Happy Trails

If the trail that I am on doesn't open into a thousand new ones, I am on the wrong trail. It must be my aim, a refreshing approach, to savor and relish all the present good. A hardy demand to casually strive and confine myself to the present moment. I should never look to please others nor wish that they please me. Self pleasing is the only true pleasing that can be had, especially when centered away from the touchy ego. The ego wants me to think that pleasing must be based on something outside, but a real walk is tall and away from crowded illusions. It may be viewed by a few prisoners wishing to be free of their unseen confinements, but the blinded masses will never see it. The aim is to be independent of dependence on any event, thought, person or feeling OUTSIDE of the present. A true characteristic of nobility and royal inheritance.r

"Confine yourself to the present" - Marcus Aurelius

Supply and Demand

Knowledge can be very powerful, but it cannot get you through the door. Most, will never have any desire or need or want to get to the door. They have no interest in their inward world. There is no condemnation here, on my part, only observation, because I know that any condition can be changed and any condition can be improved. So, this eternal love we seek cannot be felt logically or mechanically. It cannot reside where thought lies and cannot be seen by a busy mind. There can only be a child-like presence, a simple peace or a desire to see things differently, more quietly. Subsequently, a person must turn off the religion PA or remove themselves from the babbling in the streets to find a new and right beginning. Beware of those who speak so wildly of their doctrine, it is because they do not believe it and need confirmation from you. True newness is not concerned with direction, but hovers along the lines of unfamiliarity and unknowing. r

Non-Returnable

Knowing what I know now, I can never return to where I came from. That probability doesn't exist, except in illusion only. I doubt if I could return, even if I knew the way. One thing is certain, darkness doesn't need me to move anywhere for it to serve it's purpose. So here I am with this conscious dilemma. Which way do I go? Think for a minute. There are only 2 principles a man needs in his life. One, is to "be still and know that I am God." Secondly, if effort is necessary, "Love others as I have loved you." (remember that YOU are"others" too!) Keep it simple, my friends. r

Prisoner

I have been in prison most of my life. How can I expect or know what it is like to be free. Free, as in freedom from myself, my addictions, my fears, my desires, my somethings. Oh, how I love to manufacture more of those steel bars, yet as I look around me I see no bars, I see no guards. I am frightened by the shadows of a mimicking cast and worrying about the next phantom, sheepishly staying put, cowering ever so slightly and ever afraid. Oh, I may find a legitimate group to join, but they too are afraid and imprisoned and provide no escape for me. No, if I am to escape this place, this wall-less void, I must see, plan and break free from the ties that bind. Do you see now? They have been telling me for years that I am free to walk. They have told me there is another side and a way out, but I have grown accustomed to my misery and have averted back to what I know, the predictable, unconscious entrapment. Do you see? Will you see? r

Surrender

There will come a time when the tempter is so loud in your mind that you will become paralyzed and the pain unbearable. You will sense terror. There will be no one who can help you and your only desire is for God to just come get you. Listen my brothers! Do you not think the narrow gate has a price? Do you really think it is a soft and easy way? Do you really think that you can see it coming and that you have the human ability to ward it off? I pray that you doubt, I pray that you question and I beg that you cry out so loudly that no one hears you. I pray that it becomes so deafening that defeat is inevitable and you fear you may choke in your own tears. I pray at last that your last gasp is the knowledge of Christ, of Peter and of Paul. I pray that you find yourself screaming out to the one who loves you. I pray that you hang on with all your might and glimpse the only answer. He IS the only way, the only truth and the only life. He is more powerful now, inside of you, than if he were there in body. I pray you search for it. For in the great power of Christ you WILL find relief and you can be saved from the bondage of yourself. The self you think you know, your passions and your desires will soon crumble. Love and Peace through the difficult and very narrower gate. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who seek righteousness. Love, r

Man's Greatest Contributions

1. Jelly Bellies
2. zip ties
3. hip replacement

My wife, Leah, had hip replacement surgery Thursday. The surgery lasted 48 minutes and she was up and walking by 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. I am utterly amazed by man's progress in these areas. The funny thing though, is that the tools they use for such a seemingly impossible task, are nothing more than a carpenter's tools. I know of another carpenter who uses tools like that. love, r

Spoon Full Of Sugar

Rather than finding a way to cling to God, wouldn't it be within your power to first, see what is causing the need to cling? I believe if you were to ask God what to do in any uncomfortable situation, he would send you to the end of the line and suggest greater self examination and investigation. Once you find it he can better serve you. If you don't find it, he will probably give you another clue. Eventually he wants you to find it for yourself. Never forget he has a great sense of humor, so try to be more casual with it or you might walk right by it. Love, R