September 3,2024

Dear Friends,

We have the great joy of making memories with our sweet granddaughters. Just recently I was with Bailey helping out while my daughter Tammy was working from home. We were playing on the floor with magnetic building blocks. I was just as fascinated as she was as they held together in a variety of ways. She loved looking into a mirror and seeing the “other baby.” We played patty cake and laughed. The next day our other granddaughter, Peyton, was at our house and again we were immersed in play. We played toss the ball while she was on the trampoline, hide and seek, then drawing people on a white board. After actively playing with us she was in her own imaginative world. She loves the animals and little people, little cars and creates stories as she has each one talking to the other. She loves to go into Steve’s office pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone (?) while she walks on the treadmill. We crack up when she calls Steve ‘Sir’, or says to me “What’s going on with you?”

One of the funniest things she did was notice I had post it notes in my office and she wanted some. I gave her a small pack and she wrote her name on each one and began sticking them everywhere ( on desks, photos, walls, books etc.).

The funniest thing was when I found a sticky note on the lid of the toilet seat in our guest bathroom the next day.

Why am I sharing these precious moments with you? Because there are times we just need to get on the floor and PLAY. If you have young grandchildren that is a given. If you don’t, play is till important for adults. We need time in the day to just let everything go and allow our imagination to take over. Give your mind a break. Take a meditative moment to imagine yourself at a place of JOY, a beach, a mountain top, a walk in the woods. And/or go for a walk, go to the beach, take a day trip to somewhere you love. We all need to unplug from our daily lives, our computers, our phones, the newspaper and TV news.

What if we woke up everyday with a sense of JOY and decide to find something fun to do or to see. What makes work fun? When I am at my computer I play music because it brings me joy while I work. When I walk I talk to the trees and bushes and stop for a moment by them, and watch the leaves flutter. I like to think that is their way of responding to me. We can make anything happier, more joyful just by our attitude and gratitude.

Today find ways to laugh, play and find joy in each moment. Do something funny. Put a sticker on your toilet lid. Every time you lift it up, I guarantee you will laugh!

Take time to PLAY,                                                                                                               Abigail and Steve

My friend Rev. Michelle Ingalls sent me this quote by Father Thomas Keating. Such a beautiful truth stated by a beautiful and wise man. Let us keep that in mind when we meet people of different cultures, ethnicities, and gender preferences.

GOD loves us all. Who are we not to love one another. Remember this idea during this election year. Which candidate lifts people up, not tear them down? Which one is for ALL the people, not just a few rich ones. Which candidate is willing to take away a woman’s rights, the LGTBQ rights, or the elderly’s pension and social security? Read the 2025 Heritage Report and see how our freedoms will gradually be taken away with one of the candidates.

Our FREEDOM is on the line here. I am not willing to live under an authoritarian government when democracy is the heart beat of our country and our Founders vision.

We just watched the movie “American President,” and found it delightful as always. I love the quote, “Look to the CONTENT of His/Her CHARACTER, as a guide for choosing the right President.

Love one another, serve one another, be kind to one another, lift people up with your words and actions, and make ALL people your friends. Judge with Righteous Judgement.

‘MY PRAYER FOR MY COUNTRY’                                                                                by Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science

“Believing in the Divine destiny of the United States of America and in the preservation of liberty, security, and self-expression, I offer this, my prayer for my country:

I know that Divine Intelligence governs the destiny of the United States of America, directing the thought and the activity of all who guide its affairs.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are the gifts of freedom, and are the Divine heritage of everyone in this country.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are now operating in the affairs of every individual in this country.

I know that Divine guidance enlightens the collective mind of the people of this country, causing it to know that economic security may come to all without the loss of either personal freedom or individual self-expression.

I know that no one can believe or be led to believe that freedom must be surrendered in order to insure economic security for all.

The All-Knowing Mind of God contains the answer to every problem which confronts    this country.

I know that every leader in this country is now directed to this All-Knowing Mind and has the knowledge of a complete solution to every problem, and each is compelled to act upon this knowledge to the end that abundance, security, and peace shall come to all.

And I know that this spiritual democracy shall endure, guaranteeing to everyone in this country personal liberty, happiness, and self-expression.

And so it is. Amen.”

Dear Friends,

We have just completed our 8th annual Interfaith Awareness Week. Thank you  Rev. Dr. Steve Albert for coordinating this fabulous event with speakers and participants from all over the world (Nigeria, Bosnia, Austria, Spain, Katar, India, England, USA and more.)

We are so grateful to each and every one of you who contributed your time, expertise and insight. We also thank those who got on the website links to listen and participate in these presentations as well. All presenters not only focused on projects, purposes and visions, they all shared the belief that we are ONE HUMAN FAMILY, ONE WORLD, and each life matters and is valued. Everyone saw the Divinity in each other and that we are all expressions of God. Another recurring idea was what happens in one part of the world, affects the whole world. We are all so interconnected. We do not live in a isolated separated world. We may not experience happenings in another part of the world, however we feel the consciousness and the affects in our bodies and minds. We bless zoom, which allowed us to see and talk to people in many countries. New friendships and connections were formed.

Eugene Holden, PScP (SoM) said, ” We are connected to everyone and everything that comes to our conscious awareness.” I want to add even our unconscious awareness. One of our presenters said how safe she felt in a different country and when she returned to her present country she felt fearful and unsafe. It is the consciousness of the people that we live with and move with. Daily we must make a conscious effort to BE the Consciousness of Peace, Love, Compassion and Understanding, so when someone comes into our physical space, he or she can feel a change for good. We are and they are then, “living and moving and having their being in GOD Consciousness.” What a difference we can make on earth. As I said in a previous weekly message, each one person is the Infinite and makes a difference. Eugene Holden also said, “Practicing oneness is living as if everything is connected”  Can you live as if you are one with the tree outside your window, or your neighbor walking down the street, or the person who cut you off in traffic? Yes you can and I thank you for doing it and being it.

At one of the presentations, this video was played and everyone was deeply moved by it. it brought tears to some people’s eyes. Please celebrate and love our brothers and sisters around the world. Remember to be humble and kind.

(If clicking this link does not work, copy and paste it on your browser and it will take you there.)

Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)

Dear Friends,

We are in the midst of Interfaith Awareness Week, loving all the beautiful programs and speakers from different faiths and cultures from all over the world. We can feel our Unity and Oneness.

I have a CD in my car which I love to listen to called “Songs for Humanity” by Cahill & Delene. One of those songs is called” Shades of Brown.”

The basic lyrics are:

“I have never seen a white man.

I have never seen a black man,

I have never seen a yellow woman, purple, red or blue man.

I have never seen a green man, orange or tangerine man…..

We are all just different shades of BROWN and stand on common ground.”

The lyrics go on to say how we are all the same on the inside.To hear the whole song go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6KMmPr1YKM

Edwina Cowan (Spiriutal Playdate.com) says let’s “Celebrate Skin.” We can celebrate our skin color and also know our beautiful skin color does not define us. Our skin only protects what is essential inside our human body, to live here on earth. What is essential is our Godness, our Spirit, our Christ/Buddha Consciousness that guides and directs us everyday in our life as we live inside our human bodies.

Kathy Juline, RScP says, “You have a name but you are not your name. You have a body but you are not your body. You have a story but you are not your story. Who are you? You are a center of God-consciousness, perfect and timeless.” (August Science of Mind Magazine)

Not only do we need to remember this TRUTH for ourselves, we need to remember this TRUTH for everyone we meet. We can recognize the color of people’s skin, recognize their culture, faith and ethnicity and also know their Divinity. I believe each person chooses to live in a particular body for Spiritual Growth, What we must always SEE is the Divine Presence within ALL people, YOU included.

We greet our brothers and sisters this week participating in Interfaith Awareness Week and with love, joy and see them for who they really are:

GOD individualized.

I SEE YOU,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

When we BLESS people we are bestowing God’s Love upon them. God loves ALL of us, no exceptions.

This poem is written by Mirabai Starr (Spirituality and Health)

BLESSING

Beloved One

You who endlessly create, sustain, transform and rebirth the Universe,

Thank you

For the luminous beings from every wisdom tradition, Known and Unknown,

Whispering secrets from the past and dancing among us right now,

Lighting our way,

With their poetry and tears, their exile and liberation,

Their resounding no and their full-bodied yes.

For the women who step up and take their seat against all odds.

For the men who bend to clear the weeds from their path.

And the ones whose true humanity defies, dissolves and absorbs all gender.

For Black femmes and brown girls, for Native elders and Asian babies.

For the image of God shinning from the faces of the blind and those rolling

in wheelchairs,

The ones who utter wisdom without words or live long lives without partners.

In brokenness and mending, in dismantling and tending.

For the radical rebel who embodies clear-eyes conviction.

Linking arms with those on the margins and making songs for the voiceless.

And the peacemaker who sees beyond duality.

Flowing like water around boulders in the stream, carrying us back home

to love.

For a thousand faces offered into the ground in solidarity with those who cannot breathe.

A thousand bodies rooted like small mountains in meditation.

A thousand pairs of hands weaving prayer rugs, harvesting pumpkins,

brewing tea.

For the lotus flower with its roots reaching unapologetically into the mud.

Its petals opening quietly to the sky.

For our shattered hearts when our loved ones die or choose to love another.

When we behold the suffering of those who do not have clean water to drink or Enough rice to make it through another day.

Of the incarcerated and victims of torture and refugees forced to leave the land they love.

For the blessing of red wine in a clay cup, a loaf of braided bread.

A day of rest

Thank you beloved one, for the ability to give thanks.

To give gratitude in spite of and also because of everything,

To say thank you, thank you, for the way you flower into everything that is.

Penetrating and saturating all that is,

Blessing exactly what is with your boundless, extravagant, impassible Beauty.

Blessings, Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

As I was recovering from a severe cold, cough and sore throat these past two weeks, I realized if I cannot continue my responsibilities for the POINT Interfaith Team by informing the members of events, happenings, newsletters, meetings with agendas, minutes, treasurer’s reports, and committee meetings as Executive Director, who would be my backup? At the time, no one. I needed help. I contacted the board and we put in place a contingency plan so that the system continues even if I cannot not, for whatever reason.

This got me to thinking about how everyone at some point in life has to move on, and allow someone else to fill his or her shoes. This thought didn’t set well with me. I love my work. I love doing what I do and really don’t want someone to step in and take over. I allowed that thought to set for awhile. Then I had a new realization, a new higher consciousness thought.

NO ONE CAN TAKE MY PLACE as a spiritual being. I stopped thinking that I could be of no value anymore if someone replaced me at my human job. There may be someone ready to step into my job when I am ready, however no one can REPLACE ME as a Spiritual being. I read a beautiful affirmation in the July Daily Word,

“As a divine being, I am valuable and irreplaceable. “It also said, “The world needs my unique contributions. Like a beautiful gemstone, I, too, am a precious jewel among so many others. Together we sparkle and shine.”

Jobs are jobs, passionate work is passionate work, winners are always replaced by other winners. DIVINE BEINGS, you and I, are never replaced and last forever. We are always VALUABLE and VALUED by GOD in our human life and beyond. This is the Truth that never ends.

I will continue doing the job/work/passion I love for as long as I can with backup and then release it when the time comes. I may let go of the job, however I never can release my Value as God’s human vessel on earth. YOU TOO are Valued, Valuable forever as an individualization of God forever and ever. Amen.

Knowing Our Worth                                                                                                 Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

“I let go of the life I am living and open myself to experience the LIFE living me.” Rev. Josh Reeves (SoM Magazine)

The past couple weeks have been a challenge for me. I came down with a severe cold, sore throat, and lung pain. I took a trip to Urgent care, called my Dr., got on Antibiotics and will see my Wholistic Dr. this week. It has been a very long time since I felt so ill and weak. This experience really ‘knocked me for a loop.’

In my prayers, meditations and dreams, I asked God, what happened? Why me? Why now? What have I been doing to cause such a severe health challenge? The Answer.. doing too much, trying to be too perfect. Wow.

I do know I strive to do the best I can, in fact I take on other people’s responsibilities when I know a job needs to be done and I will not let it fail or be less than it should be, in my eyes. At a recent event I was in charge of, I thought maybe one of the speakers would not be prepared to I created a talk in case she was not. Who does that??? I guess ME and everyone who wants things to go smoothly and be perfect. The question is, what if she was not prepared? Is that on me? NO, that is on her. It would not have taken away from the rest of the speakers or the event.

Overly Responsible:

In the past few months I tried to be sure everything was “perfect” for company, inside the house ( massive cleaning, paint touch ups, carpet cleaned, new pillows, etc) and outside (windows washed, new rocks, new flowers, new patio furniture etc.).

I also made sure events I was responsible for, went without a hitch. I was also available to attend other events when asked. I always want to show up to support others, even when I don’t feel well. Unfortunately it all caught up with me.

Here are the lessons I learned through an illness experience:

• STOP, slow down.
• Listen to your body, care for yourself. Be your own advocate.
• Give up activities that no longer serve you.
• Even if you want to go to an event, and feel tired or not quite right, say NO.
• Let go of the need to be everything to everybody. Have backup. When you are down, who will take your place?
• Allow others to take responsibility. I have “prided” myself on having my fingers in many pies. Pride goeth before the Fall.
• Stop rushing and be in GOD’s Time. What’s the hurry? I love the quote above: “I let go of the life I am living and open myself to experience the LIFE living me.” Allow GOD to live through you, instead of pushing your will on God.

I had to stop, rest and let go of activities, I sat on our balcony, hearing the birds chirping, feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle wind. I was quietly in touch with the Presence and a profound sense of Stillness and PEACE flooded through me and around me.

I listened to Rev. Michelle Ingalls talk on Sunday morning. and Lissa Lazaro  practitioner’s talk on Perfect Imperfection. It hit home for me.

If you need to let go of being “perfect” all the time, go to the link below and watch the Sunday Service.

https://www.facebook.com/1Heart1MindCSL/

I Let Go of Perfection                                                                                                   God Loves me just the way I am!                                                                                Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

We had an unexpected opportunity and bonus in our lives last week.

Seemingly out of nowhere we each received a letter (in the mail on an official letterhead) invitation to attend a “Cypress Land of Embrace” concert at the 47th Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on July 3rd at the Sheridan Marina Hotel. Steve and I looked at each other with a “who? what? why?” expression. We have no contacts with the Greek faith organizations here in San Diego and this letter originated from New York! How did they hear about us? Must be a GOD Thing!

We had a choice, to disregard an invitation out of nowhere, or to pursue and accept this bonus. A Greek concert sounded like a lot of fun and great music! So we said YES.

We had a delightful contact, Father Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian who met us early in the day with a day pass to attend any workshops or plenaries and walk through their exhibition hall. We met lovely people in the Exhibition Hall and marveled at the beautiful and ornate chalices, jewelry, church décor and artifacts as well as exquisite robes. There was information about the Greek Orthodox Church activities and outreach. We met a lovely lady, Elina, from Greece and chatted with her for a long time.

After the Plenary and supper, we were sitting in the long walkway hall watching the many priests, Bishops and attendees go by. As we were looking at the door across the hall, all of a sudden it opened and two men dressed as Santa Claus walked out. I think our jars dropped. They came over to us and we engaged in a wonderful conversation.

They truly have a Santa Ministry where they take requests from parents and call their children and talk to them on a zoom call before Christmas. It is more than just what the children want for Christmas it is a sweet conversation about who the children are, what they like or don’t like. The kids can talk to them about anything. The youth often have their own iPads or laptops and walk around their house showing Santa different things.

We also asked them why priests are dressed in black. Steve and I were talking about how so many clergy in many faiths wear black robes. Of course at this Congress we saw 100’s of priests and bishops dressed in black. These lovely Santas (Peter and Kevin) said it signifies “Death to the world.” In other words, letting go of worldly things and putting full attention on God.

At this point we felt we have already had a FULL afternoon and the concert had not even begun. We met Father Nicolas Kazarian 15 minutes before the concert and he introduced us to the United States Archbishop Elpidophorus. What an honor it was to meet this kind and gentle soul. We were then escorted to front row seats and enjoyed a 2 1/2 hour concert of lively, fun, foot stomping, hand clapping Greek dancing Music!!!

This unexpected opportunity was a GIFT from God blessing us with meeting new and wonderful people with a future of collaboration and continued friendship. Who knows where it will lead? Obviously GOD does. It has inspired us to reach out to the Greek community in San Diego to get to know them and invite them to participate in our Interfaith work.

When divine opportunities come your way, no matter how they look, big, small or who? what? why? GO FOR IT. You will be blessed!

Accepting the Unexpected Gifts,

Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

We are about to celebrate the 4th of July, our day of FREEDOM when we declared our independence and our ability to choose our government and way of life.

We are so fortunate to have Freedom in our country and we must keep it with every breath we take, every stand we make and every vote we cast. It is up to us to look into the hearts, minds and actions of our leaders to see God’s goodness and conscience for All the people. ALL PEOPLE are GOD’S PEOPLE.

Freedom is precious, and we have been given Free Will by our Creator to Be who we are meant to be, an expression of God, an emanation of the Divine, the hands and feet of GOODNESS, kindness and compassion here on earth.

All people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, culture, gender have a RIGHT to freedom, to be here and to be loved and heard. When freedoms start to be taken away, we must look at those trying to minimize the worth of individuals, seniors , women, children, gender preferences. EVERYONE has a right to make their own choices and once we stop allowing those choices to be made, we eliminate FREEDOM. Our lives will fall and Democracy will fail.

