Let's pull together and create a positive morphogenic field to calm the winds during this fire storm season. Visualize winds turned to a soothing breeze. Place protection around power lines from sparks. Ask for heavenly intervention for homes and businesses.
Lord, we ask for your calming hand to quiet the winds and curtail the flames. Protect the homes, families, animals and firemen in harm's way. Send a blanket of moisture across the hills and canyons. Thank you for your provision and protection.
So be it,
Mother T
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
God is Our Refuge
I returned to LA this weekend after a month's journey to the midwest. As I flew back over the LA basin I was struck by the immense population, once described to me as a "human ant hill." The image hits home if you consider all of us scurrying to bring bits of nourishment back to our tiny abodes. It can all be quite orderly, or if a big foot comes along and squashes the hill, we all run in fear and confusion.
Yesterday the Homicide Report listed an investment agent who killed his wife, children, mother-in-law and then himself. The man must have felt so squashed by the current economic meltdown, so filled with fear and despair, mass murder seemed the only alternative. What a waste and yet, not a surprise, in a society so focused on money. We put our faith in money, look to money for security and a fat bank account for peace. We measure people's worth by their portfolio. We're printing $700 billion to fix a spiritual problem. Do you think that's going to work?
Many of us are at a crossroads: we can chose fear or we can chose faith. There are some advantages to being of a certain age. I've known fear. I've seen my house short sold and my fridge empty. I've wondered how I was going to feed my children.
Those times of despair have led to the greatest moments of spiritual growth. When all you have is God, when you surrender the illusion of self-sufficiency to a Higher Power, you open heaven's gate. I've clung to Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;...Be still and know that I am God."
God is a gentleman. He doesn't barge into your heart univited. But when asked, He is a wonderful Presence--especially when the going gets rough. Lesson 50 of "A Course in Miracles" puts it so well:
"I AM SUSTAINED BY THE LOVE OF GOD
Here is the answer to every problem that will confront you, today and tomorrow and throughout time. In this world you believe you are sustained by everything but God. Your faith is placed in the most trivial and insane symbols: pills, money, "protective" clothing, influence, prestige, being liked, knowing the "right"people, and an endless list of forms of nothingness that you endow with magical powers.
All these things are your replacements for the Love of God...Do not put your faith in the worthless. It will not sustain you. Only the Love of God will protect you in all circumstances."
How I wish the investment man had chosen faith instead of fear. Money comes, money goes, but the Love of God is forever.
Blessings to LA today,
Mother T
Yesterday the Homicide Report listed an investment agent who killed his wife, children, mother-in-law and then himself. The man must have felt so squashed by the current economic meltdown, so filled with fear and despair, mass murder seemed the only alternative. What a waste and yet, not a surprise, in a society so focused on money. We put our faith in money, look to money for security and a fat bank account for peace. We measure people's worth by their portfolio. We're printing $700 billion to fix a spiritual problem. Do you think that's going to work?
Many of us are at a crossroads: we can chose fear or we can chose faith. There are some advantages to being of a certain age. I've known fear. I've seen my house short sold and my fridge empty. I've wondered how I was going to feed my children.
Those times of despair have led to the greatest moments of spiritual growth. When all you have is God, when you surrender the illusion of self-sufficiency to a Higher Power, you open heaven's gate. I've clung to Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;...Be still and know that I am God."
God is a gentleman. He doesn't barge into your heart univited. But when asked, He is a wonderful Presence--especially when the going gets rough. Lesson 50 of "A Course in Miracles" puts it so well:
"I AM SUSTAINED BY THE LOVE OF GOD
Here is the answer to every problem that will confront you, today and tomorrow and throughout time. In this world you believe you are sustained by everything but God. Your faith is placed in the most trivial and insane symbols: pills, money, "protective" clothing, influence, prestige, being liked, knowing the "right"people, and an endless list of forms of nothingness that you endow with magical powers.
All these things are your replacements for the Love of God...Do not put your faith in the worthless. It will not sustain you. Only the Love of God will protect you in all circumstances."
How I wish the investment man had chosen faith instead of fear. Money comes, money goes, but the Love of God is forever.
Blessings to LA today,
Mother T
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Report Card
Despite the weekly details of senseless shootings, the LA Times reports summer 2008 having the lowest homicide rate in 40 years. Chief Braxton credits improved police action. Perhaps. But, maybe the hearts and minds of the people are taking a turn. Maybe the act of revenge is making less sense to the vengeful. Maybe the gun isn't quite the symbol of virility it was last year. Perhaps the prayers of the mothers, the daughters, the sons and fathers are shining light into the darkness.
