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“Receiving God’s Presents (Presence) With Joy” 12.22.19 Advent: Joy
Thought For The Week:
“Experiencing God’s Presence Within Brings A Natural State Of Joy” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 16:8-9 8 I know that the Lord is always with me. He is at my right hand. I will always be secure. 9 So my heart is glad. Joy is on my tongue.
Psalm 89:15-16 (NKJV) 15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long…
1 Chronicles 16:10-11
10…Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 11Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Deuteronomy 16:11 11Your God, has blessed you. Rejoice in the Presence of God
Luke 1:46-48 (NRSV) 46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God…
Philippians 2:17-18 (NASB) 17b…I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Special Reading:
No man yet knows all of life’s joys…until he has come into the full understanding of spiritual communion with God… True and lasting Joy arises from within. Joy, spiritual joy, is ours by divine right… It is impossible to found a lasting stronghold within on anything less than the understanding that God is a God of joy. Teach Us To Pray Charles & Cora Fillmore
Quotes:
Joy is you at the deepest level, and your joy is one with the infinite timeless joy of this unbound universe. Robert Ellwood
Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within. Eckhart Tolle
Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God. Teilhard De Chardin
The artesian well of joy never runs dry. We clog it with our thoughts. Don Blanding
It always amazes me when taking off from a stormy airport, how once you reach a certain altitude and get through the clouds, the sun shines as brightly as ever. If we learn to choose the experience of joy in our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits, we will move in tune with the universe and dance in a flow of light and love and remain above the clouds… Debra Moffitt
Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find. Ann Patchett
Joy is the flag you fly when the Prince of Peace is in residence within your heart. Wilfred Peterson
Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given--when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes. ~ Joan Winmill Brown
“Inner Peace Resolves Outer Conflict” 12-15-19 Advent Peace
Thought For The Week:
“We Experience Inner Peace Centered In Christ Consciousness” sv
Scripture:
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJV) 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.
Philippians 4:7,9 NIV 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
John 14:26-27 (NIV) Jesus speaking: 26…The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Psalm 119:165 (NRSV) 165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
Special Reading:
EVERYTHING in the Universe is simply doing its dance, i.e., expressing itself the ONLY way it can... and this is happening in every moment. Seeing this clearly brings instant relaxation and peace… Because if EVERYTHING is doing the only dance it can, what is there to worry about? Michael Jeffreys
Quotes:
We can only help make our lives and our world more peaceful, when we ourselves feel peace. Peace already exists within each of us, if we only allow ourselves to feel its comfort. Robert Alan Silverstein
You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level. Eckhart Tolle
My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already. Dave Barry
For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe. Larry Eisenberg
Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe. Marcus Aurelius
Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace amid the storm. Author Unknown
Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be… Peace can become a lens through which you see the world. Be it. Live it. Radiate it out. Peace is an inside job. Wayne Dyer
“And The Greatest Of These Is Love…” Advent Love 12-08-19
Thought For The week:
“The Truest Gift At Christmas Is The Healing Power Of Love” sv
Scripture:
1 John 4:16-17 16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17By this is love perfected with us….
Matthew 22:39 (NKJV) (Jesus speaking)… 39 And the second [commandment] is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Romans 8:39 (NIV) 39…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God…
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…
1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)
13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Unity Reading:
Love is from God…It is the pure essence of Being that binds together the whole human family…Through the joining of the creative forces of Spirit by souls attuned in love, the new body in Christ is speedily formed. The Twelve Powers Charles & Cora Fillmore
Quotes:
I live in the faith that there is a Presence and Power greater than I am that nurtures and supports me in ways I could not even imagine. I know that this Presence is All knowing and All Power and is Always right where I am. Ernest Holmes
We cannot attain the presence of God. We're already totally in the presence of God. What's missing is awareness. David Brenner
Without forgiveness and love, you will live with resentment, bitterness, malice and strife which result in more pain. You can never love without forgiving. Forgiveness deepens your ability to love and frees you from pain. Kemi Sogunle
We achieve inner health only through forgiveness - the forgiveness not only of others but also of ourselves. Joshua Loth Liebman
The best gift you can open this Christmas season is your own heart. Toni Sorenson
Christmas is filled with joy and laughter, but love is the foundation that inspires it all. Wayne Chirisa
[This] Christmas; Be the Light for those who stand in the Dark. Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose...All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. Helen Keller
“Living Gratefully… Part 3: Experiencing Abundance” Thanksgiving Sunday 11.24.19
Thought For The Week:
“Gratitude Is The Gateway To Experiencing Magnified Abundance” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 118:24 (NRSV) 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 9:1 (NASB) 1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…
Isaiah 12:2-3 (ESV) 2 …I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God/Yah is my strength and my song… 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells...
2 Corinthians 9:11a (ESV) 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way…
Unity Reading:
It has been found by experience that a person increases his blessings by being grateful for what he has. Gratitude…is a great magnet, and when gratitude is expressed from the spiritual standpoint it is powerfully augmented. Mysteries Of John Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. Frederick Keonig
Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present - the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth. Sarah Ban Breathnach
Life is a field of unlimited possibilities… Affluence, unboundedness, and abundance are our natural states. We need only to restore the memory of what we already know… Expand the flow of abundance through the energy of gratitude. Today, I behold all the abundance that surrounds me. Deepak Chopra
Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. Eckhart Tolle
Whatever you are waiting for–peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of Simple Abundance–it will surely come, but only when you are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. Sarah Ban Breathnach
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Native American Saying
Communion Explained:
"Communion" (from Latin communio, "sharing in common" or Communis “One With”)
To Charles Fillmore, the bread and wine represent the substance and energy of the Divine. Bread= Substance / Wine = Life Energy
By sharing the elements in an energy of spiritual community, we are individually and collectively committing ourselves to maintaining our spiritual purpose as our highest priority. Rev. Ed Townsley
Scripture:
BREAD: St. Matthew 26:26 Lamsa Bible (from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts)
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Luke 22: 17-19 (NASB) 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; (which is being given on your behalf: – not included in ancient manuscripts-was added later) do this in remembrance of Me.”
WINE: St. Matthew 26:27 Lamsa Bible (from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts)
27 Then he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink of it, all of you.
Mark 14:23-24 (NRSV) 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many”.
“Living Gratefully… Part 2: Practicing Conscious Gratitude” 11.17-19
Thought For The Week: Pic ()
“Living Gratefully Is Being Consciously Aware Of Expressing Gratitude Often!” sv
Scripture:
Colossians 2:8 (NIV) 8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Aramaic Bible- Plain English 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in (not for) everything, for this is the will of God in Yeshua The Messiah among you.
