As we drive around this time of year, we see flower and garden beds being prepared. Compost is tilled into the beds for nourishment to insure a bountiful harvest. On a personal level there are a few things we can do to insure our growth, our spiritual growth.
You may have heard the saying "Prayer is for talking to God and Meditation is for listening to God." True prayer is the way we plug into God, aligning our thinking with the love that infuses all things. We are asking what we can learn, what insight God would have us receive, and what wisdom He would place within us.
True meditation is not just staring at a candle and relaxing, it is an opportunity to get greater insight and deeper peace. Meditation is, also, a spiritual exercise, strengthening muscles, making it easier to remove
thoughts of fear, negativity, anger and judgment.
As we take the time to prepare our garden and flower beds this time of year, let us, also, take time for prayer and meditation to prepare ourselves for a stronger relationship with God.
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Monday, April 8, 2013
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Celebrate Your Harvest
Fall is a beautiful time of the year. The leaves are changing into beautiful reds and yellows, and the cotton blooms are bursting and ready to be harvested.
Some folks may be saddened that the weather is turning colder and we are looking at at barer landscape. But in Exodus 23:16 it states that we should "Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field."
We should celebrate the opportunity to rest after our hard work.
In Exodus the fourth commandment reads "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work..."
In Webster the word Sabbath means "a time of rest." A Sabbath, then, is a period of cessation from effort in order to rest and relax for the purpose of gathering strength and power for a new period of activity.
In the natural world, the period of rest allows all forces of nature to gather strength for a new burst of activity. In our physical bodies, which are so closely connected to the natural realm, a period of rest enables our cells to store up reserve energy. Mentally, a period of rest becomes a time of peace and quiet, enabling our minds to indulge in reflection on the things of the Spirit. This spiritual infilling is absolutely crucial in all cycles of normal growth of the individual.
In every demonstration, there must be resting periods, times of cessation from outer activity, while one dwells in complete trust on God and on the operation of His absolute laws.
In the New Testament we find many instances showing us how Jesus was consistent with the idea in this commandment in making his great demonstrations. He would go apart to pray, and after such a period of infilling, he would move through a period of intense activity of teaching and healing; then he would go apart to rest while. He would pray, work, rest, then repeat the cycle.
Celebrate this time of rest for we are renewing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for our rebirth. As Spring brings us a burst of activity in nature; we, too, will burst forth feeling renewed and rejuvenated so that we may do God's good works.
Namaste!
Some folks may be saddened that the weather is turning colder and we are looking at at barer landscape. But in Exodus 23:16 it states that we should "Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field."
We should celebrate the opportunity to rest after our hard work.
In Exodus the fourth commandment reads "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work..."
In Webster the word Sabbath means "a time of rest." A Sabbath, then, is a period of cessation from effort in order to rest and relax for the purpose of gathering strength and power for a new period of activity.
In the natural world, the period of rest allows all forces of nature to gather strength for a new burst of activity. In our physical bodies, which are so closely connected to the natural realm, a period of rest enables our cells to store up reserve energy. Mentally, a period of rest becomes a time of peace and quiet, enabling our minds to indulge in reflection on the things of the Spirit. This spiritual infilling is absolutely crucial in all cycles of normal growth of the individual.
In every demonstration, there must be resting periods, times of cessation from outer activity, while one dwells in complete trust on God and on the operation of His absolute laws.
In the New Testament we find many instances showing us how Jesus was consistent with the idea in this commandment in making his great demonstrations. He would go apart to pray, and after such a period of infilling, he would move through a period of intense activity of teaching and healing; then he would go apart to rest while. He would pray, work, rest, then repeat the cycle.
Celebrate this time of rest for we are renewing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for our rebirth. As Spring brings us a burst of activity in nature; we, too, will burst forth feeling renewed and rejuvenated so that we may do God's good works.
Namaste!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Prayer
God is forever calling us to awaken to oneness; our oneness with him/her. This calling is inherent in all of us. It is the call to come up higher, to take charge of our lives, to release our imprisoned splendor.
In the scripture Job 22: 26 - 28 it says "submit to God and be at peace with him; And prosperity will come to us. That we should pray to God and we will be heard. All our vows will be met." The key word to that scripture is "Pray." Eric Butterworth says that prayer "is the secret door to cosmic power."
