Message from Sandra | Message of the week |
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WHAT ABOUT FAILURE? We are programmed to set goals, make a plan, and succeed. Whether the goals be marriage, business, or spiritual growth we do what is necessary, make the commitment, visualize, stay positive, affirm, pray, and expect success. What happens if after giving our very best, we fail? The answer is that there is no such thing as failure. Whatever happened …YOU had the experience, and you gained much wisdom in the process. Every “failure” gives you a gift. Failures in one area can give you the lessons you need to be a success in another area. Choose to redefine success as “participating fully.” Make the decision, take action, and participate fully. Success is in the process, not the outcome. Here are a few points you can remember: 1. YOU are not defined by your possessions or your achievements. 2. Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t do. 3. Look for the lesson in every experience whether you define is as success of failure. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
A Healing Consciousness August 22, 2010 A person with a “healing consciousness” is the person who brings calm in the middle of a storm. He or she asks “what can I do to calm everyone down?” It is the one person who knows wholeness in the face of sickness; who knows peace in the midst of fear. Today our collective consciousness needs to be healed regarding money and prosperity. The one with healing consciousness looks at possibilities beyond the “facts.” One of the best ways to heal a consciousness of lack is to do daily gratitude exercises. Remember that we allow or disallow the unlimited potential (God) that is always flowing to us. It all begins in our consciousness; our beliefs and expectations. Try these ABC’s for a prosperity consciousness: AFFIRM …watch the words you use ACT AS IF …dress, act, speak success BELIEVE …in yourself, in change, in possibilities. BLESS …bless everything and everyone in your life CONCEIVE …ideas are the source of all money and creative endeavors CREATE …visualize what you want; feel it. Blessings are always flowing to you . Open the door! Rev. Sandra
SPIRIT, BODY AND SOUL August 15, 2010Ernest Holmes, in his classic book The Science of Mind, gave us a “diagram” of life as a circle. The circle was then divided horizontally into three sections. The bottom section is BODY: This represents all of physical reality …your body, plants, bacteria, matter, the universe. It also represents the amazing design, coordination, and intelligence in the entire physical system. “The physical body is evolved for the purpose of allowing consciousness to function on this plane.” ..Ernest HolmesThe middle section is SOUL: Soul represents the non-physical part of the human being. It is our subconscious mind, our reasoning ability, inherited tendencies, thought, and psyche. Soul represents the part of us that “feels” music, and the part of a human that survives bodily death. It is our non-physical self. “Universal Soul is the medium through which Spirit operates. It is the undifferentiated Substance from which all things are made.” ..Ernest HolmesThe tops section of our circle is called SPIRIT: This is the creator God, the Eternal essence of things, Universal Spirit, the Absolute, First Cause..Jesus, Logos. It is wholeness without division. It is absolute and unlimited. “First Cause is absolute, self-conscious intelligence. There is no such thing as your mind and my mind and God’s mind. There is only MIND..in which we all live and move and have our being.” …Ernest HolmesThe final part of this diagram is a large V which begins at the level of Spirit, moves through Soul, and comes to a point in Body. The V is the action of God. Everything comes from God. We are never separated from God. Blessings,
The Way It’s Been Done August 8, 2010 Without being aware of it, we all form “boxes” in our thought system. We have a box about what is right or wrong, what we can or can’t do, and what is possible or not possible. If our “boxes” of boundaries are flexible, we can stretch them to incorporate new ideas and facts. Most boxes we form, however, seem to have concrete, impermeable walls. This creates rigidity, such as fundamentalism in religion, and snobbery in regards to social ideas. It also closes our mind as to what is possible and what is not possible. No book, religion, or social system can hold the truth for all time. Rather than clinging to old beliefs, I encourage you to access the knowledge that flows to you from the eternal Spirit. Rather than having fixed ideas about how it “should be”, let us be open at the top, question constantly, add on, adjust, revise and renew. The “way it’s always been done may not be the best way. Let Spirit fill you with the new. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
August 1, 2010 “And No Religion Too” ..John LennonSince the beginning of time human beings have recognized a greater power. Throughout our history there have been special enlightened or awakened beings who have brought us a spiritual message …such as Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha. From these messages human begins have created religions. Our problem is that the message of the enlightened being is often trapped of lost in the theologies of religions. Jesus, a young Jewish man who had a great awakening in the desert, went about teaching and healing. He told his disciples of a kingdom of heaven that was WITHIN, and taught about love, kindness, forgiveness, and blessings. Many of the churches based on Jesus, now teach about heaven as a literal place, and hell as eternal punishment for those not accepting the theologies of Christianity which include the second coming, rapture, and many other ideas taken from a variety of ancient books …of which we have no originals. Muhammad, after his visions in the cave, taught his lawless society that women should be treated fairly, alms given to the poor, honesty in business, and daily prayer. Now we see suicide bombers with martyrs which are in violation of the Quran. Buddha taught that the suffering in life could be eliminated by staying unattached to outcomes. And yet Pure Land Buddhism teaches that one may accumulate good karma to get to the Pure Land (heaven) after death by repeating the name of Amitaba Buddha. Our enlightened teachers were all in accord. Our religions judge and divide, and create self-righteousness. Religions are created by man. Let us be mindful of the enlightened messengers….lest we get lost in the theologies.Blessings, Rev. Sandra
