Category Archives: Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

GOOD STUFF

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” ~ Philippians 4:8 ~

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“—all’s love, yet all’s law.”
~  Robert Browning ~

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“Realizing that the Lord is not far-off, that God is an inward intimate Presence closer to me than my very breath, I affirm that there is nothing in me than can doubt this Presence or limit the Power of Good. There is nothing in me that can separate me from the Love of God and I accept the joy of living in the very midst of It.”
~ 365 Science of Mind p.25.2, Ernest Holmes ~


The primordial stuff that permeates our very being is the Pure Energy; i.e. the ultimate formless substance of the things we hope for. When the words of our heart denote harmony, beauty, joy, wisdom, love, peace, health, and prosperity, we are in alignment with the essence of life that sets the Law of Creation in motion. Yes, our words, clothed with feelings and beliefs, ignite the Law that is the Lord of our lives, out-picturing as our experiences. The Law, or Infallible Principle of Good, is not far off. Deepak Chopra puts it this way, “You are inseparably part of the cosmic quantum soup.”

The above quote by Ernest Holmes may support you in entering into contemplative meditation, an affirmation, or spiritual mind treatment about these things. Spiritual practices bring you into alignment with the vibration of your intrinsic nature of being. Otherwise, through your power of free will, you may make choices that bring about other results. After all, the Law, like all universal laws and principles, is impersonal. It simply responds by corresponding with the feeling tone that is emitted. Therefore, we may experience both positive and/or negative experiences according to our habitual pattern of thinking. The good news is that the Law is not far off, and we may at any time change our thinking and change our lives.

“Our habitual pattern of thinking” is key here. Like all habits, after a while, we no longer think about what we are thinking about. Instead, our thinking becomes an automatic reaction to what we see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. Our positive, or negative reaction is constantly being triggered by what seems so real. Actually, the subsequent experiences we encounter are the out-picturing of individual and collective beliefs, which are subject to change. We can begin right now making conscious and deliberate choices based on our core values and beliefs, knowing they are made manifest by the Perfect Law that receives the direct impression of our thought and acts upon it.

Through a consistent spiritual practice of meditation, affirmative prayer, life visioning, journaling, inspirational reading, and being in community with forward-thinking people, to name a few; you will soon become exceedingly aware of the good stuff in which you are immersed. Soon, instead of reacting to that which is transient, you may begin responding to the infinite potential of good that you imagine for yourself and for the world.

None of this suggests we are to become complacent, ignoring the current events of the world. Quite the contrary. Now having learned to listen to your inner voice, you are divinely guided regarding what is yours to do that supports a world that works for everyone.


Affirmation

“When I look for the good, good things happen.”

https://mrbuzzfactor.medium.com

LET’S GO

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

(Revisited)

“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 ~

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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.

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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.

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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

BEGIN NOW!

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
~ Benjamin Franklin ~

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This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 
~ Psalm 118: 24 ~

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I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day . . .”
~ 2 Corinthians 6:2 ~ 

Cultivating a new way of being in the world and becoming a greater version of oneself is not for the faint of heart. After all, old habits die hard. However, do not underestimate the power of a made-up mind.

Conscious thinkers, throughout the ages, have brought to our attention the importance of utilizing the energy and inspiration of the present moment to fulfill the dreams of our hearts.

In response to the wise counsel of New Thought and Ancient Wisdom, we often tell ourselves that we do not have the resources in this here-and-now present moment to move forward with the vision of the heart. We tell ourselves that we will take up the mission at another time. We tell ourselves we need more research, or more money, or more education, or more coaching, etc., etc., etc. This self-talk denies the reality of the unlimited potential of our creative nature, and it delays the greater good that awaits us. 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe tells us, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” The “begin it” he speaks about may be as simple an act as making a list of things that specify what it will take to actualize your heart’s desire. It may be as simple as journaling your thoughts, feelings, and imaginations, which describe the vision that pulls you.  The “begin it” Goethe speaks about may be an affirmation that you recite, accepting your greater-yet-to-be, right here, right now. The idea is simply to begin some activity that keeps you mindful of your objective. In so doing, you ignite the creative medium that surrounds you, and you tap into the field of infinite possibilities. 

Begin to engage in the practice of lowly listening through daily meditation. It is in this silent communion that we begin to hear the guidance of our Higher Self, and we begin to know what is ours to do to unleash the Divine One within us that is already whole, complete, and perfect.

Ernest Holmes teaches that while there may be a process that takes time to come to the realization of our true self. However, there is no process of time regarding the truth about our inherent nature. It always exists in the present moment. In his infamous hymn, Amazing Grace, John Newton tells us: “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” 

Whether you call it commitment, resolution, intention, or goal, it is the conviction of the heart, aligned with the power for good operating in the universe, that out-pictures in the world. It is Law.


