Law of Attraction

"Whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you." Phillippians 4:8-9



Gee, could LA use a good dose of that Scriptural version of the Law of Attraction.

This week's Homicide Report at the LA Times revealed detailed accounts of two boys mowed down--Anthony "Chucho" Escobar, only 13 years old shot in his driveway and Antwan Cole, 19, murdered at a bus stop. The Times coverage has expanded beyond bare facts, to interviewing family members. On-line responses are growing. I think this shift of awareness that these casualties of violence are real human beings and not faceless thugs is a positive step.

Responses vary from prayers to expressions of fear or anger. At least we as community members are taking notice. This is a community problem, not merely a police problem.

I certainly don't have "the" answer for solving LA gang problem, obviously nobody does. But going back to the Scripture from Phillipians is a good place start. The attraction and glamour of Gang life needs to become obsolete. Our youth has to have a change of mind, a change in what they want to attract into their lives. They need to understand what is "honorable, just, pure and lovely" and follow a path in those directions, only then can they come to know the God of peace.

"Oh Lord, we lift the families of Chucho and Antwan to you this morning. We ask you bring them comfort and consolation in their loss. Use the lives of these boys as a catalyst for positive change, not unending revenge. Show our youth how to find the excellence in themselves through you."

So Be It,

Mother T
mother_t@yahoo.com

Hope-full

Images of yellow tapes and ambulances removing covered bodies from two "nice" neighborhoods have been my wake-up snippets of news this week. One man in Yorba Linda killed himself and his wife and children. In Baldwin Park a young man killed his mother and four neighbors. The newscaster ended her report with this comment: "The shooter is only known to be a twenty- seven-year old man with possible mental problems." Ya think?

What I see so much in LA is a lack of hope. Often in the news we hear "motive is unknown." To me it's pretty clear--these people have absolutely no hope for the future. The present is so painful, the future so bleak--they take themselves and anyone in the near proximity out with them.

I watch faces at the bus stops. So many grim, hopeless faces. It's rare to see a spontaneous smile in LA, especially at those bus stops.

Life is a difficult journey. Mine hasn't been easy. But somewhere along the line I found faith; I've experienced the joy of the Lord. I know His grace in the darkest nights and the bleakest days.

The appeal of Barak Obama is no mystery. His message isn't just change--it's hope. He's offering a trickle of hope to a thirsty hope-parched land. He even wrote a book entitled "The Audacity of Hope."

Of course, placing all hopes in a man, no matter how fine the man may be, eventually falls flat. This city and this nation needs to find their hope in the Creator of the Universe.

Oh, Lord, fill our empty hearts with your ever-flowing streams. Bring us joy and show us your presence in all circumstances. Make us hope-full.

So Be It,
Mother T

Mother_t@yahoo.com

Inspiration Line

If you aren't familiar with the E-Zine Inspiration Line, check it out:


http://www.inspirationline.com/EZINE/25FEB2008.htm

Mother T

Images

There were a few memorable moments in the news seared into my brain this week. One was President Bush, leader of the free world, line-dancing with brightly garbed African women. Reminded me of Gene Kelley & Donald O'Conner in "Singin' in the Rain" re-telling their bufoonish beginnings--"Dignity, always dignity."

On a more serious note, the LA Times covered the street memorial of one Daniel Leon, shot by police after gunning down Marcos Salas as he walked his two-year-old granddaughter down the street. To paraphrase an old adage, he that lives by the assault rifle, shall die by the assault rifle.

The Times featured two pictures of Daniel's brother, Jesus Leon, obviously depressed and sad. Wearing a black hoodie and comforting a young woman, he wasn't clearly the"scum" labeled by some comments in the Homicide Report. On the other hand, as a member of the infamous Leon family, one of thirteen children currently born into a fifty year tradition of the Mexican Mafia, it's all too probable that Jesus will be following in his brother's footsteps.

The question arises in my mind: is there any hope for these people caught up in the gang mentality? If the police and social workers couldn't turn the tide in fifty years, will there ever been an end to the cycle of drug dealing and violence?

Comments on the web suggest bull dozing the cluster of cheap apartments and barred stucco homes and replacing them with pricey condos. That would certainly drive them out, but to where? Wouldn't they take their habits and hatreds to new neighborhoods?

