Repost

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

It was a peaceful, quiet morning; and like Brother Lawrence, I was lost in sacred daydreaming as I stood at my kitchen sink washing dishes. All of a sudden, I heard a bird screaming for help. Yes, I mean really screaming.

Although I had never heard that sound before, I immediately knew the little one was crying out to me. There was a Great Mystery within me that knew it was my responsibility to provide the help needed. My first assumption was the bird was outside. 

I followed the sound until I realized the little one was trapped inside the chimney of my house.  I then moved forward in action, doing what was mine to do. The issue was soon resolved and the bird, once more, was free to sing its song of life and I resumed my daydreaming as I continued with my morning chores. 

I began to imagine (using human terms) what the bird may have told its greater community. I imagined it saying things like, “I was so lucky; it was a miracle; an angel appeared; I felt the Presence; I heard the voice of God; my Redeemer lives,” and other sentiments in an effort to express the mystical experience.

As I continued my reverie of the events of the morning, the song “We Are the World” came to mind; particularly the line, “we’re saving our own lives.” I thought how easy it is to assume that another’s trouble has nothing to do with me (the bird is outside); while actually, it is part of my very own household. 

~~ ~ ~

I recall times in my life when I felt trapped, with no feasible way out of an issue, be it health, finances, relationships, or grief. Like the little bird, my heart exclaimed: “There is good for me and I ought to have it!”  Angels unaware rushed to my aid. Although they looked like ordinary people/or incidents, I now know, no matter what; it was always the presence of God answering my call. I now understand, all life is God Life.

~ ~ ~

As I contemplate the Omnipresence of Spirit, I realize that which call is also that which answers. There is a silent communication that takes place between all beings. I tell myself that the affinity, connection, empathy, and kinship felt for another are a sure indication of universal interdependence. It is the phenomenon that unifies us as one.  It is The Presence of God living IN, THROUGH, and AS humanity. It is Holy Communion.

‘When Deep calls unto Deep…Deep Answers.’

This Weeks Affirmation

“Every day and in every way, I overflow with faith and trust in the truth of my being .”

Keith Childers

Repost

“I believe that the Universal Spirit, which is God, operates through a Universal Mind, which is the Law of God; and that I am surrounded by this Creative Mind which receives the direct impress of my thought and acts upon it.” ~ Ernest Holmes ~

~ ~ ~ ~

Back in the day, George Burns and Gracie Allen were a radio comedy team that entertained America. At the end of their routine, Burns would say to Allen: “Say Goodnight, Gracie” and she would think he was telling her what specifically to say, so she would repeat, “Goodnight Gracie!” This joke always left us laughing.

Recalling this made me think how often the words we hear are subject to interpretation and context because of the complexity of language in general. After all, every culture has its own idioms; i.e., slang, sayings, and jargon. Often, metaphors, analogies, and parables are used in an effort to say what is trying to be said. 

 Even sounds, such as the tone of the voice, or the humming of a tune or the clearing of the throat may suggest a certain mood; all born out of feelings, that intimate part of ourselves that translate into thoughts and words.

Sometimes there is a play on words, simply to ignite a sense of humor, like “Goodnight Gracie!”

~ ~ ~ ~

In addition to all the subtle nuances of the words we speak, there is a common belief that if we simply say specific words, they accomplish certain results. This may or may not always be the case.

Learning to say life-affirming phrases is a great practice when teaching one’s self how to think. However, it is not until the feeling behind the words spoken takes root that we may demonstrate the power of the creative mind that Holmes speaks about. The key is to keep practicing until we actually feel the true meaning of the words we speak. The feeling is sure to ignite the law of creative mind.

~ ~ ~ ~

There is something within every one of us that knows, along with Emma Curtis Hopkins: “There is good for me and I ought to have it.” Yet, finding the words to describe this innermost conviction is sometimes difficult to articulate. However, when feelings of health, wealth, loving relationships, and creativity become encoded on the soul, the world of form reveals the likeness of this spontaneous prayer. The world we live in becomes our very own self-expression. 

