First Sunday – The Prophet’s Candle

Today we begin the season of Advent by lighting the first of five candles in our Advent wreath. This candle we shall name the prophets’ candle. From ancient and modern prophets we hear of the coming of a Savior, Sometimes prophetic words are hard to believe. We are uncertain of their truth. We must wait and be patient. In honor of all the prophets, we light this candle.

Light one purple candle.

Prayer: Dear God of the Prophets, give us this day the prophetic word of home, that in the moments of despair we might look to you for comfort. We give you thanks for all the prophets past and present. Amen.

Second Sunday – The Bethlehem Candle

Today we light the second Advent candle, the Bethlehem candle. This candle is offered in honor of the birthplace of Jesus as well as of the many places where Christ is born in the hearts of believers. While Bethlehem was so busy with commerce that it had only a stable to offer Jesus, let our Bethlehems be places of warmth and welcome. In honor of Bethlehem we light this candle.

Light two purple candle.

Prayer: Dear God, who comes to us through t Jesus at Bethlehem, enable us to open out hearts so that we might have Christ in us. We give you thanks for the places where we meet with Christ. Amen.

Third Sunday The Shepherd’s Candle

Today we light the third Advent candle, the shepherds’ candle. This candle is offered in honor of the shepherds whose love and care for their sheep become the example of God’s love for us. We remember that the shepherds were the first witness of our Savior’s birth. In hone of all good shepherds and , especially, Jesus the Christ, we light this candles.

Light the last purple candle.

Prayer: Dear God, our Good Shepherd, empower our lives to be filled with love, that in loving others we might bear witness to your love for us. We give you thanks for shepherds, especially Jesus. Amen.

Fourth Sunday – The Angels’ Candle

Today as we light the fourth Advent candle, the angels’ candle. This candle is offered in honor of the angels who told the good news to the shepherds . “Glory be to God in the highest and on earth, peace and good will toward all. ” The angels sand with joy so that all who could hear were filled with joy. In honor of all the angels who continue to proclaim the good news of joy, we light this candle.

Light the fourth candle

Prayer: Dear God, you surround us with you angel of live so that we are able to live a life filled with joy. Thank you for these angels, and help us to become angels of love for others in your name. Amen.

Christmas Eve – The Christ Candle

Tonight is the night for which we have been waiting. The advent wreath is complete with the Christ candle in the center. “For unto us a child is given, unto us a Saviour is born and the order of the world will be upon his shoulders.” With the birth of Christ our lives are centered, focused, turned toward God. We light this candle become Christ is the center of our lives.

Light the four and then the while candle in the center.

Prayer: Dear God, who comes to us in Jesus, on the is night as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let the power of Christ come into our hearts that we might find peace with you forever. Amen.

Today marks the beginning of both the Christmas Anticipation Prayer (or Christmas Novena) and the Novena to the Immaculate Conception.

Beginning on November 30, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, the following prayer is traditionally recited frequently daily until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
In which the Son of God was born
Of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight,
in Bethlehem,
in the piercing cold.

In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God,
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
[here mention your request]
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

My favorite prayer book, Handbook of Prayers edited by Father James Socias has a most beautiful novena to the Immaculate Conception. Each day is different, rich with meditative readings and prayers. The entire novena is in .pdf form on this page.

‘On the third day, he rose again’

But what about the fourth day?

What are we supposed to do now?

Work, study, play, rest. Life goes on

Talk to God, now

Dear Lord, your resurrection has seemed so real to me sometimes. I remember when I first knew you, I was living in the third day. The joy of new life was in me and every new moment with you was real treasure.

But now, the next day has come.

And I need to know your hope again.

Take me, now, in the normality of my life. In the plain, ordinary activity.

Please make it something extra-ordinary.

That all people could know that Jesus really rose from the dead, that there is a hope for all people

Amen

The Foundation

of All Realisations

Well-realising
that the root of the path,

the foundation
for every realisation,

is to properly
rely on my kind Guru,

bless me to
do so with great effort and devotion.

Knowing that
this life of freedom, found but once,

is difficult
to gain and greatly meaningful

bless me to
develop the continual wish

all day and
night to take its essence.

Mindful of
death, this life disintegrates

as swiftly
as a bubble in turbulent water

and after death
my good and bad

karma follows
me like my shadow.

Having gained
firm certainty of this,

bless me to
be ever conscientious

to abandon
even the slightest harm

and practice
every possible virtue.

Enjoying deceptive
samsaric pleasure

brings no contentment
and is the door to all suffering.

aware of its
drawbacks, bless me to develop

a strong wish
for the bliss of liberation.

With mindfulness,
introspection, and great care

induced by
that pure aspiration

bless me to
make my essential practice

the Pratimoksha,
root of Buddha’s teachings.

Just as I’ve
fallen in this sea of suffering

so have all
beings, my kind mothers;

seeing this,
bless me to train in Bodhicitta,

taking up the
burden of liberating them.

And yet, just
wishing this, without practicing

the three ethics,
Enlightenment cannot be attained.

knowing this
well, please bless me to intensively

strive to train
in the Bodhisattva vows.

Properly analysing
the correct object

and pacifying
distraction to mistaken objects

bless me to
swiftly realise the path

which unifies
quiescence and special insight.

When I’m a
pure vessel, trained in common paths,

bless me to
enter with perfect ease

the sacred
gateway of fortunate ones,

the supreme
of vehicles, Vajrayana.

Then, foundation
for the two attainments

is keeping
the pure vows and commitments.

having found
unfeigned conviction in this

bless me to
guard them with my life.

Having precisely
understood the essentials

of the two
stages, heart of the tantras,

bless me to
strive without break in four sessions

to practice
Yoga as taught by holy Masters.

May the spiritual
guides who reveal this excellent path

and the friends
who practice it all live long.

Please grant
blessings that outer and inner

hindrances
all be fully pacified.

In all lives
may I never be parted

from perfect
Masters and enjoy the glory of Dharma.

Perfecting
realisations of the paths and stages,

may I swiftly
gain the state of Vajradhara.

Saudi floods kill 77 while Muslims perform hajj
Article: Yahoo!News

Muslim pilgrims holding white umbrellas against the blazing sun clambered up a rocky desert hill for prayers Thursday during the annual hajj, a day after torrential rains that killed at least 77 people.

Flooding from the unusually heavy downpours hit hardest in the Red Sea coastal city of Jiddah, about 40 miles (60 kilometers) away from the holy city of Mecca and its surrounding sacred sites where the 3 million Muslims from around the world were performing the rites of the pilgrimage.

Most of the deaths occurred in the shantytowns around Jiddah and along the main highway to Mecca, populated by poorer, foreign immigrants who work in the city as drivers, construction workers and domestic help. Streets were swamped with water, some houses collapsed and mudslides took place, Civil Defense officials said.

It did not immediately appear that any pilgrims were among the dead. Jiddah’s civil defense chief Capt. Abdullah al-Amri said 21 of the victims were identified as Saudis and the rest were believed to be residents of Saudi Arabia.

Wednesday’s downpours snarled the opening day of the hajj, drenching pilgrims and knocking out roads that caused epic traffic jams as the faithful tried to make their way to the holy sites. The rains, if they continue as meteorologists predict, could raise safety hazards — particularly the perennial danger of deadly stampedes, since a trip-up on slippery walkways could lead to people getting trampled in crowds.

But skies cleared for most of Thursday, and the heat rose. The umbrellas that protected pilgrims from the rain now were shades from the hot sun as they conducted their rituals in the desert plateau of Mount Arafat, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of Mecca.

The site is where Islam’s Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon. The huge crowds of faithful climbed up the Mountain of Mercy, a rocky hill at Arafat, and prayed for God’s forgiveness of their sins in what Muslims consider the spiritual high point of the pilgrimage.

Dear God allah, PLZ FORGIV US OF OUR SINZ! WE R GUD PPL! LULZ.

Mohammed Ismail, a 51-year-old Syria who has lived the Saudi capital for the past 15 years, brought his wife and two young sons for the hajj, and Wednesday night they slept in their car at Arafat before performing the rites.

“You can’t really describe the feeling of being at hajj and being so close to so many Muslims. It’s so happy,” he said, sitting on a straw mat by the roadside with his family, eating oranges. “The heat and the crowds can be difficult, but hajj is a difficulty, it’s not supposed to be easy.”

At the Mountain of Mercy, men in the white robes that males are required to wear and women in headscarves called out in prayer, and some prostrated at the foot of the mountain. In the tent city around the site, tired families took shelter in the shade of cars and buses or napped.

In the evening, the vast sea of people headed toward the next stage of the pilgrimage,the nearby plains of Muzdalifah. Tens of thousands of buses, SUVs, and cars jammed the road, while flocks of pilgrims walked across the barren landscape, carrying their belongings.