Perhaps the love and power of Christ has been invited into the neighborhood. And what a fine neighbor He makes.
Oh, Lord, we welcome you into the streets and homes of LA. Make yourself known to us as a friend, teacher, and loving Father. There's a lot of talk of change this year. Change comes from the inside out. Change our hearts and set us on a higher, happier, healthier path.
So be it,
Mother T
Perhaps the love and power of Christ has been invited into the neighborhood. And what a fine neighbor He makes.
Oh, Lord, we welcome you into the streets and homes of LA. Make yourself known to us as a friend, teacher, and loving Father. There's a lot of talk of change this year. Change comes from the inside out. Change our hearts and set us on a higher, happier, healthier path.
So be it,
Mother T
Monday, August 11, 2008
Peace to the family of Jasmine Sanders
The Homicide Report continues to chronicle the senseless violence of LA. The saddest story related last week was the death of eight-year-old Jasmine Sanders, shot as she was coming in from playing at her apartment complex. Five days later her 13 year old cousin was arrested. As a new gang member, he was handling a gun and it discharged, accidentally killing little Jasmine. Jasmine's mother and grandmother expressed their grief and frustration. Jasmine is the third family member to die this year.
I know a lot of people just accept this pattern of behavior, a continuing cycle of cultural violence. Personally, I don't believe we have to accept the status quo. Change begins at the spiritual level, it begins with a change of heart.
I continue to pray for LA. As a mother, I especially pray for the mothers of LA. I pray they find the courage to stand against the pattern of violence. I pray they teach their children to seek God and take a higher path. I pray they find the Truth and stop being deceived by Lies. I pray the family of Jasmine Sanders commorates her life joy and love.
So Be It,
Mother T.
I know a lot of people just accept this pattern of behavior, a continuing cycle of cultural violence. Personally, I don't believe we have to accept the status quo. Change begins at the spiritual level, it begins with a change of heart.
I continue to pray for LA. As a mother, I especially pray for the mothers of LA. I pray they find the courage to stand against the pattern of violence. I pray they teach their children to seek God and take a higher path. I pray they find the Truth and stop being deceived by Lies. I pray the family of Jasmine Sanders commorates her life joy and love.
So Be It,
Mother T.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Train wreck
Today a jury is deciding the fate of Juan Manual Alvarez, 29, convicted of 11 murders. Should he get life without parole or death? Those are the only options.
But should they be? I don't know what was going on in Mr. Alvarez's life back in 2005. But things were bad enough that he decided to end his life by parking his truck on the train tracks and wait for the next Metrolink to blast him to kingdom come. Okay, it was moment of tragic stupidity, not to mention cowardice, because he scrambled out of the track at the last minute. Eleven people died, scores more injured, expensive train cars were demolished. It was horrific.
But, does killing Alvarez or sending him away for decades serve the greater good?
I'm reminded of an Indian legend. A young brave is surrounded by angry villagers. He's killed another man and his death is demanded. He stands ready for execution. The dead brave's grandfather walks into the circle. The crowd stills. The old man can deal the death blow. Instead he says these words. "You have taken a life. My grandson had responsibilities. He had a wife and children to feed. He had animals to tend. Now those responsibilities fall on your shoulders." The young brave must live out a life of restitution.
I don't know what other sentence would be appropriate for Mr. Alvarez' crimes besides the two offered. But it seems to me our system of simply locking people away lacks practicality and creativity.
Can't we do better?
Mother T
But should they be? I don't know what was going on in Mr. Alvarez's life back in 2005. But things were bad enough that he decided to end his life by parking his truck on the train tracks and wait for the next Metrolink to blast him to kingdom come. Okay, it was moment of tragic stupidity, not to mention cowardice, because he scrambled out of the track at the last minute. Eleven people died, scores more injured, expensive train cars were demolished. It was horrific.
But, does killing Alvarez or sending him away for decades serve the greater good?
I'm reminded of an Indian legend. A young brave is surrounded by angry villagers. He's killed another man and his death is demanded. He stands ready for execution. The dead brave's grandfather walks into the circle. The crowd stills. The old man can deal the death blow. Instead he says these words. "You have taken a life. My grandson had responsibilities. He had a wife and children to feed. He had animals to tend. Now those responsibilities fall on your shoulders." The young brave must live out a life of restitution.
I don't know what other sentence would be appropriate for Mr. Alvarez' crimes besides the two offered. But it seems to me our system of simply locking people away lacks practicality and creativity.
