New Thought Center for Spiritual Living

The Principle of Divine Emergence

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:01:04 -0800

The Principle of Divine Emergence November 1, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Something wonderful is happening—we see inclusion emerging everywhere. The Divine Presence is creative by nature and it operates through laws. It can only create out of itself. We are each unique and recreate the operation of the Divine. We can only experience good in our life that we sense and accept and embody—then we can express it. The Universe can only do for us what it can do through us.
God is unfolding in “real time.” We are worthy of all good and always have been. We’re playing “catch up” in knowing that we are worthy and spiritual awakened . When we reclaim love, beauty and joy, we move into this “real time.” We can accelerate our spiritual growth to where God is expressing “as us” I the present moment. We come to know that our good is being created in real time with Spirit—Divine emergence.
The Universe is operating through:
Radical Novelty: We are each unique—there is no one else like us
Principle of coherence and correlation: everything is necessary for our growth and development. We need each other. Nothing is against us. And, I wouldn’t be the person I am supposed to be if there weren’t annoying people around me ti show me where I have work to do.
Global Wholeness: At the “macro” level, there is wholeness. At the “micro” level, it may look like chaos yet everything is working together for a higher good
Evolutionary: Everything is always evolving and expanding. The new is greater than the old and we change over time. The wisdom is brought form the past.
Observable: Can see it in the community: new hope, joy, love and prosperity. The song that each of us is “singing” is part of us and wants to be expressed.

The Spirit that is providing all good for me is providing that good for all. I need you so I can be the best me I know how to be and you need me so you can be the best you you know how to be.
There is no private good in the Universe. Spirit goes before us, we don’t have to sorry about the next steep.

Question to Ponder:

Who is there in your life that is annoying to you?

Could it be that they are necessary for your unfoldment as a Spiritual being?

Becoming Receptive to the Divine

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:31:40 -0700

Can We Talk With God? “Becoming Receptive to the Divine” October 25, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We relate to God on many levels:
The universal—the essence, the Invisible Presence
The personal—an anthropomorphic picture of God
The individual—unique in you. We have to cultivate it.

We must make peace with the past and move into the indwelling essence of God. We feel this face of God when we are moved or touched by nature, another person, music, etc.

There is only One Mind—everywhere present and expressing, with no end. The universe corresponds to our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. Our labeling of the world from our upbringing leads us to see things as good and bad. The universe replicates what we are knowing. When we become less receptive to the outer world, seek out spiritual tools, meditate and change our conversations, our life gets better because the universe responds to us.

Everything is here by intention and all is from the One. We have a divine nature and we are an intention of God. We’re here to reveal love, joy and peace. And everyone else is here on purpose, too! All things work together for good. Nothing is wrong or outside the intention of the universe.

My our perception is shaping my reality. God in man, as man, is man. Spending time daily to vision, pray and meditate and contemplating harmony, prosperity and all good leads us to our desire. Our mind doesn’t know the difference between a “real” experience and an imagined experience. When we live from vision, we begin to live from the realm of the possible and we are led to grow. It is the realm that is not bound by precedent.

Question to Ponder:
Are you visioning the life you desire on a regular basis?

Did you grow up with an anthropomorphic picture of God? How has that picture of God changed over time?

What is your intention in your life? ( what are you focused on?)

What Are We Talking

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:23:02 -0700

Can We Talk With God? “What Are We Talking About” October 18, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

3 faces of God from Ken Wilbur’s work: different aspects of the Infinite.
1. 3rd person: Impersonal—infinite—the “is-ness” no gender, behind of all things, that which connects all
2. 2nd person: Personification of God: messenger (Jesus or Buddha) or picture of God.
3. 1st person: Indwelling essence: essence, divine spark that whelms up inside of us, that is personal just to us

Ernest Holmes before Wilber—speaks of three faces. Today, we’re talking about the personal, indwelling presence, yet vast and all.

There is this Presence and there is the Law that makes it work. We can “bang up” against the principles of life (having the same relationship and experiences again and again) and there is a law that says you can’t break the law but you can break yourself against the law.

The Law is impersonal. If you’re misusing the law, the results are the results. It’s the same with mathematics or electricity. The law works the way it works, no matter how you’d like it to be different.

We have all felt this overwhelming sense of God and power and love and life and we haven’t understood the law. We are all doing the best we can with the consciousness that we have. Yet the law is the law. Don’t understand why things aren’t going well –so then we project it back onto God. We have given God a personality so that we could understand the law. All the stories are relevant, but are a misrepresentation of the true nature of God. God is love and peace and wholeness and works through a law. The law corresponds to the sum total of your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. The law takes the direct impress of your thoughts and responds to it. The law doesn’t care.
Yet we ask the question: “How is it that bad things happen to good people.” “How does God allow these good people to suffer and how does God allow war, etc.? The answer is: Through the misuse of the law. The law doesn’t care. God seeks to express love and harmony through us and we must be in tune and in alignment. The law takes whatever you choose to put your attention on and makes more of it.
God itself has a secret: God has all of eternity in which to wait. It will show up in the receptive channels where and when they are. Whatever is incongruent with love and harmony and wholeness and inclusivity: those structures automatically “expire.” The universe always replaces them with a higher vibration. Progress is always forward moving.

We are talking about the love intelligence of the universe that seeks to express itself in the world and it works through a law of correspondence, whether we are in alignment with the universe or not. Evidence and fact, the way it is—what you’re talking about is what you’re getting. If you want something different, you have to talk about something different.

Question to Ponder:
What have you been “talking about” in you life that you would like to change?
What will you talk about now?

Can We Talk to God

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 17:17:58 -0700

Part 1 of 3

Can We Talk With God? October 05, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

The question, “Can we talk with God?”, brings up our relationship to Spirit. We have been told that we can talk “at” God, but can we talk “to” God? We may not have gotten a sense that we could talk to God as we were growing up—maybe we thought that we were doing it wrong. For many of us, we have “traded up” to a new idea that we could have a relationship with God.

Many contemporary thinkers like Ken Wilber talk about the three faces of God, three ways to relate to God: 1st person: the indwelling Presence, 2nd person: outside of ourselves and a personal relationship and 3rd person: Universal substance.

Most of our training about religion has come through the 2nd person: the personification of God as “He” or Jesus or another form like the Sophia (she). Basically, this idea is something that is outside ourselves and must have an intermediary or channel to be reached. Most of us have traded in this idea and have explored God in other ways. We recognized that we didn’t need a medium and we also recognized that we could see God everywhere—in music, art nature and creative expression, to mention a few. This is the most developed “face of God” in our society.

We are relational beings so the personal relationship (2nd face) is powerful. We can only relate to something through the filter of our won consciousness. Together, collectively, we created an anthropomorphic God and none of that is true about the divine.

When we don’t have all three faces of God developed, we are limited. When they are developed, we are in a more ecumenical stance because we recognize that people are just relating to God at a different level. We’re here to take care of each other.

Can we realize that we are speaking to God when we talk to our neighbor and when we are creating something?? Can we realize it when se are serving others and when we are meditating, when we recognize beauty? It is then that we have an appreciation for God.

Can we talk with God? Yes, indeed.

Question to Ponder:

1. Did you have an anthropomorphic view of God as a child? When did it change for you?

Who Knows? The Principle of Divine Guidance

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 16:10:15 -0700

Who Knows? June 7, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

There is something within us that does know. Divine guidance is always available.
“ Nothing is more important than remembering that we are immersed in limitless wisdom” Ernest Holmes
We all have an internal GPS. A mechanical GPS in our car will recalibrate our direction when we change our direction. Our internal “GPS” will do the same. All we have to do is call upon the wisdom within us. The gift of God is forever delivered…we just have to ask.
The ancient covenant is;
• I will be with you (there is nowhere where God is not)
• I will guide you (with signals, people, signs—no matter what)
• You will be changed (as you learn to listen and be available. If I follow guidance and if I don’t follow guidance, I will be changed, either way!)
Since guidance is ours for the asking, there is always an answer.

We are on a path of spiritual evolution. We can trust that no decision will lead us off course. Your delay is not your denial! It is simply a resting level. Delay is a preparation period. Delay does not mean that God left us or that we’re not good enough. A delay is a waiting period that the soul requires so that we can receive insight and value so that we can move ahead. There is another level of learning and we have things to figure out.
The emergency guidance list has three tools:
1. Work through an open heart
2. Surrender
3. Sit in silence and listen to the answer

Where is the Law when you Need It?

