Spiritual Leanings ... From all faiths.

citybutch · 03-22-2011, 09:56 PM

Sooo....

I thought I would start ... yes, from the Bible. But as I posted tonight in another thread... a thought of love and prayer... I remembered a reading last week from one of my favorite publications:

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

citybutch · 03-24-2011, 09:47 AM

Protected

I am strengthened by my foundation of faith.

Even in the midst of a storm, I know God is with me. I affirm, "I am never alone. I am fully protected. I am safe." My faith is strong, because of the foundation I have laid.

When winds were calm, I strengthened my faith with prayer, gratitude and meditation. Like a builder, I laid a foundation of faith deep within myself--and then I built on it.

Putting God's truth into practice daily has strengthened my faith. When a storm or crisis hits, I have an inner knowing that all is well. I have experienced God's loving and peaceful presence. God is with me, and I am always protected.

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.--Luke 6:48

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51881

suebee · 03-24-2011, 10:00 AM

You are not the only one interested my friend! I didn't see this thread yesterday. I'm sure there are lots of members who will join in.

Christianity, like Islam, has suffered from the acts of a minority of extremists. I hope we can look beyond the bad rap these offshoots have given the true meaning of the faith.

I don't call myself Christian, but I was raised in the church, it's part of who I am, and I identify with it in many ways. I think there is wisdom to be taken from every faith and have tried to expose myself to different influences. I'll be looking forward to following and learning from those more schooled in the faith than I.

Thanks for starting the thread.

Sue

Andrew, Jr. · 03-24-2011, 10:32 AM

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

julieisafemme · 03-24-2011, 07:03 PM

"The Sabbath is a sanctuary in time."

This from Abraham Joshua Heschel from his book "The Sabbath". THis quote guides me everyday. The Sabbath is marked by time on both sides but is outside time. His book talks a lot about this.

Do you know that poem by TS Eliot? Burnt Norton? I don't even pretend to really understand what it is about but this portion caught my imagination in high school and then added to my thoughts on Shabbat.

Is being outside time being in the present? All I know is that on Shabbat when I can unplug and experience the day fully I have felt that shift of being in a timeless place and that helps me daven better. I don't always get there though.

BUIRNT NORTON
(No. 1 of 'Four Quartets')
T.S. Eliot

I

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden. My words echo
Thus, in your mind.

citybutch · 03-26-2011, 11:21 AM

Right Relationship

My divine nature guides my relationships into perfect alignment.

Many people wonder how to find their "special someone" or how to improve their current relationships. Before seeking someone or something outside myself, I first turn within to Spirit.

When Spirit takes priority in my life--guiding my thoughts and actions--all my relationships come into spiritual alignment. My oneness with Spirit gives me unparalleled security and joy. I relax in the silence of prayer and replenish my energy and my capacity to give. This positively impacts my partner, my children and my co-workers--as it positively impacts me. As I turn within to Spirit, I experience divine love. This love draws me to the right people and blesses every relationship in my life.

I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love.--Colossians 2:2

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51883

citybutch · 03-26-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks for sharing Andrew. I have a very similar experience. I was in a really tough relationship, my brother was dying of colon cancer... and I was struggling in my career. I had a very difficult time finding my center. I was flying back East once a month to be with my brother and family. A couple things brought me to some level of peace:

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch was sitting on my Mother's coffee table and I picked it up and never put it down...

My good friend Mary Daly was on the Roseanne Show (talk show) and a bunch of us were there in the Green Room with her and the audience as well... And Mary's words were basically "Get OUT of the Fear"...

And a transformative drive back to San Diego after the taping of that show... I literally had to stop on the side of the highway with what felt like an A-HA moment. I also identify it as a spiritual touch.

My relationship ended shortly after this... My brother died a few months later... But I had my center... somehow I made it through.

By the end of the year I had met the woman who would become my wife, made Comeback of the Year award from my company, among a few other stand out events.

I seek out my spiritual center at many points every day of my life. Although I find guidance from the words of Jesus and the Christ within me... I also draw direction and guidance from many different spiritual traditions.

There is no one path to God....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

Andrew, Jr. · 03-26-2011, 12:02 PM

Dear Citybutch,

Thank you for your kind post. It made me smile ear to ear. Yes, the path to God is not a one way street as alot of folks believe it is or would like to think it is.

I have come to learn from others visually like Shirley MacLaine, Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, plus those who have a gift like Damon Brinkley. God has always drawn me from an early age because of the abuse I endured, and I asked for help from God. However, the spirits are very obvious to me. I think because I am not like most people. I don't have a voice like others. My voice is internal. I hope this makes sense.

