Interfaith Spirit Quest

Special Announcement - New Ministry - LifOvation

Special Announcement Aug 31, 2011: After almost three years as Interfaith Spirit Quest, we have a new name, a new location, and a slightly different focus and direction. It's called LifOvation!! All future posts will be posted at www.lifovation.com - we hope you'll come over for a visit now and then! Thank you for your past support - it has been a huge blessing to be part of this ministry and we look forward to an exciting time of spiritual exploration in our new ministry.

LifOvation: There's a new Christ-centered Community Center coming to Appleton, WI - founded by yours truly & friends after feeling called by God to do so! LifOvation will have its own permanent location for services, events and activities! LifOvation will offer a unique service style and refreshing content. Learn more at www.lifovation.com. Please share with friends and let us know your thoughts. :)

Why the new direction?: After almost three years of exploring the religions of the world through a Christ-centered lens, we believe that it would be a good idea to begin weekly services for people of all-faiths to learn about the spiritual therapies of the Universal Christ.

Divine Spirit, Creator, Comforter, Greatest Friend

-- A Prayer --

-- Divine Spirit, Creator, Comforter, Greatest Friend --

Divine Spirit and Creator of all that is and that will be,
Comforter and Greatest Friend of all,
You are in our thoughts,
You are Part of our spirit,
We sense You and we stand in Awe of You!

May we each day learn to Love each other more as You Love us.
As you Will!
Thank You for all that You provide on Earth and in Heaven!
Your Love sustains our Body, Mind and Spirit here in our Earthly homes,
and Your Love promises to sustain us forevermore in Your Heavenly mansions.

Teach us to love and forgive others as You Love and Forgive us.
Guide us each step of every moment and Save us from ourselves.
You are the One True God of us all,
teach us to truly love All of You,
now and forever.

Amen

Taizé-hymn - Bless the Lord my soul

In the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation, enjoy and participate. 

Taizé-hymn - Bless the Lord my soul (lyrics)

Bless the Lord, my soul,

and bless God's holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul,

who leads me into life.

What is a Taizé-hymn?  From Wikipedia:  

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of about 100 brothers who come from Protestant and Catholic traditions. The brothers come from about 30 countries across the world.[1] The monastic order has a strong devotion to peace and justice through prayer and meditation. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz.[2]

The community has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizé each year for prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. Through the community's ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation.

The music emphasises simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other pieces of Scripture, repeated and sometimes also sung in canon.

...more info here.

 

To purchase Taizé music -

Visit Amazon.com's Taize Store to shop for Taize albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl), concert tickets, and other Taize-related items:  Taizé Music

 

 

Read about Taizé Music and the community:

    
 

                         

 

Fill the air with thoughts and prayers to soothe the soul

Pick a morning, afternoon or evening and fill the air with sounds to soothe the soul.  Create your own time of worship and praise and enter into a little calm in your daily life.  Create your own sabbath.  Choose passages, thoughts and prayers, that speak to your soul, say them out loud - to the whole family or just to yourself.  Let your voice be the voice of God's affirmation.

Here are a few to get you started - say them loud and clear - breathe words in - breathe words out - hear God's echo back to you - affirming and comforting you with the peace that passes all understanding. 

Thoughts from Interfaith Spirit Quest:

1. Love and light from the Source of the universe is here, right now, in this very space.  Receive it.  Experience it. 
   
2. Life is good, we love life. 
   
3. Life has meaning and purpose because we desire it to be so.  Amen
4. The Great Spirit that dwells within me, also dwells within you.
5. My pain and suffering is mine, all mine.  I will not give it away, but I will let it go.  I will feel it, experience it, learn from it and I will be a source of inspiration and support for others because of it.  God will see me through this, and will do the same for you.
6. My heart will become softer and more forgiving.
7. I love you God.  I know you love me back!
8. If this is a test, I am going to pass it with flying colors.
9. Life is a great adventure, one right after another, and I can't wait until the next one!
10. The next adventure in the hereafter will surpass my wildest imagination!

