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| TO THE LOST AND FOUND Inspired, hopeful and humorous messages for those of all faiths who feel lost on the turbulent seas of life. Some sources of spiritual comfort and wisdom are also at Lumina Dei, Dr. Kirsti Dyer's grief site, Centering Corporation, & BeliefNet. |
| Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Matthew 10:39 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Ps. 130:1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Jer. 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. Rev. 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen. John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? |
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| This page is dedicated, with love: To those who mourn, and would be comforted. To the poor in spirit, who need a helping hand, and words of hope and peace. To those who lived beside us, but have now reached their final destination. They live on in our hearts and our memories, and we believe they will welcome us again one day, in God's sight, with open arms. by Dr. Elizabeth Pector Loving daughter, mother, granddaughter & friend |
| Things to do today: Thank God for another day. Pray or meditate. Breathe deeply. Exercise your body and your mind. Thank someone. For anything. Forgive someone. Help someone. Commit a random act of kindness. Care for the earth--it's the only home we've got. Hope. Believe. Love. Laugh. |
| Thoughts on humor: If you can find humor in it, you can survive it. Bill Cosby Humor is another of the soul's weapons in the fight for self-preservation. It is well known that humor can afford an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds. Victor Frankel The secret source of humor is not joy, but sorrow. Mark Twain Laughing 100 times a day is the cardiovascular equivalent of 10 minutes of rowing. Dr. William Fry, Stanford The most utterly lost of all days is one in which you have not once laughed. Sebastian Chamfort, French satirist Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods. Japanese proverb Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. George Bernard Shaw |
| May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always At your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Traditional Gaelic Blessing |
| I will not forget you...I have held you in the palm of My hand. Isaiah 49:15 |
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| For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24 |
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| People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within. --Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, psychiatrist and author (and surviving identical twin of triplets!) 1926- |
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| A letter written by Ben Franklin February 22, 1756 after his favorite brother's death, to his brother's stepdaughter: I condole with you, we have lost a most dear and valuable relation, but it is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; 'tis rather an embrio state, a preparation for living; a man is not completely born until he be dead: Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals? A new member added to their happy society? We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God--when they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure--instead of an aid, become an incumbrance and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves prudently choose a partial death. In some cases a mangled painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth, parts with it freely since the pain goes with it, and he that quits the whole body, parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases it was liable to, or capable of making him suffer. Our friend and we are invited abroad on a party of pleasure--that is to last forever. His chair was first ready and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and we know where to find him. Benjamin Franklin |
| Thoughts from Alcoholics Anonymous: Pain is mandatory. Suffering is optional. Serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change those I can, and wisdom to know the difference. About.com explaining the Twelve Steps and programs There is an impressive sense of community, mutual support and mutual faith within active participants in 12 Step programs, for alcohol and drug dependence and many other challenges. Admitting that you are powerless over a challenge is the first and most important step on the path to healing. If you find yourself running over & over in a rut...give this approach a thought. |
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| What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. Helen Keller |
| Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 Northwestern University Motto |
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| When darkness seems overwhelming, light a candle in someone's life and see how it makes the darkness in your own and the other person's life flee. Rabbi Harold Kushner |
| In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it, will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement. Abraham Lincoln |
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| Life goes on within you and without you. George Harrison |
| The Five pillars of Islam: Courtesy of Beliefnet.Check their other articles on this faith. Faith Prayer The Zakat: setting aside a proportion of wealth for those in need. The fast The Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) Comment: Faith, prayer, charity, self-denial or purification, and actual or symbolic pilgrimage to a holy site are tenets of most major religions. Please pray for better understanding and peace among all faiths...we need it in these troubled times! |
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| You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can not be hid, Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Luke 11:14-15 |
| Whenever, in the course of the daily hunt, the hunter comes upon a scene that is strikingly beautiful, or sublime--a black thundercloud with the rainbow's glowing arch above the mountain, a white waterfall in the heart of a green gorge, a vast prairie tinged with the blood-red of the sunset--he pauses for an instant in the attitude of worship. He sees no need in setting apart one day in seven as a holy day, for to him all days are God's days. Charles Alexander Eastman Santee Sioux |
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| The path to glory is rough, and many gloomy hours obscure it. May the Great Spirit shed light on your path...This is the wish of a man who, in his native forests, was once as proud and bold as yourself. Black Hawk, Sauk Indian |
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| Like as the hart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul for thee, O God. Psalm 42 |
| The Taj Mahal, built as a tomb and mosque complex by a grieving prince for his dearly departed wife, Mumtaz Mahal. |
| The Rainbow comes and goes, And lovely is the Rose, The Moon doth with delight Look rounhd her when the heavens are bare; Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair; The sunshine is a glorious birth; But yet I know, where'er I go, That there hat past away a glory from the earth.... Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: Heaven lies about us in our infancy! William Wordsworth |
| The sun descending in the west, The evening star does shine; The birds are silent in their nest, And I must seek for mine. The moon, like a flower, in heaven's high bower, with silent delight Sits and smiles on the night. William Blake |
| Fear no more the heat o' th' sun, Nor the furious winter's rages, Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages. Golden lads, and girls all must, As chimney-sweepers, come to dust. Fear no more the frown o' th' great, Thou art past the tyrant's stroke; Care no more to clothe and eat; To thee the reed is as the oak: The scepter, learning, physic, must, All follow this and come to dust. Fear no more the lightning flash Nor th' all-dreaded thunderstone. Fear not slander, censure rash Thou hast finish'd joy and moan. All lovers young, all lovers must, Consign to thee, and come to dust. William Shakespeare from Cymbeline, IV, ii |
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| Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both of them that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost |
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| Defenceless under the night Our world in stupor lies; Yet, dotted everywhere, Ironic points of light Flash out wherever the Just Exchange their messages: May I composed like them Of Eros and of dust, Beleaguered by the same Negation and despair, Show an affirming flame. W.H. Auden, September 1, 1939 The date Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland, the event that began World War II. |
| Liberty remains...September 11, 2001 |
| Can we talk of integration until there is integration of hearts and minds? Unless you have this, you have only a physical presence, and the walls between us are as high as a mountain range. Chief Dan George |
| Once I was in Victoria, and I saw a very large house. They told me it was a bank, and that the white men place their money there to be taken care of, and that by and by they got it back, with interest. We are Indians, and we have no such bank; but when we have plenty of money or blankets, we give them away to other chiefs and people, and by and by they return them, with interest, and our hearts feel good. Our way of giving is our bank. Maquinna Nootka Chief |
| O, to realize space! The plenteousness of all, that there are no bounds, To emerge and be of the sky, of the sun and moon and flying clouds, as one with them. Walt Whitman |
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| Shalom. Peace be with you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, Neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 |
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| Canticle of Brother Sun Most high, omnipotent, good Lord To You alone belong praise and glory, Honor, and blessing. No man is worthy to breathe your name. Be praised, my Lord, for all Your creatures. in the first place for the blessed Brother Sun who gives us the day and enlightens us through You. He is beautiful and radiant with his great splendor, Giving witness of You, most Omnipotent One. Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars Formed by You so bright, precious and beautiful. Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind and the airy skies, so cloudy and serene; For every weather, be praised, for it is life-giving. Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water. So necessary yet so humble, precious, and chaste. Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire Who lights up the night. He is beautiful and carefree, robust and fierce. Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, Mother Earth, who nourishes and watches us While bringing forth abundant fruits with colored flowers and herbs. Praise and bless the Lord Render him thanks. Serve him with great humility. Amen. St. Francis of Assisi |
| Prayer of St. Francis Lord. Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I 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, In pardoning that we are pardoned, And in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. |
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| A very Merry Christmas 2001! Peace and Blessings To Those Celebrating Our Lord's Nativity. Dr. Beth Pector |
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| Ganapati, Hindu Goddess of Wisdom. Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom and the Arts. A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. Francis Lord Bacon A poet begins in delight and ends in wisdom. Robert Frost |
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| Points to ponder on faith: Modern man has not ceased to be credulous...the need to believe haunts him. William James We have not lost faith, but we have transferred it from God to the medical profession. George Bernard Shaw Faith--an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable. H.L. Mencken Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Lewis Carroll Treat the other man's faith gently; it is all he has to believe with. Henry S. Haskins Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened. Thomas Hardy Why abandon a belief merely because it ceases to be true? Cling to it long enough and it will turn true again, for so it goes. Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor. Robert Frost Life is doubt, and faith without doubt is nothing but death. Miguel de Unamuno A faith that cannot survive a collision course with the truth is not worth many regrets. Arthur C. Clarke Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson If the work of God could be comprehended by reason, it would be no longer wonderful, and faith would have no merit if reason provided proof. Pope Gregory the Great |
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| A Buddha stained glass window from an Australian temple |
| Petrified wood of all colors; Escalante State Park, Utah |