I use my mind-thoughts and feelings to create a vision of what I desire and then I move toward that vision's manifestation.
And So It Is!
Sunday, January 29, 2017
How To Use It, Sunday Service
I use my mind-thoughts and feelings to create a vision of what I desire and then I move toward that vision's manifestation.
And So It Is!
Friday, January 27, 2017
Now Is the Time
As I was sitting contemplating how grateful I am, the first words of this poem by Rabindranath Tagore came to me.Tagore wrote it in 1900 before India's Independence. He originally wrote it in his native tongue. It was published in English in 1912.
When I remember who I am, my mind is free of fear.
When I remember to practice what I know, I am vitally alive.
And when I forget that we are all one, that Divine Life is within each one of us, I am tempted to live as if the effects in my life were causes. When I do that, I react. I do not consciously choose what I want.
As a minister of the Science of Mind, I want to minister to all beings -- not just one group or another.
Yet as a human being, I have opinions and concerns. Some of those opinions may upset some of my congregation. I have been blessed to live here in the United States since 1993. I prayed wholeheartedly for Peace for months after the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on 9-11 and for the first several years when we started fighting. I have kept my opinions to myself for the most part. (I did support marriage equality and some people didn't like it. They left our Center.)
Now I am concerned about our climate change. How shocked I was to find out that here in the United States, Climate Change is a political issue! In my heart it is a scientific fact and a global concern.
Although I applied for citizenship last May, I am not yet a citizen. As a non-citizen, I felt I should not speak out about my concerns, but when I saw that Climate Change disappeared from the Government Website, I was deeply troubled.
For those of you who are students of metaphysics, you know that doing anything from a place of concern or anxiety, is going to produce exactly what you are anxious about. It will have the opposite effect from what you want. So what is the spiritual solution?
First, the master teacher Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled." So first become aware of the peace that passes understanding that is the nature of Divine Mind and It is everywhere. In that peaceful place of unity, envision what you do want. I see people caring for their environment and using resources wisely. I remember the idea of thinking globally and acting locally.
So first I meditate and pray. First, I remember that the nature of life is unity and that I live in a perfect universe. I remember that Divine Intelligence is everywhere present, even when I can't see it.
Then I take the action that I can take. I begin locally with myself and my home environment. I unplug appliances. I turn off lights. I lower the temperature. I reduce the number of things I buy that are packaged. And I pray!
In the 70's and 80's, John Denver wrote music that spoke to my heart. He performed this one in Russia on his world tour. I think it is just as relevant today as it was when the album was released in 1983.
It's about time...and the time is now!
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms from the depth of truth
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."I envision living free from fear, fully confident about my right to be here, knowing that I am making a difference because I live in the wholeness and unity of the One Life.
When I remember who I am, my mind is free of fear.
When I remember to practice what I know, I am vitally alive.
And when I forget that we are all one, that Divine Life is within each one of us, I am tempted to live as if the effects in my life were causes. When I do that, I react. I do not consciously choose what I want.
As a minister of the Science of Mind, I want to minister to all beings -- not just one group or another.
Yet as a human being, I have opinions and concerns. Some of those opinions may upset some of my congregation. I have been blessed to live here in the United States since 1993. I prayed wholeheartedly for Peace for months after the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on 9-11 and for the first several years when we started fighting. I have kept my opinions to myself for the most part. (I did support marriage equality and some people didn't like it. They left our Center.)
Now I am concerned about our climate change. How shocked I was to find out that here in the United States, Climate Change is a political issue! In my heart it is a scientific fact and a global concern.
Although I applied for citizenship last May, I am not yet a citizen. As a non-citizen, I felt I should not speak out about my concerns, but when I saw that Climate Change disappeared from the Government Website, I was deeply troubled.
For those of you who are students of metaphysics, you know that doing anything from a place of concern or anxiety, is going to produce exactly what you are anxious about. It will have the opposite effect from what you want. So what is the spiritual solution?
First, the master teacher Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled." So first become aware of the peace that passes understanding that is the nature of Divine Mind and It is everywhere. In that peaceful place of unity, envision what you do want. I see people caring for their environment and using resources wisely. I remember the idea of thinking globally and acting locally.
So first I meditate and pray. First, I remember that the nature of life is unity and that I live in a perfect universe. I remember that Divine Intelligence is everywhere present, even when I can't see it.
