Category Archives: Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

BEGINNING AGAIN!

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Behold, I am making all things new.”
~ Revelation 21:5~  

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; 
and all these things shall be added unto you.” 
~ Matthew 6:33~ 

The mystery of life is forever expanding and becoming more.  

The days of our lives are stretched before us with the full potential of either experiencing a greater degree of the same; or, stepping upon the next great rung on life’s upward-spiraling journey.

In either case, movement is imminent. Knowingly or unknowingly, we constantly use the creative power within us to move us into all of our tomorrows. The motivating factor is always connected to our faith or, what we believe is our inevitable destiny.   Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith teaches that we are either “pushed by pain, or pulled by a vision.” 

As long as our gaze is downward, believing there’s no possible way to receive more than what is presently at hand; the undifferentiated energy continues to flow in that direction.  I believe Jesus referred to this when he said, “The poor (in spiritual awareness) will always be with you.”

Conversely, as we begin to imagine a fulfilled life, having all that which is necessary for successful living; likewise, Life begins to yield the desired good as a present reality.  The creative juices having ignited the primordial energy of the universe, begin to materialize as the embodied beauty. In other words, our thoughts and beliefs are the power within us that creates our world – individually and collectively.

~ ~ ~ ~

You may say, ‘this is nothing new.’ And, it is not. This inborn nature of being has always been known by the great mystics who walk the earth. Science continues to harness the intelligence that pulsates through this Omnipresent Energy in whom we live, move, and have our existence. Philosophy employs the art of reasoning that asserts self-evident truths. The religions of the world are inspired by the revelations that the still small voice imparts in the silent night.  

Many of us have mastered the science of mind in one or more areas of our lives, while at the same time there are areas that remain a challenge. The good news is, the moment there is an awakened awareness that recognizes both Love and Law as a unified consciousness, we are ushered into the realm of the unlimited good we seek. 

~ ~ ~ ~

We are spiritual beings, and without that aspect of our nature realized here on earth, there is a feeling of incompleteness. Through the practice of the Science of Mind we may demonstrate the images we have embodied such as financial abundance, houses, mates, cars, careers, and all the “things” we imagine, and we may still feel empty. It is when we practice the Science of Mind and Spirit (SOMAS) that we truly experience that which our heart longs for. In other words, the thing desired, without the experience desired is futile.

~ ~ ~ ~

The spiritual nature at the center of all things is Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, Joy, Beauty, and all the attributes of The Divine. When we seek these qualities first and foremost, we find them in the midst of the physical things we enjoy.

Remember!  When making your list of the more abundant life you seek in the coming year, be sure to get in touch with what that experience looks like and what it feels like.


This Week’s Affirmation

“I am open to new possibilities.”

https://www.melanatedmisfit.com/articles/10-affirmations-for-new-beginnings

LIFE DIVINE!

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“I, Lord, went wandering like a strayed sheep, seeking Thee with anxious reasoning without, whilst Thou wast within me. I went round the streets and squares of the city seeking Thee; and I found Thee not, because in vain I sought without for Him who was within myself.” 
 ~ St. Augustine ~

“The Highest God and the Innermost God is One.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~ 

In the present moment there is sufficiency on earth, no matter what is going on in one’s personal life, or the collective experience of humanity. There are many appearances that would contradict this statement. Of course, it’s always a matter of one’s perspective and perception. 

When describing The Ineffable within our nature, I like describing It as that point of stillness within our hearts and minds that has never been hurt, harmed, or disappointed. I like affirming that It is the Presence and Principle of God that, being changeless, is always intact.

Ernest Holmes tells us to keep faith with reason. After all, we are human beings, or for sure having human experiences; and therefore, none are exempt from the slings and arrows of the outrageous fortunes, delivered at the hands of ignorance. In such cases, we are wise, of course, to seek professional care for any mental or physical trauma suffered. This supports us in aligning ourselves, once more, with the Ever-Present Divine that is forever whispering to our inner ear, “Lo, I AM with thee always, even to the ends of the earth.”

The I AM that speaks is that part of our identity that is indestructible. It is the Living Spirit Almighty that is the very center and circumference of our existence. When speaking of this One it may seem as if It is outside of ourselves. Actually, It is always I; the Great Mystery of human existence. It is the one and only “I“ that each one of us is. While it is true that one aspect is physical while the other is spiritual; nonetheless, The Presence is forever unified as one. Just as our eyes and our ears have different functions, they are nonetheless forever unified within the one body. God is the All, in all, as all.

~ ~ ~ ~

It is commonly known that with certain exercises we may cultivate and develop physical muscles that were otherwise unknown as us. These muscles provide us with the strength to attain such feats that were formerly out of our range of possibilities. Likewise, through spiritual practices and mental exercises, we may cultivate an awareness of our Greater Self, thus developing a state of mind that provides a Peace that passes human understanding regardless of any apparent circumstance. 

