 The caregiver does not cry in front of our loved one. We are strong, stoic, and perhaps foolish for not crying in front of you. We cry in the kitchen, when your back is turned, watching TV in the family room. We cry when taking out the trash, as you are in the house. We cry when making a new recipe, trying to cheer you up. We cry when you are too sick to eat. We cry because we have failed to help you feel better. We cry at the bank account, as it’s getting harder with one paycheck. We cry at the enormity of it all. There is so much to do running a household; once there were two, and now there is me. We cry inside when people ask how I, the caregiver, am, and my reply is “OK, I am doing fine.” I cry almost all the time, as there is seemingly nothing more I can do to make you comfortable. I cry because I have not healed you. I have gotten good at crying without tears; however, I also realize this is senseless as it only causes me more stress, hurt, and pain for both of us. Ode to the Caregiver, for I do not cry out loud enough. I need to release. I need to release. I need to release this feeling that I am not enough. I need to release; I am enough, and through this all, you will get better. You will return to good health and once again, you will mow the lawn! Remember, my dear, that is the goal. And with that, I rejoice! I rejoice that I have enough energy and time to take care of you AND myself. I rejoice there is enough money to handle today. I rejoice for the small things and big things, such as your smile when I come home from work. I rejoice we are still at home, enjoying life as best we can. I rejoice we are together and can still hear each other say “I love you” and hold each other at night. I rejoice, for if I do not rejoice, I will literally break into a thousand pieces. I rejoice as we have a past, we have this present, and will have a wonderful and marvelous future. A long and healthy future for both. Dear Mother, Father, Creator God, you know what is going on. You know how to fix this. Please, Lord, we are your Light and you are our energy Source. Please tell us and direct us how to shine today, tomorrow, always, and may we continue to be filled with your Love and Light. In your many names. Amen.  Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash "… In other words, a man is not bound to his limitations because he has been created a certain way. He can turn to the wider consciousness that lies within him, call upon it to manifest in his life, expand his awareness, perception, and knowledge, and effectively become a different and better person than he thus far has grown to be."
P 82. The Magic in Your Mind, by U.S. Andersen First, let me clean up the 1970s masculine-only pronouns and make this statement more inclusive. No one is bound to any limitations in which they have been created. One can turn to the broader consciousness within themselves and then call it up and manifest it into their own life, expanding their current awareness, perception, knowledge, and effetely becoming a different and better person than they were yesterday. So, when we need a change, don't just look in the mirror at the surface of you; look within, as within each of us is the vast consciousness of love and life. And just what is consciousness? Everything! The world is consciousness. Our galaxy is consciousness, and galaxies beyond our galaxies are consciousness. So before your mind gets too blown, your limitations to become a better person tomorrow are as endless as the galaxies. As stated by Rupert Spira, "Consciences is the mind with a capital M"; it is not limited to our human mind. Remember, if you can think it, you can manifest it. Paramahansa Yogananda states, "As water by cooling and condensation becomes ice, so thought by condensation assumes physical form. Everything in the universe is thought in material form." Yes, everything physical now, at one point, was a thought. Look at the screen or book you are reading ; at one point, it was a 'thought' of someone. And because this concept can be off the wall for many, here is another example from Harriet Tubman. "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." Dear Mother, Father Creator God, help me look within myself to find myself by finding you within. Help me see beyond my present-day circumstances to become the person you want. To continually uplift humanity, supporting your Will through all I do. In your many names. Amen  “Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be. But a great artist--a master--and that is what Auguste Rodin was--can look at an old woman, portray her exactly as she is . . . and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be . . . and more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo, or even you, see that this lovely young girl is still alive, not old and ugly at all, but simply prisoned inside her ruined body.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land I feel we are the master, when we see others as God sees us. Our physical avatar maybe in a form of decay, yet our soul is bright, brilliant, and glowing with life force. Dear Mother Father Creator God, thank you. Thank you for this reminder, that even in our human avatar, we can see the beauty in one another, through your eyes. May we all see each other with, in and through love. In your many names. Amen.  Photo by Paul Gilmore on Unsplash I have not posted in over a year. A lot of change, pain, joy, and growing and will write about that soon.