At Muzdalifah, the faithful pick stones to use in the ritual that begins Friday, the symbolic stoning of the devil. At the nearby valley of Mina, they pelt stones at three walls representing Satan in a rejection of temptation.

The first day of stoning also marks the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, or feast of sacrifice, when Muslims around the world slaughter sheep and cattle in remembrance of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son. The stoning lasts three days until the end of hajj on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia’s biggest worry for months ahead of the hajj has been swine flu. The pilgrimage is one of the most crowded events in the world, with masses of Muslims from every corner of the globe packed shoulder to shoulder in prayers and rites — a perfect incubator for the virus, according to epidemiologists.

The Saudi government has been working with the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to set up clinics and take precautions to stem any outbreak.

The rains came as an added difficulty.

It often rains in Mecca and Jiddah during the winter months, but Wednesday’s downpour was the heaviest in years during the hajj. Jiddah was swamped with 2.76 inches (7 centimeters) of rain, more than it would normally get in an entire year, according to Dale Mohler, senior meteorologist at the Web site AccuWeather.com.

Advent, O Holy Advent! » The Anchoress | A First Things Blog
I shed tears of gratitude and joy that you have come round again, O Advent, to shake us from our torpor as early night comes, and the match is struck, and the message is brought home once more; that we are forever in the absence of …

First Advent Candle – Jesus Creed
Advent is a word that means coming or visit. In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the advent of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things:• We remember Israels hope for the coming of Gods Messiah to.

Happy Catholic: Advent
So she encourages us, during advent, t take the shepherd-folk for our guides, and imagine ourselves traveling with them at dead of night, straining our eyes towards that chink of light which streams out, we know, from the cave at …

Advent! « Gabriellas Blog
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. For most, this marks the beginning of the shopping season. The department stores, like the great cathedrals of Mammon they are, will be adorned for the high holy days of the financial year, …

Advent Prayer: Behold His Coming – Prayer, Plain and Simple
By Claudia Mair BurneyThe First Sunday of Advent Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14, KJV. The word advent means coming. But the season is not merely a time to.

Advent – Jesus Creed
Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent helps us to prepare for the coming, or advent of the Christ child at Christmas.

Cranmer: Christmas stamps and the First Sunday in Advent
At a time the political pessimism and religious oppression, political delusion and spiritual despair, we turn to Advent in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, in anticipation of Christmas Day and the revelation of God became man …

MSDN Blog Postings » Blog Archive » Advent calendar 2009 – how to …
Last year I wrote the same test in 24 different ways as a little advent calendar for you to enjoy. This year Im going to do something similar but also a little bit different. Im going to start with a simple piece of code and then show …

Thinking Anglicans: Advent opinions
Advent opinions. Gary Anderson writes in The Times that If sin creates a debt, almsgiving creates a heavenly credit. Stephen Wang writes there also. He argues that Religious education is not brainwashing. …

Catholics or One’s That Celebrate the Advent?
London, Nov 28 (ANI): A bishop has warned that wishing people a Happy Christmas could be seen as an ‘insult’ or even an ‘obscenity’, as not all are in a position to celebrate. The Right Reverend Humphrey Southern, the Bishop of Repton, said it was a “hollow” greeting to make to those who were suffering, and that people should not “simply make a cocoon of happiness for ourselves and our loved ones” at Christmas. “This is the ‘Happy Christmas’ month. Yet to many that greeting will be hollow, coming as an insult, or even an obscenity,” the Telegraph quoted him as writing in the monthly Derby diocese newsletter. “What can ‘Happy Christmas’ mean in a family whose father has been killed in a military operation in Afghanistan that fewer and fewer people understand (still less support)? While Advent was meant to be a season of preparation and expectation “too often”, he said, “that means things like shopping and decorating: working to create a domestic cocoon in which to be ‘Happy’ with friends and family”. “But Advent is not supposed to be about ‘Happiness’ or comfort. In fact it’s deeply uncomfortable. It’s about judgement and what’s wrong with the world,” he added. Those who choose to celebrate Christmas in a cocoon and ignore the plight of others are “like the people who took their ease in the Inn, missing entirely what was happening in the Stable just around the corner,” he concluded. (ANI) http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20091128/882/twl-bishop-warns-wishing-happy-christmas.html

What does Advent and Christmas mean to you? Will you wish people a “Happy Christmas!” ?
It’s a sin I am seeing some of my friends and family declare they have christmas stitched up and I have barely started and will not get decorations up before the 13 th…can’t folk wait until advent…then the countdown starts. Does anyone else get annoyed with this?

Who puts their tree up in November and has everything wrapped and organised?
We don’t want to do candies this year. It’s always been both of us fill 12 of the little compartments with candies, and each put a small gift in the larger Christmas eve compartment. Then we take turns opening a door every other day. We kind of wanted to do all little gifts this year, but past small ornaments, I don’t really know what else we could put in there that would fit. My fiancee somehow wedged 8 demitasse spoons in the Christmas eve compartment last year, and we could almost not get them back out, so we need really little things that will not be hard to remove from the smaller compartments. We don’t have any children, so the gifts would be for 2 adults. Any suggestions? Also, it’s a wood calender, not one of the cardboard ones. The little compartments are all 2″highx2″widex3″deep, except for the Christmas eve one, which is 5″highx2″widex3″deep.

Suggestions for little gifts to go in our Advent calender?
Hi I am looking everywhere for a bob the builder advent calendar? has anyone seen any anywhere at all.. know of any sites i can get one on.. or do they ot exist? Live in uk.. Thanks

Bob the Builder Advent Calendar?
i have an advent laptop and the switch is broke so i wandered if there is any way i can turn on the wireless without the switch?? thanks

Turn wireless on without switch?
English, because of its simplicity, enjoys worldwide acceptance. With the advent of shorter form of words [like 4u,2day etc as used in SMS] the younger generation has started using this form in many places,even in letter communications. Will these shortened words replace the prevailing form of english and make the language more popular and easier to learn?

Is this a blessing in disguise for English language?
they showed the main advent be IC title match and batista comeing to ring for commontery for the main advent XD

anyone see smackdown glitch on sky sports?
I would like to upgrade the graphics card on my ADVENT 4211 (rebranded MSI WIND U100). it currently is as stock with 80gb Hard drive and 2gb RAM. i know the graphics cards in laptops are normally souldered in but can this be bypassed?

Is it possible to upgrade the graphics card on the ADVENT 4211?
this is very urgent. . .i broke my laptop charger and i found another one which belongs to my brother’s laptop but is not used anymore. . .i can’t use my charger no matter what i do with/to it so i decided since my brother’s laptop charger fits my laptop and it works, i would use it for now. but the problem is i’ve got toshiba laptop and the charger i’m using now is from an advent laptop. would something bad happen? or is it ok to continue using it?

urgent: advent laptop charger on toshiba laptop?
I have an advent lap top, it is just over a year old. The problem is if I try to plug in anything via any usb ports it just shuts down. It cannot be restarted until I remove lap top battery and put back in. Any ideas what could be wrong?Thanks for the answers so far. The problem is with all the usb ports, the lap top had a new motherboard a few months ago (when still under warranty) The usb ports also seem to have become really hard to plug anything into, which is really strange!

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”) is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday. The Eastern churches begin the liturgical year on 1 September. The Eastern Christian equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast but it differs both in length and observances.

The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25; in other words, the Sunday between November 27 and December 3 inclusive.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of Christ.

The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. With the view of directing the thoughts of Christians to the first coming of Jesus Christ as Savior, and to his second coming as Judge, special lessons are prescribed for each of the four Sundays in Advent.

The usual liturgical color in Western Christianity for Advent is purple or violet. The color is often used for hangings around the church, on the vestments of the clergy, and often also the tabernacle. On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, rose may be used instead, referencing the rose used on Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent. In some Anglican and Lutheran churches, blue is the liturgical colour for Advent, a custom traced to the usage of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) and the medieval Sarum Rite. This color is often referred to as “Sarum blue”. Red is used in the Eastern churches.

The “Late Advent Weekdays”, December 17-24, mark the singing of the Great Advent ‘O antiphons’. These are the antiphons for the Magnificat at Vespers, or Evening Prayer (in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches) and Evensong (in Anglican churches) each day, and mark the forthcoming birth of the Messiah. They form the basis for each verse of the popular Advent hymn, “O come, O come, Emmanuel”.