I feel that there is more to life than what we know it to be. There are those who feel like they have to eat fish on Friday end of story. Then you have those people who have other views. The God I know to be is of love. For example someone said that God is punishing Japan so He caused the earthquake and the tsuami and now the nuclear nightmare. It makes me very nervous so I don't watch the news now. But I know God did not have anything to do with that mess. It is the same with my sister dying of skin cancer. God had nothing to do with that. She died from cancer. Cancer is horrible. It makes me sad, and want to scream at the top of my lungs. I pray for a cure every day. I hope to see that happen one day.

It is my faith and belief system that knows my sister is safe, happy, and healthy now. She isn't suffering. What most people don't know online is that I was the last person to see her alive. She died 45 min. later after I left her. I went directly to St. Jude's Shrine. I prayed to Mary and Jesus to take her. I would rather suffer missing her, and the pain involved, than to witness her suffering.

What I don't understand is why folks want to start a pissing battle online over who is right or wrong on someone's faith? It makes no sense to me. It doesn't matter what site it is on because I have seen it time and time again. That to me is just a reflection of how much this still a big controversy. Again, like someone wants to debate who is/is not psychic, orbs, ghosts, spirits, the knights of Templar, Mormans, and so on. It is what it is.

Now before my sister died from cancer, I had to endure my adopted step father dying from bone cancer, then my adopted mother dying from Altzheimer's Disease. My older adopted gay brother read the book you mentioned. He got alot from the book. I read a few pages and put it down. It went in one ear and out the other. I have no clue as to what I read. Nodda.

I just wish others would have an open mind and heart to this. I just see so much hatred and opinions that it has to be one way only. It isn't. Life is not like that.

Thank you again for your post. I very much enjoyed it.

Namaste,
Andrew

gracefaith · 04-03-2011, 06:06 PM

I read what you wrote...

you've gone through so much.

I too have gone through a lot...

There's times though I had found me so angry at God though., but it seems then eventually God and I talk about my anger... its like God is still teaching me about anger... I have a ways yet to go about anger...

I can at times trust God even when it doesn't make anysense, but other times its as if I need to let my anger out towards God...

now how did I go towards this word anger... I don't know, but it seems there's this hope, purpose, desires, and when its taken away, I have deep emotions and there's times I'll try to suppress these emotions and all it does is it gets worse...

But its like I can't suppress my emotions for long as I eventually dirrect my emotions at God.

But the part I'm learning is my relationship with God is: eventually through my allowing God, then the very emotions that I dirrect to God is renewed and God teaches me more about the emotions...

I guess what I'm saying is: there's no way I can be nice 100% to God at all times... It seems that God gets my all, all of me, just as I am...

And I really am learning and in my learning, its so personal and yet, if someone was going to observe me, actually my own folks, looks down on me, for the type of relationship I have with God., as my folks are more church looking good type with so many laws they try to keep...

I can't do that, keep any image...

There's so manythings that happens that brings me down that I dont' know how people can actually always have a nice image with God...

I can't have a nice image with God, and in this, as I'm real with God, ...

I went to God when so down, and it wasn't pretty, but it was then I learn first hand from God.

God is my friend and there living in me,

thankyou for sharing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Dear Citybutch,

Thank you for your kind post. It made me smile ear to ear. Yes, the path to God is not a one way street as alot of folks believe it is or would like to think it is.

I have come to learn from others visually like Shirley MacLaine, Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, plus those who have a gift like Damon Brinkley. God has always drawn me from an early age because of the abuse I endured, and I asked for help from God. However, the spirits are very obvious to me. I think because I am not like most people. I don't have a voice like others. My voice is internal. I hope this makes sense.

I feel that there is more to life than what we know it to be. There are those who feel like they have to eat fish on Friday end of story. Then you have those people who have other views. The God I know to be is of love. For example someone said that God is punishing Japan so He caused the earthquake and the tsuami and now the nuclear nightmare. It makes me very nervous so I don't watch the news now. But I know God did not have anything to do with that mess. It is the same with my sister dying of skin cancer. God had nothing to do with that. She died from cancer. Cancer is horrible. It makes me sad, and want to scream at the top of my lungs. I pray for a cure every day. I hope to see that happen one day.

