Minister Musings

Give us this day our daily bread

2009-03-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

We continued our series on the Lord's Prayer this past Sunday by looking at the line, "Give us this day, our daily bread." So often just because I finished a talk, it does not mean that the talk is finished with me. Sometimes I just want to say "do over."

Last night as I thought more about this line, I affirmed once again that Jesus was telling us that our daily needs are met as God gives us each day. He is also telling us that life and everything in it is impermanent. This lines reminds us that we only have this day to live. No matter what we do or how hard we try, we cannot keep things from changing, ending or dying. Those three elements are part of the grand design. So, we work this unconditional truth into our paradigm. Acknowledging and befriending death helps us to celebrate and relish life. When we realize that all things come to an end, we understand that life happens when we cherish the moment for what it is. We never know when something is going to end or go away. So, instead hanging on or hoarding, Jesus invites us in this line to celebrate this day and everything in it. This day, we have our daily bread. Tomorrow truly is none of our business. But we can rest assured that we are loved and cherished and provided for as we open ourselves to God's abundance on this day.

Is it ok to prosper

2009-03-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

I recently read in the USA Today that prosperous folks are down playing their vacations because they don't want to appear insensitive. While I can appreciate not rubbing one's abundance in the face of someone else who is struggling, I wonder if struggling financially is becoming the "in" thing? Are we developing a culture that frowns on prosperity? I really appreciate how the current economic down turn is encouraging many of us to evaluate what is really important. I hear about how more and more people are simplifying their lives. I know that my husband and I continue to stock of what is important to us as a result of the current events.

But, have we robbed ourselves permission to be prosperous? I had an interesting experience last night. Again, the USA Today had an article about the number of people without medical insurance in our country. It was followed up by an article about the number of people who have let their dental care lapse because of lack of funds. I had two reactions. The first was guilt for having the ability to take good care of my teeth. Case in point, I had just had them cleaned that day. All of a sudden, I felt that my continued prosperity was somehow betraying the folks who are struggling. Somehow I would make it better for them by joining them. Then I got scared that I too was going to experience an economic down turn.

I know that if I feel this way, there must be others who do as well. This is the time more than ever to say yes to our abundance. We don't cultivate abundance to make it difficult on others, rather we say yes to abundance as a witness to others. I heard a commentary on CBS Sunday Morning this past week where the speaker shared how our fear is contributing to the financial picture more than anything. We have no confidence so we hoard what we do have. Now, he was not suggesting that we go out and spend foolishly and uncensored. Hopefully those days are over. But, we do need to start focusing on what is working and the abundance we do have in our lives right now. We also need to be bold and confident enough to claim our abundance even in the face of what others are experiencing. In fact, we must do this especially because of what is going on around us.

Edwene Gaines recently said that she refused to participate in a recession. What if we all claimed that? Right now-affirm with me-I refuse to participate in a recession. Give yourself permission to prosper and know that as you do, you have more to share with others. Along with sharing your wealth, you can demonstrate for others that God's abundance is as plentiful for everyone today as it was a year ago, 10 years ago, since the beginning of time.

Let's say yes to prosperity. Let's say yes to abundance in the form of fulfilling, prospering work, good medical care, a safe, lovely place to live in and enough to eat for everyone. Let's do our part by cultivating that in our own lives and holding the light for others to experience abundance as well.

How is it going?

2009-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

I fell off the wagon this week with the no-complaint challenge. I took my bracelet off one night and forgot to put it back on the next day and have completely forgotten my commitment to put 21 days of no complaining together. Edwene Gaines comes to the church on Saturday which gives me the incentive to try again and we got our purple "Complain-free World" bracelets in to help me remember even more. On top of all of that, Ash Wednesday was yesterday taking us into the season of reflection and preparation. My bracelet is back on and I have started over again. As I reflect back on the past couple of days, I saw myself becoming annoyed at small matters that in the grand scheme of things really don't make much of a difference. But the aggravation and complaining robbed me of joy and possibility in that moment. So, today, this moment, I start anew.

Do the complaints in my head count?

2009-02-18T12:24:00.000-08:00

OK-day 2 and I think I have been fairly successful with not complaining. Although, I caught myself talking to the person across the street wanting to whine a bit about our recycling company being difficult to get a hold of as I chase the lid and container down the street. I discover that whining is soooo subtle. And I have to really force myself sometimes to shift it. There is some perverse sense of pleasure to whining. But ultimately does it get us what we want and of course the answer to that question is no. So, as I am working this out with you, the reader, I realize that I must switch my bracelet as I have complained today in the form of whining. I was going to ask if it counted if I complained in my head. I will save that discussion for another day.

No complaining challenge

2009-02-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in church, I challenge those in attendance to give up complaining, criticism and sarcasm as suggested in Edwene Gaines book Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity. If we find ourselves complaining, then we start over until we have 21 consecutive complaint free days. As I do this, I am aware of how subtle the habit of complaining is. This morning I was talking to someone in the locker room at the gym where I work out about the temperature. Now, I could have just been making an observation, but the tone of my voice and the tightness in my chest told me that I was indeed complaining. I switched my bracelet and started over. It may take me a very long time to put 21 days together but the act itself is a spiritual discipline that challenges me to pay attention to where I have placed my focus. When I caught myself this morning and stopped what I was saying, I actually felt better as a result.

What are your experiences with this? What is your greatest challenge as we lean into this? Let's get a conversation going.

What do you serve today?

2009-02-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

I continue to ponder this idea of abundance and love. Michael Beckwith in his book Spiritual Liberation often affirms that God qualities are the order of the day in his embodiment prayers. Wholeness is the order of the day. Peace is the order of the day. Beauty is the order of the day. Then he dedicates himself to serving those qualities.

What I find so powerful is the suggestion that at any moment we can choose what we will serve. We know that serving materialism and fear does not work. We do not create the experience we desire. So, as we approach Valentine's Day and we go further into our discussion on abundance, what if we decide to serve different God qualities? What would it look like to serve abundance or peace? Who would we need to become to make those ideas the order of our beings and consequently the order of our day? I believe more and more that as we shift our paradigms from getting to giving by serving the very qualities we desire, we will in fact, create the experience we so long for.

Employment rate

2009-02-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, news organizations reported new employment rates. They said that the rates were some of the worse in years. I think the local paper reported that our unemployment rate was somewhere around 8%. What we forget when we see something like that is that 92% of people are working. Now, I don't want to minimized the situation where thousands of people are losing their jobs. But, I wonder what kind of effect it would have if we also focused in some way on the 92% of people who are working. Would it make a difference in the consciousness of our country if when we get stats like this, we pause and give thanks for the positive side of the report?

Safety in God

2009-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Last night Michael and I were robbed. Someone broke into our house somewhere between 1:30 and 5:30 as we slept away upstairs. They came upstairs and took my suitcase that was packed for my trip to Kansas City and my computer bag. As soon as we discovered it, we called the police and began the process of cancelling cards and accounts. We stayed busy with details.

