Monday, October 31, 2016

A simple All Hallows Eve Vigil in remembrance ! Our first time praying the names of the Orlando 49 and others on All Hallows Eve






Good Evening Dear Family!

Happy All Hallows Eve. This is a time of reflection where we begin to look back at those precious loved ones we have lost and turn towards those who are still living. This year we need to look again and remember and make vigil for all those who have died by violent means. We need to remember tonight the lives of those who were lost at Pulse night club and other places. We will be using prayers from one of our past vigils. Let us begin!





We light our candles and pray this night in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters here and throughout the world. 


We begin  this vigil as we light a single candle in unity and with love for one another.

God we pray that we may love one another as you love us.
God hear the cries of your children as we pray.

Listen to the words and music of  this piece of music as we reflect on God's love and how we are to respond to God's call to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves.

Ubi Caritas - Durufle 

Pause, breathe, and listen

Ubi Caritas -Bob Hurd


We light out next single candle and pray for and end to all division, hatred, bigotry, violence, and any thing that draws us from our love of one another and from God as God's beloved children.

God we pray that we all may be one and that our divisions may cease and that we will carry this light into the world as your beloved children and peacemakers.
God hear the cries of your children as we pray.


Let us reflect on how we can come together as your children and what that  will look like. 


Let us pause, breathe, and listen to the words of  this piece of music. Meditate on the instruction and sing along.

There's Honey in the Rock


God we light the next candle in solidarity with everyone who is a different faith and loves you just the same. 


God we pray that we may learn from each other and be lovingly accepting of everyone's faith.

God hear the cries of your children as we pray.


We reflect upon how we have used religion as a divider, destroyer of our family members throughout the world, and a way to build walls in fear.

Pause, breathe and Listen 

Let us listen to this peace mantra sung by Tina Turner.

Peace Mantra - Tina Turner

Origin: Hindhuism
Language: Sanskrit

Om Om Om
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti


Mantra's Meaning: 

May there be happiness in all
May there be peace in all
May there be completeness in all
May there be success in all



Let us engage in the "Be Stills"

Be Still and Know that I am God.
Be Still and know  that I am.
Be Still and know.
Be Still.
Be.


We light candles and place them in a circle  and pray for all nations of the world.


God we come to you and pray for all nations of the world where there is division, war, hatred, and daily acts of violence. We pray especially for the United States, France, Turkey, Sudan, Iraq, Belgium, and the cities of Orlando, Istanbul, Dhaka, Baghdad, Medina, Jeddhah, Ankara, Dallas, St. Paul, Baton Rouge and all other places known and unknown. 

God hear the cries of your children as we pray.



Pause, breathe, and listen in silence as we reflect upon what peace is supposed to be like.


We light out candles in loving memory of all your children who have lost their lives to any kind of violence remembering these beloved ones:

Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola, of Baton Rouge who were killed today.
We pray and  remember the 4000+ persons who have died by acts of lynching in our country as we speak the name of Moses York who was lynched . We remember and pray for those who have been victims of violence at the hands of law enforcement officers as we speak the names of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and all others. We pray and  speak the names of the the Dallas 5 BRENT THOMPSON, PATRICK ZAMARRIPA,MICHAEL KROL,MICHAEL SMITH,LORNE AHRENS We pray and remember the Orlando 49 and speak their names: Stanley Almodovar III,Amanda Alvear,Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, Antonio Davon Brown, Darryl Roman Burt II, Angel L. Candelario-Padro,Juan Chevez-Martinez, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra Drayton, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Mercedez Marisol Flores,Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Paul Terrell Henry,Frank Hernandez, Miguel Angel Honorato, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Kimberly Morris, Akyra Monet Murray, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Enrique L. Rios, Jr., Jean C. Nives Rodriguez,Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado,Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane Evan Tomlinson,Martin Benitez Torres, Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Luis S. Vielma,Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Jerald Arthur Wright. We pray and speak the name of Ulises Garcia, Bernardino de Jesus, and all those who have died at the hands of gang violence. 


