Dear Friends,

The Star of Bethlehem

“The star in nativity scenes represents the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas star or the Star of the East. According to the biblical account in the Gospel of Matthew, the star served as a celestial sign that guided the three wise men, or Magi, to the birthplace of Jesus.“ (Wikipedia)

“The three Kings represent the souls who have risen above their lower natures and found what is truly important when familiar ways no longer exist.” (Flower Newhouse, The Sacred Heart of Christmas)

“We all want something more. Advent asks the question, what is it for which you are spending your life? What is the star you are following now? And where is that star in its present radiance in your life leading you? Is it a place that is really comprehensive enough to equal the breadth of the human soul?“—from The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister (Thomas Nelson)

Have you ever looked up at the stars on a clear night and just marvel by the magnificence of them? I have seen them on the desert and in areas away from the city and it is almost unreal how beautiful they are. I was in awe of the magnitude of stars and felt so close to the Divine.

Can you imagine the shepherds and the wise men looking up into the sky and seeing the radiance of this one huge star? The scene of the shepherds watching their flock by night and then seeing the star and being guided to the Christ child, as were the wise men, is a beautiful story. They all found a precious gift, a baby with pure potential, pure love, pure innocence and pure hope for the future of all mankind. They found a new way of life, a new consciousness.

In past centuries, the North Star helped men at sea and people traveling great distances. Following a star today can also mean finding your purpose, your calling, your joy in life! Do you see a brilliant star in your life today? Are you following that radiant star? I know people who are absolutely filled with LIFE and PURPOSE and are following their Divine Star within.

Christmas is a wonderful time to pause, reflect about your life, where you are, where you have been and where you would like to go. We are forever evolving and not meant to stay in the same mind set. As we rise in Consciousness, our purposes evolve. Sometimes we are pushed by the Divine and/or pulled by a Vision, a Force Greater than ourselves. The wise men and shepherds were seeking the CHRIST. Ultimately WE are seeking CHIRST CONSCIOUSNESS. We are continually meant to rise above human consciousness to the purity of love for all in everything we do, at work, play, with family, friends and strangers.

The wise men and shepherds found their GUILDING LIGHT, their personal STAR and followed it. Find your GUIDING LIGHT today, your personal STAR by looking WITHIN. Your Christ Consciousness is guiding you, and your new life is evolving today.

Following Our Star,

Abigail and Steve

Co- Ministers of the All Faith Center

December 10, 2024

Dear Friends,

“Through research from the HeartMath Institute, Dr. Joe Dispenza says,”The act of giving activates heart-brain coherence, aligns you with the frequency of abundance, and opens the door to miracles. Generosity is a gateway to transformation, and every act of giving brings you closer to your highest self.” (TCCHE)

I saw in our local newspaper the TOYS for TOTS annual event was happening at a Walmart near us. I thought what a wonderful opportunity to take our granddaughter to buy some toys and help other children have a toy or toys for Christmas. Peyton shares her own toys well with other children, so I thought this would be fun and a great learning opportunity to GIVE to others less fortunate. Her mom started preparing her a few days before I took her to the store, however Peyton didn’t want anything to do with it. She couldn’t quite understand why we would be going in to buy toys NOT FOR HER. The past few months she has gotten caught up in toys and costumes for Halloween and now Santa coming to bring toys. she thinks every time an Amazon delivery comes, it is for her. Her parents are actively helping her realize not all gifts are hers and have asked the “Grandmas’ to not bring over gifts every time we come over. We have faithfully done just that. So the day arrived and I took Peyton to Walmart. We walked up and down the toy aisle several times. I kept asking her which toy she thought a little girl or boy would like. At first she kept saying NO. Then we talked about KINDNESS and GIVING. I said GIVING is like a circle. When you are kind and give to others, kindness and givingness comes back to you. We finally decided on a firetruck for a boy and a doll in a bathtub for a girl. She was quiet as we paid and left the store.

I saw the Marine in charge of the Toys for Tots Day and asked him to come over. We talked and I explained my granddaughter and I wanted to give toys to a boy and girl. He was so sweet and talked with Peyton and thanked her for doing this kindness. She and the Marine put the toys in the box. I gave a check as well told Peyton I was giving too. We left and spent the rest of the day at our house with PopPop. Later when I took her home, she got a new lunchbox in the mail, one she had been waiting for. I told my daughter Tammy what I said at the store, and asked her to help reinforce the Kindness circle. Peyton GAVE and she RECEIVED. Tammy was thrilled to do so.

We all love to give to our families and I ask you to remember to give to others less fortunate, by check, on line or with toys. Make it a great learning experience for your children and/or grandchildren

Giving with Love and Kindness,

Abigail and Steve

Happy December! I love this beautiful month and season! We have our Christmas lights up, tree ornaments on, and house decorated.I sit in my meditation chair loving the lights from our Christmas tree shinning in the darkness. It is warm and sacred.