From the 4th century, the season was kept as a period of fasting as strict as that of Lent (commencing in some localities on 11 November; this being the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, the fast became known as “St. Martin’s Lent”, “St. Martin’s Fast” or “the forty days of St. Martin”). The feast day was in many countries a time of frolic and heavy eating, since the 40-day fast began the next day. In the Anglican and Lutheran churches this fasting rule was later relaxed, with the Roman Catholic Church doing likewise later, but still keeping Advent as a season of penitence. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden.

In many countries, Advent was long marked by diverse popular observances, some of which still survive. In England, especially in the northern counties, there was a custom (now extinct) for poor women to carry around the “Advent images”, two dolls dressed to represent Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. A halfpenny was expected from every one to whom these were exhibited, and bad luck was thought to menace the household not visited by the doll-bearers before Christmas Eve at the latest.

In Normandy, farmers employed children under twelve to run through the fields and orchards armed with torches, setting fire to bundles of straw, and thus it is believed driving out such vermin as are likely to damage the crops. In Italy, among other Advent celebrations, is the entry into Rome in the last days of Advent of the Calabrian pifferari, or bagpipe players, who play before the shrines of Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Italian tradition being that the shepherds played these pipes when they came to the manger at Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus. It is the second most important tradition behind Easter for Roman Catholics.

In recent times, the commonest observance of Advent outside church circles has been the keeping of an advent calendar or advent candle, with one door being opened in the calendar, or one section of the candle being burned, on each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve.

In Anglican churches the Sunday before Advent is sometimes nicknamed Stir-up Sunday after the opening lines of the Book of Common Prayer collect for that day. In the Roman Catholic Church since 1969, and in most Anglican churches since at least 2000, the final Sunday of the liturgical year before Advent has been celebrated as the Feast of Christ the King. This feast is now also widely observed in many Protestant churches, sometimes as the Reign of Christ. The First Sunday of Advent, called Levavi is the first Sunday of the liturgical year.

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I wish to thank the artist for this beautiful picture.

“In a profound sense every man has two halves to his being; he is not one person so much as two persons trying to act in unison.  I believe that in the heart of each human being there is something which I can only describe as a “child of darkness” who is equal and complementary to the more obvious “child of light.”

~Laurens van der Post

Karma -Soul mates

How can  we know when we meet our Soul mate? Soul mate connections usually come from several past lives; often the relationship had been a loving one. Most people have more than one soul mate. The more we reincarnate, here on Earth, the more the chance will be that we’ll find a soul mate at some stage of this present life. Often soul mate/s do not reincarnate with us, but work on a different dimension, to help guide and encourage us. Our soul mates know us well and share in common with us many intense and/or bonding experiences.

Love at First Sight Scenario.

(Most painful of all karmic roles.)

How does it feel to meet a soul mate here in this life? The first meeting will be one of knowing the other. A feelings of closeness and intimately may occur. Often there’s a feeling of love that flows from one to the other on the first meeting. A desire to be with that person is most likely strong. A feeling of comfort will emerge when in their presence. There may even be feelings of jealousy, when the soul mate is with someone else. Often on meeting the soul mate, we feel a rush of energy;  hearts suddenly accelerate. It can be a tricky situation, especially if our  soul mate is married or in a relationship. Here we are experiencing an intense feeling of ‘togetherness’ with a person we do not know ,’now’,  and whom we may not ever know well in this present lifetime.  In terms of past lives, we project our ‘now’ future on to that person, based on one or more past experiences together. The memory of that may awaken in our inner mind at first sight or after a while.

“Karma has a double effect: it ties us to old desires and future ones at the same time. To no avail, we, like million of others struggle with karma. Until it is resolved. How do we resolve karma?”

When we meet a soul mate,  where there’s no possibility of renewing the ‘old ’relationship, then we must take it as an opportunity to rise to our highest.  We can send that person ‘loving kindness’ or prayers for success in this lifetime, even though we cannot share it with them physically. Our prayers will be felt by the other, in return we’ll both be propelled to a new level  - one that is based on the spiritual rather than the physical.

Karma in general

”Karma throws us into many different roles. We come back again and again in another form. From saint to sinner, man or woman, king, queen, tramp and beggar, we take our turn.  We are each used by consciousness in the drama of life to experience growth, to find our way back to the Absolute. Karma serves two purposes. It is an experience of love from the Divine and equally it is a lesson meant in love.

The Motive force behind all karmas is the mind, the body is the instrument that enacts or executes what the mind dictates, therefore as a result of these actions the mind/soul continues to reincarnate into countless bodies. Depending on the intensity of  deeds from previous lives, a soul is sent a variety of sufferings in this physical world. Karmas not accounted for in this birth, will be carried forward to the next birth. All karma must be resolved, before the soul can merge with the God Head.”

Karma with Love

“Love allows those you love the freedom to be ‘unlike’ you. Love expands beyond the limits of two people. Love does not seek demands, it is based on spirit. Be unattached, then you’ll experience true love.

With action that does not bind springs love; all other action comes indirectly from the past. Struggling with karma will not free us from its ‘all’ binding influence. To be truly free, we need to remember who we really are. We are unbounded spirit, beyond the dictates of karma.”

The online  “Praying Moms for Teenagers”  group started 18 months ago after many anxiety-ridden conversations with my piano teacher who like me had a 16 year old son.   We stayed in perpetual worry mode as we saw our sons going through the trials of being a teen.  One day I asked if she would like to pray over our sons and whether other moms would want to join us.  When she said yes I invited another mom and our prayer group was formed.  I began by sending out daily prayers to both moms with an email option to forward the prayers and  invite others.  We now have over 70 moms and 120+ boys around the world that we pray over each week.

If you would like to join us in prayer, please subscribe to my blog.  Each week I select a theme, blog about it on Monday and post daily prayers Monday through Friday.  If you would like to add your teenager’s name to our growing list, please contact me at susan@impactcoaching-empower.com and include his/her name and city/state.

Let our prayers help us and our teens fight the battle going on for their heart, mind and spirit. Our words and actions are often not enough as our teens grow, test their boundaries and experiment with their independence.  Our prayers will equip you and your teen to pursue and live God’s will on a daily basis.  As Jodie Berendt says:  “God’s word is powerful and effective.  You know that it does not return empty but always accomplishes God’s purposes and desires…more than anything else, you know that it holds the key to hope.”

God’s Word is our hope and our weapon.  God says His Word, “shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:11)   When we use God’s Word (Scripture) in prayer, we are claiming His promises for our children.

I look forward to connecting with you and praying for your teenager(s).

Warmly,
Susan
PS  This week’s prayers will begin on Monday, November 30, 2009.

So many are ill. Chest pains, weakness, fatigue, chills, no appetite, fever blister, sore eyes, headache. It seems as though the flu works its way through your whole system slowly.  Keeping ”ALL” in prayer. Believing in prayer and healing.  Need  prayers for yourself, family or a friend.  Carcaty@Aol.com.

 

www.youtube.com/OpenBuddhistForum

AVALOKITESHVARA VISUAL DHARMA & ATI YOGIC SONG

Alive Dharma teaching, Nov 29, 2009

“Through the merit of this Dharma practice

May I quickly attain the state of Avalokiteshvara

And may I lead all living beings without exception

To the state of Enlightenment.”

Dedication verse from Visual*Visionary Dharma: Avalokiteshvara Buddha

I.Introduction

1.1.Dear friends, this week Dharma teachings is made by your creative & inspiring contributions which are like drops of wisdom. We appreciate your writings and put them together in Wisdom Without Borders – Heritage of mankind. There are many  questions from Nutier (France) and Interfaith dialogue by Anil (United Kingdom). Heartfelt welcome to new friends  on www.myspace.com/BuddhaDharma_OBFI , especially to His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche (USA) , to His Eminence Chokyur Lingpa Urgyen Jigme Rinpoche (Switzerland) , to Dechen (UK), Johann Gasser, Buddha Mind – Korea and others.  Heartfelt welcome also to new friends on youtube : alifeozen, 10LightYears – Philippines, DhammaCity and many others. May Avalokiteshvara Buddha enlighten your Path of Liberation , making all of you healthy, peaceful, joyous and prosperious. Visual Dharma: Avalokiteshvara  Buddha of compassion***** connected with this alive Dharma teaching, has many of your  coments about vegetarianism, spiritual practice and other insights. Please study them together with relaxed, meditative  and inspiring  viewing of this Visionary Dharma. The meaning  of mantra OM MANI PADME HUM is found in extensive description.  It will benefit you immensely, if you practice this meditation every day, reading the text aloud and chanting the mantra with inpsiring music. Don´t forget to favour, rate, embed, share and write your insights in the comment*****.