I keep thinking about Jesus Leon. Is it possible that he could break out of the gang mentality? What if just a few of these young men made a suddenly leap of awareness to a higher level? And where could that begin except at a spiritual level? To a large extent everyone lives within a world of their own creation.

I was reading "A Course in Miracles" this morning and was struck by these words: Unshaken does the Holy Spirit look on what you see; on sin and pain and death, on grief and separation and on loss. Yet does He know one thing must still be true; God is still love, and this is not His Will.

I have hope for Jesus Leon, hope that he can find a new path, a higher purpose, a break from the past to a new awakening. With God all things are still possible. I'll be praying for him. Won't you join me?

So be it,

Mother T

Murder and Miracles

The paper this morning is bursting with gang violence in LA. A 37 year old man was shot over a dozen times in Glassell Park while walking down the street with a two year old. Miraculously, the two year old was not hit. Four schools and an entire neighborhood were shut down for several hours while police shot it out with gang members. The homicide report names Jorge Rosas, Jr., Alfonso Arzola, Arthur Manchaca and Steve Garcia as the latest casualties of this under ground war.

Lord, I join with others across the city to break the generational bonds of gang violence. Only You can change the hearts of those caught in the cycle of destruction. Send a mighty wind to extinguish the flames of hatred. Send consolation to the families and neighborhoods caught in the cross fire.

On a more hopeful note, there was the story yesterday of a toddler in Pomona who drowned last month in his grandmother's swimming pool. He was found floating face down and was given CPR by a passing postman. According to the report, the child had no heart beat for two hours, though I'm guessing he was put on some sort of life support. The doctors told his mother that even if he revived he would be greatly brain damaged. However, revive he did, with seemingly no bad effects. The camera caught him playing in his front yard, whole and healthy. His mother notes one major change: he repeatedly points up and appears to be looking at something no one else can see. Maybe this is the City of the Angels after all...

Have a blessed day--
Mother T
mother_t@yahoo.com

Small Miracles

Homicide Report: A young man named Carlos Castillos was shot by police after he apparently tried to rob three people. Another young man lost to desperation and violence. Peace to the spirit of Carlos Castillos and comfort to the family he leaves behind.

Every day I force myself to read the LA Times Homicide Report. It's a hard thing to do. I imagine the mother of the lost child, the friends feeling the pain. When I see news bites about the ones that make the 5 o'clock broadcast, I feel like I know the family. Day after day, it's hard to continue.

Yet, I also know that by lifting up these families, this city in the higher vibrations of prayer, it can make a difference. So, I carry on.

Today I am impressed to expect small miracles. There's been a lot of buzz about the Law of Attraction. While some of it reeks of rank "Name it and Claim It"--Lord, I see myself in that new Miatta convertible, there is a lot of validity to the Law of Attraction. The idea boils down to this: We attract what we dwell upon. Unfortunately, it works not only for positive, but for negative. If all we think about is how broke we are, we will stay forever broke.

So, for today let's practice pondering small miracles. For LA I'd picture gentle rain with the hillsides staying firm; smiles to the strangers we pass on the street; gang members who leave their guns at home; homeless finding a dry place to sleep and warm food to eat; kindness breaking out all over town.

Oh, and just for grins, let's pray a cosmic hand guides a 40 million dollar missile into a perfect trajectory for a runaway satellite charging faster than the speed of sound toward earth. As Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something."

Lord, bless LA today with countless small miracles.

So Be It--

Mother T

A City of Need

A prayer of consolation for the spirits and families of Eileen Orta, Emily Grigsby and Rafael Rodriguez who perished over the weekend through violent acts as listed on the Homicide Report.

The LA Times had an interview this morning with Pastor Jeff Carr who heads up gang intervention for the city of Los Angeles. He has a daunting and dangerous task. I pray that he be empowered and protected by the Holy Spirit.

Finally, today I lift the struggling victims of the fire storms of last fall. Rebuilding lives after total devastation takes tremendous time, energy, and resources. It requires communities to come together and help each other.

Lord, I lift the people of Calfornia whose lives were disrupted and injured by the fires. Send them the help they need to move forward. Let Your spirit be known to them as they turn to you for intervention.

