Music and Miracles: The Voice For God

The F**kin' Perfect Grenade

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:50:00 -0600

There is a saying: “Judge not, lest you be judged.”

Sometimes, I am tempted to think that The Voice is hard to find. In some cases, maybe, if you look “in all the wrong places,” that may appear to be true. How about the explicit lyrics of today? How about a song called “F**kin’ Perfect”? Is the Voice there?

You might be surprised. Heck, I was. As of the date this podcast was written, it was the #1 download on iTunes. True, the song isn’t ‘church-worthy’ but the Voice can be heard in some of this little tune about how the Holy Spirit sees us as perfect. Check it out…

“Look, I'm still around

Pretty pretty please, don't you ever ever feel
Like you're less than f*ckin' perfect
Pretty pretty please, if you ever ever feel like you're nothing
You're f*ckin' perfect to me!

You're so mean, when you talk about yourself, you were wrong
Change the voices in your head, make them like you instead
So complicated, look happy, you'll make it!
Filled with so much hatred...such a tired game.”

That was “F**kin’ Perfect” by Pink.

Perfect has to do with a standard that one measures against. There is only the One… and One is perfect.

Another Top 5 iTune download also has a nugget buried deep within it. It is about the Love of the Holy Spirit for us, but in this song, it is buried deep in “language”. It’s called “Grenade”. Take this one to church too? Maybe not, but the message is that the Holy Spirit loves us no matter what and to the limits of life.

“To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;”

That’s “Grenade” by Bruno Mars

Straight out of the New Testament, huh? You know, Jesus died for us? My whole point here is that the Voice leading us back to heaven is available to all and in places some of the older folks would not ordinarily be listening. Suffice it to say, God speaks to all of us in ways that we can accept.

Yes, the songs often are meant by the singer and writer to be sung to another human being and in a relationship context. They probably did not mean to say what I am hearing. But, it is another example of the Holy Spirit taking a song that has issues and using it to help us on the journey back to our Source, our First and Only Relationship!

Finding God, Hearing Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Sat, 8 Jan 2011 16:34:00 -0600

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I never thought I would hear the Voice For God in lyrics by Madonna. Intriguingly, it is a song I have heard many times before, but never really heard it. God is Life. We are the “children” of Life. We are the ones who have turned our back on our Oneness with God and have the key to see again our true relationship with All that Is:

“Open your heart to me, baby.
I hold the lock and you hold the key.
Open your heart to me, darlin’,
I’ll give you love if you, you turn the key.

I think that you’re afraid to look in my eyes.
You look a little sad boy, I wonder why.
I follow you around but you can’t see.
You’re too wrapped up in yourself to notice,
So you choose to look the other way.
Well, I’ve got something to say:
Don’t try to run. I can keep up with you.
Nothing can stop me from trying, you’ve got to

Open your heart to me, baby.
I hold the lock and you hold the key.
Open your heart to me, darlin’,
I’ll give you love if you, you turn the key.”

Thank you, Madonna for sharing even more than perhaps you were aware of at the time.

Sometimes when I look at the headlines and listen to the folks on radio and TV as they share their concerns about the future of our world, it becomes clear to me that this world is not sustainable no matter what. It was created by Ego and our bodies are created to shut out our heavenly parent as much as possible. But what ego has meant as separation, the Holy Spirit uses to point the way back.

That is one of the many reasons I like music so much. It is greater than just the words alone. This is one of the ways the Holy Spirit turns something physical, like sound and music and maybe even the world, into a way to help us understand what needs to happen inside of us:

“Music speaks louder than words
It’s the only thing that the whole world listens to.
Music speaks louder than words,
When you sing, people understand.

Sometimes the love that you feel inside
Gets lost between your heart and your mind
And the words don’t really say the things you wanted them to.
But then you feel in someone’s song
What you’d been trying to say all along
And somehow with the magic of music the message comes through.

Music speaks louder than words
It’s the only thing that the whole world listens to.
Music speaks louder than words,
When you sing, people understand.”

(written by Howard Payne, Edgar Pease, and Michael Scarpiello)

That was Peter Paul & Mary in an evergreen tune that speaks a truth we all need to take into consideration.

You could say that words are ego stuff and you would right. Words are of their very nature part of a language, part of a culture, and are part of the apparent separation between us and God. That is not necessarily true of music and why it can add so much.

When you think about it, words often do get in the way, which is why we search for songs that remind us of the Voice for God.

Have you ever really understood a Buddhist or Hindu talk about God and spiritual experience… if they are using their native language? Music transcends that lack of understanding.

Some songs remind us of our true relationship with God and each other… and it is the music that does much of the work.

From the world’s point of view, the choice for God is crazy and incomprehensible. But is it really? The choice is referred to in this oldie made new by Shiny Toy Guns about Major Tom. His is an astronaut close to achieving orbit around the earth, but then apparently decides to keep on going instead. He doesn’t respond at first to the frantic voices from Mission Control who are sure that something has gone wrong…

(From Major Tom (Coming Home):

Peter Schilling from 1983

Version by Shiny Toy Guns.)

“4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us, drifting, falling
Floating, weightless, calling, calling, home.

Across the stratosphere
A final message, “Give my wife my love”,
Then nothing more.

Far beneath the ship, the world is mourning
They don’t realize, he’s alive.
No one understands but Major Tom sees:
Now the Light commands: “This is my home,
I’m coming home.”

Earth below us, drifting, falling
Floating, weightless, calling home
Earth below us, drifting, falling
Floating, weightless, coming home

Earth below us, drifting, falling
Floating, weightless, coming, coming home
Home.”

The sound of Home, where the heart is. Home is heaven. We can never really leave, and we can never completely forget. We can fall asleep and pretend that our temporal, temporary world is real and get all caught up in the thinking, the worrying, and trying to fix it. If we just remember that we are already there and just look past this temporary world and see our brothers and sisters as ourselves, as they really are.. Just like Jesus once said: “Love your neighbor as your self.” Music helps us get there!

The full versions of all of these wonderful tunes can be downloaded from iTunes.com or Amazonmp3.com just as I did.

It's Party Time

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:04:00 -0600

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For many people, any time is a good time to have a party. The holidays are good, right? Just maybe some of our favorite ‘good-time’ songs are a reminder of what being in heaven feels like. You find the word heaven in a lot of songs and we talk about eating heavenly food, maybe divine dancing, or a wine to die for? Many really good parties combine eating, drinking, and dancing and The Voice seems to draw a comparison:

“In heaven there is no beer;

That’s why we drink it here.

And when we’re gone from here,

Our friends will be drinking all our beer.”

“In Heaven There Is No Beer” – Frankie Yankovic

Thank you, Frankie Yankovic – for a great reminder of what heaven feels like. When we need to forget our earthly cares, beer or other drinks seems to work for many:

“Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the barrel, we’ve got the blues on the run
Zing boom tararrel, sing out a song of good cheer
Now’s the time to roll the barrel, for the gang’s all here.”

- “The Beer Barrel Polka” – The Sauerkrauts

Notice the Voice is very subtly stressing being together and being happy. This togetherness, this oneness we naturally feel is obscured by the separateness of bodies. People love to get closer to one another because they really miss the feeling of oneness. On Earth, the closest thing we have to Oneness is sex, which some people seek and think about nearly all of the time. Dancing is often the next best thing. Here’s Irene Cara from Flashdance:

“Well I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm
Wrap around, take a hold of my heart.

What a feeling, bein’s believin’
I can have it all, now I’m dancin’ for my life
Take your passion, and make it happen
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life”.

I think I can feel the longing for God’s Love when I hear that wonderful song. Dancing, whether alone or with another is just a poor substitute for the Real Thing.

