spiritual improvements

Poems, Parables

and Practical Principles

Spiritual Improvements

a friends of light

production 2023

all wisdom reserved

Heaven cannot be accurately perceived through careful observation – but, it can through the heart.

**********

A sense of family occurs when children know who their parents are.

One day a father came to his children and had a request, “I have just had a meeting with your older brother and instructed him on how I would like you to grow up. So please listen to him. Pay attention to his ways. And if you have a question, you can certainly come to me first, but I would prefer you go to him.”

Some of his children said “Okay.” Some of his children didn’t. They couldn’t understand this request. “He’s just our brother, you’re our father. We’ll listen to you. We won’t listen to him.”

And the father replied, “Okay.”

And that’s how it all started…

**********

There is no better teacher than experience.

Here we have a tale of two families. Each lives in a nice home with a lovely wood-burning stove that keeps the house nice and toasty in the winter.

Each family has a two-year-old – a rather curious two-year-old. They always like to explore. Always touching things.

Well, one beautiful, but cold, January morning, each of these toddlers decided to go and explore their wood stove, which was so prominently displayed in their living rooms.

In one of the families, the parents yelled, “STOP!! Don’t touch the stove, YOU’LL BURN YOURSELF!!!” And the child, albeit in shock, stopped in time and did not touch the hot stove.

In the other family, the parents merely stated, “That stove is hot.” Then carefully watched as the child barely touched the stove with the very tip of its finger. Eyes now wide open… along with mouth. Feelings are being felt that had never been felt before. Suddenly, great volumes of air started making their way over the vocal chords and the screaming made the family pet sitting on the back porch, seek quieter fare.

“OUCH!!!!!!!!!”

Then those carefully watching parents reached out to their teary-eyed toddler as it came running. There was hugging. There was kissing. There was funny noise making. But there was also an understanding of the teaching perfection of experience.

Now, were these parents in any way negligent toward their child? No. Should they have jumped up, screaming like the other parents and imposed their will to make this child stop? If so, then how would that two-year-old have ever come to know what hot is? (And if you were that child’s parent, wouldn’t you want to be present at that moment to make sure things worked out okay?)

And what of the other parents and their ways? What did their actions teach that child to learn?

Well, for sure, the child learned nothing about what hot is. But… that kid sure did learn awful early how to take orders.

**********

Some folks need an alarm to wake up.

There once was a gentleman who worked for his government. He was someone who collected moneys owed the government, due to laws, which were broken and penalties and punishments, which were applied.

This man was very good at his job. He dressed well, always wanting to give the right appearance. He was a studiously organized man, who knew there was a place for everything and everything in its place. (These things he learned as a child from his parents. He was a very good boy who knew who his authorities were and that he should always believe and do as he was told.) He was sharp. He was smart. He obeyed the law to the letter. He knew what he was enforcing.

He was also a Christian. He believed Jesus Christ to be his Personal Savior and that one day, he would be raptured away from this hell on Earth. He attended church regularly with his family (wife and two daughters) and religiously read The Bible, gleaning all the wisdom he could from it.

Well, one day his supervisor called upon him to make another collection. You see, his normal routine is to show up with police officers (in case someone wants to get cute) and brief case in hand (which contained all the legal legislation that was allowing him to do what he was about to do).

But, in his paperwork this morning, he saw that this person was a seventy-year-old woman and decided that a police escort was not going to be necessary.

So, off he went to do his job… to follow his orders… to do what he was told to do. After all, if he didn’t do his job to the letter of the law, he would be fired. He would lose all his benefits and wages and future braces for his kids and vacations with his wife and that brand new boat he’s been looking at. So, therefore, he marched forward with determination and with the full force of the law behind him.

Being a good government servant, he dressed sharp, making sure not a wrinkle existed on his clothes; he walked spiritedly with dignity and pride in the work he was doing. (He wanted to make his Father proud.) So, with much confidence and that full-force-of-the-law “authority thing” backing him, he knocked on the door… and then it opened.

Standing in front of this man was an old woman who instantly reminded him of his late grandmother whom he loved so much. He became starry eyed, and a smile came across his face that hadn’t been there in years. Then his mind caught up with his heart.

“Hello, Mrs. Jones.” He was reading his paperwork. “I’m Agent Smith and I think you know why I’m here.”

Being a kind and gentle person, she generously opened her door and invited the young man in. “Please come in, it’s rather chilly out and I’m sure you’re feeling it, too.” He entered the modest home and sat at the very old kitchen table. “May I offer you some tea?” The old woman smiled.

The young man was about to say yes, but again his mind took over. “Uh, no ma’am. We need to talk about this money you owe us.”

“Well, I don’t exactly know what to say.” A look of sadness came over the elderly woman’s face. “I have no money to give. My husband died. The corporation he worked for all his life went bankrupt. We lost all our savings, and I think that’s what really killed him. He worked his whole life for them. They told him that they would always be there to take care of him – us. But now they’re gone and everyone who were given promises have been lied to.”

“Mrs. Jones,” He paused, fully expecting to hear those excuses. “You know I have to collect this money. You know I have no other choice but to take your house and put it on the auction block. You know I have to do this.” He was nodding his head up and down, looking for her approval of his words.