James 1:25 (NIV) 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Philippians 4:8 (NRSV) 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Psalm 9:1 1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…
Special Reading:
The more practice you give your brain at feeling and expressing gratitude, the more it adapts to this mindset -- you could even think of your brain as having a sort of gratitude 'muscle' that can be exercised and strengthened... the more of an effort you make to feel gratitude one day, the more the feeling will come to you spontaneously in the future. In short, practicing gratitude seems to kick off a healthful, self-perpetuating cycle in your brain -- counting your blessing now makes it easier to notice and count them later. www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-amazing-way-gratitude-rewires-your-brain-for-happiness.html
Quotes:
I live in the space of thankfulness – and I have been rewarded a million times over for it. I started out giving thanks for small things, and the more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased. That’s because what you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Oprah Winfrey
Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have. Shakti Gawain
Consistently expressing sincere and heartfelt gratitude for what you already have is the underlying and often overlooked force which opens doors to immeasurable abundance and happiness. Abundance-And-Happiness.com
“Living Gratefully… Part 1: Releasing Negativity” 11-10-19
Part 2: Practicing Conscious Gratitude Part 3: Experiencing Abundance
Thought For The Week:
“Awareness Allows Us To Shift From Negative Beliefs To Gratitude” sv
Scripture:
Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Colossians 3:9-10 (NRSV)9b …you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Special Reading:
If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul… The deeper our appreciation, the more we see with the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the creative power of the universe. Deepak Chopra
Quotes:
Ultimately, your state of mind determines your circumstances. To realize the outcomes you want, it is critical to recognize and experience the transition from our present thoughts, habits, and actions to new thoughts, habits, and actions. Darren L. Johnson
Habits are behaviours which are performed automatically because they have been performed frequently in the past... This repetition creates a mental association between the situation (cue) and action (behaviour) which means that when the cue is encountered the behaviour is performed automatically… Making a habit is not easy – our brains are hardwired to take shortcuts and to do what comes naturally to us – so while you are telling yourself you want to create new habits, your brain is busy working out how it can revert to your old ways. Deborah Arthurs
Experiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of any spiritual practice. It opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain. Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D.
Take a Moment to say Thank you to our Veterans… "The Willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude." Jeff Miller
Part 2: “Trusting God’s Guidance… Acting With Confidence” 10.27.19
Thought For The week:
“Commitment To God’s Higher Guidance Strengthens Our Confidence In Taking Right Action” sv
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NKJV) 9...“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:5 (NKJV) 5…your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) 1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid… for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 30:21 (NRSV) 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Unity Reading:
This wisdom of Spirit is man’s through the all-knowing and all-discerning power of Spirit within him, and he need never fear going wrong if he listens to his divine intuition. Charles & Cora Fillmore The Twelve Powers Of Man
Quotes:
If we do not fill our mind with prayer, it will fill itself with anxieties, worries, temptations, resentments, and unwelcome memories. Scott Hahn
What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approve ours. Helga Bergold Gross
God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. Mother Teresa
(Remember David/Goliath story): All David had was five stones. And all David used was one. Tony Evans
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith. Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Making Wise Decisions…Letting Faith Guide The Way” 10.20.19
Part 2: “Trusting God’s Guidance We Act With Confidence” 10.27.19
Thought For The week:
“Let God’s Infinite Wisdom Guide, vs ‘Shoulds’, ‘Have-To’s’ Or Fear” sv
Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding…
Isaiah 41:13 (NRSV) 13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Matthew 7:7-8 7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
James 1:5-6a (ESV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith…
Deuteronomy 4:29-31a (NASB) 29 …You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. 30 When you are in distress… you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. 31 For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you…
Unity Reading:
Prayer, then, is to change our minds and hearts so that God’s omnipresent good may fill our minds and hearts and manifest in our lives. Myrtle Fillmore Healing Letters
Quotes:
God is my ultimate source of truth and wisdom, and dwells forever at the center of my being. Therefore, any thought, emotion, or action that takes me further from my center can be neither truthful, nor wise. Bill Crawford
God does not exist to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God. Oswald Chambers
I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love & abundance. Then, whenever doubts, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal-and soon they’ll forget my number. Edith Armstrong
“Celebrating Spiritual Community…Together We Make A Difference” 10.13.19
Thought For The week:
“Connecting Together In Spiritual Community We Make A Difference By Showing Up” sv
Scripture:
1 Peter 2:5a (NASB) 5you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house…
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another…
Matthew 18:20 (NASB) 20"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Matthew 5:15-16 (NIV) 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men…
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Quotes:
The spiritual path is not a solo endeavor… We are in it together and the company of spiritual friends helps us realize our interconnectedness. Tara Brach
To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground. Stephen Covey
If you prayed as much as you worry, you'd have nothing to worry about. Rick Warren
Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction. Germany Kent
“Claiming Our Good…Trusting Next Steps” 10.06.19
Thought For The week:
“Claiming Our Good Often Looks Different Than We Expect!”sv
Scripture:
Psalm 119:18 (NIV) 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NKJV) 13 … every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB) 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight or appearance…
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9...“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Special Reading:
Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart… You need to have faith in yourself. Be brave and take risks. You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward… Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice... Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely. Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Quotes:
Never be so focused on what you're looking for that you overlook the thing you actually find. Ann Patchett
Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it. Rabindranath Tagore
After all, you must have a capacity to receive, or even omnipotence can’t give. C.S. Lewis
Make your decision now and start taking action to really live your dream. By not taking bold steps to live your dream, not only are you missing out on fully living, but the world is missing out on the greatness you have to offer. Be bold! Les Brown
The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find that fabulous things start to show up in your life. Mandy Hale
“Opening New Doors…The Start Of Amazing Things” 09-29-19
Thought For The week:
“Opening New Doors Reveals Amazing Spiritual Opportunities” sv
Scripture:
Romans 12:2 (NRSV) 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…
Mark 10:27 (NASB) 27Looking at them, Jesus said, “ With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Unity Reading:
…Broaden your consciousness and give infinite Mind freedom to work, and every good & needful thing will be provided you. Make your statements broad and comprehensive so that your mind may expand to the Infinite rather than trying to cram the Infinite into your mind. Charles Fillmore Prosperity
Quotes:
Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. Dwight D. Eisenhower
To live in the light of a new day and an unimaginable and unpredictable future, you must become fully present to a deeper truth - not a truth from your head, but a truth from your heart; not a truth from your ego, but a truth from the highest source. Debbie Ford
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
And suddenly you know: it’s time to start something new & trust the magic of beginnings. Meister Eckhart
“A Final Farewell Blessing, With Gratitude In Moving Forward” 09-15-19
Thought For The week: “Saying Farewell Thanks For All That’s Been, We Bless With Gratitude Our Journey Forward”sv
Scripture:
Proverbs 16:9 (NRSV) 9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
Exodus 25:8 8 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.
Psalm 30:12 12…my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks...
Quotes:
The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings. Kakuzō Okakura
If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. Paulo Coelho
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. Henry Ward Beecher
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Native American Saying
“Taking The Next Step” Youth Fly-Up & World Day Of Prayer 09-08-19
Thought For The Week: “A Prayerful Consciousness Of Peaceful Oneness Heals Our Lives, Our World ”
Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) 8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Acts 1:14 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV) 11You also must help us by prayer…. for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Special Reading:
Prayer For Our World by Saint Mother Teresa
O God, we pray for all those in our world who are suffering from injustice:
For those who are discriminated against because of their race, color or religion;
For those imprisoned for working for the relief of oppression;
For those who are hounded for speaking the inconvenient truth;
For those tempted to violence as a cry against overwhelming hardship;
For those deprived of reasonable health and education;
For those suffering from hunger and famine;
For those too weak to help themselves and who have no one else to help them;
For the unemployed who cry out for work but do not find it.
