Be it a child’s game, a health challenge, the state of the country, or, everything in between; the faith factor is always being activated. The outcome is always according to our belief.

The childhood game, Hide-and-Seek, was a favorite of mine.  I was super confident that I would always find my playmates in their favorite hiding places; or that they would tag the goal while I was still searching. This faith based on my previous experiences of playing the game, was my assurance of success. When the game ended, I was summoned to come inside for the day and prepare for tomorrow.

Fast forward with me to the early part of 2002. I was feeling very low; lower than I had felt in a long time. Arriving home that day, I parked the car and hurried into my apartment.  I had a lot on my mind, so I was glad my new friends, the shy little girl and her mom who lived in the adjacent building, were not there to greet me as usual.  I was not in the mood for pleasantries. 

Once inside, I began to process the diagnosis the doctor had given me. Fear of the unknown flooded my mind.   I was alone with my thoughts, feelings, confusion, and grief, when suddenly there was a loud knock at my front door. Very unusual. 

It was my young neighbor standing there, her eyes filled with fear, crying, “my daughter, my daughter, I can’t find her. Help me.” In that very moment I forgot what I was thinking about. Quickly I put my shoes on again and frantically I followed the young woman out of the door, asking “What’s your daughter’s name?” As we ran in opposite directions in search of the child, she shouted back to me, “Her name is Faith.” 

For the next 15 minutes, I ran throughout the complex, shouting: “Faith, Faith, where are you?  The young mom and I met again at our starting point.  There she was. We both saw her at the same time, this whimsical, mystical being called Faith. She showed her face from the walkway of her building. It was if her shy smile was saying, “I love this game of hide-and-seek.”  

I returned to my apartment and laughed out loud as I reflected on my search for Faith.   Now, reunited with my core beliefs, the energy completely shifted. All anxiety was gone.  The mesmeric spell of downward dazing was broken, and I began preparing for tomorrow.  

This search for the child-like faith of my youth reminds me “that as I deal with my own individuality, I am dealing with the Universal, which has projected out of Itself that which is like itself on a miniature scale.”¹ In the game of life, I am always “IT.”

Fast forward with me to today, Tuesday, November 3, 2020. By the end of the day , all the votes for POTUS will be cast, (make sure yours is included) and once more I am summoned to prepare for tomorrow.   

Anchored in a consciousness of Light, I know the nature of God is changeless. I affirm the good I desire to see for myself and all people. The things hoped for are deeply imbedded in the substance of Wholeness, Abundance, Oneness, Peace, Harmony, Love, Joy, and Wisdom; all that is indestructible, absolute, and self-existent. ²

I listen deeply to that still small voice that guides me to do what is mine to do to bring about this desired good in a practical way. My unwavering faith is in the Indwelling Presence.

---

This Weeks Affirmation

I elect to stand still, go within, and know the way.
By Keith D. Childers

The origin of Halloween is steeped in superstition. Pretending to be a scary entity was for the purpose of blending in with the ghosts that were believed to roam the streets after dark. The people feared their fate if they did not trick these evil ones.  

This reminds me of the Law of Mind in Action and the phenomenon that tricks one into believing there is a power, other than God Power. This perceived notion of duality, or otherness, is the antithesis of The Principle of Oneness. This form of superstition is played out by many humans today.  

For example, during the dark night of the soul, I struggle with the negative traits of my personality that do not match the values I embrace. Not only do I disapprove of these human frailties, I fear if exposed, they may define me. So, I disown them and affirm my perfection. They slip into the subjective parts of my mind and I act as if they never existed. This self-denial, born out of fear, is a defense mechanism called  “spiritual bypassing.¹”

Actually, these disowned thoughts, beliefs, and emotions continue to be a part of who I am, only hidden and unloved. From time to time they are aroused by some outside stimuli. When triggered, I project them onto others, accusing them of the very thing I do not acknowledge about myself. I blame others for my reactions, saying “they made me angry, scared, shame etc., it’s their fault.”

This hidden aspect of myself tricks me into believing that I am not worthy of a good life. It tricks me into believing that the beliefs and actions of yesterday are unforgivable. They ask, who do you think you are to experience, health, wealth, love, wisdom, and joy?

~ ~ ~ 

When spiritual practices, such as affirmative prayer and meditation, are persistently and consistently followed; and when spiritual principles are deliberately and consciously applied in the everyday occurrences of life, a breakthrough in consciousness is inevitable. These processes align me with the Absolute Truth that proclaims: there is God, only God, and nothing else.

When the light of dawn appears, I see clearly who I am. I remove the mask of fear and limitation. The ghosts of the night are simply shadows of my own consciousness. They remind me of the abandoned potential within me. I am no longer tricked into believing there is a power against me.  Self-love is the sweet treat that comforts my soul.