As we conclude this time of vigil let us pray and light candles that our pathway may be made clear and may we make time to meditate on the pathway God has set before us.


As we conclude our meditation time let us visually imagine that we are lighting a candle to lighten our hearts and set the tome for our prayers and as we see the candlelight let us remember that we are to hold the Light of Christ to all of our family members so that the pathway may be made plain and safe as we walk together in love as Christs and God's family members and each other's.

Lighten our path O God so that we may see clearly the pathway you have set before us.

Lighten our path O God with love and brightness so that we may be united with you as your family.

Lighten our path O God with peace that we may become your peacemakers and that we may spread the Good News of Justice, Love, and Mercy throughout the world.

Lighten our path O God to our hearts and souls that we may be connected to the least of these and tenderly and lovingly care for them.

Lighten our path O God to all of our family members who are ill that we may compassionately care for them and pray for them when we aren't present. We pray this night  for_____________

Lighten the  path O God for all who are mourning that they may be given holy comfort and may feel your arms gently enfolding them.

Lighten our path O God to you in our bodies, minds, and spirits that we may take time to connect with you with holy listening.  May we go deeper and seek your presence and listen with open ears, hearts, and calm and attentive spirits. 

Lighten our path O God so that we may raise our voices in prayer and thanksgivings for__________

Accept these our prayers in the Holy Name of  Jesus who is "The Light of the World". Amen. 

Extra Canticles if you would like to use them. From THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds
he Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55

My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *
according to thy word;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen

Psalm 23 King James Version

The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; *
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
Name’s sake. 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; *
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies; *
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

And a special version from Bobby McFerrin

Psalm 23 


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Good Night Dear  Family of Love! I love you! May you listen to God and you body tonight and find rest. I give God thanks for you this day and always.


With love, ears and a tender heart ready to listen to you when ever you need me,


Sara


Sunday, October 30, 2016

A vigil in solidarity with Water Protectors at Standing Rock





Good Evening or Very Early Morning!

It's time to make vigil and stand in solidarity with our family members at Standing Rock and throughout the world. Tonight we will use brief prayers with a pause for reflection interspersed with Native American Prayers.. Let us prepare by entering into this time with silence.


God we light our candles in unity and make vigil together in solidarity.






We pray for the Water Protectors at Standing Rock.
For the musical chants click on the bold links.
Song for the Sacred Elements
Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Native American Prayer

Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect and to be kind to one another that we may grow with peace in mind.
 - Native American Prayer


We pray and remember that all living things are sacred precious to God and that we must be good stewards of God's Cathedral of life.

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

One With This World

My words are tied in one with the great mountains, with the great rocks, with the great trees, in one with my body and heart.
 All of you see me, one with this world.
 - Yokuts Prayer


God we pray that we my be truly one family in peace and harmony.

Prayer For Peace

Oh Great Spirit who dwells in the sky, 
lead us to the path of peace and understanding, 
let all of us live together as brothers and sisters.
Our lives are so short here, walking upon Mother Earth's surface, 
let our eyes be opened to all the blessings you have given us. 
Please hear our prayers, Oh Great Spirit.
 - Native American Prayer

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

God we pray that everyday we may remember that wherever we plant our feet we are on holy ground as we travel through life.


The Journey

When the earth is sick and dying,
There will come a tribe of people
From all races…
Who will put their faith in deeds,
Not words, and make the planet
Green again…
 - Cree Prophecy

God we pray that we may seek to remember that we are one family throughout the world and wherever there is trouble we stand in solidarity with CALM  (Compassionate, accepting, loving, and Merciful ) Hearts, hands, feet, words, and deeds.

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe
Great Spirit

O Great Spirit, help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak and to remember the peace that may be found in silence.
 - Cherokee Prayer

God we pray for the  Earth and that we may stand in solidarity with those seeking to heal the environment and save all animals from becoming endangered or extinct species.

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Earth Prayer

Earth teach me freedom
as the eagle which soars in the sky.
Earth teach me regeneration
as the seed which rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself
as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness
as dry fields weep with rain.
 - Ute Prayer


God we pray for the healing of all our family members. We pray for the healing of hurts, hatreds, bodies, minds, spirits, and hearts.