We pray for anyone of our acquaintance who is personally affected by injustice.
Forgive us, Lord, if we unwittingly share in the conditions or in a system that perpetuates injustice.
Show us how we can serve your children and make your love practical by washing their feet.
Quotes:
Believing in negative thoughts is the single greatest obstruction to success. Charles F. Glassman
The best way to insure you achieve the greatest satisfaction out of life is to behave intentionally. Deborah Day
“Navigating Change” Part 4: Celebrating The Journey…Expressing Gratitude 08-25-19
Thought For The Week:
“Walking Our Journey With Mindful Appreciation, We Recognize Gifts Every Day.”
Scripture:
Hosea 10:12 (ESV) 12 …Reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
James 1:17 (NKJV) 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV) 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 143:8 (NKJV) 8 … For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
Hebrews 12:28 (NASB) 28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…
Psalm 9:1 1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…
Special Reading:
The more you use gratitude every day, the greater the good you will bring into your life. It is all you have to do to completely transform your life in every single area, and on every single subject. There are no limits to the good you can bring forth to you, and by practicing gratitude daily, you will increase and maximize your magnetic power to attract a life beyond your wildest dreams. Rhonda Byrne Author of The Secret
Unity Reading:
We increase our vitality by blessing and giving thanks in spirit…It has been found by experience that a person increases his blessings by being grateful for what he has. Gratitude…is a great magnet, and when gratitude is expressed from the spiritual standpoint it is powerfully augmented. Charles Fillmore Mysteries Of John
Quotes:
So often we try to alter circumstances to suit ourselves, instead of letting them alter us, which is what they are meant to do. Mother Maribel
Changes are not only possible and predictable, but to deny them, is to be an accomplice to one’s own unnecessary vegetation! Gail Sheehy
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. Thornton Wilder
Live each moment in a rampage of appreciation. Wayne Dyer
Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life. Dr. Christiane Northrup
You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: The more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given to you. Sarah Ban Breathnach
“Navigating Change” Part 3: Willingness to Receive 08-18-19
Thought For The Week
“Shifting Into “Receivability” Mode Allows God’s Good To Flow Unimpeded”
Scripture:
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV) 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB) 10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you…’
Psalm 37:4 (NRSV) 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV) 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant…
Genesis 1:28a (NRSV) 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…
Special Reading:
The ability to manifest what we envision is core to our creative capacity as humans. Collective Visioning channels that capacity toward community building & empowerment… Understanding the value and power of collective visioning for the future is critical to our ability to move into action… When we ground our work in a collective, positive vision, the process builds a strong and connected community…We transform ourselves, our communities and beyond. Linda Stout Collective Visioning: How Groups Can Work Together for a Just and Sustainable Future
Quotes:
See, when you drive home today, you've got a big windshield on the front of your car. And you've got a little bitty rearview mirror. And the reason the windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small is because what's happened in your past is not near as important as what's in your future. Joel Osteen
And there’s also ‘To him that hath shall be given.’ After all, you must have a capacity to receive, or even omnipotence can’t give… C.S. Lewis
Because we idealize Giving so much, we ignore the ability, blessing, and duty to Receive. Ashlecka Aumrivani
Receiving is harder than giving… But gifts are made to be accepted. Dani Harper
Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. Sarah Ban Breathnach
With an attitude of gratitude, you can't go wrong. You are already putting it out there into the universe that you are ready to receive more. This is the universal truth. Karen A. Baquiran
Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way. Eileen Caddy
“Navigating Change” Part 2: Honoring The Past…Building Anew 08-11-19
Thought For The Week:
“Honoring Our Past Enlightens Our Present, Helping To Build A Great Future”
Scripture:
Philippians 3:13b-14 (NASB) 13b …but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God…
Matthew 11:28-29 (NRSV) 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29b …for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV) 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Special Reading:
The ability to manifest what we envision is core to our creative capacity as humans. Collective Visioning channels that capacity toward community building & empowerment… Understanding the value and power of collective visioning for the future is critical to our ability to move into action… When we ground our work in a collective, positive vision, the process builds a strong and connected community…We transform ourselves, our communities and beyond. Linda Stout Collective Visioning: How Groups Can Work Together for a Just and Sustainable Future
Quotes:
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another. Anatole France
To let go is to release the images and emotions, the grudges and fears, the clingings and disappointments of the past that bind our spirit. Jack Kornfield
The more we can get together and talk about various perspectives, feelings, beliefs, the better. William P. Leahy
God doesn't dwell in the wooden, stony or earthen idols. His abode is in our feelings, our thoughts. Chanakya
To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate… There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings… Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world. Anthon St. Maarten
See, when you drive home today, you've got a big windshield on the front of your car. And you've got a little bitty rearview mirror. And the reason the windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small is because what's happened in your past is not near as important as what's in your future. Joel Osteen
Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way. Eileen Caddy
“Navigating Change” Part 1: Moving Forward…A Momentum of Excitement 08-04-19
Thought for the Week:
“Participating In Forward Motion Creates Momentum And Excitement”
Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 6 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away…
Daniel 2:20-21 20… “ Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Deuteronomy 11:10,11,14 10 For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; 11 but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season…
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV) 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Psalm 1:1-3 1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Quotes:
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. J. F. Kennedy
Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone. Billy Cox
Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities. Nick Vujicic
Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning. Gloria Steinem
And suddenly you know: it’s time to start something new & trust the magic of beginnings. Meister Eckhart
Enthusiasm is the energy and force that builds literal momentum of the human soul and mind. Bryant H. McGill
“Relaxing Into Spirit…At Work, At Home, At Play Part 2: Living In The Flow” 07-21-19
Core Statement:
“Relaxing Into Spirit, We Live In The Flow Of God’s Nurturing Omnipresence”
Scripture:
Job 22:21-23 (ESV) 21 "Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. 22Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 23If you return to the Almighty you will be built up…
Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV) 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV) 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Psalm 36:7-8a 7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house…
Special Reading:
Jesus didn't come to get you to do more or work harder. He came to give you rest!
Jesus calls us to exchange the heavy yoke around our necks for something he said is "easy" and "light." So why are many Christians feeling weighed down and burned out? The simple answer is that we're constantly being told we should "do more" and "be more" for God. Through my experience of crashing and burning and having to start all over again, God taught me some truths that literally saved my life. He taught me how to relax. He taught me that he wanted me to relax. And he taught me to live from rest in a way that I had never known. Andrew Farley Relaxing With God: The Neglected Spiritual Discipline
Quotes:
When Thoreau was on his deathbed, his aunt asked him if he had made his peace with God, and he responded, "I was not aware that we had quarreled." Someone else once said…that "The most salient characteristic of an enlightened being is not what one might think—having great wisdom, emanating love, and so forth—but rather, that they are completely relaxed." Eliezer Sobel www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-99th-monkey/200910/relaxing-god
Spiritual benefits [of relaxation] include a sense of increased spirituality. Harvard research has confirmed that people who elicited the relaxation response experienced the close presence of a higher power, force, energy or perception of God. www.sharecare.com/health/relaxation-therapy/what-are-benefits-relaxation-techniques
When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing - just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park? Ralph Marston
How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward. Spanish Proverb
Relaxation means releasing all concern and tension and letting the natural order of life flow through one's being. Donald Curtis
What is the answer to this fatigue? Relax! Relax! Relax! Learn to relax while you are doing your work! Dale Carnegie
Take the next 24 hours and just relax with the knowing that everything is okay. Let go of the stress and worry for one day and see what happens. Mike Basevic
“Relaxing Into Spirit…At Work, At Home, At Play
Part 1: A Different Perspective” 07-14-19
Core Statement:
“Relaxation Releases Tension & Anxiety, Helping Our Connection To Spirit Within”
Scripture:
Mark 2:27 (NASB) 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath came into being for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the Sabbath.”