The practice of prayer allows us to become aware of our true self - that we are God's heirs. We do not inherit things from God, but Divine Ideas such as life, substance, intelligence, love, power, unlimited abundance and well-being.
Many of us have been brought up thinking prayer is something that we do to God, or a ceremony we perform for God. Emilie Cady says in Lessons in Truth that "True prayer is grateful acknowledgement of the truth that God and man (or women) are one because they are of the same nature. True prayer is the continual recognition and thanksgiving that all is good, that all good is ours now as much as it ever can be. True prayer can never be begging God for something we do not have. Rather it is thanking Him for bringing into manifestation that which is already ours in the ideal."
So Pray. Pray Daily. Take the time to become established in the awareness of Oneness, our oneness with God. The benefits are great: the unfolding of creative ideas, the ability to rise above human challenges, and the improvement of your disposition and health.
Pray and connect with the treasure within us all - Our Divine Inheritance.
Peace be with you.
In the scripture Job 22: 26 - 28 it says "submit to God and be at peace with him; And prosperity will come to us. That we should pray to God and we will be heard. All our vows will be met." The key word to that scripture is "Pray." Eric Butterworth says that prayer "is the secret door to cosmic power."
The practice of prayer allows us to become aware of our true self - that we are God's heirs. We do not inherit things from God, but Divine Ideas such as life, substance, intelligence, love, power, unlimited abundance and well-being.
Many of us have been brought up thinking prayer is something that we do to God, or a ceremony we perform for God. Emilie Cady says in Lessons in Truth that "True prayer is grateful acknowledgement of the truth that God and man (or women) are one because they are of the same nature. True prayer is the continual recognition and thanksgiving that all is good, that all good is ours now as much as it ever can be. True prayer can never be begging God for something we do not have. Rather it is thanking Him for bringing into manifestation that which is already ours in the ideal."
So Pray. Pray Daily. Take the time to become established in the awareness of Oneness, our oneness with God. The benefits are great: the unfolding of creative ideas, the ability to rise above human challenges, and the improvement of your disposition and health.
Pray and connect with the treasure within us all - Our Divine Inheritance.
Peace be with you.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
It is Finished!
In a few days it will be Good Friday. In the scripture Jesus' final words were "It is finished", and then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jesus raised himself up to God. He released his spirit from his human body; he crossed out of bondage of human limitations.
Good Friday is the 39th day of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday. During the Lenten Season we have practiced the presence of God through prayer and meditation. We have read books containing spiritual thoughts, such as the Bible or Daily Word.
We have done some self-evaluation and made a decision to release one or some things that we feel would make our lives better; that would help us on our spiritual paths.
We have used denials and affirmations to help synchronize our consciousness with God. To help us get in tune with the divine.
We may have gone through some trials and tribulations; concerns and doubts as Jesus did in Gethsemane.
We may have even felt a sense of loss or grief because the things that we are letting go (habits, emotions, unforgiveness or people) have been with us for a long time.
And then we come to Good Friday AND it is the day WE say "It is Finished!" Our hard work is done. We released and let go, and we are not looking back. We have crossed out of bondage.
As we let go this Friday, we resurrect to a new life.
Let us all rise as Jesus did into a new way of being.
Happy Easter!
Good Friday is the 39th day of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday. During the Lenten Season we have practiced the presence of God through prayer and meditation. We have read books containing spiritual thoughts, such as the Bible or Daily Word.
We have done some self-evaluation and made a decision to release one or some things that we feel would make our lives better; that would help us on our spiritual paths.
We have used denials and affirmations to help synchronize our consciousness with God. To help us get in tune with the divine.
We may have gone through some trials and tribulations; concerns and doubts as Jesus did in Gethsemane.
We may have even felt a sense of loss or grief because the things that we are letting go (habits, emotions, unforgiveness or people) have been with us for a long time.
And then we come to Good Friday AND it is the day WE say "It is Finished!" Our hard work is done. We released and let go, and we are not looking back. We have crossed out of bondage.
As we let go this Friday, we resurrect to a new life.
Let us all rise as Jesus did into a new way of being.
Happy Easter!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Ash Wednesday
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season. In early church history, Lent was observed as a period of time when the whole community prayed and fasted with the catechumens - people converting to Christianity who received training in doctrine and discipline before baptism on Easter. Those who were already baptized prepared to renew their baptismal promises at Easter, thus joining the catechumens in seeking to deepen their own conversion.