I typically do not like poetry, but when I read this poem, within the book Unveiled Mysteries, by Godfre Ray King, I just had to share! THE ASCENSION By CHANERA I feel My God Flame touch my brow, The Breath of Love—eternal now, I raise my eyes and lo, I see My own Great God Self over me. A dazzling cloud envelopes all, I hear My Real God "Presence" call, I feel a surge of Love's great might, I enter deep its Breath—its Light. I see within this Pulsing Flame, I listen, and hear my Secret Name, I feel the glow—the Great Flame Breath, I am the Victor over death. I stand forth free-Ascended now, To my heart's Light, all things do bow: I am a Being of Cause alone And That Cause, Love—The Sacred Tone. I pour out Life—I lift, I raise, My heart o’erflows and sings its praise, My power strengthens and inspires, My Great Light Rays are God's Own Fires. I am a Sun, My Love—Its Light All else grows dim—earth lost to sight; I know I am just God—The One The Source—The Great, Great Central Sun. #ascension #adialoguewithgod #LGBTQ #Metaphysics #spiritualgrowth  Markus Spiske When we are introduced to new thoughts and ideas, sometimes these go against our current paradigm or the bubble(s) we live in. Yet, occasionally, it is good to pop our little bubble(s) and experience other ideas, other thoughts, other cultures, and dare I say it, other religions. Yikes.
As for me, I have found by getting to know and learning from those of different religions, those with no religious beliefs or questioning. I can draw closer to God, through continuous dialogue, as I wrestle with the new to me ideas and experiences. We are all Children of God, no matter our current, past or future belief system. With continued prayer and our willingness to grow, God will direct and guide us to become the person we are intended; beautifully and wonderfully made. Dear Mother Father Creator God, I am open to meet, learn and grow from other Children of yours, with different rituals, practices, and paradigms. I am open to growing and with your guidance, I will grow stronger and love you more fully. In your many names. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” Colossians 1:10 (NIV) so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please God in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” #growth #adialoguewithgod #LGBTQ  Ian Stauffer I admit I like that I am a little quirky and have said for many years that I am not normal. Please don’t call me normal. Some may be asking why? Well, to me normal is boring, bland, like a drone, never up, never down, never changing and I really truly do not think this is what God expects of me or anyone else. But, each to their own, this is my truth.
I like to think outside the box, and at the same time get very frightened when I do step beyond the safety of my box. Changes are not my strong suit and therefore use my quirky sarcasm as a defense mechanism, and then I remember (daily reminders) to focus on God, prayer and the bible. I say remember, as like us all, too many times I fall to the side and forget to pray, forget to focus on Christ and forget to read and remember the bible and life lessons held within. So, God sends us reminders to return; return to Christ and return to the life lessons within the verses of the bible. One such reminder was a Facebook post. The post, “Today is the day that the Lord hath made...I will rejoice and wear a raincoat.” I absolutely love this post as it is a perfect example of how to learn and live the scriptures. The actual verse is Psalms 118:24 and reads, “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” To me and I assume the author, it is a reminder that our Lord is here, always here, even when it is raining and in all situations – AND it also reminds me of the verses and lessons within Ephesians 6:10-18, that discusses the armor of God and how when we “…put of the full armor of God…” we can stand against “…the devil’s schemes.” Just as a raincoat protects us from the rain, putting on the full armor of God protects of from “…the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.” Today and always, let us remember that “Today is the day that the Lord hath made...I will rejoice and wear a raincoat.” Dear Mother Father Creator and Great Protector God, oh how we praise you for your Word. We praise you for little reminders of you, through simple posts and conversations. Let our eyes, hearts, and souls are open to your wondrous works all around for today and all days is the day the Lord hath made, may whatever our situation, be glad. In your many names. Amen. Laurel E. December 3, 2013 “Today is the day that the Lord hath made...I will rejoice and wear a raincoat.” Psalm 118:24 NIV – “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV - The Armor of God: “10 finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” #adialoguewithgod #allgodschildren #LGTBQ #TGN #Trigeminal #Neuralgia  Nicola Fioravanti I have never referred to God as a Leader or Commander in Chief, until surprisingly during a dream-scape prayer. In the morning, when the alarm goes off, I most commonly start to praise God for the day ahead. For protection, for blessings, my health and well being. Thanksgiving for being a Child of God. And typically, as in my writings, I refer to God as Christ, Jesus, Creator, Sustainer, Mother and Father but never the nouns Leader or Commander in Chief have ever crossed my mind or lips until now.