Then I take the action that I can take. I begin locally with myself and my home environment. I unplug appliances. I turn off lights. I lower the temperature. I reduce the number of things I buy that are packaged. And I pray!
In the 70's and 80's, John Denver wrote music that spoke to my heart. He performed this one in Russia on his world tour. I think it is just as relevant today as it was when the album was released in 1983.
It's about time...and the time is now!
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
Milestones
Today I turn 70. For all the young people reading this, in many ways I still feel like the young woman I was at 21 or 32, but time marches on. I am just as idealistic but thankfully not as cynical! I am still moved by beauty, truth and love. I am still optimistic about my future!
There are so many things I still want to experience, so many places I still want to see, so much more to give back to life. Over the Christmas break, my sisters, niece and I enjoyed a vacation in Cozumel, Mexico. There I did something I had never done before, I had a foot massage from hundreds of Garra Rufa fish. It felt strange; it sort of tickled, but I did it.
Of course there have been many changes in my life and every up or down has left an imprint on my personality, my choices, my sense of self.
So as I am beginning a brand new decade, I want to LIVE my values! I want to start right with generosity and love. I want to "walk confidently" and generously toward my dreams. I want to live without regret.
I want to speak up when I see injustice. I want to be bold and full of confidence, choosing only the path that will bring me happiness and satisfaction.
This past decade has flown by. I remember clearly my 60th birthday and some of the hopes and dreams I had then. Some things I have accomplished, others are still on my list.
I want to be forgiving and generous to myself and others. I want to stop criticizing any aspect of physical self, including my body, weight, size, wrinkles and shape. I want to perceive and accept my unique beauty. I want to be grateful for "looking like my mother" rather than seeing it as a kind of curse. I want to be less judgmental of myself.
I want my default setting to be generosity of spirit.
I want to see good everywhere. I want to demonstrate the Law of Mind and Spirit as Ernest Holmes called it. I want to see Love in action in my body, my life, my work, my ministry, my finances, and my friendships. I want to know that I have made people's lives better. And from this moment on, to trust Divine Mind, through me to guide me to my highest and best GOOD!
There are so many things I still want to experience, so many places I still want to see, so much more to give back to life. Over the Christmas break, my sisters, niece and I enjoyed a vacation in Cozumel, Mexico. There I did something I had never done before, I had a foot massage from hundreds of Garra Rufa fish. It felt strange; it sort of tickled, but I did it.
 |
| Garra Fish Nibbling my Feet in Cozumel |
Of course there have been many changes in my life and every up or down has left an imprint on my personality, my choices, my sense of self.
So as I am beginning a brand new decade, I want to LIVE my values! I want to start right with generosity and love. I want to "walk confidently" and generously toward my dreams. I want to live without regret.
I want to speak up when I see injustice. I want to be bold and full of confidence, choosing only the path that will bring me happiness and satisfaction.
This past decade has flown by. I remember clearly my 60th birthday and some of the hopes and dreams I had then. Some things I have accomplished, others are still on my list.
I want to be forgiving and generous to myself and others. I want to stop criticizing any aspect of physical self, including my body, weight, size, wrinkles and shape. I want to perceive and accept my unique beauty. I want to be grateful for "looking like my mother" rather than seeing it as a kind of curse. I want to be less judgmental of myself.
I want my default setting to be generosity of spirit.
I want to see good everywhere. I want to demonstrate the Law of Mind and Spirit as Ernest Holmes called it. I want to see Love in action in my body, my life, my work, my ministry, my finances, and my friendships. I want to know that I have made people's lives better. And from this moment on, to trust Divine Mind, through me to guide me to my highest and best GOOD!
 |
| My Sisters and Niece at Chichen Itza |
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| My Sister Taking a Picture |
 |
| Me Still Trying to Get a Good Selfie! |
Friday, January 13, 2017
Are You Pretending to Believe
"If you will only believe, and not just pretend to believe, that Infinite Intelligence is guiding you in all your ways -- in your thoughts, words and deeds, you will be led along the right road. Artists, poets, writers, and inventors listen to their voice of intuition. As a result, they are able to astonish the world by their beauties and glories drawn from the storehouse of knowledge within themselves." Dr. Joseph Murphy, The Psychic Perception: the Magic of Extra Sensory Power
"Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go! Let it be done just as you have believed it would! And his servant was healed at that moment." Matthew 8:13Rev. Dr. Lisa Laurie Stewart wrote these words to begin her monthly letter to ANTN, our sister organization of which she serves as President. She continues:
"Are you pretending to believe? Or do you believe that your thoughts create your reality, no matter what.
