In Honor of the Service Men and Women

In Honor of Service Men and Women

On Memorial Day let us be mindful

Of the battles fought and won for freedom

Let us bow down and kiss the ground

Where the fallen were put to rest

By this way we honor them

For a job well done

They were the brave ones – men and women

That fought to defend the rights of nations

And paid the ultimate sacrifice

These precious souls live in our memories.

By the grace of God let us take heed

Of the devastation of wars inflict,

Countless sufferings, brutality, pain, and death

But what are people to gain from such miseries?

Let’s pray that victories in foreign lands

Not only bring peace but prosperity

With goals that citizens live up to the supreme task

Of letting peace reign, and banishing wars from all lands

“Divine Savior, for such ultimate sacrifice we pray, ‘Eternal Spirit - be with our resolve.’”

Amen

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Be a Happy Giver

Be a Happy Giver

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there will be food in my house.  Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I may not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

—Mal. 3:10

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

—2 Cor. 9:10

Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), a government official and religious leader wrote, “Our parents deserve our honor and respect for giving us life itself.  Beyond this they almost made countless sacrifices as they cared for and nurtured us through our infancy and childhood, provided us with the necessities of life, and nursed us through physical illnesses and the emotional stresses of growing up.”  As Proverbs 11:25 stated, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  Henri Nouwen (1932–1996), a Dutch Catholic priest said, “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”  This is what we could expect from loving families and friends.

Acts of Kindness

Matthew 6:2 reminded us: “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”  But how should people view acts of kindness?  Paul Bloom (b. 1963), a Canadian American psychologist said, “We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on long-term moods.  The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.”  A lot of this goodness could come from simple acts.  Rosa Parks (1913–2005) did just that.  She wrote, “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true.  I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”  Parks’ actions came to have unbelievable social consequences.

A philanthropist Ron Conway (b. 1951) said, “I believe we all have a responsibility to give back.  No one becomes successful without lots of hard work, support from others, and a little luck.  Giving back creates a virtuous cycle that makes everyone more successful.”  Was that the best in us that Colonel Sanders (1890–1980), a businessman was talking about?  Sanders was referring to his gifts in this process when he wrote, “No hours, nor amount of labor, nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me.”  Simon Sinek (b. 1973), an author said, “The strong bond of friendship is not always a balanced equation; friendship is not always about giving and taking in equal shares.  Instead, friendship is grounded in a feeling that you know exactly who will be there for you when you need something, no matter what or when.”  Sinek saw love as important in a relationship.

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A Religious Naturalist's Views

A Religious Naturalist's Views

I’m not concerned about how I’m living my life.

I often try my best.

I say my prayers to the Universal Spirit.

And take good care of myself.

I try to eat the right foods.

Exercise and have some fun.

Read and think about life.

But you may never know what perplexes me?

You see I work hard to better myself.

I could surely say that I’ve grown spiritually.

For a great deal of my earthly life I’ve overcome.

But a great mystery lies beneath everything I do.

Some may say live life by doing your best.

And when you die you’ll be rewarded.

They place their hopes in a heavenly abode.

But with me it’s a different story.

I no longer hold the Christian belief about the afterlife.

Neither do I believe in the Eastern concept of reincarnation.

So where do I stand?

I’m a religious naturalist?

So what happens when I depart this world?

I’ll just fade away and become One with the Universe.

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True Liberty

True Liberty

It is freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

—Gal. 5:1

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

—Rom. 6:22

An English philosopher and physician John Locke (1632–1704) said, “All mankind… being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.”  Locke’s views were echoed by Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), a founding father and president of the United States who wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  This is the essence of freedom.

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906), a social reformer and women’s rights activist said, “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.  And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people – women as well as men.”  Anthony’s beliefs were supported by W. E. B. Du Bois (1868–1963), a sociologist and civil rights activist who wrote, “I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.”  Anthony’s concern was with having equal rights of women, while Du Bois’ focus was on African Americans.

Freedom & Equality

B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), an Indian jurist and politician said, “My social philosophy may be said to be enshrined in three words: liberty, equality and fraternity.  Let no one, however, say that I have borrowed my philosophy from the French Revolution.  I have not.  My philosophy has roots in religion and not in political science.  I have derived them from the teachings of my Master, the Buddha.”  Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), a founding father of the United States elaborated on this dimension of freedom when he wrote, “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom – and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.”  But John F. Kennedy (1917–1963), president of the United States uttered a warning about the survival of freedom when he said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”   That was the will of Kennedy for Americans.