It is my faith and belief system that knows my sister is safe, happy, and healthy now. She isn't suffering. What most people don't know online is that I was the last person to see her alive. She died 45 min. later after I left her. I went directly to St. Jude's Shrine. I prayed to Mary and Jesus to take her. I would rather suffer missing her, and the pain involved, than to witness her suffering.

What I don't understand is why folks want to start a pissing battle online over who is right or wrong on someone's faith? It makes no sense to me. It doesn't matter what site it is on because I have seen it time and time again. That to me is just a reflection of how much this still a big controversy. Again, like someone wants to debate who is/is not psychic, orbs, ghosts, spirits, the knights of Templar, Mormans, and so on. It is what it is.

Now before my sister died from cancer, I had to endure my adopted step father dying from bone cancer, then my adopted mother dying from Altzheimer's Disease. My older adopted gay brother read the book you mentioned. He got alot from the book. I read a few pages and put it down. It went in one ear and out the other. I have no clue as to what I read. Nodda.

I just wish others would have an open mind and heart to this. I just see so much hatred and opinions that it has to be one way only. It isn't. Life is not like that.

Thank you again for your post. I very much enjoyed it.

Namaste,
Andrew

gracefaith · 04-03-2011, 05:22 PM

I've never heard of Neale Donald Walsch... I seach him online http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/

Wow on his website I learn he invites 12 people or less to stay at his home for 5 days...

This is what it says on his website...

SPEND 5 DAYS WITH NEALE AT HIS OWN HOME...

Twice a year Neale Donald Walsch invites a tiny handful of people (12 or less) to his home for an ongoing informal conversation exploring, more deeply than he can in any other setting, all of the messages of CWG---what they mean and how they can be overlaid upon our moment-to-moment experience. Called THE HOMECOMING, this very special time with Neale is only for those who are deeply committed to learning and applying CWG at a very high level in their daily life.

Here is an opportunity of a lifetime…

…to dine, to play (there are parlor games in the evenings), to swim in the grotto-pool, and most of all to sit quietly and to talk uninterruptedly with the author of the worldwide bestseller Conversations with God about how the messages affected his life and how they can affect yours. An intimate and personal visit with Neale and his wife, the American poet Em Claire, these five days on a hilltop home in beautiful Ashland, Oregon will prove to be...

…A SPECIAL TIME THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET.

Wow that's something else about how the author invites people to his home and spends time with them...

Quote:

Originally Posted by citybutch

Thanks for sharing Andrew. I have a very similar experience. I was in a really tough relationship, my brother was dying of colon cancer... and I was struggling in my career. I had a very difficult time finding my center. I was flying back East once a month to be with my brother and family. A couple things brought me to some level of peace:

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch was sitting on my Mother's coffee table and I picked it up and never put it down...

My good friend Mary Daly was on the Roseanne Show (talk show) and a bunch of us were there in the Green Room with her and the audience as well... And Mary's words were basically "Get OUT of the Fear"...

And a transformative drive back to San Diego after the taping of that show... I literally had to stop on the side of the highway with what felt like an A-HA moment. I also identify it as a spiritual touch.

My relationship ended shortly after this... My brother died a few months later... But I had my center... somehow I made it through.

By the end of the year I had met the woman who would become my wife, made Comeback of the Year award from my company, among a few other stand out events.

I seek out my spiritual center at many points every day of my life. Although I find guidance from the words of Jesus and the Christ within me... I also draw direction and guidance from many different spiritual traditions.

There is no one path to God....

Andrew, Jr. · 04-03-2011, 05:29 PM

I am very wary of when famous people or celebrities invite the public to their homes. I have too many experiences of the above, with negative outcomes. For me and me alone, it is a matter of trust. Remember you just do not know what happens behind the closed doors of a home. There are just too many risks involved with that in my opinion.

gracefaith · 04-03-2011, 08:59 PM

This is an awesome group...

Thank you for sharing spiritually...

gracefaith · 04-03-2011, 02:48 PM

I find this too., journey and not staying in one spot, but actually moving...

Its I who move...

sorry to hear about your sister and cancer...

Many in my family had and has cancer... well when its had then that word is remission... However as cancer has been around me, I hadn't had cancer but for some reason as its around me, it became a norm... Perhaps odd... But it did... Perhaps I've learn the perspective of time...

Um, one thing I've adapt about faiths is taking from them and leaving behind whatever upsets me... In a way I learn not to take it all but only take what benefits me and benefits the ones around me...

I've learn more with this word benefit instead of this word approval...

Um, what are your thoughts about this word benefit and me too., I'm learning more about forgiveness and the benefits in forgiveness?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Thank you for this thread, Citybutch.