Oops. “No Agent Smith, I don’t understand. Everyone who has ever given us a promise has broken it. Nothing that we have ever been told was actually the truth. We gave our lives to make that company money…” She pointed to her husband’s silver-plated retirement clock hanging on the wall just above his picture. “Now you’re going to take everything I have left, because you say it’s your job. No, Agent Smith, I don’t understand why this is happening.” Tears formed and began pooling on the old kitchen table.

Agent Smith suddenly realized that this was going to be tougher than he thought. So, he opened up his briefcase, pulled out his manual and began showing her all the Rules and Protocols and Statutes and Guidelines and Codes and Ordinances that she had failed to uphold. He confidently showed her how she messed up and how she was going to have to pay for it. After all, it was Agent Smith’s job to do this.

Mrs. Jones began to cry. “Where will I go? I have no one. What will I do? This is the only home I’ve known for 50 years.” Now she had her head in her hands.

“I don’t know, Mrs. Jones.” Agent Smith was doing his best to be compassionate and caring. “But I can give you up to 45 days to move out. So, I’ll help you out there.”

The elderly woman looked deeply into the young man’s eyes. “Is there nothing I can do to keep my home? Is there some other way this can be settled?”

“Yes, you can come up with the $19,451.90 you owe us before 10 working days. That will get you in compliance with the law. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to do what I have to do – I’ll be forced to do my job and enforce the law.”

Then Agent Smith raised himself from the table and looked down on the crying old woman. “I’m sorry Mrs. Jones. I’m really sorry. But I’m just doing my job. I’m just upholding the law.” Then he turned and walked out.

About two weeks later, Agent Smith did as he promised and came back to see if Mrs. Jones had come up with the money she owed. (On the way though, he couldn’t seem to get the actions of one of his daughters out of his mind - and it had gotten him rather upset.) He knocked and when the door opened, he noticed Mrs. Jones was now in a wheelchair. ‘I’ll bet she’s trying to get my sympathy.’ He judged for himself. ‘No sympathy for you today, old woman.’ (His daughter had apparently taken all he had.) “Mrs. Jones, do you have the money you owe us?”

“No, Agent Smith, I don’t. In fact, since you left, my health has gotten much, much worse. I just can’t bear to think of losing my home. Is there no other way? Is there any chance that I can be forgiven?”

Agent Smith exhaled in disgust.

“Forgiven? Of more than NINETEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS? Ma’am you failed to comply with the law. You have equity in this home that will satisfy our judgment against you. In the beginning, the amount you owed was only $4200. But since you didn’t pay what you owed, interest and penalties have piled up to make it over $19,000. We’ve tried to work with you (he was looking in his notes at what other agents have done), but you refused.”

“Sir, my life has been upside down now for nearly 3 years, since Herb died.” Gramma had tears running down her cheeks.

“Ma’am this is something that MUST be paid.”

Mrs. Jones again looked deeply into Agent Smith’s eyes - looking up from the wheelchair with ultimate love and compassion. “Agent Smith, there’s something I must tell you. There is a reason why you work where you do. And there is a reason why I am on your path today. God wanted to put you in a position where you could forgive. That way, you can experience His forgiveness. But if you are unwilling to forgive, then you will not.”

“Look lady,” Agent Smith had about all he was going to take from women on this day. “This isn’t negotiable anymore. You had your chance, now we need to do what we need to do. You failed to comply with the law and that’s that. Now you need to start packing and looking for another place to live. Once this place sells, you’ll get what’s left after we take what’s ours. That should get you somewhere for a little while.”

Mrs. Jones collapsed in her chair and fell to the floor. She had a stroke and died, right then and there. Agent Smith shook her to see if she was all right, then he phoned for an ambulance. “Yes, she’s dead. I don’t know what happened, she just collapsed and died.” Agent Smith proceeded on.

One night, Agent Smith was enjoying his time with his wife when the phone rang. Someone on the other end was telling him that one of his daughters was in critical condition in the emergency room and that he and his wife should get down there as soon as they could. After arriving, it was quite apparent that she was not going to make it through the night. She plowed straight into a tree with her car – drunk.

“Please God.” Agent Smith begged with all his might. “Please help my daughter. Please make her all well again. Please show her mercy for her actions. Please save her.” Tears were streaming down Agent Smith’s cheeks and puddling at his feet, on the shiny linoleum floor.

There was no response. There was no miracle. His daughter died right then and there, on that gurney - not six inches away from him. “GOD!!! Why didn’t You help me?! Why didn’t You answer my prayers? Why didn’t You come when I called You?” Agent Smith lost a bit of his faith on that day.

And from that moment on, Agent Smith’s life was never the same. He was always angry and bitter. He treated people very badly because of his pain. He showed no mercy – no compassion. He became ruthless at his duties. But he kept attending church, knowing that was the right thing to do.

Many years went by, and Agent Smith continued to do his job to the best of his abilities. He received many awards and recognitions for his outstanding work. Not once in 35 years has anyone gotten away without paying – NOT ONCE.

Then one day, Agent Smith died. He died of a heart attack. And right then and there, he found himself standing at the pearly gates. “I’m here!!” He yelled. “I’m ready to enter into Heaven.” No one was coming. “Hey! Look it’s me, a GOOD Christian God-fearing man. Come on… someone open up.”