As I have had some time to think about it on the flight to KC, I find myself moving in and out of anger, fear, deep questioning and trust. They took some things, but did they really rob me? Here I sit at Unity Village, warm, comfortable, things taken care of and grateful that we are safe. I feel anxious at the thought of being in my house, but even that poses the question-what is true and what can anyone really take from us? I know I will probably go in and out of feelings of fear, anger, gratitude and trust as I process through this. I do know that I am grateful for spiritual principle and practice. I found myself giving thanks for things like getting my calendar and my clothes back and having an extra GPS that they didn't find. I also found myself praying for whoever did this that they know that they are cherished children of God-loved and supported. I am also grateful for this public computer since mine was taken last night as well.

Witness for God

2009-01-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith has a powerful affirmation in his new book Spiritual Liberation that has shifted the very ground I stand on. He says, "I proclaim that all of my needs are met on every level of my existence. There is divine peace. There is divine order. There is abundance, health, vitality, safety, and security. There is harmony and creativity. I am bold enough to accept this. I AM CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO WITNESS TO THE PRESENCE OF THE LIVING GOD WITHIN AND AROUND ME." (Emphasis mine) Are you confident enough to witness God in your life? That sounds like such a remedial question, but think about all of the ways we short circuit God.

I love the story in the Bible where Jesus came upon the lame man at the pool who was giving him all of the reasons why he couldn't get to the pool for healing. Jesus asked him a very simple question, "Do you want to walk?" The man answered yes, and Jesus told him to then get up and walk.

In order to witness the presence of God in our lives, we have to give up our stories. We have to be willing to succeed and accept the responsibility that comes with that. It means we give up old worn out paradigms that say we are a victim and we become accountable for our lives. Abundance is so much more than just getting, it is about fundamentally changing the way we see and do life. We discover who we really are as the expression of God and we trust that power enough to be able to witness it for others. Today, I invite all of us to courageously and confidently witness to the presence of God in our lives and let's watch what happens.

We attract what we are

2009-01-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching Dr. Dyer's DVD and he quoted someone who said, "We don't attract what we want, we attract what we are." That just pinged in me. What am I? Is it what I want? If I am not getting what I want who do I need to become? Or maybe the better question is, "What do I need to discover about myself and express?"

You can have anything you desire

2008-12-30T21:39:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Edwene Gaines book Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity for the third time and each time I read it, I get a better understanding of what true prosperity is and how to express more of it in my life. It is such an easy read for such a profound message. One thing that she says early on that continues to give me trouble is the idea that we can have anything we want. I feel selfish when I think about getting anything I want. I get worried that I am draining the world of its resources or that I am getting something at the expense of someone else. I can accept things that I feel have a higher purpose but to get something just because I want it sounds so excessive. It is a concept that I teach from the pulpit and have yet to master.

She says that all desires come from God. They are God's way of bringing more good into our lives. I read that same idea in H. Emilie Cady's Lessons in Truth and have taught it to others. Now, it is time for me to claim it as my own. I plan to teach prosperity over the next several months. I want all of us to get how cherished we are by God and to accept the abundance that God wants us to have. They say that we teach what we need to learn. Our theme for this year is "Prosperity is mine in 2009." I will be growing in this area right along with everyone else learning to allow more good and more abundance into my life. I hope others will join me. I promise to write about my experience as I go in this blog.

What are we so afraid ?

2008-11-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

I heard yesterday on the news that handgun sales have increased by 10% because people are afraid that once President-elect Obama comes into office, there will be more restrictions. I wonder what we are so afraid of? I wonder if the fear of losing something robs us of the very thing we are trying to protect far more than the actual threat. I look around my own life to see where have I locked myself in to protect what is dear to me, so much so that I have locked out the happiness and peace that I believe the very thing I am protecting will bring me. Course of Miracles has a line that says, "In my defenselessness my safety lies." Or as Janice Joplin puts it, "Freedom is when there's nothing else to lose." Its a revolutionary paradigm shift to let go of the notion that life is something to protect and instead realize that we can't lose anything. When we remember what's eternal and center in God we lose nothing but gain everything.

Standing in Truth

2008-11-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

My heart aches right now. Last night I read a column published in the Murfreesboro Post about President-elect Barack Obama where the writer wrote a song to the tune of the Jefferson's theme song using terms like "pimp pad" and "living off of government fat." Our country has just accomplished one of the greatest feats in its history. An African American has conquered centuries of racism and bigotry and has achieved the ultimate affirmation. I saw a political cartoon recently where an African-American mother was talking with her daughter telling her that she really could be anything she wanted to be. I watched the election returns come in with renewed hope and deep humility at the power of something much bigger than our fear. I wept along with millions of others as I listened to our new president-elect accept the post with poise and grace. I held his family in prayer as they too are dedicating a great portion of their lives and their husband and father to this huge undertaking.

Then, I read this and I was crushed that this kind of racism is still so prevalent. This was printed in what is attempting to be a legitimate paper in my town. It is so layered in its offensiveness that I don't even know where to start. And that's when I realize that maybe the response is no response at all. What I mean by that is not to ignore it, obviously I am not because I am writing this. But to first of all take time out to search my own heart for the ways that I continue to stereotype different groups of people. Where do I send those kinds of signals out? Then to ask what this column is calling from me. Rather than meet it with contempt and fear which is my knee jerk response, to meet it with love.

President-elect Obama gave us example after example of rising above the political fray while maintaining dignity and truth. He had plenty of opportunity to fight back dirty but he refrained and kept to his message of hope and change. Maybe he is setting a new standard for us. Rather than meet this with anger and retaliation, we stand firm in the truth that this election stood for. We stand firm in the equality of all men and women. We stand firm in the truth that all humanity is created in the image and likeness of God and we treat one another accordingly. We stand firm in the vision of a world where we all know our oneness with God, a world of peace, unity and abundance for everyone.

The Post printed it because it suspected that there would be readers for it. What if we envisioned a world where this sort of thing would be unheard of because there is no longer any sort of toleration for it. We made a huge evolutionary step by electing President-elect Barack Obama. But, now let's each pause to see where we each continue to perpetuate the myths, the stereotypes that rob us all of dignity. Let's start with a thorough search within ourselves. As we root out those shadow parts of us and choose to treat each other with the love and dignity we all deserve, we will create a world where this sort of thing will be recognized as the abomination that it is because it will have no where to land.

Where's our treasure?

2008-10-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

This week, congress passed a bill that buys $700 billion dollars worth of bad debt. Where have we lost our way? When did we get so out of touch with what's important that we have found ourselves here? Jesus told us that when we put our treasure anywhere but heaven, rust and moths and bad debt (he would have said this if he were with us in the flesh today) will consume it. But, when we put our treasure in heaven, it is eternal. When we put it in heaven, we put it in the hands of God. We discover what we truly treasure. That means we are to look beyond the superficial desires to what's really important. What do we really treasure? When we are willing to let go of the surface desires and put our trust in what's really important, our world will become a kinder, more secure, sustainable place. Let's take time to evaluate what's really important. What do we really treasure? Then, let's put that in God's hands.