The more we cultivate an awareness of this Invisible Presence that walks with us, and talks with us, and calls us Its very own; the more we benefit from Its moment-by-moment Divine Guidance, Protection, and Its Healing Balm of Love.

This Higher Power is our Christ-nature. It is that divine potential that awaits our recognition. 

This is the Truth about every one of us. The great teacher, mystic Jesus was not an exception; rather, he was a living example of our innate divinity. We honor this great Way-Shower for proving, through the great works he did, the possibilities stretched before us. Christ, in each one of us, is our hope of glory. 

It’s no wonder we give gifts in celebration of the Love that we are.


This Week’s Affirmation

“I AM always present and alive in harmony and right action.”

by Keith Childers

BLIND FAITH

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  
~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 ~ 

When Jesus said, “It is done unto you as you believe,” he not only announced the law of faith, he explained how it works. First, he implied that there is a law which operates upon your faith. All laws are universal; hence they exist wherever you are. If there is a law of faith, it is right where you are and it will operate like any other law in nature.
~  Ernest Holmes, This Thing Called You ~

There is an inherent faith factor residing in the hearts and minds of humanity. This manifesting power has been described as “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” It is the reliable source of all life. Whenever the spirit, mind, and body are in perfect alignment. . . it is the blessed assurance that all things are possible. 

This faith faculty is forever being ignited, knowingly or unknowingly; and, whether you call the thing in question, “big” or “small,” it is always working. However, trained thought is more powerful than untrained thought when it comes to applying faith for a specific outcome. For example, the electrician, who has studied the laws and nature of electricity, knows how to harness its energy and direct or redirect its current.  Likewise, the one who understands the laws of mind and aligns himself with them; may just as easily redirect the energy of this creative medium.  Energy always flows where the attention goes. So, the mental law, simply put is, “change your thinking, change your life.” 

The mental laws governing the underlying principle of thought and feelings are the substance of our manifest lives. Have you ever noticed that when you have truly made up your mind about a certain condition that you have imagined, the evidence of your conviction is realized? I certainly have. Conversely, I notice whenever I have doubt or fear about a particular undertaking I’ve started, the results are often hit-and-miss. Napoleon Hill describes the Law this way: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

The good news is that all human error or mistakes of the past may be healed, or restored to its natural state through this inner confidence that is enhanced with an understanding of the Law of Mind in Action.  This self-correcting power is sometimes called forgiveness.  

~ ~ ~~

Just like making sure the cord is plugged in if my light bulb does not come on; I do a mental assessment to determine if what I am thinking, feeling, and believing are out of alignment with my desired good when I do not get the results I expected from life. 

My check-list goes like this, as found in The Science of Mind (page 357.3)

  1. I turn to that Living Presence within and recognize It as the One and Only Power in the Universe.
  2. I identify and unify with this magnificent One.
    This sweet meditation brings me to a realization that my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are being acted upon by this Creative Law. I begin to affirm the specific good I desire to experience.
  3. I declare my word is the presence, power, and activity of The One. 
  4. Filled with unwavering faith that what I desire is now accomplished in the Infinite Mind of God, I relax and give great thanks. 
  5. Having faith in the Immutable Law of God; I let it be so, even before I see it.

This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I align myself with the One and allow my thoughts to bring me my good.”

by Judy Hilley


ANNOUNCEMENT

Save The Date for

THE STILLPOINT REUNION and BUFFET LUNCH   
~ an afternoon of fellowship and celebration ~ 

December 10, 2022
12:00 to 3:00 PM

Centerville Community Center
3025 Bethany Church Road
Snellville, GA 30039

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW – STAY TUNED


COMFORT FOOD

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

(REPOST) Me and a friend were talking about the spirituality of gardening. The conversation began with us both acknowledging that the vegetables she is now growing were comfort foods in our youth.  She showed me pictures of the growth process. 

In this nostalgic mood, I remember my mother having a vegetable garden in the back yard. And, I remember the front yard being filled to overflowing with petunias of every color. I also recall a class project in grade school that taught the basic relationship between the seed, the soil, and the plant. Therefore, when I first heard this analogy used in The Science of Mind to describe how thoughts become things, it was easy to accept the concept.  Through practice, trial and error, and experience, it is more apparent than ever before the far-reaching implication of the creative process.  

I begin to imagine planet earth swirling through space, carrying within itself an energy field capable of feeding all of its inhabitants throughout all time. ‘Just think’, I tell myself, ‘Beneath the surface of the ground there is a vibrating, pulsating mystery, that yields everything needed to sustain and maintain a healthy body.’ Mother Earth is never exhausted or depleted of its nature to create that which nourishes. She always leaves behind a seed within every plant, guaranteeing a future gift of the same kind. Its givenness is endless, not only providing food for our bodies. It provides beauty for our soul’s delight. 

While I found comfort in the tasty food that my mother cooked to perfection with a lot of love; this miracle of unlimited supply may be overlooked or taken for granted when I do not plant the seeds and observe the growth process for myself. Or, when I am not consciously aware of God’s goodness ever available. My limited vision of Truth may see no further than the farmer’s delivery to the super market where I may select a fresh, frozen or canned version of my “daily bread.” Sometimes the store is “sold out.”