When the word “Leader” came into my thoughts, my eyes immediately opened as I was startled at the thought. As I lay there asking God, why leader came to mind I fell back into my prayerful sleep and then awoke again when the words Dear Commander in Chief popped into my head, again eyes wide open and this time sitting straight up in bed. What the….. Hours later while at work, listening to a playlist, the song The Child In Us, by Enigma played and a line hit me like a wall of bricks; “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given: And the government will be upon his shoulder.” Looking this verse up, it is actually Isaiah 9:6 explains that when the Lord comes, the Lord will reign over all to sustain justice and righteousness forever and ever. So, I guess from a governmental terminology viewpoint, the nouns Leader and Commander in Chief would be correct. But I would still like to think and acknowledge God as more than a government figure and keep God to me as Sustainer, Creator, Mother and Father as these hold a greater respectful meaning as well as being a tad more loving. Dear Lord over all, thank you for your omnipresence and grace. Thank you for your leading, guiding, loving and protecting me. May today and always, I share your love and light to the world. In your many names. Amen Isaiah 9:6(NIV), “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” #allgodschildren # adialoguewithgod #LGBTQ Here is one of many links to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGsOTXCfY9o Here are the lyrics to The Child In Us. Enigma (90s): From the album Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! Enigma 3 Prasanna vadanaaM saubhaagyadaaM bhaagyadaaM HastaabhyaaM abhayapradaaM maNigaNair- Naanaavidhair-bhuushhitaaM (who is of smiling face, bestower of all fortunes, Whose hands are ready to rescue anyone from fear, Who is adorned by various ornaments with precious stones) Puer natus est nobis, Et filius datus est nobis Cujus emperium super humerum (For to us a child is born, To us a son is given: And the government will be upon his shoulder) Some day you came And I knew you were the one You were the rain, you were the sun But I needed both, cause I needed you You were the one I was dreaming of all my life When it is dark you are my light But don't forget Who's always our guide It is the child in us  Caleb Jones We have to have trust in God and trust in our own process that we are on the right path or else we get lost in the muddle and noise of life.
In order not to get lost, we must stay in a continual dialogue with God, so when God speaks, we will hear. This might not be a booming James Earl Jones voice from behind the bushes, but perhaps a sunset or a bird that swoops by. With constant communications and trust in God, when a decision comes along, we will make the decision that aligns with God. Dear Mother Father Creator God, thank you for your guidance and everlasting directing and guiding me down the right path. The path that will honor you and myself, while shining your light and love to the world. In your many names. Amen. Isaiah 40:3 NIV “A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB inclusive) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about your Creator m in all your ways, and God will guide you on the right paths. #trust #adialoguewithgod #allgodschildren #lgbtq  Dino Reichmuth The Universe has a one-word vocabulary and that is YES. Be mindful of what you think and say as the Universe responds with YES. This is pretty simplistic; what we think and speak becomes profound magical commands. Try all or a few of the following commands within your prayer and see what changes come.
I am mindful of my thoughts as thoughts become words and words become actions I am happy I am prosperous I am healthy I am well I am filled with Grace I am continually showered with blessings I am full of gratitude I am full of praise for my Creator I am prosperous enough to share with others I am full of God’s Love and Pure Light I am a Child of God. Period Dear Mother Father Creator God, oh how you instill in me your Love and Light. This moment in time, thank you for being with me, holding me, protecting and guiding me. Thank you! In your many names. Amen. ? Are there other commands you would like to share within your professed prayers? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) “ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Genesis 1:27 (ESV Inclusive) “So God created us all in God’s own image, in the image of God we are created male and female…” #adialoguewithgod #allgodschildren #LGBTQ #Magic  Arturo Rey #“all of Plaintiffs claims were dismissed with prejudice” This is a wonderful statement to read; meaning, it is over and done. In December 2013 my husband and I were invited to join a lawsuit to stand up against hatred and bigotry when the Republican Party filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston and current mayor to rebuke and take away our legally married employment benefits, for the simple reason of same-sex marriage.
We joined the lawsuit along with two other couples and although we physically never stepped foot in a courtroom, our hearts, energy and emotions were with our lawyers at Lambda Legal. Over the years, our case got bounced from court to court, up to the United States Supreme Court, only to get tossed back as “there was no standing”. We wholeheartedly thank those who supported us throughout this and especially all those at Lambda Legal making this win possible. Yes, hatred and bigotry have no standing and this is another reminder of God’s love and when we stay in God’s light of pure love, love wins. Dear Mother Father Creator God, oh thank you, thank you for staying, protecting, and guiding us. Thank you for your blessings and most of all, thank you for your love. In your many names. Amen. Psalms 139:13-14 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.” Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV inclusive)” …“‘Our Parent in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” #lovewins #LGBT #lambdalegal #allgodschildren #ADWG  Jordan Steranka In the book, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, there are sections which warn repeatedly about fears that turn us away from our goals and corrupt our thinking. One particular passage, “recognize that negative influences often work on you through your subconscious mind, therefore they are difficult to detect…” and warns to “… keep your mind closed against all people who depress or discourage you in any way.”
