June 2012 - Sunshine Cathedral, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

June 2012
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A Samaritan Press Publication
Spiritual Heroes
Lectionary
My Prayer, Lillian DeWaters
The Optimist’s Creed
10 Native American
Commandments
Stewardship Thoughts
Friday, June 1
Saturday, June 2
Sunday, June 3
Monday, June 4
Tuesday, June 5
Wednesday, June 6
Thursday, June 7
Friday, June 8
Saturday, June 9
Sunday, June 10
Monday, June 11
Tuesday, June 12
Wednesday, June 13
Thursday, June 14
Friday, June 15
Saturday, June 16
Sunday, June 17
Monday, June 18
Tuesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 20
Thursday, June 21
Friday, June 22
Saturday, June 23
Sunday, June 24
Monday, June 25
Tuesday, June 26
Wednesday, June 27
Thursday, June 28
Friday, June 29
Saturday, June 30
Prayers
More Great Stuff Ahead
Keep Reading!
Sunshine Cathedral
is a different kind of
church
where the past is
past
and the future has
infinite possibilities.
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Spirit & Truth is offered at no
charge to the Sunshine Cathedral
community and our friends. If you
would like to order several copies to
be used for a study or devotional
group, just send a request and include
a love offering. Send your requests
and donations to: Sunshine Cathedral,
1480 SW 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale,
Florida 33315.
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Editor, Durrell Watkins
Wrestling With God Without Getting Pinned:
Old Stories, New Thoughts, & Progressive Spirituality
by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins (Outskirts Press)
Available online at Amazon.com
Also by Durrell Watkins (all available at Amazon.com):
Healing Prayers for Depression
Knowing that prayer is a power within you rather than a way of begging an external
Power for help is a wonderful discovery. Using the power of positive prayer, we can
reclaim our lives and our joy.
Optimism & Gratitude: Prayers for Every Day of the Year
Using simple and inclusive language, this small book offers inspirational quotes as
well as a prayer for every day of the year. Drawing on the wisdom of the JudeoChristian scriptures as well as on other spiritual traditions of the world, and holding
always a sense of optimism and gratitude, these short prayers will remind you of your
unity with the one Presence and one Power that is expressing through and as your life
and with which all things are possible. As we practice the affirmative way of praying
offered in Optimism & Gratitude: Prayers for Every Day of the Year, we will feel
empowered and we will learn to expect the best from ourselves and from Life.
Progressive, Positive, & Practical: New Thought Reflections
Consistently throughout this small book, you will be affirmed as a person of sacred
value, and you will be encouraged to affirm yourself as a gifted member of the human
family, possessed of great potential. You will also be encouraged to see the Light of
divinity within you AND within all people.
Fairy Dust: Using Affirmations to Unlock the Magic of Life
A positive thinking, optimistic, and empowering book that teaches us to use our words
intentionally to direct our thinking in ways that will create the feelings that will bring joy
and wonder to our lives.
A Treatment A Day
A liberal minister offers thoughts about prayer and models of prayer for people who
practice spirituality on the margins, and for those who have not identified with a
particular spiritual path. This isn't a typical prayer book, but it may become one of the
most important ones on your shelf.
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SPIRITUAL HEROES FOR JUNE
June 1: St. Justin of Rome (c. 167)—Philosopher and Martyr. Justin came from
a gentile family in Samaria. He studied all the major religious and philosophical
movements of his day, eventually deciding to become a Christian. He saw
Christian faith as the fulfillment of Greek philosophy. He later settled in Rome
and, upon refusing to sacrifice to the gods, was scourged and beheaded.
June 3: Blessed John XXIII (1881-1963)—Modernizer of the Church. When
John was elected Pope he was expected to be no more than a transitional figure.
In a brief pontificate of less than five years, John was able to bring about
sweeping changes by opening the church up to positive dialogue with the
modern world. John convened Vatican II (only the second council since the 16th
century) as a pastoral council to address Christian unity, world peace, and the
needs of the poor.
June 7: Seattle (1786?-1866)—Chief of the Suquamish. As a child growing up
on Puget Sound, Seattle witnessed the arrival of the first white settlers. When he
became chief he tried to use peaceful dialogue, rather than violence, to coexist
with the increasing demands of the new settlers. He and his people converted to
Christianity, but he came to see that there were fundamental spiritual differences
between his people and the settlers, especially in our relationship with the earth.
He understood that “to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator.”
June 12: Anne Frank (1929-1945)—Witness of the Holocaust. During the Nazi
occupation of Amsterdam, Ann Frank’s family remained in hiding for two years.
At the age of 13 she took her school books and a diary into captivity with her.
There she recorded not only their day to day struggle for survival, but her
personal growth as a young woman who could find hope in the face of
hopelessness. Shortly after turning fifteen they were discovered and she was
sent to her death in the concentration camps.
June 25: Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)—Indian Christian mystic. Sundar
Singh came from a wealthy family in northern India which followed the Sikh faith.
As a teenager he had a mystical vision of Christ addressing him in Hindustani.
For becoming a Christian he was turned out into the streets. He wore the robes
of an Indian holy man, wandering across the country preaching the Gospel. He
often taught in parables, and like Jesus attracted large crowds. He saw in Jesus
a model for bridging the spiritual wisdom of the East and West.
June 27: Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots
June 29: St. Peter and St. Paul—Apostles. Peter was a commercial fisher
known for being quite impetuous. Jesus gave him the nickname of ‘rock,’ and in
the Catholic tradition he is considered the first Pope. Paul, on the other hand,
was not one of Jesus’ original followers. He helped persecute the first Christians.
After his conversion he was primarily responsible for spreading the “Gospel” to
non-Jews across the Roman Empire. He wrote the first books of the Christian
Scriptures as letters to churches he founded. He and Peter often did not get
along. Peter and Paul both are thought to have been executed in Rome.
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Sunshine Cathedral’s Lectionary Readings
June 3 – Trinity Sunday
Romans 8.14-16 (NRSV)
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not
receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit
of adoption. When we cry, “Abba…!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness
with our spirit that we are children of God.
The Wisdom of Malinda Cramer
“…Being, Action and Result…this Trinity being the All, it [is] all-powerful
for good and [is] the true basis for all application of Truth.”