Another that song I can’t listen to without nearly coming to the tears is “I Hope You Dance”. Sometimes I feel lonesome for the Love of the Father and then have to remind myself it is me, not the Father who is forgetting. I hear the Voice calling us to remember that Love is not a mistake, to keep the faith even if it looks like a mistake:

“I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake
But it’s worth making.
Don’t let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter.
When you come close to selling out,
Reconsider.
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder
Where those years have gone)”

- “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack

And then there’s this song by Exile that can be about sex, but it can also be an expression of the intensity of God’s Love for us… or us for God! Sometimes I feel like I’m in exile, too, but then I remember I have a choice.

“When I get home, babe, gonna light your fire.
All day I’ve been thinkin’ about you, babe:
You’re my one desire.

Gonna wrap my arms around you,
Hold you close to me.
Oh, babe I wanna taste your lips.
I wanna be your fantasy, yeah.

I don’t know what I’d do without you, babe,
Don’t know where I’d be.
You’re not just another lover,
No, you’re everything to me.

Ev’rytime I’m with you, baby
I can’t believe it’s true
When you’re layin’ in my arms
‘n’ you do the things you do

You can see it in my eyes
I can feel it in your touch
You don’t have to say a thing
Just let me show how much
Love you, need you, yeah.

I wanna kiss you all over
And over again.
I wanna kiss you all over

Till the night closes in.
Stay with me, lay with me,
Holding me, loving me, baby.
Here with me, near with me,
Feeling you close to me, baby.”

-“Kiss You All Over” – Exile

Wow! You can just feel the power of love. With sex, the boundaries remain and physical separateness prevails. Just imagine how much more intense and wonderful it would feel if we could be completely One? The attraction is definitely there, kind of like Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel”:

“You’re so close now,

I can’t let you go

And I can’t let go.

(With you I’m not shy) to show the way I feel

(With you I might try) my secrets to reveal

For you are a magnet and I am steel,

For you are a magnet and I am steel.

I can’t hope that I’ll hold you for long.

(Ooh) you’re a woman who’s lost to your song
(Ooh) but the love that I feel is so strong
(Ooh) and it can’t be wrong.”

- “Magnet and Steel” Walter Egan

The Truth is, at our core, we are all the One. Yes, we are just like the woman, lost to our song of separateness? Maybe it feels that way sometimes, but God is the magnet and we are steel. We just won’t feel right we are totally one.

Sometimes we confuse sex with real love, because sex is all about bodies. But real love is about way more than that. Bodies change and die, but true love never dies. It just is.

These songs reach us in emotional ways that books seldom do. I hope you can find songs that remind you of who you really are and where we really are. It transcends cultures and species, time and space. That’s why many of us like parties. They are full of joy and we do want to get on the bus to heaven!!

“We like to party
We like, we like to party
We like to party
We like, we like to party
We like to party
We like, we like to party
We like to party

I’ve got something to tell ya
I’ve got news for you
Gonna put some wheels in motion
Get ready ’cause we’re coming through
Hey now, hey now, hear what I say now
Happiness is just around the corner
Hey now, hey now, hear what I say now
We’ll be there for you

The Vengabus is coming
And everybody’s jumping
New York to San Fransisco
An intercity disco
The wheels of steel are turning
And traffic lights are burning
So if you like to party,
Get on and move your body!”

- “We Like To Party” – Vengaboys

Heaven is where the party and happiness never ends! Thank you for listening to the Voice For God right here… and inside your head!

As always, if you want to get the complete songs for your own remembrance, please download them from places like Amazon and iTunes. You’ll be glad you did! These artists deserve kudos for being the Voice For God for so many.

Voice Without Words

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:06:00 -0500

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Sometimes I believe the Voice For God does not use words. Sometimes it is the music alone that transports us to that place where we feel the Oneness with our Source. One favorite is the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. My favorite version is this one by The Mannheim Steamroller with the sound turned all the way up!

(Mannheim Steamroller Music excerpt)

This song embodies, in music, the Power and Majesty of All-That-Is. I usually get chills running up and down my body! Just imagine Christmas EVERY DAY FOREVER!

Instrumental new age music, as a category, often relaxes me in much the same way. A good place to start is with “Buddha Nature” by Deuter….

(Deuter’s “Buddha Nature” Excerpt)

Deuters’s album by the same name is a classic.

Who can forget one of the earliest and best, Yanni’s “Flight of Fancy” from his “Reflections of Passion”

(Yanni’s “Flight of Fancy” excerpt)

My short list of artists where I hear the Voice For God… without words… would need to include Enya. This is “River”.

(Enya’s “River” Excerpt)

How about “The Memory of Trees”?

(Enya’s “The Memory of Trees” excerpt)

Then there is what some call “Space Music”. This is the title excerpt from Jonn Serrie’s “And The Stars Go With You”:

(John Serrie’s “And The Stars Go With You”)

I hope you can hear the Voice For God, pretty much as these wonderful artists did. We will share the music of others before too long.

Remember: you create your own reality. Choose what you create wisely.

All of these songs are available on iTunes and would make an excellent addition to your collection of music from the Voice For God! Special thanks to Ben Sherman for writing and reminding me that the Voice doesn’t always speak words!

Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:07:00 -0500

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Many believe that Heaven is all around us, especially those in Love. And truly, if God is Love, then we are in heaven. The Moody Blues give voice to that thought in “Is This Heaven?”

“Walking home with you last night
You said the world is beautiful,
And how things look that way when you’re in love.
I love this world
When I’m in your arms.
Is this heaven?

I opened up the letter that the
Postman gave to me this morning.
Had to stop myself from shouting out:
“I love this world”!
When I’m in your arms,
Is this heaven?
When I’m in your arms,
Is this heaven?

I know that heaven waits
For those whose love is true.
I want to be there when
The age of love is come again.”
"Is This Heaven" - Moody Blues

When we look around this world and things don’t seem right, we start to see that this world isn’t exactly heaven. If it isn’t heaven, then where is it? It was there when we were in our lover’s arms, or so we thought. With stormy weather, political arguments, spending money that even our great-grandchildren will have trouble paying… it doesn’t look great. Add to that the changes in our personal relationships, it is natural to try to find heaven. Los Lonely Boys are looking for Heaven, and they know it isn’t really here…

“Save me from this prison,
Lord help me get away.
Cause only you can save me now
From this misery.
I’ve been lost in my own place
And I’m getting’ weary.
How far is heaven?

And I know I need to change
My ways of livin’.
How far is heaven,
Lord can you tell me?
I’ve been locked up way too long
In this crazy world, how far is heaven?
And I just keep on prayin’ Lord.
Just keep on livin’, how far is heaven?
Lord can you tell me, how far is heaven?
I just got to know how far, how far is heaven?
Lord can you tell me?
"How Far Is Heaven" - Los Lonely Boys

What if heaven isn’t far away at all? What if it is inside of ourselves? What would it be like if we could see heaven no matter what is going on in our body or in the world? If so, we could change our way of living, as Los Lonely Boys mention. Maybe we could start with looking at things differently, as Bobby McFerrin reminds us in this classic, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”

“Here is a little song I wrote.
You might want to sing it note for note.
Don’t worry be happy.
In every life we have some trouble.
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy……”

Bobby points out that worrying and being unhappy is a choice. We are not forced to be unhappy. The Course in Miracles says that we can either be right… or we can be happy. We do have a choice. When bad things appear to happen, it really doesn’t help to worry. What if God is telling us that making the choice to be happy is one of the first things we need to do to get on the right path, the path to heaven?