The idea of LIGHT warming our hearts and lighting our way is a golden thread though many faith traditions. “In the beginning God said, “Let there be LIGHT, which was the beginning of life. We often say, GOD is the LIGHT of the World! Hebrew scriptures say, ” Yahweh is my LIGHT and my salvation.” (Psalm 27). Christians say “God is LIGHT and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1.5). Muslims say, “Allah is the LIGHT of the heavens and the earth.” (Sura 24.35).”                    (K.K. Yeo: Kenneth L. Vaux)

“Many religious holidays celebrate LIGHT as spiritual hope. Hanukkah celebrates the hope that the Jewish people derived from the ancient “Miracle of Lights.” where there was only enough oil for one candle and yet it lasted 7 days.                                        Christians decorate with LIGHTS to symbolize Jesus the Christ as the LIGHT of the world.                                                                                                                                During Islam Ramadan, the Fanoos is a lantern used to LIGHT up homes, mosques, and streets.                                                                                                                        Hindus celebrate Diwali, the Festival of LIGHTS.”                                                        (Interfaith exploration of Light representation in the celebration practice and interpretation of religion))

“LIGHT has been symbolic for purity, goodness, illumination, enlightenment, Divine Wisdom,, presence of the Divine, Awakening, of consciousness and embodiment of Truth. Hinduism: LIGHT represents enlightenment and self-realization. JYOTI or inner LIGHT refers to the divine spark within every individual. Buddhism: LIGHT symbolizes wisdom and awakening of consciousness. Cultivating mindfulness and meditation, individuals can illuminate their minds and gain insight into the nature of reality.”  Unlocking the Spiritual Meaning of Light)

What does LIGHT mean for us? Embracing the light within ourselves enables us to shine brightly in the world and make a positive impact on others. We take the time to be kind to others, be a beacon of joy, hope, love and compassion. We realize the LIGHT within us is GOD living LIFE through us and we see GOD as LIGHT within ALL people.

In the beginning GOD! That is our ancestral heritage, our ancient wisdom, our LIGHT, our ONENESS, our very ESSENCE.

Be a LIGHT Unto the World,                                                                                           Abigail and Steve

November 26, 2024

Dear Friends,

We are all looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday. Giving THANKS is an everyday expression of love for us. Last Saturday we were ‘Grammie and Pop Pop sitting” for our little 4 year old granddaughter Peyton.

Before lunch I asked her if she would like to sit in the dinning room. We had some Thanksgiving table decorations and simple Thanksgiving napkins and plates just to make it festive. She loves to eat in our dinning room and said ‘Yes.’ She also wanted to bring in a favorite toy gorilla to sit with us and we did. As we were about to begin I said, “Let’s say Grace.” I began with a simple “Thank you God for our food.” Peyton said it and then we all said it together. I then said, “Thank you God for our sweet Peyton.” She beamed a big smile and immediately said, “Thank you God for Grammie and Pop Pop! Thank you God for Buns!” That is the name of the gorilla in the room. The name itself is another story 🙂 Soon we began a Thank you to other people and things. It was the sweetest and simplest expression of gratitude with a young child.

Later we danced with stuffed animals and a life size doll to Aria’s CD singing “I am so grateful, and I live in a world of abundance with a heart full of love….”

Being Grateful is an expression of Love and Joy and can be experienced and expressed through words, prayers, song and dance. The three of us were laughing and happy in our gratitude expressions. Love filled the room.

“We are creating heaven on earth by Living in Heart Centered Gratitude.”                       by Patricia Wagner

At your Thanksgiving Table this year go around and express love and gratitude for each person and then expand it to others you know including those who are sandpaper to your soul. LOVE is all there is because God is all there is. Let us express that not only on Thanksgiving Day, but everyday of the year.

PRAY SING DANCE!

Blessings, Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

My prayer partner, Rev. Dr. Kathleen Johnson and I decided to pray and visualize a gigantic TSUNAMI WAVE of LOVE and LIGHT surrounding our planet earth and moving in and through all people everywhere.

We Declare and Affirm:

The Giant God Force, Tsunami of LOVE and LIGHT flows and moves rapidly in and through the planet and all its people, leaders, political and otherwise. LOVE IS THE ONLY POWER that overcomes fear. LOVE and LIGHT Now Demonstrates over and over with visible evidence! Consciousness is Transformed! We see the Divine Result happening in Great and Wonderful Waves and Ways.

We invite you to join us in this experiment of LOVE and LIGHT.

