New Thought Center for Spiritual Living

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?

A New Earth Series: Chapter 2

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 10:47:13 -0700

Ego, the Current State of Humanity July 6, 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. Our challenge is that we think that that is as far as we need to go, when in reality, the physical part of us is only 2/3 of the totality of who we are. Awareness begins to open us up to recognizing the 2/3 of ourselves of which we may not have been aware.
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. When we look at the physical and forget that our thinking is involved, we start to think that what we see is all there is. Thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence.
To become free we must release attachment, but to come at it through the physical doesn’t work. Our self-identification to things in the world satisfies us for awhile because we identify with our stuff. The challenge is that the ego wants more and wants to be right, so we can never satisfy ourselves through our “stuff” because it’s only 1/3 of who we really are. We’ll always want more.
Jesus, in his discussion with the woman at the well, taught that drinking from the physical well would lead us to “thirst again.’ When we recognize our connection with our creator, the water of spirit would satisfy us and we would not thirst again. The shift in consciousness that opens us to the awareness of our whole self leads to be in the world but not of it. We realize that we have “stuff” but we’re not our “stuff” and the issues that our “stuff” leads to.
Jesus, in the Beatitudes said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs will be the kingdom of heaven.” Being “poor in spirit” means that we have not attachment to “stuff.”
Ernest Holmes said that “There is a power in the universe greater than you are and you can use it.” When we identify with the “I Am that I Am”, we can release attachments and just be aware of them. Awareness consciousness frees us

I rest in the peaceful awareness of I AM consciousness. I rest in God

Questions to ponder:

1. Can you relate to the state of “wanting more and wanting to be right?” Where in your life is this happening for you?

2. Has attaining “stuff” and “being right” created true happiness for you, really?

3. Using the affirmation, “I rest in the peaceful awareness of I AM consciousness” or simply, “I rest in God” opens our awareness to our attachment to things and begins to set us free. Say the affirmation often this week.

A New Earth Series: Chapter 1

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:44:16 -0700

The Flowering of Human Consciousness June 29, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today, we begin a 9 week summer series on the book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life Purpose by Eckhart Tolle.
We are beginning our exploration of A New Earth by recognizing that we are talking about being aware of your awareness, which opens us to being present in the now moment. Our goal is to lose the density of our human minds and become more transparent so that more light can be revealed.
The first thing we are to ponder is that there are parts of ourselves of which we are unaware. The challenge for all of us is that we identify with our human selves to the exclusion of our core identity.
Tolle says that our inherent dysfunction is ego (original sin, wanting to be right and wanting more)
We’re really trying to maintain our unique identity and see others as one with us. Self differentiation is important, but we don’t want to stop there. Our getting stuck is really the dysfunction. Our challenge is that we are focused on the outer experience of our lives and don’t look within.
Our ego is destined to find its place. The change must come from within. Bishop Carlton Pearson is finding that to be true. His personal revelation about the fact that we are all one is making a difference in the Pentecostal movement. Rev. David has been invited by Bishop Pearson speak to a large group of Pentecostal ministers this summer and tell them about New Thought and the universality of our beliefs.
There is an urgency about the transformation that is happening on a global scale. The creative urge is knocking at our door. Our success is guaranteed—it is just a matter of when are we going to participate in our own transformation!
The New Heaven is the emergence of transformed consciousness and the New Earth is the reflection of the transformed consciousness in the physical realm.

Questions to ponder:
1. Have you ever had the experience of feeling “one with everything?”

2. Do you find yourself being in the place of “wanting to be right” and “wanting more” often? Does it make sense that this is ego talking (instead of our higher self—of which most of us aren’t aware?)

The Moses Code and You

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:41:47 -0700

The Moses Code and You June 22, 2008
Rev. Dr. Harry Morgan Moses
Special guest and dear friend Harry Morgan Moses teaches on the Moses Code that is within us all.