July 25, 2010 Doing or Being? Perhaps in order to gain the happiness we all seem to seek, we need to look at the root causes of unhappiness. We are often unhappy due to guilt or remorse regarding the past. The pains stay in our mind as we re-live them on a daily basis. We create stress and worry about our future as well. What will we do, how will we manage, what will people say? These feelings about past and future are held, however, in the NOW. We forget that we live in the moment we are in. Whatever we feel takes place NOW. Whatever action we take …only takes place in the moment we are in. The thoughts we think are taking place in the moment. The golden key to happiness is to be very very mindful of the thoughts we are thinking RIGHT NOW. This moment is all there is. We choose our thoughts, and we have the ability to change our thoughts. Make a decision to be present in your mind. Notice what you think. Is it about the past or future? Bring it back to the moment. Remain open and let life happen moment by moment. Don’t get caught up in clinging to the past or fearing the future. Take charge of your mind. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
Creative Healing July 18, 2010 Frederick Bailes, in his book “Your Mind Can Heal You”, states, “illness is an outer sign of an inner disturbance; a distorted thought in a visible state”. Mr. Bailes was cured of diabetes through prayer. We believe in medicines, doctors, surgeries and all sorts of current physical healing methods. We recognize that the physical body responds to physical procedures. We ALSO recognize that the body is much more than a group of cells. The body is an energy system that reaches beyond the border of the skin. Mental healing recognizes the power of our consciousness upon our body. Our beliefs, our anger, self hate, fear, shame, guilt, and blame are all expressed through our body. If you want to heal your body, you must also heal your thoughts, your emotions, and your expectations. We have discussed the role of body and mind in healing, but there is a third layer …and that is Spirit. Spirit is not something outside of us that we call to. It is a Divine Energy within and without. When you change your thinking, you allow the Universal spiritual energy to create a new avenue for healing in your body. Blessings, Rev. Sandra What We Believe July 11, 2010 Our teachings grew out of the transcendentalist movement of the late 1800’s, which includes the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thoreau, and others. The new approach to religious thought, broadly called “New Thought” grew in popularity during the 1930’s and 1940’s. It includes Unity Church, Church of Religious Science, and Christian Science – along with many independent churches. Our basic beliefs are (1) that there is a Greater Spiritual Reality that exists in the physical and beyond the physical world. Call it God, call it Spirit, call it what you will …it is the Source of all. It is the Father that Jesus claimed was within…and it is within every human being, whether we are aware of it or not. The purpose of our teaching is to help each individual discover the Inner Presence, and to learn to change our beliefs, attitudes, and expectations to align with that Presence. God/Spirit responds to us by corresponding to our own thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and expectations. God can only work for us by working through us. We believe Jesus was enlightened ..totally one with the Presence. We believe enlightened beings are on the planet to teach us and guide us. We believe the One Presence makes Itself known through many different teachings and religions. Our original church name of Church of Religious Science has been changed to Center for Spiritual Living, because of a mis-identification by others that led to a perception that we were aligned with Scientology. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
FREEDOM July 4, 2010 There seems to be an inborn desire in humans for freedom. We want freedom to pursue the religion of our choice, to protect ourselves, or to champion a cause. We have an innate desire to move away fro collective control toward individual independence. Freedom, however, comes with conditions. The TRUE responsibility of freedom is to realize that if we want freedom for ourselves, we must also give freedom to others. This means that we need to get control of our need to be right. All to often we are engaged in judging the person who is judging us. Each of us has a choice whether to focus on our points of agreement, or to argue over our differences. The demands of freedom require that I understand that my belief is not better or more right than yours. It is my choice. Freedom demands that taking care of myself does not mean being self-centered at the expense of others. Freedom demands that following my bliss does not include being financially irresponsible. And finally, freedom means that taking care of myself does not mean that my needs are more important than yours. True freedom means inter-dependence, and calming of individual egos. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
June 27, 2010 THE WORLD CUP OF LIFE As we watched the World Cup Soccer competition, we realized that many things go into becoming successful. We begin with a goal and a vision. In order to achieve that goal we must be able to see it in our mind and feel it in our being. Hoping is not enough. One must become committed to achieving success and doing whatever it takes to accomplish the goal. Almost all athletes have had to overcome adversity somewhere along the way. To road to achieving the goal contains training, training, and more training. We must use our God-given assets to the fullest. Training is both mental and physical. Unless we can visualize the desired outcome, we will never reach it. Worldly honors, such as a gold medal, are a great honor. Many competitors will tell you, however, that the true reward is to participate to the fullest of your ability. ALL the participants are winners just by taking part. Your life is like a World Cup event; Believe, Commit, Train, Vision ..and then recognize that it is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game that counts.Blessings, Rev. Sandra
