Gifts of the Heart, Part 3

The other week as I was reflecting on what to write for this article, I heard a voice inviting me to take a walk. I took my iphone and started listening to music to calm my mind.

As I was strolling along the path, I was looking all around me at the trees, the birds, the colors in the sky and asking God: “What do you want me to notice?  What message am I missing?”

After a few minutes, I heard a subtle voice whisper: “If you want to enter the Sacred Chamber of your Heart, listen closely.” 

In that moment, I heard these words: “Gentle woman, quiet light, morning star so strong and bright. Peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.”  My attention had been so focused outside of me, that I forgot I was listening to a song on my iphone called “Hail Mary; Gentle Woman” by Jon Niven. 

I started crying. Even in my confusion, the Divine Mother knew the exact timing I would be ready to surrender and listen. Really listen and hear a beautiful voice already serenading me home.

I could hear her saying “Come with me, Ryan. I’ll take you to the Christ within you. That place where there is no pain. Let me hold that pain and give you peace.” 

It was a beautiful reminder for me that when it comes to the matters of the heart, the true gifts lie within. And the grace of the Mother, that Presence of the Divine that holds everything in its tender embrace, is much closer than we think.

In the midst of our pain, how often is God serenading us to come home to our heart?  To let God’s Sacred Heart heal our human one. God always promises a way to peace. Are we listening?

As Jesus said in the scriptures: “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

I invite you to join Rev. Barbara Rose and I for the upcoming Teleconference on Monday, Feb 4th as we share stories of the Divine Presence in our lives and offer prayers for you, your loved ones, and your communities. We invite you to share in the The Gifts of an Eternal Heart that has no limitation, no fear, and is a wellspring of grace freely given.

By Ryan R.

Gifts of the Heart, Part 2

Though the heart is a physical organ, which sustains life, it is also a spiritual being capable of nourishing us on many levels. From my heart, I learn the art of compassion, deepening my relationships with those I encounter or simply think of.

In school, many of us learned to think with the brain, which is an awesome organ. Dropping from the mind to the heart is a vastly different way to view one’s world. What does one learn thinking heart-fully?

We become more sensitive, loving and caring human beings. To begin to acknowledge the gifts of the heart, Love is the prime emotion we embrace. Loving oneself is a requisite if we are to live and love another.

Perhaps the greatest present we can give another is our self-loving personae. Who would desire a non-loving being? If I am to gift myself, my best assets are me, a compassionate loving being, Be-ing uniquely me. Once I allow myself that gift, then I can gift heart-fully those who cross my path. Then truly, I am offering gifts of the heart.

Thus, in February, as we celebrate St.Valentine’s, let us begin with us. That box of chocolates, so beautifully decorated, is for us. Once that deepening relationship with self is realized, then we can gift the world in a genuine, honest manner.

What is inside will flow with ease as does the river outside my home. I choose to embrace the deeply flowing river, not the swift moving one that may be shallow. I choose to flow with Divinity and to continually gift myself. Then others will experience my gifts of and from the heart.

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Barbara C.

Gifts of the Heart

A gift of the heart may be a thought/prayer /materialistic gesture toward an individual or group of people without expecting anything in return. You can not put a value on the gift, for it is the thoughtfulness behind the giving. This is a “no strings attached” heartfelt gesture toward someone in need or a “thank you” for something you have received from them.

A very good example of our giving the “Gifts of the Heart” is at our Celebrating Life Ministries Retreats. Our expression of love, blessings, prayers, and healing toward one another represents a true gift we possess through our learning and teaching. We may not realize it, but our hands-on healing, holding sacred space and catching for the healers, prayer circles, and just having social chats with one another during these retreats are true blessings of giving a “Gift of the Heart”. I’ve observed that as we leave these retreats, we are full of love and giving. We return to our everyday lives overwhelmed with emotion. 

The giving of the gift of the heart does not stop at the retreat. The emotions we experience and take with us help us understand that in our everyday lives we are performing the gifts of the heart through our professions. The educators, doctors, nurses, caregivers, home makers, laborers, and all other professionals are gift givers. These gift givers express themselves in the form of teaching, health care, building/repairing, showing love/compassion and many other virtues. The giver(s) of these gifts do not expect anything in return because of their love and passion for what they do. 

I think the most beautiful gift to bestow on someone is the Spiritual Gift of Love, Blessings and Prayer. In doing so we may strengthen another’s faith in the Divine. 

“A spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively (in word or deed) for the strengthening of someone’s else’s faith. 

- Spiritual Gifts by John Piper 3/15/81

“What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God”

-Hans Urs von Balthasar, Prayer

by Brother Frank C.