Napoleon also warns that even those closest to us just might be the ones we should distance ourselves, as they might not be our best influencers. I have experienced this. Close friends, co-workers and even family members who, just might think and feel they have great advice, but in reality twisted and malice empty words. This is when prayer and meditation are our strongest tools to decipher between the rhetoric and truth. When we are in a dialogue with God and are open for answers to our posed questions, God will prevail, always sustaining, protecting and guiding us, one situation and one day at a time. Remember, we are all Children of God, and God is our parent – The Parent who has our absolute best interest at heart. Dear Mother Father Creator God, thank you for your guidance and helping me to continually grow stronger in knowing you so that I can recognize negative influences, even when they are subconsciously embedded. Thank you oh Lord. In your many names. Amen. #allgodschildren #adialoguewithgod #LGBT #Christ  Javardh My intention is to love my Lord, Jesus Christ with all my heart, mind and soul
My intention is I am happy My intention is I inspire people My intention is I am surrounded by happy and inspiring people My intention is we share only positive energy My intention is to be healthy My intention is to be whole My intention is to be. “Be still and know I am God.” God is within us, we are All God’s Children. Period #allgodschildren, #LGBT #intention #prayer #adialoguewithgod Psalm 46:10  Rachel Walker As I parked the car in the garage at work, the radio station was giving a morning scripture. I listened to the DJ read the verse and smiled, not sure why, but felt I needed to read the entire verse when I got to the office.
After reading Psalms 31 in the entirety yet still not knowing why, I read a Facebook post from a friend. My heart then was filled with angst for her, as she was reaching out and sharing her hurt but also shared that during her angst, a song played on the radio, same station @KSBJ, and helped lift her spirit and eyes to God. This is what the verse and song are all about. Reminding us that God sees our anguish and continues to protect, keep and love us. We need to be and stay connected to God and each other. To lift and support, to give and receive love. In this day, reach out to someone in your life and smile at strangers. Share God’s love today, tomorrow and always. Dear Mother Father Creator Sustainer God, thank you for your grace, protection, and love. In your many names. Amen. Psalm 31:7-8 (NIV) “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” Song was by MercyMe, Grace Got You. #ADWG, #LGBT, #GodsGrace  Dewang Gupta I have often said and written about how our thoughts become words, our words become actions and thus create our environment. This can be for the good or bad. I have also been known to say, at least to myself, that I am stubborn even on things I know to be true and don’t always follow my own advice. Well, I had an epiphany and starting now things are going to change for the better. You see, about 4 years ago, I was forced to transition to a different position at my day job. This was a promotion, but within a department, I did not want to be a part. I fought. I screamed and yelled, albeit inside, and really struggled with this change. To the point, I was so angry inside, my anger manifested in an external skin rash resulting in multiple doctors, Chinese Herbalist and acupuncture visits before I realized, I need to release the anger and not feed it. Although giving forgiveness and receiving peace did subdue my rash, my work surroundings did not change, and I continually struggled. So my epiphany? On an afternoon stress walk, I crossed paths with a former co-worker, from a position and department that I absolutely loved. Our conversation was as if we saw each other yesterday when years had passed. While speaking with her I remembered what a joy it was to work with her. What a joy my job and position was and that, almost, every day, I would go to work happy and say to myself and out loud I was happy, My epiphany then, I know get on with it. My epiphany is that I need to stop saying to myself and out loud that I don’t like my job; that it sucks, that my company sucks, that my boss sucks. This all might be true, in some respects, but by me confirming and reconfirming (thoughts become words, words become actions and thus create our environment) I am growing the negativity, creating more negative vibrations and creating more of what does not support or empower me. The epiphany is a new mantra or mantras. Positive mantras that will change my current vibrational power and call into creation a position where I feel and hold great joy, satisfaction, empowerment and extravagant prosperity. Mantra 1: I love my job in every way. I love to play every day. My job has the perfect balance of work and play. My job is at the perfect pay. Mantra 2: I AM joyful. I AM fully known. I AM brilliant. I AM well in my being. Dear Creator Sustainer Mother Father God, thank you for reminding me that you are within me and that I have the power to create. Thank you for waking me up to the fact I was creating a negative environment. Dear Lord, please continue to be with me in present and future, just as the past; as without you, I would be lost. I am your child. A Child of God. Thank you. In your many names. Amen. ** Note - within 24 hours of writing my new mantras, I was giving a new project, working with my former boss with the team I love. Already working!!! Acknowledgments: Thank you, my dear friend, mentor, and aunt, Cecilia Rose for many teachable moments, lessons in personal and professional awareness and knowledge. https://ceciliarose.com/ Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “… Be still, and know that I am God…” Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—God [is] good, pleasing and perfect will.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” #ADWG #LGBT #JesusChrist #personalgrowth  Daniel Jericó As we embark on a new year, remember our thoughts become words, our words become actions and our actions define us. May we each individually and collectively be defined by truly caring for each other.