The Art of Praise June 21, 2010 Praise has been part of spiritual practices in all ages. Primitive man, in awe and wonder at the world around him, gave praise. King David in 900 BC wrote psalms of praise, and the Koran from 500 AD gives praise. Praise, reverence and devotion recognize something greater than our ego-selves. Modern human beings, because of their great power of reason, often lose their sense of wonder. Explaining something does NOT make is less awesome. To recognize that God is a power that is within and without does not eliminate the need for reverence. Whatever you definition of God/Spirit may be there is no doubt the Spirit is great, and deserving of awe, gratitude, and praise. Today praise God for your body …the human body is a miracle of engineering that is unparalleled. Praise God for nature. Watch the bird build her nest, sit on her eggs, and feed her babies. How does she know what to do? Praise God for feelings. If we cannot allow the depth of sorrow, we will also miss the ecstasy of joy. Notice the Good! Blessings, Rev. Sandra June 13, 2010 The Story of Job Bible scholar Dr. Rocco Errico tells us that the story of Job is an allegory, and as is the Eastern custom it is rich with repetition …”only I have escaped to tell you.” The ending message of the story, the concept that Job finally understood, was that his problem was “self-righteousness.” When you read the last few sections, you can see that he finally reaches a state of humility …and then all his riches are restored. In these stories, the outer action is always calling for an inner change. Why did it take so long?...because Job was very stubborn and very self-righteous…and he didn’t want to change. It challenges us to look at our own “self talk”. Instead of crying out “why me?” we should ask “what is this trying to teach me?” “What are the possibilities here?” Is it possible you have do greater things than you ever imagined? Is it possible that there is someone out there that will love you the way you want to be loved? Is it possible your body knows how to heal itself, and is doing so right now? Blessings, Rev. Sandra
June 6, 2010 God Loves You Years ago a television show called “Touched By An Angel” was a surprise hit. The simple message relayed in each show was this: God loves you. God needs you. Somehow this simple message touched the hearts and souls of millions. Perhaps part of the show’s success was that it never really described or defined God. It assumed that we knew. The viewer was allowed to maintain their own definition. Hunting societies created an anthropormorphic (human like) angry male deity. Planting societies created a nurturing Goddess. Greek and Roman abstract thinkers created the Logos …a principle of wisdom. Transcendentalists saw god not as a being, but an existent reality…in and through all. In modern terms, God Loves You … might be expressed as the inner Spiritual energy (Chi, Ki, Holy Spirit) that is implanted into each being, giving directions and support. God Needs You ….implies that to be truly spiritual, you must give as you receive. The Dalai Lama put it this way …”There are many different philosophies, but what is of basic importance is compassion, love for others, concern for others suffering, and the reduction of selfishness.Blessings, Rev. Sandra
The Circle of Life May 30, 2010 Whether we recognize it or not, life is a circle. Each incident has meaning, and each moment is guided by a powerful spiritual force. Ultimately we all return to the purity and innocence in which we were born. As we move through the various “stages” of our life, it is good to remember that no matter how it looks or feels, ultimately life can be trusted …because life is Spirit, and life will ultimately bring you home. Learn to laugh as you move along your circle …. L – Live life fully; participate 100% A – Accept life as it is; accept where you are on your journey U – Understand the true nature of life; know you have an automatic pilot leading you G – Gratitude: Be thankful for the opportunity and the adventure; don’t get stuck in an incident. H – Home: We are all going home …what is home? …perhaps the discovery that we are already there. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
Creative People May 23, 2010 We tend to look at others who are artistic or clever and deem them “creative.” The spiritual truth is that we are all equally creative. We all have the ability to form images in our mind, and we are all connected to the Universal Mind whose creativity never ends. Our problem is not that we are not creative, but that we are unwilling to embrace the creative ideas that “pop” into our minds. Ideas are unlimited. Here are some rules to help you in harnessing your own creativity: 1. Open Your Mind …remove the shackles of I can’t. What do you love to do? 2. Make a Commitment….Bill Dodge arose at 5:00 am and painted for two hours prior to going to work. The reward of his efforts was his own gallery in Carmel, CA. 3. Be Willing to Risk … Give up the need for approval and guarantees. 4. Trust Your Source… God in you is unlimited. Creative ideas are unlimited. You are never separate from the Creative Source. You don’t need special abilities. You have all you need. Unleash it! Blessings, Rev. Sandra
May 16, 2010 BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED Our western, materialistic society has taught us that we should always want more; that happiness is having the newest and latest thing or belonging to the “in” group. We make it our goal to have perfect health, wealth, and perfect relationships. We have forgotten that the key to having more in our life is to attract it from where we are. We need to learn to “bloom where we are planted.” Creating happiness, right where we are and just as we are, is like a magnet that draws the best to us. Giving away as much as we can, whether in material goods or mental/emotional support, opens us up to receive more. Happiness attracts more happiness. Discontent attracts more discontent. Bloom where you are planted. Spirit will do the rest. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
THE MIND CURE May 9, 2010 Years ago the teachings of the New Thought Movement, which included Unity, Science of Mind, Christian Science, and others, were called the “Mind Cure” religions. The above title may be misleading, because healings come through doctors, medicines, procedures, prayer, and other means. State of mind, however, is a key ingredient. Physical and emotional healings occur when the mind is calm, centered, trusting the Universe, and expecting good. We are holistic beings in a holistic world. This means that everything works together as one. Our emotions and expectations are a critical part of any change in our body. Our body parts are not separate things to be treated; they are part of the wholeness of who we are. Our heart is not just a pump. It has an energy system stronger than the brain, and it has memory. In a book entitled “The Heart Speaks”, Dr. Mimi Guarneri reports that a young man who received a heart transplant, began assuming the eating habits, the musical choices, and even the dreams of the deceased donor. Life is one. You are a cell in the world body. The emotions you embrace, the thoughts you think, the expectation of your heart …belong to us all. “It is done unto you as you believe.” Rev. Sandra