With the disappearance of the catchumencate from the church's life, peoples' understanding of the season of Lent changed. By the Middle Ages, the emphasis was no longer baptismal. Instead the emphasis shifted to the passion and death of Jesus. Lent became a time to acknowledge our guilt for the sins that led to Jesus' passion and death. Repentance was seen as a way to avoid punishment for sin, instead of a way to renew our baptismal commitment.
Unity looks at Lent as a time for spiritual renewal, similar to the original observance of the early churches. A time to remove the ashes or residue of things that no longer serve us on our spiritual journey.
Instead of fasting from food or drink, which might be the letter of the law; we look at it as fasting from negative patterns of thoughts, feelings, words and actions. It is a time for reflection. It is time to blend and merge our mind with God-Mind.
Here are several things to make your Lenten season more meaningful:
1. Set aside some time each day to be alone with God. Every day set aside time for prayer and study.
2. Daily practice the presence of God. See God in everything - other people and nature. Talk to God about anything, anytime and anywhere. Make God your BFF.
3. Do some self-evaluation. Take an honest look at yourself; examine your thoughts, feelings, words and behavior. Don't put yourself down as you are evaluating. Look at yourself objectively. Look at these things as something that can be changed.
4. Decide what you should release and let go. Look for an area of need and work with it. Ask the question
"What would make my life better if I got rid of X?"
5. Use Denials and Affirmations. Once you determine your specific fast, you may want to use denials. As written in Emilie Cady's book Lessons in Truth, "to deny is to declare untrue; to repudiate as utterly false; to deny the claims of error consciousness, to declare these claims to be untrue." Denials clear away belief in negative appearances as reality and makes room for the establishing of Truth. After you deny, you then affirm. Again in Cady's Lessons in Truth, "to affirm is to assert positively that it is so, even in the face of all contrary evidence." Affirmations are declarations of spiritual truth. Denials have an erasive or dissolving tendency. Affirmations build up and give strength, courage and power.
6. Make a commitment to spiritual growth during Lent. It is up to you. No one can establish dominion for you but you. Every day adhere to your resolve to observe Lent by doing those things that will enhance your spiritual growth.
Lent provides you with a special opportunity to draw closer to God. A wonderful time to be renewed and to express more of your true spiritual nature.
As you fast and pray you will be on your way to a more meaningful Easter experience, to an awakening to and resurrection of the living Christ within your being and within your life.
Peace Be With You.
With the disappearance of the catchumencate from the church's life, peoples' understanding of the season of Lent changed. By the Middle Ages, the emphasis was no longer baptismal. Instead the emphasis shifted to the passion and death of Jesus. Lent became a time to acknowledge our guilt for the sins that led to Jesus' passion and death. Repentance was seen as a way to avoid punishment for sin, instead of a way to renew our baptismal commitment.
Unity looks at Lent as a time for spiritual renewal, similar to the original observance of the early churches. A time to remove the ashes or residue of things that no longer serve us on our spiritual journey.
Instead of fasting from food or drink, which might be the letter of the law; we look at it as fasting from negative patterns of thoughts, feelings, words and actions. It is a time for reflection. It is time to blend and merge our mind with God-Mind.
Here are several things to make your Lenten season more meaningful:
1. Set aside some time each day to be alone with God. Every day set aside time for prayer and study.
2. Daily practice the presence of God. See God in everything - other people and nature. Talk to God about anything, anytime and anywhere. Make God your BFF.
3. Do some self-evaluation. Take an honest look at yourself; examine your thoughts, feelings, words and behavior. Don't put yourself down as you are evaluating. Look at yourself objectively. Look at these things as something that can be changed.
4. Decide what you should release and let go. Look for an area of need and work with it. Ask the question
"What would make my life better if I got rid of X?"
5. Use Denials and Affirmations. Once you determine your specific fast, you may want to use denials. As written in Emilie Cady's book Lessons in Truth, "to deny is to declare untrue; to repudiate as utterly false; to deny the claims of error consciousness, to declare these claims to be untrue." Denials clear away belief in negative appearances as reality and makes room for the establishing of Truth. After you deny, you then affirm. Again in Cady's Lessons in Truth, "to affirm is to assert positively that it is so, even in the face of all contrary evidence." Affirmations are declarations of spiritual truth. Denials have an erasive or dissolving tendency. Affirmations build up and give strength, courage and power.
