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In the papers of late, do appear,
News of devastation, both far and near.
Hurricanes, tsunami, earthquake and war,
Cause personal and planetary tension to soar.

Where will it end? Does it all seem lost?
Will the end of our species, be the ultimate cost?
We have the technology, it could be too late,
If violence and fear, we do escalate.

I’ve looked over the mountain, seen the promised land.
We can rise above it all, peace close at hand.
Our deliverer has come to proclaim the news,
A joyful future is assured, if unity we choose.

Where is this deliverer? For you see none.
Who would convince humanity, we are all One?
Who would have the ability, who would be the source,
Of such consciousness, what enlightened force?

Look into any mirror and you will find,
Such a deliverer, so strong of mind.
You need not wait for another, these things to do,
For you are the force, it is all within you.

Overwhelmed by the task? The order too tall?
You need not cure the planet, feel free to start small.
Be peace in all you do, with compassion & love be free
Come from your heart always, be the change you wish to see.

J.Allegro, 2005

You are a forgotten refugee of a war torn land,
displaced and hungry, possessions in hand.
You are ravaged by disease, the future unsure,
If only funds were present, so would the cure.

You’re in poverty’s grip, flooding your head,
how to feed family, provide a roof and a bed.
Oppressed due to gender, creed region or race,
your generations have had, this burden to face.

Needless suffering endured, for far too long,
When will humanity see, we’ve got it all wrong.
Not money, nor possessions or power are source,
you are our finest asset, earth’s greatest resource!

If only you were granted, the opportunity to thrive,
You would achieve much more, than barely survive.
What song would you sing, what novel would you write,
To rise is not a privilege, but your God given right!

What would you invent, what disease would you cure?
Your lost potential cheats all, of this I’m sure.
So I try in small ways, the paradigm to shift,
To change hearts and minds, and hope to uplift.

My efforts are small, of them what will be?
I doubt I could do enough, to truly set you free.
These feeble words I write, in the hope that its true,
Somehow you know, how very deeply, I miss you

Parts of the following was originally written for my previous website in  February of 2004. Unfortunately, it is still pertinent today.

Earlier this month (December 2009) the New York State Senate voted down a bill that would provide marriage equality for same sex and LGBT couples. Yesterday,  the New Jersey State Senate postponed a vote on the same issue. Although not officially sited as the cause, presumably, the votes to pass the measure, simply were not there.

With all the unnecessary time and energy being spent on the issue of same sex marriage/marriage equality of late, I am compelled to comment. I have heard it said from the political arena, that the sanctity of marriage is being threatened, and needs to be protected. That marriage is one of our nations most enduring institutions and must be defined as a union between a man and a woman. I have heard it said from more than one source that same sex marriage defies the laws of God.

I will attempt to address each statement. As for the sanctity of marriage being threatened, I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, I personally feel no threat whatsoever.  I do not live in fear of my marriage falling apart, because two people, who happen to be the same sex, get married. There are those, who given their way, would not allow marriage between different nationalities, races or religions. To me, this is the same thing. It is a civil rights issue, plain and simple. Besides, what right do I, or anyone else for that matter have, to tell someone who to love, or in what way to express that love.

As for marriage being one of our nation’s most enduring institutions, that needs to be defined as a union between a man and a woman. I would almost begin to listen to this argument IF the traditional male/female union was one, that was indeed, lasting and enduring. But, alas, this is not true. One look at divorce stats would tell a much different story. This is simply because the challenges, obstacles and difficulties faced in marriage are the same regardless of the sex of the people in the marriage. Indeed, they are most likely magnified in a same sex union, not because of individuals in the marriage, but the obstacles they must face from outside the marriage. There was at one time  talk of an amendment to the constitution to ban same sex marriage. I seem to remember something about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Now it seems to me that if a person were denied the right to marry, that would put a wee bit of an obstacle in that pursuit.

Now on to same sex marriage being against the laws of God. There are many who will point to one Holy book or another and quote passages that condemn same sex unions. Let me explain it this way.  Its kind of  like playing a game of telephone. Tell someone a story, give them instructions, whatever you like, and have them tell someone else. Do this for a few days and with 40 or 50 people and you will find that whatever the original story was, it will have changed to some degree. Maybe a little, maybe a lot, the possibilities are endless. This is because we all perceive things through our own individual filters of experience and preference. The Holy books that will be quoted were all written thousands of years ago and have undergone who knows how many revisions. Am I saying that everything written in such books are to be discarded, not at all. I am simply questioning accuracy. One look at the sophistication of today’s communication capabilities, such as email, voicemail, cell phones, instant messaging,  and social networking sites easily illustrates my point. Even with all of these devices, we still manage misunderstandings and lack of communication. You can bet the authors of many of our Holy books were not instant messaging, emailing or facebooking pertinent information to each other on a daily basis.