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Healing Prayer

Grandfather,
Sacred one,
Teach us love, compassion,
and honor.
That we may heal the earth
And heal each other.
 - Ojibway Prayer


God help us to be one family throughout the world. May we be your children and peacemakers seeking to love and serve the least of these.

Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Sioux Prayer

Grandfather Great Spirit
All over the world the faces of living ones are alike.
With tenderness they have come up out of the ground
Look upon your children that they may face the winds
And walk the good road to the Day of Quiet.
Grandfather Great Spririt
Fill us with the Light.
Give us the strength to understand, and the eyes to see.
Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives to all that live.
 - Sioux Prayer

From Fr. Thomas Beasley- Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying "Lord, have mercy." For the poor and the oppressed, for the oppressed Native Peoples at Standing Rock, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. 
Lord, have mercy


.Water Song

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe


A Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect,
and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

 - U.N. Day of Prayer for World Peace 2

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

The Water Song

Song for the Sacred Elements


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Good Night Brothers and Sisters! May we love one another in spirit and open heart homes. May we show attitudes of gratitude for all living things and each other.  May we seek unity through  Jesus the Living Water and the Waters Of Life that Course through our veins. May we be enlivened and empower to seek unity and be in service one to another.

In peace, harmony, and love,

Sara




















Saturday, October 29, 2016

Standing Rock and a Story from the Window.




Dear Family!

Happy Self- Care Saturday! Just a reminder we remain in prayer vigil mode for the people of Standing Rock and their allies. It is truly horrifying that our indigenous brothers and sisters are being treated so poorly. We must remember everything is sacred to them and that we must not take this lightly but solemnly. Each act that is done to the earth, sea, and sky is not good and it begins a process of degradation, endangering of species, and extinction. The NDAPL is a detriment to the water, climate, animals, produce, etc. Without these things we fail to live well and healthy lives. We must respect all living things with reverence and deep care.  Our Family Members at Standing Rock and those who come to window are very similar because they are fighting for their very lives and not only that they are fragile souls who seek out respect, dignity, and to be treated with Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy. On Thursday when I handed out shelf stable lunches it had occurred to me that everyone needs to be treated fairly and with loving kindness. Sometimes I do go the extra mile and give them an extra lunch because they are in need of one for either themselves or someone else. That is how we all should be without a doubt. So let us become loving and giving towards everyone and keep our people of Standing Rock and at the Window in prayer.

Tonight please refer to the past tow blogs for prayer formats. Here are the links.

 Prayers for Standing Rock and a time with Native American Prayers in solidarity and with love for all indigenous peoples

Time for a virtual prayer vigil to stand with Standing Rock and each other.

 Let us pray this night as we light a rainbow bank of candles for all of  our brothers and sisters. 




Tonight Brothers and Sisters our prayers come from many Native American Tribes as we stand with them in compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy. We stand together for justice and human rights. We stand together in a circle of healing for all tribes and the healing of all sacred lands, waters, and spaces. We pray for a holy circle of protection around everyone at Standing Rock and those who will be making pilgrimage. We pray and remember also our family members who come to the window and pray especially  that they take care of themselves on the weekend when there isn't enough food and shelter,

Smudging as a Christian Aboriginal Ceremony

We must stand with our indigenous brothers and sisters and encircle them with love and  their prayers tonight


A Smudging Prayer


 Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.

Gracious God as we begin to await  All Saint's Day and All Soul's day let us remember all of our family members who reside in the Thin Places.  May we name those who remain special to us and pray for those whom we didn't get along with.


Gracious and God we give thanks for the rain and may there be more rains to heal and cleanse your drought parched lands throughout the world and in our state.

Gracious God we pray for all of our family members who are in need of healing remembering especially____________

Gracious God we pray for peace in your fragile and broken world.  Give to us the means whereby we may become peacemakers.

Gracious God take away all bitterness, hatred, and  divisiveness that we may be united as your children O God.