I now take responsibility for the unique being that I am. I am divinely guided as I courageously face the fear of darkness. Step by step I forgive myself and anyone that I have accused of being less than divine.  I now realize: “for every human aberration, there is a spiritual aspiration trying to break through.” I reclaim that which I abandoned.  

By the renewing of my mind, the energy of the former things is now transformed into my highest idea of good. 

More and more angels and fairies and super heroes appear at the door of my consciousness.  The scary ones who show up are treated with Love, causing their true nature, hidden behind the mask, to be revealed.

I now practice unity and oneness with every living being. It is Unconditional Love expressing when I Wear a mask, when I Watch my distance, and when I Wash my hands.  

Enjoy Halloween, stay safe and stay well.

---

This Weeks Affirmation

I unmask any sense of separation from my Source and dwell in the arms of Love with all of humanity.
By Angela “Chris” Beam

The Core Concept Seven of The Science of Mind says: “This is a reciprocal Universe. For every visible form, there is an invisible counterpart. Everything in nature tends to equalize itself, to keep its balance true.”  The Ancient Wisdom of Hermeticism ¹ teaches: “As Above – So Below.”

Lately, it seems as though the world is like a kaleidoscope. The vivid colors and complex patterns are changing quickly. Likewise, the chain reaction of humanity’s thoughts, feelings and beliefs in response to these impressions are projected rapidly onto the world’s screen. It is not always easy to decipher between the murmurings of opinions and facts.

It is as if the collective subconscious has risen to the surface for conscious examination. Maybe it has always been this way; only this time I am the generation that launches a mindset that produces a greater expression of life and living in Oneness. I am the generation that bears witness to the evolution of, God-consciousness; right here on earth as it is in heights of my awareness. 

I give my attention and consideration to that part of myself within the world that I call my country.

Yes, ‘my country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.’

I begin the task of separating the wheat from the chaff regarding the use I have made of the Universal Mind. It reminds me of cleaning out that catch-all drawer, where I stored all those things that I did not know what to do with in the moment. So now, I consciously discard negative producing ideas of poverty, failure, loneliness, helplessness, illness, and otherness; eliminating such conditions in my life. I begin to examine my deep-seated values; the invisible counterparts of love, compassion, joy, peace, achievement, abundance, unity and equality for all. I now move beyond opinions and facts. I embrace the Truth.

Now, cloaked with the full armor of God, I am ready to deliver my voice.  I assert my power to choose a world that works for everyone. My personal responsibility joins with social conscience in every area of the political, corporate, academic, and social sectors, providing sustainable structures to further the emerging global consciousness. 

I proudly exercise my right to vote, a sacred practice, born out of its counterpart of freedom. The ballot I cast is symbolic of my word merging with the Universal Mind that yield its image and likeness of God in tangible ways. 

I am aware that I live in a spiritual universe, governed by spiritual laws and inhabited by spiritual beings. Therefore, I must express this voice within me.  I choose wisely those I entrust to fulfill my idea of the highest good for all people. 

“Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake.”

I unify with Ernest Holmes in his prayer that affirms:  

“…that every leader in this country is now directed to this All-Knowing Mind and has the knowledge of a complete solution to every problem, and each is compelled to act upon this knowledge to the end that abundance, security, and peace shall come to all.” ²

And, so it is!

---

This Weeks Affirmation

“Today I affirm unity, harmony, and right action for all mankind. Let freedom ring!”
By Judy Hilley

Way back in the 60’s I had an intuitive hit about the healing power of Spirit.  I must admit many of the stories I read during that time about “miracle healings,” were couched in sensationalism.  Nonetheless, they ignited possibility thinking within me.

Up until then, I believed the ability to heal was designated to a chosen few, who were given supernatural powers. I believed any current reports of healings were a hoax, stories steeped in superstition. I’m just saying: this was the mindset I had inadvertently inherited.

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. 

Several years later I read about Phineas Parker Quimby¹, a clockmaker of the 19^th century, and how he developed his concepts of mental and spiritual healing and health based on the view that illness is a matter of the mind.

Quimby’s theory introduced me to a new thought on the subject. It was as if I were given permission for the first time ever, to think outside the box for which I had become accustomed. 

I have come to realize there is One Life Principle that governs all life.  The Spiritual Nature of Being is always Whole, Complete, and Perfect.This never changes.  Spirit is The Source and Sufficiency out of which everything flows. It is the Universal Creator. It is the First Cause in the Triune Sequence of Spirit, Mind/Soul and Body, encompassing all three. Spirit is the Life Principle. I discovered that knowing this Truth is healing power.

I have come to realize The Mind is a Creative Medium, an aspect of the One Spirit, that receives my thought impressions that eventually become the conditions I experience. This is subject to change. I now understand that healing takes place by the renewing of my mind. 