Dear Creator Sustainer Mother Father God, Thank you for our past and the lessons we learned. Thank you for our blessings you have poured upon us. Thank you for your Grace and Light within each of us. May this next year be the start of a true revolution of kindness towards all your people and may your Light truly shine from me to the world. We are all your Children. In your many names. Amen. As in 1 John 18: NCV, a letter from John to all ages; “My children, we should love people not only with words and talk but by our actions and true caring.” #ADWG, #Allgodschildren, #happynewyear, #2019  Marcus Wallis Some of my dreams are probably just as normal or strange as yours or anyone else's. I have those that make me feel all good inside and some that would make even Stephen King curl up in a corner and cry. Then there are subtle learning snippets for life as the other night. In this dream, I was sitting at work and my boss came in with a half-empty jar of beef jerky.
Being particularly mindful of what I put into my body, I started to the read the ingredients; searching for those not so savory chemicals most prepared foods contain. To my surprise, the third ingredient was Praising God. Uhmmmm, that is a good ingredient. So during this Holiday Season, may it be Christmas, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and even more around the Winter Solstice, be sure to include Praising God in all your food at this time and throughout the year. What we put into our food, we are putting in our body and I for one would rather eat something full of praise and blessings than turmoil and dread. Dear Mother Father Creator God, oh how we praise you for your goodness. We praise you for our being. We praise you when we are cooking and baking. Help us to be mindful of all the ingredients we put into our food for ourselves and others and may Praise to you, our savior, be a main ingredient. In your many names. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. John 6:33 (NIV) “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ** Six Holidays, Christmas makes Seven: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Las Posadas, Diwali, Chinese New Year #ADWG, #Holidays, #PraisingGod, #Cooking  No matter where you are physically, mentally or spiritually at this moment; give praise and thanks to God for our Mother Father Creator God is always with us.
All we need to do is be open. Be open and just be. Just be loved. At this moment, close your eyes and open your heart, allowing God to be revealed within. Just Be in this moment. Just be loved. Here is an example meditation. Dear Mother Father Creator God, thank you for your goodness. As I sit here with you, I am open. I am open to feel you within. I am open to receive your blessings. I am open to receive your love. I feel your love within. I acknowledge your blessings. I welcome and receive your love. Thank you for holding me. Thank you for this moment in time. As you continue to sit quietly for a couple moments or long minutes. Stay open to God’s love and acknowledge God’s love within you now. Feel God’s peace and good health filling your lungs with each breath. Feel the power of healing Rest and just BE. Just BE the wonderful YOU God made you to be. Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” John 3:16 Inclusive and my version: For God so loved the world, we were given Jesus and whoever, whomever (yes YOU and ME), when we believe in Jesus as our savior, we shall not perish and have eternal life. 
Previously this year I was in two different “vehicle situations†coming out with a stronger realization that God is Love, God is protecting us and God is just down-right great!
First I received a text from my husband telling me he was stuck at a client’s office and would need a ride, due to a vehicle recall problem. After much ado, calling three different auto dealers, insurance company, the National Recall Center, and multiple car rental agencies, we both were on our way home for the evening only about 1 hour later than a typical workday. Not bad on the timing. The next “vehicle situation†I found myself with a co-worker driving a company car to a secondary location when the vehicle was LoJacked, where the engine acts like there is no gas, forcing me to pull into a left emergency lane of one of the United States busiest interstates. Situations as these as in most panicky situations, hindsight provides clarity. Clarity in the first situation, the car could have stopped shifting while backing up into a street or oncoming traffic. The summer Houston sun could have been glaring down, yet the car stopped shifting in a safe parking lot and the sky was overcast and slightly cooler. In the second situation, the vehicle rolled to a stop, safely in the left emergency lane. Now if I had been driving alone I would not have been driving in a High Occupancy Vehicle Lane, thus driving three lanes away from the exit and emergency lane, placing me in the middle of a 12 lane highway and in much danger. In both situations, there was a lot of prayers, but I think the prayers that helped the most were preemptive prayers and premeditated prayers. Prayers at the start of the day, thanking God for guidance, protection, blessings and again, asking God for continual guidance, protection, and blessings. I believe God continually guides us when we allow God to guide. Yes, I do believe that God gave us and we have free will, in that we can do what we want when we want. And when we live with God at the forefront, our actions will have Godly consequences. When we don’t put God first, then our actions, at times, will not have the best outcome. So when panicky situations come up, God is with us; holding us, protecting us. However, I think in both situations, there was a lot of prayer before the situations which helped me know fully that God is there; and with each bump in the road, I become stronger and stronger in my belief that asking for protection works. Dear Protector Sustainer Joyful Provider, thank you for my protection, guidance, and blessings. Today and always, please continue to protect, guide and bless me beyond my human mind can comprehend. In your many names. Amen #protection #prayers #lgbt #Christ  Sharon McCutcheon In all my writings please oh please use whatever pronoun you and God feel comfortable using for both yourself and God. God wants a conversation. God wants a relationship and it is up to you and God, as to what pronoun to use for God – AND yourself.