“This song I wrote,
I hope you learn it note for note,
Like good little children.
Don’t worry, be happy
Listen to what I say:
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry,
You make it double.
Don’t worry, be happy……
Be happy now!
Don’t worry, be happy.
Don’t worry, be happy.
Don’t worry, be happy.
Don’t worry, be happy.
Don’t worry, don’t worry,
Don’t do it, be happy.
Put a smile on your face.
Don’t bring everybody down like this.
Don’t worry, it will soon pass,
Whatever it is.
Don’t worry, be happy”
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin

No matter what is going on in the world, what is more important is what is going on inside of us… not the world. If we are listening to the voice of ego, we get the emotional rollercoaster. We can shut off the radio, the TV, or the Internet. We don’t have to read the paper or listen to people who make us angry or upset. Some might consider this too drastic or too simple, but being in a negative frame of mind certainly isn’t any help either. When we don’t know what to think, perhaps we can be quiet, turn on music that relaxes us… and just listen for the Voice for God for ourselves! We just might find the guidance that works for us.

Find songs that help keep you happy and remind you of God’s message of love and forgiveness. The Voice is there, every day, all of the time… if we just listen for it. We do have a choice of what to listen to.

Thank you Moody Blues, Los Lonely Boys, and Bobby McFerrin for songs that are the Voice For God.

A Health Care Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:24:00 -0500

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Have you ever wondered if you are hearing The Voice for God? The voice for ego appears to be quite vocal right now. If there has ever been any doubt as to what voice you are listening to, there are plenty of examples to help you decide. In deed, it has always been that way on this planet.

The voice for ego is there to keep us from remembering the Truth. When people look for their Good in doctors, lawyers who are politicians, government, and insurance companies, instead of God, you continue to be set up to make life far more difficult than it needs to be. People seem to forget that we create our own reality on many levels, especially when it comes to our health.

We seek the magic of food supplements, organic foods, prescription drugs, surgery, bombardments of radiation, stem cell injections, and a whole slew of other ‘therapies’. Massage, talk therapy, hypnosis, prayer, and personal divine intervention are other efforts where we look outside of ourselves for healing, so we don’t have to love God, ourselves or others around us, only those that we choose, those special ones.

Whether you believe only the government can fix health care by taking it over incrementally or whether you believe “the system” needs only a few tweaks, when you hear people attacking each other as either groups or individually, you are hearing the voice for ego. When you see a law with 1,017 pages that purports to “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes” you are hearing the voice for ego. This is also true of nearly all federal laws.

Ego gets us involved in many, many things so we can forget that we have turned our back on our Source. A part of us that wants to be separate from God loves it! If God is Love, then attacking others for perceived ‘good reasons’ is evidence of that desire to be different from God.

Lets not forget though that even on this earthly level there is a lot of good. We are the Child of God, after all is said and done. We want good for all. If someone is sick, we should take care of them. We should also be responsible with the resources that we have. Responsible freedom is good: it has allowed us to begin the road back to Source, to reawaken to the Truth of our Being. Consensus is good.

Right now, there doesn’t appear to be much consensus, but there is talk of revolution, both in a good and a bad way. It reminds us of the Voice For God as we hear in this Beatles song from the Sixties:

“You say you want a revolution.
Well, you know
We all wanna to change the world.
You tell me that it’s evolution.
Well, you know
We all wanna to change the world.
But when you talk about destruction,
Don’t you know that you can count me out
You know it’s gonna be… all right… all right… all right.

Did you hear the part about it’s gonna be all right? See if these words are still appropriate:

“You say you got a real solution…
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan.
You ask me for a contribution.
Well, you know
We’re all doing what we can;
But if you want money
For people with minds that hate,
All I can tell is, brother you have to wait .”

Some people want such a complete and detailed change that it takes over a thousand pages. Not everybody has seen the plan and there is no consensus – just what Ego loves. Chaos.

Did you hear the part about how it’s gonna be all right?

Here comes the best part of the song :

“You say you’ll change the constitution.
Well, you know
We all want to change your head.
You tell me it’s the institution…
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead.”

Free your mind. What a novel idea. Listen for the Voice for God. If it’s about love and consensus, it probably is of God, and will free your mind from the down and dirty hate and name-calling that leads people to compare each other to the Nazi’s and refuse to listen.

Reminds me of the words that have always made me feel better from a Group Called Smith: Take A Look Around:

“Too many people talking,
In too many different ways:
Looks like the politician’s
Got it sewn up today.

But a hundred years from now,
Where are they gonna be?
So whatever’s making you sad today
Won’t matter when you leave.

Take a good look around you,
Don’t let the world bring you down.
Take a look at yourself,
Let a smile replace a frown.

Trouble is something we got too much of,
Tryin’ to find something new.
Rivers and rainbows, God’s creations
Out there waiting for you.”

In the analog age, voices could be hear on the radio, but it might be unclear and filled with static. Now, in the digital age, you either hear a voice well or not at all. It all depends on what you WANT to listen to. If the voice you are listening to is about how people are liars, cheaters, socialists, greedy, or any other derogatory term, it is the voice for ego. If what you are listening is about Love, Forgiveness, and helping others with what you have, it is the Voice For God. The answer is not government, it is in God.

Nothing good will come without Love being intimately involved. The fear that drives all sides of the debate to full frontal attacks, keeps us from realizing that if we do take a look around, we will see people that need LOVE, not an argument.

Things only work when we listen to the Voice For God. Even if it looks like the world is going to Hell in a hand basket, that doesn’t mean that we have to go along. If the Voice For God leads you to take responsible action, go for it!

“Get up on your feet, get ‘em to move,
Move ‘em on down the line.
Let your love go for everybody.
Don’t you think it’s about time?

Take a look around you,
Don’t let the world bring you down.
Take a look around you,
Let a smile replace a frown.”

Thanks to the Beatles that everyone knows about… and Smith, whose music is hard to find. Check iTunes for downloads.

A National Health Care Prescription

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:32:00 -0500

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At the moment, there is a lot of debate regarding the delivery of healthcare to the American people. The problem is that it focuses on money, doctors, drugs, hospitals, and insurance companies. Many people make their living providing these services and many make a very good living On the other hand, many patients go bankrupt because they cannot afford it. On the third hand, many are fine with "the system" as it is and are OK with it.

That is fine and good, as far as it goes. The problem is that the most important parts are missing. We have failed to take into consideration that we human beings have free will and create our own reality. When we chose to leave "the garden" and eat of the fruit of "good and evil" we brought sickness, injury, and death into existence at a level far from God. We all do, if we are human, so no one has a corner on blame. The bottom line is that sickness, injury, and death are the result of choices we have made and is a result of our refusal to Love our Source... or Ourself.

Our current program doesn't work as well as it might because it has gotten away from the basics of who we are. We are not bodies - we are the Child of the Universe who created the appearance of bodies in order to try to be separate from the Inseparable. Sickness, injury, birth and death should not be taken too seriously - they do not affect who we are at all. We shall wake up and realize that even many lifetimes were only a dalliance with a crazy idea.

However, it seems that we are in the midst of the illusion and it seems real. The Course in Miracles reminds us that our experiences can be divided into two categories: Expressions of Love... or Calls for Love. The Beatles remind us of what we have forgotten, which is the only prescription that means anything: all we need is love!

"All you need is love,
All you need is love,
All you need is love, love,
Love is all you need.

Love, love,
Love, love, love,
Love, love, love.

All you need is love,
All you need is love,
All you need is love, love,
Love is all you need."

Agreements come much easier when we tell others what we need to say with with Love in our hearts and our voices.

One problem is that on this level of illusion we are looking for answer outside of ourselves and not from inside where we fee our Love connection to the Universe. We seldom do the best we can. It's as if the Universe is talking to us directly through this Moody Blues song, "Say What You Mean".