Thank God For Evolution

2008-09-18T14:01:00.001-07:00

Michael Dowd author of Thank God for Evolution presented at our church last night. He does a remarkable job of bringing science and the traditional teachings of Christianity together. Since the dawn of time, humankind has tried to explain why we are the way we are. Why do we seem to have these instincts than run counter to who we want to be? Michael explains that we carry with us our evolutionary roots. Different parts of our brain function as though we were still crawling out of the primordial gook thinking only of safety, reproducing and food. We may be aware and conscious now, but that has not always been the case. He provides tons of science to show where we came from and how we still carry these same instincts with us today. So, original sin then becomes original survival. Jesus' message becomes one of spiritual evolution and transformation. And we find that we can now choose to intentionally evolve by choosing a life of integrity.

We also now see how all of our decisions do affect the whole. Science has shown that we emerged from the Universe as opposed to being set down on the earth. As a result, we are the Universe observing itself. And, that means as we act on a smaller scale, we impact the whole. We can no longer see ourselves as isolated and simply affecting our tiny corner of the world. The evolution of technology and mass communication has shown us how compact our world has become. It forces us to consider how our daily actions will affect the remotest part of the world because that part is us.

It is a powerful and timely message and if you were not able to be with us last night, I highly recommend his book to everyone.

Historical Election

2008-09-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

As I listened to Sarah Palin last night it struck me that this is going to be an historical election regardless of who ends up in the White House. We will either have an African American president or a woman vice president. Either way, a huge shift in consciousness has occurred for this to even be possible. I have my preference of course, as we all do. And at the same time, I applaud each one for their willingness to serve in such a huge capacity. I cannot imagine having the kind of power they each have right now in shaping the direction of our country. My prayer for each one is that they be guided by the Spirit of compassion and inclusivity. I pray that they will remember that they represent all of us and that they will listen deeply to our needs and longings as individuals and collectively. I pray that each will be motivated by a clear vision and purpose and will surrender fear. I also pray that they will act in integrity and listen to guidance from whatever they call God. If each one does this, regardless of their position on issues, God will have room to move in remarkable ways.

I also encourage each person who reads this to get involved and at the very least, to vote. As the last elections have shown, our voice does count and we can have a say about where our country is going. Look into your heart and clearly define who and what you stand for and vote accordingly. I encourage each one of us to be guided by the Spirit of compassion, generosity and to remember that what we do does affect every being in our country and in our world.

Sabbath

2008-08-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday I talked about the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. Sunday evening after giving that talk, I decided to follow my own advice. I sat out on my porch and watched the sun go down. I simply sat and listened to the summer night noises. I felt as though the darkness was folding me in a soft blanket of grace. It has been a difficult past several months for a number of different reasons and for that moment I felt as though the planet was breathing for me. It felt good to just rest in God.

God in the Darkness

2008-07-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

My mind is reeling from the news about the Knoxville shooting. Yesterday, I experienced a great deal of sadness and frustration as I read more about the details of that tragic event. It can be so easy to give up what we stand for and simply resign ourselves thinking that this is the way the world is and what are we going to do. For me, it generates a deeper commitment to our work as a ministry and myself as a minister and writer. I just keep wondering how that whole event would have been different if the shooter knew that he was not alone and that he mattered. I know we can't change everyone, that despite our greatest efforts there will always be people who believe only in the darkness and act accordingly. But, I see how the message of love and our spiritual community offers hope and support for people to discover the presence of God in the deepest times of darkness. We all know that human beings are capable of indescribable acts of terror and darkness. At the same time, let us remember that we are equally capable of unprecedented acts of compassion, strength and wisdom. Today, I grieve for everyone involved. I also hold the flame of hope and faith in our inherent goodness and our capacity to create a peaceful, just world for everyone. Know that with me this week as we continue to hold the entire Knoxville community in our hearts.

Free cash for a lifetime

2008-07-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

I heard a commercial on the radio for Publisher's Clearing House where they explained that the winner would receive $5,000 every week for the rest of their lives. I thought about that. What would I do with that kind of money? More importantly, how would a steady stream of money change the way I live? Would I quit working as a minister? Could I do things simply for the sake of doing them with no need for financial compensation? I would like to say yes, but I am honestly not sure. Maybe in the beginning, I would spend some time doing nothing, but I would need to have something to do to feel purposeful. I also love what I do. Would I do it simply for the sake of doing it? It really has caused me to look at the meaning of abundance and to look at our reasons for doing things. How much are we motivated by money? I also couldn't think of a single thing that I would want to go get or add to my life right now. I would probably give a good part of away to things I believe it which would bring me great joy.

Peace in our household

2008-07-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last night we had both dogs and our kitten in bed with us. All three were lying face to face quiet and at peace. It was a far cry from when we first brought Louie home and my boxer thought he was a doggie snack for her. They are forced to live in the same house with each other and somehow they have come to terms with one another. Now I often see them playing together and just hanging with each other. As our world gets smaller and we are all forced to live in this same house of planet Earth, I hope we can come to terms with each other and find peace. That is certainly my dream and belief.

Family

2008-07-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

I just returned from spending a week in Wisconsin with my mother. My younger brother and his two little girls were able to come as well. Peter was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer 2 years this September. When he was diagnosed, they had him buried in 6 months and here he is 2 years later busting all statistics. The healing power of the body and the presence of life constantly humbles me. I watch as my brother makes nothing less than life an option. He has every intention of being with his girls when they graduate, when they are married and when they his grandchildren. He is committed to life and it shows. I am continually inspired by his courage and his dedication to life and his family. I am grateful to be able to be his sister this go around. In the meantime, every time I am with him and his family is all the more sweeter with cancer sitting at the table with us uninvited. I don't know what will happen in the future and today I don't need to know, but it has caused me to relish and give thanks for each moment even more.

Sabbath

2008-06-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

It is summertime and things are slowing way down. It is so difficult for me to be still right yet the Universe has arranged it so I have time just for that over the next month or so. There is the inner critic telling me that I am lazy if I spend longer periods in meditation or time in my garden or even concentrated time reading and writing. It is amazing how task oriented we all seem to be because I have a hunch I am not alone in this. I remember as a kid having long lazy summer days just hanging out, riding my bike or curled up with a good book. Life had a simple sweetness to it. So, I make a commitment here not to fill my time up with busy work simply for works sake, rather to take advantage of this time to reconnect with my Spirit, feel the earth under my feet and to do what brings me joy. I will let you know how it is going.