Matthew 28.16-20 (NRSV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus
had directed them. When they saw him, they [adored] him; but some
doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the [Creator] and of the [Chosen One] and of
the holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have
commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.”
June 10 – Ordinary Time 10
Psalm 51.1, 8, 10-12
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to
your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Let me hear joy and
gladness… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your holy spirit from
me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to
sustain me.
The Wisdom of Gandhi
“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the
served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before
service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”
The Wisdom of Albert Einstein
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior
spirit [which is revealed] in the slight details we are able to perceive with
our frail and feeble mind.”
Mark 3.20-26, 28-30
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his
disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they
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went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” And the
teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed
by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus
called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can
Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom
cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has
come. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander
they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never be
forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” He said this because they were
saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
June 17 – Ordinary Time 11
2 Corinthians 5.1 (NRSV)
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
The Wisdom of Irwin Gregg
“The Spirit of Truth is a name…we use for God’s own Consciousness as
eternal good, ever with us. We can always turn to this Spirit of Truth and
open our consciousness to its innate intelligence and love and power. We
can know that this wonderful…Something is always here to help us…”
Mark 4.30-32 (NRSV)
Jesus also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what
parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon
the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it
grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large
branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
June 24 – Ordinary Time 12/Gay Pride Sunday
Psalm 9.1-2, 9-10 (NRSV)
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your
wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of
trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD,
have not forsaken those who seek you.
The Wisdom of Quentin Crisp
“In an expanding universe, time is on the side of the outcast. Those who
once inhabited the suburbs of human contempt find that without changing
their address they eventually live in the metropolis.”
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The Wisdom of Lynn Lavner
“The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362
admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love
heterosexuals. It’s just that they need more supervision.”
The Wisdom of Rita Mae Brown
“My lesbianism is an act of Christian charity. All those women out there
praying for a man, and I’m giving them my share.”
Mark 4.35-41 (NRSV)
On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across
to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in
the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm
arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being
swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him
up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He
woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then
the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you
afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and
said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey
him?”
Contributors to this month’s Spirit & Truth:
Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div., D.Min. – Senior Pastor, Sunshine Cathedral
Robert Griffin, M.Div., D.Min. – Chief Programming Minster, Sunshine Cathedral
BK Hipsher, M.A.T.S., D.Min. – Virtual Chaplain, Sunshine Cathedral
Tania Guzman, M.Div. – Minster of Congregational Life, Sunshine Cathedral
Marian Cavagnaro, M.S., M.R.S., M.Div. – Pastoral Care Minister, SC
Brian Hutchison, M.Div. – Staff Minister, Sunshine Cathedral
Walt Weiss, M.Div. – Prison Chaplain, Sunshine Cathedral
Anne Atwell, B.A. – Director of Small Groups, Sunshine Cathedral
“Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.” A Course in Miracles
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My Prayer
by Lillian DeWaters
To be ever conscious
of my unity with
the One-Life,
which is paramount,
supreme
and adorable.
To constantly strive
to unfold Wisdom
and to give no heed
to erroneous
ideas.
To separate
all blind belief from
intelligent reasoning,
and to see all as
an inseparable part
of the one perfect Whole.
To show loving consideration,
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and be willing always
to give forth real
enlightenment
to all who
desire it.
To keep
my mental sense
of Life
pure and uncontaminated;
radiant with Joy;
vital with Hope;
resplendent with Faith,
Love and Confidence,
cleansed
from all erring
delusions.
To have
one aim,
to rise each day
into greater and
fuller understanding
of perfect Life,
and to bring
this mental enlightenment
(which is true salvation)
unto others.
Amen.
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The Optimist’s Creed
Christian D. Larson
I Promise Myself
~To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
~To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I
meet.
~To make all my friends feel that there is something
worthwhile in them.
~To look at the sunny side of everything, and make my
optimism come true.
~To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to
expect only the best.
~To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am
about my own.
~To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater
achievements of the future.
~To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile
to every living creature I meet.
~To give so much time to improving myself that I have no
time to criticize others.
~To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for
fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
~To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the
world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.
~To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so
long as I am true to the best that is in me.
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The Ten Native American Commandments
1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with
respect.
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit, in all that you
do.
3. Show great respect for your fellow beings.
4. Work together for the benefit of all humankind.
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
6. Do what you know to be right (but be careful
not to fall into self-righteousness).
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body.
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater
good.
9. Be truthful and honest at all times.
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.
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JUNE STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS
Week of June 3rd
“At its best, giving is an act of worship.”
Colonel Cornelius J. Dyck
Week of June 10th
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,
and to God what is God’s.”
Jesus (Mark 12.17)
Week of June 17th
“Of all the varieties of virtue,
generosity is the most beloved.”
Aristotle
Week of June 24th
“Do not give…as a hen that lays her eggs,
and then cackles.”
Henry Ward Beecher
What is meant by “prayer treatment”?
Prayer is communion with a higher power. Prayer “treatment” is
an affirmative form of prayer. Rather than invoking a remote deity,
“treatment” recognizes our unity with the divine presence and once we
are confident that we are one with an infinite power, we can then affirm
our good, that is, we know that we are one with all good and therefore
there is nothing in reality to keep our experience of good from us. To this
awareness of divine unity and trust in omnipresent good we add an
attitude of joyful expectation and gratitude and finally we allow things to
unfold perfectly.
More simply, “treatment” is treating our attitudes so that we do
not sabotage the good that is everywhere and at all times present and
available.
To treat any situation, attitude, or circumstance, simply know
that there is a higher power with which we are always united.
Empowered by this thought, confidently name your good with a feeling
of gratitude and then release the matter to the perfection of divine right
action.
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Daily Reflections
Fri., June 1
Today we remember St. Justin of Rome (see spiritual heroes)
Gifts of the spirit
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“The spirit of the Lord [is]…a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a
spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge [and devotion], and a
reverence for the Divine.” Isaiah 11.2-3
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety,
and a sense of Wonder are the 7 gifts of the Spirit. Obviously that isn’t an
exhaustive list, but an example of what a life of spirituality can produce in
one’s life. The Apostle Paul offers a longer list, but his, too, isn’t a
complete list. Individual gifts can also be found in the gospels. So,
communication, generosity, mercy, hospitality, self-control, courage,
administration, and healing are just a few of the spiritual gifts we find in
scripture. The point isn’t how many are named in the bible; the point is, a
life of intentional spiritual growth empowers us and offers us gifts which
we are then meant to share with our world.