"Say what you mean.
Mean what you say.
Think about the words
That you're using.
Speak for yourself,
Say what's on your mind,
And think about the life
That you're choosing.

I knowthat you need somebody.
I know that you're looking
For someone who know
When trouble won't leave you alone.

Say what you mean.
Mean what you say.
Look into the world of tomorrow.
Say what you want.
Want what is true.
Check out of that room
Full of sorrow.

I'm ready to take you with me,
I'm ready to be the one
Who's there by your side,
When you've just got
Nowhere to hide.

And oh,
The angels will walk with you and
Whenever you need them, yeah.
The glory that comes of love.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And oh,
The treasure that waits for us
Whenever we need it, now
I just can't hold it back.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

The work and the pain,
The thunder and the rain,
The word of the earth has been spoken.
The bird on the wing,
Free as the wind,
Knowing that the spell
Has been broken.

Now you can laugh with meaning.
Now you can throw away
The cloak of disguise
As you turn your face
To the skies.

The blue of the night,
The secrets of the light,
The touch of the hand
That can lead you.
I know you recognize
The shiver of surprise
When you realize
That He's seen you."

We know we need love... we know we need somebody... but we are already a part of Somebody who can never leave us. It is us who are ignoring the Almighty.

Sickness and death are ways we ignore our heritage and try something that we cannot be. Even right now, we can tell that treating our neighbors and friends in any way other that with Love doesn't work very well. After all, the sickness, death, anger, and hatred are merely calls for Love. When love is re-established, all that other stuff disappears to the nothingness that it was in the first place. Why waste time with trivialities and do as the Moody Blues suggest, and whenever we discuss anything, including health care, we "Say It With Love".

"I've been thinking the way people do
'Bout the things that matter
To me and you.
I've decided to do what I can
And to find the kind of man
I really am.

I can see the world from here
And it sometimes makes me
Want to disappear.
Back to nature, that's where we belong
And with just one truth I've found
You can't go wrong.

Wherever you go,
Whatever you do,
Whatever you say,
Say, say, say,
Say it with Love."

If we would do just this one thing, whatever we say, we say it with love, most our problems would cease to be important. If we can follow the simple prescription of honestly loving others and Ourself right now, no matter what governments do, we will find that spiritual health is of far more importance than bodily health. Love is truly the one lesson that we need to learn. Soon we will 'laugh with meaning' at all the crazy stuff we thought was really important and know the perfect Joy that is our birthright!

Download these beautiful songs to help you remember that Love is who you really are. Those songs are some of the reasons that the Beatles and Moody Blues are so highly thought of.

"Finding Bliss In The World"

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:29:00 -0500

Click for Podcast

I am a former journalist and I used to love the news. Murder, rape, war, car accidents, fires, hatred, lies, all in good fun. Today, when I look at the news, it is like the same jokes, over and over. The outside world still seems sad, scary, and filled with anger; if it is taken seriously. It’s hard to remember that the world is an illusion and remember that we’re being called back home where there is truly peace, love, and joy.

That’s what this podcast is all about – finding music that reminds us of what is true and what is false. I’d like to share with you a wonderful bit of music that is clearly from the Voice For God..

(From “a hundred thousand Angels”)

“Do you hear me calling you
The voice of a mother
And a father and a child.
Would you recognize the truth,
Do you feel the love that's falling from your eyes?

Take just a minute, come and rest you by my side,
Let me tell you your own story.
Let me walk you through your lives.
Only a second, that's all it takes to realize
There's a hundred thousand angels by your side.

Do you hear me talk to you?
I whisper through the doorways
And pathways of your mind.
Clear like the morning dew and
Fresh from my journeys cross an ocean of blue...”

This is the music of Lucinda Drayton and Bliss. I highly recommend that you write their name down and go to iTunes or wherever and download this spiritual classic.

A Hundred Thousand Angels. It means there is unlimited spiritual help available to me, no matter if I have lost my job, am sick, or don’t have much money. To those who like all the changes in the political world, remember that all the changes in the world will not bring us closer to waking up: it’s of the world. To those who are scared by what is happening in politics and the world, remember it’s an illusion geared to keep distracting you from what is real:

(from “Om Shanti”)

“I am the light,
I am the peace of the world.”

As the course reminds us, “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.” The music of Bliss and many others contain little reminders from the Voice that this physical world is not home. It cannot be “Heaven on Earth” unless we become aware again and live the truth that we are all of the One and the only truth in life: that’s total Love, Peace, and Joy. Thank you for the love and peace you share.

The next time the news gets you down, shut it off and listen to the music that reminds you of who you really are.

You can find Bliss on iTunes and at www.blissfulrecords.com... and in the life of the One!

"Liberalism VS Conservatism"

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:11:00 -0500

Click title for podcast

There appears to be a great debate regarding the merits of Liberalism and Conservatism. What does the Voice For God have to say? Not a lot, perhaps. Love God. Love your neighbors. No exceptions.

What about the world we live in, what many would call the ‘real’ world of men and women, haves and have-nots, good and bad, life and death, governments and citizens?

At the outset, let us recognize that both liberals and conservatives believe they are doing the right thing; it is just at odds with the other. There are a number of issues that divide based on how they view life: when life begins, what people’s rights are, how best to make sure that all the people’s needs are met, and this illusive thing called justice.

A conservative is by definition someone who appreciates traditional values and attitudes and is cautious regarding change or innovation, especially regarding politics and religion.

A liberal is somebody who is open to new ideas and willing to throw away traditional practices in favor of maximum individual rights and freedom regarding political and social reform.

Now those are dictionary definitions.

We must realize that right now we live in a world that appears to be individualized. To the extent that one buys into that (which for many of us is total) this argument has appropriateness.

To the extent that we believe and understand that this world is a dream, an illusion that is not real on the timeless basis, this discussion is more about the relevance of insanity. What the Voice For God is about, though, is undoing insanity and realizing our Oneness.

There are aspects of each approach, that of conservatives and liberals, that emphasizes Oneness and it is here that we shall focus.

American conservatives often are spiritual, church-going persons who believe in loving God and their neighbors, but differ in major ways in how to go about it. Because of those differences, they have some trouble loving their neighbors and even trusting God. They often perceive ‘evil’ in the world. Many conservatives do not attack others, even if they strongly disapprove of their ideas because they are trying to love those who attack them. They often believe that we have evolved a very good model that takes into consideration the balance between life and death, haves and have-nots, men and women, good and bad, and governments and citizens. History is full of examples of major changes creating chaotic situations where there is no peace, love and justice for long periods of time.

On the other hand, Liberals are often spiritual persons who do not attend traditional churches and love God in their own way. To the extent that traditional political and religious organizations do not serve individual people and smaller groups, that is the extent that they seek change and reform, to ‘perfect’ society. Many believe that we can change this world to reflect Oneness where we are all treated alike, with respect, dignity, no matter our birth, place of birth, age, sex, sexual preference, health, and many other ways of discriminating. They also often believe that history is full of examples of the need for dramatic change in order to fulfill the goals of equality and justice, when the prevailing social order gets greedy and takes unfair advantage of other people.

Since this world is in existence only to perpetuate the illusion of separateness, there will be problems that prevent us from creating “heaven on earth”. We use the word Ego for the part of us that is seeking perfection apart from the timeless Truth, Love, and Peace we often call God.

If the idea of Ego was laughed at and not taken seriously, we would realize that we are still in the real Heaven, trying to make the impossible work.

To the extent that we trust in something outside of Ourself, be it government, a church, a philosophy, that is the extent that we have bought into this insanity. When you see personal attacks on individuals, groups of individuals, or entire countries, you are seeing Ego trying to prevent us from seeking and seeing Love in Ourself appearing as another. When you see political campaigns, pressure tactics, vilifications, and other ways of relating to people that are not loving, they are not helpful in moving toward Oneness. No exceptions.