Sun, 31 May 2009 13:14:23 -0700

Backed by the Power of the Universe

Sun, 24 May 2009 12:18:23 -0700

Backed by the Power of the Universe May 24, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We have access to a Universal Power. We can get tripped up by the events in our life…our choices may be overwhelming . We can think that we are alone, over our heads. In those thoughts we cannot handle things from a most powerful place. The power of the universe is at our disposal.
Decoration Day (Memorial day was originally about honoring Civil War Veterans. The date was chose because it was the time of year when the Union came back together as one. With a new vibration, we come back together in oneness.
Where are the places where I can remember a union? Where am I divided?...with “us and them” thinking? This is an invitation to remembering that we are always one.
The cycle of remembering:
1. the event
2. access of memory file
3. find
4. Be transformed by the learning of the experience.

Allow the act of remembering to be not only unification but beyond to a transformation/change.
The blueprint of an unlimited power is within each of us. We can consciously direct this power and get out of any “rut” we might be in.
Be willing to cut out that that isn’t serving me
Must enlarge viewpoint and be open to expansive ideas.

Questions to ponder:
1. We’re backed by the power of the universe. Are you happy with the patterns that are working in your life?
2. Are you learning from the past so that you can be transformed?

The Power of Giving: Give Up, Give in!

Sun, 17 May 2009 10:45:28 -0700

The Power of Giving: Give Up/Give In May 17, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

This is the last day of the 2009-2010 Pledge Campaign.
As we participate in life—giving our energy and attention to ourselves and others, we therefore create a greater good in our lives.
Any idea that keeps me from being open and receptive to abundance in our life is something to give up.
Visioning is a spiritual practice that elicits and taps into a greater wisdom, a divine intelligence. We connect with the divine pattern of perfection. There is a universal nature and presence that is trying to express through us and all life. When we look at nature, we see abundance, beauty and harmony, expressing in higher and higher levels of beauty and harmony and complexity.
So, in visioning, we start by grounding ourselves and moving into unconditional love. And then we ask the question: “What is God’s highest visions/ idea for me around________________________.
Then we ask, “What must I become/be? Being is more powerful than doing.
Next, ask, “What am I called to do, what are the gifts I have to do/give?
Finally, we ask, “What do I have to release for this vision to come into my life? We’re looking here for the habits that are keeping us from experiencing an abundant life.
Then, we take a step—we “fake it until we make it,” thereby activating the ability to really become our vision.
God’s idea for us is far beyond what we think. Surrendering is giving up so that God can move in. Let go and surrender and take one authentic action and, therefore, our vision is triggered in physical and spiritual area. This is the logical and necessary by-product of your vision when you let-go. The divine nature of spirit must have an outlet. Fretting, being in doubt or worry gets in the way of our vision manifesting. Releasing opens us up.
Change is the ever-present reality of spirit. No matter how far you have come, there will still be more change—there is no time off at the level of the soul.
Give up/surrender to the evolutionary impulse and give in to the power, presence and abundance of God.

Questions to ponder:
1. Do you find that it is hard for you to let things go?

2. What do you want to vision for in your life?

The Power of Giving: How Much Can I Give?

Sun, 10 May 2009 20:12:23 -0700

The Power of Giving: How Much Can I Give May 10, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We continue with the 2009-2010 Pledge Campaign. We do our campaign in the spring because it the time to plant seeds—to prepare for a new harvest.
How we give is based in the energetic aspect and asking the question: “Am I willing?” Sometimes that commitment scares us. And we all have something to give. And we are given signs, information for our next level of giving.
We want to know that where we are giving is using the money/time /talent well and that there is good leadership and a positive result in the world. The best way to give is to give to where we feel passionate about the work being done.
All things are connected, so our giving is blessing all. We can’t out-give the Universe. The Universe is, at this moment, ushering to you everything that you need. Our role is to be in harmony with the Universe and be open to giving.

Questions to ponder:
1. Is there any place in your life where you feel you are withholding from anyone or from the Universe?

2. Is there anyplace in your life where you feel a lack?

3. How can you give what you believe you are missing (i.e.: love, money, caring, peace)?

The Power of Giving: To Whom Can I Give?

Sun, 3 May 2009 19:24:11 -0700

The Power of Giving: What Can I Give?

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:47:01 -0700

The Power of Giving: Teen Sunday April 26, 2009
Kristin McGuirk

We give because we want to be part of the whole. We give out of selflessness rather than selfishness. Our job is to take care of ourselves so that we can give out of wholeness. Our job is to be a vehicle.

There are 3 places where we spend our time:
1. Family and home life
2. Work or school
3. Community—spiritual

How do we create community? How do we support financially, with our time and talent? We give with love and joy and clean up anywhere where we might be affecting others.

The Power of Giving: Why I Give

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:16:54 -0700

The Power of Giving April 19, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We start the 2009-2010 Pledge Campaign today. We do our campaign in the spring because it the time to plant seeds—to prepare for a new harvest.
We’re receiving value from our spiritual community. We are asked to participate at the level of consciousness that gets our attention. In the general church cultures, there is an idea that 20 % of the people give 80 % of the funds to maintain the church. That is not true about NTCSl. It is much more like 50% of the people providing 80% of the funds.
The funds pledged during the Pledge Campaign are used to budget for the next year—we budget at 90% of the Pledges for the next year.
So the question is asked: “Why do I give?” There are many reasons: health benefits and for our social health, to just mention two. We give to the church because the community and atmosphere supports us. Education, inspiration, and support happen when we, together, provide an environment of caring. Together, we create a financially viable community.
During the Spirit of Home Pledging Campaign, the question that we ask ourselves is: “What is mine to give, knowing that we are each a generative being, here to give and receive.”

A New Thought for Easter

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:17:26 -0700

A New Thought for Easter April 12, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We are at the peak of the unfolding story of Jesus’ experience on earth—the Easter experience. Clearly, something happened in the life of Jesus and it is not an accident that the church placed this event during spring, when rebirth and resurrection is apparent in nature. There is an ancient energy of new life in all creation.
The interesting thing about Jesus’ death is that none of the Gospels agree on where or when or who was there. Even more importantly, Paul’s writing, which were written long before any of the Gospels were written, only said that Jesus died—no other details. What we are left with is the understanding that the writers of the New Testament were trying to get a point across about the profound, out-of-this world experience that they had around Jesus and his message. There was an awakening that happened and it didn’t happen in Jerusalem in three days. To make Easter real, it must be liberated from the liturgy, from the encasement of the scripture stories that we have all been told about Easter.
After Jesus’ death, there was an awakening that happened for the disciples. So, in their stories, which were later written down (perhaps between 60-90 years after Jesus’ actual death), they all reflected back on the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. Ultimately, the message is the ever-present overcoming power of God. And it was a Galilean experience—because that is where the disciples lived and they would have had to return there after the death of Jesus. Their discovery that the essence of Jesus still lived would have been a profound revelation—they saw that death could not contain the Infinite. It was at that point that the power of Easter exploded into human consciousness.
The experience of Easter gives us a template for our own awakening.
1. An internal conviction—the reality of the invisible coming in to manifestation
2. Then a march into the city (the dwelling place of peace) and announcing that the invisible is more real than the seen.
3. Being on trial for your convictions (would there be enough evidence to convict you?)
4. Friends and family desert you, abandon you
5. There is a death to the old—lack and limitation and a resurrection of the new—wholeness, love and balance

What is interesting is that the old way of looking at the Easter story must go through the template as well so that the Easter experience can be an active walk, a walk of remembering that the power of the presence of God overcomes all problems.
What lives in us is everlasting and, therefore, others may be transformed by it and move into the energy of a world that works for all. The truth that Easter points to is that love triumphs over hatred. The truth emerges and the story of the resurrection is an opportunity to have a new thought!

Questions to ponder:
1. What in your life needs to die so that unconditional love can emerge?

Palm Sunday 2009

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 15:49:10 -0700

Palm Sunday April 5, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We are in the season of Easter, which is part of the overall season of our lives that are symbols of our journey of spiritual growth and development.
• We start with Advent, a hopeful journey, it is an embarking and the embodiment or the remembering to wake up
• Next comes Christmas, when the infant is born—it is the birthing of what we know, our divine son-ship
• Epiphany is next with the awakening into realization of being the divine son/daughter of god
• Lent brings us up to the embodiment of the Christ and releasing what no longer serves us. We must let go and cleanse
• Then we come to Easter and enter into the Christ
• Pentacost brings us to being the Christ in the world and remembering that the kingdom is here and now and that we have a gift to give right here on earth.