Did you catch that? Yourself. I, like many others, believe the pronoun for yourself and for God is a joint decision between you and God. Simply put and you can place a period at the end of that statement. As a norm in society, changing albeit too slow for myself, the masculine, male pronoun is the norm when referring to God. He and Him were mine until around 2005 and then it shifted. As I type this, in 2018, I refer to God as… well, many pronouns and sometimes God is really hard to explain within the English language. I really try to keep God out of a box. Thinking back when I was a child, growing up Mennonite, God was always, of course, a “Father” figure. However, secretively to my Sunday School teachers and especially my family, God was like the smoke that came out of our chimney on a windy day; and even the smoke from my Grandfathers Winchesters or Great Aunts Merits cigarettes. Yes, God did sit on a throne, but I could not really see the throne nor could I see God. God was translucent, smokey, vision-esque, yet always there within me, around me and protecting me; even in the times I felt and wanted God the least. So with that said, whenever you read my writings, or anyone’s, please read them with your truth. Your truthful pronoun for God and for yourself. Examples could be…. And there are many, many more…. So don’t limit to just my examples. Name(s) for God: (God+= Jesus+=Holy Ghost) = Mother Father Creator Spirit Sustainer Healer Friend Provider Protector Guardian Fulfiller and much much more – in fact, I am sure the names are infinite, just as God is infinite. Name(s) for Self: (Note this is not an end-all list, this is between you and God) = (in my original writing, I listed out many pronouns. I am not posting them, as again, this is between you and God and I do not feel to even sway or recommend in any way). Dear Loving God, you who created me as I am. You who made me complete, fearfully, wonderfully and to live life with abundance. This day and always, I thank you for my being and I thank you and praise you for my blessings. I praise you for my health, my wealth and the love I received from everyone I encounter. Today and always, please continue to bless me with your wonderous love and protection. In your infinite and most high name. I love you. Amen. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ** I picked this photo, by Sharon McCutcheon, as we are not only covered in gold, we are made of gold, God’s gold. #TransgenderAwarenessWeek #Christ #love  Cody Board For a while, I have been ‘intending’ to start an ‘Intention Journal” where I would pray and ask God what my intentions should be, then write the intention down and pray and concentrate on the intention. Well, as with most of us, my intentions were good, but I did not follow through, or did I?
You see, I had been praying and thinking about what a good method would be, but never physically acted upon the intentional thought. During this time, I was invited to a Power of Eight session. I had never heard of the Power of Eight, authored by Lynne McTaggart, so I started my own research prior to accepting the invitation. It turns out, the Power of Eight, is where eight or more people gather, physically or virtually and collectively place their Love and Light, towards one common intention. This is the same as corporate prayer in a church or home group setting. During the process, those of us physically together held hands, closed our eyes and sent our Love and Light into and on the intention at hand, for about eight to ten minutes. Afterward, we share the feelings and visions that we may have experienced. Did our body temperature rise, did we see God’s healing Light, did we see a vision of future activity or maybe we saw nothing, yet felt at peace. There is no right or wrong way to feel or see during these sessions or during prayer when sending Love and Light. What is important, is the spark that we are collectively creating and with the power of many, there are sparks abound. On the occasions when I am unable to attend physically, I print off the intention and within 24 hours of the groups meeting, will send my Love and Light to the intention. This is a powerful way to still connect with the group, connect with the intentioned person and connect with God, by stepping out of myself. As stated by Lynne McTaggart “getting off of yourself is key to your [own] well-being,” and then we can make the world a better place, one intention at a time. Dear Mother Father Creator Sustainer God, be within our spark collectively and individually. Bless our sparks of intention. Let them grow beyond what we can imagine and expand them beyond our realm. We thank you for our blessings. We thank you for Our Love. We thank you for Our Light and most of all, for standing and being with us continually. In your many names. Amen. For the past month or more, my self-care GPS went off-line. I stopped spending quality time with God and myself. Trying to keep up with all that has been swirling around me and with each task crossed off my list, another three would get added. I did start saying no, as no is a complete sentence, but when is saying no at the detriment of others and myself.
