Sunday, May 11, 2025

from Diapers to Divine Wisdom

 Weekly Message for Sunday, May 11, 2025

from Diapers to Divine Wisdom

 

                 Today is our Mother’s Day celebration, where we honor not just mothers in form, but the the nurturing, intuitive, slightly exhausted force of unconditional love. Whether your kids are toddlers, teens, grown-ups, or fur babies who think they're human, today is your day. And for those of you who’ve ever tried to meditate while a child screamed “Mooooom!”

                 Today’s message is titled “From Diapers to Divine Wisdom” — a journey through the sacred chaos of motherhood. We recognize that mothering is not just a role, but a vibration. The Mother Presence expresses through every late-night worry, every packed lunch charged with loving intention, and every time a mom intuitively knows that someone is lying about brushing their teeth. Like Spirit, she is everywhere present, all-knowing, and somehow still ten minutes early to the school pickup line. Let us celebrate mothers not only for what they do, but for who they are — living, breathing affirmations of love in motion.

                Happy Mother's Day!

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

En Espanol:  Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

 Click here for Rev-Bates Archives

Haga clic aquí para ver el canal El camino hacia una vidamaravillosa

Click here for The Way to a Wonderful Life Channel

 

Saturday, May 3, 2025

When the Thrill Is Gone, A Spiritual Reflection

  Weekly Message for Sunday May 4, 2025

When the Thrill Is Gone
A Spiritual Reflection

               There may come a time in every soul’s journey when someone quietly admits, “The thrill of life is gone.” It’s not a dramatic declaration—it’s a whisper, a weariness, a realization that what once sparked joy or purpose no longer does. In that moment, the world may appear muted. The colors have dulled, the laughter feels distant, and even the familiar routines no longer comfort the way they used to. If you’ve ever felt that, or if you’re feeling it now, know that you are not alone. Many spiritual seekers, saints, and sages have stood in that same space and wondered where the spark had gone.

               Spiritual guidance begins not with trying to erase that feeling, but by listening to it. Often, when the thrill fades, it is not life itself that has changed, but our connection to it. The thrill we once found in achievement, relationships, possessions, or excitement may lose its luster because the soul is calling us deeper. When external joys grow quiet, it can be a signal that our spirit is ready for something more enduring—something eternal. This is a sacred crossroads. It’s not a punishment. It’s an invitation. The loss of thrill is not a void; it is the space where something deeper, more authentic, is waiting to rise.

              This is when we are called inward. The great mystics remind us that “the Kingdom of God is within.” In that still, sacred interior place, the Spirit whispers what the world cannot. It reminds us of a joy not based on adrenaline, but on awareness. Not a thrill that passes, but a peace that stays. When we open our hearts in prayer, walk silently in nature, journal our longings, or simply sit and breathe with intention, we begin to feel the stirrings of life again. A thrill not rooted in sensation, but in meaning. A purpose not tied to activity, but to presence. The journey from thrill to depth is not easy—but it is holy. It is here that many rediscover their true calling—not to chase life, but to embody it. And in doing so, the thrill returns—not in fireworks, but in firelight. Gentle. Steady. Eternal.  

 Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

En Espanol:  Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

 Click here for Rev-Bates Archives

Haga clic aquí para ver el canal El camino hacia una vidamaravillosa

Click here for The Way to a Wonderful Life Channel


Sunday, April 27, 2025

In The Silence of Your Mind Is Your Strength

 Sunday, April 27, 2025


In The Silence of Your Mind Is Your Strength

             In The Art of Meditation, Joel Goldsmith teaches that true meditation begins with stilling the mind and resting in an inner awareness of God's presence. Rather than trying to control or direct thought, he advises letting go: "Be still and let the spirit permeate your being." Goldsmith emphasizes that meditation is not a time for affirmations or mental activity, but a sacred silence where human will is set aside. He encourages short, frequent periods of silence throughout the day, reminding us, "It is better to meditate for two minutes and have an experience of God than to meditate for two hours and have only a blank mind."


            A second core technique he offers is listening for the still, small voice. Goldsmith explains that the real fruit of meditation is found not in speaking, but in listening: "We are not going into meditation to talk to God; we are going into meditation to hear the word of God." This kind of listening is wordless, effortless, and free from any need to achieve something. Even when nothing seems to happen during meditation, the silence itself is spiritually transformative. Goldsmith reassures seekers that the simple act of being receptive is enough, saying, "The silence itself is the presence of God, even if no words are heard."

            Finally, Goldsmith teaches that meditation should extend into every moment of life through practicing the Presence. Rather than confining spiritual awareness to set periods, he recommends pausing throughout the day to remember God’s omnipresence: "In all thy ways acknowledge Him." Whether in conversation, work, or rest, we are called to continually turn inward, even if only for a breath or two, and recognize that divine guidance and peace are always present. Over time, this continual inner turning transforms daily living into a meditative, grace-filled experience.

The God that Goldsmith references is the Presence, not him or her, but the Presence of Intelligence, which is within each and every one of us.

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates


En Espanol:  
Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

 Click here for Rev-Bates Archives

Haga clic aquí para ver el canal El camino hacia una vidamaravillosa

Click here for The Way to a Wonderful Life Channel

RevBates Faith Offering

$USD

card icons

 

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Easter a Joy for Everyone

 Sunday April 20, 2025

Easter a Joy for Everyone

            Easter is a joyful celebration that symbolizes renewal, hope, and new beginnings. For many, it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a time of deep spiritual reflection and gratitude. Churches are filled with uplifting music, vibrant flowers, and messages of love and triumph, bringing families and communities together in celebration of faith and the promise of new life.

           For those who do not observe Easter as a religious holiday, the day still offers plenty of opportunities to create joyful memories. Springtime festivals, egg hunts, and family brunches are just a few ways people gather to enjoy the season. Parks come alive with color, laughter, and the sound of children playing, while homes are decorated with cheerful themes of renewal and spring.

            Whether rooted in spiritual belief or simply embraced as a cultural and seasonal tradition, Easter brings people together. It's a chance to pause and appreciate the beauty of life, the warmth of connection, and the joy of shared moments. No matter how it's celebrated, Easter has something special for everyone.

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

En Espanol:  Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

 Click here for Rev-Bates Archives

Haga clic aquí para ver el canal El camino hacia una vidamaravillosa

Click here for The Way to a Wonderful Life Channel

RevBates Faith Offering

$USD


 

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Emerson nailed it!

            

Sunday, April 13, 2025

                Thoughts, beliefs, and ideas we've been carrying around. But here's the good news—right now, we can start thinking differently. We can create new beliefs, let go of old baggage, and shift our experience in real time. Jesus put it powerfully when he said, “Let the dead bury the dead.” In other words, let the past stay in the past. Today is a chance to hit refresh—choose hope, build confidence, and start something new.

                 Change starts the moment we realize it’s time to change. At first, it might not be obvious to anyone else—but as we start feeling more grounded, more sure of ourselves, that inner shift creates a whole new energy around us. And that energy? It draws in people, opportunities, and situations that match the new vibe we’re putting out. Emerson nailed it when he said, “Who you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear a word you say.” Our energy—our mindset—speaks louder than anything else. The more we believe in ourselves, the more life starts reflecting that belief back to us.

                 And as we let go of the past, we can also let go of everything tied to it—guilt, shame, confusion, money struggles—you name it. None of that defines who we are. Like I once told a young guy, your past doesn’t get to tell your story. It was just something you went through. And if we keep replaying it in our minds, we’re just signing up to go through it again. But if we release it, we make room for something better—something new. And who knows? Maybe even a miracle or two.

Keep the faith!

Rev-Bates

 

En Espanol:  Rev Bates en español, El Camino a Una Vida Maravillosa

 Click here for Rev-Bates Archives

Haga clic aquí para ver el canal El camino hacia una vidamaravillosa

Click here for The Way to a Wonderful Life Channel

RevBates Faith Offering

$USD

card icons

 

from Diapers to Divine Wisdom

  Weekly Message for Sunday, May 11, 2025 from Diapers to Divine Wisdom                     Today is our Mother’s Day celebration, where we ...