• See this Tsunami Wave whooshing into and through all beings.
• See the earth people pulsating with goodness and LOVE.
• See the politicians being consumed by LOVE and LIGHT forging ITS way into their decision making process.
• SEE our U.S. leaders, politicians and incoming administration motivated to do and be the highest and best for our country.
• SEE LOVE make a stand, make a demonstration for good, and manifest in situations where LOVE and LIGHT are Heard, Felt and Acted upon for the good of all.

Demonstrations                                                                                                            On my walk one morning I said hello to a man walking his dog. Normally it is just a hello or a wave. This morning the man (who I have never seen before) said, “Have a Blessed Day.” I told him to have a blessed day as well. I felt really good after that encounter. I know blessings just went around the world.

I AM A TSUNAMI OF LOVE

Abigail and Steve

Co- Ministers of the All Faith Center

Dear Friends,

The FEAR

This past election was very difficult for me. I did not vote for Trump and I know those of you who did believed in his philosophy and decided he was the best candidate. I voted for Harris because I believed in her philosophy, policies and that she was the best candidate.  The truth is I went through all kinds of feelings, anger, hurt, confusion as to why Trump won, and then worry and fear set in. Why was I fearful? I was worried he would really follow the paths of Putin and Hitler. I was worried about our immigrants and refugees, our Jewish and Muslim friends, our Black and Brown friends (now being tormented by those wanting to return to slavery) and a possible implementation of

“Project 2025.” Which “opposes abortion and women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants’ rights, and racial equity.” And calls for abolishing the teaching of “‘critical race theory’ and ‘gender ideology’” in public schools, and “deleting” terms such as “diversity, equity and inclusion,” “gender equity,” and “reproductive health” from “every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant … and piece of legislation that exists.” (www.factcheck.org)

The FAITH

And then I read a beautiful story of FAITH in the book, Works of Heart, written by ministers and practitioners from the Affiliated New Thought Network. One of my friends, Rev. Janine Burns wrote a beautiful story about faith. In a nutshell, Janine is a certified captain and has her own boat in Long Island, N.Y. She was at a Music Festival on the water front along with 1700 boats. While watching the festival, a couple other boats came along side and tied up to her boat. The boaters came aboard and Janine was concerned the number of people would be too heavy for her boat. One lady on board called out, “There is water in the cabin!” Janine immediately told everyone to return to their own boats. She saw 5 inches of water coming in and rising.  She said, “I immediately called out my faith to COATI (Creator of All That is), her word for God. Please get us out of this mess. There is only Divine Order and Divine Right Action taking place on my boat right now!” She said, “The next thing I saw, in the midst of all these anchored boats, was a waste-water pump boat heading in my direction. I was amazed! It just happened to be driving toward my boat. He pumped water out of my boat and I could then head back to shore. On that day I realized FAITH is a Super Power. We have choice. We trust the highest and best will unfold. It doesn’t mean challenges won’t happen, however it does not mean all is lost.”

After reading Janine’s story, my FAITH was restored again. I truly believe what we think about we bring about in our lives. God showed up in Janine’s experience, as the waste-water pump boat, as an answer to her prayer, I know Divine Good/God is always showing up and guiding our country. God as Love is the Source of our good and we can rely only on IT, God, Spirit, COATI, however you wish to call our Creator of Life.

The FEED

I heard Jimmer Bolden at The Unity Center sing “Love Wins.” Let us FEED our FAITH with loving kindness and pour it out into the world. Everyone is a child of God. Everyone has been created from the Divine Source. God as LOVE will always Win! Let us FEED our hearts with LOVE and prayers for our country’s leaders to promote loving kindness, respect for all, and to continue the freedom in our beautiful democracy! Every thought is a prayer so let us keep our thought prayers going for equality, equity, human rights and the strength for all our leaders to uphold life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and justice for all.

There is only Divine Order and Divine Right Action taking  place!

I AM LOVE FAITHFULLY BELIEVING                                                                              Abigail and Steve  Co- Ministers of the All Faith Center

Dear Friends,

Halloween is just around the corner, and here is its origins.

“Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered.

After the harvest work was complete, celebrants joined with Druid priests to light a community fire using a wheel that would cause friction and spark flames. The wheel was considered a representation of the sun and used along with prayers. Participants took a flame from the communal bonfire back to their home to relight the hearth.

Early texts present Samhain as a mandatory celebration lasting three days and three nights where the community was required to show themselves to local kings or chieftains.

Because the Celts believed that the barrier between worlds was breachable during Samhain, they prepared offerings that were left outside villages and fields for fairies, or Sidhs (supernatural beings).

As Christianity gained a foothold in pagan communities, church leaders attempted to reframe Samhain as a Christian celebration. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory moved the celebration back to the time of the fire festivals, but declared it All Saints’ Day, on November 1. All Souls’ Day would follow on November 2.