Reflecting God's light

2008-05-18T19:12:00.001-07:00

Last night other people reflected God's light for me when it felt very dark. My Golden Retriever developed bloat. It is a condition where their stomach fills with air and it twists. Unless it is treated quickly, it leads to death. I called our local animal hospital but they were not able to take me for another hour or so. So, I headed to Nashville, crying, alone and helpless. I called people along the way. One jumped in her car and met me and my dog in Nashville so I would not have to face it alone. Another stayed on the phone with me calming me when I thought I lost him for sure, helping me navigate directions and giving me faith when I could not find it on my own. Friends were there at 1 AM when he had to go in for surgery, at 3:30 when they called to tell me that his heart stopped and again at 3:45 when they told me he pulled through. They were the light on the other end of the phone when the world went dark. I teach that God light is there all of the time. But, sometimes when life gets really dark, God's light is hard to see. I am grateful to be part of a loving community that helps me remember when I can't to remember it on my own.

Soul of Money

2008-05-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

I start a new class next Wednesday evening based on Lynne Twist's book, "The Soul of Money." I started reading it again for the second time to prepare and was once again reduced to tears as I read about her experiences in India. Lynne talks about how she believes that hunger can be eradicated. Then she went to India where she saw chronic hunger and poverty at a level she could never envision. She then talks about how instead of backing off of her vision, the experience propelled her even more. She tells us that when we align our money with our "deepest, most soulful interest and commitments, their (our) relationship with money became a place where profound and lasting transformation could occur." That is my hope with this class, that we discover our deepest soul commitments and see how to match our money to these. This is when true change will happen on our planet. We have the power and the resources to end world hunger, and bring peace to our world. Is it unreasonable? Someone has to believe it. Our vision is a world of peace, unity and abundance for all. As a community committed to spiritual leadership, it is up to us to help blaze the way. So, together we will examine our relationship with money and to paraphrase Lynne Twist, begin to see our money as a way to express our deepest most soulful commitments. Join me.

2008-04-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

I recently heard on NPR a report about ethanol and the use of grains for fuel. They reported that many third world countries were having difficulty feeding their citizens because of the rising cost of food. This is due to an increase need for grain based fuels and feed for animals along with rising fuel costs. The reporter said that the amount of ethanol fuel it took to fill up an SUV could feed one person in a third world country for a year. That is a staggering statistic and shows me that our choices really do make a difference. It causes me to pause and hopefully live life less casually and unconsciously. I can't fix it, but maybe the simple acts I take each day to cultivate a more sustainable world will make a difference.

Manage less, Play more

2008-04-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

I have a new motto for life. I want to manage less and play more.

The need to win

2008-04-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

I recently heard a statement from Eckhart Tolle during one of the podcasts that had a profound effect on me. He was talking about how a Zen master was watching a contest between 2 opponents. He knew one of the contestants had more ability than he was showing. The master then said that his need to win was robbing him of his energy. That statement went right into my heart. I saw how so much of my attention was focused on a particular outcome or definition of success. It is the need to win. Yet to take my focus off of the particular result, I have to let go of control. I have to trust that there is a force much bigger than me which desires my success. This might sound kind of funny coming from a minister but I realize how difficult it is for me at times to trust in something bigger than me enough to return my attention to the present moment. The dichotomy in all of this is that I can only know the power and presence of Presence in the present moment. Eckhart talks about how awareness is the first step. As I am aware, I can bring my attention back to this moment and cultivate trust that this is where life, security and all that I desire resides. I will keep you posted.

A Vision From the Center of The Universe

2008-04-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I heard the 2 cosmologists who spoke at MTSU. They spoke about the nature of the universe and stated that we could only see less than 1% of the entire universe. It is not because it is out of view, but because it is made of a matter that we are not familiar with. There is so much we can't see, yet we base our assumptions and decisions on what is visible. Maybe this is God's way of teaching us about trusting the invisible power of Spirit even when we can't see it.

Annual Meeting

2008-02-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

We had our annual meeting on Sunday and it is an incredible experience to watch a group of people come together to create something much bigger than each one of us individually. We have much more direction and clarity since developing our new vision and mission. We spent time examining the progress we made toward our goals and we can see how we are moving forward. Our goals are structured very differently which allowed for a real sense of success. They are no longer about things over which we have no control like attendance markers, rather they define specific actions we as a group want to take in order to be in integrity with our vision and purpose. We approved our values and will spend time learning what it means to live them. Our core values are: love, inclusive community, Spirit-led, stewardship and service. We will go through a whole process to own them and to live them in the daily life of our church community and our personal lives.

We had a conversation around being an inclusive community. I have reported on this blog my journey into veganism. Several others within the congregation have made that lifestyle choice as well. We discussed how to have different choices like this without sending a message that all had to choose in this way in order to be accepted in the group. It is funny how unwritten rules can developed if we are not conscious of that process. All and all it was a time of reflection, celebration and looking toward our future.

Seeing each other as holy

2008-02-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to talk about Unity to a university class this past week. I explained how the seemingly evil acts of humanity are a result of our sense of separation from God and one another. I shared how Unity teaches that we are created from the substance of God and as a result are inherently good. There were several students who struggled with the concept of our original goodness. One young woman stated emphatically that she was evil and sinful and needed a saviour to make her OK in the eyes of God. My heart ached when I heard those words come out of her mouth. I wanted her to see her as God see her, cherished, perfect and valued beyond description. I am not sure why we insist on holding on to an image of God that would see us as evil and would need a sacrifice in order to be redeemed. I wonder what kind of world it would be if we were all able to see who we really are as divine beings of Spirit. How would we be different if we really understood that we are inherently good? If we knew this about ourselves, we would see the same in each other. . We would treat each other with dignity and goodness. I believe that we would be incapable of inflicting any harm on another. Let's try it just for a day. Imagine that everyone you meet is the goodness of God walking around in human form. Include yourself in this image. See this even if you and others act in ways that would suggest otherwise. With laser beam vision, see one another as good and holy. See if this change in perception changes the way we treat each other. Then let's report back what we observe.