I have friends in the hospital with needs. There are petitions and letters to write to congress and council. There is coffee to be set up at church. Weeds to pull in the garden and the lawn needs mowed. Phone calls, text and emails to return. And two major events to plan and organize coming at me like a run-a-way freight train. So, for the past month or so, I have just wanted to curl up in a fetal position and cry. Today I had the time to cry, only after the three car accident on the way to work. I held back the tears while sitting in my car after the jolt. I held back the tears while exchanging insurance papers with the other two drivers. I held back the tears while filling my claim and when picking up the rental car. I held back the tears until the doctor’s appointment was made and even then, sat down and told myself, you have permission to cry. Yet I was dry. So I sat longer, relaxed and let the tears flow. No, not so much tears, but body jolting, hard to hear sobs. I can’t remember when I cried last, as you know, big boys don’t cry. I cried from anger, anger at so many things that are just plain wrong in the world we live. I cried about a family member and how, unknowing to them, their words hurt me to the core. I cried for my friends recovering from surgery and entering a retirement home. I cried as my list of tasks to accomplish each day just seems to never go down. And then, I cried some more. Yet, through these tears I see joy, feel protected and know I am blessed. I see joy in my life and within myself. I feel protected, as while waiting for the police and tow truck, I was thankful that I prayed for protection during my morning prayer. I was protected as all three drivers walked away and two out of three cars drove away. I feel blessed, as when my husband picked me up to take me home, I looked out at the homeless living under the freeway. I have a home. So, it took a car accident to slow me down. It took a car accident to allow myself to cry and release. It took a car accident to make me pause. My prayer for myself and you, is to take the time to cry when needed. Take the time to self-care and meditate without God-Universe taking a drastic action as a jolt from behind. Dear Protector Sustainer Mother Father God – oh how I thank you for your love and protection. Thank you for never leaving me and always holding me in your loving force. It was your force that protected me today. It was your loving force that jolted me out of my analytical self and allowed myself to be my real self and feel my own real tears. Dearest Lord, please continue to keep us all in your loving protective force and allow us to feel and be real, before it takes a car accident to wake us up. In your many names. Amen.  Today I found solace within The Message version of Psalm 34. David’s words sum up what is going on with my being and the world around me. I hope this too provides solace and a respite for you.
Psalm 34 The Message (MSG) 34 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with praises for God. 2 I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: 3 Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. 4 God met me more than halfway, God freed me from my anxious fears. 5 Look and give God your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from God. 6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. 7 God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-- how good God is. Blessed are you who run to God. 9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all God’s goodness. 10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. 11 Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship. 12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty? 13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth. 14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace—don’t let it get away! 15 God keeps an eye on friends, and God’s ears pick up every moan and groan. 16 God won’t put up with rebels; instead, culls them from the pack. 17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. 18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, God will help you catch your breath. 19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. 20 God is your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. 21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good. 22 God pays for each slave’s freedom; no one who runs to God loses out.
 On most nights, I fall asleep praying generally thanking and praising God for the day, asking for a wonderful night sleep; dreams to open my heart and asking for a wonderful following day.
And on most mornings, I find myself either still praising or asking God about a dream I had during the night. Recently, my prayer was done with much caution, telling God <insert God laughing here> that I was ready to admit I am clay and ready to be molded into the person God created me to be. With the caveat to be gentle and not fire me up in the kiln as hot as clay, so maybe like porcelain instead? First, I don’t believe everyone has a burning bush or Moses on the mount experience before God starts to mold us into the person we are intended. I believe God starts to mold or as reflected in Psalms, knitting our wonderful selves in our mother’s womb. I believe God does have a plan for each of us. And I believe God gave us free will to choose which fork in the road to take, each and every moment of the day. Sometimes we are open or broken enough to listen with our heart and hear Gods direction for us, so we take this fork. On other days, we are too hurried and preoccupied that we missed God’s voice and take that fork. The good news is, no matter what fork we take, one leading to a picturesque park or one down a dark alley. God continues to walk with us, loving us unconditionally to the next fork in the road. And there will be another fork, and another fork and another all with God by our side. Now back to the molding and knitting; yes, we are always being molded into the person God intends, and we are molded by the experiences we have. There are good and bad experiences. There are times of joy and times of sorrow, all a growing and molding process. I believe that if we continue to keep Christ as our focus no matter what fork we pick, God will use our experiences to help mold us and help those we touch. Sometimes we might think we are too broken or cracked to be near God or even to love ourselves or be loved by anyone. The truth is, when we are broken and cracked, that is when the Light of God, who lives in ALL of us can shine upon the world, allowing YOU to shine God’s unconditional love to others. It is when we are broken, we grow. Dear Sustainer Creator Mother Father God, oh how I thank you, oh how I praise you. Thank you for keeping me in all my comings and goings. Thank you for never leaving my side, even when I experience too much hurt. Thank you for pulling me from the fire of despair and lifting me to joy, happiness, great health and free from pain. Thank you Lord, thank you. In your many names. Amen PS: Be mindful of what we ask and pray. Doing a little research and according to Wikipedia, porcelain is made by heating the material between 2200 and 2600 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas clay only about half. Yikes! I thought I was asking God for protection from the fire, not to double it! 1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.” Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” HEBREWS 13:5 NLV “Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.”  I am posting the following together, as if you are like me, not every morning is wake up Sonny Sunshine, just like most mornings do not start with the cold void of emptiness. In both cases, we have a choice. The choice to praise and dialogue with God in and through the rain and shine. May your days be blessed today and always, enjoy!