Psalm 62:1-2,5 (NIV) 1 Truly my soul finds rest in God… 5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Matthew 11:28 (NRSV) 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Isaiah 30:15 (NRSV) 15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.
Special Reading: Condensed from an Article by Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde:
I’m inspired to share with you… the profound importance of relaxation on the spiritual path. Yes, relaxation--not something I’ve generally thought of as “spiritual.” I’ve done qigong and tai chi for a number of years, and the first principle of both these systems is: RELAX. Often though, on the spiritual path, we don’t think of the centrality of relaxation… I had really overlooked the profound value of relaxation as a foundation for all other spiritual practices… Deep relaxation is not a “side thing” we might do (or not) on the way to the main event of our spiritual life, but is absolutely central and foundational. www.zmanim-seasons.org/core-team-1
Quotes:
The time to relax is when you don't have time for it. Jim Goodwin
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. Chinese Proverb
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer. William S. Burroughs
Relax=Old French “relaschier”= Set Free/Soften
We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living. Thich Nhat Hanh
Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body. Norman Vincent Peale
“Celebrating Freedom Through Positive Action!” 07-07-19
Core Statement:
“Spiritual Humanity Exercises New Freedom Through Choiceful Awareness, Compassion & Positive Action.”
Scripture:
John 8:31-32 (ESV) 31 So Jesus said… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Psalm 146:7-8 (NRSV) 7b …The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.
Luke 4:18 (NIV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me… He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV) 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed…
Psalm 119:45 (NIV) 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
Unity Reading:
An understanding of Truth comes only to those who abide faithfully in the teachings of Jesus. They alone are free who persist in holding to the true view of life, regardless of pre-accepted theories, and who obey only the voice of the higher self… The quest of freedom is endless and is unfulfilled save in the Christ consciousness. Mysteries of John Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson
We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. Robert J. McCracken
The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class - it is the cause of human kind, the very birthright of humanity. Anna Julia Cooper
May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. Peter Marshall
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela
For the power of freedom and the power of God are the same. Here and everywhere in the Universe. And here and everywhere in the Universe, freedom must be protected and nurtured and supported. For everywhere in life, it is challenged. It is a gift. And it is a gift that you as an individual and you as a member of a Spiritual Family must advocate for, preserve and protect. www.NewMessage.org
To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom… Eckhart Tolle
Every human has four endowments – self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change. Stephen Covey
“The Gifts of Unity...A Worldwide Spiritual Movement" 06-30-19
Core Statement:
“A Positive Path To Spiritual Living” SV
Scripture:
Colossians 3:9-11 (NRSV) 9 …seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
Hebrews 10:24-25 English Standard Version (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another…
Matthew 18:20 (ESV) 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
Psalm 133:1 (NIV) How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Quotes:
If I truly knew your story I couldn’t help but love you. Unity Convention Motto 2019
In our meditation for friendship, let us make our unity with all people, with all life. Ernest Holmes
Thriving 21st century spiritual communities are composed of many individual people who come together to create a deep and meaningful experience where everyone grows spiritually together and each person is valued for the unique experiences they contribute to the whole. Tracy Brown Spiritual Coach New Thought/Ancient Wisdom
"Celebrating Fatherhood…Expressing Gratitude" 06-16-19
Core Statement:
“We Gratefully Honor All Father Figures Who Are Role Models Of Wisdom & Integrity” SV
Scripture:
Proverbs 19:20 (NRSV) 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 20:7 NKJV 7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Philippians 1:6 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion… 9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…
James 3:13 (NRSV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
2 Timothy 1:3 (NIV) 3 I thank God, whom I serve… as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord look upon you with favor And give you peace.”
Special Reading:
Whether it's physically being there for a baseball game or piano recital, or emotionally being there to provide warmth or support in a tough time, there appears to be a shift in how fathers are viewing their roles. "Today's dads spend more time, provide more care and are more loving toward their kids than ever before," said Kevin Shafer, BYU sociology professor. "Most dads see themselves as playing an equally important role in helping their children as mothers do.”
Previous research indicates that many fathers struggle with the balance of adhering to masculine norms while still being more emotionally available and nurturing toward their children… Sociologists have noted that over the past several decades, fatherhood ideals have continued to change due to shifting paternal expectations and behaviors.
"Fathers continue to navigate changing social expectations," said Lee Essig. "As current social trends are pushing for men's increased familial involvement, we see more fathers stepping up to engage more actively in their children's lives in various ways. As we teach boys and men to be more emotionally aware and cultivate emotional well-being, these men and boys will be able to become better fathers for their children, as they will be able to provide for them not only through financial contributions, but by being emotionally and mentally present for their children and their wellbeing."
Brigham Young University 2018 www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180612185124.htm
Quotes:
Fathers, grandfathers, and other strong male role models have the powerful influence to shape us into who we are become as adults. Filling the roles of protectors, supporters and teachers, fathers have an indelible role in our lives. Jeremy Goldman Founder & CEO of Firebrand Group
Fathers, like mothers, are not born. Men grow into fathers - and fathering is a very important stage in their development." David M. Gottesman
The modern day father comes in various forms. Today’s father is no longer always the traditional married breadwinner and disciplinarian in the family. He can be single or married; externally employed or stay-at home; gay or straight; an adoptive or step-parent; and a more than capable caregiver to children facing physical or psychological challenges. Psychological research across families from all ethnic backgrounds suggests that fathers' affection and increased family involvement help promote children's social and emotional development. American Psychological Assoc. http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/changing-father.aspx
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. Cynthia Ozick
A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. Billy Graham
“Trusting The Journey” 06.02.19
Core Statement:
“Trusting The Journey, I Let SPIRIT Guide My Course” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV) 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Romans 15:13-14 (NIV) 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Special Reading:
I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you. C. JoyBell C.
Quotes:
Set your intention, and trust the universe to take care of the details. Mike Fotheringham
Faith is raising the sail of our little boat until it is caught up in the soft winds above and picks up speed, not from anything within itself, but from the vast resources of the universe around us. W. Ralph Ward
Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and just listen. No more is needed. Being still, looking, and listening activates the non-conceptual intelligence within you. Let stillness direct your words and actions. Eckhart Tolle
Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see. William Newton Clark
The antidote to frustration is a calm faith, not in your own cleverness, or in hard toil, but in God's guidance. Norman Vincent Peale
Keep praying, but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers! William Culbertson
The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find that fabulous things start to show up in your life. Mandy Hale
As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit. Emmanuel Teney
“In Grateful Remembrance Of Those Who’ve Sacrificed For Freedom” 05.26.19
Core Statement:
“Let’s Honor With Gratitude Those Who’ve Given Their All For Freedom” SV
Scripture:
Galatians 5:13 (ESV)
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
James 1:25 (NASB)
25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Colossians 3:14-15 (NIV)
14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Presidential Proclamation:
In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended, has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. (The President has so proclaimed Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.)