A person could be seen coming out of the fog.

“Hey, come on. Let me in.” Then he noticed who it was.

Mrs. Jones came into view. Although she still looked elderly, she was engulfed in a beautiful glow – a heavenly glow. She was very beautiful.

“Oh. It’s you.” Agent Smith remembered his time with her. “Hey now, don’t hold anything that I did against me, because it wasn’t my fault. I mean, heck, it wasn’t even me doing it to you – I was just doing my job. And after all, if it wasn’t me doing it, it would have just been somebody else. You failed to comply with the law, and that’s that.”

Then another form came out of the mist.

“Gramma!” Agent Smith recognized his beloved Grandmother whom he loved so much. “Gramma, thank God you’re here to open the gates. Thank God Almighty.” A tremendous sigh of relief came over him – albeit short-lived.

Gramma walked up to beside Mrs. Jones and put her arm around her. “Grandson, this person is my half-sister on my mother’s side. No one knew. It was a secret.”

“I-I didn’t know that.” Agent Smith stuttered, staring in disbelief. “I had no idea you were family, Mrs. Jones or I would have acted differently. Should I call you Auntie?”

Mrs. Jones didn’t say a word.

“This woman is my sister - a part of our family - yet all you could do is your job. All you could do is what you were ordered to do.” Gramma gave a stern look to her grandson. “The fact that you gave her no mercy or forgiveness is the same as you doing it to me. No sonny, I ain’t lettin’ ya’ in, either.”

Agent Smith could see that neither one was going to open the gates. “C’mon now. This is heaven; this is where everyone forgives everyone, right? So let me in… please?”

Then another person stepped out of the Holy Mist - it was his daughter who had crashed and died.

“Honey? Honey is that you? Oh, blessed by The Lord, it is you!!” He was so afraid that she hadn’t made it to Heaven, because of her Earthly actions. “Come let me in. Open the gates, so I may hold you and kiss your cheeks again!”

“I cannot, father.”

“What?!” Agent Smith was really getting nervous now. “What do you mean, YOU CAN’T? I’m your father. I made you, I raised you and you will do what I say. Now open this gate. And DO IT NOW.”

“No, father. I cannot.” Tears ran down her cheeks.

Just then, another figure emerged from the fog – it was Peter.

“Oh Peter! Saint Peter you have come to open the gates and let me in! Bless you, Oh Merciful One. Bless you for letting me in.” Agent Smith felt such relief.

“I know ye not.” Peter replied.

“What?!” Agent Smith was really taken aback. “But I’m a GOOD man. I have done GOOD works. I have attended church FAITHFULLY. I have done my job to the BEST of my abilities. Why do you forsake me when I have been such a GOOD man?”

Peter shook his head. “I do not forsake you brother, you forsake yourself. You stand before me and beg for mercy and forgiveness. Did you forgive Mrs. Jones of her debts?” Peter looked behind him.

“Well, no…. I couldn’t. I mean, it wasn’t my job to forgive her.” That one caught him off-guard.

“And neither is it mine, brother, to forgive you.” Peter’s pearly key glistened in the heavenly light. It shot laser light beams in every direction, as it hung on its simple leather string.

“Can you not give me mercy?” Agent Smith begged, squinting and clutching his hands together.

“Do you mean the same mercy you showed Mrs. Jones and all your other clients? That mercy?” That one cut straight to the bone.

Agent Smith stood in absolute disbelief of what was happening.

“Or what of the mercy shown your daughter concerning her pregnancy? Do you not know that it was your lack of mercy and your constant punishments that caused her to go drinking that night? To smash herself and your soon-to-be grandson into that tree, because you made her feel like she did not even want to be alive?” Chards of laser light beams kept ricocheting onto Agent Smith’s face. He raised his hand but was unable to block them out.

Agent Smith hung his head and exhaled heavily. Then he had a thought. “Wait a minute.” It was time for Agent Smith to make his stand and justify himself – again. “The Bible says that any sex before marriage is fornication, plain and simple. And that is something that God does not tolerate. She broke God’s law and sinned, so she needed to be punished.”

“Yet she is standing with me, here in Heaven. Whilst you brother, are standing all alone.” A more damning observation has never been made.

Agent Smith was starting to have really bad feelings in his stomach. Like this wasn’t the place he was going to wind up at. Like it was going to be much, much farther south.

“Let me in!” Agent Smith dropped to his knees. “Mercy, Oh Saint of Saints. Please forgive me for I was just doing what was right, what I was being told.” Agent Smith then sought in vain, as he reached to grasp his only hope that was dangling so near away.

Peter looked down to the obviously shaken man. “Sir, as of this moment, this is what I can give you. I can give you the same amount of mercy that you have given to others while alive on Earth; I can love you the same amount that you have loved others; and I can only show you the same amount of forgiveness that you have shown others in your life.”

Agent Smith thought for a brief moment and knew how much THAT was going to be.

He looked up, stating ever so nervously. “You’re not going to forgive me… are you?”

“I am sorry Agent Smith. I am really sorry. But I am just doing my job. I am just upholding The Law.” Peter juxtapositioned his body the way Agent Smith always did, each time he said those words.

