“To the man who himself strives earnestly, God also lends a helping hand.” —Aeschylus Have you given much thought to prayer, pray tell? Someone once said, “Prayer provides power, poise, peace, and purpose.” And American college administrator, William Arthur Ward, has said, “Prayer is the prelude to peace, the prologue to power, the preface to purpose, and the pathway to perfection.” If …
Silence Is Not the Absence of Noise, but the Presence of the Divine
1. Silence Dag Hammarskjöld said, “We all have within us a center of stillness surrounded by silence.” Yet, for some, silence and stillness are elusive. Caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, they find it difficult to drown out the clamor swirling about them. Even if they can retreat to a quiet spot, there is still the …
Stepping into the Heart of God
Tony (not his real name) is a 50-year-old Asian man who is going through tough times. He is divorced with two children and little money. He’s tried different things, but not with much success. He struggles with trying to find his personal passion and purpose in life and has lost confidence in his ability to make money. Although he used …
A World Without God
(Information for this essay comes from the following sources: “Who Needs God” by Rabbi Harold Kushner and the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * In our frustrations and pains, we become upset with God. We are not sure what is …
Sources of Spiritual Strength: Simplicity, Silence, Solitude, Surrender
Don’t smother your life with clutter Why would we want to increase our spiritual strength? Albert Einstein explains, “When you examine the lives of the most influential people who have ever walked among us, you discover one thread that winds through them all. They have been aligned first with their spiritual nature and only then with their physical selves.” After …
Prayer
Does God answer prayer? Can we change God’s mind with our prayers? And what about those people who pray but did not get the right answer? I’m troubled by a story a Salvation Army officer told me a few years ago. A father had prayed for his daughter’s recovery. The daughter was sick. The daughter had made a full recovery. …
Believing in God
Let God Love You through Others, And Let God Love Others through You – (D.M. Street, 1884~1962) A 67-year-old reader from California is conflicted about his belief in God. You see, at the age of 35 he had a religious experience and became a born again Christian. Despite his faith, he had many obstacles to overcome. In fact, thirty years later …
What’s Wrong with Religion?
(Material for this essay comes from the following sources: “Personhood” by Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia, PhD, “Would You Believe” by Tom Harpur and “When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough” by Harold Kushner) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What is it that people find offensive about religion? Today, …
How About More Spirituality
Is the Sky Falling? “Do you know the expression, `the sky is falling,’ asked friend of mine, “when someone jumps into the conclusion and causing himself and everyone else to panic?” “Sure, I do, but what do you mean?” I asked Jack, my long-time friend who is now having a hard time. “I lost my peace of mind,” said Jack, …
What Do You Mean I’m Violent
What Do You Mean I’m Violent. I’ve Done Nothing * * * * * * * * * * “If a soul is left in darkness, sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin but he who causes the darkness.” – Victor Hugo * * * * * * * * * * We …