The brilliant performance of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, plus the live TV production of the musical “Annie,” along with the inspirational Medal of Honor Ceremony presented by the President, set the tone for a lovely holiday season; all in the comfort of my own home. Yes, all this, and a couple of Hallmark movies, put me in a really good mood.

In the midst of this enjoyment, there is, nonetheless, news being broadcast that may have a tendency to distort the idea of health, unity, and supply.  When the darkness of doubt and fear creep into consciousness; it is the daylight of hope, faith, and expectancy that provides room for something new and beautiful to be birthed.  

~ ~ ~ ~

When night falls, I look outside my window and see bright lights emanating from houses on both sides of the street. With keen insight, I see that time and time again, the Light of God breaks through darkness and brings Joy to The World. I begin to realize that Light is Ever-Present, even when obscured by the overcast of human experience.

~ ~ ~ ~

The word Light may take on different meanings here. In one sense it means the Pure Energy all around us that simply awaits the direction from our Higher Wisdom Self.   From another perspective, it means Intelligence and Understanding. From the standpoint of what mystics have seen, it is “Substance, a fine, white brilliant Stuff, forever falling into everything; a Substance indestructible and eternal.” (Ernest Holmes)

~ ~ ~ ~

The spiritual revelation of Light has come to all people, all cultures, and throughout all time. It transcends religions. It is the One Universal Consciousness operating through all. The following are just a few examples of how the awareness of Light is celebrated during this holiday season:

• Wiccans celebrate the perpetual Light of nature moving through the seasons. Solstice, they say, is “The winter-born king, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun. 
• Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day, in commemoration of Buddha’s vow to sit under the Bodhi tree until he reached spiritual enlightenment; the Light within us all.  
• Jews celebrate Hanukkah, or the festival of light. It is in remembrance of the miracle of Lightthat happened on that historical night when there was just enough oil in the lamp for one night; yet it provided enough light for eight; sufficient time to gain victory over impending darkness. 
• Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of the Christ, The Light of the world, the son of God within us, symbolized by the baby Jesus. 

Light is the gift of the spirit. It is Love. It is Grace. It is Beauty. It is Joy.

With every celebration this season; with every gift received or given; with every song sung; with every act or word of kindness witnessed; with every prayer prayed; let there be Light as we affirm that the power of our unified consciousness is sufficient to give birth to Peace on Earth and Good Will towards all. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

and

~ May your days be Merry and Bright! ~ 

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This Week’s Affirmation

“I live and have my being in eternal Light and allow It to be a beacon through me to the world.”

By Angela “Chris” Beam

“There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same. He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ 

“Attraction and repulsion are mental qualities, and may be consciously utilized for definite purposes. Man, automatically and according to Law, attracts to himself a correspondence of his mental attitudes. Inner mental attitudes may be induced through right thinking and correct knowing.” ~  Ernest Holmes ~

“We see a world in which each and every person lives in alignment with his/her highest spiritual principle, emphasizing unity with God and connection with each other; a world in which individually and collectively we are called to a higher state of consciousness and action.”
~ Centers for Spiritual Living ~

Familiar terms like intuition, instinct, clairvoyance, and extra-sensory-perception describe the subtle effects of the phenomenon of planetary oneness. In the meantime, and in tandem with this sensation, The Law of Attraction, an invisible force operating in the universe, is forever drawing to us the thoughts and actions taking place all around us.

All this activity of the one mind is our spiritual nature ~ the very essence of who we are.

~ ~ ~ ~

Our inseparable Oneness is far-reaching. For example, those who comprise our circle of influence are not limited to the people whose names we know or to the ones with whom we associate. The circle includes the known or unknown; the seen or unseen with whom we resonate. The circle extends beyond our geographic awareness. 

There are subjective agreements we make with 
words and images presented below our conscious awareness.
We are inherently attracted to each other. 

~ ~ ~ ~

The story of The Hundredth Monkey by Ken Keyes tells how the behavior of a small group of monkeys influenced the behavior of many primates of their island, though never having interacted with them. Soon, monkeys on neighboring islands began to adopt the same behavior. 

Psychologists tell us that parents inadvertently influence their young when they speak and act cordially to one another while secretly abusing each other with word and deed. Many children grow up and continue the unseen behavior of their parents.