Department of Peace

2008-02-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

There is a group of people meeting at the church this evening with a vision for a Department of Peace. When you think about it, that's a pretty incredible concept and it seems like it is a no-brainer. We have a Department of Defense and a Department of Homeland Security. Why not a Department of Peace. Just saying the words of our current paradigm creates an energy of fear and guardedness. When you simply say the words, "Department of Peace" there is an energy of possibility and of, well-peace. It says that as a nation, we are committed to the process of peace. This does not have to mean that we are weak. It means that we come from a place of strength, of a belief in a higher ideal, and a faith in a Presence that is available for everyone. We commit ourselves to stay present for the difficult process that peace often demands. In our personal lives and as a nation, we become accountable for our part in a conflict and we listen to others with ears of understanding and compassion. We fearlessly seek out the condition that will meet the needs of all parties involved. If we beleive that God is all good and everywhere present then we must believe that this possibility exists. It is simply waiting for us to set aside our fears, our judgments and paradigms long enough to give Presence enough space to make a higher alternative known. It reminds me of a bumper sticker on the car of a very dear friend of mine that says "God bless everyone-No Exceptions." Is all of this a bit Polly Anna, a bit unrealistic? Maybe-but if some of us are not willing to entertain the seemingly impossible then our other alternative is to resign ourselves to the current situation, and live in fear of our future. I for one, am ready for a very different experience.

claiming our talents

2008-02-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at church, I had a book signing form "Sacred Secrets." It is a collection of essays in response to the "Secret" published by Unity and I have an essay in it. I found myself wanting to discount the importance and impact of it. Thankfully, there was someone who spoke up and called me on it. She asked that I claim my gift and the impact my writing has on people as an example for all of us. I am not sure why it is so difficult for us to claim our gifts and our successes but I heard her when she said that I was modeling that. I get it that we are all modeling things. So, here and now I commit to claiming my gifts and my successes and to acknowledge that what I do, particularly my writing, impacts others.

God and the recession

2008-02-02T18:30:00.000-08:00

It has been difficult to watch the news recently and not want to stock pile food in the pantry for when it gets really bad. The news casters have been talking about how dismal our ecomony is and they are predicting that it is going to get much worse before it will get better. They are broadcasting a message of fear and doom.

So, how do we react to what is happening to our country economically? We certaintly don't hide our heads in the sand and pretend that nothing is happening. I have heard several economist make good sound suggestions about what we can wisely do with our money. They are the kinds of suggestions that would be good regardless of whether or not we have a recession. But, this is the time when we walk our talk. This is the time when we take our eyes off of the outer appearances of lack and focus on the reality of God active in the middle of it all. We listen for what we are to learn in all of this, we make good wise choices with our money and we live as if we believe that God is our Source and that Source is unlimited. Money may not show up at our doorstep, but we will hear divine guidance about our best course of action. We continue to open our hearts to one another. Fear is corroding and debilating. Faith and love keep us open to each other. They keep the channels for God fluid and give God room to move. So, the next time we hear how lousy everything is financially, let's breath and bring ourselves back to center, back to the awareness of God as our source. Then I am going to encourage each one of us to give that same hope and affirmation to someone else who may be feeling anxiety. I bet if enough of us choose not to get caught up in the hysteria and choose instead to stay focused on Spirit, we have enough power to turn this thing around.

Life

2007-12-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

I returned home from Louisiana yesterday after spending about 10 days with my dad helping him with some medical issues. This is the first time I had to face directly his aging process and it has created a deep sorrow in my heart. I have had my issues with my dad as anyone has with a parent, but somehow they all seem very small as I face the prospect of his continued deterioration and eventual death. It causes me to face my own mortality as well and to image what life will be like without my parents. I am grateful to have a spiritual foundation through which to see this facet of life. I grieve from the human perspective and at the same time, I give thanks for the presence of Spirit and life. I feel deep humility, sadness, love, tenderness and grief all at the same time. This is what it means to be a spiritual being having a human experience.

Unity world wide

2007-12-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am currently in Louisiana taking care of some medical issues for my dad and was able to go to Unity of Baton Rouge this morning. It is wonderful to be able to walk into a Unity church in other parts of the country and hear this incredible message and get my spirit fed. There are groups of people just like ours all over the world working together to create places where people grow spiritually in order to assist with the world's awakening. I miss my church when I am not there and at the same time am grateful for the incredible group of people that are there sharing themselves and creating a sacred experience for everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T11:24:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving. As I sit here in my living room with my fire going cozy on a wet gray day, my heart is full of gratitude. Michael is flying home after a great trip in Florida with my step-daughter and as I survey all of this, I am in awe of God's grace pulsing through my life. Today has been a different Thanksgiving for me. It is probably the first one I can ever think of that I basically spent alone. I have spent time meditating, reflecting and cultivating a spirit of gratitude and feel at peace. I have had 2 wonderful simple, vegan meals today and my body feels great. I have lots of energy and focus and I am sleeping well. More than anything, I feel congruent between my meal choices and what I want to stand for in my life.

Last night Dale Worley treated our congregation to one of his AWE worship experiences. We had around 12 people who came for that and it was wonderful. He gave us his all and I saw that people were noticeably moved by it. I admire people like Dale who are willing to simply show-up and give what is theirs to give regardless of who is there and how it is received. I had to leave early because my dog had surgery the day before and I needed to get back to her.

Off to the airport to get Michael. I have taken advantage of the time alone this trip and feel refreshed and renewed. And I am really glad to get him back home with me.

Close to the edge

2007-11-20T17:34:00.000-08:00

I came across this picture of our vacation in Canada this summer. We rode our Harley all the way around the lake. I was working my way out on the rocks to see ancient writing on the wall. That water was splashing up pretty high and rough. It reminds me of life and how we have to step out on the cliff sometimes to get the best view.

animals in the news

2007-11-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

I find myself grieving as I go through this process. I didn't realize that meat and animal products were such an integral part of my diet and my life. Yet I feel much surer about my decision today. I am noticing animals more in the news. There was a story about 1,500 hundreds pigs or so that burned in a fire today in a single barn. I just kept thinking about how they had all of those pigs in one place and wondered if they ever saw the light of day. And now they were gone, seen as a financial loss rather than as life loss. We put stickers on our windows so fire fighters know that we have pets inside, yet when it herd animal that dies, we equate it in terms of dollars and cents.

Then there was story about how President Bush pardoned 2 turkeys. I see how we make light of the plight of these animals yet at some level that story suggests that we understand what we are doing. It is making it easier for me to choose plant based foods these past few days. I feel more connected to all living beings with my decision.

I go out to eat for the first time with my family this Friday. I am nervous and have checked into a couple of restaurants to see how they prepare certain things. I discovered that something as simple as a veggie burger actually contains animal products so it is not as easy it as it looks. But, I can keep it simple by going for the company, ordering a salad with just veggies and I can even carry something like garbanzo beans with me for added protein. There are ways of doing this and still enjoying meals with others especially meat eaters. Say a few prayers for me.

Day 3 of compassionate eating

2007-11-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

I am going out on a limb and plan to publicly journal about my journey into veganism. This is day 3 and it is interesting to watch my thought process and what is happening to me physically. Last night, I was craving cheese in my lentils. I am committed to this so instead of reaching for the cheese left in my refrigerator (I realized that I missed it when clearing things out with my friend) I sat and thought about where the cheese came from and I realize that in order for me to have the pleasure of cheese, there was a cow who was probably on a huge farm, stuck in a barn shot full of chemicals and hormones in order to produce. When I thought of that, the craving left me. For today, I am not comfortable asking another living being to suffer in order for me to have pleasure. I realized that they were not created as the producer of my happiness. I found myself for a fleeting moment, thinking about how I often view the people in my life as objects which are there to make me happy. I see how I reduce them to things that will fulfill my needs rather than as beings that I am to love and serve. Like I said, it was fleeting but hopefully, I will be more aware of the times that I have reduced the people in my life to that. My hope is that as I make the connection between my attitude toward animals and my food and the rest of my life, and make changes so I am more congruent in all areas of my life, I will live in a more life affirming way.