A revisiting of what we consider our Holy books would benefit us greatly, let us expand upon what is contained in them, that works, and detract what does not. Just one example, for me,  a compassionate, kind,  All inclusive and unconditionally loving God, works. A judgmental, condemning and wrathful god, does not.  We have all heard stories of those among us,  that have forgiven others for the most heinous of acts perpetuated against them or their families. Most would agree, that God, the Universe, Life, Source or whatever an individual feels a part of, that is bigger than self, is greater and grander than one individual. So if one individual could forgive the most heinous of acts, how much greater would be the God of our understanding?  I feel if I believe anything less, I truly am, a child of a lesser god.

I have come to ministry to introduce others to an all inclusive, unconditionally loving and non-judgmental God. Well, allow me to introduce you. God does not care how love shows up, or what form it takes. God only cares that it does show up. And yes, “all inclusive” , does include same sex relationships.

So, in closing, should same sex marriage be legal? We all know the answer to this, its really not that hard. I will assist with a little hint, YES!!! 

Thanks for stopping by, join the conversation!

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Congratulations to President Obama for being awarded The Noble Peace Prize. Regardless of personal opinion either way, I feel this to be a significant event for our country. During the campaign, I felt that just electing this President would greatly improve the standing of the United States in the eyes of the world. Today is but one event of many that have confirmed these feelings. Once again, congratulations to our President and to The United States of America.

Thanks for stopping by, join the conversation!

It seems that almost daily, news of Tiger Wood’s unfortunate situation worsens. Sadly, it also seems our appetite for information is insatiable. Today brings news of his mother-in-law being rushed to the hospital in the early hours of the morning, (she has since been released) the stress and strain of her daughter’s current difficulties no doubt, a contributing factor.  Why is it so many are so fascinated and engrossed by this story? Although I don’t have, nor could I know,  all the answers to such a question, I will ponder but a few.

Some, no doubt, simply wish to be voyeurs into the lives of the rich and famous. Others, simply wish to be voyeurs into the lives of anybody, which might account for the over abundance of mindless “reality” shows that fill television and cable programing schedules. The more outrageous the character, the bigger the train wreck their life becomes, the deeper the fascination.

Tiger’s current difficulties are nothing new to the human story, he did not do anything that has not already been done. The unfortunate thing about all of it is, that unlike you and I, he is famous and is constantly in the public eye, for better or worse. Tiger is an extremely talented and gifted athlete, as well as a genuinely likable  guy. It is for that reason he is held in the highest regard, placed on a pedestal.  What we need to remember as we follow his family’s difficulties, is that they, just like all of us, are human.

We tend to rush too quickly to judgment, we are swift to demonize the actions of another. Many times,  the actions of another,  are our own thoughts, not acted upon, in some cases, our own deeds, undiscovered. I am not here to condone or excuse Tiger’s behavior, nor am I here to judge or condemn it.  Simply to observe, state what is true for me in this moment and hopefully gain some insight, wisdom and a deeper appreciation of what it means to be human.

I will however, make the following statement on love, relationships and marriage. It is quite possible, and highly likely, that a person would  love or desire more than one individual, in an intimate, romantic relationship. Love is unlimited, we love our family, no matter how big it is. Whether parents, children, cousins, aunts or uncles, we love them all. We love our friends, no matter how many or how few. The only difference is the type of love we have for a particular other and how we express that love. Why would  intimate love of another be limited to one particular individual, once again, love is unlimited. Yes, I know, it is quite a statement, worthy of much deeper and in depth discourse than I will not  go into fully here.

That said, no , I am not promoting that we express our love with whom ever we wish in whatever way we wish. Although I believe it can be done, I know of no one who has done this with any success.  Such a situation could only be achieved with the consent of all parties involved and all involved would surely need to be spiritual masters. I for one, do not fit this definition. I am perfectly happy, to  choose to  express intimate, romantic love, only with my lovely wife Marie and I am very happy, that she has made that same choice.  Key word here, choice. We are always at choice, there are always options.

