“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” – Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster [From Daily Guideposts, December 7, 2009]
Boy, does that hit ya between the eyes!
Gratefully, I am loving and giving to others more often than once a year. Still, I have a ways to go and the Christmas message of peace, love, joy, and goodwill to all is something to carry with me every day of the year.
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” – Anne Bradstreet
It is true that in this world of duality, the contrasts make me appreciate the positive side of things. All in all, as my Aunt Katherine remarked to me last week, I’ve had a good life. And, there’s always been a few areas of it that have posed a struggle and tipped toward the negative side of the scale. One of these has been financial resources.
I am ready to receive prosperity in all forms, but especially financial abundance. I’ve had enough experience – and hopefully learning – that I no longer need to go through the experience of seeming lack in order to realize my financial good.
Dear Spirit –
I know that You are the One Presence, One Power, and the Source of all. In this world of duality, may the scale tip toward the positive and enable me to appreciate all the good in my life with me no longer having to experience the shadow side. With You all things are possible, including this. Thank You, thank You, thank You!
“The life we’ve been given by God is meant for enjoyment. But we can be certain of this enjoyment only when we put our energy into actions that replenish our soul. Love guarantees replenishment by guaranteeing our connection to God, from whom our sanity and peace come.” – In God’s Care, December 5
Today I attended my first monthly W.I.L.D. (Women In Love with the Divine) Women’s meeting. As you can ascertain from its name, this is not your plain vanilla type of women’s support group.
I felt love, caring, and support from the very minute I walked in the door. And, this rightfully turned out to be one of the first groups I have joined upon moving to Sedona where my energy is put into replenishing my soul. My soul has been undernourished for quite some time now and with all the offerings in our new home town, we – my soul and I – have been looking forward to implementing a new plan of nourishment. I’m glad it’s underway, initiated with joining the Mystic Choir a few weeks ago.
As Emmet Fox states often, “… you absolutely owe no loyalty whatever to anything or anyone but your own soul and to the furtherance of its spiritual development.”
I am grateful to be expending more time and energy to honor my soul, its nourishment, and its development. In so doing, my life is becoming more enjoyable and my connection to God strengthened. I’m beginning to once again feel that my life has meaning. I welcome this all, and the peace beyond all understanding that accompanies it.
Thank You, Spirit!
If I truly believe in God, why should I worry about anything?
In Kathryn Slattery’s experience as a worrier, she realized, “Worrying gave me a false sense that I was “doing something” about a problem, when in fact I was actually wasting valuable mental energy and accomplishing nothing!” How very true. When I worry, first of all, my mind is preoccupied with the future which isn’t yet here. I’m not accomplishing anything by worrying – in fact, I am adversely impacting my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Kathryn looked to the Bible, which has a lot to say on the topic. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “Do not worry. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? So do not worry.” As Kathryn points out, it’s worth noting that the apostle Paul does not encourage us to “Worry without ceasing.” Instead, he writes, “Pray without ceasing.” Prayer is both the opposite and the antidote to worry. I cannot worry and pray at the same time, just like I cannot be in fear and faith simultaneously.
Kathryn has a friend, who when she finds herself worrying, uses it as a reminder of how much she needs God. On her nightstand she keeps a plaque that says, “Stop worrying and go to sleep. I’ll be up all night anyway. Love, God.” Yes, God is always up, always awake and present. And, God has the power to accomplish anything, unlike moi.
If I believe in a Higher Power – God – that is all loving, all good, all powerful, etc., why indeed am I worrying?
Dear Spirit of the Most High –
May I pray without ceasing, faithful in knowing that You have a Divine Plan and all is exactly as it should be. And so it is.
The message below brings comfort to me and restores my soul… It says a mouthful and expresses my own beliefs succinctly. I am grateful to know that I am truly one with God.
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Today’s Daily Word – Thursday, December 3, 2009
ONE WITH GOD
I am one with God every moment of every day.
What does it mean to be one with God? Is it a feeling in my heart? Is it an assurance deep within my soul? Perhaps it is an inner knowing that, regardless of appearances or circumstances, I am one with the peaceful, all-providing presence of God.
The word oneness implies a sense of belonging. I belong with God. I am one with the spirit of God, the Spirit that is forever guiding me, protecting me and strengthening me in mind and body. My oneness with God assures me that I am never alone. I am one with God day and night. Knowing that God is with me and within me, I feel safe and connected, healthy and whole, assured of peace in all situations.
He came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”–Luke 1:28
My prayer this morning was…
Dear God;
Thank You for this day.
In this moment, all is well – may I stay here, in the Now. Let me not look to the future, nor even to the past. For it is only in the Now that You are. It is only here that I am in peace. There is no fear here.
And then I read…
“… there is not the slightest reason to be discouraged merely because one’s present demonstration seems to be very poor and spiritual power entirely lacking.” – Emmet Fox, in his essay The Everlasting Gates
Granted, it is not true that my present demonstration is “very poor” nor my spiritual power “entirely lacking.” However, there are a couple of areas in my life that I feel fearful about. These are pointers that tell me I need to focus on God, on the Now. Here is where there is power, strength, faith. And peace.
It’s always about (getting back to) peace.
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. – Anonymous
How apropos that I just returned from the dentist to read today’s spiritual messages and this one greeted me.
It was the continued saga (see blog of 05.01.09) of my front tooth/crown only now the stage is set in Sedona and working with a new dentist.
My crown re-cemented, I am now able to smile again – and I love to smile. A smile is a great way to connect with people, having Spirit shine through me to others. And in connecting with others and feeling God’s presence, everything indeed is set straight.
Thank You, God, for the health care professionals who help in the physical world of form and also help us heal in other ways.
Just like a dear friend who lives thousands of miles and multiple time zones away, but with whom I can communicate by phone, email, or instant messaging, God is accessible. Even more so.
God is just a breath away, a thought away, a prayer away. Just thinking of God puts the Great Mystery right there in my conscious presence.
Modern communications systems are great, but God’s ancient way of communicating is at least as good.
Dear Spirit of the Most High –
Thank You for Your Presence any time I choose to have You near.
I’m back once again thinking about my life and what meaning there is in it. I feel that my life only has purpose when I am being of service. When I was very involved in the 12 Step program, I felt that I was of service to others who came after me in pain and in need of healing. Through my own experience, I was able to provide strength and help to others, as those who came before me had helped me. I was able to listen, to love, and to not judge, to accept other folks at the level they were at.
I was reminded today that my experience gives me a purpose in life. With it – hitting bottom and rising up from it – I’ve learned compassion. With that opening of heart, I am able to help others, to serve God.
This world of form is changing mighty quickly these days, making way for a new world, a new way of living. Many people are in pain – and not even aware of it. I am in the ranks of those who are being prepared to help those less aware and enlightened about this world of form and how it fits into our lives, our being. My life experience has paved the way.
My purpose is to help others to realize that regardless of what the material world looks like and offers in terms of ‘toys’, we are eternal spiritual beings, whole and perfect, full of love.
My purpose is to hold the sacred space and help people realize that they are not alone. We are all One, we are all in this together, and all is well.
Dear Spirit –
I offer my love, my compassion, and my peace to You in service.
I appreciate the reminder today from The Daily Word that “… I realize joy when my mind is fixed on finding Spirit within each of my experiences. True and lasting joy comes from within–from God, the Source of every joy.“
Yes, so much good comes from focusing on Spirit. Spirit is not only the Source of every joy, but the Source of everything in my life. Keeping centered on God, fear cannot penetrate my mind, and I am in faith. I find joy in that.