Vegan eating

2007-11-18T14:24:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it has been awhile. I love doing this, blogging that is, and yet I resist it. I wonder if anyone is reading it or if I am just writing into cyberspace. Then I have to ask, "Why am I doing it? Why do I attempt to keep a blog?" And I hope that the answer comes to because I enjoy the process, which I do and it is a discipline that feeds me and so it really doesn't matter where it goes once the words leave my mind and the keyboard. As with anything, I do it for me and let the Universe take it where it needs to go.

On a different note, We had Dr. Will Tuttle in this weekend. He challenged us to look at the assumptions that are embedded in our culture and guide our daily decisions unconsciously, particularly the one that says it is ok to eat some animals but not others. He said quite a bit more than that, but I heard that. I have been seriously considering becoming vegetarian for awhile now and have a host of reasons why I couldn't do it. But, I heard 2 things Friday evening. I heard the question about eating our pets which caused me to wonder why are some animals ok for consumption and others are not. In fact, if we try to eat dog, we would be arrested for animal cruelty. The second point that I heard was about living congruently with my principles. I value compassion and generosity. I know I could not kill the animals myself, so why would I put someone else in that position. And I am no longer willing to see living beings as commodities to be bought and sold. So, for today, I choose to be vegan. I plan to be with this decision, to practice this life style while simply observing my emotional, physical and of course spiritual process with this. This is my second day, and I already feel more at peace with myself. I have some fear about what others will think and that my decision will cause a disruption in my relationships. And what about my trip to the Caymen's in Jan ? But, I am trusting that I can make loving decisions for myself and my world and the Universe will provide.
Namaste

Who have we come here to be?

2007-08-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

I sat back in awe this weekend as Spirit spoke in a mighty way through our collective consciousness. As a community, we spent time asking Spirit to reveal who we are to be and what is ours to do. Friday evening, powerful words like global transformation and service reverberated around the room. The hairs on my arms were standing straight up. Saturday, after much prayer, discussion and discernment, a smaller group representing the collective consciousness heard the following as our vision, "We celebrate a world expressing oneness with God-a world of peace, unity and abundance." Then we found our purpose, which is- "We are a loving spiritual community empowering active leaders in stewardship to an awakening world." The more I sit with those statements, the more excited I become. I see how we are maturing as a spiritual community moving beyond what we can get to what we can give. Even deeper than that, the word stewardship means that we feel a sense of responsibility for doing all we can to create a world of peace, unity and abundance for all. We see how God entrusted the world and one another to us and it is up to us to create the kind of world in the words of our Association, "works for everyone."

Jesus and the NRA

2007-08-10T19:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday as I was driving behind a truck, I noticed 2 different bumper stickers. One said, "NRA, the first line of defense." and the other was the Christian symbol of the fish. I just kept seeing the image of Jesus in the Bible reprimanding Peter for drawing a sword on his captors and standing before Pontius Pilate without a word or witness in his defense. I am also reminded of the line in the "Course in Miracles" that says, "In my defenselessness, my safety lies." Can we lay down our defenses and recognize that this is where our greatest strength lies? I think in time we will evolve to that awareness and act accordingly. In the meantime, it is up to me to see where I have built defenses in the name of protecting myself while believing that "god" has sanctioned my actions and beliefs.

I'm back

2007-08-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

Michael and I have been in Canada riding around Lake Superior for the past 2 weeks and had an incredible time. I love going out of the country and getting a taste of what it is like to be the outsider. We take so much for granted in this country and I know that I have a tendency to believe that the rest of the world revolves around us. It is good to be reminded that other countries have just as much pride and just as much value as our own. In Unity we teach that we are all one. The only way we knew we were crossing into Canada was by the guard houses at the border where they were checking passports. An imaginary line separated us from the Canadians. I have to look at all of the other imaginary lines that I have created in my life to separate me from others making them the outsider. Going out of the country reminds me to pay attention to where I have drawn the lines and separated myself so I can erase those lines between me and another.

Life

2007-07-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

I was stunned when I logged on and saw that the last time I blogged was June 15th or there abouts. I know that I was in California for about a week visiting with family but I look at my calendar and wonder what happened to the rest of the time. Life seems to be flying by these days and I don't want to miss anything because of the business of it all. I don't really have a solution for that other than the cliche of enjoying the moment which really does work when I can remember to do it when I am even aware that I am not doing it.

A little bit of humility

2007-06-15T10:15:00.001-07:00

I have a confession to make. I am vain. Me, a 47 year old woman, goes to yoga and catch myself comparing how I do poses to the teenager next to me. I look to see if I can bend a little deeper, twist a little further and hold a pose a bit longer. It just goes to show me that I still have a long way to go and I have not arrived yet. When I catch myself doing those kinds of things it is my signal to shift the way I see myself and to be gentle with myself. It just doesn't feel good to compare myself nor is it loving to the other person I compare myself to.

Who can call themselves a Christian?

2007-06-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was talking with an acquaintance of mine. We were talking about the symbol of the fish. She said that it stood for the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the only way to God. I shared how I saw it very differently. I saw it as a symbol of my belief in Jesus as the spiritual master who fully evolved into the divine being that God created all of us to be. I also believe that all of the spiritual masters demonstrated the universal truth of our sacredness. She was rather insistent that it only had one meaning. I am often saddened when I hear people making God so small and confined. How could this incredible power create such diversity and richness and insist on one way? It is such an incongruency. When I think in those terms, I feel small and cut off.

I dropped the conversation because I could feel myself wanting to convince her otherwise. I know that anytime I want to convince someone, the original point gets lost and it becomes about my need to be right. I am grateful for my personal experience of God and Jesus and that if I so choose, I can display the fish calling myself a Christian. It is OK that I have a very different perspective of Christianity. I no longer have to deny myself my Christian identity simply because my perspective and experience is dramatically different from that of traditional Christianity. I follow what Jesus teaches and demonstrates to the best of my ability. I endeavor to live in a way that glorifies God by honoring the God presence in every person I meet. I usually fall short of his example, nevertheless- he is my compass and wayshower. I heard recently the term, culturally Christian, spiritually unlimited. That seems to say it all.

I love the work!

2007-06-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

In her book "This Time I Dance" Tama Kieves says “Where you find your natural exuberance, you will find security.” That seems so counter intuitive to everything I have ever been taught. Where you find a steady paycheck, you will find security. Where you find an area with shortages, you will find security. Those are the things we are taught by well meaning people. Yet I know that I feel more secure in doing what I love than I ever did teaching. Michael and I often talk about if we will ever retire or not. I can't see myself not doing this-teaching, writing,speaking, ministering-in some way, shape or form. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to get up and do what I love to do every morning. My desire is that everyone has the same experience. The world would be an incredibly happy place if we were doing the work that we were created to do.