Both accounts illustrate the great synergy that exists between beings. They demonstrate how, unspoken words and unseen behavior, have a tendency to impress the consciousness and influence the activity of the most susceptible; be it positive or negative. The most susceptible are our circle of influence.

~ ~ ~ ~

Through the spiritual practice of meditation, we become consciously attuned to subjective impressions and began attracting only that which resonates with our highest values. Soon, our mental attitude of Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards All, begins to touch the hearts of the masses ~ creating a world that works for everyone. 

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This Week’s Affirmation

“Today I consciously affirm only the Good and become a Beneficial Presence to the world.”

By Judy Hilley

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/6130779853
Zoom ID: 613-077-9853
Springfield Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse of Vermont
And Co-Sponsor
The Empowerment Center of Cheverly, MD
PRESENT
(The Third of Eight) 

HOWARD THURMAN SERIES

THIS WEEK FEATURING
Robbin G. Ruffner, RScP Emeritus
Co-Founder ~ Co-Director
StillPoint Spiritual Center
Snellville, GA

ALL ARE WELCOME!

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“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
~ Isaiah 42:9 ~ (KJV)

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
 ~ Revelations 21:5 ~ (ESV)

The mystical teachings of the Holy Bible, as well as all sacred texts of the world, are sometimes obscure simply because of the unfamiliar language in which they are written. Of course, there have always been a precious few, the mystics of the time, who gleaned the deeper and esoteric meaning found in the various scriptures. 

The Metaphysical Movement of New Thought, presents ancient wisdom in a language that may be understood by anyone who is a sincere seeker of Truth.   One of the most liberating revelations, taught in the Science of Mind is, “Principle is not bound by precedent.” 

Principles are invisible laws of nature that cannot be broken. Their indestructible nature assures reliability, dependability, and permanence. While this is the core of all sciences, when it comes to The Life Principle undergirding our very existence, it is the blessed assurance that, with God, all things are possible. The Life Principle is one of forgiveness, inasmuch as, once understood and applied, the mistakes of yesterday no longer have an independent power to punish or to repeat themselves. 

With an understanding that there is a power for good in the universe and we can use it, superstition of all kinds is no longer an excuse for limitation. False notions return to the native nothingness from which they came. The native-nothingness is the field of pure potentiality that has no opinions, but rather conforms to the beliefs that the thinker thinks.

The moment you and I catch the idea that we are truly spiritual beings right here and right now, fully imbued with the creative nature of God, we may speak a word of Truth and it becomes the reality of our lives immediately. Careful here. Our creative nature is not making something happen by our word, but rather, it is unleashing that which is already happening. The word we speak is an affirmation of our divine life right now, and ignites the Principle of Truth. 

In the self-same moment that we know the Truth, the former things (errors: mis-steps, mistakes, ignorance) fall away, for there is no longer a belief that sustains them. They are nothing. The picture of our lives begins to change.

The story of the prodigal son is a perfect example of the Law in action. It tells of the instantaneous response received by the one who aligns herself with the Peace, Love, Harmony, Wisdom, Joy, Abundance, and Wholeness that is our true birthright. The shadows of lack, limitation, fear, disease, poverty, bigotry, and various kinds of mental prisons, melt under this Light of Grace.

None of this implies that, as enlightened beings, we no longer experience problems that must be worked out, any more than one proficient in the knowledge of mathematics will never mis-calculate. However, it does imply that, just as the mathematician applies his Principle of Numbers to his challenge, we apply the Principle of Spiritual Truth to ours.

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This Week’s Affirmation

“My mind is set free.”

www.thecoffeybreak.com

~ “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” ~ 
~  Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

One said, “I fight my battles on my knees.” Another said, “God has not brought us this far to leave us now.”  “Yes”, another agrees, “but, faith without works is dead. We must “treat” and move our feet.” 

Spiritual conviction is the foundation principle that many citizens of the world apply when dealing with the ever-changing appearances of good and evil. 

When the response to negative events is grounded in the awareness that there is a Power for Good in the universe that we can use; there is a tendency to remember the motive of our actions. The motive is always to restore harmony.

Of course, the word “God” is not to imply a Being outside of ourselves ruling the world with an opposing force that “He” must contend; but rather, God, we know, is an indwelling Presence, a Divine Potential of Love, Intelligence, Abundance, and Harmony, to name just a few of Its attributes. 