6. Make a commitment to spiritual growth during Lent. It is up to you. No one can establish dominion for you but you. Every day adhere to your resolve to observe Lent by doing those things that will enhance your spiritual growth.
Lent provides you with a special opportunity to draw closer to God. A wonderful time to be renewed and to express more of your true spiritual nature.
As you fast and pray you will be on your way to a more meaningful Easter experience, to an awakening to and resurrection of the living Christ within your being and within your life.
Peace Be With You.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Forgiveness is a 4 Letter Word
Lawana Blackwell, an author from MS, stated that "Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives." Forgiveness can be a life changing experience. When we forgive we feel refreshed, rejuvenated, uplifted and peaceful. We move forward when we forgive, instead of stuck in the past with feelings of anger, resentment and bitterness. Forgiveness can lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion.
So if our lives are benefited in so many ways when we forgive, Why do we think of it as a 4 Letter Word?
One reason is that it's easier to hold a grudge. It takes commitment to forgive. It, also, can be very painful to relive the hurt or anger of the event in order to let it go.
Another reason is that many of us live in the world of ego and it will do whatever is necessary for it's own survival. Our ego may tell us that it's a sign of weakness and we should never humble ourselves. It is more important to be right, than to be humble. Our ego looks at the problem as "out there" with someone else. Our ego needs to be strong and powerful. Our ego likes to "hold all the cards", have power over someone or something. When you forgive, you relinquish that power.
Alan Cohen, says that "holding resentment and ideas of unforgiveness are like drinking a glass poison and expecting the other person to die." Holding resentment within is harmful to the body. Unforgiveness is a great waste of mental and physical energy, it's exhausting. It can cause a whole list of physical ailments and mental distress.
From a spiritual standpoint, our pain and discomfort in any given situation is a signal that we are out of alignment with spiritual law (God) and are being given an opportunity to heal something. We are given an opportunity to release resentment, condemnation and disapproval. This makes room for for joy, love and understanding. When certain ideas are cleared from the mind, it allows for new ideas to fill our consciousness.
Forgiveness is for us, not the other person. It is a renewing experience, a fresh start. Forgiveness and spiritual growth go hand in hand. If you cannot forgive yourself or others, you cannot expect to change your consciousness.
Forgiveness is a choice. Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said that we should practice forgiveness consciously as least once a day. He suggested that we sit down at the end of the day, before retiring and mentally forgive ourselves and others for all offenses.
In Matthew 18 Peter asked Jesus "how often should I forgive. As many as seven times?" Jesus replied "not seven times, but I tell you seventy times."
So forgive seventy times. Forgive immediately. Don't bury the pain and memories, release them. Look to the future instead of the past. As we release the hurt, we make room for God's love, peace, joy and happiness.
Namaste
So if our lives are benefited in so many ways when we forgive, Why do we think of it as a 4 Letter Word?
One reason is that it's easier to hold a grudge. It takes commitment to forgive. It, also, can be very painful to relive the hurt or anger of the event in order to let it go.
Another reason is that many of us live in the world of ego and it will do whatever is necessary for it's own survival. Our ego may tell us that it's a sign of weakness and we should never humble ourselves. It is more important to be right, than to be humble. Our ego looks at the problem as "out there" with someone else. Our ego needs to be strong and powerful. Our ego likes to "hold all the cards", have power over someone or something. When you forgive, you relinquish that power.
Alan Cohen, says that "holding resentment and ideas of unforgiveness are like drinking a glass poison and expecting the other person to die." Holding resentment within is harmful to the body. Unforgiveness is a great waste of mental and physical energy, it's exhausting. It can cause a whole list of physical ailments and mental distress.
From a spiritual standpoint, our pain and discomfort in any given situation is a signal that we are out of alignment with spiritual law (God) and are being given an opportunity to heal something. We are given an opportunity to release resentment, condemnation and disapproval. This makes room for for joy, love and understanding. When certain ideas are cleared from the mind, it allows for new ideas to fill our consciousness.
Forgiveness is for us, not the other person. It is a renewing experience, a fresh start. Forgiveness and spiritual growth go hand in hand. If you cannot forgive yourself or others, you cannot expect to change your consciousness.
Forgiveness is a choice. Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said that we should practice forgiveness consciously as least once a day. He suggested that we sit down at the end of the day, before retiring and mentally forgive ourselves and others for all offenses.