Stepping Back from the Conflict May 2, 2010 Several years ago I was asked to be part of a panel discussion at a University on a controversial subject. Each panel member came with their own pre-existing position on the topic, and with their personal “authority” such as scientific facts, or the Holy Bible, or other references. Although the discussion was respectful, it was easy to see that panel members were quite defensive about their positions, and at time a bit irritated and/or self-righteous. I found myself looking at the panel and the room of attendees and asking myself – “What’s really going on here?” The answer came quickly. Each person was really asking …”Why can’t you be more like me?” Each assumed their position was the true, correct position. Each came with their own pre-existing viewpoints, and each was actually looking for people to be in agreement with them. Nobody came with a “beginner’s mind.” We were all clinging to our security, our history, and the “rightness” of our position. To be truly open, we needed to let go of all our preconceived positions…our history ….our security. When we can let go of our past and cease asking “Why can’t you be more like me?” we will perhaps be able to have an open mind and heart, and a place where God can enter the discussion. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
THIS THING CALLED YOU This Thing Called You April 25, 2010 In his book, This Thing Called You, Ernest Holmes explains how our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are like a magnet for the Universal Energy and Intelligence. In other words, Spirit responds to you by corresponding to your own consciousness. The cause of much of our problems is our accumulated patterns of thoughts that are stored in our subconscious mind. We can change this content with affirmations ….as long as they are done with faith, feeling, and repetition. Just as you learned the times tables or alphabet stored in your mind, we can change our life by changing our consciousness …one affirmation and one prayer at a time. Affirmations don’t make something happen; they rearrange your subconscious mind to allow the answer. Your affirmations must be done, however, with feeling, belief, trust, surrender and positive expectation. Watch your thinking, you expectations, and your language. Divine guidance, intuitive answers, inspiration, and inner peace are waiting for you to open the door and let them in. Rev. Sandra
LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT April 18, 2010: Chapter 1 of Genesis was written around 587 BC during the captivity of the Hebrew people in Babylon. It depicts an oral story that had been passed on for generations. In seven days, God - Jehovah, made the earth, the animals, and male and female and declared it all good. Chapter 2 was written around 900 BC ..quite awhile later. It attempts to show the reason for "evil" in the world. Humankind was once in Eden (a state of perfect oneness with God), and then used his/her free will (ego) to make choices that were not in alignment with god...symbolized by the tree of good and evil. The story shows the birth of duality; the birth of ego ...our self-awareness. The state of Eden is a state of cosmic consciousness or enlightenment. The state of being thrown out of the garden is a state of ego - our tendenty to err. This entire story is a wonderful metaphor for the condition of life as a self-aware human being, and the fact that we choose at every moment whether to follow our ego (bite the apple) or follow the voice of God within. Blessings, SANDRA
THE TEACHER’S WISDOM A modern version of The Sermon on the Mount April 4 - 2010 ...given by Rev. Sandra Swift SETTING: GOSSIP ABOUT LOCAL MAN WHO TEACHES SPIRITUAL THINGS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK SATURDAY MORNING AT PARAMOUNT THEATRE DECENT CROWD OF LOCALS, BUT THEATRE NOT FILLED THE SPEAKER: YOUNG MAN SIMPLE DRESS – JEANS AND A COTTON SHIRT, TENNIS SHOES LOCAL; SOME RECOGNIZE HIM …AS SON OF A MAN WHO OWNS A LOCAL FURNITURE STORE . HIS PARENTS ARE QUITE INVOLVED IN LOCAL CHURCH THE MESSAGE: THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE POOR, DEPRESSED, MOURNING FOR SOMEBODY THEY LOST. SOME FEEL GUILTY, WHILE OTHER ARE BEING MOCKED FOR THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. THESE PEOPLE WILL BE AT PEACE. ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE QUITE CONTENT, GENTLE IN THEIR WAYS, AND ALWAYS SEEING THE BEST IN PEOPLE…AND THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF PEACE. SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE TARGETED IF YOU ARE FOUND FOLLOWING MY TEACHINGS, AND BE TAUNTED, AND EVEN ATTACKED. DON’T BE AFRAID, BECAUSE YOU WILL REAP YOUR REWARD BECAUSE YOU WILL FEEL YOUR ONENESS WITH SPIRIT. BE STRONG AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. DON’T WORRY IF PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE CRAZY OR THAT YOU BELONG TO A CULT – THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND. JUST LET YOU ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES…AND PEOPLE WILL SEE YOUR PEACEFULNESS AND THE BRIGHT LIGHT THAT YOU BRING. I DIDN’T COME HERE TO MAKE TROUBLE WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, OR TO CREATE DISCORD WITH YOUR LOCAL CHURCHES. BUT THERE ARE SPIRITUAL LAWS THAT YOU MUST FOLLOW FIRST: ANGER AND JUDGEMENT ARE A FORM OF MENTAL MURDER. TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FAULTS BEFORE YOU FIND FAULT IN ANOTHER. DON’T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE SOMEBODY THAT HAS AN AFFAIR. UNFAITHFULNESS CAN BE IN YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS ALSO. STOP RESISTING THE THINGS AND PEOPLE OF WHOM YOU DO NOT APPROVE. RESISTING IS NEGATIVE AND ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING. GIVE LOVE, GIVE PATIENCE, GIVE HELP…GIVE, GIVE! TO LOVE THOSE WHO DO NOT LOVE YOU IS A GREAT LOVE. BE VERY CAREFUL OF STARTING TO THINK YOUR WAY IS THE ONLY WAY, OF FEELING BETTER THAN OTHERS. NOBODY IS PERFECT EXCEPT THE CREATOR. GIVE. GIVE OF YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, AND YOUR TEASURE. GIVE LOVE. GIVE, GIVE. QUIT WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF AND FOCUS ON OTHERS. AND DON’T GIVE MONEY TO CHARITY SO SOMEBODY WILL PRAISE YOU ABOUT IT. TELL NO ONE. NO BOASTING. PRAY IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR OWN HOME AND YOUR OWN HEART. YOU DON’T NEED TO MAKE A SHOW OF YOUR FAITH. YOU CLING TO YOUR FANCY CARS AND BIG HOUSES AND FINE CLOTHES AND THEY MEAN NOTHING. THE REAL TREASURE IS INNER PEACE. WHEN YOU HAVE PEACE AND LOVE WITHIN, YOUR OUTER LIFE WILL MATCH IT. WHY ARE YOU SO FEARFUL ABOUT MONEY AND SECURITY? LOOK AT NATURE. THE BIRDS DON’T WORRY ..AND THEY FIND ENOUGH FOOD. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. LIVE IN THE MOMENT. YOU ARE SO BUSY LOOKING AT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT, AND YOU FORGET THAT IT IS ONLY YOU THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF. TALE CARE OF YOUR OWN CONSCIOUSNESS AND YOUR OWN LIFE. THAT IS ENOUGH.