Neither new holiday did away with the pagan aspects of the celebration. October 31 became known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, and contained much of the traditional pagan practices before being adopted in 19th-century America through Irish immigrants bringing their traditions across the ocean.

Trick-or-treating is said to have been derived from ancient Irish and Scottish practices in the nights leading up to Samhain. In Ireland, mumming was the practice of putting on costumes, going door-to-door and singing songs to the dead. Cakes were given as payment.

Halloween pranks also have a tradition in Samhain, though in the ancient celebration, tricks were typically blamed on fairies.

A broad revival of Samhain resembling its traditional pagan form began in the 1980s with the growing popularity of Wicca.

Wicca celebration of Samhain takes on many forms, from the traditional fire ceremonies to celebrations that embrace many aspects of modern Halloween, as well as activities related to honoring nature or ancestors.

Wiccans look at Samhain as the passing of the year, and incorporate common Wiccan traditions into the celebration.

In the Druid tradition, Samhain celebrates the dead with a festival on October 31 and usually features a bonfire and communion with the dead. American pagans often hold music and dance celebrations called Witches’ Balls in proximity to Samhain.”

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain

Blessings, Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

We are in the beautiful season of Fall. Leaves change color and we see the splendor and Glory of God in the beautiful trees. Children are anxiously waiting for Halloween when they can wear their favorite costumes and trick or treat for candy and little toys. We are looking forward to decorating our car with Halloween “trunk and treat” items and handing out candy at our two granddaughters’ school.

I believe the key words here are “looking forward to…“Every season brings a change on earth and in our lives. We realize our lives have seasons too, that bring about change. We can either go with the flow and look forward to it, knowing God is still in charge, or we can stomp our foot and try to hold back the winds of time, change a sad event, wish our interview went better, or be bitter when someone else receives praise or promotion. The Universe’s intention is never to hurt, only to heal and move us forward onwards and upwards.

Change isn’t always sad. Change can come when you least expect it, a kind word from a stranger, a monetary gift in the mail, a ‘coincidental’ meeting with someone who will change your life forever! Whatever changes are happening in your life, remember they are necessary for your growth spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.

Look forward to each day and the joys, surprises and unexpected good it will bring. Know with every challenge there comes a gift; a gift of knowledge, patience, new direction and greater good.

Enjoy the seasonal and life changes. KNOW they are for your highest and best. For in our eternal evolution, Spirit always has us moving forward (not backward) to BE the Great God Being our Creator intended us to be.

Looking forward to the seasons and the changes….

Abigail and Steve

Co- Ministers of the All Faith Center

Dear Friends,

God! You Look Great!

Rev. Steve gave a great presentation at the ANTN Conference last week. He said, “ My hope is to leave you with a desire to look in any mirror & recognize the magnificent Soul of God within you by saying to the image in the mirror, “God! You Look Great!”                I see it Do you?”

“Infancy/childhood/adulthood our Soul has evolved us through our life times of happiness & times of struggle. Ever changed jobs? Ever changed partners? This is all part of our Soul’s evolution which moves us from one lifetime into the next. My question is, with all the evolving you have done, why would you think your evolution might stop when you die?”

Steve had a dream where his Soul, was showing him he had been here before in a past incarnation doing this work with the leaders of New Thought in the 1800’s! The past incarnation had set him up to evolve into New Thought.  His Soul brought that experience with him into this lifetime!

WHY are you interested in what you do? You came in with talents, skills and abilities to be and have a purposeful life. One of our favorite musicians, singer, and writer is Daniel Nahmod. His parents were both lawyers and yet his heartfelt desire was to create and sing music. THIS is definitely a SOUL CHOICE.

We cannot be what others want us to be. We are here to decide for ourselves by listening to our God Soul, Spirit. That is how we change and evolve in all areas of life. Steve asked the question, “What do you want to evolve into? Is your Soul ready to start now?” His acronym for the talk was ECHO.

ECHO

“E = Evolve Into The Future You Want – Design It Today;                                            James:4:2. “You have not because you ask not”

C = Claim Your Future Good NOW – You are God in human form. Your God word is your God power.

H = Have Patience! – It May Take a Day or a Lifetime.

O = Open to God’s Good – “This or Something Better”                                                 Luke:17.21 – “The Kingdom of God is Within You.”

Why Settle for Average? God offers our Soul the best and is literally with us, in us, as us every step of the way. What do you want?” God Mind hears and responds.

“ECHO = What we send out, comes back to us”

“I declare, your Soul is ready for you to dive in & accept God’s greatest gifts.             Plan Well and Claim Your Evolution!   NAMASTE!”

Ever Evolving,                                                                                                                   Abigail and Steve

Both books are available on AMAZON