In Matthew 18 Peter asked Jesus "how often should I forgive. As many as seven times?" Jesus replied "not seven times, but I tell you seventy times."
So forgive seventy times. Forgive immediately. Don't bury the pain and memories, release them. Look to the future instead of the past. As we release the hurt, we make room for God's love, peace, joy and happiness.
Namaste
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our Father
Did you inherit your blue eyes and freckles from your father? We all have physical characteristics that we've inherited from our parents. But, have you thought about what you've inherited from your true parent?
Our true parent, called by many names (Source, Infinite Intelligence, The Almighty, or God), has passed to us in our DNA all that It is. We are God's heirs. What does it mean to be an heir of God? We are the sons and daughters of God, entitled to the property of estate of God, just as the heir of a relative or friend comes into possession of the property bequeathed to him. However, the property or estate of God does not consist of "things."
So, what have we inherited? We've inherited all the love in the Universe, because God is Love. We've inherited all the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that fills the Universe, because God is all these things. We've inherited joy, happiness, peace, abundance and perfect health, because our Source is the same. All that God is, we are, too!
Jesus discovered and understood his own divinity, his unique relationship with God. He came into the world when the peoples' interpretation of God was very different. The Old Testament God was jealous, angry, vengeful, someone who wiped out whole cities. This God loved and hated, created and destroyed, blessed and cursed. Jesus' concept of God was an awareness of oneness, or spiritual unity with God.
In Unity we understand that we have the same relationship with God as Jesus did. We understand and accept that the bible verse "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) is Truth for us all.
Jesus said "And ye will know the Truth and the Truth will make you free>" (John 8:32) Take some time to connect with your true parent through prayer and meditation. Nurture the relationship and be set free.
Happy Father's Day!
Namaste
Our true parent, called by many names (Source, Infinite Intelligence, The Almighty, or God), has passed to us in our DNA all that It is. We are God's heirs. What does it mean to be an heir of God? We are the sons and daughters of God, entitled to the property of estate of God, just as the heir of a relative or friend comes into possession of the property bequeathed to him. However, the property or estate of God does not consist of "things."
So, what have we inherited? We've inherited all the love in the Universe, because God is Love. We've inherited all the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that fills the Universe, because God is all these things. We've inherited joy, happiness, peace, abundance and perfect health, because our Source is the same. All that God is, we are, too!
Jesus discovered and understood his own divinity, his unique relationship with God. He came into the world when the peoples' interpretation of God was very different. The Old Testament God was jealous, angry, vengeful, someone who wiped out whole cities. This God loved and hated, created and destroyed, blessed and cursed. Jesus' concept of God was an awareness of oneness, or spiritual unity with God.
In Unity we understand that we have the same relationship with God as Jesus did. We understand and accept that the bible verse "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) is Truth for us all.
Jesus said "And ye will know the Truth and the Truth will make you free>" (John 8:32) Take some time to connect with your true parent through prayer and meditation. Nurture the relationship and be set free.
Happy Father's Day!
Namaste
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Christ Has Risen!
Christ has Risen! Those are the words in the Daily Word on Easter Sunday. For Christians Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. It is the high point of the Lenten season, which began on Ash Wednesday. For forty-six days we reflected on our lives and released what no longer served. We let go of beliefs, thoughts, emotions, patterns, and, sometimes, people that were suppressing our spiritual growth. The clutter and trash has been removed. It is time for our resurrection!
In Webster's Dictionary the definition of resurrection is "a rising from the dead, or coming back to life." We are coming back to our original state, a "coming back to life." Like the rebirth of the spring flowers after a long, dark winter, the Christ within us has risen. The darkness that we had been experiencing has been replaced with the Light of God. In Charles Fillmore's Keep a True Lent he states that the inner meaning of the resurrection is "the awakening and raising to spiritual consciousness of the I Am in man."
In Romans 6:4 it states "Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." A resurrection takes place when "we rise to Jesus' realization of the perpetual indwelling life that is connecting us with God." (The Revealing Word - Charles Fillmore)
This Easter acknowledge the rising of your own Christ nature and consciously connect with the presence of the indwelling God. Affirm: In unity with Christ I realize that I am resurrected into the life, light and power of God.
Happy Easter!