I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer.

Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such.

I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma.

I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people.

Namaste,
Andrew

citybutch · 04-03-2011, 05:09 PM

Inner Peace

I am one with Divine Presence. I am at peace.

When I see rain softly falling on my window and hear thunder in the distance, I feel a connection with something greater than myself. The air is being cleansed and the ground saturated with a renewing shower. The birds and other animals quench their thirst and plants are nourished. I am content knowing that each drop of water has a purpose.

I take a breath and become aware of the activity of Spirit in each element of nature. As I sense its beauty and symmetry, a feeling of inner peace fills me.

I go within to reconnect with Divine Presence; I experience a feeling of spiritual balance, a calm peace in my soul.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.

The Lord be with all of you.--2 Thessalonians 3:16

http://www.dailyword.com/

gracefaith · 03-30-2011, 04:55 PM

I feel prayer is a sense of connection, an active connection...

I really feel connected with whom I'm praying for and others...

For I'm not separated from anyone...

Even physical death can't separate me from others, as we're all one in Christ's spiritual body who's spiritual eternal life breathing in us...

I feel so connected when praying...

Quote:

Originally Posted by citybutch

Sooo....

I thought I would start ... yes, from the Bible. But as I posted tonight in another thread... a thought of love and prayer... I remembered a reading last week from one of my favorite publications:

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

citybutch · 03-30-2011, 10:02 PM

Grace

With God, I co-create my world with grace and ease.

My tasks at home may range from picking up toys to caring for loved ones. My duties at work may vary from the trivial to the essential. No matter my day's activities, with God as my partner, I accomplish them all with grace and ease.

Relationships can present a challenge at times, but today, I speak directly and lovingly with grace and ease. Any rifts of the past or concerns about the future diminish in importance as I hold positive expectations for the interactions of this day.

Every decision, every choice, every relationship brings a gift or opportunity. I gratefully accept each one. With God as my partner, I co-create my world with grace and ease.

Grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
--Psalm 45:2

http://www.dailyword.com/

mariamma · 07-30-2012, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citybutch

Pray for Others

I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity.

It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity.

As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32

http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874

I am a Pagan, on the Shamanic path and feel very much as you do. I see in others this practice, of accepting others where they are and I see the other behaviors. Where people have to convert others to their view in order to feel validated?? feel like they're right???
I don't get that need. I do talk too much at events and people don't get that behavior trait. Point it, we're all where we are in life. We are all on a path in life whether we like it or not. It's nice to see others who feel similarly. The honest thing to do in these cases is to reach for what we have in common and all the big religions have the same things in common (one Unifying God/Creator/Source, good actors, bad actors, spirits, people, animals, upper world and lower world, the major point....be a good human, etc.)
Thanks for the thread

03-22-2011, 09:56 PM	#1
citybutch Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to "hey you" (either works for me!) Relationship Status: 19 years together- Very Married for 10 years Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 556 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 835 Thanked 1,195 Times in 355 Posts Rep Power: 6220116	Sooo.... I thought I would start ... yes, from the Bible. But as I posted tonight in another thread... a thought of love and prayer... I remembered a reading last week from one of my favorite publications: Pray for Others I am unified in Spirit with God and with all humanity. It is impossible to pray for one person without praying for all persons. We are all one in God. Every time one heart is lifted, all hearts are lifted. Every time one life is blessed, all lives are blessed. Entering into the presence of God in the silence, I realize this truth about myself and those I hold in prayer. At the same time, I am reinforcing this truth for all humanity. As I pray for the protection of a loved one, all persons in danger are enfolded in love and faith. As I affirm the love of God in my heart and rid my mind of all that is unloving, the heart of the world is more loving too. When I feel in tune with life, at peace with myself and the world, I help every confused or restless soul find peace and faith again.And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.--John 12:32 http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51874 __________________ Take care of your body, take care of your health... You never know when the walls cave in and it all changes for good.

03-24-2011, 09:47 AM	#2
citybutch Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to "hey you" (either works for me!) Relationship Status: 19 years together- Very Married for 10 years Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 556 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 835 Thanked 1,195 Times in 355 Posts Rep Power: 6220116	Guess I am the only one interested in this... That's ok... :) Protected I am strengthened by my foundation of faith. Even in the midst of a storm, I know God is with me. I affirm, "I am never alone. I am fully protected. I am safe." My faith is strong, because of the foundation I have laid. When winds were calm, I strengthened my faith with prayer, gratitude and meditation. Like a builder, I laid a foundation of faith deep within myself--and then I built on it. Putting God's truth into practice daily has strengthened my faith. When a storm or crisis hits, I have an inner knowing that all is well. I have experienced God's loving and peaceful presence. God is with me, and I am always protected. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.--Luke 6:48 http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51881 __________________ Take care of your body, take care of your health... You never know when the walls cave in and it all changes for good.