In December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” Public Law 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. All Americans are encouraged to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. (In his proclamation the President has further asked all Americans to observe the “National Moment of Remembrance” beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.)
Quotes:
Freedom does not come without a price. We may sometimes take for granted the many liberties we enjoy in America, but they have all been earned through the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of the members of our armed forces. Charlie Dent
When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. Gilbert K. Chesterton
Here and everywhere in the Universe, freedom must be protected and nurtured and supported. For everywhere in life, it is challenged. It is a gift. And it is a gift that you as an individual and you as a member of a Spiritual Family must advocate for, preserve and protect. www.NewMessage.org
Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. President Harry S. Truman
“Making Choices…The Power Of Discernment” 05-19-19
Core Statement:
“Positive Choices Are Made Using Prayerful Inner Discernment” sv
Scripture:
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Exodus 3:11 (NRSV) 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
Exodus 4:13 (NRSV) 13 But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NRSV) 9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
Proverbs 1:5 (NIV) 5 Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…
Psalm 143:8 (NASB) 8 …For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.
Definition:
Decision: the act of or need for making up one's mind… analysis and steps to eliminate/cut off options…Origin of Decision comes from “cutting off”
Choice: the right, power, or opportunity to choose. Origin of Choice comes from “to perceive.”
www.thindifference.com/2012/06/decisions-vs-choices-is-there-a-distinction/
Unity Reading: This wisdom of Spirit is man’s through the all-knowing and all-discerning power of Spirit within him, and he need never fear going wrong if he listens to his divine intuition. Charles & Cora Fillmore The Twelve Powers Of Man
Special Reading: Hindsight, I think, is a useless tool. We, each of us, are at a place in our lives because of innumerable circumstances, and we, each of us, have a responsibility (if we do not like where we are) to move along life's road, to find a better path if this one does not suit, or to walk happily along this one if it is indeed our life's way. Changing even the bad things that have gone before would fundamentally change who we are… R.A. Salvatore Sea of Swords
Quotes:
Hindsight must surely be the most useless function of the human brain, torturing yourself over the unalterable past. Peter F. Hamilton
Hindsight is not necessarily the best guide to understanding what really happened. The past is often as distorted by hindsight as it is clarified by it. Amos Elon
Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances. Wayne Dyer
May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. Nelson Mandela
When you live your life acting upon your deepest intuitions, no decision you ever make in life will be feared or a risk. Keshia Chante
The Holy Spirit will prompt us in the right direction as we learn to hear His voice and respond… Crystal McDowell
A process for discernment: God is my ultimate source of truth and wisdom, and dwells forever at the center of my being. Therefore, any thought, emotion, or action that takes me further from my center can be neither truthful, nor wise. Bill Crawford
Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible. Cherie-Carter Scotts
“Appreciating Mother God…Love That Heals” 05-12-19
Core Statement: Pic ()
“Divine Love, Mother God Expressing, Nurtures, Comforts, & Heals” sv
Scripture:
Genesis 1:27 (NRSV)
27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Deuteronomy 32:18 (NRSV) God speaking… 18 You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
Romans 5:5 (NIV) 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit…(Divine Feminine)
Isaiah 66:13 (NRSV) 13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Galatians 5:22 (NASB) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
Psalm 147:3 (NIV) 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Proverbs 31:25-26 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing… 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Unity/Special Reading:
In the Hebrew Jehovah is written Yahweh, Yah being masculine and weh being feminine… Jesus talked a great deal about the Holy Spirit… Do not be misled by the personality of the Holy Spirit and the reference to it as “he”. This was the bias of the Oriental mind, making God and all forms of the Deity masculine. Holy Spirit is the love of Jehovah taking care of the human family, and love is always feminine. Charles Fillmore Jesus Christ Heals
Wherever the association is made between love and divinity, between beauty and harmony and divinity, between nourishment and divinity, or between compassion and divinity, there stands the image of the Divine Feminine.
The Divine Feminine Andrew Harvey & Anne Baring
Love is the great harmonizer and healer, & whoever calls upon God as Holy Spirit for healing is calling upon the divine love. The Holy Spirit is sympathetic, comforting, loving, forgiving and instantly healing.
Charles Fillmore Jesus Christ Heals
Quotes:
Mother energy is universal. It is the large expression of the sacred feminine that comes from spirit. Elaine Seiler
When the female voice is repressed and stifled, the entire community can easily find themselves cut off from the sacred feminine, depriving themselves of the full image of God. Rob Bell
Denying love is our only problem, and embracing it is the only answer. Through the power of love, we can let go of past history and begin again. Love heals, forgives, and makes whole. Ernest Holmes
Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. Marion C. Garretty
There’s no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one. Jill Churchill
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. Cynthia Ozick
“The Rewards Of Wandering In The Desert” 05-05-19
Core Statement:
“Patience & Trust Build Strength To Manifest Life’s Rewards” sv
Scripture:
Exodus 16:2-4,12-13,15
2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.
12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” 13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp…. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
James 5: 7 (NIV)
7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Psalm 37:4 (NRSV)
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Unity Reading:
When we direct the mental powers upon a definite idea, faith plays its part… [it] opens the door into an inner consciousness, where we hold the word steadily in mind until the spiritual ethers respond to our word. Earnest, steady, and continued attention along this line is bound to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit in abundant measure.
Charles Fillmore, Teach Us to Pray
Quotes:
Moses was a prophet according to the teachings of the Abrahamic religions. Scholarly consensus sees Moses as a legendary figure, although retaining the possibility that a Moses-like figure existed. Wikipedia
We must cease striving and trust God to provide what is best and in whatever time He chooses to make it available. But this kind of trusting doesn't come naturally. It's a spiritual crisis of the will in which we must choose to exercise faith.
Charles R. Swindoll
Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free. Shannon L. Alder
Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us. Jerry Bridges
Patience is not just about waiting for something… it’s about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting. Joyce Meyer
The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find that fabulous things start to show up in your life. Mandy Hale
Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. Ruth Ann Schabacker
Respecting Our Planet…Walking Gently On Earth 04-28-19
Core Statement:
“As Good Stewards, Let Us Be Mindful, Well Informed, & Take Wise Action” sv
Scripture:
Ezekiel 34:18 (ESV)
18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?
Isaiah 24:4-5 (NRSV)
4 The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers; the heavens languish together with the earth. 5 The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.
Genesis 1:26 (ESV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Hebrews 12:28 (NASB)
28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…
Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Special Reading:
Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately, human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of nature and, as a result, the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago.
The unprecedented global destruction and rapid reduction of plant and wildlife populations are directly linked to causes driven by human activity: climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides to name a few. The impacts are far reaching.