Gracious God  give the the leaders of all the nations strength to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.

Gracious God give us the courage to see you in our family members who are the least of these eyes and never forget that when we serve and love them we are serving and loving you.

Gracious God we add our additional prayer requests for ourselves and on behalf of others remembering especially_______________________

Gracious God challenge us to do what is right and be beacons of love, joy, hope, and peace in your holy world.

Gracious God help us to remember wherever we walk, look, taste, touch, or feel  we are living in a place of holiness Help us to lead holy and gracious lives and see the holy in everything.

Gracious God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your son Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Or these prayers!

God of  Creation, we give thanks and celebrate all that you have made. Give us a tender and compassionate reverence for all things living.

God of Creation, we thank you for the rain and pray for more so that  the drought parched areas of our world may be cleansed and healed.

God of  Peace, we pray for peace in this your fragile and broken world. Help us to become truly the Children of God as Peacemakers.

God  of Justice, we pray for all leaders of the  nations that they may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you O God.

God of Compassion,we pray for all who are in need of healing and comfort. May we help them wipe away their many tears and help them be relieved of anxieties and fears by using our empathetic skills and tender and loving hearts.

God of  Light, We pray that we may become Your beacons of hope to all who are in darkness.

God who walks with us on our daily journey, may we follow where you lead and may we walk hand in hand with you and when we need it may we feel you carry us in your arms.

God of all gentleness, may we always remember the vulnerable, especially children, elderly, the least of these, and all others who are the tender ones.

God of  time and space, help us to become acclimated  to the time change. Help our bodies, minds, and spirits adjust.

God we pray for all who travel. May they have safe journeys.

God we pray for all leaders of the many faith communities who are in preparation for worship tomorrow. Help them to preach The Word boldly and without fear.


God of all Saints may we live by their example and may we never forget that they were human beings with frailties just like us.

God we lift up our additional prayers for ourselves and others remembering especially__________

God we take time to add 
 our remembrances of those who have died remembering especially-______

God we celebrate this the Feast of All Saints and remember those who have died and entered the Thin Places remembering especially________


God we give thanks for _______________________

God we lift up these our prayers, remembrances, thanksgivings, and celebrations in the most holy name of Your only Son, Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

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Good Night Dear Family of Love! I love you ! I wish for you a most refreshing, renewing, and restful sleep tonight. Enjoy another beautiful day of Sabbath Care and if you haven't done so lately it might be a good idea to check in your place of worship or try a new place for your spirit's health. Remember there is not a one size fits all faith community. I give thanks to God for you this day and always. 

Love, prayers, and blessings be always yours,

Sara

Friday, October 28, 2016

Time for a virtual prayer vigil to stand with Standing Rock and each other.





Good evening dear family of love,

Let us take time for a virtual prayer vigil and stand with our family members at Standing Rock and each other. Take time for silence and to be a holy presence one to another. 


To begin let us engage in the Be Stills.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Inhale slowly,
Hold.
Exhale gently.

Repeat.


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 Our vigiling music for tonight:

Millenium- Re-Issue Album

Or

All Tracks- R. Carlos Nakai





A Smudging Prayer


 Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.







God of many names we light our candles and set them on a holy and life giving pathway to you.

God we light the first pair of candles in honor and reverence for the holiness of Earth, Sea, and Sky.

God we light the second pair of candles in honor and respect for all of your creatures from the tiniest microbe to the tallest giraffe.

God we light the fourth pair of candles representing the 4 directions as we pray this prayer:

Prayer of  The Four Directions
Chief Seattle


Great Spirit of Light, come to me out of the East (red) with the power of the rising sun. Let there be light in my words, let there be light on my path that I walk. Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day. And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again.

Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South (yellow). Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold. Unfold me like the gentle breezes that unfold the leaves on the trees. As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth. Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself. 

Great Life-Giving Spirit, I face the West (black), the direction of sundown. Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. Give me a beautiful color, give me a great sky for setting, so that when it is my time to meet you, I can come with glory.


Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North (white). Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me. Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north.