03-24-2011, 10:00 AM	#3
suebee Member How Do You Identify?: TOWANDA! Preferred Pronoun?: Queen Bee Relationship Status: Good 'n married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Eastern Canada. But if I make a wrong turn at the lights I get stopped by a border guard. Posts: 1,499 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,355 Thanked 2,759 Times in 820 Posts Rep Power: 16450091	You are not the only one interested my friend! I didn't see this thread yesterday. I'm sure there are lots of members who will join in. Christianity, like Islam, has suffered from the acts of a minority of extremists. I hope we can look beyond the bad rap these offshoots have given the true meaning of the faith. I don't call myself Christian, but I was raised in the church, it's part of who I am, and I identify with it in many ways. I think there is wisdom to be taken from every faith and have tried to expose myself to different influences. I'll be looking forward to following and learning from those more schooled in the faith than I. Thanks for starting the thread. Sue __________________ "Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind." -Albert Schweitzer

03-24-2011, 07:03 PM	#5
julieisafemme Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Woman Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Married to Greyson Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: In the present Posts: 828 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,156 Thanked 3,445 Times in 660 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Great Thread!!! "The Sabbath is a sanctuary in time." This from Abraham Joshua Heschel from his book "The Sabbath". THis quote guides me everyday. The Sabbath is marked by time on both sides but is outside time. His book talks a lot about this. Do you know that poem by TS Eliot? Burnt Norton? I don't even pretend to really understand what it is about but this portion caught my imagination in high school and then added to my thoughts on Shabbat. Is being outside time being in the present? All I know is that on Shabbat when I can unplug and experience the day fully I have felt that shift of being in a timeless place and that helps me daven better. I don't always get there though. BUIRNT NORTON (No. 1 of 'Four Quartets') T.S. Eliot I Time present and time past Are both perhaps present in time future, And time future contained in time past. If all time is eternally present All time is unredeemable. What might have been is an abstraction Remaining a perpetual possibility Only in a world of speculation. What might have been and what has been Point to one end, which is always present. Footfalls echo in the memory Down the passage which we did not take Towards the door we never opened Into the rose-garden. My words echo Thus, in your mind.

03-26-2011, 11:21 AM	#6
citybutch Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to "hey you" (either works for me!) Relationship Status: 19 years together- Very Married for 10 years Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 556 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 835 Thanked 1,195 Times in 355 Posts Rep Power: 6220116	Right Relationship My divine nature guides my relationships into perfect alignment. Many people wonder how to find their "special someone" or how to improve their current relationships. Before seeking someone or something outside myself, I first turn within to Spirit. When Spirit takes priority in my life--guiding my thoughts and actions--all my relationships come into spiritual alignment. My oneness with Spirit gives me unparalleled security and joy. I relax in the silence of prayer and replenish my energy and my capacity to give. This positively impacts my partner, my children and my co-workers--as it positively impacts me. As I turn within to Spirit, I experience divine love. This love draws me to the right people and blesses every relationship in my life. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love.--Colossians 2:2 http://www.dailyword.com/dailyword/51883 __________________ Take care of your body, take care of your health... You never know when the walls cave in and it all changes for good.

03-24-2011, 10:32 AM	#4
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Thank you for this thread, Citybutch. I am Roman Catholic. I find a great deal of comfort in my faith. However, along the way, I have been out of the Church for over 20+ years before walking thru the doors of any Church. I returned when my older sister was dying of cancer. Now, before all of that, in those 20+ years I began to explore many other faiths and belief systems like Buddism, and such. I don't believe that one religion is better than another. I also believe that we all are interconnected, humananity, animals, earth, nature, and such. I believe in forgiveness, and an after life. I also believe that there is a heaven and hell. Hell can be anything one imagines it to be. I also believe in karma. I have an alter in my home. I believe in daily prayer. And I believe in praying for other people. Namaste, Andrew