The Easter story is about content and context. Jesus wanted people to know that the kingdom of heaven is now. Easter is about what is happening in our consciousness. Jesus went into Jerusalem, which means the dwelling place of peace. That’s what we want to do and that how the Christ is awakened—in wholeness and inclusivity.

Jesus taught us to:
1. Live from a pure heart
2. Live anchored in the spirit
3. Follow the path of being born again daily

We are reborn into love and inclusivity.

Questions to ponder:
1. Can you make your life a shining new heaven? How will you start?
2. Is there enough evidence to “convict” you of being a New Thought Christian?

A World Calls to Courage

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:51:42 -0700

The World Calls to Courage March 22, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the eighth week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
We continue in the Lenten season, the forty days before Easter. Lent is a Christian idea that can be interpreted as a time to go deeper, a complete season or foundation, the period of time to create a new habit. It is a time to fast from the idea that anyone stands in the way of God’s good for us. It is a journey of purification and therefore we step into a deeper spiritual work.
This journey is in the stories told about Jesus, Buddha, Zoroaster, Moses. It is a call to courage. The world we live in is built with behaviors and thoughts that determine whether we have or have not, whether we live in prosperity or poverty and it is our spiritual work, our journey of awakening, to discover and let go of things of the world and grasp a deeper understanding. Jesus and the others had the courage to deliver this message that we’re all on the journey and it is happening to us now.
There is a seeming duality in the 3-dimentional world, dark/light, day/night, good/evil—and it looks like there is separation. We are really either facing toward the light or facing away from the light. The darkness has no real power, because the light is the only truth. When the light comes, the dark disappears. It takes courage, in the face of seeming darkness, to claim the light and wholeness that you really are.
All the spiritual paths call for courage with compassion, which frees us and gives life. The courage the world is calling for is for us to step into the love, joy and forgiveness that alone will set us free.

Questions to ponder:
1. What is restricting you from taking a courageous step toward good in your life?
2. Am I willing to let go of the old?

A Closer Walk with Thee

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:34:37 -0700

A Closer Walk with Thee March 15, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the seventh week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
We are also in Lent, the forty days before Easter. Lent is a Christian idea that can be interpreted as a time to go deeper, a complete season or foundation, the period of time to create a new habit. For those following the New Thought path, it is a time to fast from the idea that anyone stands in the way of God’s good for us. When we withdraw our attention from false or unworthy thoughts about ourselves and feast in spirit, we therefore move into true prayer and can respond to God’s will for us. It is a process of reconciliation and cleansing—a time to come into alignment with who and what we are.
We can ask ourselves what needs cleaning out so that we can walk in the world without fear, doubt and distractions. Ask of everything in our life:
• Is this serving me or not serving me?
• What is keeping me from being fully present with God?
• Am I walking with negation?
• How can I feast on the ideas that make me clean and clear?
• What distracts me from being fully present?
A closer walk with thee means we give up what no longer is serving us to stay present to God. We must move into the “I-Thou” relationship with others rather than the “I-It” relationship.
Rev. Michael Beckwith says we must become spiritually mal-adjusted (according the world view)—remembering that God is our true source and not “buying into the spell” of lack and limitation.
We either live from personality or from character. Character is based in God, birthed of the Divine, personality is based in the world with an outer focus. Our inner work is to let our soul character express—to be in the world but not of it.

Questions to ponder:
1. Ask yourself these questions about everything in your life:
Is this serving me or not serving me?
What is keeping me from being fully present with God?
Am I walking with negation?
How can I feast on the ideas that make me clean and clear?
What distracts me from being fully present?

There's Something About Women

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 16:54:10 -0700

There’s Something Abut Women March 8, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the sixth week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
Today is International Women’s Day—a day to commemorate the strides that women have made in political, social and economic arenas. Women have been the backbone of New Thought spirituality, with many prominent women being founders of churches and teachers of teachers. Mary Bake Eddy founded Christian Science. Emma Curtis Hopkins taught the Fillmores who started the Unity movement, Nona Brooks who started the Divine Science movement and Ernest Holmes, who founded Religious Science. New Thought educated and ordained women and supported the suffrage movement in the late 1800’s.
Andrew Harvey, in his book, The Return of Mother says that we have come through three periods in history:
1. Matriarchal: women were celebrated; spiritual goddess tradition was dominant, from ancient Greece to Zoroastrianism. This period lasted over 40,000 years.
In Jesus’ ministry he taught from the divine feminine and was inclusive
2. Patriarchal: Started with the Roman Empire, male dominance focus on separation. There was a severing and a squashing of the Goddess tradition. This was championed by the Christian church hierarchy.
Symptoms of a society that is predominantly patriarchal is expressing today as our global economic crisis
3 Sacred marriage; a blend or both the masculine and the feminine and an honoring of both because we all have both energies. We’re on the cusp of this new era. Jesus was the first example of being inclusive and
coming from a masculine/feminine mindset.

The Sacred Marriage entails:
1. Understands the unity of all life; the interconnectedness of all life. The divine Feminine is the birther of all, the sacred womb of creation.
2. Rhythm: there are natural cycles and an honoring or the ebb and flow; it’s all feminine energy
3. The love of the dance: Embrace and move through the world.

It is ours to claim our healing power and usher in the divine marriage.

Questions to ponder:
1. Where do you see the expression of patriarchy in your life or in the world? Is it working for the world?
2. How has the inclusive attitude of New Thought made a difference in your life?

Keeping the Faith

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 15:23:18 -0800

Keeping the Faith March 1, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the fifth week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
To those who stay steadfast to that which is true, much is guaranteed. Peace, hope and energy help the place for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi to keep a steady faith.
In Ernest Holmes chapter on faith in the Science of Mind textbook, he describes faith as absolute—it is either on or off. That is true and there is a walk, a journey of faith that contains doubt, criticism and concern as our faith is growing. Mother Teresa described her moments of doubt. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi had their moments of doubt and, yet, they kept a steady faith and thus were bolstered to a greater experience of life.
Where is our faith invested? Sometimes we wonder why we don’t have more faith—really, we have 100% faith—we just have to ask the question: “Where is that faith invested?” We invest through the activity of our thoughts. If our thoughts are > 50% for what we desire, then our desire will manifest. We just have to reinvest for a higher yield! When we focus on the positive, our vibrational energy grows over time.
Saying affirmations like to following help to build our faith:
“There is One life. That life is God. That life is perfect. That life is my life now.”
“All things work together for good to them that believe and to those that are called according to his purposes.”
We are all called—our purpose is to express life powerfully, wonderfully, with beauty, wholeness and love. There is a perfect pattern of wholeness that is waiting to express through each of us now.
Michael Beckwith, in his book, “Spiritual Liberation” shares the steps to bring in a higher vibration of faith:
1. Meditate daily.
2. Circulate your life energy—love, beauty, wholeness
3. Celebrate: therefore experiencing greater good.
Celebration is attractive energy and then you want to go back into meditation to create the cycle all over again. We cannot predict all the good that will come into our life. Are you willing to accept ever-increasing good?

Questions to ponder:
1. When challenges loom, is there an affirmation that you say that changes your thoughts back to the positive?
2. Are you committed to meditating every day?

The Natural Order of Abundance

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:55:17 -0800

The Natural Order of Abundance February 22, 2009
Rev. Dr. Harry Morgan Moses

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the fourth week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
The natural order in the universe is abundance. Yet there is a myth in our culture right now that says that we are in hard times. TV, newspapers and all news media are saying that there is not enough. Many people have bought into this myth. To the extent that we buy into the myth, we suffer. We have dominion but we have to claim it. We are constantly creating our own life but many don’t know it, so they have no authority.
Our state of being creates what we are. In community, we choose to be together—birds of a feather flock together! We need to be together and we want to be independent. We are either moving powerfully toward what we desire or away from what we desire. Napoleon Hill said, “Without a doubt, the most common weakness of all human beings is the habit of leaving their minds open to negative influences of other people.”
We think that we don’t have dominion in the four areas of our life: health, wealth, relationship and purpose. We dish out love, based on what others do, we think our finances are controlled by the outer world, we think our bodies control us. God has given us dominion and we must claim it! We can’t have dominion if we don’t claim it. We have to wake up! We must argue with the myth and change our thinking and move up to the consciousness of our own divinity. When we claim ourselves as special, it does not diminish anyone else.
I can reframe my life. I am God’s magnificent creation.
Questions to ponder:
1. Have you, in any way, “bought into” the belief that there is scarcity in the world?

