Multiplying Joy and Gratitude

Life is so much simpler than we want it to be.  I have written in the past about our love of drama. We get energized thinking about our problems. When we live from moment to moment, in gratitude and joy we find more and more joy and plenty of things for which we can be grateful. I challenge each of you this week of Thanksgiving, to see and feel only joy and gratitude.  If some other attitude tries to get your attention, speak to it, with your most declarative voice (out loud) and let it know it is not welcome in your space. You have the power over your life.  You will not give that power to anyone else.  If your partner makes you angry, it is still your choice how to react.  You don't have to react to every sound your children make or the  complaining of a customer or client.  This is Your life. This is a play written by you and the only important questions have to do with what you are going to do with this life and how joyful and gratitude filled you are going to make it. 

Some of you have already started complaining about the dinner and how tired you are going to be, and all the relatives you really don't want to see.  You have two choices, be grateful you have relatives that want to see you, or tell them you are going away this year.  Either way you make the choice for you.  And if your choice is to stay and eat with Uncle Trevor and Aunt Beulah, then whisper a prayer for all of you and expect the best Thanksgiving ever. 

I wish everyone a great day on Thursday, but my prayer for you is that everyday be a day of Thanksgiving.

Peace!

my soul ponders: Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

my soul ponders: Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

Church a reflection of culture or culture a reflection of Church?

• I wrote the title as a question for which I have no answer. I have  concern.  The community of believers who describe themselves as sisters and brothers in Christ, acting like persons who have either misunderstood the teachings of the Christ or at least baffled by his life, confuse the world. Is it really because we succumb to the needs of the institution rather than staying true to the movement Jesus began? Some believe the church has to win. Some believe the church wins when it is strong and unchanging. The present church does not respond to the needs of people.  It continues to teach and "be" the same institution of the 3rd and 4th century, the 12th and 13th century.  Oppression, wars, suppression of thought are all a part of its history.  This is all forgivable when speaking of it as a past act but what have we learned? How should we have evolved? We teach that spiritual life is a continuing growth experience.  If that is so, why aren't we seeing that with the church? Does the church get a pass, because it is an institution? Why can we preach that people should be different, and not expect the church to grow and change? Is there something in the organization, culture, or belief systems that keep it from growing or changing? 
• I have no answers for any of these questions, but I do believe we are responsible for seeing that these questions are asked. As we seek to improve the institution let us consider how much better it might work if we work harder at being our best selves.  Imagine and work for the new YOU and the new "body" of Christ.