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Reflections of Our Homeland

Reflections of Our Homeland 

Rex Lucas’s Reflections of Our Homeland is a photographic journey of the Republic of Guyana, an English-speaking nation on the mainland of South America.  The photographer Lucas presents a book with captivating images of the capital city Georgetown, Essequibo, Bartica, Mazaruni, Potaro, and Kaieteur.  In capturing one people, one nation, and one destiny, Lucas showed the country’s indigenous peoples, afro and indo-Guyanese, as well as Europeans, and Chinese.  There is a picture of the first pre-service batch of student-teachers (1963–1965), and Roman Catholic and Anglican Schools, and many smaller villages.  There was extensive picture coverage of local homes, churches, mosques, and temples in the countryside.

Images adorn its pages of the poor and poverty-stricken in the streets of Georgetown.  Readers could see the landmark buildings, and other local structures including, the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry, Victoria Law Courts, City Hall Complex, and the National Insurance Building in Brickdam.  Other sights included the Square of the Revolution, a Statue of Queen Victoria, and Independence Arches in La Penitence, the Kissing Bridge, Seven Ponds, and the Band Stand at the Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road.

Color pictures showed tropical trees on Lamaha and Main Streets, benabs – gathering places by the seawall, Georgetown YMCA, statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow on the premises of the Public Building, Guyana State House, president David Granger, politicians and ambassadors, and the popular Stabroek Market Square.  There are beautiful flowers depicted from Linden, Essequibo, and Bartica, a variety of colorful birds, lots of animals, and the raising of Guyana’s flag at midnight on May 26^th, 2016 when the country became Independent.  This photographic manual will serve as an excellent reference to the historical, political, social, and cultural aspects of the country.     

Mother's Day Prayer

Mother’s Day Prayer

For Moms on Mother’s Day

To all mothers, grand-mothers, and great grand-mothers

You’re special in our eyes

You’re the ones who bore the children of nations

You’re the women who undertake the brunt of the responsibility in our homes

In nurturing, loving, and shaping us to become the people we are

You’ve dedicated your lives to the tasks of raising us to be the best

And you pursue these goals with an all-encompassing love

The Universal Spirit has blessed you with the “Special Gifts of Motherhood”

You walked with your children in confidence raising us in the world

So the Eternal Spirit has graced you with teaching us what’s right from wrong

And to be assets to the societies in both great and small nations

You’ve raised children in every land of different faiths -

Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Daoists

Yet, although diverse, they live according to the Golden Rule

Yes, they are to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Great Spirit, you’ve gracefully blessed the mothers of our lands

And guided them to be the best parents

For such blessings husbands and children say,

“Thank Divine Protector for your loving blessings of our outstanding mothers from the bottom of our hearts.”

Amen

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Healing in Life

Healing in Life

Do you have constant headaches, low energy, and aching limbs?

Are you nervous with colds and sweaty palms?

Do you have clenched jaws and grind your teeth?

Do you suffer from palpitations and anxiety attacks?

Are you prone to violent outbursts?

Do you have a mental problem, an eating disorder, or are you obese?

Then you might be worn out with the demands of the world.

You could have a lack of appetite, addicted to alcohol, or nicotine.

Maybe you are pacing the floor, fidgeting, and unable to settle down.

With such a behavior you are unable to focus on your work.

You might even be suffering from some other chronic ailment.

But you just can’t sleep at night, and have no sexual interest.

Your condition could be due to the rat race in the work place.

From childhood you were taught to be competitive.

“Be your best! The sky is the limit!”

You never knew it, but you were coerced to join the band of competitors.

Now you are running on overdrive and hooked on a computer.

You just can’t find the time to relax and enjoy life.

But you could correct this negative course by embracing positive changes.

Be sure to check with your doctor about your impending problems.

It will take is a change in your lifestyle before it’s too late.

Make time to eat right, get a good night’s sleep, relax, and exercise to alleviate the stress.

“God, help us with our health problems.  Give us the insight to deal with these problems so that we would be able to be healthy again.  And grant us the peace of mind to enjoy work.”

Amen

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