Let us look briefly at one catalytic issue: abortion of human fetuses. If we are One, individual human life is an illusion. If life and death help perpetuate the illusion that there are many of us instead of just One, then the sexual process of ‘creating’ more separateness is not helpful. God IS. IT always was and always will be. Life IS. It cannot be created nor destroyed. Therefore, the abortion debate is a mini-drama within the major drama, intended by Ego to divide and separate. To the extent that people buy into that drama and vilify people who chose not to carry a baby full-term, attacking them in any way (excommunicating, saying bad things about them, prison, murder) and not loving them, that is the extent of how far they have strayed from the Truth, the Way, and the Light.

What is the way out of this convoluted, contradictory, adversarial mess that we have created (on purpose one might add)? Simple, but not easy: Love God, Love your neighbors(enemies included). If you find it hard to love, then forgive them as many times as are needed until you can see that they are just as much a part of God as you are.

One other thing, as John Lennon voiced for God:

"When I find myself in times of trouble,
Mother Mary comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom:
“Let It Be”.

And in my hour of darkness,
She is standing right in front of me,
Speaking words of wisdom:
“Let It Be”.

Let it be, let it be,
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom:
“Let it be”.

And when the broken-hearted people,
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer:
Let it be.

For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer:
Let it be."

We often hear what one resists, persists. When we let it be, perhaps the Voice For God is orchestrating our illusions, both liberal and conservative, to slowly wake us up to rediscover our oneness!

"And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me.
Shine until tomorrow: let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me,
Speaking words of wisdom: “Let It Be.”"

Yeah, let it be, let it be.
Let it be, yeah, let it be.
There will be an answer: Let It Be”.

I believe John Lennon found his answer. I trust you will find your answer as well. And Let It Be!

Let us appreciate the gifts we have received through John Lennon and the Beatles and respect their insights as we respect their legal downloads from iTunes or where ever!

A 'Mad World' with 'No Boundaries'!

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:03:00 -0500

Click Here for Podcast

Sometimes a song reminds us of our true home, somewhere else. In one of the truly remarkable song performances in the American Idol competition was Adam Lambert’s “Mad World”. Listen to the words as he reminds us that in many ways, this is truly an insane world:

"All around me are familiar faces,
Worn out places, worn out faces,
Bright and early for the daily races,
Going nowhere, going nowhere.
Their tears are filling up their glasses,
No expression, no expression.
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrows,
No tomorrow, no tomorrow.

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad:
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world, mad world."

The line, “the dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had” is a reminder of just how much we miss our heavenly home. Many times here on Earth that should be happy often are not.

"Children waiting for the day they feel good:
Happy birthday, happy birthday,
Made to feel the way that every child should.
Sit and listen, sit and listen.
Went to school and I was very nervous:
No one knew me, no one knew me.
Hello teacher, tell me what’s my lesson,
Look right through me, look right through me."

When one looks into another’s eyes we often do not find what we are looking for… unless we shift our perception. The Christ is there, waiting for us to change our minds and make another choice. Sometimes that choice is not made until we get the feeling that we really aren’t getting anywhere right here where we are:

"Just when you think the road is going nowhere,
Just when you’ve almost gave up on your dreams,
Then take it by the hand and show you that you can.
There are no boundaries.
There are no boundaries.

I fought to the limit to stand on the edge.
What if today is as good as it gets?
Don't know where the future's heading,
But nothing's gonna bring me down.

I've jumped every bridge and I've heard every lie.
I've risked being safe but I always knew why.
I always knew why.

So here I am - still holding on!

With every step you climb another mountain.
Every breath it's harder to believe
You’ll make it through the pain,
Weather the hurricanes,
To get to that one thing."

Idol winner Kris Allen voices the advice we get from the Holy Spirit to keep hanging on, you will make it to get to that One thing that really counts… Heaven. That is the reason we hang on, forgive, and make new choices.

Most of the rules in this world are there to keep us from realizing that we can “be one with all things”, one with the infinite. We do not have to accept smallness. We do not have to stay trapped. At some level we create our reality; we can also make different choices and change our reality to make it more of what we really want.

"You can go higher,
You can go deeper.
There are no boundaries
Above and beneath you.
Break every rule cause there’s nothing between you and your dreams.

With every step you climb another mountain,
Every breath it's harder to believe.
Yeah!
There are no boundaries,
There are no boundaries."

Of course LOVE is what we really want. To love others, to be loved by them. It is truly our only permanent reality. When we ignore it, we miss it terribly! It is only a choice away.

I often download the songs where I recognize the Voice For God speaking the Truth to me. Sometimes it is just a few of the words, sometimes the whole song. I enjoy making a mix of these songs to listen to so that when I am sad like Adam Lambert recounts in “Mad World”, I can remember like Kris Allen, that there really are “No Boundaries” except the ones put there in the mistaken belief that they would protect from harm. Thank you, Idols, for being the Voice For God! Thank you iTunes for giving us access to these wonderfully new songs!

Kara DioGuardi, Cathy Dennis, and Mitch Allan wrote “No Boundaries” and Roland Orzabel, main singer and songwriter of Tears for Fears wrote “Mad World.”

The Metaphysics of Obama and the Republicans

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 6 May 2009 13:01:00 -0500

Click here for Audio Podcast

The news is sometimes confusing if you take it seriously. Obama and the Republicans seem to be battling each other for the soul of America, whatever that is. Both are trying to help the people who support them… and both often use fear and scare tactics to promote their agenda. So many problems, so much money. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were unlimited amounts of money? Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew the solution to all our problems?

I am here to tell you that we do know the answer and its not what you think! The rock group Kansas speaks for all of us when they sang:

“Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high

Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I'm dreaming
I can hear them say”

Just realizing that this world is an illusion and that we have created it is a major step toward our real Home, where there is no shortage of anything. The world seems to be incredibly complex, with billions of people, trillions of life forms, yet there is only One of Us, only One Power. We are the soul of America. I am the soul of America. You are the soul of America.

The Voice for God responds:

“Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more."

It isn’t just the physical that causes us problems, it is trying to be something that we are not:

“Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don't know

On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more.”

Once we realize that Love is our birthright, we extend Love to both Obama and the Republicans, as well as the Democrats. They are all a part of us, a part of me. To hate anyone is to hate myself. There really is only one Power in the Universe:

“The power of love is a curious thing
make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a hawk to a little white dove
more than a feeling, that's the power of love

Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream
Stronger and harder than a bad girl's dream
make a bad one good make a wrong one right
power of love that keeps you home at night

You don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
but it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love.”

That’s The Voice For God, as heard in The Power Of Love, by Huey Lewis and the News. What Obama and the Republicans both need is the Power of Love. In Truth, we all are Love. I am Love. Fear, hate, threats, and similar expressions are merely the calls for Love. When you hear the many calls for Love, we do know what to do:

“They say that all in love is fair
yeah, but you don't care
But you know what to do
when it gets hold of you
and with a little help from above
you feel the power of love
you feel the power of love
Can you feel it ?
Hmmm

It don't take money and it don't take fame
don't need no credit card to ride this train
Tougher than diamonds and stronger than steel
you won't feel nothin' till you feel
you feel the power, just FEEL the power of love
That's the power, that's the power of love
You feel the power of love,
you feel the power of love
feel the power of love feel the power of love.”

The peace that comes from the Power of Love is the Peace that passes all understanding. It cannot be contained in words, for it is the reality beyond the illusion we share, the One. Isn’t that the kind of peace we really want?