In Webster's Dictionary the definition of resurrection is "a rising from the dead, or coming back to life." We are coming back to our original state, a "coming back to life." Like the rebirth of the spring flowers after a long, dark winter, the Christ within us has risen. The darkness that we had been experiencing has been replaced with the Light of God. In Charles Fillmore's Keep a True Lent he states that the inner meaning of the resurrection is "the awakening and raising to spiritual consciousness of the I Am in man."
In Romans 6:4 it states "Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." A resurrection takes place when "we rise to Jesus' realization of the perpetual indwelling life that is connecting us with God." (The Revealing Word - Charles Fillmore)
This Easter acknowledge the rising of your own Christ nature and consciously connect with the presence of the indwelling God. Affirm: In unity with Christ I realize that I am resurrected into the life, light and power of God.
Happy Easter!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Choose Happiness Each Day
"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
A friend at Unity Fellowship Church in Newport News, VA says this every time he's Platform Assistant.
It is a wonderful reminder to us that every morning, when we awake, we are given this day to "rejoice and be glad in it."
This verse doesn't say that we'll be happy when we get new clothing, a new job, a new house, or a new relationship. This verse doesn't say we'll be happy tomorrow, next week, or next month. It states
"This is the day." We were not created to endure each day, we were created to enjoy each day!
In Andy Andrew's book The Traveler's Gifts David Ponder, the traveler, visits Anne Frank. Her gift for success is "Today I will choose to be happy". Yes, it is a choice. No one was put here to make us happy; it is our responsibility, our choice.
We've been bombarded with advertisers showing people are happy when they have a new this or that. Don't buy into their rhetoric. Wake up each morning with a grateful heart for all that you have today.
Smile and laugh throughout the day. All that you meet will sense the joy that you are expressing. It is very contagious!
Remember that what we are feeling, thinking, and expressing is mirrored in our world. In Matthew 7:16 Jesus said "Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad trees bear bad fruit?" When we get the inside right, the outside will reflect the same.
Every morning affirm "I have plenty of reasons to be happy today." Choose Happiness each day.
Namaste
A friend at Unity Fellowship Church in Newport News, VA says this every time he's Platform Assistant.
It is a wonderful reminder to us that every morning, when we awake, we are given this day to "rejoice and be glad in it."
This verse doesn't say that we'll be happy when we get new clothing, a new job, a new house, or a new relationship. This verse doesn't say we'll be happy tomorrow, next week, or next month. It states
"This is the day." We were not created to endure each day, we were created to enjoy each day!
In Andy Andrew's book The Traveler's Gifts David Ponder, the traveler, visits Anne Frank. Her gift for success is "Today I will choose to be happy". Yes, it is a choice. No one was put here to make us happy; it is our responsibility, our choice.
We've been bombarded with advertisers showing people are happy when they have a new this or that. Don't buy into their rhetoric. Wake up each morning with a grateful heart for all that you have today.
Smile and laugh throughout the day. All that you meet will sense the joy that you are expressing. It is very contagious!
Remember that what we are feeling, thinking, and expressing is mirrored in our world. In Matthew 7:16 Jesus said "Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad trees bear bad fruit?" When we get the inside right, the outside will reflect the same.
Every morning affirm "I have plenty of reasons to be happy today." Choose Happiness each day.
Namaste
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Season for Change
I don't like the word repent. I'm not sure when this started. It could have been as a child when I watched the movie Polly Anna and Karl Malden was yelling from the pulpit about repenting. Or it could have been when my childhood Priest was talking to my Sunday school class about repenting, oblivious to the fact that his cigarette ashes were falling on the clean floor. Or maybe it was when I was at a school friend's funeral several years ago and the minister took the opportunity to preach for 20 minutes about sinners and repenting. I guess it was the sum of all these occurrences that left a bad taste in my mouth when I would say or think repent. Of course, that was before I walked into a Unity church.
In Unity repent is "a reversal of mind and heart in the direction of the All-Good, God." (The Revealing Word) In Webster's Dictionary one definition is "to change one's mind about some past action, intention, etc.." True repentance means the change of the mind and all its contents from materialism and reaching for spiritual things. In order for us to build a spiritual consciousness, we need to rid our minds of the beliefs and habits of our lesser nature.
Unity uses denials and affirmations as tools for removing error beliefs and building the consciousness with Truth. Through denials and affirmations we are releasing the thoughts which prevent our conscious alignment with the divine idea of life, and affirming the thoughts which promote such an alignment. Denials and affirmations change our perspective within and without. We look at ourselves as children of God; inheriting God's gifts of love, peace, joy and happiness. Our outside world looks different, too. We don't "sweat the small stuff" as much and look at the world through a larger lens. Our perspective has changed within our being and our surrounding world.