Tama comes on Sunday to share herself and her story with us. I love being able to bring people in to share their experience and wisdom with us. It is amazing how hearing one simple idea from someone who actually practiced it can change live. This is the best!

We did it!

2007-05-31T16:21:00.000-07:00

I heard from the Association of Unity Churches yesterday. They emailed me to let me know that we have been granted full church status. It was an incredible feeling and at the same time, I realize that we continue to keep doing what we are doing. I have to ask myself what has really changed. I think the actual recognition is an affirmation of the process and our growth and dedication more than anything else. Not much will really change. We will continue to grow and foster our vision of creating an atmosphere of spiritual transformation. Getting full church status is the outer validation that we are living on vision and purpose.

I had someone ask me if I was floating all day. I got the email, had a rush of emotion then went on about my day. I have not really taken the time to celebrate. That is something I want to get better at. I have a better understanding that things are a process and the outer manifestation is a result of that process and yet we need to take time to celebrate our accomplishments. So that means we get to plan one heck of a party!

Full Church status

2007-05-23T14:20:00.001-07:00

I mailed our application for full church status yesterday to the Association of Unity Churches. It felt surreal putting that in the mail. It has been an incredible process for everyone involved. We took time to celebrate our accomplishment on Sunday and it was wonderful to see how everyone that was there whether they were brand new or there from the beginning played a role in who we have become. Several people shared with me how powerful it was to see our history in action.
And we continue. We had a town meeting afterwards where we discussed areas where we would like to continue to grow and develop. A couple of the items seem to come up each time we get together making it seem that we have not made progress in those areas particularly youth ministry. This is where I have to remember that it is all a process. I know that we continue to have much work to do in order to be able to support people of all ages in their spiritual growth. Yet, I also have to remember to honor where we have come from and the progress we have made. I continue to extend the invitation to people to come forward and share their gifts in all areas of our ministry. Right now, in particular we have a call for folks who are divinely appointed to share in the areas of youth ministry, our greeters team and office assistance. We ebb and flow and nothing stays static. It is a process, it is a process, it is a process. And we continue to show up on a daily basis with the primary purpose of assisting people along their path of spiritual evolution and awakening. Yes, it is a process and a joyous one at that.

Wonderful Sunday

2007-05-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

We hit a milestone yesterday. We had over 60 people including adults and children at church yesterday. We were able to touch 60 people with our message of love who in turn will touch the people in their lives. We truly are living our mission of experiencing God while inspiring and supporting Divine expression in all and people's lives are changing as a result.

It has been incredibly exciting over the past several months to watch as new folks discover us and begin to change their lives as they start to practice what we teach. We are in the process of applying for full church status which indicates that we are established here in Murfreesboro. It is so exciting to know that we are here providing people who don't want to completely abandon their Christian roots an alternative to traditional Christianity. It is exciting to watch as people start to realize that Jesus message was one of hope and love. They begin to see themselves and those around them as sacred. As a result I watch as people integrate this message into their lives by treating themselves and other with the reverence that is befitting of the Christed beings that they are. We just don't know it yet.

I don't know what Spirit has in mind for us as we continue our growth. I find myself excited, overwhelmed and nervous all at the same time. But, I know that we have one of the most powerfully transformative message on the planet. It is an idea whose time has come and the best I can do is suit up, show up and hold on. I am awed by the power of Spirit working through all of us and our ministry.

Grateful for Abundance

2007-04-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

My husband and I left Sunday afternoon right after church for Panama City, FL. We were going down to meet up with some divers to get our advanced certification. We were clipping along at a pretty good pace when we had a complete blow-out. We limped our way over to the right side of the road out of traffic and called Triple A. The kind of truck my husband drives does not have a spare tire, so we had to get a room for the night and spend time the next morning locating someone with the kind of tire that goes on his car. Our plan B was to rent a car and pick up the truck on our way home.

As we sat by the interstate waiting for our tow truck, we talked about how grateful we were that we are in the financial position to make this simply an inconvenience rather than an emergency. We talked about how grateful we were for our abundance.

We talk often about abundance in Unity. We say that we deserve it and that God is an abundant God. Sometimes it feels very abstract. It is at times like this that I see how our abundance gives us a safety cushion for when life does hit. I know that money is not our source and at the same time, I am thankful that for today, we are financially blessed enough to be able to do things we love like diving along with the ability to handle the mishaps that come with life.

My desire is that everyone experiences the kind of abundance that allows them to do the things they love and to be able to take care of the inconveniences that come along. We as a ministry are here to assist people with creating that kind of abundance in their lives, whatever that may look like for each person. I again saw first hand how it is not an abstract teaching but a real nuts and bolts principle to live. I continue to stay committed to facilitating others and myself so we all can experience the abundant life that Jesus taught and modeled for us.

PS-We got the tire fixed that day, headed down to Florida, got our dives in and will be advanced certified when we get back to Murfreesboro. We now sit in a beautiful condominium right on the beach with the ocean serenading us as we settled down for the evening. God is good and I am so blessed.
Abundant blessings for all.

Where is God in all of this?

2007-04-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

This morning, I watched with the rest of the country as events unfolded around the tragic event at Virginia Tech. My heart has been heavy all day as I think about the victims and their families as well as the young man who was driven to commit such an act. There are so many questions that we just don't have answers to. What drives someone to do this? In Unity we teach that God is absolute and that we can never separate ourselves from God and God's love. At the same time, we live in a relative world where we see separation and pain and loss. It is in this world where we see ourselves alone, disconnected and abandon. I can only imagine the deep sense of disconnect that young man must have experienced. And now, there are 32 families who are struggling with their own sense of anger, helplessness and loss. The question then becomes, "Where is God in all of this?" That is where we keep our hearts open so that God can express through us. When we feel the sorrow of this loss, we are staying connected to one another. When we open our hearts with compassion and generosity, we are allowing God to be present. The absolute principle is always present. The potential for love is never absent. It is up to us especially at a time like this for each one of us to stay true to what we teach about God's love. I have taken the time today to call and text people to let them know that they matter to me. The reports say that no one knew the young gentleman who committed this act. What if we take the time to get to know someone who is not normally on our radar? Can this simple act make a difference? I have to believe it does. I cannot do anything directly for the people in Virginia. I can hold them in my heart and honor them and our humanity with my tears and sorrow. Then, I can step out of myself and approach someone I wouldn't normally talk to and let them know that they matter. Maybe this simple act can make a difference for someone so they feel less alone and isolated. That is all I know to do with something like this.

How much good can I allow?