If you are blaming someone else for your experience, you are a pretender.
... If you think you need your job because you need the money, you are a pretender.
If you blame the government, the President, the President-elect, the candidate, the congress FOR ANYTHING, you are a pretender.
Are you living from the mystical where ALL things are possible, or are you living from an experience and a belief in lack and just pretending to love and live New Thought? Which is it? A house divided cannot stand. If you are pretending, in any area, get a teacher, study a book, not just flip through it or speed read, but STUDY it, intend to grow in wisdom and awareness."I love this idea from Dr. Murphy.
If I am caught up in fear, blame, excuses, old habits, or anything else that is not befitting for a person immersed in Infinite Intelligence, I am being a pretender.
One of the ways to make welcome Infinite Intelligence and break the cycle of pretending is to take a class. Right now there are two fantastic classes that are being offered at our Center. Rev. Arpad Petrass is offering a class he created "Writing to Heal While Learning to Dance." I just began a class called "The Essential Ernest" which is a class about Ernest's ideas and how they fit into your life! My class begins with the Declaration of Principles and continues by exploring the first four chapters of the textbook, The Science of Mind. It mirrors what is happening on Sundays, in that we began our exploration of values by going back to the basics.
It is done unto us as we believe. Do we make excuses and look outside ourselves for causation? Or do we take full responsibility, change our thinking and change our lives? It is fully up to you.
Are you confident in the spiritual truth? Or are you just a big pretender?
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Values-Based Spiritual Living
It's a brand new year filled with possibility. Many people set intentions and goals for the year. Some make vision boards. Others set off following a yearly journal or a program.
This year, to guide our Sunday Services and collective awakening, our Center has chosen an interactive journal called Values-Based Spiritual Living, inspired and created by Rev. Dr. Edward Viljoen, senior minister at the Santa Rosa Center for Spiritual Living. In the introduction Edward writes:
"This interactive journal offers you weekly opportunities to reflect on the values of our community and how they relate to your spiritual life."
Each month, the journal focuses on a spiritual value, offering writings and journal prompts designed to explore the value more deeply each week. Dr. Heather will be basing many of her talks this year on the ideas presented in the journal, sharing her perspective as we move through the year. The journal is a wonderful tool designed to empower the weekly message within each individual's life, providing a pathway to incorporating it into our own life and experiences.
Edward continues in the introduction:
"As we explore the values of our spiritual organization together in 2017 and write about them in this journal, it is my hope that you will get clarity on your own values, integrate them more strongly into your thoughts, and allow them to shape your words and deeds."
We invite you all to join us in this journey and exploration of spiritual values. The Interactive Journal is available to you...FREE..simply click here. We ask that you reproduce it only for your own use. Also printed copies of the monthly writings will be available in the Sanctuary every month.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
This is Spiritual Living
"What I believe doesn't revolve around a story. It can't be defined by a specific historical event. It has never been completely explained by any one person. There is no ultimate authority on the subject, but me."
Sunday, January 8, 2017
The Thing Itself, Sunday Service
The Thing Itself sits in smiling repose within me awaiting my direction. I think, speak and act in harmony with the Nature of Life. And so it is!
Friday, January 6, 2017
Bring a Friend Sunday
How did you find your spiritual center? Many people first came to a Center for Spiritual Living because a friend invited them. It wasn't exactly my way, but I am glad I found us.
Dr. Tom Costa wrote a chapter in one of his books, entitled, "Seven Words That Changed My Life." The seven words were, "Meet me at church this Sunday, huh?" He says that the moment the minister started talking he knew he was home. The friend disappeared from his life but Dr. Tom had found his way to his spiritual home.
My way was slightly different. I had a couple of transformational spiritual experiences and then went looking for a group of like-minded individuals. Obviously this was before the internet. I looked in the Religion Section of the Edmonton Journal and circled two prospects for that Sunday.