2. Saying the affirmation, “I am god’s magnificent creation” is a way to reframe our life. Say it often!

Love is the Way

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:52:44 -0800

Love is the Way February 15, 2009
Rev. Dr. Sally Rutis

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the third week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
We’re looking at how the act of choosing love can heal us and heal those around us. It’s a choice that we make everyday with our thoughts, words and actions. Last week, Rev. David talked about Martin Buber and his “I-It” and “I-Thou” ideas of the world. The "I-It" relationship treats beings as objects. In the “I-It” relationship, an individual treats other things, people, etc., as objects to be used and experienced. The "I-Thou" relationship stresses the mutual, holistic existence of two beings characterized as dialogue, mutuality, and exchange.
When we choose the “I-Thou” relationship, we create a world for ourselves that is filled with joy, peace, harmony abundance and love---a world that works for all, a world that is inclusive. When we focus on being loving, everything that is unlike being a presence for love comes up for us to heal! We are either in Love or Fear in our life.
Fear is the darkroom where our negatives are developed.
When we’re in fear—upset, thinking about our problems, nursing our anger, we’re developing our negatives. Now, love is the truth about us—it’s our essence, but the law is always out-picturing our thoughts, so if we’re not paying attention, our negatives become the mold for the Law to work through and we experience things in our life that are less than loving. Fear keeps us in the “I-It” experience and keeps us from being nonviolent in the world.
Just as fear is the darkroom, love is the light room where fears are exposed for what they are—nothingness—they lose their power. If a negative is exposed, it’s not going to out-picture in our life. Love is the way—it heals our bodies, our minds and our souls,
If we are to step into the “I-Thou” experience, we must look at the places in our lives where we have negatives so we can heal them and become a vehicle of love. We never know when and where the love that we share through our thoughts, words and actions will ignite love in the world. We are then living in an “I-Thou” world and nonviolence is assured. Love is the way.

Questions to ponder:
1. Where in your life have you noticed that you are not in the “I-Thou” relationship?
2. Is fear a darkroom for you where negatives are developed?

Walk of the Global Heart

Sun, 8 Feb 2009 12:07:14 -0800

The Walk of the Global Heart February 8, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today is the second week of the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
Spiritual liberty is our destiny. Gandhi, King and Chavez all strove to create a world where that spiritual liberty was realized. King talked about being a disciplined nonconformist, dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood and hope for a secure and livable world. The disciplined nonconformist breaks out of the box and sees interconnectedness as important. When people start seeing our interconnectedness, it is the basic journey of spiritual awakening.
Thomas Keating talks about 3 stages of this awakening:
1. Realization that there is a power beyond information and education—an actual waking up. It is a personal experience of moving from belief to knowing that there is a Power in the world.
2. Becoming the other: here the aspirant tries to “become” God through yoga and prayer and diet and a vast array of spiritual programs and different formulas to bring God’s presence closer to us. It is an attempt to gain control, become better and to become the “other.” As long as there is a quest to “become” god, there is separation.
3. Realize that there is no “other.” God and we are one. We can’t become something else when we are already it!
In the same vein, Martin Buber talks about the “I-It” relationship where we view ourselves separate from all others and are constantly saying “How much can I get?”. When we move into the “I-Thou” relationship, which Gandhi, King and Chavez were championing, we recognize our authentic relationship with another. Our question then becomes, “How can I serve others?”, because we recognize that as I am serving you, I am serving me! There is vibrational harmony and we wake up to the idea that we are one and we behold the divine in all. This awakening is the pathway of our healing.
Our society, our banks and institutions, have been in an “I-It” relationship so that our pockets can be lined. This manipulates others and leaves us spiritually starved.
A way out is by “Beholding” our true nature and recognizing that nothing can hurt us.
Questions to ponder:
1. Is there anywhere in your life where you see someone/something as the “other?”
2. What is a tangible way that you could move to feeling more inclusive with all others?

The Search for a Nonviolent Future

Sun, 1 Feb 2009 15:35:17 -0800

The Search for a Nonviolent Future February 1, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

Today begins the Season for Nonviolence, a 64 day period of time, beginning with the anniversary of Mahatma Ghandi’s death on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of Martin Luther Kings, Jr.’s assassination date of April 4. It is a time to focus on peace in our personal and collective lives.
Nonviolence and peace doesn’t happen by accident and we must ask ourselves what we can do to bring it about and what stops us. It can be overwhelming to think of what there is to do to bring change.
It can only start with each one of us individually expressing love, acceptance and wholeness. We must first heal the violence that we perpetrate on our selves through self talk that is less than loving (not good enough, bad, wrong, ugly, stupid, etc.). This is the most important work that we can do.
By loving ourselves and expressing it in the world, we become “compassionaries”—people who so love themselves that they can truly love others. We are called to do what is ours to do in the world. By not doing it, we are perpetuating the violence that is within us. Love and hate cannot exist in the same place—we can’t choose both at the same time.
In a 20,000 acre area of Columbia, 1000’s of pine trees were planted in the thin, sandy soil and a community was born. What happened, amazingly, was that the pine trees changed the ecosystem and seeds that had laid dormant for thousands of years began to germinate and grow. Now, there is a rainforest where before there was desolation—even the climate has changes, bringing 20% more rain to the area. Animals have returned. The area is alive, growing and healthy.
When we plant the seeds of wholeness, peace, harmony and abundance, we activate the ancient energy that is God to come forth in the world and change the world around us. It’s not about changing the world but changing the world that is right where we are. What is yours to do?

Questions to ponder:
1. Where are you “violent” toward yourself?
2. Is there anywhere in your life that you put up with violence?
3. What is yours to do in the world? What can you do to begin activating what is yours to do?

Back to Basics 2009: How to Use It

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:43:12 -0800

Back to Basics: How To Use It (Week 4) January 25, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

The Thing Itself (Week 1)
The idea that we are immersed in a “universal something” or the “ground of all being” is describing the thing itself. We’re created out of this essence. When the Universal presence wanted to know itself, it created out of itself—i.e the “Big Bang.” The universal became conscious of itself and we are created in and of this “stuff.”

The Way It Works (week 2)
God is in, through and as all things. God works through us and through all of it’s expressions. God creates out of itself constantly.
The universe responds by corresponding to the sum total of our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. It’s not personal, it’s principle.

What It Does (Week 3)
It does what we do! The Infinite will show up in the way that we think. It accepts and creates our beliefs because it is principle, not personal. It is our job to align ourselves with the Infinite. All knowledge is in the Universal Mind. We can only use what we can embody.

How To Use It (Week 4)
We are, each of us, right now, using the creative energy of the Universe. The key is to remember that we are each a creator and are always creating and the question is: “What am I going to create?”
In their ignorance of the creative law of the universe, people have often used the creative law to hurt others and have done things that are less than loving. Wrong things exist. They could not exist if there was not someone to align themselves with it and/or participate with it.
Our job is to evolve and embody what we really want. To become the embodiment of what we want, we must do it carefully, consciously, practically and creatively.
We are meant to be spiritually free. Ernest Holmes said it this way, “When the pile is complete, we will all be in it.” To do that, we must get off of the merry-go-round of our limited thinking. We must participate in the change that we want to see.

Questions to ponder:
1. What do you have to release so that you can evolve?
2. How are you going to go forward?

Back to Basics 2009: What It Does

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:50:53 -0800

Back to Basics: What It Does (Week 3) January 18, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

Focus for the year: Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation

The Thing Itself (Week 1)
The idea that we are immersed in a “universal something” or the “ground of all being” is describing the thing itself. We’re created out of this essence. When the Universal presence wanted to know itself, it created out of itself—i.e the “Big Bang.” The universal became conscious of itself and we are created in and of this “stuff.”

The Way It Works (week 2)
God is in, through and as all things. God works through us and through all of it’s expressions. God creates out of itself constantly.
The universe responds by corresponding to the sum total of our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. It’s not personal, it’s principle.

What It Does (Week 3)
It does what we do! The Infinite will show up in the way that we think. It accepts and creates our beliefs because it is principle, not personal. We must ask ourselves how we helped to create the situation that we’re in. There is no judgment. It is our job to align ourselves with the Infinite. All knowledge is in the Universal Mind. We can only use what we can embody. We court ideas that are not in our best interest like lack, poverty, unhappiness. We give it attention and thus are telling the Universe that this is what we want.
Ernest Holmes said, “Life always becomes to us the particular thing that we need when we believe that it becomes to us that particular thing.” It becomes to me when I believe.
We must pay attention to the direction of our mental energy.
In the 3rd chapter of Spiritual Liberation by Michael Beckwith, Beckwith says that we must rely on spiritual tools:
1. Intention: which sets the course and focuses our attention
2. Attention: keeps us focused on our intention

Notice where your attention is focused. If you notice that your attention is on the negative, ask yourself, “Did I set an intention in this area of my life?” Chances are, no intention was set, so our attention therefore goes to doubt, fear and drama.