Yours in Wisdom without Borders: Buddha Dharma-OBF International

II. International Institute for contemporary Buddhist studies

2.1. Gentle rain of nectar Blessings, Collected Works Vol VI

Ati yogic song

While visiting EarlyTibet.com there is amusement , direct insight :

“Don´t worry so much about terminology-when you die all thoughts anyhow dissolve.Thoughts are born & dying every moment :

They appear and dissapear. In unchanging space of Dharmadatu,

your innate Buddha Samantabhadra is waiting-naked blue Light-

to be discovered.Turn your attention inward.

Become aware in instant presence : Buddha Samantabhadra within you,

Natural Sound*Light of Dharmata, Natural state.

In simplicity and naturalness be truly relaxed,happy, joyous.

Natural state-pointed out by Atiyoga master, is not deluded with conceptual ignorance.It is pure and total presence-

Unimpeded continuity-Natural Sound*Light of Dharmata.

Advice for the translators of Atiyoga*Dzogpa chenpo sacred texts:

early Dzogchen texts are primordial sacred texts

for those who are simple and natural, A-biding in this sacred Lineage

of Samantabhadra Buddha-Vajrasattva-Garab Dorje…Approach them with humbleness and respect, not with arrogance.

With silence within :

These Words of advice arouse on sunny November 17^th day , 2009.

May this Dharma benefit beings vast as the sky!

OM AH HUM SVAHA

Tara Tulku Drimed Drolkhar

„The best of all gifts is the Gift of Truth.“      D h a m m a p a d a

Copyright notice :

All rights reserved. Written permission to copy Dharma Texts  of H.E. Lama Tara Tulku Drimed Drolkhar Rinpoche can be granted, provided that reprint is for free distribution (serving the Teachings of Buddhas) and that such reprints are not sold as merchandise. Tara Tulku Rinpoche is continuing the Dharma work of Ayu Khandro Tsewang Paldron (Tibet 1839-1953), teaching in Atiyoga Essence lineage.  The Author´s copyright notice must appear, along with the title of the Dharma Text or publication and related data. Notice must be given, that reprint is by permission of the Author. For written permission to  reprint write to the Vajra-Garuda e-Publications . You will also be asked to send 1 copy of the reprinted Dharma text or publication. May all beings benefit !

E-learning curriculum :

1.Why it is important for translators of Buddhist texts to have direct experience  of Natural state ?

2.How is this direct experience of Natural state helping Buddhist translators ?

3.Why should Dzogchen terminology not be misunderstood as dry philosophy ?

2.2.Ouestions & answers

First of all let me reflect on these series of questions send  by Nutier:

We teach here about different aspects of samsara or cyclic existence . From questions might appear that samsara is something outside, something objective. One can teach about samsara on external level , internal level and secret level. Internal level of understanding of samsara means that all and every realm relates with specific thought patterns of five poisons : pride, envy,ignorance, lust,greed and anger. We find all these thought- pattern in every unenlightened being, called sentient being.Vajrayana –tantric path teach about transforming thought patterns into five wisdoms.  To understand  secret level  how samsara develops and how to liberate samsaric thoughts,  please view and study Wish-granting prayer of Samantabhadra – Kunzang Gongpa Zhangtal, as presented in Visual*Visionary Dharma , part 1,2.

nutier France

Q.114 - What is the meaning of the four great kings , the Gandhabbas , and the Yakkas ?

They are also called Four Guardians kings or Four heavenly kings. “In the Buddhist cosmology, four mythical kings said to live halfway down Mt. Sumeru. They protect the eastern, southern,western and northern continents of traditional Indian geography.”

“The lords  of the four Quarters who serve Indra as his generals and protect 4 continents…”

Gandharva (Pali: Gandhabba) is kind of celestial musician often associated with the court of celestial monarch Indra. Gandharva cities are dream like, non-existent places , mirages in the desert.

Yaksha is swift,powerful king of gosts or demon, which is usually harmfulm but in some cases acts as protector of the Dharma. Some yakshas, according to Buddhist mythology, live in the air and some on land.

Q.115 – What are the differents of their vertuous mind ?
May peace and happiness be upon you always ! nutier

These differences are clearly described above : Gandharvas have beneficial minds, while yakshas have mostly harmful minds.

Dear venerable Sir , please enjoy my question , thank you .
Tanatimsa heaven , the thirty-three Gods with sakka ( Indra ) as their king , a devotee of the Buddha , presides over this realm . Many devas dwelling here live in mansions in the air .
Q.116 - What is the meaning of the thirty-three Gods with sakka ?
This is one of heavens in the realm of desire (Sanskrit: Kammadhatu) , with 32 deva kings presided by Indra, thus totaling 33, located at the sumit of Mt. Sumeru. Each of the four peaks in the four directions is inhabited by eight gods, and the lord of heavens, Indra, lives in the palace at the centre.

Q.117 – If this one was a devotee of the Buddha , was he born in the same period of Buddha too ?
No,  human years and celestial years of Heaven of 33 are different. Life-span of heavenly beings is very long, much longer than human life-span. Buddha´s mother was reborn in the heaven because of Her merit by giving birth to the Enlightened one. Lord Buddha spend three monts in the heavenly realm , teaching his mother and also benefiting gods. Recetly we celebrated this Dharmachakra day (Tibetan: Lha Bab Duchen )- Buddha´s return from heavenly realm. It is wise to follow Buddhist calendar which we publish occassionaly.

Q.118 – If many devas dwelling in mansions in the air , do these mansions look like meteorites ? May peace and happiness be upon you always ! nutier

No, heavenly mansions don´t look like meteorites. They resemble precious stones, shining and luminous, transparent, non-material.

Selected bibliography : The seeker´s glossary of Buddhism , Sutra translation Committee of US & Canada, published for free distribution: The corporate Body of Buddha Educational Foundation, Taiwan , 1998.

alifeofzen friendship question

hello do you think friendship is always selfish? Do Zen masters usually carry a particular view on this subject?  thank you.

Answer : It  depends on the qualities of all involved. True friendship is unselfish and is connected to Bodhicitta / enlightened awareness. At least in Buddhism. This does not mean that all Buddhists are unselfish saints ! It all depensd on one´s karma – cause, condition and effect and the spiritual practice one has done over countless lives. Then one can return to this saha/endurance world as a Bodhisattva, leading sentient beings our of samsara by clearly showing the path of Liberation . Zen masters taught and teach according to circumstances and the cultural habits of those to be trained. Some ancient Chan masters were very strict , like Chan master Hung Po (Cold mountain). Other zen masters were wery soft , like  the late Suzuki Roshi and the Vietnamese zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. In short: particular views on friendship depends also on the character of zen masters as well on those to be trained on the Buddhist path.

The same with the Bardo experiences : persons with peaceful character meet peaceful deities in the Bardo state after death . Persons with wild character meet wrathful deities. Buddhas manifest according to the need of sentient beings to lead them on the path of Liberation and toward complete enlightenment.

III. Wisdom Without Borders

3.1.Viewers and friends selected comments and post

10LightYears Philippines Comment on Prayer that swiftly fulfills all wishes

to open buddhist forum- I practice tibetan buddhism under the nyingma lineage. We always have dharma teachings & our resident rinpoche ( Samten Phuntsok) have taught us the importance of visualization in every puja, the meaning of what we’re praying, & of course the devotion to the dharma. The real problem I see is communication ‘cos most of them hardly or don’t speak english at all.

openbuddhistforum reply

Dear Buddha Dharma friend , we aggree with you. Buddhist masters should learn English and teach in that language also, to benefit beings. Our Visual Dharmas have Buddhist texts-prayers & meditations in English as well as extensive descriptions/research/teaching . Will write more in one of next alive Dharma teachings. May your Dharma practice go well. OM MANI PADME HUM

P.S. It is interesting that  many Lamas don´t want to teach in English so that almost all could understand and benefit from the Dharma. Maybe they think that their teachings would not be authentic , if they teach in English, because they themselves received the teaching in Tibetan. The situation in most of so called Tibetan Buddhist lineages is similar to Roman-Catholic Church before the II. Vatican council : all priests used Latin language until 1962 or about that time. Authentic Dharma don´t depens on language barriers : of course it is beneficial to have good transaltions of Buddhist texts. It is even more beneficial to communicate with the Lama directly in English language . Then the student can progress more easily on the spiritual path. Only very conservative Lamas don´t learn language which is most understood in nowdays contemporary world. If the structures of the Dharma centers are not too authoritarian the students should ask for Dharma teaching in English or other language which they undestand well. Too much precious times is spend with translating the teachings ; translations are sometimes incorrect, causing misunderstandings. T Lama should deepen his Bodhicitta for benefiting sentient beings and learn the language which students understand.

