Love --- essential to exsistence....unless one loves..poof!!

Dallas Willard states loving relationships are essential; reaching out & enfolding others in love is imperative & this is symbolized by the Trinity.....loving oneself, loving another PLUS reaching out to others.....

Sacrify your body to God....daily

Dallas Willard proposes this exercise...daily lie on your back as if you are a sacrifice on the altar of God...starting at the crown of your head ...state how each part of your body will be a 'sacrifice'...positive thoughts, seeing positively, speaking positively....very Buddhist actually, stressing 'right thought, action, speech, occupation' After this exercise, sing a praise to the Lord. He suggests Psalms 145 - 150...walk, dance or chant.....let me know what you think of this, please...I tried it today at 4:30AM ... fun!

What are your thoughts for 'renovating your heart'?

from Renovation of the heart in Daily Practice by Willard: 'Opening ourselves to cultivating love, joy and peace, first by receiving them from God & those living in him and then by extending them to others.....' Paul in Romans 12 9..."Let love be sincere...hold on to what is good...love one another with mutual affection, anticipate one another in showing honor....Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer."

Share or not to share? That is the question.

Today, when I was making the bed, I was thinking about a friend who enjoys reading the blog and not sharing. This got me to thinking about my belief that we are all here to authentically share ourselves and our talents. The way we do that is entirely unique to each individual and his or her gifts and personality. There are many ways of sharing what we believe and they are not all verbal. My sharing seems to be essential to my "concretizing" the wisps of ideas and insight that come to mind at the oddest times. It is in the writing they become real and a permanent part of my learnings. However, people often share what they believe in their behavior and talents. It is there we gain insight and inspiration and observe the active work of God it their lives. We see in them, courage, fortitude, love, loyalty and intelligence. They also give us courage to sing our own song in our own way. I don't believe God had any intention of filling the forrest with only one kind of song.

So, If can, can. If no can, no can.

We are built to count

"We were built to count, as water is made to run downhill. We are placed in a specific context to count in ways no one else does. That is our destiny." This is the sentence Judy quoted that means the most to me as it is another way of expressing what I think God is teaching me. Our biggest task is to be ourselves and use what is given. In a way, you may never understand fully, your contribution of your life weaves into the whole to complete the purposes of God. What a relief. I don't even have to be right. I just have to do my best.

What is the Presence of God!!!

1. Dallas Willard and others emphasis the need to know our concept of Divinity...our concept of the Presence of God...

2.What are our core ideas that govern our thinking, behavior, self image...

For me, Michangelo's Sistine Chapel as well as the Lord's Prayer...have 'God' isolated far away on a cloud fixated on Adam... hard for me to move beyond that... as far as core ideas governing my behavior....I hope Jesus' Golden Rule governs my behavior....as least that is the goal.

RE: Prayerfulness

The disciple asks, "Is there anything I can do to make myself enlightened?"

To which the spiritual master responds, "As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the

morning."

"Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?"

"To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise."

Anthony De Mello SJ