God we light the fifth pair in recognition of our failure to be united as your children and see each person as holy and precious.

God we light each pair now in remembrance and in solidarity with The Tribes who walked the Trail of Tears, The Dakota 38, Wounded Knee, all the Treaties that were broken, All Native and indigenous peoples, Standing Rock. 

We light this special candle for all the Native Tribes and Reservations whose names we may not remember but you do God. 



Finally we light this candle God in loving memory of all Indigenous peoples who have lost their lives through genocide,  violence, abuse, terror from the White Man, and by taking their own lives. We remember especially the young who find it hard to be Native American and are lead to take matters into their own hands and take their own lives. 

We honor our brothers and sisters again with their prayers. Let them speak to us as we enter in with heart homes awakened and with listening ears of the hear. 

Words That Speak 
 

The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of 
forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, 
for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man 
for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild 
sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged.... 


Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an 
intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a 
Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, 
and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations. 


You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, 
and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, 
and everything tries to be round..... The Sky is round, and I have 
heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. 
The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in 
circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.... 


Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always 
come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle 
from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power 
moves. 

-Black Elk (Oglala) 1863-1950


~TO WALK THE RED ROAD~

Long road winding began in the stars,
spilled onto the mountain tops,
was carried in the snow to the streams,
to the rivers, to the ocean…
It covers Canada, Alaska, America,
Mexico to Guatemala,
and keeps winding around the indigenous.


The Red Road is a circle of people 
standing hand in hand,
people in this world, people between
people in the Spirit world.
star people, animal people, stone people,
river people, tree people…
The Sacred Hoop.


To walk the Red Road 
is to know sacrifice, suffering. 
It is to understand humility.
It is the ability to stand naked before God
in all things for your wrong doings,
for your lack of strength,
for your uncompassionate way,
for your arrogance - because to walk 
the Red Road, you always know
you can do better. And you know,
when you do good things,
it is through the Creator, and you are grateful.


To walk the Red Road
is to know you stand on equal ground
with all living things. It is to know that
because you were born human,
it gives you superiority over nothing.
It is to know that every creation carries a Spirit,
and the river knows more than you do,
the mountains know more than you do,
the stone people know more than you do,
the trees know more than you do,
the wind is wiser than you are,
and animal people carry wisdom.
You can learn from every one of them,
because they have something you don't:
They are void of evil thoughts.
They wish vengeance on no one, they seek Justice.


To Walk the Red Road,
you have God given rights,
you have the right to pray,
you have the right to dance,
you have the right to think,
you have the right to protect,
you have the right to know Mother,
you have the right to dream,
you have the right to vision,
you have the right to teach,
you have the right to learn,
you have a right to grieve,
you have a right to happiness,
you have the right to fix the wrongs,
you have the right to truth,
you have a right to the Spirit World.


To Walk the Red Road
is to know your Ancestors,
to call to them for assistance…
It is to know that there is good medicine,
and there is bad medicine…
It is to know that Evil exists,
but is cowardly as it is often in disguise.
It is to know there are evil spirits
who are in constant watch
for a way to gain strength for themselves
at the expense of you.


To Walk the Red Road,
you have less fear of being wrong,
because you know that life is a journey,
a continuous circle, a sacred hoop.
Mistakes will be made,
and mistakes can be corrected 
if you will be humble,
for if you cannot be humble,
you will never know
when you have made a mistake.


If you walk the Red Road,
you know that every sorrow
leads to a better understanding,
every horror cannot be explained,
but can offer growth.


To Walk the Red Road
is to look for beauty in all things.

To Walk the Red Road
is to know you will one day
cross to the Spirit World,
and you will not be afraid…

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Good Night Dear Ones! Rest Gentle and if you would like to pray additional prayers here is the blog from yesterday: Prayers for Standing Rock and a time with Native American Prayers in solidarity and with love for all indigenous peoples.

I love you all. May God Bless you each nano-second that you live, move and just be. I give thanks to God for you this night and always. Tomorrow we most definitely will have our Story From the Window.

With love and presence,

Sara