Spirit is the Substance of my life and as
I focus on this truth, I manifest more
qualities of the Whole Spirit of God. Amen.
Sat., June 2
On this day in 1953 Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held in
Westminster Abbey
I AM with you always
Rev. Robert Griffin, D.Min.
"God did not create gays and lesbians so [God] could have something to
hate!" Troy Perry
When we are faced with difficulties, we can rest assured that we
are never alone in those moments. Life-moments are just that, moments
and they change from one to the next. The I AM of our lives is ever
present and offers us comfort to face each and every situation. May we
be open to perceive the presence of the divine Energy of life because it
is with us always.
In every moment may I remember
that the great I AM is with me.
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Sun., June 3
Today we remember Blessed John XXlll (see spiritual heroes)
Why be religious?
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for
reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.” Albert Einstein
In the Christian tradition, words like “lord” and “savior” are
common and are usually attributed to someone who would have had no
interest in such titles (Jesus). Caesar was lord and savior of the Roman
Empire, and to call Jesus (a peasant killed by the Roman imperial
system) those titles was to use them ironically and seditiously. In its
historic context, the use of such words was powerful. But to use them to
suggest that Jesus saves us from after life prison cheapens the noble
tradition of standing up to oppression in creative ways. I am not religious
to gain access to an afterlife country club or to escape a cosmic
dungeon. I want religion to be more relevant, more useful to “this” world,
and more committed to making this life heavenly than to helping get us
from this life to another world/heaven.
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven. Amen.
Mon., June 4
Today in 1989 student demonstrations were crushed by the Chinese
army
Give thanks
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Rejoice always!” The Apostle Paul
This is an amazing experiment that never fails to fill me with awe.
Start giving thanks. Just whisper, “I’m thankful for…” and name
something: a glass of iced tea, a friendship, a television program, a
sunset, a memory, the relief that comes from scratching an itch, a tax
refund, a nurse who was friendly to you during your doctor’s visit, a fun
day on the playground way back in kindergarten. Just name something
for which you are grateful. Then name something else, and something
else. You’ll find as you name some things, more things flood to your
mind as well. Just keep saying, “I’m thankful for…” After three or four
minutes of just immersing yourself in gratitude, notice how good you feel.
Right now, I think of blessings,
large and small,
for which I am grateful.
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Tue., June 5
Today Roman Catholics honor St. Boniface
The indwelling presence
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“What we ourselves cannot bear let us bear with the help of Christ.” St.
Boniface
The Christ Nature, the Consciousness of Christ, the Christ Mind,
the Christ Spirit is “that of God” in all people. It is the True Self, the I AM,
the anointed, enlightened, awake presence that is our Reality. Jesus
models this anointed, enlightened consciousness. The Christ in Jesus
shows us the Christ in us, the divine spark, the whole, perfect, pure
essence that we are. Other traditions may call this Christ energy the
Inward Light, the Atman, the Buddha Nature, or the Hero Within, but
whatever we call it, it is part of us; it is the best and truest part of us.
Knowing and trusting in this Christ Presence, we can face and achieve
anything.
With the help of the indwelling Christ
I can achieve anything! Amen.
Wed., June 6
Today in 1703 work begins on the Russian city of St. Petersburg
Don’t take your good for granted
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Will you rob God? Yet you do. But you ask, 'How do we rob God?' In
tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3.8
This bible verse mays seem a bit harsher than it really is. You
see, our sharing is an expression of gratitude. We are thankful that we
have resources to share, so we share them gladly and participate in the
circulation of divine supply. When we give to church and other causes
we believe in, we aren’t depositing money in God’s bank account; God
(divine Life) is expressed through us. But when we give, we are saying
“Thank you” for our good, and gratitude for our good attracts more good.
When we take our good for granted, we are robbing the God in us of the
chance to attract and manifest more good in our lives. In every way
possible, let’s always say, “I am blessed and I am grateful!”
I am blessed and I am grateful!
I will demonstrate my gratitude by
being consistently generous. Amen.
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Thur., June 7
Today we remember Chief Seattle (see spiritual heroes)
Breath of life
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the humanbeing... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.” Chief Seattle
In our sacred scriptures, the word “spirit” also means air, breath,
wind, life-force, energy. Spirit is the breath of life, the energy of life. This
infinite, omnipresent, everlasting spirit is that in which we live and move
and have our being. It is within us and we are within it. It is the web of life
that connects all life. We all share the same breath – people, animals,
plants; gays, lesbians, heterosexuals, transgender people, people of all
races and ethnicities, people of all religions and no religion. The Spirit is
one, and in Her, we are also one.
I give thanks for the Breath of Life
which sustains me and fills my life
with infinite possibilities.
Fri., June 8
Today in 632 Islam’s founder, Muhammad dies in Medina
Disinterested faith
Rev. Tania Guzman, M.Div.
“Can human beings have a disinterested faith in God – that is, can they
believe in God without looking for rewards and fearing punishments? Even
more specifically: Are human beings capable, in the midst of unjust
suffering, of continuing to assert their faith in God and speak of God without
expecting a return?” Gustavo Gutierrez
I believe that, unfortunately, some religious people have done a
lot of harm to humanity’s faith in God. They have reduced God to
nothing more than a temperamental deity that must be obeyed, and who
grants wishes. So it is not surprising that many people only know God in
terms of punishment and rewards and that the prosperity gospel
business has gone wild. But the Good News is that this is not who God
is and that humans CAN have a disinterested faith in God. Everyday all
over the world, the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized continue to
believe in God and to love God in the midst of their injustice and
suffering. That is disinterested faith, the faith I want!
May we live knowing our God,
not fearing an angry deity. May we love
and trust God without expecting a return.
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Sat., June 9
Today Roman Catholics honor St. Ephrem
Wonderful mystery
Rev. Tania Guzman, M.Div.