Submission 1: Morning Praises! Praises to God. Praises to God whom lives in my heart, restores and keeps my soul! I absolutely love it when I wake up praising God. I feel happy, safe, content in my heart and my entire being is well. I thank God for the previous day. I praise God for the blessings of the past and the blessing to come to me this day just starting. I thank God for my health, my wealth and happiness. I thank God for the lessons I have learned, as the lessons help me be a better Child of God this day and always. Today, I focus on God and the Love of God, as God is Love and when we keep God’s love within and around us, the world we live in cannot overcome us. Dear Creator Mother Father God, oh how I praise you. Thank you for your continued guidance, protection and your Love within. May I be one of millions of your Lights to the world, showing your love within diversity. Your kindness to harsh people, so that all may come to know your true Love. In your many names. Amen. Submission 2: Morning Numbness – Dear Lord fill me with your Love Thank goodness it is not often, yet there are those mornings when I awake, just not feeling – God’s love within. It is in these mornings the praising and feeling my soul over pours with joy, just is not happening. The feeling is closer to a numbness than anything else. It is on these mornings I start to pray and ask God to fill me with God’s love. To fill me, surround me, engulf my entire being. For where there is God’s love, void, numbness and hurt is not possible. I continue to pray and chant, God send me your love. Fill me with your Love. As your Child, I am Love, know love and feel love. Let me be your light to the world. Fill me. Surround me. Engulf me. And if a smile does not automatically appear on my face, I start to pray and chant again. Breathing in God’s love. Breathing out the void of numbness. Everyone has their own prayer, chant and cries to God. God hears and God answers. We just need to be open to hear and answer God. Dear Holy Spirit Sustainer God, thank you for your Love, as where there is God’s love, there is no void and only healing, joy and gladness. In times when I feel void, thank you for filling me. Thank you for this reminder, that I must stay connected to you through prayer and actions. Thank you for your Love. In your many names. Amen. *Hebrews 13:5 NIV “… because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Psalm 34:1 NIV “I will extol the Lord at all times; God’s praise will always be on my lips.” *Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” * Inclusive language  Unsure when my fascination with escalators started; perhaps I can attribute it to growing up on a farm. I distinctly remember when my entire family, all five of us without seatbelts, small and thin enough to all pile into our single cab pick-up truck with dad driving to the mall in the big city. It was at the mall that I saw it for the first time! The giant staircase that reached the sky all shiny and sleek. The beautiful metal, spotless glass and the steps appeared to weave in and out from the floor appearing and suddenly disappearing as far as I could see. Taking people up and up and up, just like Jacobs ladder in Sunday School! WOW, what splendor and I was wide-eyed with excitement. I just could not wait to step onto the stairs and experience the feeling of being lifted to heaven. However, I did feel a little disappointed when I reached the linens department and not heaven. Now living in the 4th largest city in the United States and working downtown, escalators are an everyday occurrence and I no longer look at them eye struck with wonder. Now I look at them as a choice I can make at any moment. The choice of allowing this moment, whatever it maybe, lift me up or tear me down. More importantly, do I let my actions in this moment lift others up or tear them down? I believe we need reminders. Reminders of kindness every day and escalators are just one reminder for me. Like sunsets, birds singing, or a clear blue sky. What reminds you to praise God, love yourself and love others? What reminds you to show kindness and spread the love of Christ and lift one another up? Dear Mother Father Creator God, thank you for the reminders that you are everywhere, in all situations when life seems to go up and down – yet with your never-ending and never-failing love, I will be lifted and lift others so we may all feel your love. In your many names. Amen. Genesis 28:10-12 (NIV) Jacob’s Dream at Bethel “10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” Matthew 22:36-40 (ERV) “36 He said, “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?” 37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor[b] the same as you love yourself.’[c] 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? God brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of Gods’ great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” ** changed for inclusive language |