It is important to find time to become still and just be with the silence of the soul; a time when there are no words spoken; a time of simply letting the feelings of one’s divine birthright saturate the entire being.

It is in such moments, when the self is completely unified with the Self, that this holy communion, this mystical marriage, this divine encounter becomes the healing balm that is needed at the particular time.  It is a moment that reveals the magnificence of The One; a feeling that declares, I am that I AM. 

This Weeks Affirmation

“All my thoughts and feelings encourage me to reach my goals.”

http://bmindful.com/affirmations/feelings

Repost

“When the Lord is your confidence you will never find yourself at all deceived by the ways and speech of men and women, though they be very brilliant, if they speak outside of the Principle that demonstrates healing and goodness and life.” ~ Emma Curtis Hopkins ~

^{~ ~ ~ ~}

It was the mid to late 1970’s. There I was sitting on the shores of the Long Island Sound, having just completed a weekend retreat with Tara Singh.   I was sure I would come away with that one nugget that would tell me exactly what to do to stay in alignment with Truth.  Instead, most of the days were spent in the silence where the only guidance the enlightened teacher offered was to tell us to move beyond words and concepts. 

I remember feeling somewhat disappointed. I expected a clear-cut path to follow. I had imagined that all the participants would somehow bond as one regardless of our diverse backgrounds; unify in our common interest; join hands, and leave singing the proverbial Kumbaya! Instead, we were left suspended, for long periods of time, in an unfamiliar territory – in the depths of our own self. 

Although I didn’t realize it at once, this retreat was actually a turning point in my life inasmuch as it offered a profound gift of spiritual enlightenment and self-realization; a gift that keeps on giving.

Here it is many years later, and somehow, when I bear witness to the out-picturing of world consciousness, I sense and feel the same energy rising up that I felt way back then. For example, I have a desire for a clear, conscious path that actualizes the unity of all people regardless of apparent diverse backgrounds, various cultures, and different opinions. At such times, I remember to shelter in place, moving into the sanctuary of my own being, into that place of silence. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” ~ Matthew 5:8 ~

Here, beyond words and concepts, I am refreshed, renewed, and aligned with the Presence and Power of God. My heart is purified. It is in this state of consciousness that I am empowered with the nature of the Divine, I see as God sees.  

“All’s Love, yet All’s Law.”  ~ Robert Browning ~

I realize: God is Love. The Love of God fulfills Itself, through Its own Law, by becoming every form imaginable. ~ I am the vehicle who does the imagining. ~ The Law creates that which I accept. It is done as I believe. 

I got it! This Immutable Law of God, of Good, is a law of Cause and Effect. ~ I do not fear outcomes. ~ The choices I make, based on my beliefs, values, and intentions are powerful whether I am choosing a healthy body, right relationships, or, affirming a world that works for everyone. I simply relax into the Is-Ness of Spirit and just let IT be – as It reveals that which is mine to do. For this, I am so grateful.

I invite you to join me in this field of infinite possibilities.

This Weeks Affirmation

“Today I practice a state of being and trust the perfection of Good in my life.”

~ Judy Hilley ~

REPOST

This is a Universe of Wholeness, Allness, Oneness.  Spirit is a transcendent, perfect Whole that, in its Infinite inclusivity, harmoniously embraces all seeming opposites.
~ Core Concept Five, The Science of Mind ~

“Let’s go upstairs!” is the way the late Rev. Dr.  Homer Johnson often began each prayer. He was inviting us to move into a higher state of consciousness in order to see through the appearance of duality. 

Michelle Obama offers the following wisdom, saying, “When they go low, we go high.” Her words may remind us that we are always at choice regarding the direction of our attention. The “they” are not only the unenlightened “others” of our times, but they are the unenlightened thoughts within ourselves that, unintentionally, create the undesired circumstances of our lives.

