July E-Blast

ken

Miracles Flowing in Reverse

by Rev.Ken

The Spiritual Teaching which I study doesn't believe in either guilt or damnation.

While this belief is effective in helping people live fulfilling and meaningful lives, it is hell when it comes to fundraising - if you will pardon the pun.

The early Church, along with most organized religions, quickly figured this out. A couple of years ago I was touring Italy and went through one of the earliest Churches. The artwork showed Jesus as a kindly Shepherd with the sheep naturally being attracted to His goodness. When we toured Saint Mark's in Venice (which was built a couple of hundred years in the development of the Church) the comforting pastoral scenes are replaced with pictures of Hell.

Now here's a funny idea - we like the idea of Hell. Kennedy Shultz, my teacher, said that we had to invent Hell so we'd have a place to send our relatives. He also said that early on in our personal Spiritual growth we would give up on the idea of a supportive and loving God, but would hang on like the devil to an idea of a punishing and wrathful God.

In our teaching, we believe in an eternal Soul. So I happen to think that if our Soul continues then the punishment which comes our way has to be that which we endure by witnessing our love ones continuing on with their lives hindered by our poor examples, or the pain we've inflicted on them.

Now if this is the case then when we forgive those in our past who have injured us then we are freeing them from their pain - healing flowing in reverse.

One of the last things that Jesus did in his ministry was to ask God to forgive those that had just crucified him.

Dr. Shultz said that he had to ask God because he was too angry at them to do it himself, but that he knew he had to forgive in order for his sacrifice to have meaning.

There have been many people in my life that I have hung onto as an excuse for the sorry state of my life. Some are still here in the physical world while others have gone on. But today, I'm going to make a promise to myself to think of them in the kindest ways possible.

It will be a healing for me, and I have to think, one for them as well.

Petula Clark -- Downtown

Petula Clark - Downtown

Greetings!

Join us this Sunday for Rev Ken's talk, Dare to Pray Effectively.

To hear Ken's talk from last week, click here: Stay Calm and Carry On

Members Meeting Sunday, July 22nd 11:45 AM

To update members on our programs, successes and challenges.

You can help us with our social media campaign by liking us on Facebook and forwarding this

E-blast to your friends. To help us out, just click the two buttons below.

Affirmative Prayer Circle

Call 638-3085 to join our Affirmative Prayer Circle each Thursday, at 7:00 pm.

Here's how it works: At 7:00 PM (EST) call our conference number 638-3085 and press 9 to join the other callers. Each week a practitioner will be on line to do a treatment for every person that calls in. As you hear each treatment, join in consciousness seeing that person demonstrating their good.

Affirmative Prayer is a powerful tool to change your life. Prove it to yourself by calling 638-3085 this Thursday.

Announcements

Next Newcomers Class September 9th.

A Course in Miracles Study Group

Meets every Thursday from 7:15 -8:15 pm. Study and discussion group using the textbook and the lessons. All are welcome! No Cost.

Successful Living Workshops

Starting August 12th after Sunday services

SUCCESSFUL LIVING -A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Sunday, Aug. 12th 2012

Presented by: Rev. Jim Starke and Mary Kearney

Gain a new perspective of YOU and your whole world can change before your eyes. This workshop will reveal definite steps you can take to attract a new idea of you into your life.

Right Work & How to Get It

Sunday, Aug. 19th

Presented by: Jim Soll and Richard Austin
We can create a work life that is spiritually uplifting, financially abundant and totally rewarding for ourselves, our communities and the world. If you want to learn how, you'll want to attend this workshop.

Self Discovery

Join Rev. Ken for a seven week class on Self Discovery. In this class we will cover some of the greatest authors in the New Thought movement. The cost is $15.00 per class. All materials are supplied.

This week's book:

Creative Mind and Success by Ernest Holmes

Kids Corner

Youth Class

Our Youth Program now offers two groups for the youth: 5-10 years and 11-16 years.

The weekly lessons offer the same spiritual theme presented in an age-appropriate manner.

Theme: It's Okay To Be Okay

Affirmation: "I am a perfect creation of God. All that I do is perfect in God's eyes."

Thoughts For The Week

A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer.
Doris Lessing

An authentic life is the most personal form of worship. Everyday life has become my prayer.
Sarah Ban Breathnach

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
Corrie Ten Boom

Anything large enough for a wish to light upon, is large enough to hang a prayer upon.
George MacDonald

Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts.
Alan Cohen

Gratitude by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Interesting Things to Do

Summer Movies

Summer Movie matinees every Wednesday through August 29th at 1:00 PM. Bring a bag lunch and come early (around 12:00) and meet friends before the film. Love donation.

This week's movie: The Milagro Beanfield War -- this film was directed by Robert Redford & is a delight.

If you can't find time to pray or meditate, at least find time to Laugh!

Lucy's grape fight

You Can Make a Difference

Each week the Center for Spiritual Living St. Augustine makes a contribution to a group that is making a difference in the world.

This month our contribution is going to Kiva. Kiva is an international organization who makes micro-loans to people in developing nations who are trying to create businesses to support themselves.

Our teens will pick the person through Kiva who would receive our contribution. In addition to sending them funds, our teens also do treatment for this person's success.

Our youth will share with us at the end of service each week who they have picked for our contribution.

This week our contribution went to Simisi.

Simisi, is the president of the business group Faida. A highly experienced entrepreneur, she is a married mother of 4 young children and has numerous grandchildren. Simisi is a seller of shoes. She started her business with a loan from IMF Hekima. She just completed 19 cycles in Hekima's microloan program. This new loan will help her to stock up with 40 pairs of shoes. The earnings of her micro business will compensate for miscellaneous needs (school, medical care, food, clothing, etc.) of her family. Thus, she thanks Hekima for its support and help in making women in small business independent.