The Grass is Greener March 28, 2010 Our society has been built on the concept of “if I just had ……, then I would be happy.” Consumerism happily promotes this idea as we continue to buy “bigger and better.” The thrill is short lived. Nothing “out there” is truly going to bring us happiness. I know many happy, peaceful people who are dealing with severe illness. They realize that happiness comes from the inner, not the outer. Temporary happiness can be gained from financial security, family, children, money, or a new car. True joy comes from feeling peaceful, secure, joyful and free from fear. How then do we attain that state? The answer is simple …..GIVE. We increase what we give. Give your love, your time, your talent, your energy, your money, and your attention. Give forgiveness and unconditional love. Listen! Why would the above create happiness? Because there is a universal spiritual law that states “as we give …so do we receive.” Jesus knew this very well. The Universal Intelligence and Energy responds to our energy. That is the law. Your state of mind is like a magnet, drawing more to you. When we are occupied with helping someone, we are free from fear. The world needs your gifts. “Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive …” St. Francis of Assisi Blessings, Rev. Sandra
Moving Beyond the “Self” March 14, 2010 There are times in our lives when we feel helpless and victimized by those around us, but it is essential to our growth that we move beyond victimhood. In order to move forward and have dominion in our lives, it becomes necessary to give up blame. Blame is about the past. Self-help and New-Age teachings are about taking personal responsibility for our lives. We step out of blame into self-love and self-action. There is one more step in personal growth that we can take if we choose. We can move beyond taking control over our lives, and surrender to the Spirit within. Giving up control to our Higher Power puts us in a place where God can work for us by working through us. This is a step in spiritual growth as we move past ego into oneness. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
Sunday, March 7, 2010 How to Pray Jesus gave us excellent instructions on how to pray. Let’s look at them: Our Father – the word Jesus used in Aramaic denoted a loving, nurturing father ..almost like “daddy”… Who art in heaven – Jesus clearly told his disciples that the kingdom of heaven was within .. So we might read this part as …loving, nurturing Presence within ..Hallowed be Thy name …this is an honoring …holy be thy name. Holy, loving, nurturing Presence within …Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven – clearly this is a call for the physical world of people and things to conform to the loving, nurturing energy that is already within .. Holy, loving, nurturing Presence within, may we on earth express what you are Give us this day our daily bread - may our daily needs be filled And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors …the key word here is AS. We see loving forgiveness AS we forgive … as we forgive we are also forgiven Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil …give us strength to resist our ego desires and to remain in alignment with PresenceFor Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory ..Amen God is the only Power there is. THE LORD'S PRAYER Holy, loving, nurturing Presence within, may we on earth express what you are. May our daily needs be filled, and may we be forgiven our errors as we forgive others. Give us strength to resist our ego desires and to remain in alignment with Presence. God is the only Power there is.
JANUARY 2010 In the months of January and February we are talking about your personal prosperity. Each week we will discuss a key to creating a more abundant life. Week #1 …COMMITMENT: The first key is to be willing to commit. A commitment is a willingness to move past previous boundaries, a belief that your universal good is unlimited, and the willingness to stretch your beliefs. We must first commit in order to receive. The Universe can only fill the mold that you give it. In order to have more from the Universal Wisdom and Energy, you must first create a willingness to do whatever it takes! Week #2 …VISION: In order to receive our good, we must first create a personal vision of abundance in every area of our life. What do you expect? You must create a wider, greater vision and hold it in your belief. What we conceive and believe …we will receive and achieve. Start now to move past your fears and ideas of limitation.
Week # 3 ...AWARENESS: The first step of change is to become aware of our false beliefs about ourselves, the world, and what is possible. Try affirming these truths: God is the only source of abundance, and abundance is a present reality. We receive according to our acceptance (expectations, beliefs) Everyone deserves abundance and the source is inexhaustible.
Week #4 .....MAKING ROOM: You open up your ability to receive by letting go. What you give out, comes back to you as greater good. Create a space for the Universe to fill ...clean out your closets, your garage, you book shelf, your attic ...give it away, sell it, put it back into circulation. Give some money away anonymously.
Week # 5 ....FORGIVENESS: Let go of the past. Negative energy from the past is shaping your future ...let it go! To forgive is not saying it was OK; it is simply saying I am free. Search your past and your mind ...and then set yourself free. Remember to forgive yourself!
Week #6 ....BLESSINGS: Everything in life brings a blessing...even the ones we label negative. Look for the lessons, the gifts of understanding, the wisdom ...it's all a blessing.
Week #7 ... LIVE IN THE FLOW: Complete the following statements to create your new vision:
I am 100% commited to ..... My own personal highest possibility is .... I deserve ..... I am grateful for ..... The source of my good is ..... I am willing to give ..... I have made room in my life by releasing ..... I forgive ________for ________ I am ..............
TO TITHE OR NOT TO TITHE May 31, 2009 Recently a television evangelist was telling everybody to put $1000 seed money in the offering and they would see their bills begin to disappear. I was appalled. Let’s take a quick look at the practice of tithing. Tithing is not a rule you have to follow to get into heaven. Tithing is not something you do in order to get. Tithing is not a way to give $10.00 in order to receive ten-fold ($100) back.
Tithing is a way of thinking and living. It is a discipline that affirms your spiritual well being. It is an attitude. To quote Eric Butterworth, “Prosperity is not just having things; it is the consciousness that attracts things.”
We GIVE out of a sense of trust in the universe and the law of attraction. Here are some tips to help you open up to prosperous thinking and acting: Refuse to indulge in casual conversation about the economy.
Stop saying I can’t, I’m afraid, and there isn’t enough.
Make a commitment to take charge of your mind.
Meditate and see yourself surrounded and infused by Divine Intelligence and Divine Substance.
Affirm the positive. Try – “The whole of Universal Presence is flowing through my life now.”
Show gratitude for all you have. Bless your car, or the bus, or your legs. Bless your job, or your source of income, or the food kitchen that feeds you each day.
Give. Give from a sense of abundance and faith. Give time, money, service, and things.
Tithe! Tithe not because the church says you must, not in order to get, but because you CAN. Blessings, Rev. Sandra
ROOTED IN TRANSCENDENTALISM MAY 24, 2009The teachings of New Thought churches such as Unity, Religious Science (Science of Mind), and Divine Science were all birthed by the transcendentalist movement of the early to mid 1800’s. The key to this movement, led by Harvard graduate Ralph Waldo Emerson, was that one could approach religion with rational thinking that included reason and intuitive thinking. The movement was a protest against the rigid intellectualism of Harvard and the Unitarian church. Transcendentalism proposed that “there is a spiritual state that transcends the physical, and it is realized through your own thinking, rather than established religious doctrines or intellectualism.”