Many thanks to Kansas and Huey Lewis and the News for giving a to Voice to God! The songs are “Carry On Wayward Son” and “The Power of Love.” You can get the complete songs at iTunes or your favorite webseller.

Resta Burnham - A Gentle Voice For God

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:48:00 -0500

click title to listen to podcast!

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of hearing Resta Burnham sing songs based on the Course in Miracles. A Course student herself, she has heard the voice as well as songs

with a bit of humor... and in

some cases, a lot of humor! She has been an ACIM student off and on for over 30 years and she has been hearing the Voice for God for all these many years. In fact, she has over 13 music cd's with her gentle insights. This one uses humor in an unusual way:

You and Me Babe

"It's you and me babe. You meet all my needs.
Our meeting was fate - don't you agree?
You are my salt and I am your pepper.
Love between two can't get any better.
I'll love you, dear, always, forever and ever.
It's you and me babe.

It's you and me, babe. Ain't relationship sweet?
Just you and me, babe. You make me complete.
You are the eggs and I am your bacon.
Here is my heart: It's yours for the taking -
as long as, sweet one, a few changes you're making.
It's you and me babe.

It's you and me babe, so why are you crying?
I'm doing my best - it's you who aren't trying.
You are my bread and I am your butter.
I'm going out, and when you recover,
Just give me a call. I'll come be your lover.
It's you and me babe.

It was you and me, babe, and the something changed.
It seems whatever I do, you find fault and complain.
I give you my all and still you feel needy.
When we make love, you say I'm too speedy.
You don't like my friends and you won't let me be me.
That's all for you and me babe.

I feel so alone, and this can't be right.
I'm sure God will send me a partner for life,
someone who'll be the lint in my navel,
who's gentle and kind, sweet, willing, and able
to love me forever and sit at my table:
Just the two of us, babe.

Now look who is here. Could it be true?
My soulmate has come. My dear, is it you?
You are my salt and I am your pepper.
Love between two can't get any better.
I'll love you, dear, always, forever and ever.
It's you and me babe."

This song was written and performed by Resta.

To be fair, nearly all of Resta's other songs are much softer in tone and approach, and I invite you to visit her website at www.acimmusic.com where you can find out more about Resta, and order music if you like. You can even find all of the lyrics to all of the songs on all 13 albums if you are interested.

All That Is Real Is You!

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 15:36:00 -0600

click here to hear the podcast!

I used to wonder when the Course used the word “real”. After all, life seems real enough just the way it is. I finally got the point – something that changes or disappears is different than something that doesn’t. Benjamin Franklin once said “In this world nothing is certain [real] but death and taxes.” Realtors sell real estate, presumably something “real”, something that doesn’t change. The land is still there. In Spanish, the word “real” means “royal”, probably because the king used to own all the land. However, in this day and age, we know that the earth does change and has many times throughout history. It leaves us with a really fuzzy idea of what is real.

The Course talks about God or the Father in Heaven as the only thing that is real. Imagine Justin Hayward singing to God in this wonderful song:

“All the world over I’ve searched for a dream.
I’ve found out that life is not what it seems.
I’ve seen all the wonders the world has to give,
But all that is real is you.

All of the silver and all of the gold
Are worthless to me,
Lifeless and cold.
I’ve known all the treasure
A man can possess,
But all that is real is you.

So bring me back home,
My love - my love.
Oh how I need you.
Take me back home,
My love - my love.
Oh how I love you.

Even the place where my heart used to fly,
The warm summer breeze,
The wild seabirds cry.
All are illusions and all just a dream,
Because all that is real is you.”

When I hear this song, all I hear is ‘The Voice’ telling me how wonderful life really is – that is Life Itself. God is Love and loves us because we are a part of Him and cannot be separated. As Justin says, no thing on this earth is real - except each other. Until we give up this illusion of being separate, we can not and will not experience the fullness of Love, the Love we tried to leave behind.

I recently went to a childrens museum where the science experiments demonstrated very clearly that what we see with our eyes is a very small part of what can be seen. The same is true of our ears. Even dogs can hear more than we can. Our senses, upon which we usually judge reality are actually built to minimize what we experience. Check out this chart of the visible spectrum, for example.

This chart shows just how little of the light spectrum

human eyes can actually see.

Our bodies are merely High Definition suits to experience only what we want to, not what is real. To remember, to awaken to reality – that is our goal. Our real goal should be to experience real Love that will never end… and is still there waiting for us to change our mind about what we think is real. As Justin so skillfully reminds us, “All That Is Real Is You”!

—————————

This Podcast is a review of the song “All That is Real Is Real” written by Justin Hayward, one of the most spiritually awake writers alive, and recorded by the Moody Blues. It is perhaps because of their music that I first was able to hear the Voice for God in contemporary music!

MarMelodian

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:33:00 -0600

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I hope you hear the Voice For God all around you.

One difficulty is confusing the Voice For God with the voice for separation, or ego. Right now the voice for ego is strong; just turn on your TV news or talk radio. Many times, if you want to actually hear the Voice For God, you have to go out of your way. Even on the internet.

Martha Maria - "MarMelodian"

There are now a number of musicians who write down and perform the music the voice shares with them. One is Resta Burnham, whom I will share with you very soon. Another is Martha Maria, who records under the name Marmelodian. She has recently put together a CD entitled, “Spirit Songs”, several of which are specifically related to the Course In Miracles. It is hard to categorize Marmelodian, but the music is reminiscent of medieval music, country, and new age.

One of my favorites on this CD is this one, “Let Me Know This Brother”:

“Let me know this brother as I know myself.
Let me know this brother as I know myself.
Let me know this brother as I know myself.
Let me know this brother as I know myself.
Let me know this brother as I know myself.

Let me love this brother as I love myself…”

This next song takes one of our favorite phrases from the Course and sets it to music:

“I am here just to be truly helpful.
I am here just to be truly helpful.
I am here just to be,
I am here just to be,
I am here just to be truly helpful.

I am here to represent him who sent me.
I am here to represent him who sent me.
I am here to represent,
I am here to represent,
I am here to represent him who sent me…”

Perhaps one of the best and most original songs on the CD is this one entitled:

“Canticle To The Sun (St. Francis)

“O Lord, we praise Thee for our Brother Sun,
Who brings us day, who brings us golden light.
He tells us of Thy Beauty, Holy One.
We praise Thee, too, when falls the quiet night,

“For Sister Moon, and every silver star
That Thou hast set in Heaven, clear and far.

“For our brave Brother Wind we give Thee praise;
For clouds and stormy skies, for gentle air;
And for our Sister Water, cool and fair,
Who does service in sweet, humble ways;

“But, when the winter darkens, bitter cold,
We praise Thee every night and all day long
“For our good friend, so merry and so bold,
Dear Brother Fire, beautiful and strong.

For our good Mother Earth, we praise Thee, Lord;
For the bright flowers she scatters everywhere;
For all the fruit and grain her fields afford;
For her great beauty, and her tireless care.”

The Voice For God speaks through old music, popular music, and brand new music. Marmelodian’s songs are brand new, just out. She is a mother of two and makes her music at her studio in the East Tennessee foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. If you hear ‘the voice’ and want more, you can visit Martha Maria at www.marmelodian.com to listen more or even buy your own copy.

Laurent Elie Levy - A Voice For God

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:18:00 -0600

click here for podcast!

Not long ago, I met a wonderful gentleman from France. We have much in common, especially since he often hears the Voice For God in song. The cool thing is that he is also an excellent singer himself!