Questions to ponder:
1. What are we courting? Are we courting our highest good and the highest possibilities in our life?

2. How would my life be different if I would be spiritually liberated and free of _________________________in my life?

3. What is my intention and where is my attention?

Back to Basics 2009: The Thing Itself

Sun, 4 Jan 2009 13:25:51 -0800

Back to Basics: The Thing Itself January 4, 2009
Rev. David Alexander

We enter a New Year with an focus for the entire year:
Courting the Divine in 2009: A Year of Spiritual Liberation
We begin with an intention and go back to the basics, to the fundamentals of our belief system. A firm grasp on the fundamentals will support us well.
The Thing Itself comes from the question: What is God?
God is first cause, spirit, mind, the invisible essence, the ultimate stuff of the universe, the power back of creation, the fundamental building blocks. Everything comes from here.
The Infinite wanted to know itself and it created from itself, therefore it can know about it’s infinite creativity through us, it’s creation! We are each made in the image and likeness of the Infinite.
1. We are to know ourselves
2. The truth sets us free. Freedom is our birthright and it takes our commitment
3. We create our reality through right thinking. We replicate the same process that created us. To learn how to think is to learn how to live. Our thoughts go into a medium and can come forth with everything that we desire if we are in alignment with Universal harmony. We must embody.
Embodiment is the key!

Questions to ponder:
1. Is it helpful for you to have God described as invisible essence, ultimate “stuff” of the universe, first cause?

2. What does it mean for you to know that you are made in the image and likeness of the Infinite?

3. What does “embodiment” mean to you?

Meditation from 12.14.08

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:58:14 -0800

A wonderful and peaceful Christmas meditation on the birth of the Christ Presence within you. Featuring the New Thought Center for Spiritual Living Choir singing "What Child Is This" and Rev. David leading the meditation. enjoy. peace to you.

A New Look at Christmas: The Awakening

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:21:50 -0800

Notes from Rev. David for 12.21.08 Sermon.

A New Look at Christmas: Rise Up Shepherd

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:04:43 -0800

A New Look at Christmas: Rise Up Shepherd December 14, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

As we continue in Advent, we pause and take a conscious look at the Christmas story so that we can pull meaning and value, insights and revelations from a tradition that may not fit for us any more.
When we take away the dogma of the Christmas story, we are left with a living story! It doesn’t destroy the journey, but rather, adds richness to it.
The Christmas story, as written in the Gospels, reflected what the Gospel writers knew was important—they had to relate the birth of Jesus with Old Testament prophecies so that Jesus’ message would be accepted by the Jewish community. Theologians now know (and have known for almost 200 years) that the details of Jesus’ birth were not historically accurate. Those details were meant to place Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem so that his birth would correspond to prophecies and connect him with the lineage of King David. The connection with David brings up the idea that Jesus was a shepherd, just like King David. Jews would have also known that there was a watch tower (used to keep watch over the sheep) in Bethlehem—saying that Jesus was the ultimate shepherd.
When we look at the metaphysical meanings of Jesus being a shepherd, we focus on the shepherd part of ourselves (the observer mind) that keeps watch over everything. The shepherd part of us rises up and awakens to a higher vision.
We can ask ourselves: “What would it be like if I awakened and followed a higher light?”

A New Look at Christmas: All the Gifts I Bring

Sun, 7 Dec 2008 19:07:21 -0800

A New Look at Christmas: All the Gifts I Bring December 7, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

As we continue in Advent, we pause and take a conscious look at the Christmas story so that we can pull meaning and value, insights and revelations from a tradition that may not fit for us any more.
When we take away the dogma of the Christmas story, we are left with a living story! It doesn’t destroy the journey, but rather, adds richness to it.
Over the years, traditions from many cultures have brought us the Santa Claus tradition. The exchanging of gifts is about the gifts that come in and through us. The exchanging of gifts is about a soul process that is a universal theme. When we step into the journey of giving, all the gift’s richness expand us. “Santa Claus” is within us.
We don’t want to get caught up in the idea that our receiving is about our worthiness (having to be good to receive). It’s really about being willing and that creates the worthiness.
The metaphors of the Christmas story and of the “Santa Claus” story are for awakening us up to the Christ Presence within.

We ask ourselves: “What is the gift I can bring?”

A New Look at Christmas: The Journey Begins

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:13:15 -0800

A New Look at Christmas: The Journey Begins November 30, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

On this first day of Advent, we start a series based on the idea that all of us are longing for what is real. This longing is universal, a thread that runs through all faith traditions.
When one person has an awakening, we create story and tradition around that person, in hopes that we, too, will have an awakening.
This awakening happened for Jesus and so the story of his birth was created to coincide with his experience as an adult.
The early writers of the New Testament had to justify Jesus’ life and teachings, therefore, stories about his birth were created to match stories in Jewish history (the Torah/Old Testament).
Jesus was an universal archetype representing our own soul’s desire for freedom—a desire that we all share. Our soul’s journey begins during Advent with the opportunity to step into the symbology that will help us grow spiritually. Advent is an adventure and the adventure starts with the HOPE that we will one day be at peace. The Old Testament tells of the people of Judea who were under the rule of others—captives. They were looking for a savior to take them out of bondage into freedom. Our own journey begins with hope, the hope that we will be at peace as well.
These are questions to ask ourselves:
• Where have I been under bondage?
• Where have I been warring with myself?
• Where have I been missing peace?
•
These are all good questions to ask ourselves as we begin the journey of awakening the Christ within ourselves.

Noble Purpose Series Conclusion

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:36:07 -0800

Noble Purpose: Week 8 November 16, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

In this series, based on the book, Noble Purpose, by Barry Herrmann, we’re looking for ways to identify and express our noble purpose.
Our life purpose is embedded in us all. We go through stages to identify and develop it:
Stage 1: Initiating:
Start or begin. Life is always initiating in us. We must be willing to go through what is required. Our own internal process is to recognize that this is a friendly universe and not listen to the “yah, but’s”.
Stage 2: Visioning:
We’re cultivating our purpose. We are articulating and witness to God’s clues for us. We pay attention to where we have talents and passion. We open up, witness and see where our joy and natural talents lie.
Stage 3: Claiming:
Claiming is about becoming responsible and accountable to bringing forth our noble purpose and for manifesting our vision. Being accountable requires justified action. Responsibility is the ability to respond. It is about “staking our claim” and “acting as if.”
Nothing can stop us from manifesting our noble purpose. Claiming is critical because God fulfills and reveals itself as you do your work.
Stage 4: Celebrating
Initiating, visioning and claiming puts us in a spiral energy that grows. We have evidence for our noble purpose as we stop and take stock of all the good that is happening in our life. We become a vessel.
Learn to recognize that natural moments. Praise and raise what you’re “being.” We have a daily opportunity to cultivate and be in consistent gratitude. There is an energy created when we stay in an attitude of gratitude. The secret is to do it even if you don’t feel like it!!
Stage 5: Letting Go
When we are celebrating our good, things come up that don’t serve our purpose or that are unlike our purpose. We have to make room for greater growth, more joy and more success.
Letting go of old ideas from childhood (not good enough, making do/getting by) and the “ya, but’s” and our comfort zone of what we think we’re really good at lets us excel into our noble purpose.

All of our life is “on purpose.” Our noble purpose was already “seeded” within us before we were born and everything that is needed to complete that purpose is already available. The universe is on purpose and we’re part of it all. The seeds of our noble purpose are unfolding through the law of cause and effect. Our noble purpose is about contribution and service and it is fundamental to who we are.

Questions to ponder:
1. How does it feel to know that your noble purpose has been with you all along?
2. Are you committed to finding what your purpose is? Where can you get support?