“Elizabeth Johnson [said], ‘Ultimately, the highest human knowledge about
God is to know that we do not know’. Johanna Bos concluded a book about
language for God with the statement that ‘The only wrong naming of God is
that which is sure of having it right. Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza wrote a
prayer that included this paragraph: Our language is insufficient/Our
intellect does not grasp you/Our imagination cannot get hold of
you/Although we do not/know what to call you/We are called by you.”
Lynn Japinga
We must recognize our limited knowledge of God. I don’t think
this limited knowledge is a bad thing. I love the mysteriousness about
God. One of the wonderful things about the mystery of God is that
although we are limited in our knowledge of God we are not limited to our
encounters with God; we are never limited to experiences of God in our
lives.
No matter our knowledge or understanding
of God, wherever we are, God is,
and all is well.
Sun., June 10
Today in 1922 Judy Garland is born
Gratitude
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you
concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have
enough."
Oprah Winfrey
Muhammad is said to have taught that “gratitude for the
abundance you’ve received is the best insurance that the abundance will
continue.” Lao Tzu taught that being glad for the way things are is the
way to feel as if the whole world is ours. And a Shawnee spiritual
teaching says “When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the
morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for
the joy of living.” And those who have experienced the miracle of
recovery know that an attitude of gratitude is part of their healing. To be
grateful is to open the door to infinite possibilities in life.
There is something to be grateful for today.
As I practice gratitude, I experience joy
and the world opens up to me. Amen.
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Mon., June 11
Today is the feast day of St. Barnabas
We remember
Rev. Robert Griffin, D.Min.
“Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the
served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness
before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.” Gandhi
Today we remember all who have gone before us to make our
world a better place, especially as many of us celebrate June as Pride
Month. Pride should not be limited to just a month, rather it should be
celebrated endlessly because the work of justice and equality is never
done. There will always be a need for someone to stand up and stand
out to remind us of what we have and what we yet deserve. Let us be
glad for those who paved the way for us, and let us honor them by
continuing their good work.
Today, I remember Queer heroes because
of their work to make the world a better place.
Tue., June 12
Today we remember Anne Frank (see spiritual heroes)
Divinity beyond theism
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“God is the innermost part of each and every thing.” Meister Eckhart
Albert Einstein said, "Teachers of religion must have the stature
and integrity to give up the archaic and superstitious concept of a
‘personal’ God, a concept that has brought fear and done monumental
harm to individuals.” I have gotten away from a lot of "god" language that
suggests that divinity is beyond or separate from us. I more often refer to
the "mystery beyond our naming," the "universal presence," the "spirit of
life," the "mystery of life," the "energy of life," the "source and substance
of all that is," the "interconnected web of existence," etc. But the Divine
Reality is not for me a king/queen in the sky, a bigger/more powerful
person, or the mascot for one religion over the others. The spirit of life
and love in which we "we live and move and have our being” must be
bigger than the human-like gods of the past.
Infinite Spirit expressing through and as me
and all life, I am filled with peace and joy
as I ponder the Mystery that you are. Amen.
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Wed., June 13
Today in 1967 President Johnson nominates Solicitor General Thurgood
Marshall to become the first African American Supreme Court Justice
To life!
Rev. BK Hipsher, D.Min.
“Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have
nothing whatsoever to do with it.” W. Somerset Maugham
A popular Jewish toast is “l’chiam!” which literally means “to life.”
Many LGBT people “of a certain age” can remember when our lives were
not lived in openness and joy. Some of us hid ourselves and tried to wish
away our lives to become something that we were not.
During this pride month it is a good time to recall that many of us
now can live in peace and security living openly as LGBT people.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder to toast our lives each day and remind
ourselves to really live as the special, gifted, beloved people we are.
Today I lift my glass to all
those who still must live in the
closet, whether of their own making
or of society’s, and say “l’chaim!”
… to life!
Thur., June 14
Today in 1811 Harriet Beecher Stowe is born
Little things mean a lot
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Gratitude is an opener of locked up blessings.” Marianne Williamson
The bonus or big commission at work, the birthday card from a
dear friend, the big anniversary, the good news that the surgery was
successful, the precious moment when you realize grief has softened
into comforting memories…these are things for which we can easily be
grateful (but some people take even the big things for granted). But let’s
also be mindful and grateful for every bit of good fortune – when the
price of gasoline drops by 4 cents, when we win $10 on a scratch-off
ticket, when we get a convenient parking place, when we start reading a
new book, when we lose another pound, when we get an extra hour of
sleep. Whatever the blessing, large or small, let’s notice it and be
grateful for it. The more we notice, the more we’ll notice! And that will
always feel good.
For ALL the blessings in my life,
I now express joy and gratitude!
19
Fri., June 15
Today in 1215 King John signs the Magna Carta
Getting to authenticity
Deacon Marian Cavagnaro, M.S., M.R.S., M.Div.
“The inner voice has both gentleness and clarity. So to get to
authenticity, you really keep going down to the bone, to the honesty, and
the inevitability of something.” Meredith Monk
We all have our own stories about our coming out process.
Through our tears of sadness and tears of joy we looked inside, and in
“coming in” we were empowered to “come out.” What an amazing gift our
coming out process is to us. Chris Glaser in the introduction to his book,
Coming Out as Sacrament offers a prayer that his book would “further
stimulate the discussion in the sacred meaning of this experience,” our
experience of wholeness. These words of Sarah Ban Breathnach speak
to me of my coming out process, “The authentic self is soul made
visible.”
I celebrate my journey to authenticity,
my coming out process. I affirm my
wholeness and my liberation.
Thanks be to God.
Sat., June 16
Today in 1970 Kenneth Gibson was elected mayor of Newark, making
him the first Black mayor of a major Northeastern US city.
Better choices
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Every single second is an opportunity to change your life, because in
any moment you can change the way you feel." Rhonda Byrne
Most of what we call “life” is really what we feel. Positive feelings
are described as happiness, success, comfort, strength, capability, or
peace. Negative feelings are described as sickness, lack, fear, betrayal,
loneliness, failure, or pain. What we want, obviously, is to have more
positive feelings than negative ones. Of course, we can get in the habit
of expecting the worst, predicting the worst, and imagining all that could
go wrong. Those thought habits create anxiety and unhappiness. To
change a habit can take some time, but it begins with making a different
choice right now. We can begin now to establish new habits that will lead
to more hope, more happiness, and more fulfillment.