~ ~ ~ ~

The great teacher, Jesus, came along and told us: “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32 NIV) I believe what he is sharing here is his discovery that not only are our bodies provided everything it needs to live successfully on the planet; our minds, likewise, are provided all that brings about satisfaction and fulfillment ~ all that brings great comfort. 

I imagine an energy field that surrounds all the inhabitants of the earth. I imagine this Light moving in, below, above and through every living being. I imagine this Life Force as a vibrating, pulsating mystery, that yields everything needed to sustain and maintain a healthy mind.   I imagine the “food” Jesus references is a perfect metaphor for the abundant and inexhaustible supply of Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, Joy, Order, Beauty, and Wholeness that are ever-present. These qualities may be likened to seeds that may be planted in our thoughts about the things we desire in life; i.e., health, relationships, careers, finances and more. 

I believe this food for thought that is the very essence of Life Itself is the Great Comforter. It may be easy to ignore this phenomenon, this miracle, this divine connection that provides for every living being when I limit my vision of Truth to the opinions of others, experiencing that which is the result of the seeds another has planted.  I must plant my own garden, realizing that I reap what I sow. It is Law.


This Week’s Affirmation

“Opportunities are all around me.”

https://www.boldtuesday.com/blogs/vision-board/positive-affirmations


ANNOUNCEMENT
Save The Date
for

THE STILLPOINT REUNION and BUFFET LUNCH   
~ an afternoon of fellowship and celebration ~ 

December 10, 2022
12:00 to 3:00 PM

Centerville Community Center
3025 Bethany Church Road
Snellville, GA 30039

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW – STAY TUNED

Investing in Life

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” 
~Luke 6:38, The Holy Bible. ~

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet. ~

Jesus, the Master Teacher, having attained the Christ Consciousness, used simple language and metaphors when he explained the Nature of Being. Still, only a relative few made the connection between the physical examples he gave and their mental equivalents. The few who get it include mystics, scientists, and philosophers.

Mystics tell us “As above, so below.”  In other words, that which we consistently entertain in the upper realms of consciousness (in the mind) is evidenced through one of our five senses. Scientists tell us there’s a law of “Cause and effect.”  In other words, just as a seed is the “cause” for the plant that follows: all fundamental beliefs eventually out-picture as tangible experiences.  Philosophers tell us “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” In other words, the way we mentally view a thing determines our experience of it. For example, we’ve heard, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” 

Although these various branches of knowledge are saying the same thing; nonetheless, the reality that there is an awesome power within us, and we can use it, is not always realized. The good news is, no matter when one awakens to this inner kingdom of thought, feelings, and imagination, they find there is unlimited potential waiting to be ignited. At any time, one may choose to become a conscious investor in life; no longer a mere bystander.

~ ~ ~

There’s always a return on the investment we make. The return is the exact image and likeness of the words we use when describing our dream of reality. The creative medium of our minds actualizes our thoughts and they become the people, places, and things we encounter in our day-to-day experiences. In other words, “You reap what you sow.”  This is simply the way life gets to be what it is. It is the Law of Being. 

For some, when hearing the word “Law”, used in the context of spirituality, there is an association with the word “punishment.” This association often results in a false belief that says we can displease, disappoint, or make God angry. To avoid slipping into this erroneous mindset, a paradigm shift in consciousness is necessary. Remind yourself that “law” in the spiritual realm is simply a term that describes nature’s way. For example, it is nature’s way that objects fall to the ground when dropped; and this law, of course, is what we call gravity. 

It would never occur to us that God is punishing us if we were to drop an expensive piece of fine china, and it breaks.  While the consequence might sadden us, we would nonetheless accept the outcome as the natural reaction to the action.  However, we may choose, in the future, to adhere to the law by being more careful. The same occurs in the mental and spiritual realms of our lives.

We may begin today investing in ideas that inevitably return to us our heart’s desires; i.e., ideas like health, loving-kindness, harmonious relationships, sufficiency, beauty, wisdom, creative expressions, etc.  We may invest in the practice of forgiveness that returns to us peace of mind. We may invest in our personal values; such as unity, integrity, justice, equanimity, and all that yield a world that works for everyone.;

This week, remember the feast spread before you is the return of your investment of accepting God’s Way. Give thanks and let it be so.


 This Weeks Affirmation

” I am more powerful than I know and I can achieve anything and everything to which I set my heart.

 For all of this, I am grateful.”

www.happierhuman.com/gratitude-affirmations/


Save The Date
ANNOUNCEMENT
for

THE STILLPOINT REUNION and BUFFET LUNCH   
~ an afternoon of fellowship and celebration ~ 

December 10, 2022
12:00 to 3:00 PM

Centerville Community Center
3025 Bethany Church Road
Snellville, GA 30039

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW – STAY TUNED