Stewardship: Part 3 of 3

This is the 3rd of 3 Discourses on Stewardship.  Part 1 was a brief attempt to Inform the Public.  Part 2 discussed The Spiritual Aspects of Stewardship, and Part 3 will provide some action steps we can take to be better Earth Stewards.

Part 3:  Actions Steps to be Better Earth Stewards

From the state of our environment, it would be easy for an outsider to conclude that humans, here on Mother Earth, tend to give a whole lot of lip service about doing the will of the Creator/God; we go to church; we pray; we meditate …

As we discussed last week, all who serve the Creator/God are Earth Stewards.  To tend and take care of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants is a great honor and privilege, as well as a great responsibility. As a whole, humans are not living up to our spiritual responsibility.  Instead, we tend to blame others.  We blame our government; we blame our neighbors; we blame big business; we blame everyone but ourselves. 

We may or may not vote at the polls; we still vote though.  Every time we make a purchase, we cast a very important vote.  You see, we vote with our dollars.  When we purchase, oh say, Styrofoam cups, we unconsciously cast a vote against the Creator/God and Mother Earth.  

As we grow personally and develop spiritually, we consciously take better care of ourselves.  As we take care of ourselves better, we come to be aware of our votes and strive to cast votes in harmony with our inner state of being.  There is no more blame, only harmony. 

 

“… it is who we become that changes the world and our environment not what we do.  Harmony within will create harmony without.  So the true work is learning how to change our thoughts, attitudes and belief systems … We actually have to work with “the alchemy of the soul” to really be able to change our inner environment as our inner state of being is reflected back to us in the outer world. The literal definition of alchemy is “working within and through the dense darkness inside.” This is big work and involves committing to spiritual practices that we must engage in daily and throughout the day.”  Sandra Ingerman

There are many things that we can physically do to help ourselves and the environment.  The following information is not meant to be exhaustive.  If you have a favorite tip or DIY recipe, please share it on our Facebook Page.   Thank You!

 

Personal: Avoid wearing harsh synthetic fabrics, like polyester. Avoid artificial fabric dyes; instead, make your own.  Use organic, renewable agricultural products, like Bamboo and Hemp.  Purchase or make your own natural Health & Beauty products (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, lotions, cosmetics, perfume/cologne, etc.).   Avoid processed foods; instead make your own.  Shop at Farmer’s Markets and get to know the vendors. When leaving a room, turn off lights and appliances. Unplug electronics, and turn down your thermostat, before leaving the house or going to bed.   Pick up your pet's poop and dispose of it properly. Pick up and throw away litter/trash. When it’s hot, gas up vehicle(s) and other gas powered equipment (like lawnmowers) early in the morning or later in the evening, and don't top off the gas tank.   Replace toxic household cleaners with products that have a Design for the Environment (DfE) label.  Better yet, learn to make natural cleansers.  

Practice the three R's:

1.     Reduce how much you buy and use: Buy permanent items instead of disposables.  Buy and use only what you need.  Buy products in bulk.  Buy products with minimal packaging.  Buy products that use less toxic chemicals. Use durable (real) plates, cups, silverware, etc. Use cloth napkins or towels. Mend torn fabric. Repair broken items. Reduce Carbon Footprint (Walk, Cycle, Carpool, Use Public Transit, Work from Home, Shop Online, Consolidate Trips.)

2.      Reuse/Repurpose: Be Creative.  Make crafts and homemade craft supplies using household or recycled materials Use empty jars for leftovers/storage containers. Give Away/Donate useable items.

3.      Recycle:  Aluminum Cans, Batteries, Cardboard, Electronics (cell phones, computers, DVD players, and other electronics),Glass, Paper (newspapers, catalogs, junk mail, etc.), Metal (Aluminum, Scrap Steel, Copper, Gold, Silver, etc.); Plastic (food containers, dry cleaning, newspaper & bread bags; plastic around toilet paper/paper towels, etc.).  Tires, Used motor oil.  

Perform a home audit: Replace conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Repair leaky faucets.  Insulate water heater and pipes. Install a water-efficient showerhead.  Repair or replace old or damaged fixtures.   When replacing fixtures and/or  other products, look for Energy Star or WaterSense labels.

 

Conserve Water: When using a dishwasher, scrape plates instead of  pre-rinsing them.  When using a dishwasher or washing machine, wash a full load.  Wash clothes in cold water.  When hand-washing dishes or clothes, turn the water off between rinses.  Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang clothes on a line or drying rack. Take Showers instead of baths.   The toilet does not need to be flushed, every time it’s used.   “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.  If it’s brown, flush it down.” Turn the water off while shaving or brushing teeth. Refrigerate drinking water.
 

Lawn & Garden:  Invest in, or make your own compost bin, and compost as much as you can.  When mowing, do not bag grass clippings; leave them on the lawn. Fertilize after, not before it rains. Instead of using pesticides and herbicides, weed by hand, purchase or make your own natural pest control products, attract and utilize beneficial insects in your garden(s). Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).  Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk. Use a soaker hose or trickle irrigation system to water trees. Install gutters and rain barrels. 

Let us continue to grow personally and develop spiritually; let us consciously take better care of ourselves; let us be aware of our votes; let us cast votes in harmony with our inner state of being;  let us pray: 

Dear Mother, our human species, thanks to the precious gift of awareness, has been able to learn to recognize its own presence and has found its true place in you and in the Universe. We know that we are tiny and insignificant, yet our minds are capable of encompassing three thousand worlds. We now know that our beautiful planet Earth is not the center of the Universe but we can still see that it is one of the Universe’s most wondrous manifestations. We have developed science and technology, discovered reality’s true nature of no-birth and no-death, neither being nor non- being, neither increasing nor decreasing, neither the same nor different. We realize that the one contains the all, the greatest is in the smallest, and each particle of dust contains the whole Cosmos. We are learning to love you and our Father more and to love one another in the light of such insight. We know that this non-dualistic way of seeing things and the teaching of inter-being help us to transcend all discrimination, all fear, jealousy, hatred, and despair. We aspire to transmit this insight to future generations.

We are no longer naive in thinking that humans are the masters of the Universe. Many of us have gone beyond dualistic views of right and wrong and are no longer puzzled about what we used to call the Will of Heaven and Earth.  We have transcended the concept of a creator in human form– we are no longer able to believe that God is an old man with a white beard, sitting in the sky, controlling everything on Earth, or that there is a Goddess on a cloud, finding and helping us every time we are in danger. God, for us, is the Ultimate Reality, the true nature of no-birth, no- death, no-coming, no-going, of all phenomenal manifestations. But some of us, when going through suffering, believe absolutely that whatever brings suffering is evil and whatever brings happiness is good; not knowing that suffering and happiness are just perceptions. All our perceptions are based on our sense organs, which are inherently limited. If our sense organs were differently formed, then our perceptions would be correspondingly different. Thus we see that happiness or suffering, the Pure Land or the mundane world depend very much on our way of perceiving. (Thich Nhat Hanh, Intimate Conversations with Mother Earth)

 So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light/Jesus. Amen.

The Lost Art of Discernment: Part 2 of 2

The formatting is acting up again; this week we seem to have some color ... lol

In a nutshell, it could be said that discernment is the “mindful consideration” of a subject. It is the conscious act of going beyond our individual, pre-conceived views, judgements and perceptions. 

Discernment is cyclical and consists of an external and an internal component. 

The external component of discernment pertains to actively researching a topic, to gain understanding. It is the practice of comparing and analyzing what we already believe we know, with information we read, see or hear.  

The internal component deals with comprehension and personal integration of our research, via meditation and personal reflection.  It is an interior search, it is the process of determining the Creator’s/God's will for us, and the ability to carry it out. 

(Discernment is) “Knowing what to do, how to proceed, and how to respond when the issue is not visible to us.”   Peggy Moerbe

King Solomon emphasized the importance of practicing discernment.  

My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment; if, moreover, you call out for understanding itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself, if you keep seeking for it as for silver, and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that case you will understand the fear of God, and you will find the very knowledge of God.  When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you, to deliver you from the bad way, from the man speaking perverse things, from those leaving the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness. Proverbs 2:1-5, 10-13

Discernment helps us:

·        determine the value and quality of our individual views, judgements and perceptions

·        perceive subtleties (grasp and comprehend that which is not obvious)

·        discard any old or new information that is misleading or irrelevant

·        recognize truths that resonate within our hearts

·        practice humility

·        self correct

·        set our priorities straight

·        exercise good judgement

·        gain wisdom by making wise decisions, especially during stressful/trying times

·        cultivate a close relationship with the Creator/God

Discernment requires time and personal effort. As mentioned earlier, discernment is cyclical; there are many steps to take to complete a discernment cycle.  The process is the same, regardless of how many times we have gone through the cycle.  

Here is the process:

·        Abandon the notion that we always know what is best.  

·        Pray to the Creator/God for an open, receptive mind and heart: Because truth is constantly changing, it is important to have an open mind so we can let go of old knowledge that is no longer valid.

·        Ask the Creator/God for the help of the Holy Spirit.

·        Actively dig for information, as if searching for a buried treasure. 

·        Isolate and focus on the main points presented in our research; this will help us understand the development of the subject at hand.

·        Ask the Creator/God to help us understand/comprehend information found in our research.

·       Analyze new information: Put information received to the test; see if it is truthful.  How does this new information apply to us, individually?  Do the results of our research resonate as truth within our hearts?  If  not, do not automatically assume that it is false; we may simply not be ready to receive it yet.  Instead, continue researching and meditating on the subject at hand; in time, the truth will be revealed. 

“Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions.”  1 John 4:1

·        Pay attention to intuition; it does not lie.  Intuition is the spark of light within each of  us that provides us with an innate knowing/sense of awareness that comes to us without explanation or proof.

·        While digging for answers, wait for the Creator/God to respond.   

·        Meditate upon how new found information relates to the Creator’s/God’s purpose.

One who is trying to make spiritual progress should attempt to … see things objectively … without being influenced by  emotions or passions. Discerning whether something is the Creator’s/God’s will, or the (D)evil’s will, requires calm, rational reflection.  The Creator’s/God’s will brings us to peaceful, joyful decisions. The (D)evil’s will leads us to make quick, emotional, conflicted decisions. Paraphrase, St. Ignatius of Loyola 

·        Meditate upon how to integrate and apply new ideas into our lives

·        Practice honest self-evaluation: Do we need to make personal adjustments in our thinking/beliefs? 

·        Abandon our personal views/judgements/perceptions when it becomes obvious that we are wrong.

·        Integrate our new found truth(s) into our hearts.   

When we consistently practice discernment, integrate our new found truths into our hearts, and apply new ideas into our lives, we grow spiritually. Over time, we take on a new personality, and the current cycle of discernment is complete. Each completed cycle brings us closer to the truth. 

If we make the conscious effort to fill our minds and hearts with the truth, we will gain wisdom, insight, and discernment.  A humble person who puts forth this kind of effort will indeed be able to get to know the Creator/God.
 
Let us gives serious attention to what is really deep inside of ourselves. Let us use our minds to acquire accurate knowledge of the Creator/God. Let us meditate on these things and seek to apply them. By doing so,

You will know the truth, and truth will set you free. John 8:32

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). Amen 

FORGIVENESS: Part 2 of 2

It is impossible to maintain successful relationships without forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, resentments and mistrust grow.  Resentments and mistrust act as toxic poisons and kill (destroy) relationships. Be quick to forgive.

Let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.   Ephesians 4:26

What if we are unable to forgive quickly?  Emotional wounds take time, love and patience to heal.  Love and patience help us to forgive someone whom we perceive is really trying.  

It serves us well to remember to ask the Creator/God to cultivate a forgiving spirit toward any offender who makes an honest effort to alter their thoughtless, unkind, harmful words and/or actions, and sincerely asks for our forgiveness. 

Hmmm … We ask for a forgiving spirit … What does that mean?

When we are on the receiving end of thoughtless, unkind, harmful words and/or actions, it can be difficult for us to allow these words and/or actions to pass through us,.  This is  due, largely in part, because reactions to personal offenses are usually emotion based reactions.  Emotional responses to perceived offenses can range from mild to strong; it is not uncommon for us to feel angry or betrayed; we may even desire justice or revenge. 

When we are hurt by others,  we often want to retaliate and hurt them back in some way, as pay back.   We can reduce anger and other negative emotions with understanding, open-mindedness, a willingness to forgive, and love for one another.  

When others offend us, being willing to forgive, out of love, keeps us from automatically assuming that anothers motives are bad.    

Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4: 8

Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, [clothe yourselves with] love, for it is a perfect bond of union.  Colossians 3:13-14

Determining why we are upset reduces our emotional responses.  Using our rational mind to analyze offensive words and/or actions, and understanding the reason(s) for our reaction, allows us to consider what would be the most appropriate response. 

Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.  Ecclesiastes 7:9  

Taking time to calm down and view the situation from the position of an “objective observer” helps us to remain open-minded and respond more appropriately. When we remove our subjective, emotional selves from the picture and examine the scenario as objective observers, we find that many negatively perceived words and actions flow right through us.  The more  we practice taking our subjective, emotional selves out of the picture, the more we will see that most of the things that are said or done to us, is not personal; it is not about us.   This objectiveness helps us see that others typically are not being deliberately hurtful or thoughtless; our offenders are simply being their imperfect human selves. 

He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment, but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness.  Proverbs 14:29 

The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression  Proverbs 19:11  

Know this, my beloved brothers. Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath; for man’s wrath does not work out God’s righteousness.  James 1:19-20  

By maintaining a positive view of our offender, in spite of what they are saying or doing to us, we build them up, rather than tear them down.  When we reflect back to them what we perceive they are putting out, we give ourselves, and them, an opportunity to clear up misunderstandings; each is also given the opportunity to gain/maintain control over their own behavior.  What a gift!

Therefore keep comforting one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11

We each have that power within us to create love, joy, peace and contentment, within our own hearts.  Learn to forgive.  If anybody upsets us, don’t take it to heart, forgive them.  If we have any ill-feelings, any grudges, please forgive them.  Forgive them,  that's the only way we can go forward and go on with our life. Grandmother Agnes (13 Indigenous Grandmothers) 

 

So it is, sealed in trust, faith and truth, in the Sacred Divine Light (Jesus Christ). 

Amen 

FORGIVENESS: Part 1 of 2

Forgiveness involves the act of pardoning an offender, letting go of any resentment (based on judgment, revenge, persecution and/or anger), brought upon by a perceived wrong doing to us, by another, and giving up all claim to re-compensation.  The Greek term a·phi′e·mi literally means “let go of.”

Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves; there is a strong relationship between forgiveness and mental health; forgiveness lightens our load and helps us maintain our own inner peace.  Forgiveness is essential, if we are to maintain peaceful relationships with others.  Through forgiveness, the bonds of personal relationships are strengthened.  When we forgive, our relationship with the Creator/God is strengthened and we are blessed with peace and contentment.

When we harbor feelings of judgment, revenge, persecution and/or anger, we slowly poison ourselves with toxic thoughts and emotions. As a result, we repeatedly suffer from poor health, broken relationships, stress, and/or communication difficulties. We lower our vibrational frequency to a level which limits: our ability to ascend to a place of inner peace, love and gratitude, as well as our re-connection with the Creator/God and the Divine Light/Jesus.  

Though we may have suffered at the hands of another, what has happened has happened ~ Let us not allow the behavior of others, to rob us of our happiness, by dwelling on negative thoughts and mentally ruminating over how we have been mistreated.  Let us not allow such thoughts to control our thinking.  Let us move on so we can be at peace, and heal.

Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.  Romans 12: 21

Some people with whom we are in personal relationship with, are repeatedly unkind to us.  Forgiveness does not mean that we approve of their behavior or minimize any damage created by their behavior.  Having said that, it is in our best interest to maintain a positive relationship with this person, by not keeping track of any wrong doings this person may have already done to us.  We all stumble in word and in deed on a regular basis. 

For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle also [his] whole body. James 3:2  

   

The offender, like each of us, is a victim of human imperfection.  With this realization, we can then allow ourselves to imagine the motivating pain and/or suffering behind the perceived wrong-doing behavior.  When we can imagine this, we can forgive more easily.   

One of the greatest things that any of us have, is prayer.  It is hard to stay angry with someone, for very long, when we are praying for them, so pray for the offender.  

“Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you.”  Matthew. 5:44.

If a person asks for forgiveness, it will serve us well to keep in mind that, if the shoe were on the other foot, we would want the other person to forgive us.  It will also serve us well to do the same for our offender, no matter how often it happens.  Forgiving others for personal offenses, regardless of the number of times involved, is a Christian requirement; there is no arbitrary limit on forgiveness.

Then Peter came up and said to him: “Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him: “I say to you, not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times.”  Mathew 18:21-22

Pay attention to yourselves. If your brother commits a sin give him a rebuke, and if he repents forgive him. Even if he sins seven times a day against you and he comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”  Luke 17:3-4

There are times when a person might intentionally hurt us; there are also times when an offender may not be remorseful or ask for forgiveness.  The Creator/God prescribed a way for seeking and receiving his forgiveness. A person must acknowledge and confess his/her wrong-doing, recognize that it was an offense not just to another person, but also against the Creator/God, feel deep heartfelt sorrow and remorse, be determined to change his/her ways, and to the best of his/her ability, fix any damage done. It matters not how far one falls, but the strength of his/her determination to set matters right, rise above the wrong-doing, and move forward.

When we encounter a non-remorseful offender, it is in our best interest to lovingly release the person to the Creator/God, leave the relationship, and move on with our life.  Although divine forgiveness is expansive and generous, the Bible states that we should not pray for those sinning against the Holy Spirit, with no repentance, as this is a deliberate practice of malicious, willful sin, for which there is no forgiveness. 

On this account I say to YOU, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven.  Matthew 12:31 

It is important to remember, that when we release a person to the Creator/God, and walk away, that we do so lovingly, and without judgment.  By imitating the Creator’s/God’s attitude toward forgiveness, we step out of the picture and allow the Creator/God, to examine the offender’s thoughts and heart and guide us on our path. 

Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5  

Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men.  If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.”  Romans 12:17-19

So it is, Sealed in Faith in the Divine Light/Jesus ... Amen