Right now, I choose to imagine how things
could improve. Right now, I choose to believe
blessings are possible and are at hand.
20
Sun., June 17
Today in 1682 Charles XXll of Sweden is born
The divine will
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“An angel said to the prophet Habakkuk, ‘Take the lunch you have
prepared to Daniel who is in a den of lions.’ [Habakkuk hesitated] and the
angel seized him by the hair of his head and carried him by his hair with
the speed of the wind to Daniel in Babylon. And Habakkuk said, ‘Daniel,
take this lunch that God has sent to you.’” Daniel 14.34-37
In Roman Catholic bibles, the book of Daniel has 14 chapters
(rather than the 12 in most Protestant bibles). Chapter 14 is the story of
Bel and the Dragon, and for not worshiping the dragon god of Babylon,
Daniel is incarcerated and an angel takes a prophet to Daniel to feed
him. I love that story. It shows us that doing what is right often costs us
something (as in Daniel’s case) and that doing what is right because we
want to do right is much better than feeling forced (as in Habakkuk’s
case). We ought to stand up for justice, to feed those who are spiritually
and physically hungry, and to live with integrity at all times. Isn’t that what
we want after all?
May the divine will be done in
and through my life today. Amen.
Mon., June 18
Today in 1115 Frederick I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor
Praying for others
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.” Anonymous
Norman Vincent Peale used to suggest that when you find
yourself unable to sleep, start thinking about people and say a little
prayer for them. As someone comes to mind, just say, “bless you.” Then
when someone else comes to mind, say, “bless you.” Someone you saw
at the post office who seemed to be in pain – pray for her. A friend you
haven’t spoken to in a while – pray for him. Even someone who annoys
you terribly – you can’t sleep anyway, so why not say, “I’m not yet fond of
this person, but I know him to have sacred value and so I affirm that
now.” After a while of praying for everyone you can bring to mind, you
will be relaxed and can sleep, or you will be energized and can get up, or
at very least, you will know you spent your period of restlessness sharing
kind thoughts with others.
May every person who enters
my thoughts today be blessed. Amen.
21
Tue., June 19
Today is “Juneteenth” – the date in 1865 when word reached Texas of
the Emancipation Proclamation which had been made 2 years earlier
Tipping the scales
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Often the habitually fearful have days of hope, and the habitually
hopeful have days of fear. What all of us need to do, therefore, is to bring
up the aggregate of our thinking for health, wealth, and love so that it
shall outbalance any possible amount of negative thinking.” Fenwicke L.
Holmes
Yes, optimistic, cheery, relentlessly hopeful rainbow chasers
have bad days and discouraging moments; and, yes, gloomy, always
waiting for the other shoe to drop, sees what’s wrong before even
imagining what could be right, expecting the sky to fall sad-sacks
sometimes anticipate a bit of good news or believe they can overcome
the challenge at hand. We all have positive and negative thoughts; our
goal, then, is to minimize those nasty negatives that drag us down and
maximize the positives that add hope and joy to our lives. It takes
practice, and there’s no time like the present to begin.
I focus on health, supply, happiness, and
success today; what I think habitually
I will experience eventually.
Wed., June 20
Today in 1837 Queen Victoria begins a 63 year reign
Life is good
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“…a thousand things go right for you every day. From the moment you wake
up, the universe aligns in countless miraculous ways to make your life
happen fluidly, effortlessly, incredibly. Your heart is working, your systems
function, you do not instantly collapse, lose a limb or spontaneously
combust. Amazing. The car starts. The elevator works…The coffee is hot.
The food placed before you is all kinds of stunning in how it connects you to
the world. There's sunlight. Your eyes receive that light and create
everything in existence. Also, trees! Nice.” Mark Morford
June is a time for Gay Pride when we recall the Stonewall Riots
that launched the Gay Rights Movement. I’m thankful for those brave
justice warriors of 1969. I’m grateful that I get to live my life out loud. I’m
grateful for the love I share with the man of my dreams. Pride month can
be a month of gratitude and gratitude will bring even more blessings.
For my FABULOUS life, I am thankful!
22
Thur., June 21
Today in 1953 Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto is born
Care and share
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“…I, the ETERNAL, promise justice…” Isaiah 45.19
What God does for us God must do through us. We are the
hands of God; we give body to the divine spirit. It is the divinity within us
that calls us to care for those who experience lack, who face danger,
who are denied equal opportunity, who are lonely or afraid. Of course,
people must do what they can for themselves, and the best gift we can
give is to help people raise their consciousness so they will be selfempowered; but we are also called to care and to share. Justice
happens when we start thinking about more than just us.
The omni-benevolent Spirit of Hope,
flowing through me, inspires me to care
and to share. As I answer this call, I am
contributing to justice in the world.
Fri., June 22
Today in 1969 Judy Garland dies
Our authentic self
Deacon Anne Atwell, seminarian
“The church didn’t call us. God called us.” L. William Countryman
How could I, someone like me, be called to serve God, our
community and our world? I sometimes have this feeling about my
service to the church and I would suspect that I’m not alone with this
thought. I believe it is similar to the parable of the mustard seed. A
mustard seed is something very small, very minute and it grows to be
very large and great. And like a mustard seed, each of us can grow into
our true and whole selves – filled with greatness to serve God and this
world – just as we are.
Today I will be open to the direction
of my Creator. I know that I am whole
and complete and an important part of
this very good creation. I am blessed
and I will share that blessing with all.
May it be so!
23
Sat., June 23
Today in 1927 Choreographer Bob Fosse is born
Sacred sexuality
Rev. Brian Hutchison, M.Div.
“Sexuality is already sacred, for it is part of the glory of the universe... it is so
deep a part of creativity and of our human personalities. It is… God-given
and…sacred beings receive their existence from it… but also [it is] the
sacred being called human imagination, play, communication, love.” Matthew
Fox
For over four decades, MCC has been preaching that sexuality is
innately sacred. We prophetically continue that message today. Some of
us express our sexuality inwardly and others more outwardly. But
regardless of how we express it, we each hold a wonderful erotic energy
that dances as Divine Eros within us. Even when you feel your energy
diminished, remember that what you may imagine to be a little seedsized remnant holds the potential to grow into a beautiful tree. Step
forward boldly in faith and watch as your inner power expands to let
others rest on your branches.
My sexuality is sacred. My erotic energy
is good and I am enlivened by it.
Sun., June 24
st
Today in 1901 Pablo Picasso has his 1 exhibition in Paris
The power of love
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Unmerited self-giving love is at the heart of all forms of committed
relationships, not procreation.” Prof. Patrick Cheng, Theologian
In the third century there were two Roman soldiers named
Sergius and Bacchus. Sergius and Bacchus apparently were open about
their romantic relationship, but were closeted about being Christians.
Still, they were discovered to be Christians and were martyred. Bacchus
was tortured to death and Sergius was later beheaded. Bacchus died
first, but, according to the story, his spirit lived on. It seems the spirit of
Bacchus visited Sergius who was waiting to be executed; Bacchus
reportedly comforted Sergius by assuring him that they would be
together again in the next life. The power of their love was stronger than
death. The life they shared together was indestructible.
My love is divine. My sexuality is perfect for me.
And I am thankful for the opportunities to
share and celebrate intimacy. Amen.
24
Mon., June 25
Today we remember Sadhu Sundar Singh (see spiritual heroes)
The power of naming
Rev. BK Hipsher, D..Min.
“On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to
name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be
called John.’" Luke 1.59-60
Our names are important. What we’re called and who gets to do
the naming ought to be our choice. As LGBT people we are often called
many names that are hurtful or derogatory. Some of us have reclaimed
words like “queer,” “fairy,” and “dyke” and brought them close to us
redeeming our worth in the process of redeeming their worth.
We all have a right to name ourselves. No matter what name we were
given at birth and no matter what names we are called by others, we
have a right to name ourselves and insist that the name we choose be
used.
Today I pray for clarity about my own names and
for the courage to stand up and name myself.
Tue., June 26
Today in 1945 the UN Charter is signed by 50 nations in San Francisco
Justice for all
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.” a church sign photo on
Facebook
I am so exhausted with people assuming that their prejudice is
divinely dictated, that their hatreds are “good”, and that their privilege is
“moral.” I am “worn slick” (a colloquialism from my childhood) from
people who have read precious little of the bible (and less of any other
scriptures) and who have overwhelming ignorance of the history and
cultures from which those ancient texts originated quoting a hand full of
verses to demonize and dehumanize same-gender loving people. I am
tired of “God” being the weapon used to keep people in the margins. The
misuse of religion to oppress LBGT people is no more appropriate than
when such scriptural abuse was used to oppress women, people of
color, and non-Christians. ONE nation…INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and
justice for ALL: I’m ready for us to mean it, or at least to stop blaming
God for our not meaning it.
Let there be liberty and justice for ALL!
25
Wed., June 27
Today is the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots
Choices
Rev. Tania Guzman, M.Div.
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your
wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your
name, O Most High. The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a
stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust
in you, for you…have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9.1-2, 9-10
Explaining the situation of the poor in Latin America, Gustavo
Gutierrez said, “In our Latin American context we may well ask
ourselves: How can we thank God for the gift of life when the reality
around us is one of premature and unjustly inflicted death?...When we
see the suffering of our brothers and sisters?....” But as Father Gutierrez
goes on to say, this is exactly what the people have done, they have
made the choice to thank God regardless of their circumstances. This
choice does not make their day to day lives any less difficult; it
demonstrates their deep trust and hope in God. It’s all about choices.
Regardless of circumstances, let us do as our sisters
and brothers in Latin America and choose to trust
God. Let us also choose to be in solidarity with them.
Thur., June 28
Today in 1970 is the first Lesbian/Gay March in NYC
Learning something new
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear
anything new.” Pema Chodrun
I grew up hearing that races should not mix in more than the
most casual of ways. Those who have clung to that old, prejudicial,
limiting belief have missed out on knowing some amazing people and
enjoying some beautiful friendships. I grew up hearing that nonChristians (and even “Christian” was pretty narrowly defined) could not
enjoy a deeply spiritual life in communion with their divine Source. Those
who have held onto that belief have experienced needless animosity
toward many kinds of spiritual seekers. And I grew up hearing that samegender loving people were disordered and incapable of loving truly.
Those who have held onto that lie have missed many of the wonderful
gifts that Queer people offer the world. Just because we’ve always heard
a thing doesn’t make it true.
I’m ready to learn something new!
26
Fri., June 29
Today we remember Ss. Peter & Paul (see spiritual heroes)
Proud, but wounded, hearts
Deacon Walt Weiss, M.Div.
“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds
remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar
tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” Rose Kennedy
Though we have celebrated this month the pride we have come
to appreciate as LGBT people, the truth is that it has been a long journey
and more still needs to be done. Many of us have been wounded, some
emotionally, some physically, in this struggle to achieve our rightful place
in society. John J. McNeill reminds us that as we recognize our own
suffering, as “wounded healers” we can commit ourselves “to removing
the causes of human suffering” with “authentic service” that “comes from
a heart wounded by the suffering it seeks to heal.”
Aware of my own wounds, I
proudly reach out to bring
healing to others.
Sat., June 30
Today in 1936 Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia appeals to the League
of Nations to halt the Italian invasion of his country.
Let love be
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
“War. Rape. Murder. Poverty. Equal rights for gays. Guess which one [a
large evangelical denomination] is protesting?” copied
There was a time when states prohibited someone from one race
marrying someone from a different race. It was called “unnatural” and
“immoral” and “unfair to the children” such unions might produce. It was
called a “threat” to social order. It all seems so ridiculous now, but a lot of
pain was caused by that legalized bigotry and chosen ignorance. Of
course families have been torn apart by prejudices against someone of
one religion marrying someone from another religion. And while that too
may seem silly now, still there are attempts to limit the honest and joyous
expression of love if it is between two women or two men. With so much
hate, fear, and loneliness in the world, whenever two people, regardless
of their genders, find love, you’d think we’d be happy for them and
celebrate the miracle that shared love is. Let’s keep hoping and working
toward that end.
For the miracle of love I give thanks!
Let love prevail. Amen.
27
Prayers for Various Needs
by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Depression
Depression is an illness and illnesses can be treated and relieved. May I
seek out the help I need, and may I find the best possible treatment for
me. Let this cloud be lifted. Let joy return. Amen.
Fear
Fear is so often much worse than what we fear. Fear usually does not
serve us as well as hope or courage would. I release fear now. I can face
what is before me. I can handle the situation at hand. Nothing can touch
the depths of my being. I am whole, perfect and complete. And so it is!
Healing for a loved one
I give thanks for medical science, and I give thanks for those who
practice the healing arts. Let mighty currents of healing energy now flow
through N. and let the blessing of health be restored to him/her. Amen.
Loneliness
I live on a planet with billions of people. I live in community. I’m part of
the interconnected web of existence. And I have the ubiquitous spirit of
life flowing through me. I am never alone. I need never feel lonely. Life is
supporting me every minute of every day, and so I am thankful. Amen.
Lose weight
I wish to be stronger, more flexible, and to have more energy. I wish to
achieve and maintain a healthier weight. I make up my mind right now to
eat healthy foods in proper amounts, to drink plenty of water, to exercise
safely, and take care of my body so that it can look and feel its best.
Resentment
I’m tired of carrying around this resentment. Maybe it’s justified, but that
doesn’t make it feel better, and I deserve to feel better. So, in this holy
instant, I CHOOSE to feel better. I release regret and resentment and I
embrace goodwill and joy. And so it is!
Self-healing
My true and higher Self is never and can never be sick or frail. I focus on
this truth and affirm my divine perfection. May this truth now be made
manifest in my physical experience of life. Amen.
Supply
I live in an abundant universe and I joyfully participate in the circulation of
divine supply. I share generously and I receive gratefully. I am blessed.
28
The Buddha’s Teaching on the
Law Of Attraction
All that we are is a result of what we have thought.
The mind is everything.
What we think we become.
One is able... who thinks she or he is able.
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of
throwing it at someone else...
YOU are the one who gets burned.
The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed.
The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character.
So watch the thought and its ways with care.
And let it spring from love, born of our concern for all beings.
What we are today, comes from our thoughts of yesterday.
And our present thoughts, build our life of tomorrow.
Our life is the creation of our mind.
What you are is what you have been. What you'll be is what you do
now.
29
I Am the True Vine, and Other Good Stuff
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
1 John 4.7-8, 12-13, 16, 18-21 (NRSV)
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves
8
is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for
12
God is love. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us,
13
and [divine] love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in [God] and
16
[God] in us, because [God] has [shared God’s own spirit with us]. So we have
known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who
18
abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. There is no fear in love,
but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever
19
fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because [God] first loved us.
20
Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for
those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God
21
whom they have not seen. The commandment we have…is this: those who
love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
7
John 15.1-8 (NRSV)
2
I am the true vine, and [God] is the vine-grower. [God] removes every branch in
me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit [is pruned] to make it bear
3
more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to
4
you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself
5
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the
vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit,
6
because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is
thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into
7
the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for
8
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [God] is glorified by this, that you
bear much fruit and become my disciples.
The Johannine writings are late (90-100 CE) and are often used to
promote very strict and exclusive understandings of Christian faith.
John’s gospel is alone (Jn 14.6) in making the odd, isolated, and
frequently misunderstood claim that Jesus is “truth” (not a flesh and bone
image) and only “through him” (another strange image really) can
anyone have access to Ultimate Reality (“the divine Parent”).
This, if taken literally, obviously is insulting to the Roman pagans, faithful
Jewish practitioners, the so-called Gnostics, the Zoroastrians, and all
faithful people beyond the Johannine community. It also contradicts the
more humble (and older) understanding of Jesus, who is quoted as
saying, (Mark 10, Matthew 19), “Why do you call me good?”
30
Is Jesus a humble, prophetic servant who doesn’t even think of himself
as being particularly good, or is he an arrogant megalomaniac believing
himself to be the new and only key to enlightenment and to a
relationship with a higher power?
And if Jesus thinks of himself as the latter, would that really be
compelling and attractive to very many people? How many cult leaders
have said, “I have the answers, only I am right, and if you don’t join my
cause you have no hope of having communion with whatever is divine”?
Their stories usually end with armed conflict or mass suicide or some
other tragedy. When people make such claims, we doubt their sanity; but
when our churches tell us that Jesus made such claims, we say, “Oh,
that must be true!”
Of course, the high and mystical Christology of John’s gospel is probably
meant to be symbolic and confusing so as to get past Imperial
authorities, and John who applies the divine Name (“I Am”) to Jesus, or
rather, imagines Jesus claiming it for himself (I am the true vine, I am the
way/truth/life, I am the good shepherd, etc.) may be doing what good
writers (especially dramatic writers) always do: imbuing the
readers/listeners with a sense of sharing the noble qualities of the
protagonist.
When John has Jesus say, “I am”…the listeners are meant to say to
themselves, “I am.” Not one person being idolized, but all people
claiming their sacred value. Jesus is the protagonist of the story, and the
listeners are meant to identify with the noble characteristics of the hero.
I am (you are, we are) the true vine, the only way (to our own spiritual
development), the gate, the good shepherd, etc. I am the child of God
filled with divine light and love, and as I explore and trust this divine
presence that is never separate from me, I experience deeper
communion with the source and substance of all that is.
And this understanding then helps reconcile the seemingly different
attitudes between the Johannine letter and the Johnannine gospel. The
gospel reading sounds harsh and threatening (You are nothing without
me and if you don’t follow my instructions you might be tossed onto the
cosmic garbage heap…”and this is the good news!”) but the epistle says,
“God is love” and “everyone who loves lives in God and God lives in
them.”
31
The epistle makes it simple…live in love and you are expressing the
divine essence. Now that IS good news!
But maybe the messages aren’t in conflict after all. John imagines Jesus
believing in himself. In the story John is weaving, Jesus is obviously the
hero and the listener is meant to identify with the hero.
Jesus believes in himself; I can believe in myself.
Jesus is united with divine love; I am united with divine love.
Jesus shares miracle working power; so do I when I share the power of
love.
In Greek tragedy, heroes are better than any human can be, and villains
are more evil or more foolish than almost any human can be. So, Jesus,
the hero in the Johannine drama, is described in larger than life heroic
metaphor; but we who hear the story are meant to identity with the hero
and apply his potential to ourselves.
In the Johannine letter, the message is more straight forward; not poetic
or dramatic, but a simple teaching. So, the letter says in lecture fashion
what the gospel says in dramatic/poetic fashion…God is love and when
you experience and express love, you are in communion with All That
God (the goodness of life) Is!
You and your source are one. In the end, it may be much simpler than
we have been led to believe. God is love. Love is what we are called
to share. Beliefs are opinions and we will each have our own. What is
essential is that we love. The end.
………………………………………………………………………………...
“Offer your heart-felt gratitude to the invisible Source of love
and guidance. You will always receive help from this unseen
power.” Juan Nakamori, Angel Answers: A Celestial Oracle
32
“Expect your every need to be met. Expect the
answer to every problem. Expect abundance on
every level. Expect to grow spiritually.”
Eileen Caddy (1917 – 2006)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The Spoken Word
Cora Fillmore
Spirit life quickens mind and body, and I am whole.
Spirit substance fills my mind and floods my affairs.
WE UNDERSTAND that the worlds were framed by the word of God
spoken in faith. This in substance is the comment of the author of the
book of Hebrews. If God created by the power of [the divine] word it is
fair to assume that [God] gave like power to [humanity, which] has in
miniature all the abilities of [God]. Jesus confirmed this power of [our]
word when he said that we should be held accountable for our lightest
word and that our words would both justify and condemn us.
Our words are so interwoven with our thoughts and acts that we do not
discern the relation between cause and effect; in fact we do not as a rule
see any connection between them. We are so concerned with effects
that we have no consciousness of causes. So in explaining the law by
which [we] build [our] character, body, and environment, we must
repeatedly call attention to the source of these things, Spirit and its
outlet…the word. Thought and word are so intimately allied that we
usually count them as one. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh." Get a deep conviction of the truth of your cause; then speak it
forth in strong words, and it will surely come to pass.
The process through which the idea—conceived in mind, formed in
thought, and made manifest in body and affairs—passes in its various
stages is not always clear, and we are not usually concerned about the
manner in which the end is accomplished. The fulfillment of our objective
is the principal thing.
However it is within [our] province to understand and witness the whole
process of creative thought in [our] own organism. It requires soul culture
of an advanced order to do this, and but few persons are willing to
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undertake the necessary study and discipline. It is not taught in any of
the metaphysical schools, because the instructions cannot be put in
words. No words have yet been invented to express the attitudes of mind
and body required to raise the cell life in [one’s] body to the required
potency. The spiritual ether in which we float has a rate of vibration
millions of times greater than matter. This is the kingdom of Spirit life,
which Jesus brought to our attention and of which we must lay hold if we
would attain eternal or continuous life. The individuality or I AM must give
concentrated attention to this inner life energy and introduce it into mind
and body continually until the whole nervous system is aflame with Spirit
life. We may not be conscious of it, but we are all seeking this inner life
flame, because its energy is the only source upon which we can draw to
raise our atomic vibration to the point where it will overcome the slow
disintegrating flow of human nature.
There are souls in the heavens who have accomplished this and so
attuned their bodies to the spiritual life that they are no longer subject to
death. Jesus of Nazareth is the illumined soul appointed to save
[humanity] from the disintegrating effects of broken law, and through [his
example] we are dynamically infused with life.
Every time we listen to a radio program we have in the diffusion of
intelligence an illustration of what Jesus accomplished in the diffusion of
life. In the 1st chapter of John we read, "In him was life; and the life was
the light of [humanity]."
Here light (intelligence) and life are treated as one. Like all the attributes
of Spirit, intelligence or the knowing quality is united with the active
quality, life. There is a spiritual ether corresponding to the radio ether,
into which Jesus merged His soul and body at His disappearance in the
heavens. Here awaiting our appropriation is a radiant intelligence and
life. When we turn our attention within and give ourselves up wholly to
Spirit, we are quickened with a life and intelligence of super-excellence.
When the blood stream becomes depleted our physicians hasten to
make a blood transfusion, overlooking the fact that [it is] possible for all
of us to receive…a life transfusion that not only revives us in temporal ills
but, above all, begins in our body a purifying and energizing process that
will finally save us from death.
When we strive to be like Jesus in thought and word we are
quickened…and are lifted up. This results in healing; but far more
important, we are inoculated with the germs of soul and body cleansing.
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Join us for worship at 9 am & 10:30 am every Sunday at 1480 SW
Ninth Ave in Fort Lauderdale, FL. www.sunshinecathedral.org
Progressive Christianity focuses on:
Progressive Theology The Path of Jesus
Religious Pluralism
Inclusivity
Compassion
Non-dogmatic spirituality
Community
Social & Environmental Justice
International New Thought Alliance’s Declaration of Principles
1.
2.
3.
We affirm God as Mind, Infinite Being, Spirit, Ultimate Reality.
We affirm that God, the Good, is supreme, universal, and everlasting.
We affirm the unity of God and humanity, in that the divine nature dwells
within and expresses through each of us, by means of our acceptance
of it, as health, supply, wisdom, love, life, truth, power, beauty, and
peace.
4. We affirm the power of prayer and the capacity of each person to have
mystical experience with God, and to enjoy the grace of God.
5. We affirm the freedom of all persons as to beliefs, and we honor the
diversity of humanity by being open and affirming of all persons,
affirming the dignity of human beings as founded on the presence of
God within them, and, therefore, the principle of democracy.
6. We affirm that we are all spiritual beings, dwelling in a spiritual universe
that is governed by spiritual law; and that in alignment with spiritual law,
we can heal, prosper, and harmonize.
7. We affirm that our mental states are carried forward into manifestation
and become our experience in daily living.
8. We affirm the manifestation of the kingdom of heaven here and now.
9. We affirm expression of the highest spiritual principles in loving one
another unconditionally, promoting the highest good for all, teaching and
healing one another, ministering to one another, and living together in
peace, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and other enlightened
teachers.
10. We affirm our evolving awareness of the nature of reality and our
willingness to refine our beliefs accordingly.
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Sunshine Cathedral
is a different
kind of church
where the
past is past
and the future has
infinite possibilities.
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