 |
Choose this day whom you will serve...
| |
|
|
|
|
Join/Donate
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
| |
One of the first biblical "symbols" that Truth students learn is that the number 40 generally represents something that "takes as long as it takes". When we read that something lasted 40 days, and we know that is not literal, but that it symbolizes a processes which takes as long as it takes. The great Flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights, the Jews wandered in the desert for 40 years, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness at the start of his ministry. Easter Sunday represents the ending of Lent, which is 40 days.
I mention this because - for the first time - I allowed my own Lenten journey this year to "take as long as it takes", and have only recently completed my own journey which (according to the calendar) should have ended at the end of March. One of the concepts covered in our text, "Keep a True Lent" is that of sacrifice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We tend to bristle at the thought of sacrifice, and yet, it seems to be an unavoidable part of our spiritual journey. One of the things I frequently find helpful when I encounter "difficult" concepts is to simply look the word up in the dictionary. According to Dictionary.com, the word has its origin in Latin words meaning "to make holy".
Isn't this what we have been aiming at all along? It sounds a bit scary to say that our goal is to arrive at the point in the unfolding of our consciousness that we choose to sacrifice ALL, but somehow that sacrifice seems a bit more palatable if we realizing that we are choosing to make EVERYTHING holy.
This requires that we stand tall in our awareness of spiritual Truth and claim our willingness to release anything which is not True. Through our willingness, we even allow those thoughts and things which would seem to betray us to be transformed into holy and sacred instruments of the Divine. Judas betrayed Jesus. Judas did not understand. And... Judas did something that was very difficult, very painful, and very necessary in service to the unfolding of the greater Good of All.
When we come into a newer, higher level of spiritual awareness, we must choose. "Choose this day whom you will serve... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, NRSV) When we come into higher awareness, we begin to see more and more clearly that our spiritual Life is not separate from our human life, and we must be willing to make choices which reflect that awareness. Fillmore's affirmation for this day is:"Old error thoughts are passed away. I am a new creature in Christ."
Rev. Ed Townley, in this year's companion Lenten booklet re-states this:
"We surrender the error thoughts that do not conform to our new spiritual awareness and allow them to pass away. We are new spiritual beings, centered in and expressive of the Christ Presence within us."
I must be willing to give up being "right" if being right means that I am fostering enmity in my heart for another. I must be willing to face my fears and overcome them, instead of numbing myself through the use of addictive, habitual behaviors. I must be willing to release everything in my life which is unlike the Truth I Am.
At some point we must sacrifice - make holy - every aspect of our human selves through transformation or release. We realize we can no longer participate in things like listening to hurtful jokes or gossip, arguing over politics, or joining in the chorus of "poor us" which pervades the collective human consciousness. We must surrender the error thoughts that do not align with this new spiritual awareness and allow them to pass away. We must be willing to walk through the great discomfort that this choice will likely bring. Only then can we truly stand in our True Spiritual Identity. Only then can we really do that which we have come here to do and only then can we really be that which we have come here to be. My prayer is that we are each willing to make everything holy, and claim the following for ourselves:
"I surrender the error thoughts that do not conform to my new spiritual awareness and allow them to pass away. I stand tall in my True Spiritual Identity, centered in and expressive of the Christ Presence I Am."
Namaskar (which means, the Divine in me recognizes the Divine in You)
********************
Ongoing Classes:
The Inner Core
Wednesdays, through June 5
10:30am - 12:30pm
Facilitator: Barb McLawhorn, LUT Cand.
This class will focus on the experience of spiritual practice in some of its many forms and possibilities. While there will certainly be some discussion, this is planned to be primarily an experiential opportunity. There are many mystical Christian practices available to us; the optimal spiritual practice is the one which calls you to actually practice on a regular basis, deepening your awareness of Oneness. Books available at class.
Myrtle & Chas. Fillmore's Teachings on Health and Wholeness
Saturdays, through - June 15
10:00am - 12:00pm
Facilitator: Rev. Nita Strauss
Unity was founded upon Myrtle Fillmore's experience of healing through prayer. Told all of her life that she would die of the same tubercular illness that claimed the lives of many of her relatives, she lived much of her life battling illness. At the point that she was told she probably had 6 months to live, she discovered Truth, and had the insight that, "as a child of God, I cannot inherit sickness." After her healing, Charles was motivated to study and learn what it was that had actually allowed her to heal.
********************
Outreach for June:
Temwani, Ice Cream Social Fundraiser
Ju
ne 23rd, 2013, 11:30am
Build your own ice cream sundaes along with alternative frozen treats! Bonus: Buy a raffle ticket for some great prizes! Everybody who buys a ticket will receive a "Mystery Grab Bag" prize
Our Outreach Committee is pleased to announce The Temwani Children's Foundation as our recipient during the month of June. This foundation is one of the major funders of the PaKachele School in Zambia. Temwani means "Love", and the Temwani Children's Foundation seeks to support projects that raise the standard of living and well being of orphaned children and communities impoverished by the effects of HIV/AIDS in Lusaka, Zambia in Africa.
In May of 2010, the Temwani Children's Foundation was chosen as the beneficiary of Unity Church of Peace's monthly outreach giving program, and a fall potluck was held to support the feeding program at the PaKachele Primary School. We have also participated in a wonderful prayer exchange with the school. We took pictures of people in the church who wanted to participate and sent them over to Africa and the school sent over pictures of the ones who would join in with this powerful connection. The idea was to pray for the person whose picture you received, knowing that thousands of miles away, you were being looked at and prayed for as well. Since 2010, Unity Church has raised over $1,645 through their outreach giving program and a World Food Day Potluck. 90% of all donations to the organization goes directly into funding their projects in Lusaka. The work of Temwani goes beyond their funding of the school.
Child care and Sunday School is always available for kids
Our Sunday School teachers look forward to sharing Unity principles with your children aged 4-12. If you've got questions, please speak to our YOU teachers: Cindy Cawthorne, LUT, Barbara Richman, LUT, Judyth Willis, and Sunni Adams. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well.
|
|
|
|
|