~ ~ ~ ~

The word, “treat,” in the phrase, “treat and move your feet,” refers to affirmative prayer or spiritual mind treatment. It is a process wherein we tell ourselves the truth of our nature. It breaks down the self-erected barriers that suggest sickness and disease, economic disaster, fear of one another and all kinds of limiting beliefs. It empowers us to take appropriate action with confidence.  

~ ~ ~ ~

I remember awakening to myself and asking, “Who am I?” You may, likewise, recall hearing that still small voice within you ask that question. It is at this juncture of the spiritual path that the truth seeker is ready to make conscious choices about everything they think, say, and do in their quest for self-discovery. The practice begins.

THINK: Contemplative Meditation

When we began to slow down the thoughts we are thinking to the point that we become aware of what we are telling ourselves, we have reached a pivotal point in consciousness for which there is no turning back. It is here in the secret place of ourselves that we separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.

SAY: Declare the Truth

Once there is a personal revelation or realization of Truth, it becomes the premise for our reasoning. We begin to tell ourselves the spiritual truth about all people, places, and things. All this is done within our minds, whether silently or audibly spoken.

DO: Walk in the Direction of your Beliefs

Each one of us is a necessary component in creating a world that works for everyone. Our actions are based on our spiritual convictions. 

~ ~ ~ ~

The spiritual warrior wears the full armor of God by acknowledging there is only One Presence and One Power that comprise The One Infinite Life. 

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This Week’s Affirmation

“As I contemplate the question of what is mine to do, I know Spiritual Mind Treatment empowers me to move forward with confidence to release all my limiting beliefs.”

Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP

“Giving thanks before the actual manifestation occurs is the royal road to manifestation, because we are not only confirming our faith, but we’re acknowledging the receipt of good from the Giver of all perfect gifts.” 
~  Emmet Fox ~

 ^“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
~ Mark 11:24 ~

“We are saved by Grace to the extent that we believe in, accept, and seek to embody, the Law of Good; for the Law of Good is ever a Law of Liberty and never one of limitation.”
~ The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes ~

The voice kept repeating, “please hold, all of our agents are busy helping others ~ someone will be with you shortly.” After hearing this same message over and over, I began to wonder if it was worth the wait. I wondered if the agent would be hurried once on the line with me. Nonetheless, I waited.

Once the connection was made, I felt completely supported by the care given me. The one on the other end of the line acted as if nothing mattered more than being of service to me. They listened deeply, addressed my concerns, assured the outcome, and stayed engaged until I was completely satisfied. My heart was filled with gratitude for this pleasant encounter. I thanked the agent profusely.

This scenario may be likened to our individual relationship to the Divine.

~ ~ ~ ~

There may be times the voice in our head tells us, while others are being blessed, our desired good is not worthy of immediate attention. However, the smallest amount of faith is sufficient to muster up the courage to hold on and wait for the moment of an unwavering conviction that there truly is a Power for Good, operating in the universe, that avails Itself to everyone, and that includes me. It is in that moment of realization that the connection is made.

Giving thanks is the natural response to the gratitude that is deeply felt. Once thanksgiving is expressed, the deal is sealed. Acceptance empowers one to move forward with a sense of confidence, ready to experience the evidence of the desired fulfilled.

~ ~ ~ ~

This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. For the most part, people all over the USA will gather with family, friends, and/or strangers and break bread together.  The ritual of this day is a celebration of heartfelt gratitude. Our biggest challenge may be remembering this is so. Those of us who do remember, it may be in gratitude for uniting with family and friends after a year of uncertainty. It may be in gratitude for being either the benefactor or recipient of some unexpected good. It may be in gratitude for simply relaxing and watching a football game. Regardless of the motivation, allow yourself to feel the emotion of gratitude.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday that acknowledges that there is a Power for Good in the universe, from which we benefit greatly.  So, in that regard, giving thanks in response to the inner emotion of heartfelt gratitude, sets a law in motion that opens up an avenue in consciousness through which unlimited good flows unimpeded.

~ ~ ~ ~

When the power of giving thanks is remembered and practiced by the masses, consciously and deliberately, I believe an immediate shift in planetary consciousness for good takes place, creating a world that works for everyone. After all, the promise is: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.”  

Have a wonderful day!

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This Week’s Affirmation

I am so grateful now for all my good, always open and receptive for more.

By Keith D. Childers