James Dillet Freeman  

Because we live in the human experience, no matter how much work we've done, there will be times when troubles loom, that we get caught in the world of appearances. We will know it pretty quickly because of the unfamiliar feeling of our own suffering.

There is only one answer to the difficult problems in life and that is turning within to God. In other words, in times of need, our greatest comfort and the answer to our dilemma will come from our ability to realign ourselves with the Creator of All Good, God. We realign ourselves without knowing the resolution to our dilemma. This action takes great trust and faith, but each time we do it, and our prayer is answered in some miraculous way, our faith and trust is deepened. We have confirmation that we are right on track, that indeed God will see us through no matter the difficulty.

As a result, our love and devotion to God grows mightily. It is confirmed--yes, this is a loving universe. Yes, I am the Beloved. Yes, if I trust in God and have faith, my prayers will be answered and my needs will be met. I feel and sense beyond a shadow of a doubt how much I am loved. I can see the light and feel God at work in and through me.

As I practice living in faith and trust, the times between my lapse into fear and my return to conscious living grow shorter. I'm grateful for my own awareness because there is so much less pain and suffering in the awakened state. In appreciation and gratitude for that knowing, I willingly surrender even more into my own grace and glory, and I am set free.

Our affirmation for the day: Peace is my name and nature. I am love in action.

In peace and love,

Rev. Karen Wylie

Concert under the Stars and Silent Auction

This is going to be a great event! We have some exciting things up for bid in our Silent Auction. In addition to yummy appetizers and refreshments (no host bar) and exciting opportunities to make some "good buys," you will delight in the wonderful music provided on the Shangri-la Terrace by Cardinali & Company. Buy a ticket now for our "Concert under the Stars" event which is coming up this Sunday, July 22, at The Ojai Retreat, 5:30 pm to 8:30. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door and can be purchased online at www.solsc.org or in person at the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center, Contempo Hair Salon, or Soul Centered, a metaphysical shoppe, all located here in Ojai.

Our July Lunch Bunch and Play

Join us on Sunday, July 29, as we head to Santa Paula for the play, "Elephant's Graveyard," featuring our own Robert MacNeal who plays Mr. Clown. The play is at 4:00 pm at the Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 South 7th Street (on the corner of 7th and Main). The tickets are $18 for adults; students and seniors, $15; children, $12. We will meet at the Women's Center at 3:00 and carpool from there to Santa Paula. Prior to that, at 12:30 pm right after church, we will have our lunch bunch celebration on the patio of the newly remodeled Sea Fresh Restaurant.

Spiritual Cinema Night

Our Ojai community's free monthly Spiritual Cinema Night, sponsored by the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center in collaboration with Casa de La Luna Retreat, will take place this month on Friday, July 27, at Casa de La Luna. This month's screening will feature Defending Your Life, a philosophical romantic comedy written, directed and starring Albert Brooks as an advertising executive (Daniel) who gets killed by a bus moments after taking possession of a brand new BMW. Daniel finds himself in "Judgment City," where he and his after-life "attorney" (Rip Torn) must defend Daniel's life choices and make the case that Daniel faced his fears and learned from his experiences--which seems doubtful--in order to advance to life in a better world. While worrying over his defense, Daniel falls in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), who has lived masterfully and appears certain to advance, while Daniel will be sent back to Earth for another try.

There is a lively discussion after the movie. Doors open at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7:00 pm. Although the event is free, donations are gratefully accepted and go to Casa de La Luna Retreat, whose state-of-the-art multimedia studio is ideally suited to these and other gatherings. Casa de La Luna Retreat is located at 710 S. La Luna Avenue, in Ojai (between Baldwin Road and W. Lomita Avenue). There is parking on the property.

Volunteer of the Month for July

We express our deep love and gratitude for our Volunteer of the Month, Donna Elam, who is continuing her amazing service to the Symphony of Life as one of the Team Leaders for our upcoming "Concert under the Stars" evening at The Ojai Retreat. We are so grateful for Donna's sacred "yes." She serves our spiritual community in so many ways. She is pictured below with Rev. Karen.

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