Comment by Marian on November 7, 2009 at 6:25am  on We Women.ning

this is one of the most beautiful prayer/open-meditation videos I have ever seen. Thank you  for sharing it. The first half – as I used it as a visual meditation – drew me immediately into that wonderful looping light I feel when I succeed with my own (closed eyes) meditation. I haven’t felt it for a while, so it was like coming home. Thank you thank you – may the 7 human qualities change the Earth! x Marian

Answer by Her Eminence Tara Tulku Rinpoche on November 7, 2009 at 11:53am

Thank you, Marian for this inspiration and insights . I appreciate all creative comments a lot Will publish it in one of next alive Dharma teachings (section: Wisdom without borders). This Prayer : Sampa Nyur Drupma is from Khandro Nyingthig Liturgy which is very precious. Video/Visual Dharma is meant to be practiced , recited and sung with joy and inspiration. With reciting it regularly through one´s lives, we are changing the world for better place.
OM MANI PADME HUM Tara Tulku Rinpoche Nov 7, 2009

Oct 1, 2009 9:35 PM   Johann Gasser   at www.MySpace.com/BuddhaDharma_OBFI Here, beside a clear deep lake,
You live accompanied by clouds. Soft through the pines the moon arrives
To be your own pure-hearted friend.You rest under thatch in the shadow of your flowers,Your dewy herbs flourish in their bed of moss.
Let me leave the world.Let me alight, like you,On your western mountain with
Phoenixes and cranes.                                 ~ Ch’an Chien ~
May all your days be Blessedwith Love and Light          Johann

DechenDolma   United Kingdom Nov 5, 2009 1:19 PM

Welcome to my circle of Dharma Friends,
Dechen

Tiziana, Italy

Nov 26, 2009 11:12 AM”The wisdom of all Buddhas is infinitely wide and deep”.                 Thank you!!!

Chokyur Lingpa Urgyen Jigme Rinpoche Nov 22, 2009 1:19 PM   Tashi Delek!
Are you fine?
For my site you see here: www.tharlam-dronme.org
Greetings    Rinpoche

Spletna knjigarna Julia Doria, Slovenia (Internet bookstore)

Nov 14, 2009 11:06 PM”From wonder into wonder existence opens.” Lao Tzu –

Chokyur Lingpa Urgyen Jigme Rinpoche , Switzerland

Nov 11, 2009 4:14 PM                      Welcome!

 

For details you look here: www.tharlam-dronme.org
Best for your life!
Greetings , Rinpoche       Note by Buddha Dharma: His Eminence Chokyur Lingpa Urgyen Jigme Rinpoche  is Dharma successor of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche , taking care of retreat center with 25 monastic practitioners at Samye monastery in Central Tibet. Rinpoche is incarnation of famous tertön (treasure revealer) Chökyur Lingpa (Tibet).

Buddha Mind    Korea Nov 7, 2009 12:46 AM ♥
♥ ♥ ♥ – ♥ ♥ ♥ – ♥ ♥ ♥
♥ “All that we are is the result
♥ of what we have thought…♥ The mind is everything…
♥ What we think we become.”♥ ~Buddha♥
♥ May all beings be Well…♥ May all beings be Happy…
♥ May all beings be FREE.♥♥ Namaste ~ ॐ  ♥ 卍 卍 卍♥
♥ FREE ♥ TIBET ♥♥ ♥ ♥ – ♥ ♥ ♥ – ♥ ♥ ♥
♥From Buddha Dharma friends  on youtube

DhammaCity

Re: Visual Dharma for  auspiciousness – for new Friend of Buddha Dharma

Dear Dhamma Friend,
Thanks so much for your message informed about Buddhist forum. and also thanks for accepting my request. May peace and happiness, love and compassion along with harmony be upon you always! May you attain Nirvana!   With Much Metta   Nanda

friasalf Mexico

Re:Visual Dharma for auspiciousness – for new Friend of Buddha Dharma

Gracias                 Abrazos de Sol             Deyi

marcdruten Netherlands

Re:OCEAN OF WISDOM Alive Dharma teaching, Nov 22, 2009

best wishes!

~ 2012 – LOVE CHANGES Everything ~

Reflections over 2012 and my advise for all of us, about the Maya Calender and beyond… and i wonder what do you think about 2012?
As we near the final date of the Mayan Calendar, mankind must face what is perhaps the most difficult hurdle of all…

IV. Interfaith dilogues

4.1 anil204 United Kingdom

Re:OCEAN OF WISDOM Alive Dharma teaching, Nov 22, 2009

Thanks for the video clip very good & cool
In Buddha we had the great, universal heart and infinite patience, making religion practical and bringing it to everyones door. In Shankaracharya we saw tremendous intellectual power, throwing the scorching light of reason upon everything. We want today that bright sun of intellectuality joined with the heart of Buddha, the wonderful infinite heart of love and mercy. This union will give us the highest philosophy. Science and religion will meet and shake hands. Poetry and philosophy will become friends.What! Those giants of old, the ancient Rishis, who never walked but strode, of whom if you were to think but for a moment you would shrivel up into a moth, they sir, had time–and you have no time! by Swami Vivekananda !
With All the best wishes     – anil

V. Colophon

BUDDHA DHARMA – OBF INTERNATIONAL Generaly beneficial religious org. since 1995 registered in Slovenia, EU. www.youtube.com/OpenBuddhistForum www.MySpace.com/BuddhaDharma_OBFI blog, Dharma art photowww.buddhadharmaobfinternational.wordpress.com Heritage of mankind – Treasure of pure Dharma , links to Wikipedia and related photosServing, upholding and protecting the teachings of Buddhas by promoting ten enlightened activities as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni and His emanation Buddha Padmasambhava; promoting Millenium goals of United nations : Universal education ,Gender equality and empowerment of women www.un.org.milleniumgoals

Her Eminence Lama Tara Tulku Drimed Drolkhar Rinpoche- Nyingma Vajrayana Atiyoga Ling, EU

His Eminence Lama Karma Gyan Sagar Rinpoche, Association for non-violence, world peace, wheel, Buddhist religion in Nepal(monastery, Buddhist school for orphan children, peace pagoda, Dechen Ling gompa, three-year meditation retreat)*****

Shifu John Chow : Martial arts, Healing,Dharma,  Australia

Venerable Mangala Konchok Norbu, Dharma art director, Buddha Dharma, European Union

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• Me and the Tao: coming along. (museditions.wordpress.com)

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.  

I love Thanksgiving! The smells, the food, the company, the intent to acknowledge our bountiful, abundant harvest each year and to experience and express gratitude. For me, the day begins with offering meditation practice to anyone in our community who is moved to participate. We gather at 8 am. for walking meditation, followed by sitting meditation, followed by sharing what we are grateful for and then closing in silence, dedicating the fruits of our practice to benefit all beings and the earth.

This year the day was extraordinary–shirtsleeve weather in the Hudson Valley; sunny and bright. Our menu included the usual Thanksgiving fare–turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Then add to that a caramelized onion and polenta tart, sweet potato gratin with chili spiced pecans, roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberry brown butter, butternut squash, creamed onions and turnips and eggplant parmesan. And top it all off with a few more homemade pies–chocolate pecan and pear,  banana, apple with dried cranberries–courtesy of Chef Grace, pictured below–who also prepared the tart and the sweet potato gratin.

All this food required 18 hungry people…almost our whole family. I love the slow dance of preparation…gathering recipes and making lists,  polishing the silver, setting the tables and working with my husband in the kitchen. As my Dad pointed out long ago, we are a great team–we have a lovely rhythm of chopping, sauteing, serving and cleaning.

As ever, my gratitude is boundless…for my life, my health, my family, for work I love, friends who nourish my soul, for this beautiful Hudson Valley where I live, for a life practice of yoga and meditation that sustains me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

TO SAY NOTHING BUT THANK YOU

All day I try to say nothing but thank you,
breathe the syllables in and out with every step I
take through the rooms of my house and outside into
a profusion of shaggy-headed dandelions in the garden
where the tulips’ black stamens shake in their crimson cups.
I am saying thank you, yes, to this burgeoning spring

and to the cold wind of its changes. Gratitude comes easy
after a hot shower, when my loosened muscles work,
when eyes and mind begin to clear and even unruly
hair combs into place.
Dialogue with the invisible can go on every minute,

and with surprising gaiety I am saying thank you as I
remember who I am, a woman learning to praise
something as small as dandelion petals floating on the
steaming surface of this bowl of vegetable soup,
my happy, savoring tongue.

- JEANNE LOHMANN –

Hey everyone, how are you doing? Well, the site I am doing with Emmanuel is almost ready to go up, though our hosting site is being a bit difficult. Thanks for all your encouragement and support as we transition to our new web presence. This project was definitely a labor of love… and it will be live next Monday at www.ugandansabroad.org.

There has been all sorts of interesting/disturbing/fascinating stuff going on in Uganda and her neighbors…

-The U.N. released a damning report to some media houses (still haven’t been able to access the real thing) that said two Rwandan rebel groups, including the FDLR (composed largely of the former Interahamwe, which commited the Rwandan genocide), were recruiting in two refugees camps in Uganda– one of which I even visited in 2007, Nakivale, when I was with SIT. It also said that Uganda and Burundi were smuggling $1.2 billion in gold out of the DR Congo, purchasing gold from FDLR-controlled mines, and reselling it in the United Arab Emirates.
As a reporter, as sick it is, my first impulse was– whoa, what a story! I could imagine eight or nine follow-up stories coming from this report, and stories that would come from the follow-up story. Immediately, I began imagining commodity chains (it’s the Joshua Muldavin in me!). And this report had one hell of a commodity chain, from Spanish NGOs giving funds to the FDLR to recruiting in the camps that are repatriating their Rwandan refugees as we speak (I got to cover this for Women’s eNews!).  If you somehow can find a copy of this report, please let me know– I am dying to see it, and I don’t get why the UN leaked it so many press organizations, then didn’t share it with the public.

In eastern Congo, the mineral trade fuels and funds war-- at the expense of millions of people.

Other things that I have been paying attention to…

-If you want a good story, there’s always the General James Kazini murder saga (and see, this actually is a nice segway from the UN report, since Kazini spent a great deal of time looting minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo).  This famous general, who has led troops against all sorts of insurgencies in the Great Lakes region, was allegedly bludgeoned to death by his lover in Namuwongo, in one of the strangest stories I’ve heard in awhile.  Andrew Mwenda had a great take on it. Whether Lydia Draru, his 28-year-old lover, really killed this top general, I have no idea…

-The Land Amendment Bill 2007, which passed last week after what seems like years of agonizing.  Meant to reform land issues in Uganda, it’s gotten a lot of heat and attention since it was first introduced in Parliament.  Land issues are so complex in Uganda that I can barely begin to understand what’s going on sometimes.

Did a lot of writing today, and apparently also a lot of fingernail biting.  Practically chewed off my fingers (just kidding, I’m exxagerating), but it does hurt to type with my left index finger.  I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving went well.  I ate loads and loads of food, then went back to Brooklyn and somehow ate more food (then worked out for two hours the next day! ahhh).  I went to visit my stepfamily with my Dad and stepmom in New Brunswick, and got a copy of the Star Ledger, which I’ve heard so much about.  A bunch of my friends work there, and someone from the Star Ledger came to our entrepreneurial journalism class last fall.  I also visited my best friend Josh on Long Island, and saw my other best friend Steph.  I used a Wii for the first time, which was a lot of fun– I created a “mii” character of myself, and then played virtual tennis with Josh, which actually made my arms really sore! (You put the controller in a tennis racket, then watch your game on TV, hitting ‘the ball,’ which is really just air).

It’s amazing how much things have changed since I first stepped foot into grad school.  I can barely recognize the person who first entered Times Square that fall, and stepped foot into jschool.  Things are really, really different.  I feel as if I am twenty years older, but really it’s only been two years.   Well, wish me  luck in the upcoming week ahead, and send me a lot of prayers! I need them! A lot on my plate that I am really concerned about.

Your nail-biting friend….

Saint Paul, who taught others the saving message of Christ,intercede for us,that we may live by faith,exercise Christian hope,and that charity alone reign in us. Obtain for us docile correspondance to God’s grace so that it may bear fruit in our lives. Grant that we may better know,love, and imitate your love for Jesus,our Master,and in your dedication to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation; that we may be living members of the Church,the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ; and that all people may know and glorify God. Amen.    -by Blessed James Alberione.

Μέσα στην πεζή, σκληρή και άγρια καθημερινότητα που βιώνουμε, τέτοιες φωτογραφίες μας θυμίζουν ότι υπάρχουν ακόμα μικρές, τρυφερές στιγμές, που δυστυχώς όμως τις προσπερνάμε χωρίς να τους δίνουμε σημασία.

Μήπως τελικά τα παιδιά, με τις αγνές ψυχές τους, είναι το “άλεφ” της ζωής;

As requested, here are the propers for the Divine Liturgy service for Thanksgiving that was published in 1901 with the blessing of Patriarch St. Tikhon:

DIVINE LITURGY

The First Antiphon.

I will praise the Name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Ps: 68: 30)

Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, 0 Savior, save us! Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that moves in them. (Ps: 68: 34)

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. (Ps: 94: 2)

I will give thanks to Thee, 0 Lord among the nations, and sing praises to Thy Name. (Ps: 17: 49)

Glory…now and ever…

The Second Antiphon.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy Name, 0 Most High. (Ps. 91: 1)

Refrain: 0 Lord God, Benefactor and Creator, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

To proclaim Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night. (Ps. 91: 2)

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth

endures to all generations. (Ps. 99: 5)

Glory…now and ever…Only-Begotten Son…

The Third Antiphon:

O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135: 1)

Troparion: We, Thy thankful and unworthy servants,* praise and glorify Thee, O Lord, * for Thy great benefits which we have received.* We bless Thee, we thank Thee, we sing to Thee, * and we magnify Thy great goodness.* and in lowliness and love we hymn Thee:* 0 Benefactor and Savior, glory to Thee!

O give thanks to the God of Gods: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135:

Troparion:

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endures for ever. (Ps: 135: 3) Troparion.

Introit: Rejoice in the Lord, 0 ye righteous, and give thanks to His holy Name. (Ps. 96: 12)

Prokeimenon, Tone 4: I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me, I will praise the Name of the Lord most High. (Ps. 12: 6)

v. I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. (Ps. 12:5)

Epistle: (I Timothy 2: 1-6)

Timothy my son, I exhort thee, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ;who gave Himself a ransom for all. To Him he honor and glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

Alleluia, Tone 4

I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee in the great multitude. (Ps. 34: 18)

v. And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy

praise all the day long. (Ps. 34: 28)

Gospel (Luke 17• 12-19).

Instead of “It is truly meet” we sing the megalynarion and 9th Irmos from the Canon.

Megalynarion: Magnify, 0 my soul, the most bountiful God, who in His love for us has granted us His Only-Begotten Son.

Irmos 9: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who has raised the horn of our salvation in the house of David His son, through which the Dayspring from on high has visited us and guided us in the way of peace.

The most holy Theotokos conceived in her womb the uncontainable Divinity and cried out in thanksgiving: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Communion Hymn: We give thanks to Thee, 0 God, we give thanks; we call on Thy Name and recount Thy wondrous deeds. (Ps. 74: 1)

This year I will be providing food and small toys for the impoverished in the Dominican Republic. As many of you know, Michael Jackson would spend many of his days off visiting hospitals spending time with sick and often time’s terminally ill children. In his last channeled message, he expressed to all of you the importance of performing acts of kindness and giving of yourselves for others this holiday season. He devoted much time and money to a wide range of charities He was listed in the 2000 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for breaking the world record for the “Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star”. It states that Michael Jackson has supported 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through sponsorships of their projects or by participating in their silent auction. I ask that you please consider helping my ministry by donating what ever amount you can.

Being a one woman operation, by the way I am an ordained minister, makes it difficult for me to maintain all of the spiritual work that I do free of cost. This includes the blog which contains spiritual and motivational lessons, answering as many questions as possible on the blog, maintaining the website, as well as having time to channel messages from Michael, I provide prayer requests, which are time consuming, but greatly appreciated by those I pray with. All donations will be used to provide for the needy in the Dominican Republic and a minimal portion to maintain this ministry and other services mentioned free of cost to you.

You can place your donation, in what ever amount, at this link: http://www.cherokeebillie.com/My_Blog.html scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is the donation button.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your participation in this blog and all of your wonderful comments and the support that you give to one another. Without you this blog would be nothing. I am grateful to have found such wonderful people who appreciate the work that I do.

Many blessings,
Cherokee Billie

I am just sick.

I woke up so many times during the night just in a total state of panic that we have so much to do and so little time to do it and what about this, that and the other thing and I know that it’s all crazy and useless to be worrying about it at this point but, here I sit…..nursing a cup of tea and afraid to eat anything…..this is awful – I just want this weekend to be over :-p

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.  Amen!

How true!

“Genocide = dead human beings”

“Holocaust = dead human beings”

“Starvation = dead human beings”

“Abortion = dead human beings”

“They seem similar to me..”

“but I would also say that in general the welfare and livelihood of those of us in the here and now takes precedence over those who have not yet entered the world.”

