Giving and Receiving

A beautiful illustration of giving and receiving can be found in the two Seas which are in Palestine. Both seas are fed by the River Jordan. One is fresh and well stocked with fish. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it, and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters. Homes are built near it, children play and the area prospers.

To the south lays the other sea; it has no fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its waters, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink the water.

What is the difference? The same water from the river Jordan flows into both seas. It is not the soil or the countryside surrounding the area both are in the same region.

The 1st sea - the Sea of Galilee, receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop of water that flows into it, another drop flows out. The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse.

The sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. And it is named the Dead Sea.

There are two seas in Palestine. And there are two kinds of people in this world.

Sharing and thriving or hoarding and dying...tough choice!

I'm holding the high watch!

Rev. Donna

The game of life

Consider the game of hide and seek and how it is like the game of life. Imagine that you are 5 years old playing hide and seek. You're it! Count 1-2-3...10 and open your eyes. And you see all the kids standing there staring at you. Well, that's no fun!

The process of hiding and finding is what makes the game so much fun. It's the same in life. Searching for love, health, joy, and ultimately spiritual awakening is what makes life fulfilling. If all that was simply given to us, with no struggle or no sweat, there would be no joy in life.

Remember, the joy is in the journey. Play hide and seek!





I'm holding the high watch!


Rev. Donna

Hope is the basic ingredient of optimism, a tendency to dwell on the best possibilities. Hope is a positive and potent spiritual practice with the power to pull us through difficult times. It is usually described with light metaphors...a ray, a beam, a glimmer of hope, the break in the clouds, the light at the end of the tunnel. It is often discovered in unexpected places.

Hope can be learned with practice. Certain attitudes support it. One is patience, an ability to tolerate delays, a willingness to let events unfold in their own time. The other is courage, an attitude of confidence even when facing the unknown. A third is persistence, the determination to keep going no matter what happens.

Be a patient, courageous, persistent person. Be hopeful and hope-filled. Your life will be lighter. You will say, "all is well!" and you will really mean it!!

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul.

And sings the tune

Without the words,

and never stops at all.
~Emily Dickinson

US poet (1830 - 1886)