prayer

The Path to the Sacred

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The forest guarding the Sacred Path.

There is a sacred path deep in the forests of Southern Africa. It leads to an ancient river. The path is sacred because if you are privileged to walk along it and pause a while you sense there is a reality way beyond what your limited senses can even remotely imagine. Suddenly you ask: Where else have I felt like this? The memories come flooding in: The ancient granite Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe; a deserted cove in Corfu; the Redwoods in California; the grove at the top of Alta Plaza in San Francisco. Connections. Connections. Connections. Connections to the great beyond. Please scroll down.

Below is a small song with words that I have written as a tribute to the Sacred Path. I have also played it for you.

The Path to the Sacred

The path to the sacred
Is calling me home
The path to the sacred
Where worlds become one

I answer the call
A door opens wide
My friends are there waiting
There's no more divide

John Bartels - December 2021

The sheet music is on page 2

Page 2

Sheet Music for "The Sacred Path"

What should follow Prayer?

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Lozenzo Scupoli suggests that after praying and seeking God’s will, we should, with full dependence on God, labor more diligently to become worthy of receiving what we pray for. This means that the work of prayer should be followed by us applying all our strength to obtain what we pray for. If we fail to work hard and just sit back after praying, we are testing God, not praying.

Just something to think about ….Comments would be helpful.

Reflections on reading an expanded version “Unseen Warfare: The Spiritual Combat and Path to Paradise” by Lorenzo Scupoli (1530-1610).

Fabulous Machu Picchu Pueblo – A Lesson

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“They say the Lion and the Lizard keep
The Courts where Jamshýd gloried and drank deep:
And Bahrám, that great Hunter–the Wild Ass
Stamps o’er his Head, but cannot break his Sleep.”

Omar Khayyam

“Read mark and inwardly digest” – The Book of Common Prayer

Photo by Alex Azabache on Unsplash

Thank you Alex

The George Cross and Covid19

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Perhaps Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, might consider awarding the George Cross to the gallant health and caring services as a whole, for their acts of great heroism and conspicuous courage in serving others during the extreme danger of Covid19.

With respect, the award could be made now. Remember that the award of the George Cross to Malta was made in April 1942, during the Second World War.

Thank you.

If you agree with this idea please pass it on.

John Bartels, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 31 December 2020

A three word prayer that immediately deepens our awareness of God’s presence.

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Photo by Simon Migaj on Pexels.co

We can use this prayer at any time.

Do we realise that each and every blessing we have comes from God? This includes every breath we take. This also includes the air itself. Without the ability to breathe, we die. It is as simple as that. So, every moment we live it is by the grace of God. Life is God’s gift to us.

The prayer

We should sit quietly and think about God’s gift of breathing and His gift to us of life.

Then,

Every time we breathe in, we pray “Thank you Lord”.

and

Every time we breathe out, we pray “Thank you Lord”.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Soon we will become more aware of God’s presence and of the other countless blessings which He has given us and which we so easily overlook.

Praise You Lord for the gift of life and for always being close to us.

Source: The suggestion is based on a short extract from a book sent to me recently by a friend.

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