The above are quotes from the commenter_____Not this writer…

Oh! War = Dead Human Beings! Reality vs. Scripture? Reality vs. imagination…Judgements and the religious-right winged Leaders vs. St. Matthew 7: 2… (Our Christ Jesus, as he was ending His “Sermon on the Mount”).

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

“Some of those guidelines currently are covered by the First Amendment, but those types of freedoms are vanishing around the world.”

Ans: The First Amendment is a created freedom. The rest of the world …Not there, but maybe, don’t you think would be Nice, No Great, No Heaven? Reality and not of this world… “All Men are Created Equal”…the principal author of the Declaration of Independence…owned slaves…Thomas Jefferson…Please help me with the truth?

• This Reverend would love to see a perfect world with our First Amendment. I would love to see newborn children enter into this world; parents filled with love for their new child, a ready bedroom with all the baby needs from crib to formula and on and on and…
• This Reverend believes in LIFE! Where life begins (human or not) is currently an error or truth thru semantics. Example: My God is bigger than your god…ad infinitum? And oops; this Reverend is an old white man. No! Not a notion of racism and… “Jesus loves the little children,
  all the children of the world.
  Red and yellow, black and white,
  All are precious in His sight,
  Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Words: C. Her­bert Wool­ston (1856-1927); Music: George F. Root (1820-1895) And! So do I…

And! In Milwaukee, there once was a month of small horrors…little Children having babies (not one but nine children).. The youngest was a beautiful, just turned 11 year old, riding on a gurney clutching a stuffed teddy-bear, victim of an orphanage and a rape by some big man though-”not my daddy and I hurt” and….this precious child was African American…(Should have aborted during the first trimester—you be the Judge)?

This Reverend is not a racist…This God-loving minister  brings scripture to the streets and in my writing. My heart during that “month of Horror,” had I not believed with all my being in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ would have been torn from my body and my soul. Instead! My heart was just broken and the reality…But enough about me.

• Because of the “no female” concept in China; by the end of 2010, this government will realize that they are about 120 million girls short and about 120 million boys with no girls…oops!

Should we believe in abortion? Should we believe in reality…“and love sister is just a kiss away”—Rolling Stones.

Gay Marriage is another wonderful example of our First Amendment…Let us pray that we will still enjoy that freedom 10 years from today.

May Respect and Understanding and Peace and Love (Rupl) be with all of us…forever?And! I pray that our Right-Winged Clergy grow Left-wings so that our Dove of Peace may fly once more…Amen.

imagine preluată: http://static.panoramio.com/

Părintele Arsenie Boca – * Biserica are un singur Păstor: Iisus Hristos. * ! Să luăm aminte !

Motto:

* Când omul traieste în adevarata lui valoare, e subiect de istorie, pe când, daca renunta la dimensiunile sale divine, ajunge obiect de istorie, în rând cu oricare dintre obiecte, nu mai poarta un nume, ci poarta un numar. Deci, ce poate sa însemneze coborârea omului la simpla valoare economica, decât o degradare a lui în rândul vitelor, care se vor salbaticii întreolalta si-si vor împinge conducatorii pâna la marginile nebuniei. Asta înseamna treaba unuia, care ar încovoia crinii în gunoi, pretuind mai mult gunoiul decât mirosul crinului. *

imagine preluată: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/

S-au împlinit azi, 20 de ani de la trecerea la Domnul a Marelui Duhovnic, * Sfântul Ardealului *, Părintelui Arsenie Boca, un reper în viaţa morală şi spirituală, pentru noi.

* … Parintele Arsenie Boca s-a nascut in 29 septembrie 1910, la Vata de Sus, langa Brad, judetul Hunedoara, iar la botez a primit numele de Zian. Dupa terminarea Academiei de Arte Frumoase, in 1939, urmeaza o scurta perioada de ucenicie in monahism la Athos. La reintoarcerea in tara, aduce cateva manuscrise ale Filocaliei fostului sau profesor de la Sibiu, Parintele Dumitru Staniloae, cu care colaboreaza la realizarea in limba romana a acestei lucrari. Parintele Dumitru Staniloae il numeste „Ctitor de frunte al Filocaliei romanesti”.

Imediat dupa instaurarea regimului comunist, Parintele Arsenie a intrat in vizorul Securitatii, fiind arestat pentru prima oara in 1948, sub pretext ca i-ar fi ajutat crestineste pe luptatorii anticomunisti din Muntii Fagarasului. in ultima parte a vietii avea sa se lege mult de doua locuri: Draganescu - unde a pictat biserica timp de 15 ani, incepand din 1968 – si Sinaia, unde, din 1969, si-a avut chilia si atelierul de pictura, unde obisnuia sa se retraga tot mai des si unde a si inchis ochii, la 28 noiembrie 1989. A fost inmormantat, dupa dorinta proprie, la manastirea Prislop, la 4 decembrie 1989. *

http://www.emm.ro/

imagine preluată: http://valeriugafencu.files.wordpress.com/

Câteva din Zicerile Părintelui Duhovnic Arsenie Boca :

“Sa-ti feresti capul de frig si de prostie!”

E un cuvint care merita sa fie stiut si urmat, el putind fi de folos tuturor celor ce nu iau aminte la ei insisi, tuturor celor care vreau sa braveze si nu se gindesc la urmarile pe care le pot avea, spre raul lor, niste atitudini care nu sunt destul de bine gindite si controlate. Sa luam deci aminte la cuvintul de mai sus si sa-l implinim in cele doua laturi ale lui.

“In mintea strimba si lucrul drept se strimba”

Asa obisnuia sa spuna parintele Arsenie, care urmarea pentru oameni o minte dreapta si lucruri drepte si indreptate de mintea cea buna. Valoarea acestui cuvint o intuiesc toti cei
ce il aud, si asta se intimpla des, caci noi il aducem inaintea vizitatorilor si inchinatorilor nostri, mai ales atunci cind au prilejul sa vada o pictura a parintelui Arsenie reprezentind Adormirea Maicii Domnului, pictura in fata careia se opresc cu admiratie multi dintre cei ce viziteaza Manastirea Brincoveanu de la Simbata. Mintea se strimba in urma patimilor si se indreapta pe masura curatirii de patimi. Cind mintea se indreapta, vede lucrurile drept, deci asa cum sunt ele.

“In mintea strimba si lucrul drept se strimba”

Cea mai lunga cale este calea care duce de la urechi la inima, adica de la informatie la convingere. Oameni de informatie religioasa sunt mai multi decit cei ce au convingeri religioase. E necesara si informatia, care adeseori se face prin auzire. Dar a ramine la informatie inseamna doar a fi la inceputul drumului “la urechi”. Pina la inima mai e o cale lunga, “cea mai lunga cale”.

“Un suflet trist este un suflet cu luminile stinse”

Cuvintul acesta ne aduce aminte de un cuvint asemanator, cu circulatie mai ales in lumea din Apus: “Un sfint trist este un trist sfint”. Parintele a fost intotdeauna pentru optimism, pentru bucurie, credinta noastra fiind “izvor de bucurie”, crestinismul fiind “religia bucuriei”. Domnul Hristos le-a spus ucenicilor Sai :”Acestea vi le spun ca bucuria Mea sa fie intru voi si ca bucuria voastra sa fie deplina” (Ioan 15, 11).

Explicate de Parintele Teofil Paraian

imagine preluată : http://www.replicahd.ro/

Despre * Sfântul Mare Duhovnic Părintele Arsenie Boca *:

http://www.biserica.org/Publicatii/1994/NoIV/01_index10.html

www.razbointrucuvant.ro/

http://www.branc.ro/mesaje_postrugaciune_26_01_2009/mesaj_arsenie_boca/

www.ceruldinnoi.ro/pages/Arsenie_Boca.htm

imagine preluată: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

Rugăciunea Părintelui Arsenie Boca :

Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, ajută-mi ca astăzi toată ziua să am grijă să mă leapăd de mine însumi, că cine ştie din ce nimicuri mare vrajbă am să fac, şi astfel, ţinând la mine, Te pierd pe Tine. Doamne Iisuse Hristoase ajută-mi ca rugaciunea Prea Sfânt Numelui Tău să-mi lucreze în minte mai repede decât fulgerul pe cer, ca nici umbra gândurilor rele să nu mă întunece, că iată mint în tot ceasul.
Doamne, Cela ce vii în taină între oameni, ai milă de noi, că umblăm împiedicându-ne prin întunerec. Patimile au pus tină pe ochiul minţii, uitarea s-a întărit în noi ca un zid, împietrind inimile noastre şi toate împreună au făcut temniţa în care Te ţinem bolnav, flămând şi fără haină, şi aşa risipim în deşertăciuni zilele noastre, umiliţi şi dosădiţi până la pământ.
Doamne, Cela ce vii în taină între oameni, ai milă de noi. Pune foc temniţei în care Te ţinem, aprinde dragostea Ta în inimile noastre, arde spinii patimilor şi fă lumină sufletelor noastre.
Doamne, Cela ce vii în taină între oameni, ai milă de noi. Vino şi Te sălăşluieşte întru noi, împreună cu Tatăl şi cu Duhul, că Duhul Tău cel Sfânt Se roagă pentru noi cu suspine negrăite, când graiul şi mintea noastră rămân pe jos neputincioase.
Doamne, Cela ce vii în taină între oameni, ai milă de noi, că nu ne dăm seama ce nedesăvârşiţi suntem, cât eşti de aproape de sufletele noastre şi cât Te depărtăm prin micimile noastre, ci luminează lumina Ta peste noi ca să vedem lumea prin ochii Tăi, să trăim în veac prin viaţa Ta, lumina şi bucuria noastră, slavă Ţie. Amin.