Emerson’s ideas included the concept of the “Over-Soul”, a Universal Mind that could be accessed by way of intuition, and perceived in the inner-connection involved in events and in nature. He concluded that for every effect in our lives there was also a corresponding cause in our consciousness, acting as a law of attraction, to which the Over-Soul responds. “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, - that is genius.” Inner guidance is constantly flowing to us and by trusting our own selves, trusting our emotions and our intuitive ideas, we learn that self-reliance is also reliance upon the greater reality to which we are always connected. “Man is a stream whose source is hidden…I am constrained at every moment to acknowledge a higher origin for events that the will I call mine.” Blessings, Rev. Sandra
BEGINNING 2009 WE PRESENTED CHAPTERS 2-5 OF "THE SCIENCE OF MIND" BY DR. ERNEST HOLMES
“BODY” – January 25, 2009 (adapted from Chapter 5 – The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes) To review the last 3 weeks of this series : MIND – human intelligence and self recognition. Consciousness SPIRIT – The Creative Intelligence – in and through all; the Source of all. SOUL – The non-physical part of human at the sub-conscious level; also connected with the Soul of the universe. Soul is a holistic level where we are all connected to the One Spirit. This week we talk about BODY. Body contains all things physical. It is the manifest universe It is important to note that the physical universe is an “EFFECT” - never a cause. In other words, the physical/material world is an out-picturing of individual and universal consciousness or soul. Form is a result of the energy of consciousness projecting itself into physical form. We cause this action with our thoughts, amplified by feelings. IT IS DONE UNTO YOU AS YOU BELIEVE. Intelligence, both individual and universal, is the ultimate creative agency of the universe.
They body, the physical universe, is a result of “mind-energy” taking form. It is temporary and changeable. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR THINKING YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
HOW MUCH GOOD TO YOU WANT TO EXPRESS IN YOUR LIFE? Blessings, Rev. Sandra
January 18, 2009
“SOUL” – (adapted from Chapter 4 – The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes) Soul is the connecting point between Spirit and the world of form. You are a body but you also are Soul, and your individual soul is part of the Universal Soul. Spirit is non-physical, self existent cause. Soul is the realm of ideas and creativity. Deepak Chopra calls it the field of energy and information. Every time you think, you are using the realm of Soul.
Soul is the primordial, undifferentiated substance from which all things come. In olden days it was called the “ether.” Our thoughts fall into the creative realm of soul and return to us as form (the physical world.) If the above ideas are confusing, just think of it this way: Your thoughts, amplified by emotions, create a CAUSE. The EFFECT of those thoughts and emotions are the events of your life – both big and small. You and I are creators. The LAW of creation is simply this: IT IS DONE UNTO YOU AS YOU BELIEVE. That which we think, believe, talk about, dwell upon, and give emotion to becomes our reality. Ernest Holmes put it this way: “THOUGHT, PLACED IN THE SUBJECTIVE (SUBCONSCIOUS) MIND IS ACTED UPON BY LAW IN THE REALM THAT WE CALL SOUL, AND IS REFELCTED BACK TO US AS FORM.” If you change your thinking you will change your life.
January 11, 2009 SPIRIT(Based upon Chapter 3 – The Science of Mind – by Dr. Ernest Holmes) Last week we affirmed that we are self-conscious, thinking beings and the Universal Intelligence responds to what we think, believe, and say. This week we talk about the Universal Intelligence or Spirit. Spirit (God) is absolute, conscious being. This self-existent Spirit is the source of all that exists, physical and non-physical. It has no opposites, no devil, no Satan. Duality exists in the physical world – not in Spirit. What is the nature of Spirit. Since it is the one Source, it must be creative. It is in total harmony with Itself, otherwise It would self destruct. It is changeless. And finally, It expresses as Spirit (pure intelligent being), Soul (the spiritual energy of the physical world) and Body (physical form). Everything in the physical world is an “effect.” Any effect that the mind can think, it can also un-do. Things are ideas in form, and those ideas are acted upon by Spirit. YOUR EVOLUTION IS THE EXTERNAL UNFOLDING OF UNIVERSAL SPIRIT. Blesings Rev. Sandra
January 4, 2009 MIND – THE GREATEST DISCOVERY(Based upon Chapter 2 – The Science of Mind – by Dr. Ernest Holmes)
We live in an intelligent universe which has invisible principles. The principle of evolution changes with humans because we have self-choice and are no longer ruled by the laws of averages. Our free-will makes us the decision maker and it is up to us to discover the invisible principles of Universal Intelligence.
A key principle is: IF YOU CHANGE YOUR THINKING YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE. We never see the actual “cause” of things because the principle of causation is invisible. We only see “effects.” Beneath the physical world is an invisible cause. This invisible area (or medium) of creation is the action of Universal Intelligence.
When we think, we plant ideas into our subconscious mind. Our subconscious mind is part of the Universal Mind/Creative Medium. Don’t let the terms confuse you. This means that at a deeper, non-physical level human being are all part of the whole. We are connected to God (Universal Intelligence) AND to each other. This non-physical, creative essence RESPONDS to our thoughts, desires, and emotions.
The LAW of life is that it is “done unto you as you believe.” LAW (Universal Intelligence) is impersonal. It is the same for everyone. It is the soil of the garden of life. You plant a seed in the soil with every thought and emotion. The seeds produce what you experience as physical life.
GOD/Absolute Unseen Intelligence responds to whatever we human beings decide to plant with our THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS, and the result becomes MANIFEST in the physical world.
CHANGE YOUR THINKING ….CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Happy New Year Rev. Sandra
THE TEACHER’S WISDOM Adapted from the Sermon on the Mount The Gospel of Matthew INTRODUCTION: A young man in his early 30’s had gained quite a following for his teachings. On the day he was scheduled to speak at the local historic theatre, some chose to carry picket signs outside opposing his ideas. The crowd gathered inside and some recognized him. “I know that kid,” one man commented. “He was raised here and his parents own the local furniture store.” The young man was simply dressed in tennis shoes, a cotton shirt and blue jeans. This is what he said.