All living things have an intrinsic value, and each plays a unique role in the complex web of life. We must work together to protect endangered and threatened species: bees, coral reefs, elephants, giraffes, insects, whales and more.
The good news is that the rate of extinctions can still be slowed, and many of our declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work together now to build a united global movement of consumers, voters, educators, faith leaders, and scientists to demand immediate action.
https://www.earthday.org/campaigns/endangered-species/earthday2019/
Quotes:
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. Chief Seattle, 1855
The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it... John Paul II
Man can no longer live his life for himself alone. We realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all this life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe. Albert Schweitzer
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. Jane Goodall
Do something. Pay your rent for the privilege of living on this beautiful, blue-green, living Earth. Dave Foreman
“A Transformational Easter Experience” 04-21-19
Core Statement:
“Trusting In God We’re Guided Beyond Error Beliefs Into Transformation” SV
Scripture:
Luke 23:46a
46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!"
Matthew 28:1-2,5-6
1Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen…
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Isaiah 60:1 1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
Unity Readings:
The word crucifixion means the crossing out in consciousness of certain errors that have become fixed states of mind…the giving up of the personality in order that the Christ Mind may be expressed in all its fullness. Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
The final crucifixion of Jesus represents the crossing out wholly of the false ego. Christian Healing Charles Fillmore
Eastertide…the resurrection of the mind from the darkness of its doubts and false beliefs into the light of understanding… (paraphrased) Every time we rise to the realization of eternal, indwelling life, making union with Father-Mind [God], the resurrection of Jesus takes place within us…. Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking. Deepak Chopra
The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. Robert Flatt
A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures. James E. Faust
The Holy Week message is one of preparation to rise to a new level of being. We prepare by releasing our limitations, doing our inner work to transform our consciousness to create a receptivity to the new. Then, we move through the “crucifixion” – whatever the personal challenge and discomfort are – and allow the inner change to gestate, finally rising as the new consciousness. In this way, we are transformed. The risen Christ Consciousness within is awakened and expresses as a new version of self – awakened and ready to contribute in a larger way to the well-being of ourselves and our planet. Joseph Campbell, Thou Art That
"A Humble Spirituality...Jesus Into Jerusalem” 04-14-19
Core Statement:
“A Humble Spiritual Awareness Shifts Us Into A Higher Christ Consciousness” sv
Scripture:
Matt 21:6-9 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Psalm 25:8-10 (ESV)
8a Good and upright is the LORD… 9He leads the humble in what is right, & teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant…
Philippians 4:9 (NKJV) 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Revealing Word: Jerusalem--"Habitation of peace." In man it is the abiding consciousness of spiritual peace. When we go deep into the silent recesses of our beings, we realize a stillness and sweetness beyond expression. A great peace is there--the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Phil. 4:7)
Humility/Humble: not arrogant or falsely prideful
Unity Reading:
Man is open to God when he wills to be open. This opening is made by our attitude of absolute mental humility in the contemplation of spiritual realities… “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt,” was the mental attitude He [Jesus] always took… in the same spirit of love and willing obedience to the guidance of a wisdom that He knew transcended His own. (p51) Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
The life of Christ was a life of humble simplicity, yet how infinitely exalted was his mission. Christ is our example in all things. Ellen G. White
The one characteristic of authentic power that most people overlook is humbleness… His or her perception goes beyond the shell of appearance and into essence. Gary Zukav
…We try every day to become more humble when we talk about divinity, we try to realize how little we know and how open minded we should be. John Templeton
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. C. S. Lewis
Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with. Peter Marshall
Humility is never about being small, unseen and unnoticed. Humility is really about expressing all the wonder you are in a way that all people see is the awesomeness and greatness of GOD. TemitOpe Ibrahim
JOKE: It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Annie stayed home from church with her mother. When the rest of the family returned home, they were carrying palm fronds. Annie asked them what they were for. “People held them over Jesus’ head as he rode by on a colt,” her father explained. “Wouldn’t you know it,” Annie fussed, “the one Sunday I’m sick and Jesus shows up and offers pony rides!”
“Fasting & Feasting…A Metaphysical Look At Lent” 04-07-19
Core Statement:
“Fasting From Negative Thoughts Opens Us To The Feast Of Christ Conscious” SV
Scripture:
Matthew 4:1-2 (NKJV)
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Job 17:9 (TLB)
9The righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.
Matthew 3:1-2 (NKJV) John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Repentance means denial; it is a relinquishment… Therefore, I deny out of consciousness old error thoughts, as if I were gently sweeping away cobwebs, and I affirm positively and fearlessly that I am a child of God… As I follow this rule I find that I am letting go of old mortal beliefs and the Divine within is flaming higher and higher. Its pure white light is infusing all my surroundings with a delightful spirit of wisdom, dignity, and peace. Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
Unity/Special Quote:
Lent is a season of spiritual growth, a time for progressive unfoldment. When we can blend and merge our mind with God-Mind, the way is open… to lift us into a higher, purer, more spiritual state.
In fasting, we as metaphysicians abstain from error thinking and meditate on spiritual Truth until we incorporate it into the consciousness of oneness with the Father.
(Paraphrased)When we consider Lent as a season of retreat from the things (thoughts) of the world for the cleansing of the mind and the recollection of the things of Spirit, it becomes a true season of preparation…for the resurrection (rising up) of the mind from the darkness of it’s doubts and false beliefs into the light of understanding. Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
History of Lent
- The earliest mention of Lent in the history of the Church comes from the council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
- The council issued twenty canons of a practical nature, dealing with various aspects of church life, and the fifth of these canons speaks of Lent.
- The word used for Lent in this fifth canon is tessarakonta (in the original Greek), which means ‘forty’.
- The length of time was adopted in imitation of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert at the beginning of his public ministry. (Matt 4:1-2)
- In the early centuries fasting rules were strict… In addition, Catholics and other Christians often choose to give up specific pleasures, such as sweets, alcohol etc
- The English word ‘Lent’ has another, very beautiful derivation. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning to ‘lengthen’. Lent comes at a time when the hours or daytime are ‘lengthening’, as spring approaches, and so it is a time when we too can ‘lengthen’ spiritually…
https://www.thinkingfaith.org/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent
Quotes:
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Eleanor Roosevelt
Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, who know that without darkness nothing comes to birth, and without light nothing flowers. May Sarton
“Let your thoughts, intentions, imaginations, and dreams fly under a clear blue sky with a spring breeze floating like a butterfly from flower to flower. See the beauty of mankind. Enjoy the nectar of life. It will shift your awareness to a higher consciousness.” Debasish Mridha
Negative thoughts have dirty feet; don’t let even the least of them set foot in your mind. Matshona Dhliwayo
“Springtime Renewal…Part 2: “Acknowledging The Dawn” 03-31-19
Core Statement:
“Acknowledging The Dawning Light Of Each New Tomorrow Enhances Infinite Possibility” SV
Scripture:
Genesis 28:15 (NRSV) 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land…
Psalm 51:10 (NIV) 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Colossians 3:9b-10 (NIV)
9b …you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Isaiah 57:13b (NKJV) 13b …But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.”
