Course on Training Today's Twelve

Hello Readers,
You are specially invited to take my new Scriptural study course. Go to my website scripturalstudycenter.org to check it out. It is important that we train to the fullest to be the best we can "about our Father's business," therefore I have launched, Course on Training Today's Twelve. Module 1, Unit 1 (Mark, chapter 1), is now available. You will also find introductory materials including an exquisitely beautiful Journal to help you get the most from the course. This is a practical hands-on metaphysical, healing course that brings the ideas and teaching of the Master into your life.

http://tinyurl.com/TrainToday-s12

Come and I Will Give You Rest

It is time to rest, but rest with gentle action in unselfed love. The words of the Master, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest," offer comfort and healing. He continues to graciously invite those who seek peace to "learn" of him for he is "meek and lowly in heart," -- thereby you will "find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28). To systematically learn of Jesus and imbibe the Spirit is to become strong and find inner joy that lifts one's emotional state and quality of life -- and this is a blessing for everyone. To this end, I have launched a new course on my website that begins with the first Gospel written, Mark. It is the shortest and most active, healing-packed writing of the four Evangelists, yet imparts a sense of peace, grace, rest, and assurance. The course is free (donations gratefully accepted). The title is, Course on Training Today's Twelve. You are officially invited. http://tinyurl.com/TrainToday-s12

The Christ invites you to rise up and follow, to become "fishers of men" (Mark 4:19). Active in spiritual learning and sharing brings the highest sense of rest and joy. Turning from worry or thought for one's self to reflecting the Light of Love that blesses mankind, brings healing and rest to your soul, your heart, your very being. Come and join me in gently learning about the Master, Christ Jesus, and rest in his loving counsel, instruction, and example. He once said to his students (disciples), after hearing about all their hard work and efforts, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31). Come and rest awhile. Rest in active Love.

I'll be happy when...

How would you complete this sentence?
I'll be happy when....

If we must wait for outside circumstances, other people, changes in finances or job opportunities -- for any wish, want, hope, or desire that is outside of our own thought or consciousness -- to come to pass before we will be happy, then we will find this joyful state to be elusive.

Where does happiness reside? Within.

Happiness is eternal and uninterrupted in Spirit, in the kingdom of God. When asked where the kingdom of God was, Jesus responded that it's "within you" (Luke 17:21).

Perhaps we should finish a different sentence...
I am happy because...

If at this moment you are "anything but happy" then this is the right moment to work on that statement... I am happy because... WHY?

Here are the unchanging reasons for happiness that come to my thought... I am happy because God is infinite Love, and loves me (no matter what).  Because He is all-loving and merciful, I am loving and merciful -- I forgive everyone everything, and God forgives me everything. "Be thou clean," Jesus said as he instantly healed a leper, and his words extend to us to cleanse us from any past or present sin or wrong thoughts/feelings. I am happy because I'm washed clean. I am happy because God is eternal Life and each of us lives in that Life forever (without beginning or end). I am happy because I know that everyone is all right, everyone is expressing and enjoying life now and always. I am happy because there is no real separation from God or from one another.  I am happy because God supplies me with overflowing good that is right here, right at hand, and available -- "I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1). I am happy because angels surround me all the time and because I can discern their holy and inspirational messages. I am happy to be always protected and always in the presence of the omnipresence. I am happy to reflect and express God's Love and do His will which is always good.

Are we smiling a little bit yet? Think of more ways to finish the sentence, I am happy because... It honors God to do so and lifts you up -- everyone is benefited when you are uplifted!

Turning Grief to Meaningfulness

Grief, defined as the pain of mind produced by loss, misfortune, injury or evils of any kind; sorrow; regret, comes almost involuntarily -- but we do not need to be burdened and held down by it forever.  Grief paralyzes and time goes by. The question is, what do you want to do with the time that is going by? What could you do with a right focus and energy? 

When we suffer loss, we naturally grieve, but there is a day that we need to redirect -- use the force of the grief in a turn toward forward moving accomplishment. This direction comes from unselfish motives. Thinking about helping others brings high energy -- enough to succeed. There is an incredible power that Spirit imparts when our heart is set on helping others in some way. 

This may be the day when you think on how to best use your time, and how to use it to help others. Being ready to move on does not mean you are completely over some tragic event, but it does indicate that good is actively supreme and asserting itself. Jumping over the hurdle of paralyzing grief into active good to help others will bless many. Not doing this will deprive them. 

Think about giving your consent to make this change. Think of what you could do to help others and take an action step in that direction. You will feel a peace coming to you even as you think about this.  

Ps. 107:13. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses."

Love Restores Joy

Love restores joy.

Loss is defined as a failure to keep (or to continue to have) something, but if "every good gift" is "from above" -- all originating in the one Source of Being, God, -- then in reality, nothing can ever be lost. Love can never be lost, nor can we be separated from Love.

Take a moment with this spiritual fact. Put aside the personal sense for just a little while in favor of realizing Love's presence with you right now, right where you are -- full and complete and pure. Let yourself feel the embrace of the gentle Light of Love. This Love of the universe fills all space and consciousness -- it waits only for us to be silent momentarily and listen -- and feel after it.