His name is Laurent Levy and is a popular singer in France. He is a student of A Course In Miracles as well as the recently published “The Holy Spirit’s Interpretation of the New Testament”. In this recent recording made in Wimberley, TX, imagine the Holy Spirit asking you to take “All Of Me”

(audio recording)

Laurent was accompanied on guitar by another noted Course In Miracles Teachers, Larry Seyer of Austin. Larry has earned eight or nine Grammy Awards over the years and is a fantastic musician. Check the links listed here if you are interested in these singers who give lend their voice to God! The song was written by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks and has been recorded by many singers for 80 years.

For more information about Laurent, you can start out at forholyspirit.org/laurent.htm or in French at laurentelielevy.wordpress.com

For more of Larry’s music, you can go to: www.larryseyer.com or http://cdbaby.com/cd/larryseyer

For more on NTI or “The Holy Spirit’s Interpretation of the New Testament” you can go to Amazon.com or http://www.reginadawnakers.com

Love Will Find A Way

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:13:00 -0600

click here listen to podcast!

When we look at the future right now we project what we are feeling right now. Some people are feeling love and joy and expect that to continue forever. Are you one of them?

If so, you are listening to the Voice For God, because “Love Will Find a Way”! I was reminded of this reality in this song from Pablo Cruise. Listen to see if you can hear the voice speaking to you in whatever turmoil surrounds your life:

“Someone, someone’s got me wrong
You thought that your love was strong
Now you’re feelin’ like such a fool
Poor you
You’re thinkin’ maybe if you said goodbye
You’ll understand the reason why
The love you had felt so cruel, um-hm

Oh, but it’s all right
Once you get past the pain
You’ll learn to find your love again
So keep your heart open
‘Cause love will find a way.”

The politicians and economists feel that they have the answers to Peace and Prosperity. In a land where it appears that there isn’t enough for everybody, where it appears that we are destroying our environment, where people appear to get sick and die, where people appear to hurt and kill each other, it would also appear that Peace and Prosperity is a tall order, particularly on a ‘long term’ basis.

Some get greedy and take advantage of other people, while others take from the ‘haves and give to the ‘have-nots’ until nobody wants to work anymore and we’re all poor and depressed. Jealousy and a host of other feelings join the others to reinforce the turmoil, both within our individual lives and that of society in general. As long as we look to organized politics, the economy, or even organized religion, we are missing the point: God is our Source.

In fact, not only is God our Source, but we are part of God, a very extension of God. Now if that is so, then we are Love because God is Love. When we look at each other, Al-Qaeda, the Chinese, North Koreans, the poor, the rich, the corporate CEO’s, the oil companies, the environmentalists and see ONLY LOVE, only the reflection of our selves, then we are seeing truly.

The Voice For God says that when we can see and act on the belief that our interests are not separate from “all others’, we are seeing through eyes of love and “Love Will find A Way”!

“So now don’t, don’t be afraid of yourself
Just move on to something else
And let your love shine through
Again yes ’cause it’s all right
Once you get past the pain
You’ll learn to find your love again
So keep your heart open
‘Cause love will find a way

Oh, but it’s all right
Once you get past the pain
You’ll learn to find your love again
So keep your heart open
‘Cause love will find a way.”

Thank you David Jenkins and Cory Lerios of the soft rock group, Pablo Cruise, for speaking the words for God, even though it appeared to be 1978. Remember, Miracles do happen if you see only through the eyes of Love!

Review of “Love Will Find A Way”, by David Jenkins and Cory Lerios, recorded by Pablo Cruise.

The Land of Make-Believe

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 14:14:00 -0500

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Watching the news right now is truly a nightmare during the daytime. It all seems so real – I mean watching my life savings decline in big jumps. Almost a third of it is gone at this writing. The fear seems so real, I can almost touch it.

The Holy Spirit tells me that I live in a world of illusion, as a chance listen to this Moody Blues tune reminds me:

“We’re living in a land of make believe
And trying no to let it show.
Maybe in that land of make believe,
Heartaches can turn into joy.

We’re breathing in the smoke of high and low,
We’re taking up a lot of room.
Somewhere in the dark and silent night
Our prayer will be heard,
Make it soon!”

I can remember the stock market highs not too long ago. Now I am seeing the lows and I am not the only one praying for a change in this situation. Not just any change, as continued downward would be change, too. Worse is also change.

We are looking for a messiah, a savior. But I also remember the words of Jesus that looking for safety in an insane world is itself insane. At this writing we are one month away from electing a new president. Who is it that will bring us peace and prosperity? That is my prayer…

“So fly little bird,
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word:
Love’s the only reason why.

Open all the shutters on your windows,
Unlock all the locks upon your doors,
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams.
No secrets come between us anymore:
Oh, say it’s true!
Only love can see you through,
You know what love can do to you.”

As I listen I am reminded that in a nightmare and when making choices, nothing is as it seems, except Love. Yes, I know what Love can do. In a world ruled by lack, by separateness, by greed, by jealousy it is easy to see the lack of sanity in everything in this physical world. Where is Love when you need it? The music of the Troggs came to mind.. (Troggs?)

“I feel it in my fingers,
I feel it in my toes.
Love is all around me
And so the feeling grows

It is written on the wind,
That’s everywhere I go.”

There is nowhere where Love is not, including my dream of the stock market, my dream of who is leading this country… or even who is winning the football game!

It’s as if the Holy Spirit is whispering in my ear…

“You know I love you,
I always will.
My mind’s maid up
By the way that I feel.

There’s no beginning,
There’ll be no end,
Cause on my love
You can depend.”

Thank you for reminding me that all I really need to do is, as Jesus said, is nothing. After all, we all are part of God and God is Love. We are Love. And that is something we can depend on, no matter what appears to be going on in the outside world!

The songs that The Holy Spirit used to speak to me are: “The Land of Make-Believe” by the Moody Blues and “Love Is All Around” by the Troggs. You can purchase your own copy, as I did, from iTunes or your favorite paid website.

Review: “The Land of Make-Believe” by Justin Hayward (Moody Blues) and “Love Is All Around” by Reg Presley (the Troggs)

One World - One Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:17:00 -0500

With the 2008 Beijing Olympic becoming history, I do not recall the fantastic theme of the Olympics getting much play. One World - One Dream. Isn’t that pretty much the way it really is? Maybe that is why it was ignored.

If we really thought that there is only One World, we would have to think about the world different. Right now most of us acknowledge that there is one world - made up up hundreds of countries. These countries are made up of many, if not dozens of smaller political subdivisions, not to mention cities, neighborhoods, blocks, homes, individual persons, etc. all of which are also ‘worlds’. There are many ‘worlds’ that make up the One World.

If one starts to think that he or she is a body, it goes on to the cellular, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic, and beyond levels. We did not even mention the solar system, galaxy, or universe. By my count, there are more than a dozen ‘worlds’ we live in. To say ‘One World’ by this way of reckoning is pretty much “a dream”, not much connected to ‘reality’.

But we are not bodies, according to most religions… and the Course in Miracles. ACIM goes even further to say that there is only God and His extension, whom we call “The Son”. The Son began a dream of what it would be like to be separate from the Father. However, there is only One World, the world of God and his Son, inextricable. There is only One Dream - the Son’s dream, the dream of separation. Like all dreams, it is ephemeral, an illusion that changes all the time.

In this dream, we use bodies to block out God and concentrate only on what we choose, not unlike living in a cave and ignoring the rest of Reality. Our bodies perpetuate the unreal dream of separation, with all of our senses quite limited in the light, sound, and other frequencies that we perceive. To think that what our bodies perceive is all there is, really is like the person in a cave. Just because one does not perceive the hundreds and thousands of radio, tv, microwave, cellular, and other signals around her body does not mean they do not exist. Most of us are aware of The One World, even if we cannot “prove” it by the physical means that are meant to prevent us from proving it.