Agent Smith suddenly had about 327 Deja vu moments, where he saw himself using those exact words to do his job, looking that exact way. Each time he spoke them, the moment flashed across his mind, like a movie, and he saw the despair and sorrow in his ‘clients’ eyes – that same look, that his eyes are now reflecting to Peter. And worse, he is feeling it all – through them! His stomach made knots no Boy Scout could untangle.

“You’re really not going to forgive me, are you?” The nightmare just keeps getting worse.

Peter shook his head in pity. “Sorry, Agent Smith, that is just not a part of my job. We have tried to work with you...” He magically presented a briefcase full of his notes of what other angels have done. “But you refused. Mrs. Jones told you so long ago, God wanted to put you in a position where you could forgive. That way, you can experience God’s forgiveness. But, if you are unwilling to forgive, then you will not.” Peter motioned and the brief case closed and locked.

Agent Smith had a horrible “poor me” expression on his face.

“There will be no sympathy for you today, old man.” Slam.

“I’m sorry! I can see now that in doing what I thought was right, it was actually WRONG. I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. Now please, LET ME IN!” Agent Smith’s persistence was becoming monumental.

Peter suddenly realized this was going to be tougher than He thought. So, He opened up His briefcase, again, and pulled out The Manual and began showing Agent Smith all the Rules and Protocols and Statutes and Guidelines and Codes and Ordinances that he had failed to uphold. He confidently showed Agent Smith how he messed up and how he was going to have to pay for it. After all, it was Peter’s job to do this. He held it all up high, for Agent Smith to see.

Agent Smith stood and grabbed The Bars before him. “You mock me!” He became enraged. “I was only doing what I was told and I did it the best I knew how. And being a God-fearing Christian, I HAD TO follow my orders. Now why won’t you save me and OPEN THESE GATES?!!” He began shaking The Bars violently.

“Because you saved no others.” The look on Peter’s face was pure compassion. “You had ample opportunities to forgive and save, but you always chose wrath and punishment.” Peter looked back over his shoulder to the women. “And since you have shown no mercy, no compassion, I cannot show them to you. Heaven is a mirror of the good deeds which you have done on Earth, and those who are currently residing here came to realize a few things that you have yet to.”

“And what are they?” End of rope found.

“That it is more important to follow your heart, than to follow your orders. That it is more important to love your neighbors, than to steal from them in the name of legal law. That it is more important to forgive those who have trespassed, than to punish them – for all here have experienced His forgiveness. And since you argued every law of man to keep from forgiving, I must look at you and tell you that I must argue God’s Law and turn you away.”

“But…” Agent Smith was in absolute disbelief.

“Look…” Peter’s eyes pierced Agent Smith’s soul. “This is not negotiable anymore. You had your chance, now we need to do what we need to do. You broke The Law by failing to comply with It and that is that. Now you need to start packing and looking for another place to live. We know ye not.” Right then and there, the four souls turned their backs on Agent Smith and walked away from those Pearly Gates, disappearing into the Heavenly Mist.

“Wait!! Don’t go! I’m sorry! My only defense is, I DIDN’T KNOW!! I thought I was being a good citizen – a good father - in doing my job! Gramma! Honey! I thought it was something I HAD TO DO!” Again, he hung his head in shame. “Please Father, please forgive me. Don’t cast me into hell’s fire. Please.” By now Agent Smith had fallen prone to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. “Please Father, please give me another chance to forgive. I’m so sorry.”

Just then the alarm went off and Agent Smith found himself lying on the floor beside his bed. His wife reached over and asked where he went. It finally dawned on him that this was all a bad, bad dream. His appointment with Mrs. Jones was later that morning! NOTHING HAD HAPPENED YET!!!! He has a wife and TWO beautiful daughters and a whole new life ahead of him.

Hallelujah!

**********

The original is the original. The one and only. There will never be another.

But some may try to look like it.

There once was a person who had beautiful clothes… magnificent clothes… “Gorgeous to the eyes” kind of clothes. And quite enjoyed everyone’s admiration of them.

Then one day a tear occurred. And not just any tear. This one was bad – and it required another piece of cloth to fix it. And so, after some searching, a suitable cloth was found to fix the tear and it was sown on over the wound, thus saving the clothes from a certain destiny with a certain rag heap.

Now, this new cloth didn’t exactly match the old cloth, and the discerning eye could see the difference. But, in a certain light, the fix became almost invisible – and it was accepted.

However, over time, this new cloth began to do what all new cloth does when it gets washed… it began to SHRINK.

Now the tear was becoming much worse. Not only is the original tear now being exposed, the stitching is tearing at the edges it was sown into.

OUCH!

Upon great reflection of the work that was done to try and cover up the original tear, this person came to realize that it would have been better to just discard those old clothes and wear something new.

**********

The one who knows not their truth speaks loudly. The one who does, simply listens.

There once was a gathering of three great religious men to argue the truths of their faith. Each had different perspections on God and Heaven and weren’t about to have their minds changed. Argue on and on is all they did. The pitch of this discourse, at times, arose to ear aching levels. No one was making any headway at getting any of the others to convert to their way of thinking and the “right way” of knowing God.