Passages from The Bible:

1. Choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, list to his voice, and hold fast to him.... --Deuteronomy 30:19-20
2. ...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  --Joshua 1:8-9
3. The Lord has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead...  --Ruth 2:20
4. Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name...  --1 Chronicles 16:8
5. ...be strong and do not give up; for your work will be rewarded.  --II Chronicles 15:7
6. He will fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.  --Job 8:21
7. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  --Psalms 23:1 (read the rest of this Psalm)
   
8. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go; I will guide you with my eye.  --Psalms 32:8
9. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.  --Psalms 32:18
10. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  --Psalms 62:1-2

Prayers from here and there:

1. Send thy peace, O Lord, that we may think and act harmoniously.  Send thy peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for they bountiful gifts. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife, we may enjoy thy bliss.  Send thy bliss, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision and in thy light, all darkness may vanish.  Send thy peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we thy children on Earth may all unite in one family.    --Sufi Order - Hazrat Khan 
   
2. O God, To those who have hunger give bread; and to those who have bread give the hunger for justice.  --Anonymous, Latin America - non-denominational prayer
3. May there be peace in the higher regions; may there be peace in the firmament; may there be peace on earth.  May the waters flow peacefully; may all the divine powers bring unto us peace.  The supreme Lord is peace.  May we all be in peace, peace, and only peace.  --The Vedas - Hindu prayer
4. Thou art my mother and my father thou art, Thou art my brother and my friend thou art, Thou art my knowledge, my wealth thou art.  Thou art my everything, my God of Gods.  --Sanskrit - Hindu prayer
5. May I be filled with loving kindness, may I be well.  May I be peaceful and at ease.  May I be happy.  --Buddhist meditation prayer
6. Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my mind may turn to what is holy.  Move me, Holy Spirit, that I may do what is holy.  Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may preserve what is holy.  Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may never lose what is holy.  --St Augustine - Christian prayer
7. Giver of life, Creator of all that is lovely, teach me to sing the words of your song.  I want to feel the music of living and not fear the sad songs, but from them make new songs composed of both laughter and tears.  Teach me to dance to the sounds of your world and your people, I want to move in rhythm with your plan.  Help me to follow your leading, to risk even falling, to rise and keep trying, because you are leading the dance.  --Anonymous, Native American prayer
8. O Lord, give me strength that the whole world look to me with the eyes of a friend.  Let us ever examine each other with the eyes of a friend.  -Ayurveda (form of alternative medicine from India)
9. Father, O Mighty force, that force which is in everything, come down between us, fill us, until we be like Thee, until we be like Thee.  --Anonymous - African prayer
10. Come, Spirit of God, Spirit of Love.  You are welcome here.  Come.  ...ahhh, You are already there.   --Interfaith Spirit Quest

  

  Notes:  Many of the 'here and there' prayers may be found in the book

God has no religion by Frances Goulart. 

Prayer: Give Thanks

To the One Ultimate Cause of all, to our Creator; we give thanks.

For the gift of life, love, peace, mind, body and spirit; we give thanks.

To the One who lovingly paves and guides the way for us, to the Great Spirit that dwells within us, to the One who picks us up when we fall down; we give thanks.

For the very personal and patient beings, angels and others who work joyfully and steadfastly on our behalf, who speak tenderly to us and in so many ways, though we don’t always hear; we give thanks.

To the Universal Provider of our physical needs and sustenance, our food and drink; we give thanks.

For the beautiful unfolding process of our evolution and the continuing gradual development of our awareness of You, God; we give thanks.

To the Awesome Creator-Designer of this excellent, beautiful place we call home; we give thanks.

To the One who Loves us through and through; we give thanks.

~ Amen ~

Prayer:  Give Thanks   (by Rev. S. Hansen, 2010, Interfaith Spirit Quest)

Healing & Healthcare for the Mind, Body & Spirit

Healing comes in the form of material methods as well as prayer, encouragement through faithful progress and a good attitude. A personal transformation of mind and spirit oftentimes leads to healing because bad habits and unhealthy living practices are exchanged for a healthier lifestyle. The expectation of health is in the mind of strong and positive personalities. Fear and anxiety lead to thoughts that are negative and weak, which may lead to physical illness. Not that we think ourselves well or sick, but that our actions (material effect) are a direct result of our attitude, and our actions are what cause health or disease in many instances. The lazy mind resists the efforts that bring about healing.

Good health, a sound mind, and a happy disposition are the result of integrating truth, beauty and goodness into our human experience. Truth - material, philosophical, or spiritual - resonates with the soul. Beauty brings joy and pleasure to the human senses. Goodness brings stability to our world. An abundance of truth, beauty and goodness can heal our hearts, minds and bodies.

The physical body is not afflicted with disease by God, by by the consequences of material effects. Diseases or accidents of nature or material thing are not in any way pre-ordained or arranged by God or any other spiritual force. You are free to reap the rewards of a healthy lifestyle, just as you are free to reap the negative effects of an unhealthy lifestyle. We are equal in our capacity to receive our reward for our actions. Remember that our choices may also affect the lives of others – including our children and other loved ones.

Selflessness – the opposite of selfishness – creates an abundance of joy, which in turn produces medicine for good health, motivation for the heart, and an energizing effect on the mind. Should illness or accident strike, know that these situations will always work out for the welfare and progress of those involved.