What caught my attention in the first church were the words: "Come and experience God's joy!" It said joy! I thought they know that God is real here. My husband and I bundled up, winter in Edmonton is very cold, got in our car and drove to the church. Something stopped me from going into the church. I wanted to observe for awhile first. We saw many people getting out of their cars and going into the church -- none of them had even a slight smile , not to mention a grin or laughter. When my husband asked if we were going to go in, I answered no. The writer of the ad may have felt God's joy but it was missing from the faces of all the people who were going to attend services at that church that morning.
The second Center had a name that appealed to me -- the Living Enrichment Centre. I thought it might be the one. We got settled and the service began with a prayer. I felt waves of home-coming, gratitude and joy. I knew I had been guided there. The funny thing was when the minister started her message, I found it full of errors. In my mind, I was picking it all apart. I was mentally gone! Next, was the idea on my mind. Then the minister's husband prayed again and again I felt the feeling of well-being, of appreciation and gratitude. I was home. How wonderful for me, and the path I was on, that I didn't run out because I didn't agree with everything the minister said. (By the way, after many years of study, I know she was speaking words of Truth!)
Spirit guided me to my first New Thought experience. I was brought by my most trusted Friend!
This Sunday, Centers for Spiritual Living is encouraging everyone in all Centers to bring a friend to the Center this Sunday. If we do so we are further invited to take a quick picture with the friend and send it to Centers for Spiritual Living to see how many of us chose to play the game with them.
I think it is a great idea!
Remember Dr. Tom Costa's story. You could be changing your friend's life forever! We will have an exceptional service for everyone: My message is from the theme "Back to the Basics" and is entitled "The Thing Itself." Students of our philosophy will know immediately what that means. For those of you who do not know, what a great day to find out!
On top of the great message, our guest vocalist is the amazing, Daniel Nahmod! We are really looking froward to seeing him.
Really, this is what my message is all about:
Dr. Tom Costa wrote a chapter in one of his books, entitled, "Seven Words That Changed My Life." The seven words were, "Meet me at church this Sunday, huh?" He says that the moment the minister started talking he knew he was home. The friend disappeared from his life but Dr. Tom had found his way to his spiritual home.
My way was slightly different. I had a couple of transformational spiritual experiences and then went looking for a group of like-minded individuals. Obviously this was before the internet. I looked in the Religion Section of the Edmonton Journal and circled two prospects for that Sunday.
What caught my attention in the first church were the words: "Come and experience God's joy!" It said joy! I thought they know that God is real here. My husband and I bundled up, winter in Edmonton is very cold, got in our car and drove to the church. Something stopped me from going into the church. I wanted to observe for awhile first. We saw many people getting out of their cars and going into the church -- none of them had even a slight smile , not to mention a grin or laughter. When my husband asked if we were going to go in, I answered no. The writer of the ad may have felt God's joy but it was missing from the faces of all the people who were going to attend services at that church that morning.
The second Center had a name that appealed to me -- the Living Enrichment Centre. I thought it might be the one. We got settled and the service began with a prayer. I felt waves of home-coming, gratitude and joy. I knew I had been guided there. The funny thing was when the minister started her message, I found it full of errors. In my mind, I was picking it all apart. I was mentally gone! Next, was the idea on my mind. Then the minister's husband prayed again and again I felt the feeling of well-being, of appreciation and gratitude. I was home. How wonderful for me, and the path I was on, that I didn't run out because I didn't agree with everything the minister said. (By the way, after many years of study, I know she was speaking words of Truth!)
Spirit guided me to my first New Thought experience. I was brought by my most trusted Friend!
This Sunday, Centers for Spiritual Living is encouraging everyone in all Centers to bring a friend to the Center this Sunday. If we do so we are further invited to take a quick picture with the friend and send it to Centers for Spiritual Living to see how many of us chose to play the game with them.
I think it is a great idea!
Remember Dr. Tom Costa's story. You could be changing your friend's life forever! We will have an exceptional service for everyone: My message is from the theme "Back to the Basics" and is entitled "The Thing Itself." Students of our philosophy will know immediately what that means. For those of you who do not know, what a great day to find out!
On top of the great message, our guest vocalist is the amazing, Daniel Nahmod! We are really looking froward to seeing him.
Really, this is what my message is all about:
Sunday, January 1, 2017
New Year's Day Renewal Service, Sunday Service
I seize the day. I begin to tell a new story, to sing a new song, to live a new dream. Today I am filled with awe at the miracle-creating power of God within me. I begin it now! And So It Is!
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