Then another man showed up – a gentleman of great peace and centeredness. He didn’t say a word but listened carefully to all the men’s arguments. (After a while, they all began speaking their truths to this newcomer, as if he was their judge and they were lawyers arguing their cases.)

WHO WAS RIGHT? WHICH ONE IS TRUE?

Then the man stood and turned to depart.

“Wait!” The men pleaded. “Which one is right? Who speaks the truth?”

“The Good Father.” The man responded quite matter-of-factly. Followed up with, “And those who know that truth don’t argue it, we live it.”

And on with his life he went.

**********

How we live, is where we live…

heart

eart

Earth.

Pretty neat, huh?

**********

a heart that beats, a heart that pumps,

a heart that cheats, gravities lumps.

a heart that sends blood to and fro.

a heart that beats, endlessly so.

and is that all this organ is… a blood pumping thing?

or is it much more, than just this fleshy thing?

can it be more than just what we see?

more than the acts performed on it in surgery?

yes, it certainly pumps, it could be said.

but what if it pumps beyond when it’s dead?

but isn’t it true, that when it stops pumping,

the thing that it’s in, normally goes thumping?

and what is it that makes the beating go on?

what electrical source does this thing draw its life from?

what if this source is more than we see?

a Source so magnificent, we address it as “Thee.”

could the ties be so connected,

that one without the other is simply life unperfected?

if the love that we give, is the love that we get,

then the love that we share is without compare you can bet.

lest i not see in others, that which i see in me.

for i and my heart, are truly connected to Thee.

to not love, but hate, does no good at all -

towards building a heart good, strong and tall.

beating so strong as to come from within.

the Source it is tapped - so strong, so akin.

i pray for you now, those who are dying inside.

your heart isn’t beating, it’s just awaiting your demise.

it wants to do the work it was intended to do.

but it needs the fuel to do what you want it to do.

and what is that fuel? it is LOVE, of course.

the Bloodline of Spirit, the Pipeline to Source.

so open your hearts and calm down your minds.

let not your head, confuse you instead.

know that the heart is more than it seems.

everything is. that’s life – so it seems.

be not concerned with others who fail.

for it is their path, they’ve chosen their trail.

now is the time to look at the self.

to look at the things in face and on shelf.

what does it serve you to feel in such ways,

as to cause you discomfort, in so many ways?

why is it so important to make people do,

all of those things that you want them to?

why not instead, pick up your head,

open your heart and think not apart.

think not of separate and things so detached.

think now instead – togetherness, togetherness at last.

their pain is your pain, you cannot deny.

the feelings no longer, to do so, you’ll die.

you’ll die slowly in spirit and then body will follow -

inside and out, all dark and real hollow.

until the time arrives, where mortality meets The Truth.

one part is buried, the Other out the roof.

to meet Home with Self, a part of the Maker.

the Cosmic Joke now fulfilled, pay the undertaker.

“Oh, now do I see, oh now it is clear.

Oh God, won’t you please send me all the way back there?

I see it, I want it, I just can’t believe,

I let all those things get the better of me.

I want to go back, to do it again.

To go back to this place of women and men.

This time I’ll remember, this time I won’t forget.

That love is the ticket, love leaves no regrets.

Love answers all questions and brought me to the truth.

For You and I, Father, together – that's my truth.”

“Awaken my child, awaken those depths.

Awaken your heart, in Me, no regrets.

Awaken from sleep, so deep and refreshing.

The seen and unseen, now here – re-ameshing.

The time now has come, to wake up from your slumber.

Go forth with My Love, no longer encumbered,

By things out of hand, outside your control.

Be Who You Are, come out of your hole.

Awaken! I say! Awaken! Please do!

Awaken to see, My Glory in You!”

time to wake up, your Father has spoken.

time to get up, from lives that are broken… and maimed… and badly hurt.

the heart as it beats, pumps blood to the body.

the Source as it streams, engulfs everybody.

one carries oxygen, the Other bringing Source.

both are life giving and needed, of course.

to fill the darkly lit places inside of my whole,

those places where love and oxygen, play their vital role.

One serves the other, of this they agree.

working together, just Thee here with me.

life is a show, of this there’s no doubt.

it’s about what we bring to it; that’s what life’s all about.

making it brighter, without any help.

bringing the Source - showing up - all by Yourself.

so, awaken your heart, become now its mate.

become real aware, before it’s too late.

become now the partners, you always have been.

love now unconditionally, make that your spin.

heart dis-ease will pass. the pains may always stay.

show yourself boldly, in each and every way.

cry if you must, go to knees if you dare.

pray hard to God, to show Him you care.

connect with your neighbors, see them as kin.

judge not their actions, admit not a sin.

love them with honor, and duty, and trust,

that this is commanded - from Him it is just.

“Let nothing stand between you and your love,

For all of My children, hear and above.

Take now the challenge, to love anyway.

Through war, hate and crime – do it today.”

if you choose to love, you’ve conquered the game.

if you choose to love not, the game has conquered you.

**********

When speaking the truth, here is something to always consider…

If you had a truth that you spoke, which others believed and followed, would you rather the unknowing folks come to know your words through you or

the others who followed?