The Lenten season is A Season for Change. It's a time for releasing and renewing; a time for spiritual growth and enlightenment. As we release (deny) what no longer serves us and renew (affirm) the glory of God within us, we repent or change our perspective. We realize that God, the Almighty, is everywhere present in our lives at all times.
Take the time to change your perspective or repent this spring. You will feel the changes within and see the changes without. God's Love and Light will be your constant companions.
Namaste
In Unity repent is "a reversal of mind and heart in the direction of the All-Good, God." (The Revealing Word) In Webster's Dictionary one definition is "to change one's mind about some past action, intention, etc.." True repentance means the change of the mind and all its contents from materialism and reaching for spiritual things. In order for us to build a spiritual consciousness, we need to rid our minds of the beliefs and habits of our lesser nature.
Unity uses denials and affirmations as tools for removing error beliefs and building the consciousness with Truth. Through denials and affirmations we are releasing the thoughts which prevent our conscious alignment with the divine idea of life, and affirming the thoughts which promote such an alignment. Denials and affirmations change our perspective within and without. We look at ourselves as children of God; inheriting God's gifts of love, peace, joy and happiness. Our outside world looks different, too. We don't "sweat the small stuff" as much and look at the world through a larger lens. Our perspective has changed within our being and our surrounding world.
The Lenten season is A Season for Change. It's a time for releasing and renewing; a time for spiritual growth and enlightenment. As we release (deny) what no longer serves us and renew (affirm) the glory of God within us, we repent or change our perspective. We realize that God, the Almighty, is everywhere present in our lives at all times.
Take the time to change your perspective or repent this spring. You will feel the changes within and see the changes without. God's Love and Light will be your constant companions.
Namaste
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Living Love-Centered
Valentine's Day is next week and all around us are candies, flowers and hearts. It is a day to celebrate
Love! But we don't need a special day to celebrate Love, we can celebrate Love or live Love-centered everyday!
Jesus' two commandments were Love-centered: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all you mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is equally important: 'Love you neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22: 37 - 40) In John 13:34 - 35 Jesus said " So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Jesus lived Love-centered. He may have had disagreements with others, but he Loved All. He even got into trouble with the Jewish leaders because he did not discriminate his Love to others. When we live Love-centered, our decisions and actions are Love-centered. We choose to love, not hate; we choose to help, not hurt; we choose to live in faith, not in fear. Not only does this effect us, but it effects are all around us. We are changing the race consciousness when we live Love-centered - one person at a time.
Let us begin each day connecting to the Divine within each of us; connecting to the Love, connecting to
the "Kingdom of God...". As we go through our day, we express love, effecting all around us.
Live Love-Centered each day, not just for one day in February. Let's change the world!!
Namaste
Love! But we don't need a special day to celebrate Love, we can celebrate Love or live Love-centered everyday!
Jesus' two commandments were Love-centered: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all you mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is equally important: 'Love you neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22: 37 - 40) In John 13:34 - 35 Jesus said " So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
Jesus lived Love-centered. He may have had disagreements with others, but he Loved All. He even got into trouble with the Jewish leaders because he did not discriminate his Love to others. When we live Love-centered, our decisions and actions are Love-centered. We choose to love, not hate; we choose to help, not hurt; we choose to live in faith, not in fear. Not only does this effect us, but it effects are all around us. We are changing the race consciousness when we live Love-centered - one person at a time.
Let us begin each day connecting to the Divine within each of us; connecting to the Love, connecting to
the "Kingdom of God...". As we go through our day, we express love, effecting all around us.
Live Love-Centered each day, not just for one day in February. Let's change the world!!
Namaste
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Nature of God
In Unity we have a statement "There is one presence and one power in this world and in our lives, God the Good, omnipotent". That pretty much says it all, doesn't it? God is everywhere present, all-powerful, and good. I would add that God is love, wisdom, and intelligence. You may have noticed that I stated God "is", not God "has" these qualities. God is not a person having intelligence, love, or power; God is the total of all these attributes, whether manifested or unmanifested. In Acts 17:24 - 25 it states that "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else".