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE POOR, DEPRESSED, OR MOURNING FOR SOMEBODY THEY LOST. SOME FEEL GUILTY, WHILE OTHERS ARE BEING MOCKED FOR THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. DON’T WORRY - THESE PEOPLE WILL BE AT PEACE. ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE QUITE CONTENT, GENTLE IN THEIR WAYS, AND ALWAYS SEEING THE BEST IN PEOPLE. THEY GIVE SERVICE WHEN NEEDED AND THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF PEACE. SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE TARGETED IF YOU ARE FOUND FOLLOWING MY TEACHINGS, AND BE TAUNTED, AND EVEN ATTACKED. DON’T BE AFRAID. YOU WILL BE REWARDED BECAUSE YOU WILL FEEL YOUR ONENESS WITH SPIRIT. BE STRONG AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. DON’T WORRY IF PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE CRAZY OR THAT YOU BELONG TO A CULT – THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND. JUST LET YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES…AND PEOPLE WILL SEE YOUR PEACEFULNESS AND THE BRIGHT LIGHT THAT YOU BRING. I DIDN’T COME HERE TO MAKE TROUBLE WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, OR TO CREATE DISCORD WITH YOUR LOCAL CHURCHES. BUT THERE ARE SPIRITUAL LAWS THAT YOU MUST FOLLOW FIRST: ANGER AND JUDGEMENT ARE A FORM OF MENTAL MURDER.TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FAULTS BEFORE YOU FIND FAULT IN ANOTHER. DON’T BE SO QUICK TO JUDGE SOMEBODY THAT HAS AN AFFAIR. UNFAITHFULNESS CAN BE IN YOUR MIND AND EMOTIONS ALSO. STOP RESISTING THE THINGS AND PEOPLE OF WHOM YOU DO NOT APPROVE. RESISTING IS NEGATIVE AND ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING. GIVE LOVE; GIVE PATIENCE, GIVE HELP…GIVE, GIVE! TO GIVE LOVE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT LOVE YOU IS A GREAT LOVE. BE VERY CAREFUL OF STARTING TO THINK YOUR WAY IS THE ONLY WAY, OF FEELING BETTER THAN OTHERS. NOBODY IS PERFECT EXCEPT THE CREATOR. GIVE. GIVE OF YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, AND YOUR TREASURE. GIVE LOVE. GIVE, GIVE. QUIT WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF AND FOCUS ON OTHERS. AND DON’T GIVE MONEY TO CHARITY SO SOMEBODY WILL PRAISE YOU ABOUT IT. TELL NO ONE. NO BOASTING. PRAY IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR OWN HOME AND YOUR OWN HEART. YOU DON’T NEED TO MAKE A SHOW OF YOUR FAITH. YOU CLING TO YOUR FANCY CARS AND BIG HOUSES AND FINE CLOTHES AND THEY MEAN NOTHING. THE REAL TREASURE IS INNER PEACE. WHEN YOU HAVE PEACE AND LOVE WITHIN, YOUR OUTER LIFE WILL MATCH IT. WHY ARE YOU SO FEARFUL ABOUT MONEY AND SECURITY? LOOK AT NATURE. THE BIRDS DON’T WORRY ..AND THEY FIND ENOUGH FOOD. TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. LIVE IN THE MOMENT. YOU ARE SO BUSY LOOKING AT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT, AND YOU FORGET THAT IT IS ONLY YOU THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF. TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN CONSCIOUSNESS AND YOUR OWN LIFE. THAT IS ENOUGH. THE CREATIVE POWER OF THE UNIVERSE IS YOURS. WHATEVER YOU NEED IS SUPPLIED. ASK! AFFIRM! BELIEVE! THE SPIRITUAL PATH IS DIFFICULT AND THERE ARE MANY FALSE PROPHETS, BUT I ASSURE YOU THAT IF YOU HOLD TO THE TRUTHS I HAVE IMPARTED …YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT. When he finished speaking he left quietly without waiting for applause. By Rev. Sandra Lee Swift Center for Spiritual Living 309 S. Maple St, Graham, NC 27253 www.cslgraham.org 336-227-7930
EXPLORING OUR ROOTS Our church is called Center for Spiritual Living, and we are affiliated with United Churches of Religious Science/United Centers for Spiritual Living in Golden, Colorado. Our founder was Dr. Ernest Homes, who wrote the book The Science of Mind, and drew thousands to the Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles to hear his lectures. We have churches in nearly every state of the United States, Canada, Jamaica, England, Russia, and elsewhere.Why then is neither Religious Science, Science of Mind, or the New Thought Movement listed in all the “world religions” guides one finds at the book store? My answer to this question is that our teaching is a broad spiritual philosophy that is incorporated into many books and teachings. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it was labeled “mental science.” Among authors promoting these ideas were Charles Fillmore – founder of Unity Church, Mary Baker Eddy – founder of Christian Science, Ralph Waldo Emerson –transcendentalist, Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale, Eric Butterworth, Marcus Bach, Gary Zukav, Marianne Williamson – of A Course in Miracles, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Louise Hay. The most recent promoter of the ideas is Eckhart Tolle who wrote The Power of Now and A New Earth. Our teaching is a science (predictable and the same for everyone), a philosophy, a religion and a way of life.The basic principles are universal: God is all there is. Universal wholeness is underneath and within every form. We live, move, and have our being in the “field of energy and information” that we call God or Spirit. “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” God works for us by working through us. Thought attracts. Whatever we consistently hold in our conscious thought becomes our reality. We live in a responsive universe. “It is done unto you as you believe.” This is called cause and effect, reaping and sowing. Cause is mental. You can change your life by changing your mental state. You must shift your thinking from the outer to the inner, from lack to abundance. There is a process for shifting your energy from outer to inner, for aligning with the Spirit within, for turning away from circumstances. This process is varied and may be called prayer, meditation, centering, release, spiritual mind treatment, affirmative prayer, spiritual practices. No matter what your faith or theology, it all comes back to you. What do you put out into the world and what do you expect back?Blessings, Rev. Sandra
