE

IN COMMUNITY, ONE WITH ANOTHER.

HUMAN BEINGS BEAR THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.

TO BE A HUMAN BEING MEANS TO LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP

WITH EACH OTHER, AND NOT AS A CASUAL OR CHANCE AFFAIR;

BUT IN THE PROFOUND SENSE OF BEING BOUND UP WITH

EACH OTHER IN THE CONDITION OF DAILY LIVING.

THE PRIMARY TRUTH ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS

IS THAT THEY ARE MADE TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY.

AND ONLY WITHIN COMMUNITY CAN ANY OF US

BECOME DISTINCTIVE INDIVIDUALS.

JDC 1988

QUIPS...

.....On Study

If our hearts are gardens, fertile ground for the growth of the living

word isn't it important to know the origin of the seed?

.....Inspiration

I believe that if all the souls lost to Satan's Hell were to rise in one

screeching crescendo of hate and vile filling the ears of all the

faithful everywhere. A whispered "I Love You" from God would

penetrate that bedlam and create a peace so quiet you could hear

the angels breathe.

.....Faith

Sometimes my faith is like pennies in a pocket with a hole. Every time I take a step another coin drops out and would be lost. But God is a coin collector who greets me along the way with a smile, always restocking my treasure.

.....Truth

is relative action either in response to or as an instigator of an incident, within the context of it's time and place.

OH WITNESS - MANKIND

I once heard about a hunched back man who had mottled skin and smelled from lack of bathing.

He cursed, none too quietly at most everything and everyone around him except;

a scrawny dog with fleas who had one blind eye - a hateful disposition and large ugly teeth, to their

discredit; they managed to scare the pants off most folks - who gave them a wide berth and made

sure they knew the whereabouts of their children after these two had passed, yet between them;

existed a bond cast in cement. One knew instinctively the thoughts of the other and though

occasionally the man cursed the dog and the dog growled at the man - in their eyes the

light of understanding and compassion shone deeply and even though;

they lived and died as social outcasts - scorned by mankind for their rancor and snarl -

buried hastily to stifle the stench they hurt no one;

Jesus Himself came for them when their time had come. Together the three walked

toward heaven in harmony and peace.

Our Lord smiled to be in the company of Love.

jdc/unknown date

MIRACLES...

.....and the blind shall lead the way,

for they do not see the sun,
they feel the Love of GOD…..

The soul is not an organ like a heart or a kidney. It cannot
be held in a surgeons hands and replaced.

…..and the mute shall sing songs,
tell the epic stories and
praise GOD in such high adoration
that every soul will rejoice in the words…..

The soul is forever, a piece of our creator within us.
The soul does not see, or feel, or discern a scent.
It neither hears nor speaks.
The soul does not think,
and if has no capacity for creation.

…..and the deaf shall hear the songs
of praise, the chorus of the angels,
and sit in rapt attention to the lyrics…..

The soul guides us, directs us, teaches us
as it establishes within us the Love we are
to share, one with another.

…..and we shall neither be
blind nor dumb nor deaf to the essence
of our soul. For through the our soul
GOD touches us, all of us and GOD’S
Love cannot be denied.

jdc 2/03, revised 1/09 cjc

So Hard To Hear...

Jesus spoke so quietly at times,

in such humble reverence for his father;

in order to hear a listener had to lean

toward Him, almost to the point of

losing balance.

Invariably that is when Christ's message

was most clear.

AMEN...

                    


...is an affirmation of faith; in prayer, in devotion, in life, in God!
In you as a unique child of God.

...lift your head child, let the gentle breeze touch your cheek.

...does not that seem like a voice in the wind. 

...God whispering "I Love You."