03-26-2011, 12:02 PM	#8
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Dear Citybutch, Thank you for your kind post. It made me smile ear to ear. Yes, the path to God is not a one way street as alot of folks believe it is or would like to think it is. I have come to learn from others visually like Shirley MacLaine, Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, plus those who have a gift like Damon Brinkley. God has always drawn me from an early age because of the abuse I endured, and I asked for help from God. However, the spirits are very obvious to me. I think because I am not like most people. I don't have a voice like others. My voice is internal. I hope this makes sense. I feel that there is more to life than what we know it to be. There are those who feel like they have to eat fish on Friday end of story. Then you have those people who have other views. The God I know to be is of love. For example someone said that God is punishing Japan so He caused the earthquake and the tsuami and now the nuclear nightmare. It makes me very nervous so I don't watch the news now. But I know God did not have anything to do with that mess. It is the same with my sister dying of skin cancer. God had nothing to do with that. She died from cancer. Cancer is horrible. It makes me sad, and want to scream at the top of my lungs. I pray for a cure every day. I hope to see that happen one day. It is my faith and belief system that knows my sister is safe, happy, and healthy now. She isn't suffering. What most people don't know online is that I was the last person to see her alive. She died 45 min. later after I left her. I went directly to St. Jude's Shrine. I prayed to Mary and Jesus to take her. I would rather suffer missing her, and the pain involved, than to witness her suffering. What I don't understand is why folks want to start a pissing battle online over who is right or wrong on someone's faith? It makes no sense to me. It doesn't matter what site it is on because I have seen it time and time again. That to me is just a reflection of how much this still a big controversy. Again, like someone wants to debate who is/is not psychic, orbs, ghosts, spirits, the knights of Templar, Mormans, and so on. It is what it is. Now before my sister died from cancer, I had to endure my adopted step father dying from bone cancer, then my adopted mother dying from Altzheimer's Disease. My older adopted gay brother read the book you mentioned. He got alot from the book. I read a few pages and put it down. It went in one ear and out the other. I have no clue as to what I read. Nodda. I just wish others would have an open mind and heart to this. I just see so much hatred and opinions that it has to be one way only. It isn't. Life is not like that. Thank you again for your post. I very much enjoyed it. Namaste, Andrew

04-03-2011, 05:29 PM	#11
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I am very wary of when famous people or celebrities invite the public to their homes. I have too many experiences of the above, with negative outcomes. For me and me alone, it is a matter of trust. Remember you just do not know what happens behind the closed doors of a home. There are just too many risks involved with that in my opinion.

04-03-2011, 08:59 PM	#12
gracefaith Junior Member How Do You Identify?: me Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: earth Posts: 16 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15 Thanked 40 Times in 16 Posts Rep Power: 14	This is an awesome group This is an awesome group... Thank you for sharing spiritually...

04-03-2011, 05:09 PM	#14
citybutch Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to "hey you" (either works for me!) Relationship Status: 19 years together- Very Married for 10 years Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 556 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 835 Thanked 1,195 Times in 355 Posts Rep Power: 6220116	Inner Peace I am one with Divine Presence. I am at peace. When I see rain softly falling on my window and hear thunder in the distance, I feel a connection with something greater than myself. The air is being cleansed and the ground saturated with a renewing shower. The birds and other animals quench their thirst and plants are nourished. I am content knowing that each drop of water has a purpose. I take a breath and become aware of the activity of Spirit in each element of nature. As I sense its beauty and symmetry, a feeling of inner peace fills me. I go within to reconnect with Divine Presence; I experience a feeling of spiritual balance, a calm peace in my soul. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.--2 Thessalonians 3:16 http://www.dailyword.com/ __________________ Take care of your body, take care of your health... You never know when the walls cave in and it all changes for good.

03-30-2011, 10:02 PM	#16
citybutch Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to "hey you" (either works for me!) Relationship Status: 19 years together- Very Married for 10 years Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 556 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 835 Thanked 1,195 Times in 355 Posts Rep Power: 6220116	The days happen... Grace With God, I co-create my world with grace and ease. My tasks at home may range from picking up toys to caring for loved ones. My duties at work may vary from the trivial to the essential. No matter my day's activities, with God as my partner, I accomplish them all with grace and ease. Relationships can present a challenge at times, but today, I speak directly and lovingly with grace and ease. Any rifts of the past or concerns about the future diminish in importance as I hold positive expectations for the interactions of this day. Every decision, every choice, every relationship brings a gift or opportunity. I gratefully accept each one. With God as my partner, I co-create my world with grace and ease. Grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. --Psalm 45:2 http://www.dailyword.com/ __________________ Take care of your body, take care of your health... You never know when the walls cave in and it all changes for good.