There once was a man who had a message that he claimed to be the Truth – and that Truth was “ABC.” And to those who would listen, he spoke this message – “ABC” – everywhere he went. Each day more and more people heard this new message – “ABC” – most accepted it, some rejected it.

Then he departed for a season, promising to return at a later time.

Then one day, a certain man heard of this messenger’s Truth – “ABC” – and was instantly attracted to this new message.

However, some of this message “ABC” didn’t exactly match the whole thinking of this certain man and in order to reconcile this, he adapted some of his old thinking to this new thinking, until he could feel good enough inside to tell others his new message - “CBA” – and to preach it with confidence and great conviction.

Well, this man went from town to town preaching his new message - “CBA” – until whole nations followed his words, his new message “CBA.”

Then one day, the original speaker came back and was quite pleased to see his name being spoken everywhere but, he was also quite dismayed to hear the message his name was being attached to.

You see, by this other messenger reversing the order of the original message (in order to reconcile his own conscience), he misrepresented the original message and spoke things that should not have been said – all in the original messenger’s name.

Now, as fate would have it, the original messenger met up one fine day with this other messenger… and all those who followed his message. There was much singing and praising of the truth. There was great gladness and joy-making by all who attended.

After much merriment and testimony to the great works done in the name of the original messenger and this altered message, the original messenger was asked to stand and give his blessings to this great event.

The original messenger then stood and with a clearly unmistakable voice said,

“I know ye not.” And about his business he went.

**********

God help me to live in Your world of Love.

God help me to better feel You throughout my day.

God help me to forgive those who trespass against me.

God help me to always consider You before i speak and act.

God help me to stop arguing the darkness and start living the light.

God help me to overcome my ego and accept things as they are.

God help me to understand Your wisdom as i walk through life.

God help me to hear You more clearly throughout my day.

God help me to heal myself.

God help me to be strong.

God help me to be smart.

God help me to be aware.

God help me to live Thy will.

God help me to understand Thy wisdom.

God help me to wake up and be humble.

God help me to see You in everyone, always.

God help me to be everything i wanted to be.

God help me to do everything i wanted to do.

God help me to say everything i wanted to say.

God help me to think of thoughts of Home.

God help me to remember.

Please Father, help me to remember.

**********

“Those who claim to have shall have more. Those who claim to have not, even that which they perceive to have shall be taken from them.”

Jesus Christ

Also known as, “The Universal Law of Appreciation.”

A certain father was called “Abba” by his son. He was a good father, who provided for all his son’s needs. Every time his son would come to him asking him for something, he got it… or did it…. or worked it out for the boy.

Now, this son was a good boy. He did his best to not lie or cheat or steal. He respected most things and was kind of grown up – or at least he thought he was.

One day, the boy called upon the father to provide him with another thing. Upon arriving, the father noticed all the other things scattered about his son’s room. All those things that seemed so important to have at the time, meant nothing now.

The father seemed perplexed and asked, “Son, do you appreciate the things that I have gotten for you? The things that I have done for you? Everything you have asked?”

“Oh, sure Dad…” the son replied quite matter-of-factly. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But I don’t have what I really want. Everybody else has one.” The son complained, as he surveyed his room. “Ya’ know, I really don’t have anything. Can you get me just this one more thing, please?” A perfect “poor me” begged.

Now, the father was seeing that his son was beginning to act rather dysfunctional. He was not learning to do on his own and he most certainly DIDN’T appreciate his father’s gifts or services.

The father knew this behavior must be stopped. Living a life of a lack of appreciation, combined with every expectation that everything will be done FOR YOU, is no way to go through life. So, the father thought for a moment and came up with the solution.

“I’m going to leave now.”

“But, what about what I want?” The son seemed hurt.

“I’m going to leave now, and when I return, I want to see this room neat and tidy. Then we’ll talk about what you want.” And out the door he went.

The son was flabbergasted. “What? I gotta’ do, BEFORE he’ll do for me? What’s up with that? I ain’t cleanin’ my room. NO WAY.”

When the father returned, he was slightly disheartened at what he saw. It certainly was not what he had hoped for. But, knowing that the lesson had to be learned, he proceeded on. “Since you have so much here, I will remove half. Then you will only have half the mess to clean up that you did before.” And out the door he went.

Now, the son was really miffed. “How dare he take my stuff?” Then he realized, he was the father and could do pretty much anything he wanted. “So what. I didn’t need it anyway. It was stupid stuff to begin with.”

When the father came back and saw his son defiantly sitting in full rebellion mode on his bed, having done nothing to clean up, Abba picked up pretty much everything else and took it. He left behind a bed, a nightstand, a lamp and a Red-Letter Edition King James Bible. “Now I want you to read the Red Words in this. They will help you to understand why what is happening is happening and maybe get you to grow up a little.” Again, the father left.

Boy, he REALLY didn’t want to hear those words. Now, the son was incredibly resistant to his father – almost to the point of hate. When the father returned, he asked his son if he had read the Red Words. “No. It’s all stupid and it’s got nothing to do with me.”

“So you refuse?”

“Yes.” The son said, in his most defiant tone.

The father then turned and took his son’s door right off the hinges. “Now you have no privacy. Now the entire world can look in on you at any time – even when you are sleeping.” And away went the father with his son’s door.