Lamentations 3:22a-24 (NASB)
22 The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease… 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Unity/Special Quote:
Metaphysicians have discovered that words which express thanks, gratitude and praise release energy of mind and Soul… Let your words of praise and thanksgiving be to Spirit… The resources of Spirit are beyond our highest flight of imagination. Jesus Christ Heals Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
Each day the world is born anew for him who takes it rightly. James Russell Lowell
The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. Sarah Ban Breathnach
A cup is useful only when it is empty; and a mind that is filled with beliefs, with dogmas, with assertions, with quotations is really an uncreative mind. J. Krishnamurti
It is always quietly thrilling to find yourself looking at a world you know well but have never seen from such an angle before. Bill Bryson
Consistently expressing sincere and heartfelt gratitude… is the underlying and often overlooked force which opens doors to immeasurable abundance and happiness. Abundance-And-Happiness.com
As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world. ~Adabella Radici
“Springtime Renewal…Part 1: Unfolding From Within” 03.24.19
Core Statement:
“Ongoing Renewal Is A Natural Order Of The Universe” SV
Scripture:
Psalm 147:2-3 (CEV)
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem and brings the people of Israel back home again. 3 He renews our hopes and heals our bodies.
Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…
Psalm 51:10 (NIV) 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 94:19 (NRSV) 19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Special Quote:
For… deep within the center of your being, is the undaunted, waiting, longing, all-knowing. Is the ready, able, perfect. Within you, waiting its turn to emerge, piece by piece, with the dawn of every former test of trial and blackness, is the next unfolding, the great unfurling of wings, the re-forged backbone of a true Child of Light. Jennifer DeLucy Seers of Light
Quotes:
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. Rachel Carson
No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. Hal Borland
You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be. Marianne Williamson
Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment. Stephen Covey
Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. Sarah Ban Breathnach
PowerPoint Presentation-03-17-19- St. Pat’s Day
20 min. Irish Music set by jOhn Kennedy & Chris Obrian (of Kennedy’s Kitchen Music group), plus John Wiseman & Melaney – Rev. Sandie’s Talk shortened to 5-8min
Talk Title: Pic ()
“Letting Music Touch Your Soul”
Core Statement: None
Scripture:
Ephesians 5:19 (NRSV)
19 …sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts…
Quotes:
Music is so much more than enjoyment for our ears. It affects our minds and souls to create a multi-sensory experience that goes far beyond listening. The power that different sounds can have on us is tremendous… a single song can immediately impact our mood. Andre Feriante
Evolutionary scientists believe that a musical culture would have helped prehistoric human species to survive because the music coordinates emotions, helps important messages to be communicated, motivates people to identify with a group, and motivates individuals to support other group members.
www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/origin-music-00972
“Experiencing Change…Part 2: Ready To Receive” 03-10-19
Core Statement:
“Releasing What Has Been Creates Room For Limitless New Possibilities” SV
Scripture:
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Philippians 3:13b-14 (NKJV)
13b …but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God…
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV) 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Unity Quotes:
Those who lived in cultures more attuned to nature understood and lived life as a process… their spiritual lives, which were not separated from their everyday lives, reflected their deep appreciation for the wisdom and beauty of the natural processes.
Transition may be an uncomfortable time, yet it is always a meaningful time… Times of transition are wonderful opportunities to gain strength and wisdom – opportunities to experience spiritual breakthroughs and healings.
Robert Brumet Finding Yourself In Transition
Quotes:
Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe
Observe constantly that all things take place by change. Marcus Aurelius
Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision. V.S. Naipaul
The shell must break before the bird can fly. - Alfred Tennyson
Infinite Goodness loves to abound, and to overflow infinitely with infinite treasures. Thomas Traherne
Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day. Irish Saying
“Experiencing Change…Part 1: Facing Fears” 03-03-19
Part 2: Ready To Receive
Core Statement:
“Fearing Change Keeps Us Stuck, Blocking God’s Infinite Creative Flow” SV
Scripture:
John 16:33b (NKJV)
33b “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Matthew 6:34 (NRSV) 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s
trouble is enough for today.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Psalm 31:3 (NKJV) 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore… Lead me and guide me.
Unity Readings:
It seems that the greatest of all human fears is fear of the unknown, and change, especially deep or sudden change, almost always confronts us with the unknown… Change often takes us into new territory where old maps are no longer sufficient.
To understand the nature of the transition process and to trust the divine order and wisdom inherent within it provide us with the opportunity to use transition as a time of accelerated growth and learning. Robert Brumet Finding Yourself In Transition
Quotes:
Weep not that the world changes—did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were cause indeed to weep. William Bryant
The mind, I have discovered, is very clever. As soon as it recognizes that it is entering territory where it is not in charge, it becomes very protective. It quickly begins inventing reasons to stop, because it does not want to let go. Michael Jones
Seek then to create change not because a thing is wrong but because it is no longer a statement of Who You Are. Conversations With God Neale Donald Walsch
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. Alan Watts
“Am I Really Enough…Just As I Am? Part 3: Learning To Love Anew” 02-17-19
Core Statement:
“Love Is A State Of Being We Experience When Centered In God-ness ” SV
Scripture:
Mark 11:25
25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him (yourself)…
Psalm 147:3 (NKJV)
3 He (the Lord) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (sorrows).
1 John 4:16-17
16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17By this is love perfected with us….
Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Unity Reading: Pic ()
In the world we find love so turned awry by wrong thinking that it does not represent God. In its beginning it came forth from God…
…The love of God must be felt in the heart. It cannot be described, and one who has not felt it can have no concept of it from the descriptions of others. But the more we talk about love, the stronger it grows in the consciousness, and if we persist in thinking loving thoughts and speaking loving words, we are sure to bring into our experience the feeling of that great love that is beyond description-the very love of God.
When love, the universal magnet, is brought into action in the consciousness of our race, it will change all our methods of supplying human wants. It will harmonize all the forces of nature and will dissolve the discords that now infest earth and air. Talks on Truth Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
Life doesn’t judge us, but we judge ourselves. Life doesn’t criticize us, but we criticize ourselves. Life doesn’t abandon us, but we often abandon ourselves. Louise Hay
It's our own small voice within that is our oppressor; it says we are not worthy and not powerful enough. Our limited beliefs are the real foes we need to fight and conquer. Yehuda Berg
When you adopt the viewpoint that there is nothing that exists that is not part of you, that there is no one who exists who is not part of you, that any judgment you make is self-judgment, that any criticism you level is self-criticism, you will wisely extend to yourself an unconditional love that will be the light of the world. Harry Palmer
Love is misunderstood to be an emotion; actually, it is a state of awareness, how we see ourselves and how we see our relationships with others." David R. Hawkins
Don’t rely on someone else for your happiness and self-worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can’t love and respect yourself – no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are – completely; the good and the bad – and make changes as YOU see fit – not because you think someone else wants you to be different. Stacey Charter
You don't have to go looking for love when it's where you come from. Werner Erhard
Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is. Gary Zukov
If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person. Fred Rogers
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. Jean Anouilh
“Am I Really Enough…Just As I Am? Part 2: Radical Forgiveness” 02-10-19
Core Statement:
“Radical Forgiveness Is Releasing The Past Into A Present Consciousness Of Healing Love” SV
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 6:19a (NIV) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God...