Letting Go

Sun, 9 Nov 2008 23:18:21 -0800

Nobel Purpose: Letting Go, Week 7 November 9, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

In this series, based on the book, Noble Purpose, by Barry Herrmann, we’re looking for ways to identify and express our noble purpose.
Our life purpose is embedded in us all. We go through stages to identify and develop it:
Stage 1: Initiating:
Start or begin. Life is always initiating in us. We must be willing to go through what is required. Our own internal process is to recognize that this is a friendly universe and not listen to the “yah, but’s”.
Stage 2: Visioning:
We’re cultivating our purpose. We are articulating and witness to God’s clues for us. We pay attention to where we have talents and passion. We open up, witness and see where our joy and natural talents lie.
Stage 3: Claiming:
Claiming is about becoming responsible and accountable to bringing forth our noble purpose and for manifesting our vision. Being accountable requires justified action. Responsibility is the ability to respond. It is about “staking our claim” and “acting as if.”
Nothing can stop us from manifesting our noble purpose. Claiming is critical because God fulfills and reveals itself as you do your work.
Stage 4: Celebrating
Initiating, visioning and claiming puts us in a spiral energy that grows. We have evidence for our noble purpose as we stop and take stock of all the good that is happening in our life. We become a vessel.
Learn to recognize that natural moments. Praise and raise what you’re “being.” We have a daily opportunity to cultivate and be in consistent gratitude. There is an energy created when we stay in an attitude of gratitude. The secret is to do it even if you don’t feel like it!!
Stage 5: Letting Go
When we are celebrating our good, things come up that don’t serve our purpose or that are unlike our purpose. We have to make room for greater growth, more joy and more success. We’re either growing or defensive and defensiveness keeps us small. The active practice of letting go helps us let go of the negative voice of the ego that defends it’s territory and justifies why it should stay small.
When we experience havoc and crisis in our life, we know that we are just sifting our what is alive and viable from what is not life-giving. The universe is always working for more love.
Letting go of old ideas from childhood (not good enough, making do/getting by) and the “ya, but’s” and our comfort zone of what we think we’re really good at lets us excel into our noble purpose.

Questions to ponder:
1. Are you still living with the idea that you’re not good enough in some area of your life? Are you willing to let it go?

2. Have you ever noticed how the negative voice of ego starts getting loud when we are making changes in our life? What can you do to move past that voice and fulfill your noble purpose?

Celebrating

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 17:46:11 -0800

Nobel Purpose: Celebrating, Week 6 November 2, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

In this series, based on the book, Noble Purpose, by Barry Herrmann, we’re looking for ways to identify and express our noble purpose.
Our life purpose is embedded in us all. We go through stages to identify and develop it:
Stage 1: Initiating:
Start or begin. Life is always initiating in us. We must be willing to go through what is required. Our own internal process is to recognize that this is a friendly universe and not listen to the “yah, but’s”.
Stage 2: Visioning:
We’re cultivating our purpose. We are articulating and witness to God’s clues for us. We pay attention to where we have talents and passion. We open up, witness and see where our joy and natural talents lie.

Stage 3: Claiming:
Claiming is about becoming responsible and accountable to bringing forth our noble purpose and for manifesting our vision. Being accountable requires justified action. Responsibility is the ability to respond. It is about “staking our claim” and “acting as if.”
Nothing can stop us from manifesting our noble purpose. Claiming is critical because God fulfills and reveals itself as you do your work.

Stage 4: Celebrating
Initiating, visioning and claiming puts us in a spiral energy that grows. We have evidence for our noble purpose as we stop and take stock of all the good that is happening in our life. We become a vessel.
There are two things to focus on
1. Learn to recognize that natural moments. Praise and raise what you’re “being.” We step into our “beingness” in small moments that make a difference. Notice the times when you have an opportunity to share with others. We never know when it’s going to happen.
2. We have a daily opportunity to cultivate and be in consistent gratitude. There is an energy created when we stay in an attitude of gratitude. The secret is to do it even if you don’t feel like it!!
Our goal this week is to recognize and see our noble purpose in ourselves and others and acknowledge others for the gift they are giving to you in your life.

Questions to ponder:
1. Write an affirmation that will assist you in being about your noble purpose.

2. At least once this week, find a way to acknowledge another for the joy they are bringing into your life.

3. Make a list of all the ways you make a difference in the lives of others

Claiming

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:54:38 -0700

Nobel Purpose: Claiming, Week 5 October 26, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

In this series, we’re looking for ways to identify and express our noble purpose.
Our life purpose is embedded in us all. We go through stages to identify and develop it:
Stage 1: Initiating: start or begin
Life is always initiating in us. We must be willing to go through what is required. Our own internal process is to recognize that this is a friendly universe and not listen to the “yah, but’s”.
Stage 2: Visioning:
We’re cultivating our purpose. We are articulating and witness to God’s clues for us. We pay attention to where we have talents and passion.

Stage 3: Claiming:
Claiming is about becoming responsible and accountable to bringing forth our noble purpose and for manifesting our vision. Being accountable requires justified action. Responsibility is the ability to respond.
Nothing can stop us from manifesting our noble purpose.
The story of Exodus is a story of claiming power. When the Israelites came to the Red Sea, Moses had to claim his power to part the waters.
Claiming is critical because God fulfills and reveals itself as you do your work.
We all have been wandering (like the Israelites) and it is our job to do our healing work so that we can be free to do our noble purpose.

Questions to ponder:

1. Are you aware of what your noble purpose might be?

2. Do you think you are responsible and accountable to that noble purpose?

3. Does it make sense that you doing your work benefits others?

Visioning

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:26:17 -0700

Nobel Purpose: Visioning, Week 4 October 19, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

In this series, we’re looking for ways to identify and express our noble purpose.
Life without purpose is depressingly haphazard because we’re dealing with the “stuff” of life. We get off track and lose sight of what’s important

Our life purpose is embedded in us all. We go through stages to identify and develop it:
Stage 1: Initiating: start or begin
Life is always initiating in us. We must be willing to go through what is required. Our own internal process is to recognize that this is a friendly universe and not listen to the “yah,but’s”.
Stage 2: Visioning:
We’re cultivating our purpose. We are articulating and witness to God’s clues for us. We want to open our awareness so that we can see things that point to what our purpose is. What is the creative urge in me? What gives me joy and passion? What’s easy and natural for me? Ask spirit to reveal to you what your passion is so that you can make a significant contribution to life—this is a noble purpose.

Our soul work on behalf of our own soul is really “public property” because what we do affects everyone. We lift others up as we do our work. Stepping into our greater good benefits everyone. God created life for nurturing and uplifting all. The world needs us to love and live into our passion.

Questions to ponder:
1. What is the creative urge in you?

2. What gives you joy and passion?

3. What’s easy and natural for you?

Initiating

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:00:03 -0700

Noble Purpose: Initiating October 12, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today, we are in week 3 of 8 based on the book, Noble Purpose.
We each have a noble purpose that we were each born with!!
We want to cultivate the awareness of why we’re here. God is all there is
and must have a purpose and we are each one with God, so we each have a
purpose as well. The work we do is a step on the path to our purpose and our job is to create an environment in which our purpose can grow. Our consciousness is the environment in which our purpose can take root. No matter how long we have not noticed our noble purpose, when the proper environment is created, then our purpose will sprout and be fulfilled.
Initiating is to begin something, to start. It’s about the awakening of the wisdom that we already have. Initiating calls for surrender and being willing to let go and be available for what is to come.
At any moment we have a choice and our job is three fold:
1. No complaining (complaining means we’re not cultivating)
2. No comparison (we’re each unique and no one else can fulfill our purpose like we can)
3. Don’t be contrary (arguing that we aren’t up to the task, etc.)
The question to ask ourselves is this: “Are you willing?” Are you willing to be initiated to the idea that you have a noble purpose?

Questions to ponder:
1. Do you have an idea of what your noble purpose is?

2. How will you start to create an environment for your noble purpose to flourish?

3. If you have an idea about what your noble purpose is, have you noticed yourself doing any complaining, comparing or being contrary that would inhibit your noble purpose??

The Bounded Self

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 17:09:54 -0700

Noble Purpose: The Bounded Self September 28, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today, we are in week 2 of 8 based on the book, Noble Purpose.
Last week, Mekyla Robinson talked about our purpose lying deep within us, planted at
the core of our being.
The dictionary defines noble as: exalted in character or ideas of conduct, titled, having excellent qualities and abilities
The dictionary defines purpose as: an aim or goal or desire, what something is used for, an anticipated outcome that is intended that then guides our behavior.

There is only One Presence in the universe and it is being expressed uniquely. Our deeper self knows that we’re all connected. As we come closer together, we recognize that there is only one.
We’re all on a personal journey of awakening.
Our core self is the seed for our noble purpose, our exalted aim or goal. Things happen as we grow that creates a sense of discordance for us. This layer of fundamental discord or disharmony around us belies our eternal self. We each create a “hard shell” or a “bounded self” to protect ourselves. However, all discordance eventually resolves and the shell begins to crack.
Nothing can disturb or destroy or take away from our true self and, ultimately, nothing can prevent your noble purpose from expressing in the world.