I had the opportunity some years ago to witness, through the experience of one participant, three very highly evolved individuals enter into a intimate, romantic relationship. All involved were aware and consenting. After some considerable time, it became necessary for two of  individuals to partner exclusively, their bond had blossomed and deepened to that extent. Having witnessed this, leads me to believe, that it would be extremely difficult for most, to maintain intimate relationships with more than one partner.

In closing, may the Woods’  family and all that might be effected by Tiger’s choices, find clarity, understanding, compassion and peace as soon as is possible. May their sadness, frustration, anger and despair be short in both duration and intensity.  Whatever the result, whatever the final decision, whether it be resolution, or dissolution, it can be achieved with kindness, understanding, compassion and love.

Thanks for stopping by, join the conversation!!

Be well, Be peace……

The planet at peace now, for many a year,
No battles raging, no one living in fear.
Air and water, are once again pure,
Of daily existence, all people are sure.

Everyone is sheltered, clothed and well fed,
All have comfortable places, in which to rest their head.
Poverty unheard of, why did it ever exist?
Should have known sooner, it was so easily fixed.

Disease so rare, most have all been cured,
Wellness and healthcare, all people are assured.
It was all so simple, we just could not see,
All things can be achieved, when everyone is free.

Our priorities rearranged, at long last we know,
Everyone needs the opportunity, to thrive and grow.
Money no longer our God, used to oppress the other,
Each woman seen as our sister, each man, our brother.

Though the above is not, the world you’re currently in,
It can’t be just a fable, written by Brothers Grimm.
Some would say it must, be seen to be believed,
It is truly your belief, that will cause it conceived.

I’ve experienced enough, of this world to know,
Of no other solution, no other way to go.
This world we must build, please won’t you say,
You’ll create for our children, this brand new day.

It has been over a year since cosmosconnection had been up and running. It feels great to once again have my little piece of real estate  in cyberspace. I look forward to once again being connected. Previously, cosmosconnection was a website, it has now taken on a blog format. It is my desire to make this experience more of a conversation, rather than a presentation.

I will use this blog to discuss any and all subjects  from the mundane to the monumental, from the trivial to the tremendous. Feel free to input suggestions and comments. I look forward to hearing from you. Currents events, movies, music, politics, relationships, marriage, divorce or raising a family, no topic is off limits.

Whatever the topic, I am fully aware, that mine is not the final word. I will simply offer what is true for me in this moment, given my perspective and experience about a thing. All things are relative to an individuals experience, perhaps your experience has brought you information and data that mine has not. No one person has all the answers, should you find one that says they do, I recommend that your run from them as quickly as possible. I particularly like to stay in the question. Find what is true at the moment, but constantly revisit the question, perhaps new information or experiences will show a different possibility. Once an answer is held firmly as the only possibility,  creation is thwarted, stifled and shut down.

Although the following information  is also on the “about me” page of this site, I thought I would post it here as well to reintroduce myself. So thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy your stay,  I look forward to connecting and interacting, so come on, join the conversation!!

I am a 48 year young  husband, father, and work for the New York City Department of Sanitation for the past 20 years. I have been into physical fitness for the past 25 years, 11 of them as a competitive bodybuilder.  I currently reside in scenic College Point, New York. Well, OK, maybe its not that scenic, but it’s home. I am a non- denominational ordained minister with the Pathways of Light spiritual college in Kiel, Wisconsin, as well as The Church By The Living Waters,  located in New York.

My decision to become a minister was reached not because of any one particular defining moment, tragedy or Divine revelation. I have not experienced any miraculous visions or events, at least not in the ways we define them. I certainly did not reach this decision because I feel I am any more special than you or any other being on the planet.

I have come to ministry after many years of discontent with some of the doctrines and answers provided me by the faith in which I was raised. Leaving a spiritual void that would take me years to recognize let alone do anything about. I have come to ministry to introduce others to an all inclusive, user friendly, non-judgmental, unconditionally loving God that has filled that void. A God that was always there, I simply needed to look within.

I seek to bring others to the knowledge that the answers they seek, they already have. I can not tell anyone, anything they don’t already know. I can only remind them of what they have forgotten. For each of us is as special as any who have lived before, live now, or will live in the future. With this knowledge comes freedom. In doing this for another, I also do it for myself. For we are all one.