To get through trying times, rely on true spiritual faith:

1. Make progress upward and not toward animalistic tendencies
2. Trust God, even if….
3. Have courage
4. Dig deep, stand strong
5. Be at peace
6. Trust the outcome
7. Believe in God
8. Life goes on – even after death
9. Remain triumphant
10. Remain selfless
11. Seek divine guidance, pray faithfully, listen
12. Continue to praise God

Have an extraordinary attitude toward the material environment and a strong faith in the power of the mind, and of God, to heal.

What about miracles?

What if everyone was healed through miracles? How would that advance our world spiritually? What reason would people have to behave responsibly and what would an irresponsible world look like?

If God chooses to heal or help someone through a miracle, we just need to be thankful and smile back.

Interfaith Prayer for Healing:

O Lord my God! I cry unto Thee,
this prayer of faith, for Thou it is Who cures me.

Free us from suffering and disease,
and Unite us with life eternal.

Thy Name is the best bestower of health.
Thy Name is the healing remedy.

Thy Love is the best bestower of health;
Thy Mercy my healing remedy.

Action: Faithful Prayers

Pray sincerely:

• To heal the sick, and heal ourselves
• To receive guidance to bring about healing
• To receive courage, strength and wisdom
• For God's will to be done – exchange our will for God's will
• For God's comfort, peace and love
• For a word of truth

What you can typically hope for in response to your prayer is information and peace; information from the wisest counsel to ever-exist, information that's true, beautiful and good, peace that passes all understanding, peace that comes from God and upon the realization that you have exhausted all efforts toward separation or healing.

Pray for spiritual strength and wisdom to carry you through and to guide you as you work through the issues or problems at hand. Be truthful, selfless, unafraid and personal.

Also see: 

Interfaith Spirit Quest article:

Health & Healing - Material vs Spiritual vs Crackpot Methods

American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) Free Booklet: 

Wellness From Within:  The First Step

Christ has no body but yours

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Wishful Meditation

We know there is something more.  We dream about it, we feel it with every ounce of our being.  Sometimes we deny it.  But the human spirit is stronger than the human mind. 

Here is one such dream.  Enjoy these few moments of wishful meditation. 

I Choose Love - Love is where Freedom Flies - Music Video

Love is where freedom flies.  The choice is for humanity to find the strength to rise above their own personal beliefs and embrace their neighbor with love.  Is it possible?  Depends on you.  What is love to one person, may not be love to another.  The only way we can develop more love in the world, is if we stop forcing one way of living upon another.  This is not tolerance or acceptance, it does not require you to change your way, it is trust and it is freedom.  What do you choose?  I Choose Love.  

YouTube Music Video 'I Choose Love' by Shawn Gallaway - see lyrics below the video.

I CHOOSE LOVE

(by Shawn Gallaway)

I can see laughter, or I can see tears
I see a choice, love or fear
What do you choose?
I can see peace, or I can see war
I can see sunshine, or I can see a storm
What do you choose?

CHORUS:
Now I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
I choose to feel the whole world crying
For the strength that we can rise above
I choose love!
I choose love!

I can see sharing, or I can see greed
I can see caring or poverty
What do you choose?
I can see gardens, or I can see bombs
I can see life or death
Coming on strong
What do you choose?

CHORUS:
Now I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
I choose to feel the whole world crying
For the strength that we can rise above
I choose love!
I choose love!

I see us healing, the darkness dying
I see us dawning as one world united
What do you choose?
Love or fear?
Oh, we choose

CHORUS:
Now I choose to live with freedom flying
From my heart where the light keeps shining
I choose to feel the whole world crying
I choose to feel One Voice rising
I choose to feel us all united
In the strength that we can rise above
I choose love!
I choose love!
Oh, I choose love

(c) 2003 Shrabuvu Music (SESAC)

Nella Fantasia by Martin Aelred

Nella Fantasia (In My Imagination), sung in Italian by Martin Aelred.  See lyrics in English below the video.  Martin Aelred is an advocate for world peace through world music.

"My call is for WORLD PEACE through my WORLD MUSIC.

Collectively we can shape our Earth as to how it should be..."  Martin Aelred

Nella Fantasia (In My Imagination)

In my imagination I see a just world,
Everyone lives in peace and in honesty there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like the clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

In my imagination I see a bright world,
Even the night is less dark there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly.

In my imagination there exists a warm wind,
That breathes on the cities, like a friend.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

See Wikipedia for more information about Nella Fantasia.  

More: Martin Aelred's channel on YouTube.  Facebook page.