The Body, another aspect of the One Spirit, is the evidence of my thoughts/beliefs made manifest. This is subject to change. The nurturing of my body with proper care is healing. 

It has become clear to me that until my body and the body of my affairs as well as my mental house are in alignment with the Universal Nature of the One Originating Spirit, I am caught in the syndrome of false belief, manifesting as limitation in f my life experience.  

There are awesome therapies to heal both the body and the mind. In addition, I have discovered that the modality called Spiritual Mind Healing, heals the cause of these apparent symptoms. 

Jesus, the Master Teacher, taught this form of healing when he said, “Know the Truth and the Truth will make you free.” (paraphrasing John 8:32). 

 When I sit in the silence of myself until I reach a point of stillness, I come face to face with my True Self; MY Higher Self; My Christ Consciousness. There are no longer any pairs of opposites.  I AM whole, complete, and perfect. 

The fog is lifted. I see clearly! I am free from every sense of limitation.

I HAD A REVELATION!!!

The only thing that ever needs to be healed is my sense of separation; i.e., the idea of God and me, instead of, God AS me.  With this awareness, ALL things are possible.

 I bear witness to the former things falling away, and a new day dawning in my life and the life of the world that surrounds me. My body and my mind respond to this enlightenment. I listen to the Indwelling Spirit, and I am divinely guided to do what is mine to do. I practice being an instrument of peace, love, forgiveness, faith, light and joy 
WOW, this is good stuff!

---

This Weeks Affirmation

I know that I am one with the One – therefore health, wholeness and the perfection of God out-picture as  my life now!
By Robbin G. Ruffner, RScP Emeritus

---

In Loving Memory and Gratitude
Dr. Barbara L. King
May your spirit soar ever so gently to even greater heights.

I imagine, when evolution reached a point of self-consciousness within man, he felt a Presence and in response he uttered a sound in recognition of the All-Pervasive Feeling. 

The Universal Presence reveals Itself to man through his feeling nature.

I imagine each time man responded to this inner splendor he gained greater insight of himself and his surroundings, causing him to spontaneously evolve, becoming a greater experience/expression of himself.

Humanity is guided by an inner response to its recognition of this feeling of Oneness.

I imagine this exchange of humanity’s recognition of the Indwelling Presence, and the Still Small Voice of Spirit guiding humanity to their greater-yet-to-be, is the practice of prayer and meditation. 

Lest I slip into an image of an anthropomorphic ¹ being, with unpredictable mood swings, punishing me for the slightest slip-up, I imagine God is the Creative Word and Healing Love; a Divine Energy flowing in, through and as absolutely everything, without exception.  I imagine this Eternal One is that which unites humanity as One.

When I read the words, “You shall have no other Gods but me;” ²  I imagine this statement is telling me that God is the essence of my very own being. I need not look outside myself. 

The Presence and I are inseparably One.

The word “God” ignites an emotional response within me, causing me to contemplate my highest idea of good by considering corresponding words such as: Creator, Peace, Love, Harmony, Joy, Wisdom, Wholeness, Abundance, Power, Beauty and Intelligence. By naming these unchanging verities of life I begin to realize the word “God” is the ultimate idea of Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence. 

God is truly a Divine Idea!

Too often my ever-evolving ego ignores the still small voice ³ and runs full speed, filling every hour with activities that have their own sounds, their own opinions and their own motives, drowning out the word of God within me.  

Left alone to my own devices, I have a tendency to manifest people, places and things in my life based on false beliefs and judgments carried forward from the past.  When left unchecked, the emotional reaction to these apparent conditions, may be physically debilitating, mentally draining causing anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and guilt. 

However, as a result of a consistent practice of affirmative prayer and meditation throughout the years, I notice that my time spent in this far-country is less and less. I rise up in a consciousness of Truth remembering that within me is a Guiding Light, the Word of God, that frees me from all sense of “otherness.” 

I sit in the silence of my own being until I am once more self-emptied of limited beliefs and I become God- filled with the unlimited potential of Peace and Love. I feel the Presence. I utter a sound, a word of recognition

I am divinely guided by this inner voice. I meditate and I pray.

When I pray, desiring a greater experience of good in my world as well as a world that works for everyone, I imagine the activity of Divine Wisdom and the Unifying Power of Love. I imagine Divine Inspiration is a Guiding Force, causing humanity to spontaneously evolve into a collective consciousness that yields the highest good for everyone; not only in our beloved country, but for world citizens everywhere.  

I imagine, my word. in alignment with the nature of God, spoken with unwavering faith, becomes my world.

---

This Weeks Affirmation

God is the Divine Idea of a World That Works for Everyone.
By Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP