“No matter what challenges, problems or seeming disasters befall me, God’s presence and power is with and within me as I navigate life’s inevitable rough spots. Every step of the way, I affirm my faith in the indwelling Christ.” ( July Daily Word)

One of the daily messages in the Science of Mind magazine asks,

“Where Do You Put Your Focus?”

“It is the nature of the universe to give us what we are able to take. It cannot give us more.” – Ernest Holmes

“The taking is by our thoughts. We create our future today, not from our past.

“If you want to know what your life will be like in six months, examine what you put out into the universe today. Where we place our focus determines the people, places and conditions we manifest.” -Rev. Dr. Ron Fox

We live in a world that often produces fear as a motive to DO something.  Fear often blocks the good God has for us. In our Spiritual Mind Treatment, we:

• Acknowledge God as Divine Wisdom, Intelligence, All Knowing, All Active and All Loving as Creator and Source of our world and us.
• Acknowledge who we are as God in form. God lives and reigns within us now and forever. Ernest Holmes says we are “Divinity in Human form.”
• Affirm and Declare what we want and FOCUS on that alone.
• Express gratitude for the answer, the solution to our prayer, knowing it is always done in God’s Law of Mind.
• Add “This or something better,” because in our limited human vision we only see part and parcel of the answer.
• We release and LET GO and LET GOD bring forth the highest and best answer to our prayer. Emmet Fox said to “Golden Key” the problem by letting it go and think about God.

We also allow God be responsible for the HOW it will manifest or demonstrate. Trying to “figure it out” is getting in the way of God creating a perfect solution. Ernest Holmes says we have to get ourselves out of the way and let the HOW be up to God.

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT. Let God do the rest.

What SPARKS your heart? Too often we let our daily lives become “just routine,” doing what we think needs to be done, when and where. How often do we say to ourselves, “I LOVE what I am doing. I feel JOY in what I am doing and I want to bring LOVE and JOY to those I meet today.” When we set our intention first thing in the morning the whole day responds to us and we feel a SPARK in our heart.

This past week I have felt SPARKS in my heart. I read in the local paper, there was a school supply drive at one of the local churches. They needed backpacks and lunch boxes for homeless youth in elementary and high school. I immediately thought, “I CAN DO THAT.” I went to Target and bought several backpacks and lunch boxes, letting my intuition guide me for color and size. I kept thinking, a little or girl or boy would love this color or love this type of lunch box. It was such fun in the selection process. It brought me joy and I know there is some young person who will love his or her new backpack and lunch box. I don’t even need to know who, because GOD as the Great Connector does.

I also got a SPARK in my heart with the possibility of helping out in a Sunday School a few Sundays in 2026. I am a teacher at heart and am curious to see how this will play out. I visited and observed one Sunday to be sure I am feeling a joyful spark in my heart for this commitment. I did commit to helping the 5th Sunday of the month in 2026.

Steve feels a SPARK in his heart every Tuesday when he volunteers at the Rehab Hospital in Escondido, and helps both the patients and the therapists. They all love him for his compassionate and loving heart. He has been through so many medical procedures himself, so he can relate to the patients and bring them JOY and HOPE in their lives. Recently he was (we were) invited to an anniversary Open House at the Rehab Center and was greatly surprised when the CEO gave him a beautiful Plaque to honor him and all he does at the Rehab Center. So many people expressed gratitude for his service. His service is his SPARK.

Feeling JOY, Feeling LOVE is GOD in action through YOU. There is a reason why you feel this way. God communicates in many ways, and feeling JOY and LOVE and a SPARK in your heart is one of Spirits many ways of guiding you to do and be what is yours to do.

Can you feel it?

Dear Friends,

“July’s Affirmation”                                                                                                          “We have within us, a power that is greater                                                                        than anything we shall ever contact in the outer world.                                                      A power that can overcome every obstacle in our life                                                    and set us safe, satisfied and at peace, healed and prosperous,                                     in a new light and in a new life.”                                                                                 Ernest Holmes.

One Heart, One Mind Center for Spiritual Living shares this affirmation weekly during the month of July. I love saying it every morning because it applies to every activity, decision, obstacle through the day and in the future.

When we KNOW the Power of God is always present within us and only a thought and breath away, what is there to fear or worry about? God, the Mighty I AM already KNOWS what you need, when you need it and is always willing to provide it and/or something better! “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” spoken by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Letting go of fear is the first step to opening your heart and mind to greater good, greater prosperity, greater opportunities.