So Be It

Mother T

The 100th Monkey

Today's entry is short and sweet. Go read:

http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm

The whole idea of "morphogenic fields" is a scientific explanation of the power of group prayer. Matthew 18:18-20 puts it this way: "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done, for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them."

Mother T

Farewell Officer Randy

Today Officer Randal Simmons will be laid to rest. A crowd of 10,000 is expected to attend the funeral of this esteemed SWAT officer, husband, father, and Christian. Like most of LA, I only heard of "Officer Randy" after his sudden death in the line of duty. Though his passing certainly leaves a hole in the hearts of his family, friends, and co-workers, his life and legacy remains a positive force for good. Seeing the faces of the children he influenced on the news, I'm sure many of them will go on with the encouraging words of Officer Randy echoing in their minds.

While so many people in law enforcement succomb to bitterness and disillusionment at the human condition, Officer Simmons saw people through the eyes of God.

Lord, thank you for speaking through people like Officer Randy. Send your blessings and comfort to his family, let them know Randy is at home with you.

So Be It

Mother T

All My Sons

Today's homicide report contained the account of three young latino men killed over the course of three hours in Pomona. A middle aged black man was gunned down while walking down a street in LA.

So, what else is new, right? Evidently Pomona hadn't seen a homicide in nearly a year. The chief of police Romero noted "you couldn't expect a year to go by without a homicide." So, I guess three deaths in one day sort of evened things out, huh?

Am I a fool to think there's something wrong with this sense of complacency? Or does change begin with awareness and compassion? Why should I care about deaths of strangers in another town?

I guess I have bought into the idea that we are all connected--that these acts of violence affect us all. A ripple effect radiates into the atmosphere with every deed of destruction, every shot fired, every malignant act of hatred.

All these names listed in the Homicide Report represent someone's son. Thank God, you say, it's not your son.

Have you ever seen the Arthur Miller play, "All My Sons"? It doesn't get much attention nowadays. Miller liked to dramatize a message. Today, we just want to be entertained. But Miller knew how to punch an emotional whollop. As I recall, the play revolves around a man who made a lot of money during WWII on defense equipment. As the story unfolds, he's grieving for a son lost in the war, but ignores the knowledge that some of his faulty equipment cost many lives. He's finally brought to his knees when he sees the bigger picture and realizes the dead men were "All My Sons."

You see, that's how I feel every day when I read the Homicide Report. They were "All My Sons."

Lord, we ask you to help us counter the ripple effect of violence in LA. Where there is anger, send peace, where there is sorrow, send joy. Where there is complacency, caring....

So Be It

Mother T

Break the ties that bind

Last evening the news announced the arrests of shooting suspects in January incidents in Long Beach. Three young people were shot and two died at a birthday party at the Masonic Lodge. A boy and girl were killed when univited gang members showed up and fired into the crowd.

With the encouragement of police and clergy witnesses found the courage to speak. Their information led to the arrests. This sort of cooperation to gang shooting is unusual, but more remarkable were the statements of one of the victim's mothers.

She reached out in love and forgiveness to the shooters--children themselves. She sees the bigger picture that all of them are victims in this cycle of violence. She wanted to know the names and the families so she could pray for them. I'm glad her remarks were not left on the cutting room floor.

Forgiveness if the hallmark of the Christ message--and the most difficult to achieve in tragic circumstances. Revenge and retaliation comes so much more naturally. Yet unforgiveness is a shroud, a death to joy and hope.

Eastern religions would say it creates bad karma--a negative tie between unforgiving parties, a cosmic tug-of-war that only forgiveness can break.

If you're struggling with unforgiveness ask the Holy Spirit to help you release it.

Lord, send your Spirit to release the bonds of unforgiveness. Help us forgive others so we can forgive ourselves and be set free from the pain of our losses.

So be it,
Mother T
mother_t@yahoo.com

A Firm Foundation

Did you see the Encino hillside home breaking in half and slipping into the neighbors' backyards? The roof has rendered apart, trenches are splitting wide open and destruction is in its path. A dozen families below have been evacuated.

Jesus had it right when he talked about building a house on shifting sand. Building codes must have been just as lax two thousand years ago.

