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Welcome to OneLife Ministries. This site is designed to lead you prayerfully into a heart experience of Divine Presence, Who is Love. While it focuses on Christian teaching, I hope persons of varied faiths will find inspiration here. Indeed, "God" can be whatever image helps us trust in the Sacred, by whatever means Grace touches us each. Please share this ministry with others, and please return soon. There is a new offering daily. And to be placed on the daily OneLife email list, to request notifications of new writings or submit prayer requests, write to briankwilcox@yahoo.com .
Blessings,
Brian Kenneth Wilcox MDiv, MFT, PhD
Interspiritual Pastor-Teacher, Author, Workshop Leader, Spiritual Counselor, and Chaplain.
You are invited to join Brian at his fellowship group on Facebook. The group is called OneLife Ministries – An Interspiritual Contemplative Fellowship. Hope to see you there. Blessings.
MY Confession of Faith
A LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
and through JESUS CHRIST
for ALL.
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
Why do you go to the forest in search of the Divine One? The Sacred lives in all and is yet ever distinct. The Holy abides with you, too, as a fragrance dwells in a flower and reflection in a mirror - so does the Divine Love dwell inside everything. Seek God, therefore, in your heart.
*Sikhism. Adi Granth. Dhanasri.
SPIRITUAL TEACHING
I used to seek You
I was told to seek You
Until, one day, I gave up all seeking
Then, Beloved, I saw you everywhere
My Love, I had lived on this crystal
dance floor, but I never was told that
such a Heaven as this, is here and now -
I had been told I lived in a hut, in the desert,
then I realized I had lived, since before birth,
in this Palace adorned with symbols of Love.
I have no wishes to go to Heaven.
There is in this Eden no going anywhere.
How could I, My Friend, when I am
in You, and You are in me?
The bud opened, in Here,
and I am a petal smiling for the whole world
to see.
*Poem “I Am in You, You Are in Me,” by Brian Kenneth Wilcox
Story 1: A Man Trying to Get to Heaven
A Spiritual Teacher had a student with a reputation for great zeal and commitment in spiritual practice. Over time the Teacher noticed the man began to look pale and weak. The Teacher asked him, “Son, why are you so impatient in your efforts? You need to take better care of yourself and have more balance in your life.” The man replied, “But I am preparing myself to get to heaven.” “Why,” asked the Teacher, “are you rushing to be ready to get to heaven?” “There is no time to waste,” replied the man. “Odd,” replied the Teacher, “I do not hurry around and rush like you to get ready for heaven, but I see it all around all the time. Maybe you, too, would see it, if you would quit working so hard to be ready to get there.”
*Story by Brian Kenneth Wilcox
Story 2: The Fish Looking For Water
Once a young, little fish swam feverishly in the Ocean, looking for water. He came upon a wise, aged fish. The little fish spoke, “Sir, can you tell me where water is?” The wise fish said, “All around you.” “But,” replied the little fish, “I thought this was the Ocean.”
* * *
Where, God, do I find you?
Where, Brian, am I not?
Did you not see me in the morning Sunlight?
And how about that beautiful moon last night?
And those stars—Wow!
And did you notice when I spoke to you through her kind words, “I do care…”?
… and the smile of that friend today—did you know I was offering you joy to replace the sadness you feel today?
… the conversation and laughter with the little, aged lady at the restaurant this morning—did you see my love in her eyes?
… and memories of that warm fire last evening, and those precious moments of joined prayer?
And, what of that sense of Presence and the tears of bliss as you lifted your hands to the sky, singing to the music this morning?
… and when your beloved dog came over to you and leaned against you, to be touched?
…
Brian, I am not to be found
I am to be received
Make a place in yourself for me to give myself
And you will see me
everywhere.
*Poem "Seeing God Everywhere," by Brian Kenneth Wilcox
* * *
Today, I met a lady. I had never seen her before. I was present to help her in planning her wedding. She was very kind. She spoke to me like she knew me a long time. She bubbled with joy. I had just said to another friend how I missed being touched. Touch is so healing, affirming. This lady, well, she was one of those kind that liked touch. She keep, as she expressed herself in speech, patting me on the arm or shoulder. I did not feel offended, or afraid; I received it as kindness. Was that an angel? Was that God? Yes. Yes. The Beloved, in the hand of another, comforted me with touch today. How could I say, rightly, that I have not seen God today?
* * *
I spoke to some friends, who are at a postal service they own. They helped me price some Christmas mailing. They were so thoughtful. The wife wanted to meet my doggies. She came out to my truck, and for a while petted them and talked about how wonderful my “boys” are. Was that an angel? Was that God? Yes. Yes. The Beloved, in the voice of a friend, I heard speak to me today. How could I say, rightly, that I have not seen God today?
Story 3: If Not Now, When – Seeing God?
A Master had a disciple who was always singing and talking about meeting Christ in heaven one day. The Master got so tired of hearing this man keep talking about this, over and over, over and over. Finally, the Master, in a moment of desperation cried out, “God, what am I going to tell this crazy man?!” To his surprise, God replied, “Tell that young fanatic, if he does not meet see me now, before he dies, he will surely not see me after he dies.”
I am amazed at how many persons sing and talk about meeting Jesus one day, after they die, but they show little evidence they have any interest at all in meeting him in this world, before they die.
*Story and saying by Brian Kenneth Wilcox
Responding
Where is God meeting you today? Do you see? What does it mean for you to create a space within you to see? Are you too busy to see? Can you slow down some and look deeply?
* * *
*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian Kenneth Wilcox, SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis. While within the Christian path, he is an ecumenical-interspiritual teacher, author, and chaplain. He is Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Jail, Punta Gorda, FL.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings at briankwilcox@yahoo.com . Also, Brian is on Facebook: search Brian Kenneth Wilcox.
*You can order his book An Ache for Union from major booksellers.
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