Rising above the pairs of opposites such as good/evil; right/wrong; disease/health; peace/war; happy/sad; and ego/Christ, to name just a few, is not an easy task. It means being awake, alert, and aware; i.e., conscious beings in our comings and goings through this thing called life.

The opposites of the human experience are nothing more than points of view about what we see through our senses, the out-picturing of mental images.  They can be likened to two sides of a coin, unified in Oneness. To fight against them is much like shadow-boxing, because in reality, there’s nothing there of substance, a temporary thing, easily replaced with a higher idea about the person, place or thing being observed.

Be careful that this is not interpreted as a spiritual bypass; i.e., engaging in complacency or putting one’s head in the sand by denying the issues we are facing on the world stage –   individually, as a nation and globally.  The answer lies in discovering for one’s self, “what is mine to do?” 

Adhering to Holmes’ idea to be “for something” and “against nothing” is a beginning point that the enlightened and mystics of all time have agreed. This means taking an honest assessment of the true values, beliefs, and principles that govern your individual life; the ones that are the guideposts for your daily living.  

Otherwise, a consciousness of having to contend with an opposing force, keeps the undesired energy intact, resulting in the same scenarios repeating itself generation after generation. Albert Einstein reminds us that, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” 

The clearer one becomes in knowing what he or she is “for” and begins to think, speak, and act from that perspective, the sooner the veil of separation is lifted. Soon a community of conscious people (common unity) of all walks of life who have a vision for a world that works for everyone, begins to evolve. The great discovery of “what is mine to do” may very well reveal the unique talent, skill, and ability that are a reservoir of untapped potential within you that is ready to unleash peace on earth and good will towards all people.

This Weeks Affirmation

“I emanate peace and love.”

https://wildsimplejoy.com/?s=affirmations

“I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward.”  ~ Philippians 3:13-14 ~ 

~ ~ ~ ~

Time and time again I must remind myself that the God of my life is not in some far-off place and I must earn Its favor in order to receive the longings of my soul. It may very well be that the longings I feel are the God of my life offering me Its favor, Its grace.  After all, it has been said that it is God’s good pleasure to give us that which yields happiness.

~ ~ ~ ~

It is the inherent nature of every one of us to create through the power of the Indwelling Spirit a life of peace, love, harmony, beauty, joy, wisdom, and every good thing imaginable.  This power, being God, is never depleted or diminished. It is equally distributed and everywhere present all the time. 

Even during those times when the power seems dormant; you may be assured it is easily ignited and awakened through regular and consistent spiritual practices such as meditation, affirmative prayer, life visioning, inspirational reading, and hanging out with forward-thinking people, to name a few. 

Yes, we each have the capability to activate the Presence of Good in our lives by simply recognizing that it is already here, in this present moment. Yes, it is right here, right now! While this profound realization may be motivated by your being sick and tired of being sick and tired of your present circumstances; nonetheless you’ve got what it takes to begin again. You may begin by letting go of those things which are now behind.   You have, in this moment, all the courage, strength, wisdom, and energy needed to move forward in the direction of your dreams. You have what it takes. It’s your birthright. It’s your spiritual DNA.

So, let’s go! Remember, consistent practice is the key.  Let’s embrace and accept those things which are our heart’s sincere desire, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling.  Begin by gaining clarity, telling yourself the true intent for this good and the feeling it stirs when you imagine its fulfillment. Assured that it brings only good to you and others, begin to tell yourself that this thing is a divine idea in the mind of God and therefore it is yours right now. 

Don’t forget to give great thanks for this expected good that expands the quality of your life.

~ ~ ~ ~

How good it is to step into the awareness that we live, move, and have our existence in a universe of love, light, and unlimited good; enough for every living being on the planet. There is a field of unlimited possibilities stretched before us right now; not just for some but for everyone. We each have the power to let it be on earth exactly as it is in the celestial realms of consciousness. Let’s go!

This Weeks Affirmation

“I know that my daily spiritual practice continues to keep me assured that there is good for me and also for all others.”

By Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP