Lent 2016 - Day Four - I AM

“I am a joint heir with Jesus to abiding life, wisdom, love, peace, substance, strength, and power.” —Charles Fillmore

Rev. Pat Veenema writes, “The ‘I AM’ presence in you is the same that was in Jesus. Your I AM is the spiritual perfection of the Christ Idea to which Jesus was completely awakened. You, too, can awaken to your I AM spiritual identity, and allow that presence to illumine your thoughts, words, and experiences.”

The I AM is both individual and universal.  We are all part of God and also part of the God-consciousness.  The real source of life is within us.  The I AM is the same in all men and women.  It is without limit in its capacity to express the potentialities of God.

Through the conscious and subconscious of Mind, we live, move and have our being.  It is easy to judge and act upon something positive or negative, but not so easy when it is happening without our conscious effort to make it happen.

Rev. Veenema also said, “I am in God, and God is in me, as me.”  I agree and I wouldn’t want my life to be any different.

When we bought our home there was one plant in the backyard, a burning bush.  Once a year the green leaves turn a bright red.  Eric Butterworth writes, “When Moses heard God speak in the burning bush, it was a knowing so clear that it was as if God was speaking to him. He was told to take off his shoes, meaning to let go of preconceived notions and to become as a little child.”  I look at my burning bush and I am reminded that my I AM is the Christ within me.  If I want to see my life through the eyes of God, then I have to remind myself where my real source of life is, within, and live that life with God.

The Spirit of Truth

November 23^rd – Day 23 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself this 23^rd day to focus on all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” ~ John 16:13

“To know the Truth is to let go of untruths.” ~ Eric Butterworth

“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ~ John 8:32

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself.  It is the only true guide you will ever have.  And if you cannot hear it, you will all your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” ~ Howard Thurman

“Grace is not a part of consciousness; it is the amount of light in our souls, not knowledge nor reason.” ~ Pope Francis

“Gratitude is one of the chief graces of human existence and is crowned in heaven with a consciousness of unity.” ~ The Science of Mind

It is said that what grace delivers will exceed the furthest of our imagination.  Taking into consideration the words of Pope Francis, I can now see that gratitude and grace are divinely connected and it is up to me to live my life in a state of consciousness that combines the two.  To be touched by the light of God’s grace and be filled with gratitude throughout the day (without thinking about it), what joy that would bring!

The Rev. John Considine suggests we, “Take a moment every day to dedicate being in a relationship with God.” He goes on to give us a few secrets to help us experience the Divine Presence every day:

·         On Monday morning as you arrive at work, before you pick up the telephone, check your e-mail, or turn on a machine, take a moment to dedicate this day and week to being in relationship with God. You might say the Lord’s Prayer or simply, “Be with me, God.” The exact words are not important. Simply intend to be aware of the presence of God all week long.

·         If you use a computer at work, put a reminder of God’s presence on your screen saver. It need not be overly religious. Just a simple, “God is blessing me and my company today!” If you don’t use a computer, a 3x5 card near your workspace works just as well.

·         When the boss walks by, say a prayer for him or her. And throughout the day, pray for the success of your company and coworkers and the projects you are engaged in. Don’t pray to change anyone. That’s not your job. Pray that everyone feels loved and successful.

·         If you experience a challenge or become upset at work, stop for a moment and take a deep breath. Say a prayer like “I prefer peace over this. Thank you, God, for returning me to peace of mind.” Keep repeating that until you feel your peace returning.

From a list of Gratitude Prayers From Around the World provided by faith representatives on the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, I especially liked this one:

BUDDHISM

Eternal Spirit, You who go by many names. Let us offer thanks for the bounty of the earth and to the sun, the rain, and all of the sentient beings. Let us be mindful of the vast web of our interconnectedness to all beings, and celebrate our religious diversity.

So let it be.