Questions to ponder:
1. What are some beliefs that you may have taken on that would contribute to your “bounded self?” (i.e. not good enough, too old, too dumb, etc.)

2. When you’re told that there is a core of you that is perfect and complete, what feeling does that bring up?

3. If you could change one negative or erroneous belief about yourself, what would that belief be and how would your life be different?

Igniting Extraordinary Passion

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:52:23 -0700

Igniting Extraordinary Passion for Life September 28, 2008
Youth Sunday with Mekyla Robinson

Mekyla started by telling us that the first chapter in the book, Nobel Purpose by Barry Herman, which we will be studying for the next 8 weeks is entitled-“Take this Job and Love It!” As a 15 year old sophomore in high school, she questions, “What is my job?” She asked all of us—when we were young, what did we want to be? She said—there are so many options!
And there is a noble purpose. Our job is to be passionate and understand the depth of our emotions. She told about her own path—being born with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the challenges that has created in her live and the prospects for her future. So what is her purpose—to be healthy in mind and body, to embrace her emotions, to be passionate about life and to help others with CF.
The dictionary defines noble as: titled, having excellent qualities and excellent abilities
The dictionary defines purpose as an aim or goal or desire

What is your noble purpose? Are you taking your job and loving it?
Mekyla read a book called “The Quiltmaker’s Gift.” It is a story about one person’s path to understanding that we aren’t happy unless we are giving and receiving.
Our noble purpose is to help and benefit others and help others find their noble purpose.

Questions to ponder:

1. Are you working at a job that you love?? Does it feel like your noble purpose?

2. Are there things you do in your life that benefit others?

I Plan, God Laughs

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:14:22 -0700

I Plan, God Laughs - September 21st 2008

Guest Speaker Jody Stevenson will offer an opportunity to dive deeply into the subject of Divine Discontent and trusting the process as well as how we can laugh along with God when it show up brilliantly and oh so different than what we had planned.

Rev. Jody Stevenson has been an ordained Religious Science Minister since 1991. As a speaker, destiny coach and writer, she specializes in the subjects of balance, destiny and fulfilled dreams. She has authored 4 books and is a contributor to the bestseller series, Chocolate for a Women's Soul.

Stump the Minister - 11AM

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:19:01 -0700

Stump the Minister Day September 14, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Question and Answers with Rev. David

Stump the Minister - 9AM

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:53:55 -0700

Stump the Minister Day September 14, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Question and Answers with Rev. David

Live In Me: 4th Anniversary Celebration

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 23:20:43 -0700

Live In Me September 7, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

“Live in me” is an affirmation and when we ask the question, “What things are trying to live in me?” we recognize that there are things that we’re trying to create purposefully. And there are other things, like old beliefs and patterns and ideas that are competing for control in our life. We may be carrying around old baggage like ideas of lack and limitation and not being good enough and isolation and abandonment—the list goes on and on.
There is really only one thing that can live in us—the One Power and Presence of God.
If we’re to live the affirmation, “Live in me”, there are three things to know about the affirmation.

First, it is a declaration:
Anything that appears “dark” in our lives must give way to the declaration that God is in charge. Just like a light dispels the darkness because it never had any real substance in the first place, so, too, when we declare and affirm to the One, “Live in me,” the darkness must give way to the truth of our being. In the story of the Prodigal Son, the “father” did not respond to the son’s protestations that he was sorry and unworthy. The “father” just rushed to greet the son. There is a Presence within each of us that responds to us. The universe responds to the affirmation of declaration, “Live in me.”

Second, it is a commandment:
In the story of Isaac in Genesis 26, Isaac was told by God to stay where he was when everyone else was running off to Egypt during a famine. God commanded Isaac to ‘Live in me.” Even when things looked bad, Isaac followed God’s guidance and prospered. When challenges come up, we have to go deeper into our connection with God. There is no dispute or opposition for us when we keep our mind on God.

Lastly, it is an invitation:
In the book of John, when Jesus encounters the woman at the well, she is all caught up in the “protocol” of drawing water. She couldn’t be present to the teaching he had to offer. Jesus said that if you drink from the well, you will thirst again, but if you drink from the eternal waters, you won’t thirst again. So at this point, the affirmation, “Live in me” is an invitation.

Questions to ponder:

1. What “things” are trying to live in you that you would prefer would not be there?

2. Which of the three ways of saying “Live in me,” has the most meaning for you?

3. Is there an area of your life where you’d like to use the affirmation, “Live in me” to help you take your mind off the problem and put it onto God? Which form of the affirmation (declaration, commandment, invitation) do you think you’ll use?

A New Earth Series: Chapter 9

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:28:42 -0700

Discovery of Inner Purpose August 31, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

This week is the 9th in a 9 week series on A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle talks about our “ego-identification” problem and that we’re here to recognize
that the New Heaven is the emergence of transformed consciousness and the
New Earth is the reflection/revelation of the transformed consciousness in the
physical realm.

We’ve talked about the many aspects of the ego and “breaking free” from the ego and
becoming an observer of what we are thinking and doing.
Two weeks ago we discovered that the only place where we can discover who we
really are is in the now moment. We ask ourselves—who am I in this moment?
Last week we explored how we maintain this new state of awareness and how
to stay in this space.
Today, the last week of this series, we’re exploring what our purpose is.
We have an outer purpose and an inner purpose.
• Our outer purpose is about our “doingness” and changes with circumstances.
It can be easy to think that this purpose is why we’re here on earth and we tend to
spiritualize it.
• Our inner purpose is our “beingness” and is God’s calling. It doesn’t change.
It is our job to “wake up” to who we really are. Who we are really are can’t be
touched or tainted or destroyed.

Our true heart’s desire is to be in alignment with God qualities. Wholeness, love, life,
abundance, allness, life, peace, and beauty are just a few of those qualities.
The evolutionary impulse of the universe are those God qualities. When we focus
on our purpose as expressing God qualities, all that we desire will be added to us.
Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for those who love God
and are called according to His purposes”

The primary job we all have is to love our neighbor as ourselves. We’re called
to treat each other well.

Questions to ponder:
1. If our true heart’s desire is to be in alignment with God’s qualities like love, peace, abundance and wholeness, can you think of anywhere in your life where you’re out of alignment?

2. In the places where you’re out of alignment, is life easy or difficult?

3. If our ultimate purpose is to love God and love others as ourselves, is there anywhere in your life where you’re not loving yourself—and is that place in your life affecting any other part of your life??

A New Earth Series: Chapter 8

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:03:54 -0700

Discovery of Inner Space August 24, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

This week is the 8th in a 9 week series on A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle talks about our “ego-identification” problem and that we’re here to recognize
that the New Heaven is the emergence of transformed consciousness and the
New Earth is the reflection/revelation of the transformed consciousness in the
physical realm.

We’ve talked about the many aspects of the ego and “breaking free” from the ego and
becoming an observer of what we are thinking and doing.
Last week we discovered that the only place where we can discover who we
really are is in the now moment. We ask ourselves—who am I in this moment?

Today, we are exploring how we maintain this new state of awareness and how
we stay in this space. We understand that we experience object and space
consciousness.
Object consciousness is where we know where things in our world.
We are aware of our relationship to our job, finances, bank account, family and
the things that we think define us.
Space consciousness is the awareness beyond the “things” of our life. It takes
practice to develop:
detachment
non-judgment
non-resistance
There are three triggers that help us get into the “is-ness” of who we are.
To trigger space consciousness:
1. Can you feel your own Presence? Asking this question takes us into space
consciousness awareness that we are a spiritual being having a human
experience. Who we are really is that being that can observe.

2. Say, “I am never upset for the reason I think.”

We think that the reasons that we’re upset are in the outer, object consciousness.
But, really, the reasons are that we must have awareness or lack thereof of who
we really are. The real cause must come from our space consciousness.
We either rise above to space consciousness, stay in objective consciousness or
fall below objective consciousness into race consciousness (letting others ideas and
fear run our life). What does this mean for us?
We take a deep breath and cultivate space consciousness, recognizing that it is
the first cause. We rise above circumstances and:
be still, look, listen and be present
Another way to say this is that we:
stop long enough to listen
listen long enough to hear
hear deeply enough to embody
By stopping and taking a deep breath, we are able to come to an awareness
of first cause and be in space consciousness rather than objective consciousness.

Questions to ponder:
1. In what ways can I see that I stay in “object consciousness?”