Isaiah 42:6-7 (NIV) 6 “I, the Lord, have called you… 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV) 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Luke 6:37-38 (NRSV) 37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Colossians 3:12-14 12…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another… 14And over all these virtues put on love…
Special Reading:
Mock (or “ordinary” forgiveness), while not the real thing, is extremely beneficial when used in the context of a certain set of beliefs – beliefs that are firmly rooted in the physical (egoic) world and everyday human reality. Radical forgiveness, on the other hand, is the real thing because it is rooted in the metaphysical reality of the world of Spirit- what I call the World of Divine Truth.
In terms of our capacity to heal ourselves and to evolve spiritually, Radical Forgiveness offers extraordinary potential to transform consciousness, and this potential far exceeds what is possible with “Mock Forgiveness. Radical Forgiveness, Making Room for The Miracle Colin C. Tipping
Quotes:
At the end of the day, remind yourself that you did the best you could today, and that is good enough. Lori Deschene
If I invite God into my life, I am and always will be good enough. Kate Wicker
Many of us carry grudges for years and years. We feel self-righteous because of what someone else did to us. I call this being stuck in the prison of self-righteous resentment. We get to be right. We never get to be happy. Louise Hay
Forgiveness means letting go of the past. Gerald Jampolsky
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. Louis B. Smedes
Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future. Louis B. Smedes
To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness. Robert Muller
“Am I Really Enough…Just As I Am? Part 1: Answering The Question” 02-03-19
Core Statement:
“Shifting Our Perspective Allows Self-Acceptance & Enough-ness” SV
Scripture:
Exodus 3:11-12a (NIV)
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you…
Leviticus 19:15
15You shall do no injustice in judgment...
Romans 14:13 (NRSV) 13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NASB)
13 For You created my inmost being; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Special Reading:
Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Quotes:
Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own? Brigham Young
Your best will never be good enough, to the ones constantly searching for your flaws. But for you to be the best, you need to ignore your flaws and do what is the best. Gugu Mona
Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on. Maxwell Maltz
“If only you knew how beautiful you are unconditionally. Don't you know it's enough if all you do is breathe?” Brittany Burgunder
The most important day is the day you decide you’re good enough for you. It’s the day you set yourself free. Brittany Josephina
You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. Louise L. Hay
"Letter to God/Higher Self...With Gratitude 2019 (Part 2)" 01-27-19
Core Statement:
“Open To Divine Guidance, We Envision Infinite Possibilities Unfolding” sv
Scripture:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB)
22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never
fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Proverbs 2:1-6 (NASB)
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear (Awe) of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Psalm 43:3a (NASB) 3 O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me…
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Unity Quotes:
…Observation shows that the purer the mind the greater it’s capacity to receive and interpret the ideas imparted to it by Spirit …Those who cultivate communion with the Father within become conscious of a guiding light… Atom Smashing Power Of Mind Charles Fillmore
God-Mind is…constantly seeking to release its perfection in you…when you ask for its guidance and place yourself, by prayer and affirmation, in mental touch with it, there is a great increase in its manifestation in your life. Christian Healing Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. Eckhart Tolle
You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices." - Deepak Chopra
Within the seed of your desire is everything necessary for it to blossom to fulfillment. And Law of Attraction is the engine that does the work. Your work is just to give it a fertile growing place in order to expand… Abraham Hicks
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. Charles Haanel
Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray. Rumi
"Letter to God/Higher Self...With Gratitude 2019 – Part 1” 01-20-19
Core Statement:
“Focused Forward In Gratitude, We Manifest Lives Of Greater Good” sv
Scripture:
Psalm 51:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalm 9:1 1I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart…
Philippians 4:8
8 …whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Jeremiah 11:4b (NASB)
4b …‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all which I command you; so you shall be My people, and I will be your God,’
Deuteronomy 30:20a 20…Love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Unity Quotes:
…Observation shows that the purer the mind the greater it’s capacity to receive and interpret the ideas imparted to it by Spirit …Those who cultivate communion with the Father within become conscious of a guiding light… Atom Smashing Power Of Mind Charles Fillmore
Words of praise, gratitude or thanksgiving expand, set free and in every way radiate energy… When thoughts are lifted up to the contemplation of our all-pervading and all-powerful Spirit… and our voices ring out in words of praise…the walls of negation are shattered, and we step forth into a new consciousness of life. Teach Us To Pray Charles & Cora Fillmore
Quotes:
Consistently expressing sincere and heartfelt gratitude for what you already have is the underlying and often overlooked force which opens doors to immeasurable abundance and happiness. Abundance-And-Happiness.com
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder
"Most people are not really free. They are confined by the niche in the world that they carve out for themselves. They limit themselves to fewer possibilities by the narrowness of their vision." - V.S. Naipaul
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." - Albert Einstein
Dare to dream! If you did not have the capability to make your wildest wishes come true, your mind would not have the capacity to conjure such ideas in the first place. There is no limitation on what you can potentially achieve, except for the limitation you choose to impose on your own imagination. Anthon St. Maarten
"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." - John Andrew Holmes
"I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities." - Whoopi Goldberg
“The White Stone Experience… A ‘New Name’/Vision Forward” 01-13-19
Core Statement:
“God-Self Whispers To Us A ‘New Name’ Of Grander Spiritual Vision” SV
Scripture:
Romans 7:6 (ESV)
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit...
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV) 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 60:1,5 (NASB)
1"Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 5"Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice…
Psalm 16:7-8 (NIV) 7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD…
John 1:1-3 (CEV) The Word of Life
1 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word.
Revelations 2:17 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says... To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Unity Quotes:
A change of mind effects a corresponding change in the body. If the thoughts are lifted up, the whole organism is raised to higher rates of vibration…But first there must be a renunciation or letting go of old thoughts before the new can find place in the consciousness. Twelve Powers of Man Charles Fillmore
We find there is in man a knowing capacity transcending intellectual knowledge … .One should give attention to this…whispering of Spirit in man. It is not of the intellect and does not originate in the skull. It is the development, in man, of a greater capacity to know himself and the purpose of creation. Twelve Powers of Man Charles Fillmore
This is exactly what the Word is – the working power of God…Persistent meditation upon the Truth contained in the Word of God opens the mind to Spirit. The Word of God is the revelation to man of the powers and possibilities of his own being…Man’s consciousness is lifted up by the wisdom of the Word, and he finds himself master of the powers and privileges of infinity. Keep A True Lent Charles Fillmore
Referring to the many name changes that occurred in the Bible: Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Simon/Peter, Saul/Paul… The change in name always denotes a change in character so pronounced that the old name will no longer apply to the new person…The new name…when we apply it individually means that our faith is to be expressed by bringing the multitude of our thoughts into the realm of Spirit and under the guidance of the Christ. Mysteries of Genesis Charles Fillmore
Quotes:
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds. Bob Marley
We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come. Joseph Campbell
We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better. C. JoyBell C.
To pray is to listen to the One… To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, and let that voice resound in your whole being. Henri Nouwen
It is the sincere intention that is the essential thing, and this will in time release us from the bondage of habits which at present seem almost insuperable. Thomas Troward
Set your intention, and trust the universe to take care of the details. Mike Fotheringham