Love is infinite. You cannot get away from it. It cannot be lost. You are stuck with it.

Love comforts and uplifts. It makes you all right. It helps you to function in first days of grief. It replaces grief with consoling tenderness and finally, joy. The joy is in the presence of Love, and if you are worried over another who may be having difficulties, or who may have passed on, take these quiet meditative moments to consciously realize him/her in this Light of Love, this tender ever-presence -- safe. There is no place where Love is  not. It's warmth is absolutely everywhere throughout all time and through all space.

Love swallows up the black hole; the black hole does not swallow you. Jesus said, "Nothing shall by any means hurt you," and nothing shall by any means separate you from Love, Love, and more Love.

It is your job to reflect and express this Love and spread it freely through a smile, a gentle word, an unselfish deed. When you feel most down, reflect and express Love more. Lift up another and you will be lifted up yourself. Love restores joy.

Scope of Grief and What to Do

Scope of Grief and What to Do

We grieve all kinds of loss, not just death, but loss of job, career, home, family, friends, a car, a cherished possession, and so forth. Loss of harmony in a relationship or loss of a marriage is incredibly upsetting. Not only this, but everyone that has to do with the situation feels the impact.

We cannot take grieving off like we can take off a jacket and leave it at home. It seems to be stuck with us. Therefore we need to find ways to handle it, so it does not take over and overwhelm us to the point of debilitating hurt. In many cases, especially soon after an intense event, it is normal to find ourselves in tears or in a state of depression, but if we build a strong base  spiritually we can withstand and overcome that which would otherwise seem unbearable.

In the case of a death, moving away from emotional agony actually honors the individual who has passed and who more than likely desires that you will be "all right" and that you "recover." Giving your consent to function normally at right activities, to take care of yourself and others, and to move forward with purpose and joy again -- allowing for these things -- opens the way for recovery.

It was and is important for me to realize that my husband, who passed away ten years ago, desires that I live happy and full days with purpose. Would you not want this for ones you love? I was able to consent to recovery and begin to act more freely in everyday life by holding to this thought. Perhaps if you think about this in your own case, it will help you too. Emotions will run up and down during this process, but it is a stable base to accept and hold to the fact that we wish for happiness and well-being for those we love -- whether here or hereafter -- this truth remains because it is grounded in universal divine Love.

There are times it will be good to be left alone. There are times when screaming into a pillow is good therapy! There are times when forcing yourself to be still, pray, meditate, and calm yourself in silence, is the best. Try to align with the divine, with Spirit and Love, and feel after His direction, feel after His comforting.

These ideas work as well for loss of job, of reputation, of money, home, a friendship -- whatever it is that causes grief or upset.

One should not be alone altogether, however. We need opportunities to share memories and emotions, to share fears and hopes, to be with a positive supportive person -- friend or professional -- but someone who actually cares. Be careful that you confide only in those you feel you can trust and who are naturally positive -- not negative.

Support must continue for a long time. If you are supporting another who has suffered loss, remember to check with that individual over a period of months, and even years. Just the fact that you are there and accessible brings an element of Love that is healing and comforting.

Resolution Sure of Success

My New Year's Resolution is to assimilate and express the qualities of love as found in I Corinthians 13: 1-13. Reviewing the past series on the healing power of Love, including sage insights from Henry Drummond's, The Greatest Thing in the Word, equips us for this resolution. You will see Drummond's specific challenge to us in the last paragraph of this blog. Let's resolve together to take him up on it and see what happens.

Know that today Love is ready to complete its healing action within you in some particular situation of your life or condition of health. The greatest healer in the world, Christ Jesus, instructed us to ask and to believe that we receive. Ask for the endowment of Love through the Holy Spirit. Ask that it permeate consciousness and overflow from your heart. Conform your words and actions to this Love. I Corinthians explains the ingredients of Love. We have them all for the expressing!

Put your pure desires, requests, and wishes in the Father's hands and affirm that He is caring for us perfectly through His law with harmonious and wise adjustments and precise timing. Trust and be grateful. Put your burden at His feet. Gratitude and expectation open the way for healing emotionally and physically.

 This blog post concludes our series on Love's healing based on I Corinthians 13:

1Cor. 13:1 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

1Cor. 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

1Cor. 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

1Cor. 13:4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 

1Cor. 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

1Cor. 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

1Cor. 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

1Cor. 13:8 ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

1Cor. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

1Cor. 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

1Cor. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

1Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

1Cor. 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

Henry Drummond, concluding his remarks on I Corinthians 13, in his short book, The Greatest Thing in the World, challenges us to take action. He writes, "Now I have all but finished. How many of you will join me in reading this chapter once a week for the next three months? A man did that once and it changed his whole life. Will you do it? It is for the greatest thing in the world. You might begin by reading it every day, especially the verses which describe the perfect character. “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself.” Get these ingredients into your life. Then everything that you do is eternal. It is worth doing. It is worth giving time to" (21). You may want to read over the past series of blogs focusing on the healing power of Love as herein described. Commit to three months as Drummond advises, and see if you do not have more joy, health, and peace in this new year! This is a resolution sure of success!

Drummond, Henry (2011-01-01). The Greatest Thing in the World, Experience the Enduring Power of Love (p. 21). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.