The World As You See It

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:23:18 -0700

The World As You See It June 15, 2008
Rev. Dr. James Golden

9AM Service:
What could I tell you that you don’t already know—we really have all the secrets now—and don’t know it! The world is as you see it—as within, so without. These aren’t new spiritual truths—you reap what you sow. Swami Mutananda say that our purpose is to work for happiness and reduce suffering in the world.
The challenge is that it’s easy to be moved off our spiritual path and Heaven and Hell are a place that we put ourselves. The feelings that we have, we project onto the world.
Our challenge is that we think that we’ll find some greater teacher, or more money or a better relationship and the truth is that we already have everything that we need. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Whatever is happening in our life is for our evolving.
It doesn’t get any better than this. Our job is to be the best that we can be in the midst of all that is going on in our life. Notice what you’re projecting onto the world. Every person, even if we don’t care for them is an expression of God. Only you are you. Only you can unravel the mystery.
We want someone to tell us what to do. We have lots of spiritual tools and yet, we don’t use them.
Now is the time and the place. Start where you are. Give what you want to receive. Give love. Figure our where your blocks are and heal them. Life is demanding and the spiritual life is not easy. If we want all of God, we must give all of yourself.

Questions to ponder:
1. Are you someone who has read books and chased after spiritual teachers, to find that illusive “nugget” of truth??
2. Since we already have all knowledge and wisdom within us, what is it that you’ve been looking for and can you now see it within yourself?

11AM Service:
We must know what we’re doing. We’re all searching so that we can embody spiritual truths. We take classes to learn. The question is: can you bring the knowledge you’ve learned to bear in a crisis situation? It takes time to integrate spiritual truths.
When we’re facing a challenge, the first question we must ask ourselves is, “Is the situation safe?”
How many times have you had an “unsafe situation in your life--- such a depression, loss of job, an illness? We must give ourselves a pep talk and say, “It’s going to be OK.” Use your spiritual tools and take charge of the scene, be open to learning.
Use creativity to resolve issues. Ask, “How have I done it in the past? Is there a new way?”
The best of ourselves is still untapped potential. Our spiritual path is arduous. It takes a while—it takes forgiveness and healing and that means taking a risk.
Give what you want to receive. Remember, that whatever feeling you have, you’re projecting them onto the world. As within, as without. What you contemplate on, you become.
Take hold of your life. You have no idea how far you’ve come. You are the fruit of the spiritual practices of many. You’re very close –clean your heart and mind—don’t falter now.

Questions to ponder:
1. Are there any situations in your life that are holding you back?
2. Are you willing to say, “It’s going to be OK!” and use your spiritual tools to focus on the positive?

The Beauty of God's Creation 11AM

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 13:09:42 -0700

The Beauty of God’s Creation—Interfaith Service with Baha’i Community June 8, 2008
Rev. David Alexander and Henri Cross

Henri Cross, a member of the Baha’i Community of Tigard, talked about how Baha’i is a world religion that has the goal to unite all people and celebrates the oneness of all mankind. He said that Baha’i’s are ‘found’, they don’t ‘join.’ The pivotal point of Baha’i is the celebration of Oneness and the essence of a follower’s faith is the deeds that they do.
In Baha’i, men and women are equal and there is a recognition that all come from the same God. The beauty of humanity is recognized in all the differences. New Thought and Baha’i beliefs have a unique message of understanding and respect for diversity.
God is the unknowable essence and that which creates us can never be comprehended by it’s creation.
Our job is to dedicate ourselves to being a reflection of God.

Questions to ponder:

1. Is there any place in your life where you have a block to diversity?

2. Can you identify a judgment or hurt associated with that group/race/gender/ belief system/life style?

3. Is there anything that you can do to heal the judgment or hurt?

The Beauty of God's Creation 9AM service

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 12:31:43 -0700

Graduation Celebration 2008

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 11:31:42 -0700

Today we honor our high school graduates as well as our Adult Education Graduates. Todays message looks at the power we each possess to choose this day as a day of graduation to a new level of living!

Memorial Day: They Live in You

Sun, 25 May 2008 02:24:21 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life-Celebration

5 Gifts of Abundance: Celebration

Sun, 18 May 2008 17:28:51 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life-Celebration

5 Gifts of Abundance: Surrender

Sun, 11 May 2008 16:28:43 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life- Surrender

5 Gifts of Abundance: Tithing

Sun, 4 May 2008 17:49:34 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life-Tithing

5 Gifts of Abundance: Forgiveness

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:28:14 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life-Forgiveness April 27, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today is the third week of our Spirit of Home Program. It’s a pledging program that we hold in the spring because it’s the time for planting seeds. We’re using Diane Harmony’s book as our focus.