Can't we do better?
Mother T
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A Battle of Wills
In the quiet of the night, as I settled down to sleep beside my husband in our peaceful home on our peaceful street, we heard gun shots reverberate across the city. While I was drifting to sleep was someone bleeding, perhaps dying, from those shots we heard? This morning as I drank my tea was another woman sitting in a hospital waiting to hear whether her child was alive or dead from those bullets?
I've been back in LA for a year now. In many ways, it's been a very good year for me and my family. But the challenge of living in this vast cosmic soup of peace and violence, love and hate demands constant spiritual vigilance. I have to reach above the ripple effects of gunshots and pain to find the peace of God.
I felt rattled this morning. Reading the Homicide Report didn't help. Young men killed while the city plays. I got up and got busy, trying to lose my unsettled state of mind and spirit in busyness. But, it was no good. I needed quiet time, prayer time. Connection with the Lord.
How can you stand it, Lord? I ask. How can you bear witnessing the grief the violence leaves behind?
And the answer comes. I'm directed to this passage from A Course in Miracles:
Unshaken does the Holy Spirit look on what you see; on sin and pain and death, in 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.
And so I remember. We live in a fallen world. But God is still Love and he reaches out through time and space. He's constantly calling. We simply need to listen.
His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
So Be It,
Mother T
I've been back in LA for a year now. In many ways, it's been a very good year for me and my family. But the challenge of living in this vast cosmic soup of peace and violence, love and hate demands constant spiritual vigilance. I have to reach above the ripple effects of gunshots and pain to find the peace of God.
I felt rattled this morning. Reading the Homicide Report didn't help. Young men killed while the city plays. I got up and got busy, trying to lose my unsettled state of mind and spirit in busyness. But, it was no good. I needed quiet time, prayer time. Connection with the Lord.
How can you stand it, Lord? I ask. How can you bear witnessing the grief the violence leaves behind?
And the answer comes. I'm directed to this passage from A Course in Miracles:
Unshaken does the Holy Spirit look on what you see; on sin and pain and death, in 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.
And so I remember. We live in a fallen world. But God is still Love and he reaches out through time and space. He's constantly calling. We simply need to listen.
His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
So Be It,
Mother T
Thursday, May 15, 2008
When Two Or More
My last post griped about rewards offered for injured dogs rather than murdered people. I'm happy to be proved wrong when a $50,000 reward was offered this week for a homeless man and a $10,000 reward for an Aisan shopkeeper murdered in her store.
Well, "happy" isn't the appropriate word. Hopeful, perhaps, that these deaths are not going unnoticed.
Still, my greater hope is that the pattern of violence can be altered. Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered together, there am I."
The power of mass-prayer is potent. In 1993 followers of the Transcendental Meditation movement joined together to pray against violence in major crime areas. In a study of 24 cities, they found that if 1 percent of the population joined in group meditation, praying for peace, there was a 24 percent decrease in crime rates. Where 2% of the population prayed, there was an 89% decrease! (Information taken from The Field by Lynne McTaggart)
When the groups disbanded, crime rates returned to growth patterns.
The Bible calls for us to "pray unceasingly."
Believers need to come together and take authority over the forces of violence. LA is losing too many loved ones.
Lord, we come together to send light into the darkness. Change the hearts of those in the grasp of a violent spirit. Banish the forces of evil from LA. Soften hardened hearts and bring the healing power of forgiveness to your people.
So Be It,
Mother T
Well, "happy" isn't the appropriate word. Hopeful, perhaps, that these deaths are not going unnoticed.
Still, my greater hope is that the pattern of violence can be altered. Jesus said, "Where two or more are gathered together, there am I."
The power of mass-prayer is potent. In 1993 followers of the Transcendental Meditation movement joined together to pray against violence in major crime areas. In a study of 24 cities, they found that if 1 percent of the population joined in group meditation, praying for peace, there was a 24 percent decrease in crime rates. Where 2% of the population prayed, there was an 89% decrease! (Information taken from The Field by Lynne McTaggart)
When the groups disbanded, crime rates returned to growth patterns.
The Bible calls for us to "pray unceasingly."
Believers need to come together and take authority over the forces of violence. LA is losing too many loved ones.
Lord, we come together to send light into the darkness. Change the hearts of those in the grasp of a violent spirit. Banish the forces of evil from LA. Soften hardened hearts and bring the healing power of forgiveness to your people.
So Be It,
Mother T
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