2. Do I “zone out” often through the use of habits: smoking, drinking, eating, TV, drugs shopping, etc. and fall below objective consciousness into race consciousness?

3. Can you commit to taking a deep breath the next time you notice yourself getting attached to objective consciousness and move yourself into space consciousness?

A New Earth Series: Chapter 7

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:56:47 -0700

Finding Who You Really Are August 17, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

This week is the 7th in a 9 week series on A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle talks about our “ego-identification” problem and that we’re here for recognize
that the New Heaven is the emergence of transformed consciousness and the New Earth
is the reflection/revelation of the transformed consciousness in the physical realm.

Last week we talked about “breaking free” from the ego and becoming an observer
of what we are thinking and doing.
Now we want to access who we really are by going deeper. We’re shown who we are
by seeing what we do when we’re “squeezed.” Our ego is not to be defeated but it
needs it be our facilitator and teacher. Tolle says that the more limited and narrow
egoic view that we have, the more we’ll see, focus on and react to the limited, narrow
egoic ways others act. You’ll see the ego in them which will strengthen the ego in you.

The ego is really showing us what we are not so that we can let go of it. When we take
a “bird’s eye”, we can see who we really are and make changes. The only place where
we can discover who we really are is in the now moment. We ask ourselves—who am I
in this moment?? The truth is that we’re wholeness, perfection, light and joy.
Are we available to the truth about ourselves?

Questions to ponder:
1. Have you noticed places in your life where you react to the egos of others?

2. What ways have you found to can get a “bird’s eye” view of how you’re reacting to others.

3. How easy is it for you to accept that you are whole and complete and perfect just as you are?

A New Earth Series: Chapter 6

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:54:46 -0700

Breaking Free August 10, 2008
Rev. Dr. Marcia Sutton

This week is the 6th in a 9 week series on A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This week is an important week. We’ve been preparing, up until now, to receive the message that we can be set free from conditions and difficulties because we are connected to the living Presence of God.
We have been talking about the “pain body”, which we each have, and which was created as a survival strategy in our bodies. It is a field of energy and it houses dysfunctional emotional patterns and false beliefs that play out as accusations, complaining and blaming others. And it wants to be right!
We are now called to turn away and come into the realization of the Presence of God.
There are promises in the scriptures that speak to us individually. In Revelations we hear:
“There shall be no more suffering, no more sorrow, no more crying and no more death. Behold, I make all things new, for the former things have passed away.” We are made new over and over. Ernest Holmes says that “The Highest most God and the Innermost God are one God.” We experience this Presence to the degree that we are conscious of God. And no one else can do it for us!! The Presence is here and now and we forget and at the times we forget, we are susceptible to being brought back to the “pain body.” The “pain body’s” anger and irritability obstructs our connection with the Presence. All of the situations in our life help us to “wake up” and turn to God.
This change from the “pain body” to being in the Presence can happen in the “twinkling of an eye”—instantaneously. When we do that, we move from suffering to joy, from darkness to light and most importantly, from bondage to freedom. An example of this is when we hear someone honking at us and we are irritated until we recognize that the person is a good friend and we’re then “instantly” happy to see them and no longer irritated. We must start asking ourselves is how to make this holy instant happen more and more and take the Presence into everything that we’re doing.
The key to entering the Presence comes through our spiritual practice. We do what we have to do to let go of grudges, accusations, judgments and repeating “our story.” We must be willing to change. When we are doing our spiritual practice, such as meditation, taking classes, seeing a practitioner, using affirmations, praying and coming to church on Sunday to be in a group of people who are on their spiritual path, we diminish the stranglehold of the “pain body” and increase our experience of the Power and Presence of the Divine.
We must choose and re-choose our relationship with God and we do that well when we:
1. Designate a time each day to study
2. Listen to God through meditation
3. Let God know what is in your heart through prayer

We won’t be able to make the instantaneous shift from the “pain body” to being in the Presence is we are not engaged in regularly doing the above. And we want to move into the Presence because in doing so, we are healed and can see the world with new eyes.

Questions to ponder:

1. Are you noticing more and more when you’re reacting out of the “pain body?” Can you give an example?

2. Describe a time when you moved from the “pain body” to being in the Presence in the “twinkling of an eye.”

3. What can you commit to in regards to your spiritual practice that will help you move out of the “pain body” and into the Presence more quickly?

International Forgiveness Day

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 13:58:25 -0700

Forgiveness August 3, 2008
Rev. Dr. Noel McInnis

The first Sunday in August is International Forgiveness Day and today, we’ll focus on forgiveness. The key is recognizing that our challenges are really done to ourselves. We are each and incarnation of a beneficial presence and no one else can make us unhappy. Our experience of the world is of our own creation. If we dislike/hate another person, we are really hating or disliking a part of ourselves.

There are reasons to forgive:
1. When we are mad at or hating our enemies, we are giving them power over us!
It has been documented that when we are in unforgiveness, we effect and stress our central nervous system, our cardio-vascular system, muscular-skeletal system, glandular system, and depress our immune system. It also is true that emotional distress is a precursor of physical disease. Our unforgiveness effects us!
2. We set ourselves free when we forgive

There are ways to forgive:
1. Through re-framing the situation, seeing it from another viewpoint, we help ourselves. If in an argument, say, “What you’re saying doesn’t match my experience.”
2. Dissolve unforgiveness through nature –noticing ripples on water and how they dissolve into each other helps us to remember to “flow.”

Questions to ponder:
1. Is it hard to accept that if we are disliking another person, we are really just disliking a part of ourselves? Can you give an example in your life.

2. How are we giving another person or situation our power when we’re not forgiving them? Is there a situation in you life where you’d like to “take you power back?”

3. Share any successes you have had in forgiving others and how it impacted your life and theirs.

A New Earth Series: Chapter 5

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:28:31 -0700

The Pain Body - Chapter 5 of A New Earth by E. Tolle
July 20, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

A New Earth Series: Chapter 4

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:02:35 -0700

The Many Faces of Ego
July 20, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

A New Earth Series: Chapter 3

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:43:06 -0700

The Core of Ego July 13, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today, we continue with the second week of the 9 week summer series on the book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life Purpose by Eckhart Tolle.
We began our exploration of A New Earth by recognizing that there are parts of ourselves of which we are unaware. We identify with our human selves to the exclusion of our core identity.
The ego is natural and is the self-differentiating part of our development. Awareness begins to open us up.
The New Heaven is the emergence of transformed consciousness and the New Earth is the reflection of the transformed consciousness in the physical realm.
Our current state of things is a mess that we have all participated in creating! We have identified with the physical and yet we know that thoughts become things—that there is something more than just what we see.
Today, we’re looking at the core of the ego and what we’re really dealing with!
The ego is important to us—it helps us show up in the world. The challenge with the ego is that it thinks that it knows who we are and believes that it is right. The ego wants to hang on, yet our soul already knows the truth about us. Once we are awakened--- being aware that we are more that what the ego believes we are---we can’t go back to the way we were. “The mind once expanded cannot contract to its previous form.” The ego doesn’t want us to step into our greatness—it’s afraid. The ego creates chaos in our life and tries to go back to our former self.
What would the ego have to give up if we really stepped into living the golden rule and loving others? We would have to give up complaining, resentment and being right and making others wrong—in other words, we have to give up separation. It is the ego’s objectifying others and staying in separation that creates war globally and family problems personally.
When we are not awake and aware and noticing where we are complaining, then we become the complaint! This erodes our sense of our personal self. We can start noticing and admitting that it’s interesting that we “do” drama in our lives. We can ask ourselves the questions, “Do we want peace or do we want drama? and, “What is more interesting than the drama?”
There is only one power and it moves through us all. Our job is to begin seeing the connection that we have with all and let go of the drama of right and wrong. We can actually be non-reactive in another person’s drama and notice how they try to “hook” us into their drama. In this way, we become more anchored in the truth of our being.
“Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” The truth is inseparable from who you are.
When Jesus said, “I Am the way, the truth and the life” he was saying a true statement about anyone who is in the state of being one with God.

Questions to ponder:
1. When you’re in emotion or upset over something, can you actually step back and observe what’s happening or do you really get caught up in the “drama?” Give an example from the recent past.

2. Think of a place in your life where someone else is definitely wrong and you’re right. How does it feel to stay in that energy? What if there wasn’t separation between the two of you? What is more interesting that the drama you’ve been experiencing with that person?

3. What was the last thing that you complained about? Can you describe how it created separation in your life? What would your life be like without complaining?