The metaphor about strong foundations holds true today. A life built on the shifting sands of popular culture is just as likely slip onto the rocks below. LA is teeming with lives built on shifting sands--broken families, broken promises, broken dreams.

Children raised without fundamental faith foundations are destined to slip and slide through life. Without a firm foundation of God's love and guidance, they are at the mercy of life's storms. When the winds blow and the earth shifts, a strong spiritual foundation provides the strength to ride out the tempest.

Lord, I lift those without spiritual foundations in LA to find their anchor in You. Guide them to others who can begin laying the cornerstones of faith.

So Be It,

Mother T.
mother_t@yahoo.com

The Real Thing

As I pass young people on the streets of LA, I rarely encounter a smiling face. Eye contact is accidental. I can openly study these faces because they've been trained to fear strangers, pull in and become as invisible as possible. That's survival in LA.

I see stress, loneliness, boredom and fear. Emptiness. Is it any wonder our children turn to drugs? A false high is better than no high at all. Momentary escape from the web of painful reality. Drugs and booze hides the fear, fills the vacuum. Of course it's a counterfeit of the Real Thing.

What is the Real Thing? A true encounter with the Holy Spirit, the messenger of Christ. The first time it happened to me I realized being touched with the Holy Spirit is like that first glass of wine. A pleasant glow, a sense of well-being. But, with wine the glow turns drunk and the well-being becomes depression. It's a counterfeit.

In contrast the Holy Spirit flows a bottomless glass, a true high of joy and clear thinking. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the Real Thing.

Oh Lord, pour your Spirit on the youth of LA. Let them feel the reality of your presence. Where there is fear, instill joy. Where there is emptiness, the fullness of Love.

So be it,

Mother T
mother_t@yahoo.com

A Call for Courage

This weekend I attended the Life Conscious Expo at LAX Hilton. The halls teemed with truth seekers, product hucksters, New Agers, Old Agers and philosophers. All manners of wonders could be purchased from $70 water-charging wands (magic beans?), fountain-of-youth pine oil capsules to cancer-curing beauty potions. There were also books for the spiritually curious--wisdom from the ascended masters, warnings of The Shift, channelled material from beyond the veil. But not one Bible.

Here was a great gathering of the wondering and wandering and where were the messangers of Christ? Wasn't He a great mystic, the One who walked on water, healer of the sick, the victor over death? Wouldn't He have loved this crowd? So why wasn't there one representation of the man who changed history and bridged the gap of separation from God?

Oh Lord, give us the courage to break out of comfortable circles and offer your Living Water to those thirsty for your ever-flowing streams. Give us the courage to walk among these strangers as messengers of your wisdom and light.

So be it.

Mother T.
mother_t@yahoo.com

A new light for dark lanes

Lord, I'm not sure what dark force has spread in this city where young men are senselessly killing young men. There are so many we have stopped counting, stopped caring. But You care. You care about the ones killed, the ones about to be killed and the broken families left behind. I'm sure the shortest verse still holds true--"Jesus wept." You wept with compassion for Jerusalem and you weep for LA.

Help us turn our mourning into joy. Put an end to the insanity, an end to the chain of violence. Send a new light into the city, a crisp blue healing light into the corners and the alleys, across the roofs, through the grimy windows.

Christ's light of joy and forgiveness.

So be it,

Mother T.
mother_t@yahoo.com

Homicide Report

Besides the SWAT team shootings yesterday, five other people were shot and killed on the streets, most still nameless, but all children of God. Lord we lift these victims to you. We lift their families, their loved ones, the children they leave behind. Stop the ripple effect of violence, the legacy of revenge. Renew our hearts with forgiveness. Give us the gift of peace and forgiveness.

So be it,

Mother T.

Officer down

Peace and consolation to the family and friends of SWAT team police officer Randall Simmons shot in the Valley yesterday. Peace also to the Rivera family caught in pain of conflict and tragedy. If this be the City of the Angels, let their ministry be felt by everyone touched by the flames of anger.

Healing light to Officer James Veenstra, may his physical wounds heal quickly and cleanly. Lord, go beyond the physical to the spiritual healing of everyone involved.

So be it,

Mother T.