Ernest Holmes has another quote I love, “Humanity is Divinity made Visible!” YOU are the Divine. You are God in form. You as God already have the answers to the questions your mind proposes. The Mighty I AM within YOU already knows your soul’s plan and purpose and what you need for your highest good and Spiritual growth.

Speak it, Affirm it, Know it, BE it. You are God’s Joy, Love and Unique Expression. No one else is YOU. No one else has your soul plan or purpose.

You are an individuation of God, perfect and glorious! Trust in your inner guidance for answers to your prayers.

Dear Friends,

“Let GOD be GOD in You!” (Kevin Anderson, Spirituality and Health”)

Kevin captured this phrase from the beloved Mister Eckhart. How often do we say, “Oh God, take this away, or please help me, or I don’t want to go through this…” We all go through challenges in health, life, relationships, work and more. Steve and I are not exceptions. This year 2025 has brought many challenges and apparently we are not done yet.

Recently we found out our home insurance cancelled us because we live in a high fire risk area. I called our insurance and they will not continue, under any circumstances after a certain date. So now what!? Who do I go to? What company do I call? I needed to go back to my faith in God, knowing there is the right company who will continue to insure us. I needed to surrender and let God be God in me. Needless to say, God is God in ALL people and God speaks through all people, because God does hear our prayers.

In the morning I light votive candles and say a short mantra. “There is only one Life, that Life is the Life of God, that Life is perfect and that Life is my Life NOW. I surrender my day unto you Oh Lord.” I then light the candles and especially the ones sitting in beautiful sculpted hands. So I surrendered.

Later that day, I was having my hair cut with my hair stylist and sharing this concern of mine. She immediately said, ” I cut and style a whole family and they are delightful! “In fact they own an insurance company and I am sure they can help you. As I was sitting in the chair she called her client and explained the situation. Her client said to have ME call her and she will help get insurance for our home. Amazing and wonderful. God shows up EVERYWHERE in places you least expect. That is how God works,      through people!

I did call this lovely insurance agent who is now working on my behalf as well as giving me another home insurance agent to contact. Now I have TWO working on helping us get the insurance we need.

Remember, if we let fear get in our way, it is like a block. Kevin said, “When I move this water faucet handle, water comes out instantly and when I move it back the flow stops. We don’t have to pray to the water, beg to help us or believe in it. It is always there, waiting for flow as soon as it is unblocked.”

Just turn the handle on!

FAITH is FLOW!

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful Labyrinth Walk last Saturday.

Our theme was “What you are Seeking is also Seeking You.”This verse was first spoken by Jalal al-Din Mohammed Rumi a 13th-century poet and theologian. He was born to a Muslim family in Central Asia, and later became associated with Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam.

As a kid did you ever play HIDE and SEEK? When we hid we really wanted someone to FIND us. We did not want to be left out or forgotten. There was excitement and JOY in both the finder and the hider.

Our granddaughter loves to play hide and seek. Lately she loves to hide one of our small bouncy balls. When either Steve or I begin to look for them, she gets so excited, she sometimes takes our hand to lead us into the right area. When we get close, she actually points in the direction it is, and keeps pointing until we “find” it! haha She really wants us to FIND the ball and does everything she can to help us on our seeking journey.

When we are seeking something; a new purpose, a new job, a new relationship, a new idea, we are really seeking God. GOD is always seeking us as well by pointing out the way, giving us hints, ideas, thoughts and opportunities to find “IT.” GOD KNOWS what we want and most importantly God knows what we need.

Labyrinth Story

After a health challenge with my back and legs, I finally felt good, and ready to continue to serve in whatever way I could. I knew I still was joyfully serving POINT Interfaith Team. However I wondered what else? My morning meditations were asking God, what is mine to do next? After my morning prayer and meditation I got busy doing what my intuition told me to do and what to put on my to do list. That day it was to sweep the labyrinth and clean the chairs, tables and couches in our back yard area, and so I did.

The next day I asked the question again, “What is mine to do?” That evening Steve and I were watching an old favorite TV show, “Touched by an Angel” and it was centered around a labyrinth. It was, as always, an inspirational TV show.

Next morning I asked, “What is mine to do?” I picked up one of my spiritual reading materials and there was a story/article about the benefits of walking a labyrinth. BINGO! I got it!