*******

Un Mare Sfânt, un Stâlp al Bisericii Ortodoxe Române, Părintele Arsenie Boca! Să-l rugăm să se roage pentru noi,păcătoşii, căci Părintele a spus că, ne va ajuta din Cer, mai mult decât de pe pământ !

imagine preluată: http://www.crestinortodox.ro/

În loc de încheiere, un gând… :

* În cele din urmă, în ce “sector” al UE vor avea românii un cuvânt de spus? În tehnologie? Democraţie? Politică? Ceea ce poporul român ar putea oferi ca valoare Europei este ortodoxia “născătoare de sfinţi”, ceea ce ar ajuta şi la evitarea confiscării Ortodoxiei de către activităţile sociale, umanitare. *   ( Părintele Profesor Vasile Vlad, la Invitaţia Centrului Eparhial Caransebeş, vorbind despre * Nevoia de Sfinţi * )

http://www.episcopiacaransebesului.ro/news.php?readmore=57

imagine preluată: http://www.crestinortodox.ro/

SĂ LUĂM AMINTE !!!

“Incepe timpul mucenicilor”

Neindoielnic, parintele isi cunostea sfarsitul. Ucenicul sau, Preasfintitul Daniil, episcopul ortodox din Varsetul Voivodinei, isi aminteste ca, in decembrie 1988, la ultima lor intalnire de la Prislop, parintele a plans pentru prima si ultima oara, in fata obstii adunate sa celebreze apropierea sfintelor sarbatori de Craciun. Anul urmator, in prag de iarna, parintele va cadea nemiscat la pat si se va stinge sfielnic si tacut, ca palpairea unei lumanari suflate de boarea unui vant. Nimeni nu poate sti cui anume ii erau adresate lacrimile de la Prislop. Cu siguranta, era un semn de despartire, dar si de intarire a ceea ce se spune ca profetise pentru ultima oara poporului roman, cu putin timp inainte de caderea comunismului: “Imi pare rau pentru voi. Frica e de la diavol… Imi pare rau pentru voi. Vor cadea multi dintre cei alesi. Va vor pune impozite, taxe si alte dari. Nu veti mai putea fi sfinti… Acum nu mai e timpul sfintilor. Acum incepe timpul mucenicilor”.

Previziunea viitorului

Parintele Arsenie trebuie sa se fi despartit de noi cu regret si amaraciune. Nu numai ca vedea in duh ce o sa ni se intample, dar ne iubea pe toti atat de mult, incat ar fi vrut sa-i puna pe fagaraseni, dimpreuna cu tot poporul credincios, intr-o icoana a neamului romanesc, intruchipata sub forma unui taran simplu si imbracat in in, ce sta in rugaciune cu bratele spre cer, ca Moise pe munte, avand deasupra culmile carpatine, pe care se ridica crucea de pe Caraiman, cu o ceata de cuviosi dincolo de zare, sub profilul celor trei mari lacasuri ale neamului: Cozia, Voronet, biserica de lemn a lui Horea.

imagine preluată: http://www.revistafelicia.ro/uploads/modules/news/1002867/1002867_poza_1192408183.jpg

In cei aproape 80 de ani ai sai, parintele nu a mai avut timp sa ne lase decat niste insemnari si niste schite, desenate infrigurat in minuscula sa chilie de la Sinaia. Cercetandu-le cu atentie, vom descoperi cu uimire ca, in recluziunea meditativa de la Draganescu, parintele nici nu a profetit si nici nu a transpus dogmatic Scriptura in desene, ci a incercat, dupa cum singur recunoaste, sa picteze ceva mult mai important: zborul si tacerea. E limpede ca nu poti sa-l iubesti pe Dumnezeu si sa I te apropii cu o catime macar, daca nu esti un pic vizionar si poet, daca nu repeti si nu crezi odata cu parintele ca prezentul nici nu ne domina si nici nu ne apartine. Atunci cand ne ocupam prea mult de el, prezentul e o iluzie si o capcana. Sa nu-l preamarim niciodata. “Prezentul”, spunea cuviosul Arsenie Boca, “e doar viitorul trecutului”.

http://www.stiri.lacasuriortodoxe.ro/publicatii/1082-recomandare-profetia-pictata-a-parintelui-arsenie-boca-biserica-draganescu-din-apropierea-bucurestiului-mihailesti.html

razvan-codrescu.blogspot.com/

Sfaturi şi îndemnuri ale Părintelui Arsenie: despre sectari – “Măi, şi cu lupii aştia mă înţeleg, numai cu voi nu mă pot înţelege.”…

Se vorbeste de unirea Bisericilor, deci de ajungere la sobornicitate. La sobornicitatea Bisericii ajung cei ce renunţă la confesionalitate… Tendinţa Papei de a atrage în acelaşi staul pe toţi creştinii nu se va realiza niciodată. Papa nu va ajunge niciodată la o turmă şi un Păstor în staulul Romei, deoarece Biserica are un singur Păstor: Iisus Hristos.

Sectarii au provocat o libertate catehetică care-i duce la erezie.

Diavolul ştie şi el Scriptura, însă diavoleşte, deoarece mintea lui fiind nebună, strâmbă înţelesul oricărui cuvânt, devreme ce el nu stă în adevăr, ci în minciună.

Dracii nu au putere asupra creştinului ortodox, botezat după rânduială, în Biserica. Botezul pocăiţilor (de tot felul) este lepădare de primul botez drept şi e păcat.

Nu da cu bâta în viespele sectare.

Ba unii vor ajunge ca, cu ajutorul demonilor, luându-se după amăgiri satanice, să pogoare chiar foc din cer amăgind chiar şi pe sfinţii adevăraţi. Aceştia sunt mucarii de azi, din mijlocul vostru, adică sectarii, care atunci când vor fi lepădaţi de dreptul Judecător vor zice: “Doamne, nu am făcut minuni în numele Tău? Nu ne-am închinat noi Ţie?” La toate acestea Dumnezeu le va răspunde: “Duceţi-vă de la Mine blestemaţilor fiindcă nu vă cunosc pe voi”

“Vor merge în iad cu Biblia în mână!”

Zicea să nu ne prindem mintea cu sectanţii pentru că nu putem să reuşim cu ei, căci sunt atât de înrăiţi încât: “Mie, au sărit şi mi-au rupt cartea”. Părintele a hotărât să le argumenteze din Biblie şi ei dacă au văzut că nu pot să-i răspundă au sărit să-i rupă cartea. (Gheorghe Silea, 45 ani – Sâmbata de Sus)

Nişte oameni din Vistea l-au invitat pe Părintele să facă vecernia în Vistea de Sus. Erau mulţi sectari acolo. Când a ajuns acolo, Părintele a zis: “Dar ce văd aici? O mulţime de persoane care nu-şi pot face Sfânta Cruce. Să iasă toţi afară!”. Încet-încet, deşi se codeau, au ieşit. Le-a spus Părintele: “Eu vă cunosc pe voi căci aveţi pecetea satanei pe frunte şi vă arăt cu degetul”. După ce au ieşit toţi, Părintele şi-a rostit cuvântul. (Beleana Ileana, Recea)

Pocăiţilor le spunea că, dacă nu cred în Iisus Hristos, în Maica Domnului şi în Sfânta Cruce, vor merge în iad cu Biblia în mână! (Cismas Eugenia, 78 ani, Fagaras)

zoranivanda.blogspot.com/

* Trebuie sã ne întãrim spiritualiceste, fãrã de care viata noastrã este moartã, chiar dacã ne merge numele cã trãim. *   ( Părintele Arsenie Boca )

Sibilla

imagini  şi informaţii preluate de pe google.ro – sursele precizate mai sus