H. Emilie Cady says in her book "Lessons in Truth" that He (God) lives within every created thing as the life, the ever-renewing, recreating, upbuilding cause of it. He never is and never can be for a moment separated from His creations". Each rock, plant, animal and human is the visible expression of God. We express God's love when we love another; we express God's wisdom and intelligence when we educate others (or ourselves); we express God's power when we manifest ideas.
We are connected to God every moment of our existence. In Eric Butterworth's book "Spiritual Economics" he states that "The whole of God is present at every point in space at the same time. God doesn't come and go. God doesn't capriciously move substance from God's supply 'up there' to fill your need 'down here'. God is always present, totally present - as a Presence". Does it give you comfort that God is always present in our lives wherever we are? I am comforted knowing that when I'm happy and joyous, God is with me; when I'm experiencing trials and tribulations, God is with me. I am never alone.
Always remember, as we go through our daily lives, God is with us. In Zephaniah 3:17 it says "The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save". God is with us no matter where we are or what kind of day we are having. We are NEVER alone!
Namaste
H. Emilie Cady says in her book "Lessons in Truth" that He (God) lives within every created thing as the life, the ever-renewing, recreating, upbuilding cause of it. He never is and never can be for a moment separated from His creations". Each rock, plant, animal and human is the visible expression of God. We express God's love when we love another; we express God's wisdom and intelligence when we educate others (or ourselves); we express God's power when we manifest ideas.
We are connected to God every moment of our existence. In Eric Butterworth's book "Spiritual Economics" he states that "The whole of God is present at every point in space at the same time. God doesn't come and go. God doesn't capriciously move substance from God's supply 'up there' to fill your need 'down here'. God is always present, totally present - as a Presence". Does it give you comfort that God is always present in our lives wherever we are? I am comforted knowing that when I'm happy and joyous, God is with me; when I'm experiencing trials and tribulations, God is with me. I am never alone.
Always remember, as we go through our daily lives, God is with us. In Zephaniah 3:17 it says "The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save". God is with us no matter where we are or what kind of day we are having. We are NEVER alone!
Namaste
Friday, March 5, 2010
Keep A True Lent
Keep A True Lent by Charles Fillmore is a wonderful book and a Unity classic. This book is full of Unity principles and daily Lenten lessons.
Lent is a church institution and begins on Ash Wednesday, which is 46 days before Easter. Most denominations celebrate the Lenten season by giving up or abstaining from worldly things, such as food or drink. In Unity the Lenten season, or any season for that matter, is used as a time to fast from unworthy thoughts and negativity, and feast on the good and true.
Through daily prayer and meditations we commune with God, the Divine Mind and unchangeable Truth. We mingle and merge our minds with God-Mind, resulting in spiritual growth. We fast from "error thinking and meditate on Spiritual Truth until we incorporate it into the consciousness of oneness with the Father."
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Mr. Fillmore writes "The resurrection is the raising up of the whole man - spirit, soul, and body - into the Christ consciousness of life and wholeness." Each day as we rise to the consciousness of the indwelling life, making union with the God-Mind, the resurrection of Jesus takes place inside us. Thoughts of limitation and conformity to material law are left in the "tomb of materiality."
Celebrate this Lenten season as a life changing experience. Affirm:
"In unity with Christ I realize that I am resurrrected into the life, light and power of God."
Namaste
Lent is a church institution and begins on Ash Wednesday, which is 46 days before Easter. Most denominations celebrate the Lenten season by giving up or abstaining from worldly things, such as food or drink. In Unity the Lenten season, or any season for that matter, is used as a time to fast from unworthy thoughts and negativity, and feast on the good and true.
Through daily prayer and meditations we commune with God, the Divine Mind and unchangeable Truth. We mingle and merge our minds with God-Mind, resulting in spiritual growth. We fast from "error thinking and meditate on Spiritual Truth until we incorporate it into the consciousness of oneness with the Father."
Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Mr. Fillmore writes "The resurrection is the raising up of the whole man - spirit, soul, and body - into the Christ consciousness of life and wholeness." Each day as we rise to the consciousness of the indwelling life, making union with the God-Mind, the resurrection of Jesus takes place inside us. Thoughts of limitation and conformity to material law are left in the "tomb of materiality."
Celebrate this Lenten season as a life changing experience. Affirm:
"In unity with Christ I realize that I am resurrrected into the life, light and power of God."
Namaste
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