Are You Accepting the Gift?

The Present.  More and more I am experiencing the present moment.

I watch so many people around me living in the past, wondering why things had to be "such and such" a way, or fretting over why a person was seemingly disappointed by "so and so's" behaviour.

Then there are those who can't seem to wait for the next exciting thing to happen to them, as if the moment is a commercial and they should fast forward through it to get to the next part of the story.

It is so easy to be present in the moment.  Just stop and look around.  Take a breath.  Experience EVERYTHING.

Start living I AM rather than I WAS or I WILL BE!

The Way It Works

Spirit creates by Self-contemplation;

Therefore, what it contemplates itself

as being, that it becomes.

You are individualized Spirit;

Therefore what you contemplate

as the Law of your being

becomes the Law of your being.

-Thomas Troward

We really DO think ourselves into being. This is the whole premise of the mental work we are engaged in. Far too often I observe people around me (even those who are "in this philosophy") looking for a scapegoat; they want something outside themselves to blame for the things that are not showing up the way they would like.

I have observed two things in this.  First, in our lack of willingness to believe that we are in charge we allow ourselves to go to the place of thinking that we have no control.  That's when the blame shows up.  It is a habit, it seems, to complain about the effect rather than activate the Cause.  When we complain about the effect, we set the stage for more of the same experience.  It is as if the Law is hearing your complaint and responding with a resounding, "You like that effect?  I'll give you more of the same!"  And it will give you more of the same because the law doesn't differentiate or make judgments, it just unfolds in form that which is happening in your consciousness.

Secondly the observation I have had is that we underestimate the view of our experience.  We become narrow minded either thinking that what has been created is not good enough or it's not really what we thought we wanted.  This is directly in opposition to faith.  Do you have faith?  Can you look beyond the narrow field of sight around a situation and begin to open to the probability that Spirit knows exactly how to unfold for your highest good?  Expand your focus from the nitty gritty effects and begin to recognize the whole.

This is what I needed to remind myself of this week.  This reminder keeps me in the place of patience and for that I am truly grateful.

I surrender now to the perfect flow of Spirit in life, I trust you will join me!

Namaste,
-Rev. Jonathan

What Is Yours To Do?

In Tuesday's class this week the discussion began with the concept that we each of us have something to offer the universe by means of our very being here in expression.

Emerson, in his essay "Self Reliance" writes, "Do that which is assigned to you."  Some questions I posed to the class are these:

• How do you know what is assigned to you?
• Doesn't this seem to imply predestination?
• Are you actually doing that which is assigned to you?

It turned into a lively conversation about the concept of the Divine flow and being open to it.  We all have that within which we feel is our calling.  I personally believe that our calling can change and shift and recreate itself over time.  My calling at this time is living a life of Ministry.  What is yours?

I do not believe that Ministry was a predestined assignment from the Divine source, but the perfect culmination and expression of my gifts based on my own volition and being open to what motivates me and makes me feel good.  What motivates you and makes you feel good?

Step into the expression of what you LOVE.  Let the decision to live your passion be free of any societal pressure of what is right or wrong.  You know best what is right for you.  Listen to that intuitive voice within you and live the great life you've always wanted.

It's up to you!  The Divine Source is expecting greatness through you and from you!

The Holy Book

There are holy books to every religion, and they hold the key to everything. The problem is we read them, we don't live them.

- recounted by James Mellon from a conversation he had with a Sikh in an airport.

Infinite Wisdom

"Religious Science is not a special revelation.  It is a result of the best thought of the ages.  It borrows much of its light from others, but in doing so robs no one, for Truth is universal."-Ernest Holmes

I make no claim to have "special wisdom.

Ernest Holmes made no claim to have special wisdom.

Wisdom comes from one source: The Infinite.

We each have access to wisdom but it is nothing to seek outside ourselves.  It is nothing you receive from anyone else, it is not gained from Sunday service, it is not gained from books.  The truth is it is nothing that you can gain.  Wisdom is something that courses through you.  It is who you are.

The experience of others, service, books and the like create the illusion that wisdom comes by way of these things, but they are all conduits for the Infinite, for they are all the Infinite in expression.

Today is your opportunity to claim the inherent wisdom you already possess.  You already contain all that you require for the grandest experience of life imaginable.

Live it now!