The son was ready to explode. Because of his rebellion against his father’s wishes, he has lost everything – even his privacy. And this last one, the son found out to be the most important one of all. My gosh, how he has now come to appreciate his privacy. That night, he went to bed crying. His heart was opening, and this is always the first step. During sleep time, many things were pondered. Many things.

Upon awakening, the son (flipping his wet pillow over) called his father into his room. The father came and sat down beside his son. “Father…” The boy seemed genuinely humble. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted. I’m sorry for the things I’ve said. It was wrong for me to think like I did, like everything was owed to me. That was wrong. I want you to know that I now appreciate everything I had – especially my privacy. And I really appreciate you, Abba, for giving me a roof over my head, food on the table and everything else.” Tears began forming in the son’s eyes again. “I really appreciate you.” He thought for another short moment, about all he had lost. “And my pretty good life, too.”

After touching his son’s cheek, the father then stood, turned and walked towards the framed rectangular hole in the wall.

“Did I offend you Father, in what I said?” The son was not understanding.

“No.” The father smiled back. “I’m just going to get your door.”

**********

The paradox of prophecy is this:

Did the seer actually see an event cemented in the future or was the prediction the moment of the creation of the event?

There was a certain man who declared, “Tomorrow will be a beautiful day.” He told this to everyone. All those who believed this man, received this prophetic view with a smile and felt his joy. Those who didn’t, knew the weather report for tomorrow and laughed him to scorn.

Well, tomorrow came. And with it, came a horrible storm. And this storm brought great wind and rain. And this wind and rain in turn, caused great havoc and chaos.

And this havoc caused roofs to collapse and foundations to crack. And much of the chaos had to do with the flooding and even some fires. The fierce wind caused everything that wasn’t bolted down to blow away, scattering all the peoples’ possessions to the wind.

Finally, after what seemed to be a lifetime, the storm subsided, and the clouds drifted away. The sun came out and warmed things up, drying everything off.

There was only one building that completely survived the storm – the old, abandoned stone schoolhouse – eventually, everyone wound up meeting there.

And, oh boy, were there some scared and angry people expressing their feelings in school that day! Those who were scared, knew the weather report, prepared for the storm and lost some kin, but were grateful to survive. Those who were angry believed the man, who claimed it was going to be a beautiful day, did not prepare – but miraculously, lost no one…

**********

peace, love and harmony, that is what You bring to me,

my Love, my God, You set my Spirit free.

i love You with all my heart, of this, You know i’ll do my part,

to live, my life, in Your joyous company.

i’ve had my sad times and bad times and no times.

i’ve sat for hours and said not a word.

but when i listened inside, my ears opened wide,

and these are the words i heard.

peace, love and harmony, that is what You bring to me,

my Earth, Gaia, You set my Spirit free.

i love You with all my heart, of this, You know i’ll do my part,

to live, my life, in Your joyous company.

i’ve been so selfish, so separate, so ego’d,

i fear i’ve missed out on much of the fun.

but now what comes through my eyes?

a vision of Paradise.

a place where we all are One.

peace, love and harmony, that is what You bring to me,

my Love, my Twin, You set my Spirit free.

i love You with all my heart, of this, You know i’ll do my part,

to live and give, in Your joyous company.

i’ve been so blinded, to see only myself.

i’d not considered, The Whole of It All.

but now i truly can see, me being One with Thee,

Father, I hear Your call!

peace, love and harmony, that is what I bring to Me,

My Love, My Self, I set my Spirit free.

I love Me with all My heart, of this, I know I’ll do My part,

to live, My life, by living righteously.

and spend My time, endeavoring to be free.

*********

…It was at a much later time that those angry people realized, it was a beautiful day.

**********

Light and Love go together like water and green grass.

There once were two Flames, two Souls, Who stood in the Face of God. You see, God creates two Souls at a time, that way One will always be available to bear witness to the Other. But more importantly, God made sure that NONE of His creation would ever be alone.

To these magnificent Sparks, God gave a purpose. Although in the end they would be the same, each would represent a different, but mighty aspect of the Holy One.

Then God spoke,

“To You I give the Truth of Light and to You the Truth of Love. But before I send You, know that You will be entering into darkness. And this darkness will make You forget Who You Are. And through forgetting You will come to know the power of darkness. But through remembering, the power of Love and Light will bring You Home.”

(There is something you must understand - God does not send His Light into the Light, for Light knows what Light is. God always sends His Light into the darkness, for that’s the only way Light will ever truly recognize What It Is and the magnitude of Its power.)

Then God sent these wondrous, luminescent aspects of Himself, to His Daughter, Gaia (Who exists to sustain their lives and make this event possible). Although the veil He’s drawn will cause them to forget, even of themselves and their purposes, He knew deep down, in the end, they would meet up one fine day and become as One.

Although both were sent out simultaneously, Light arrived before Love. And while waiting, Love heard Its Mother’s Words:

“You are Love, My most precious and cherished Creation. You shall bring Love everywhere You go, and in doing so, You will be Me. I now give You something that I did not give to Light, You will remember Your power. Not in thoughts or actions, but through simply being Love every moment of Your life. Remember Love, Light may understand, but Love simply is.”