THE BASICS TALKS IN JANUARY 2008 WERE A RECAP OF THE FIRST FOUR INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS OF "THE SCIENCE OF MIND" BY DR. ERNEST HOLMES JANUARY 27, 2008 HOW TO USE ITDr. Ernest Holmes, in his book The Science of Mind, lays out his philosophy in the first four chapters of the book. In the past three weeks we have learned that God is not an outside masculine deity. God/Spirit is the Universal Intelligence, Creative Energy, and Source of all that is. This great power is in all things and all people. We are never separate from it. Spirit, however, can only work for us by working through our own beliefs, expectations, ideas, thoughts, and emotions. If we want change, we must change ourselves. The key to having a greater flow of Presence in our lives is to have a greater consciousness of the Indwelling Spirit. This opens the gateway. Holmes gave us a wonderful tool for opening called “Spiritual Mind Treatment.” Just as we give a medical treatment to our body, we have a treatment that we give to our mind. That which we can conceive and believe we can achieve. We create a mold and Spirit fills it. Here is the process: Step one: Recognition - In a quiet place, relax, close your mind and meditate upon Spirit. Spirit is the Creative Intelligence of the Big Bang. Spirit is like oxygen, all around us, through us and necessary for our very life. Spirit is the creative energy. Think about all the evidence for a Power greater than you are. Step two: Unification – As you think upon the Presence, begin to realize It is in you; in every cell of your body; in every breath you take. Spirit is in you, through you, and around you. Breathe in Spirit with every inhalation. Exhale stress. Realize the truth that you are one with God. Step three: Declaration - From this great place of unity with the One, declare the truth about that for which you are praying. God is health and wholeness and knows no sickness. God is strength and wisdom and contains all answers. God is unlimited abundance flowing through your life. Speak your truth, feel your truth. Step four: Gratitude - Since there is no time or space in God, accept your truth NOW. Give thanks for your truth because it IS NOW. Fill your consciousness with gratitude. Step Five: Release – The answers to your prayers are in action NOW. Release the process to the great Creative Spirit and expect your good.Namaste, Rev. Sandra
JANUARY 20, 2008 WHAT IT DOES As we explore the first four chapters of the book “The Science of Mind” by Dr. Ernest Holmes, we have seen that the first chapter describes God as “The Thing Itself”, Infinite Creative Power, the Source of All, Universal Love, Universal Intelligence, etc. In the second chapter, Holmes explains that the way Spirit works in our lives is by working THROUGH us. This week in the chapter, What It Does, we learn that there are definite laws regarding how Spirit makes Itself manifest in the world, and how Spirit works through our lives. Even though God is Divine Love and Infinite Givingness, and deeply personal, It responds to us by unchangeable laws. The law is simple – God/Spirit responds to us by corresponding to the state of our consciousness.What we think, feel, believe and expect is responded to by the Infinite Spirit. Therefore, it is up to us to change our ideas, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and expectations if we want a different experience in life. God is there waiting and ready to respond, but we create the mold that It fills. For many, the idea that we must change ourselves in order to change our experience is not welcome, but a law is unchangeable and it operates whether we are aware of it or not. Begin with your own self. Examine your deep seated beliefs about the world, others, and yourself. Make a commitment to stop negative talk and negative expectations. Decide to create positive thoughts and actions. YOU control how much of Spirit you can experience in your life. YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU WANT; YOU GET WHAT YOU EXPECT.Next week: A method for changing consciousness called Spiritual Mind Treatment. Blessings, Sandra
THE WAY IT WORKS JANUARY 13, 2008 second chapter in Ernest Holmes book, The Science of Mind, Discusses how God (The Thing Itself) works in human lives. It is quite simple: The Thing Itself works for us by working through us.The key to a successful life is realizing that the Infinite Creative Energy is not outside of us, but within us. It can only work through our own consciousness and we control how much or how little God can do for us. God/Spirit is unlimited, but we have a control valve on how much we can receive. Our belief, our willingness and our receptivity are the key ingredients to allowing Spirit full rein in our lives. Our task is to create the beliefs that bring us the effects we desire. Rev. Dennis Merit Jones in Simi Valley put it this way; “If you always think what you’ve always thought, then you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” We have the ability to reshape the basis of our thought. Begin to plant new seeds of worthiness and possibilities in your consciousness. Watch your mind and make sure that these new seeds are not repudiated by your talk, gossip and negative emotions. As Mary Baker Eddy stated, “Stand guard at the portals of your mind.” Universal Spirit is available to all and responds to all. Vision, imagine, and expect good.
Blessings,
Sandra
JANUARY 6, 2008 THE THING ITSELF The message for this week is based on the first chapter of The Science of Mind by Dr. Ernest Holmes, titled The Thing Itself. He is speaking in this chapter about God! Rather than seeing God as a masculine deity who judges and/or blesses, Holmes understands God to be an “invisible Essence, that ultimate Stuff and Intelligence from which everything comes, the Power back of creation – the Thing Itself.”Holmes continues by telling us that this Universal Creative Intelligent Energy is the cause of everything physical and non-physical, and that it is part of all physical beings and things. In other words, the Divine Creative Energy is in me and in you! Perhaps the most important point for we human beings to understand, Holmes tells us, is that this Creative Mind responds to our own thoughts, feelings, beliefs and expectations – our consciousness. If you want to change your life, you must change your thinking. This ideas has been expressed through the years in “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra, by Wayne Dyer in many books, by modern mystic Eckhart Tolle, and many others. Understanding the key idea that Spirit responds to our overall consciousness can truly set the tone for this election year of 2008. What energy do you want to create? To stand guard over your own thoughts, feelings, expectations, actions and expressions is the most powerful things you can do. Peace, health, unity, love, joy, abundance, gratitude, compassion - lets recreate in 2008. It begins with you and me. It begins the moment you awaken each morning. Begin with gratitude and then plant seeds all day long. Blessings Sandra
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