In remembering the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we may be tempted to remember the games as all about Michael Phelps, the wonderful high tech pageantry, and mistakes some athletes and countries made. After all, it is all about bodies, who is fastest, most skilled, most graceful, and most persistent. But “I am not a body, for I am still as God created me.” Isn’t that like ego to promote an event to keep us focused on bodies and specialness while at the same time reminding us of the One World - One Dream?

I am grateful for the Olympics, not for the reverential awe accorded the athletes, but for the mostly ignored theme plastered all over the City of Beijing, all over the photographs and TV broadcasts in High Definition all over the world: the reminder that there is only One World (God’s World) and One Dream (the dream of separation that is being transmuted to the return to Oneness, that is our birth right).

The Voice for God is always present, mostly right in front of us, in the music, on the signs, in our intuition. If we would only pay attention to it.

Obama and The Summer of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Sat, 9 Aug 2008 09:36:00 -0500

Music Review: "San Francisco"

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Do you want to know why Barrack Obama has been so popular with many Americans?

It shouldn't be a real mystery. There is some similarity between 2008 and 1967. There are many "Boomer Generation" folks who are beginning to retire who remember the war that wouldn't stop, a war that was unpopular and a protest movement that brought down President Johnson, who declined to run for re-election in the face of all of the demonstrations. Enough similarity to motivate many old and now younger folks who want to see war wiped off the face of our planet.

What was going to be a promotion for a Monterrey, CA music festival tapped into the consciousness of those who were seeking change, a different way of looking at life, more like what religion and spirituality promise. Life would be so much better if we would just love one another. That is the promise of the song "San Francisco", sung by Scott McKenzie:

"All across the nation,
Such a strange vibration.
People in motion
There's a whole generation
With a new explanation.
People in motion, people in motion.
For those who come to San Francisco,
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
If you come to San Francisco,
Summertime will be a Love-in there."

Who in their right mind would not want a thousand years of peace to begin right now? Wouldn't that be the kind of change a person would vote for?

Musically, that Music Festival was a seismic event, what with Jefferson Airplane, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Otis Redding, The Byrds, the Grateful Dead, The Who, and Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, and The Doors providing the entertainment. The song "San Francisco" was number four on the pop charts at its peak. When many people hear music from these musicians, it brings back the longing for the Love that is missing from their lives, from their world.

One thing is clear: we do desire change. Another thing is also clear: we fear change. A third thing is also clear, things will change and we cannot control that. A fourth thing is also clear: we have no idea, for sure, what kind of change will result in a more loving and respectful world.

Sometimes the best and most lasting change is one that is hidden from most people. Many of us boomers might look at the world today and think that nothing has changed: we are still involved in wars, and fights, and trying to force people to do the right thing in the outer world. Many are changing from the inside. It was in 1965 that Jesus began channeling the "A Course In Miracles", a book about Love and how to achieve Love consciousness: forgiveness.

How interesting to look back and realize that "God-who-is-Love" was already answering, in detail, the massive calls for love. That answer is still available today as millions have read and studied 'the course' and even more are studying materials inspired by 'the course'. There truly is a better way.

Politicians who tap into the desire for this kind of change will have the power of the universe behind them when they become guided by that power! We 'individuals' cannot know who in the end will bring us closer to Love and Peace, but we can bring Love and Peace into our own lives right now and that will radiate into what we experience as the world.

It's the Power of One.

Thanks to Scott McKenzie for being the Voice For God!

Mamma Mia

noreply@blogger.com (Raymond G. Kresha) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:26:00 -0500

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Gee, I wish hearing the Voice for God were easy. However, if you are listening just a little bit, you can hear the voice that calls us toward our real home in heaven, just about anywhere. It could be my voice – or yours – or the music we listen to. If we listen carefully inside ourselves or even apparently outside of ourselves, in the world, we can hear the guidance that we need.

Take the recent movie “Mamma Mia”. It lights up my life in a number of ways.

First of all, fun danceable music from one of my favorite groups.
There are songs that touch universal themes, such as: seeking love, finding love, uncertainty about the future, uncertainty about what future to choose, a desire to re-live the past and make different choices, making new, not necessarily popular choices, or just trying to who we are. Not everybody got that, at least yet.
It was also a spectacular marriage of three different formats into one: the original ABBA music, the musical, and a feature film. That was not easy and the music and video are very tightly and expertly crafted. The music comes from the ABBA Gold album, mostly, and an engaging story was found to bring it into ONE.
Using the actors to sing the songs is a stroke of genius in my estimation because it freshens the songs and gives them a feel of authenticity that is not possible with totally polished versions – something ABBA is famous for!
And last, but not least, I hear the voice for God calling me home:

(Excerpt from “I have a Dream”)

“I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality.
And my destination makes it worth the while,
Pushing through the darkness still another mile.
I believe in angels,
Something good in everything I see.
I believe in angels.
When I know the time is right for me,
I’ll cross the stream - I have a dream.
I’ll cross the stream - I have a dream."

The voice reminds us that this world is a dream, a fantasy, that is to say, not permanent. I believe Reality, with the big R, is whatever is permanent. Our lives, our bodies are definitely temporary and they don’t last very long.

Abba reminds us that we are on the journey to heaven, a destination worth the while. Heaven exists right here, right now, inside of us, but we choose not to see it: we appear to be in darkness much of the time. Yes, there are moments of joy, times when we catch a glimpse of what is our birthright. But we also experience disappointment, anger, bitterness, sadness, and yes, regret:

(Excerpt from “When All Is Said And Done”:

“Here's to us, one more toast and then we'll pay the bill
Deep inside, both of us can feel the autumn chill
Birds of passage, you and me, we fly instinctively
When the summer's over and the dark clouds hide the sun
Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done.”

What I hear is the Voice reminding me that time is passing and when it’s all over, and we face ‘eternal darkness,’ we are not to blame. The Voice even says we are truly innocent because that is the way we were created. We can choose what we want to believe, what we want to see.

“It's been there in my dreams, this scene I see unfold.
True at last, flesh and blood, to cherish and to hold.
Careless fools will suffer, yes, I know and I confess
Once I lost my way when something good had just begun.
Lesson learned, it's history when all is said and done.”

I hear the Voice reminding us that we can make new choices, experience Love that never truly is lost. In the ‘end’ all of our mistakes are history and are truly “gone”! I have been careless and I have suffered. I, too, have lost my way from time to time. That is why I cherish the Voice that speaks inside of me to remind me that God is with me at all times, to learn the needed lesson.

“In our lives, we have walked some strange and lonely treks.
Slightly worn but dignified and not too old for sex,
Clear-headed and open-eyed with nothing left untried.
Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run:
There’s no hurry any more when all is said and done.
Standing calmly at the crossroads, no desire to run:
There’s no hurry any more when all is said and done.”

When you think about it, isn’t this life truly strange? Have you ever felt lonely? I know I have tried just about everything I can think of… and yet I am not satisfied. The Voice reminds me that at every moment I am at the crossroad of choice: For God or For Being Separate from Him. I have run from the Voice for God before, preferring this world to heaven. I have truly preferred to be an independent, separate person. But I also felt empty. I have come to realize that I am who I am only when I am united with All That Is – not separate!

When the movie is said and done, I experienced much more than the surface story of young girl looking for her father. With the beautiful ocean scenes of Greece, the music touched my heart in such a way that tears of joy were all I was left with. I cannot say that I truly understand why, but only that I could hear the Voice For God in such a way that I was totally joyous and also homesick for what I have chosen against for so long.

I intend to make better choices.

Thank you, songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and thank you singers Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep, and Amanda Seyfried for the beautiful renditions. You are truly the Voice for God!