This Weeks Affirmation

“I am whole and complete in this moment.”

https://innertune.com/affirmations-playlists/the-power-of-now

THINKING MAKES IT SO

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

(Revisited)
One of the many things that I love about the philosophy of the Science of Mind is, it is a teaching of how to think, not what to think.  The whole premise is, as creatures of thought, we are always thinking; and as a result, our thoughts are forever manifesting as our experiences. The more proficient we become in the “how to,” the more fulfilled we become with the “what is.”

As I reminisce about these familiar ideas, I am reminded that the individual power contained in these simple – yet profound concepts has always been known. Ancient wisdom concurs with the point being made here. 

For example, “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3) tells us there is an invisible cause behind every apparent condition. The Cause, as evidenced by the Cosmos or Macrocosm, is the consciousness of the Creator and Source of All.   The “cause,” as evidenced by the myriads of conditions or microcosms, is the individual consciousness and/or the collective belief of humanity. 

The Hermetic teachings simplified the principle by saying, “as within, so without.” On the one hand, the Science of Mind recognizes that “what” you think is yours alone to choose, and at the same time, it teaches that it is your beliefs (your thinking) that are the substance out of which your experiences are created. Therefore, Ernest Holmes says, “Change your thinking – change your life.”

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7). These words suggest that I experience myself according to what I believe about who I am, as evidenced by the conditions in my life. 

What I hear from these wise ones is: “What we think about is the specific thing we desire to experience in life; i.e., health, wealth, wisdom, love, and joy showing up as our bodies, our finances, our relationships, and our careers, etc.  The effective way to think about these things, or “How, is to realize your true nature expressing as those things. Your true nature is the image and likeness of God, The Source. Your nature is health, wealth, wisdom, love, and joy. Jesus explained “the how” when saying: “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and these things will be added unto you.”

As a serious seeker of Truth, I have found that it is not enough for me to agree that the inherent nature of all things is spiritual; created out of an invisible cause. It is not enough for me to agree that any apparent condition, to the contrary, is a false belief manifesting.  Like all sciences, a theory lies dormant until it is successfully proven, just like “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) In my awakened state of consciousness, I test my belief by rising above any negative situation I may be experiencing. I consciously apply Principles of Truth.

Albert Einstein tells us, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”  With that said, I tell myself that no matter what words I may voice/or say regarding any adverse situation I may face, it is my thinking, more specifically, my belief, that must be changed. When that happens, my words will be the law that brings about new conditions. 

While diving deeply into my True Self, I somehow know that my action contributes to the consciousness of humanity. 


This Weeks Affirmation

“My thought is a law of creative action known as life.”

By Keith Childers

EXPERIENCES

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”  Psalms 30.5 ~

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Every living being is unified with all of nature, all of the time; i.e., experiencing all of her ways as intricate aspects of one’s very own being … and most assuredly according to one’s subjective belief.  

With a limited perception of ourselves, we have come to fear the darkness of our own nature, believing it is separate from who we are and who is our enemy.

However, there have always been those among us who have pierced the veil of seeming separation and realized that darkness and light are simply experiences we encounter.  They are phases of our nature. It is written that light and darkness are the same to the Infinite One.

Therefore, with an expanded viewpoint of who we are, we come to realize that all of creation is born in darkness, be it a plant in earth’s soil or a baby in its mother’s womb. They both, upon entering the world, are one with the presence of Light. Likewise, all experiences are with us just for a season.  Chantal Garneau offers us the following blessing:

 ~ “May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night,
that each day forward is blessed with more light. ~

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Anne Frank tells us: “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”  

When, as students of Truth, we begin to let go of the false beliefs and erroneous concepts that have kept us in the darkness of ignorance, the solstice of the soul reveals a glimmer of light that shows us what is to come.

No matter what the experiences of the year 2024 have been, the New Year is the dawning of unfolding Light with its new experiences.  Our deepest desires, that have germinated in the creative medium of divine mind, are now ready to manifest according to our high resolve.

While a breakthrough in consciousness may be imminent, a consistent spiritual practice supports us in giving birth to our vision of Light, expressing as peace, harmony, love, joy, wisdom, prosperity, beauty, and unlimited good. 

Let’s let every resolution for the year 2025 become an affirmation that declares the inevitable Light that leads us into a place of peace and poise as we experience our next season of growth and deeper understanding.

In so doing, may we adhere to the wise words of Howard Thurman, as follows:

“Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve,
that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests,
in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar,
I may not forget that to which my life is committed.”


This Weeks Affirmation

“My now is not my forever. I remain open to life’s lessons.
https://harvestinghealthandhappiness.com/5-powerful-affirmations-for-hope/