Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Exotic Angel Plant

One of our favorite places to eat at the beach is The Mayflower Cafe. Sometimes we go there on Fridays for a good Mediterranean dinner after the angel lecture at the A.R.E. Last time, we had a good chuckle when I admired a new plant on the window sill by our booth. The marker-- Exotic Angel Plants! The timing was so funny. I took a picture. Aren't her wings beautiful? The Angels of Laughter are full of surprises when we have eyes to see.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Karen


Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Real You


I was guided to a wonderful source this morning. The Book of Healing by Joan Hodgson. Words give us strength and hold power. What she shares is timely and healing as we move through the challenges of our soul at this hour.

The real you is a radiant being perfect in the image of God, which has taken on a physical body in order to learn how to gain mastery over the physical atoms. This shining being, the real you, can at present only manifest in a very small degree through your waking consciousness. It is like someone learning to play a musical instrument, able to play the simple pieces. With greater practice and effort, however, the real you, the Christ you, will gradually gain complete mastery of the physical instrument and will sound notes and harmonies that you are at present unaware of. In other words, the real you will learn to use cells in the physical brain which now lie dormant, and bring radiant health and capacity for service.

It is difficult while facing physical pain and weariness, to hold fast to a positive image, for all the forces of gravity conspire to hold the spirit chained in matter, like a seed locked in frozen ground. Only knowledge and experience gives us faith during the long cold winter that the spring flowers are there in embryo, only waiting for the strength and warmth of the sun to come forth. Similarly, the real self, the shining over-soul of every human being knows that the warmth and power of the spiritual sun, the Christ, is there all the time, waiting to dissolve the ice of material-bound consciousness in which the human spirit is locked.

When sick, sad, anxious, weary or in constant pain, and it seems impossible to hold on to faith or even hope, the first step is to pray an earnest childlike prayer for light and understanding. Refuse to surrender to the pull of gravity, and pray for help that you may learn first to relax and then to rise in consciousness above the limitations of matter. This will enable the angels of healing to draw close.

And don't be tense or over enthusiastic in trying to demonstrate the supremacy of the Christ within--fierce fires soon burn themselves out. Instead keep a steady flame of faith, a quiet conviction that the in-dwelling Christ will manifest the perfection of spirit, of God, through the physical body, gently, slowly, cell by cell, day by day, as you quietly practice and draw upon the divine strength and energy within--the living flame, the Architect of your whole being.

Angelic blessings,

Karen

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Lesson of the Lotus

On the way to the beach in Sandbridge, one catches a bit of Monet's paintings in nature this time of year. The inlet is abundant with beautiful yellow lotus pads. The lotus is the official flower of Virginia Beach. It is also known as the sea rose. In his book, Nature-Speak, Ted Andrews tells us that the lotus encourages greater spiritual openness. Higher knowledge is coming, and we should be open to it. It activates a higher sense of grace, harmony and synthesis in all areas of life. The lotus alerts us to a newer vision unfolding for us soon.

After a severe thunderstorm the other day, the skies cleared and I was ready to take a photo, but the blossoms were closed from the storm. Yesterday, the sun was out and once again these beautiful flowers were opening up to receive the blessings of a bright new vision.

Enjoy your day with the Angels,

Karen



Sunday, July 18, 2010

A Butterfly Visitor

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." -- Hans Christian Anderson

I came across this quote yesterday but didn't have a picture of a butterfly. This morning after meditation, I saw this beauty resting on a deck chair, just waiting for a photo.
The timing reminded me of a quote I wrote in my journal several days ago.

If you do not expect it, you
will not find the unexpected,
for it is hard to find and difficult.
--Heraclitus

Enjoy this beautiful day with your Angels,

Karen

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Nature's Gate

When I grabbed my shampoo in the outdoor shower today, I was in for a surprise. This little fellow was on the back of the bottle. He seemed parched so I turned on the cool water. I got the camera and moved the shampoo to take this picture. He kept hanging on tight with his little suction feet. A reminder that no matter what's going on, (F)ully (R)ely (O)n (G)od and don't let go.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Karen

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Archangel Michael on the Highway


My son David was sitting in traffic on I-95 yesterday on his way down for a visit. When I called him to find out what time he would get here, he was stuck in a jam. I suggested he ask Archangel Michael to come forth and make his path straight and clear. No sooner did we hang up when this truck, Michael and Son, passed him as the traffic began to move. The timing was uncanny and so he took this picture for me.

Thank you, Archangel Michael, for being Lord of the Way.

Enjoy your journey today with the Angels,

Karen

Monday, July 12, 2010

Picking up the Pieces

Yesterday while shopping for a gift, I reached up high on a shelf to look at a beautiful porcelain swan. A rather large piece, I had to lift it above several other figurines. I didn't know about the lid... until it hit the floor. A loud crash echoed throughout the store. Embarrassed, I closed my eyes, afraid to look. "Did I buy it?' I cringed, asking Elliot.

"You bought it, all right," he said, picking up the lid that broke in two.

"How much?" I turned the swan upside down. "$12.00."

"It's yours," he said. "Let's see if it's a clean break." He pieced the top together. With a little glue it would be as good as new.

A nearby customer witnessed what happened. "This store isn't like that. If you break something you don't have to pay for it. Just stick it back on the shelf," she said, moving on down the aisle.

"Kapparah," Elliot said. In the Jewish custom, breaking glass is a sign, Let this be the worst of it! Both of us were strangely at peace, accepting what is.

Still not clear if I was supposed to buy it or not, I carried the swan with me as we shopped. The same woman rolled by again. "You don't have to buy it!"

It seemed like a signal from the universe, but I still didn't feel quite right. We were near an opening to the cash register, I leaned over the rope. "I broke this by accident. Do I need to buy it?" She assured me that it was okay. "Leave it on the counter."

A woman waiting in line chimed in, "More people should be so honest."

I smiled, feeling like an oaf and took one last look at the swan, her long neck and dainty pink lotus flowers. She was still intact except for the lid on her back.

Later, I looked up swan in Animal-Speak. The keynote is "Awakening the true beauty and power of the Self." The swan is usually pure white. This makes it a solar symbol. "

Kind of funny how this happened on the solar eclipse. I came away with the lesson that when we make a mistake, be honest and the universe will sometimes grant us the grace of a swan.

Enjoy your day with the Angels,

Karen

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Total Solar Eclipse, Deer and 1:01

Today the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and throws its shadow upon our planet's surface. Unfortunately, it will only be visible from Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. This July 11 solar eclipse is the third summer in a row for such a celestial event.

To add to the specialness of the day, when I opened my eyes early this morning, the beautiful deer had returned. Standing still, like portrait by the apple tree. Last night before bed, I looked out the window wondering where she was. It had been a week since her last visit. Yesterday I carried buckets of fallen apples to the wood's edge where she usually makes her entrance.

Another unusual thing happened this morning. When I looked at the clock it was flashing 1:01 on the dresser. I looked up the meaning in Doreen Virtue's Healing with the Angels book where I discovered that 1's and 0's indicate:

"Powerful Divine guidance from God and the angels ask you to alter your thought. Perhaps you have been praying to be happier and healthier. If so, this is an answer to your prayers. God knows that the solution you seek is born within your thoughts. Ask God to guide the direction of your thoughts and support you during your time of transition."

I also thought about 101 as the basic course or beginner's course on a given subject. One of the ways to love God is by contemplating the wonders of nature. We can encounter God through nature, as the source and the power behind and within nature. Contemplation of nature is powerful. A verse in Psalms says: "The voice of the Lord is in the water, the voice of the Lord is in the earth."

Everything is on a mission. Nothing happens by chance. There is perfect order, perfect direction. Every event fits into a grand design. When we encounter God through the beauty of nature, we enter into a relationship with God, one on one.

Angelic blessings,

Karen

Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Guardian Angel of Birds


Birds seem to be a theme for today. It began when I selected an Angel from a new book. To my delight it was Tubiel, the Guardian Angel of Summer and Birds, (The Book of Angels by Angela McGerr.)

Every morning I welcome the day by feeding my bird friends and calling out, "Good morning, God, I love you. This is Rae Karen. "

With all the hot humid weather, I try keeping the bird bath filled. What fun to watch all the splashing. Each with its own particular style of jumping in. A family of cardinals has recently been visiting the meditation garden. These three teens with their bright red tails and crested heads try to out fly each other, practicing their new found skill. Their flight pattern, from the apple tree to the potting shed and back again, has them in a flutter of wings often nearly missing one another.

Nature was kind when I asked for a photo for the blog. A feathered friend willingly landed on the Angel in the garden. I only wish it could have been a close up shot, but you get the picture. Learning about Tubiel this morning was comforting as I know firsthand the gifts birds can bring into our lives. They brighten our days with their cheerful colors, playful antics, and sweet songs.

Elliot shared a verse from the Zohar he had read earlier this morning. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles."

May your day take flight with the Angels.

Karen

Thursday, July 8, 2010

What's it for?

(Portal on 66th Street to the Beach)

When we are faced with a new situation, the first question we need to ask is, "What is the divine purpose? Is this God's will for me?" If it is, we'll sense an inner peace because we can feel His Presence. A gentle but firm nudge moving us in that direction. Although it's a little scary to go into the unknown, we can trust God to provide everything we need each step of the way. The key is each step of the way. As we take the first step of faith, the next step opens up. Step by step we make the journey and something wonderful happens along the way. We begin to change from within and find ourselves opening up to seeing the world in a different way. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of vision, seeing ourselves and everything around us through the lens of Love.

These times we are living in are times of radical change. The most important message from the Angels is Fear not. One of the biggest obstacles to following God is fear, simply because "you have not passed this way before." Don't let the feelings of fear hold you back. Stay close to Him and remember you are never alone. God has sent His Angels to be with you in all situations.

Many blessings,

Karen

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Scroll Delivery

Our friends Jim and Barb came for a visit over the 4th of July weekend. Saturday we visited Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. where they shopped in the bookstore, heard Elliot play the piano, and picked up a message for the day from the scroll bowl at the front desk. The bowl is filled with little excerpts from the Cayce readings that are each rolled and tied with a colorful ribbon.

On the 4th, as we were watching the fireworks on TV, our cat, Angel, meowed, coming into the room with a piece of paper in her mouth. When I pulled it out, she had this message on the scroll.
If ye would find self, look within. Know what is thine own ideal - spiritual, mental, material...
(Edgar Cayce Reading 3457-1)

My Search for God group had recently been working with the Chapter on What Is My Ideal. "The true ideal is the highest spiritual attainment to be reached on the material plane; hence, it follows that our ideal must be found in Christ, who is the Way."

"To think, to speak, to act from the consciousness of my divine self that I may be like Him, that I may do the things He said I could do, and help those who have not heard His voice--this is my ideal."

Messengers come in all forms. We laughed, thankful that Angel brought us a powerful reminder on Independence Day. The answers are within self. When we follow that guidance, we can truly be liberated from our egos.

Many blessings,

Karen

Saturday, July 3, 2010

A Midnight Snack

I woke up last night to the happy sound of apples crunching. The deer was enjoying a midnight snack, raising up on her hind legs to get the bigger apples off the tree. Something we all need to do from time to time in order to get to the fruit on the tree.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.


Karen

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Psalm 151

With cooler temps after the T-storm, our bedroom slider was open last night while we watched Touched by An Angel. On the show, Wynonna Judd began singing a new song she had written to honor God and His Creations, Psalm 151. As she sang, I could hear the call of a whip-poor-will through our open door, joining in song.

In Animal-Speak, I learned it's the only bird known to hibernate. So maybe the message is wake up and sing a new song. While searching for Psalm 151 on the web, this inspirational video of Wynonna's song popped up on utube.



Many blessings,

Karen