‘MY PRAYER FOR MY COUNTRY’

by Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science

“Believing in the Divine destiny of the United States of America and in the preservation of liberty, security, and self-expression, I offer this, my prayer for my country:

I know that Divine Intelligence governs the destiny of the United States of America, directing the thought and the activity of all who guide its affairs.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are the gifts of freedom, and are the Divine heritage of everyone in this country.

I know that success, prosperity, and happiness are now operating in the affairs of every individual in this country.

I know that Divine guidance enlightens the collective mind of the people of this country, causing it to know that economic security may come to all without the loss of either personal freedom or individual self-expression.

I know that no one can believe or be led to believe that freedom must be surrendered in order to insure economic security for all.

The All-Knowing Mind of God contains the answer to every problem which confronts this country.

I know that every leader in this country is now directed to this All-Knowing Mind and has the knowledge of a complete solution to every problem, and each is compelled to act upon this knowledge to the end that abundance, security, and peace shall come to all.

And I know that this spiritual democracy shall endure, guaranteeing to everyone in this country personal liberty, happiness, and self-expression.

And so it is. Amen.”

Let us pray our country elects a person of High Conscience, a person with values, a person who speaks kindly to others, a person who seeks to unite, rather than divide, a person who believes in the worth of every individual regardless of race, color, creed, gender or ethnicity, a person who believes in the law, justice and the truth.

Grateful for Freedom,                                                                                                     Abigail and Steve 

Dear Friends,

PLANES, TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES…”

 Do you remember that movie? It was a fun comedy! The words, TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES popped into my mind because many people will be traveling on vacations during these summer months. Last year we flew three times, and each time I would write out a prayer treatment and say the Unity ‘Prayer of Protection.’ I would visualize a White Light around the plane and Angels on the wingtips. I would see Angels inside as our flight attendants.

The light of God surrounds us; the love of God enfolds us,                                      the power of God protects us, the presence of God watches over us.                        Where we are, God is and all is well.

I love this prayer and say it often. Every morning one of my rituals is to vision a ring of white light I call the RING of PROTECTION around each member of my family including me. This visual and words spoken has kept me from harm numerous times, especially when driving in the car. I am always careful about checking my mirrors and looking over my shoulder before changing lanes. However there have been times when a car seemed to come out of nowhere and almost hit the side my car. Just before that moment, I seemed to pause one more time before changing lanes. I believe that was GOD, my Angels keeping me safe in the RING of protection I called forth earlier that day.

I was reading about Arlene Jullie’s vacation story in the July Daily Word. She traveled to South America and one of her experiences was on a boat going towards an island. When a storm came up, the waves were “towering over the boat” and she wasn’t sure they were going to make it. However She kept repeating the “Prayer of Protection” and never let her mind vision a disastrous outcome. She visioned the boat arriving safely. The good news is the captain did get the boat safely to the port.

Her story reminded me of my experience many years ago when I sailed in a small 28’sailboat from CA to FLA through the Panama Canal. At times there was some very rough weather and seas, yet I knew GOD was always with me.

When my daughter was 16 we went on a Caribbean Cruise and we were excited to see the many islands and just have fun. After touring one island, we started to come back to the ship. As I was walking along the pier my heart started pounding and I felt severe anxiety as we stepped onto the ship. On board I had an internal fear, which I could not shake or validate. Why was I feeling this way? Later before going to bed, I looked out our cabin window and I had the image of the boat sinking and people running with life jackets to life boats. I did not want to alarm Tammy, yet I did tell her I was anxious. I got prepared to leave if necessary. Then I called my mentor minister in CA and told her what I was feeling. She called her prayer group and they went into prayer. I went into prayer and called forth the RING of Protection around us and everyone on the ship. I visualized the Divine LIGHT flowing through the ship inside and out. I did this as long as I could until I fell asleep. I woke the next morning and all my fear and anxiety was GONE! When we left the ship for another island tour we saw workers “mending” the side of the ship. We will never know what happened or could have happened. What I DO KNOW is the Prayer of Protection and the visioning of Divine Light surrounding the ship and flowing in the ship SAVED us!

This summer, wherever you travel whether it is on a on a plane, train or automobile call forth the RING of Protection and say the ‘Prayer of Protection.’ You will be glad you did!

Save Travels,

Abigail and Steve