2007-04-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

We showed the Secret last night and it was wonderful. We had almost 40 people there sharing the experience. During the discussion afterwards, someone made the comment that sometimes it is God's will for us to wait for our good. I heard how I have thought and said the same thing for so long. That has been a belief that I have worked with quite a bit. For a long time, I believed that God withheld things from me. It was like God teased me with a dream then said that you can't have it right now.

Today, I realize that it is not God that withholds my good, but it is me. It may be that I see a vision or have a desire and in order to allow it into my life, I must grow in some area. It may be the reason for the desire is so I will grow a particular quality or heal a limiting belief. So, if I find myself waiting for good, that is not a bad thing. But, it is not God withholding it from me either. It is like when I was in college. I had to finish the course of study before I was ready to do the work I prepared for.

It is the same thing with accepting God's gifts into our lives. It may be that we need a time of training or growth in order to be able to fully utilize the gift. The time between the initial desire and its manifestation is the time when I prepare myself to allow it. I grow in my sense of worthiness, value and capability and the Universe designs it perfectly so I can full enjoy my new abundance. Life is sweet!

Our reason for being

2007-04-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

For whatever the reason, I have noticed the news more recently. I hear the reports on how the science on global warming has been watered down by the time it has been presented to the public. I hear how things are much worse than any of us were told. I hear how fighting continues in Iraq and about the violence here at home. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and helpless by it all wondering what we can possibly do to make a difference.

Then I see the people who come to church on Sunday and during the week for classes. I see people getting involved and working for something they believe in by offering their time, their talent and their financial support. I see how their lives are changing. I see how people are more loving in their relationships and more aware of their environment. People see themselves as the way that God gives glory to our world and in turn they see it in those around them. They change. And this change does ripple out and affect others and our world. There are so many other groups doing the same thing and we are changing the face of the planet.

It feels like a slow process and sometimes I wonder if we are making any headway at all. Then I see the reports on how individually we are making a difference in our communities and our world. My vision all along for our ministry has been to create an atmosphere where people can awaken to their splendor. My belief is while we do that, we offer that same experience and belief for others. When we recgonize how life is sacred, we become incapable of doing harmful things to each other and our world. This is how we are going to reduce the stories of war and violence and destruction and send the reporters scrambling for news because there is very little bad news anymore.

Some people say I am unrealistic, that I live in the clouds. Yet, there has to be those of us who believe in the goodness of humanity and the presence of Spirit. We hold the high watch and support each other as we do our own growth and invite others into their spiritual splendor.
Sounds like a good topic for a talk! :)

The Forgiveness Process Continues

2007-04-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

The forgiveness process continues. Last week, I encourage our radical forgiveness class to fill out a forgiveness worksheet every day. That is operating under the assumption that someone will disappoint us at least once during the day. In my humanity, I can safely say that I will have unrealistic expectations of someone who will not fill them. As a minister, I cannot ask those in the congregation to do something that I am not willing to do. So, I have filled a sheet out every day since last Wednesday. I am amazed at how the same feelings, beliefs and patterns keep showing up no matter what the situation. It has been incredibly eye-opening for me. I knew that my beliefs colored the way I see the world. This has made it tangible in a way that I am starting to recognize it before it can grow and fester. I see much more clearly now that my experience has very little to do with what is really happening. It is all about how I see things and my perception is based on my beliefs. I have some intense grief as I see my patterns and at the same time, I experience great feelings of expansiveness and awareness of my connection to humanity. I am eager to see what will happen after 49 days of this practice. Stay tuned.

Radical Forgiveness

2007-03-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

We started a radical forgiveness class last Wednesday night. When we think of forgiveness, we often see that we were the victim and someone else is the victimizer. We forgive the other person because we realize that they acted out of their own sense of pain and woundedness. This method of forgiveness has worked for many of us for a long time. Colin Tipping is encouraging us to go deeper with the concept of forgiveness and entertain the thought that there is no victim or victimizer. On some level we agreed to this particular dance in order to assist each other with our individual healing. It doesn't mean that I condone bad behavior, what it means is that I see that I created and participated in the situation at some level. I found myself resisting this idea. It is not new to me, Unity teaches that our perception creates our reality. I just never have given it as much thought as I am as I facilitate this class. This past week, I saw how insidious the victim consciousness runs through me. I saw how I can take anything personal or make it about me. I don't know if I orchestrated the situations more than I interpret them in that way because of the filter through which I continue to see the world. This does not mean that I beat up on myself for not arriving at enlightenment yet. It means that I stay aware and honor the emotions around it while releasing the need to be a victim in my world. As a result, I am already experiencing a deeper sense of appreciation for life and a belief that the Universe is here to support me as I continue to live my mission. I know this for myself and others as well. That is why is it called radical forgiveness-I see that I have a choice at any point to engage with an event or person differently simply by changing the way I see them and myself. Share your comments about your process of forgiveness as we all travel this human journey together. Go to www.radicalforgiveness.com for more information about the program we are using.

Welcome new board

2007-03-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we dedicated our new board after our weekend retreat. It was an exciting and bittersweet moment. We have had a stable board for the last 3 years and each one of those board members have stepped down for a variety of reasons over the past four months. Their lives have changed and have gotten full. This is what church is for. We are here to help people grow and mature so they can pursue their passions. We are also here to support people with having fulfilling healthy relationships. This has been the gift for each board member. I am excited for them and at the same time, I am deeply sad. I have gotten to be close with each one and have come to see them as a friend. As with any relationship, the nature changes. Yet, knowing that does not always take the sadness away. For that, I let my tears fall and let God massage my heart. At the same time, I make room in my heart for three new board members. I often wonder if I should learn to distance myself from people in church. People come, get what they need to grow and many times they leave to pursue new paths. Each time, when it is someone I have gotten close to, I grieve. Yet, I think my ability to be vulnerable and available is what makes me a good minister. Regardless, it is who I am and I don't know that I can change it. So, I say good by and bless the board members who have served us well while welcoming with excitment and appreciation our newest board members. And so the cycle of life continues.

The Secret on CBS Sunday Morning

2007-03-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

CBS Sunday Morning news show featured the "Secret" as its lead report. They talked about how a number of people had different opinions about the "Secret" showing the bottom line which is that the movie and its ideas are helping people live better lives. One woman said that it is helping her to be more positive about her life. Unity has been teaching the principles presented in the "Secret" for over 100 years and salong with much more. The "Secret" is entry level New Thought and it is exciting to see it in the mainstream. I also get excited when I see people going beyond simply wanting "the stuff" to wanting to see how they can make a difference in the lives of others. When it comes down to it deep down all we really want is to know is that we matter and we can make a difference in our world. We are having a second showing of the "Secret" Friday, April 13th which will be followed by a discussion. I am also excited about the workshop we are sponsoring Sunday, April 15th with Karen Cressman on the laws of attraction. That will give us a chance to see how we can apply these principles in a way that blesses ourselves and others all at the same time.