To review, the first of the five gifts is GRATITUDE.
Gratitude is the great “shifter” of energy. We shift our awareness and shift our attention and our energy shifts! Gratitude moves us out of fear and anger and reminds us about God and the goodness that is available to us. It brings us back into focus so that we can receive life’s energy. Being grateful for a situation where you might not feel grateful allows us to receive the give that situation is trying to bring us—so that we don’t have to repeat it!!

INTENTION is the second gift. Intention is the great director of attention. Intention is about conscious choosing. It is about setting our sails on the course we desire. We can consciously choose where to put our attention and in that way we are co-creators of our experience.

Our third gift is FORGIVENESS.
We’re talking about abundance in this series, so why would we be talking about forgiveness? Forgiveness frees us from survival fears and therefore we live more from our divine selves. Abundance is about flow and forgiveness opens up that flow!
The nature of God is abundance and everywhere in nature there is no argument about that, except where we are concerned! We’re the exception and we argue with God about our deserving abundance in our lives. Forgiveness is about releasing anywhere where there is a “clog” in our awareness of living an abundant life and becoming a vehicle of unconditional love. We’ve learned to limit the unconditional energy of the Universe and we’ve set up patterns in our relationships and work and finances and with our health and then we wonder why life isn’t working for us.
And forgiveness is about getting back to the source. Forgiveness is really about “spiritual hygiene.” Just like brushing our teeth, forgiveness is an on-going process that keeps us spiritually healthy. If we’re in unforgiveness, we’re in a form of bondage and that bondage has our attention. If a situation has our attention it therefore has our energy and therefore has our power and, therefore, we are powerless!!

Our attention takes our energy which takes our power which leaves us powerless.

It is only when we can give complete gratitude for a person or group or situation that our forgiveness is done, healed, finished. You have to feel it to heal it!!

There are many modalities to help us release our places of unforgiveness –mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually—write, talk, have another help you—but get to that place of forgiveness!

Four axioms of forgiveness;
1. Forgiveness starts in our hearts and we must forgive ourselves first!
2. Forgiveness is not conditional
3. Forgiveness is an on-going process
4. Every gesture of forgiveness is enough!

We must be willing to do the work. Because that which makes you sick is that which makes you well, we begin by asking the question, “I am ready and willing to live a free and abundant life?

Questions to ponder:
1. Is there a place in your life where you are holding resentment toward another person or situation?
2. Are you willing to live a free and abundant life?
3. Will you start today to remove that place of resentment out of your life?

5 Gifts of an Abundant Life: Intention

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:02:03 -0700

5 gifts of An Abundant Life-Intention April 20, 2008
Rev. David Alexander

Today is the second week of our Spirit of Home Program. It’s a pledging program that we hold in the spring because it’s the time for planting seeds.

The first of the five gifts is GRATITUDE
We can’t complain or be anger or bitter and be in gratitude at the same time. An attitude of gratitude brings more good into our lives. Gratitude is the great multiplier. When Jesus blessed the bread and fish to feed the 5000, he gave thanks that it was enough—and it was!
Being grateful for a situation where you might not feel grateful allows us to receive the give that situation is trying to bring us—so that we don’t have to repeat it!!

INTENTION is the second gift. Intention is about conscious choosing. We can consciously choose where to put our attention and in that way we are co-creators of our experience. Patterns that repeat themselves in our lives do not do so because of conscious choosing. The patterns repeat due to “default” because we don’t have a conscious intention the change!
Where you intention is is where your attention will be and what we give attention to, we tend to create in our lives.
Saying a “word”—sets up a “vibration”(intention)—which creates an avenue for “manifestation.” This is the Law of Mind in action.

Dreaming: Accessing the Infinite field of possibilities. There is a creative urge within us. Our challenge is that we’ve created boundaries that dreams break.

Doing: Inner doing create the space of possibilities through prayer and meditation. We create a “mold” for spirit to fill. Expand and stretch.

Detachment: Let go of the outcome. We don’t know all the ways that God is creating good for us. We can be available to the many and unique ways that our dream will show up.

We are the only species that argues with God!! There is abundance for all. What if we didn’t argue? What if we let the Universe flow through us joyously?

Questions to ponder:
1. What is God’s intention for your life?
2. Am I ready to unleash the intention of the Universe as my life?

5 Gifts of an Abundant Life: Gratitude

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:55:55 -0700