Light was a very thought-full person. It came to understand everything - even as to WHY It had to happen in the first place. Light became very smart and aware of this world, and again came to know why and how. Light went many places and changed many lives.

Light came to know too much, however, and thought It had to bring Itself into everyone It met.

Light, in fact, came to see everyone as a problem needing solving and did Its best to remove the pain and suffering (the darkness).

Over time however, Light began seeing less and less of Itself. Frustration and madness started dimming Its Light. Thoughts of leaving this place for lack of other Light, became a serious option.

Then came Love.

After all this time, after all these years, Light and Love finally connected! For four years they lived right next door to one another, but only now did they connect. (God is apparently, not without a sense of humor.)

For year after year, Light and Love shared endless hours together. Work… fun… everything they shared. They spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for better than SIX YEARS with each other. Yes there were irritations, but spending time together wasn’t one of them.

Light was amazed to find out that Love didn’t know all that much about this world. And once Love became aware of this, It was amazed that Light knew so much!

Love was amazed that Light could remember all the little things, word for word. Love was also amazed at the strength and power of Light, and at how much Light can get done, just by Itself.

But, Love did notice one thing about Light, It didn’t fully understand Love… not really. Light knew a lot of things about a lot of things and used Itself to get out of a lot of scrapes; And Light could rationalize and reason just about everything, but It couldn’t come to understand Love.

Although Love, loved Light, It knew that Light was always nice to see with, but Love is what It is, and Love is what It experiences every moment of Its life. Love is all It can be – with or without Light.

One day, Love left Light, and for the first time, Light really knew how important Love is. Not only to Light, but also to the world. Over many weeks Light reflected on Love’s actions, on how Love carried Itself and on how It was truly loved by others.

Light came to witness how much Light is in Love and that Love carried Light all by Love’s Self. Light came to see Itself as not being Whole without Love. Only then, when It had Love no more, did Light come to know Love. It realized that Light without Love is only awareness and understanding. But, Light with Love is experience, feeling and wisdom.

One night, Light reflected on Itself and began to remember. Light remembered Its Creator saying It would forget. And through forgetting, the power of darkness would be revealed. But, through remembering, the power of Light and Love would bring them Home.

Then Love remembered Its Creator and Her words,

“Remember Love, Light may understand,

but Love simply is.”

Light and Love have reconciled. Now Love understands her experiences. Now Light is wise to his realizations.

**********

There are times in life, when letting go is the hardest thing to do in the world.

Can you believe that?

i forgive the world for being blind and ignorant.

i forgive the world for imposing its will upon me.

i forgive the world for thinking that it knows better.

i forgive the world for being violent and for stupidly thinking that the use of more violence will stop it.

i forgive the world for thinking only of itself.

i forgive the world for deceiving me.

i forgive the world for stealing my stuff.

i forgive the world for claiming to be what it’s not.

i forgive the world for saying one thing and

doing another.

i forgive the world for just following orders.

i forgive the world for not meeting my expectations.

i forgive the people for thinking that they own me.

i forgive everyone who’s ever hurt me.

i forgive me for thinking that i, in any way, could make things different… out there.

And most importantly GOD, i ask that You please forgive my debts, trespasses and harmful deeds, which i’ve imposed on others in my life.

Let’s clear the slate.

Dear God, grant me DIVINE GRACE.

in my forgiving of the world, i am now forgiven.

no longer am i bound to the gates of hell.

by the thoughts or actions of others.

forgiving has removed my chains and set me free!

i am love. i am peace. i am joy.

i am free to be my Highest Thoughts.

today, I chase the wind.

**********

Ya' just gotta' love those invisible hands.

i see You all around me,

You’re only here to help.

You represent the goodness,

of things inside my Self.

You only ask for service,

not from me, but You.

to keep away the darkness,

the Light to keep anew.

today’s the day i solicit you,

and plead your welcome help.

i give you permission on this day,

to surround my Lighted Self.

help me to see, help me to hear,

help me to Be my Best.

help me to always shine The Light,

help me to pass the test.

on this day i ask You now,

to keep the dark at bay.

to light my path so brightly,

that i cannot keep away.

thank You for your service,

thank You for your help.

thank You all for caring,

about my little self.

make me brighter, make me lighter,

make me One with All There Is.

open my eyes to realize,

that I Am what He Is.

**********

Perhaps, instead of commanding, we should suggest.

It’s an attitude changer.

BE FREE!

Not to impose, but to assist.

Not to injure, but to heal.

Not to separate, but to join together.

YOU ARE FREE!

To open your heart and eyes,

And give the mind a rest.

To create a world filled with joy,

And become a beacon for the worlds around you.

To live in peace and harmony,

Carrying God’s Power and Compassion with you… always.

To co-exist with His Daughter, Gaia,

Who provides all your material needs and wants.

Free your mind, by opening your heart.

Free your Soul, by remembering your Origins.

Free your Self, by demonstrating Who You Are.

The Father and His Children are One.

…just a suggestion.

**********

Sometimes, how we ask the question is just as important as why we're asking it.

Father, would you please fill me with Thy Divine Love, so that I may know what It is and pass It along?

…Thy Divine Peace,