Meditating to Heal

Think positively! Boundaries are not just limits; they can be loving contacts. We sometimes look beyond these boundaries and say the grass on that side is greener than on this side, completely overlooking the boundary. I try to avoid copying the cultural ideals and opinions that separate us, by renewing my mind to the loving fact that I have no boundaries, at least not the kind that society tries to place on me.

I read somewhere that our culture makes it easy to cultivate mediocrity because it costs us nothing. However, when I look for something greater than mediocrity and strive for excellence, my sacrifice is rewarding to me and to others who may want to limit me. Some want to harm me because they see me as a threat to their pride, when all I want is to include them in the happiness we all deserve.

I love the Bible passage, “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Think about this: if we accept that those who try to limit us (by creating boundaries) become our friends, then those boundaries fall; and it becomes unnecessary to ask whether someone we meet for the first time is an important person, because we are all important persons. Look to a boundary as a loving contact.

© Russell K. Carter

Sometimes, I think that we humans are cowards. We fear recognizing the neighbor that doesn’t look or talk like us. We see them as the other, different. Furthermore, we all believe that the other does not deserve the same as us . . . because, we are better!

When we refuse to love them as we love ourselves, the light that shines through us that comes from God dims. We cannot let this pure light die. Long before our parents brought us into this world, love that comes from the invisible world of God is lovingly wrapped around us. This love comes from the depths of our pilgrims’ hearts and is with us always if we accept it.

When we love all people as ourselves, like the buds on an apple tree, the fruit of that love grows within and without. Our hearts grow so that the love from that invisible world becomes visible to all. When we love forevermore, we love as deeply as possible for as long as life allows.

© Russell K. Carter

Agape love, the determination that no matter who a person is, no matter the relationship we have, no matter how they grieve us, we will seek God in their faces. It is the universal love of mankind. This is a resolve of the will that shines through our hearts. It is the love God has for all of us, love no matter who or what we are. The floods of the Earth cannot drown this love. The fires in our forests cannot burn this love from us.

Our eyes and ears are opened to the needs of these whom we do not know or are not close to us. This love is sincere; through the grace of God, it can be active in our societies. It creates the community that God wants for us. When we recognize and adopt agape love, violence comes no more. The light of God shines through us and engulfs our existence. Let us open our eyes, unclog our ears, and let our hearts shine manifestly.

© Russell K. Carter

There are times in our lives when we become very anxious; this could be from something very minor or something potentially catastrophic. We all pass through these stages of instability and uncertainty. Remember one thing: we hold the ability to cope with these times in our own hands. More often than not, these periods drift away on their own. So, we need not allow anxiety to alter the paths we have chosen.

Through all the turmoil Moses faced, God said to him “I will be with you!” As God protected Moses, God also protects us on our journeys. Jesus reminds us that according to God’s divine power, all things that pertain to life and goodness are given freely. We need not ask; we need to fear; we need not be anxious.

© Russell K. Carter

Our lives can be filled with drudgery if we just plod along without the joy of music in our lives. Those in society will tell us that we must chase after the brass ring to attain everything we desire in life. But the spiritual leaders of most religions remind us that God already knows what we need as is willing to give it to us. I trust in the vision that God has given to me, and I try to shine the light of His love into the darkness of others’ lives.

We sing in church; we sing in our schools. Some people sing just spiritual and religious hymns. Our young sing along with rock and rap. When young, I sang along with all the famous folk artists. God loves our music. Let’s play our music for the pleasure of God; let us join his marching band and play our instruments and sing our songs with honesty, love, and particularly with gusto!

© Russell Kendall Carter

When people feel lonely and unsure of themselves, it is often because they have lost hope in what they are doing and what they expect from life.  We cannot forget that God fully understands hoe doubtful we can be. God keeps track of what our hopes are; He never forgets. We do have to remember that we do not live in the same time frame of God. He may not respond when we expect, but our honest hopes are realized.

When we share our thoughts and faith with those around us, we create loving relations that enable the human experience to realize any lost hopes. We open our hearts to God and others creating a world of love and hope devoid of boundaries. We share the will of God together and with His grace we face the boundaries of earthly life. Our hopes are never truly lost. The Holy Spirit leads us to a life that serves God and serves those around us. God keeps track of our lost hopes and opens new doors for us.

 © Russell Kendall Carter

 

 

When we were children, we asked our mothers and fathers for help with many things. As we aged, we felt we could do it all ourselves. If I had one wish it would be that the fairy-tale godmother that brought us all good things as babes would have granted us permanent wonder in all things. This would force us to keep asking questions. We do not know everything.

When I taught, I used to say that I know very little about history or about literature; together, we as teacher and students would learn a great deal. Accepting our vulnerability and asking for assistance makes us stronger, building trusts and relationships.

I do this by contemplation and writing. I embrace the world by listening to others’ stories, writing them down (because often I forget), and seeing God in the faces of all whom I meet. By embracing all whom I meet, the relationships I build are very strong and lasting. I ask each of the people I meet questions that show concern and caring.

My prayers always assumes that all of our thoughts and feelings are important. My prayers also include asking for God’s help directly and through those whom I meet. My wisdom grows each time I ask.

© Russell Kendall Carter

I sometimes wonder if we think too much, or, overthink what our existence means. There are many hints in the Bible as to how and what we do. We should value others above ourselves; it is better to serve than be served; the least of us are the most valued. These can all be confusing in our 21^st century world.

I read the Old Testament; Saul began his reign not relying on his own power and strength but completely on the light of the Holy Spirit. Saul followed YHWH; it is that simple. If we truly accept God as our father, we will feel the fullness of God’s divine power and love. And we will follow the words of Jesus in Matthew when he tells us to let our lights shine before all and glorify our Father in heaven. Stop thinking, start feeling!

 © Russell Kendall Carter

 

We know that all things come from God, and the Holy Spirit is always within us helping live the life God’s wants us to live by encouraging others to walk with us. It is not a lonely journey. All of us can evaluate, raise, and share our beliefs our words and our choices for this short life we live on Earth.

We are invited to use our unique God-given skills to make a beautiful life shared by all. God gives us the chance to join together in the safety of God’s loving embrace. We must put aside our egos and petty envies, for with these there is confusion and disharmony. Lay aside our foolishness and be thankful for the guiding light first brought to us by Jesus. We are not nourished by selfish acts and fearing others. By sharing and loving our lives are enriched by all that is beautiful in life. Be thankful, be trusting in God.

 © Russell Kendall Carter

Sunday morning, I was blessed to experience my grandson’s baptism at St. Chad’s Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seeing my grandson accepted into the body of Christ is a special ceremony to experience; however, I do want to reflect on the homily/sermon offered by Father Jeremiah, the Rector of St. Chad’s.

Jesus’ message, the He is the Bread of Life, is an important part of our journey following His footsteps. Through God’s Grace and reflecting His Glory on earth invites us to taste and see how we are one bread and one body in Christ’s Love. We need this bread of life that fulfills our God-given purpose in this life. The Bread offered by Jesus gives us the strength to fill the voids and rise from all that modern life tries to mire us with feet planted in barren soil, void of any fulfilling nourishment. This Bread is miraculous!

We all need this bread that Jesus freely offers; if we all share this throughout our life journeys, we are all stronger and our paths are less complicated with Jesus walking beside us. Praise be to God!

 © Russell Kendall Carter