I am to create a Labyrinth Walk at our home! I believe God gave me the perfect theme “What you are Seeking is also Seeking You.” I was seeking the next idea of serving God and God was seeking me with hints, thoughts and ideas along the way. I finally trusted, surrendered and then listened to my intuition.

And that is how last Saturday’s Labyrinth Walk came to be!

Dear Friends,

JUNE is a popular month for LOVE and Weddings. Steve and I were honored to officiate a wedding for our friend and neighbor. It was a lovely out door home service and reception. Our wedding ceremony was loved by all who attended. Many came up to us and said how inclusive the words were. We were blessed by so many who shared their warm feelings. The bride follows Buddhism and the groom follows Krishnamuti. Attendees ranged from fundamental Christians to other religions. LOVE was and is the center of it all.

Part of our ceremony says, “To be loved by another inspires one to seek dreams. To give love to another, gives one the comfort of being needed. Life is empty and void without Love’s presence. Love brings companionship, warmth and understanding. It is forgiving angry words which hurt and actions which seem unfair. It is caring for each other unselfishly. Love is letting go, allowing both of you to be yourselves and travel individual paths from time to time. But above all, Love brings two people together as partners through life’s journey.”

We also read the poem by Kahil Gibran, “On Marriage.” Parts of the poem said, “Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone.

Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Stand together yet not too near together: for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the Oak tree and the Cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”

GOD Has given us LIFE through LOVE. Every morning we can stand in GODS Presence and be grateful God’s love pours through us for ourselves, for our family, our friends, and strangers in our midst.

• LOVE is guidance, not dominance.
• LOVE is nurturing, not hovering.
• LOVE is given without strings attached.
• LOVE is given without expecting a return or favor.
• LOVE is genuine when we do not make our loved ones always do what WE want them to do. Our input is important and if we are a couple, decisions need to be made by and agreed on by both.
• LOVE is allowing our children to BE Themselves, follow their hearts and the wisdom of their Spirit, not in their “earthly father’s” footsteps.
• LOVE is Joy, Freedom, “Patience and Kind” (Bible)
• LOVE is looking out for the well-being of others as well as oneself.

Loving You All,                                                                                                                  Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Father’s Day is this Sunday and a time when we honor our dads, adoptive fathers, grandpas, uncles, mothers as fathers, and all who stepped in as a dad for us. This is the day I remember my “daddy” and Steve remembers his dad. Memories flood back and we smile and laugh, cry and pause knowing without that man we would not be where we are today.

Dear Friends,
Rev. Dr. Missy Higginbotham talked about how much she liked the word “Welcome” in the book New Thoughts for Today.
She welcomed the new day, new people, new ideas.

I started thinking about the word “Welcome” and I like it too. Very often at faith centers there are “welcomers” for members and newcomers.
It always feels good when someone looks you in the eye and says “Welcome to our church, or Welcome to our community etc.” I have also been to places
where I walk through the door into a service, a meeting or conference where I was pretty much alone to navigate my way through unfamiliar territory.

There are a lot of people who are lonely and feel left out and alone in the world.
How can we make our brothers and sisters feel seen, known and welcomed.
Any time you smile at someone, they feel seen.
Any time you say hello or say a kind word, they feel seen and welcomed.

Our country and our world is divisive right now where so many people feel unloved, unwanted and unwelcomed. It is time to do what we can in our own
little part of the world and to be on the lookout for a person who looks lonely
or left out. BE welcoming to them. Smile and say a kind word. If someone
is on the outskirts of a conversation, bring them in with a gesture or a comment directed to th

And for those who are immigrants, refugees, remember the words from
the Bible. Leviticus 19:33-37 GNBUK
“Do not ill-treat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would a fellow-Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves.
Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

No one is a stranger. Who you see is who you are, for GOD is in all, and as all people. Be the “welcomer” in your life today.

Elementary teacher and her students using laptop during computer class at school.

The end of the school year is almost here. Children, teens, young adults will be happy to graduate to the next phase of their life, whether it be the next grade,a new school, college or their first professional job. We are happy for all of them. Let us be happy for our blessed teachers who give their life to that profession. It is truly a calling and a service.

As a retired elementary school teacher, I still love the idea of classrooms. I loved creating interesting and appealing bulletin boards, revising lessons, bringing new ideas to the academics as well as art, music and fun. I always prayed I made a difference in the lives of the children and parents. I always appreciated the parents for their support and help in the classroom. I tried to make the parent conferences enjoyable even if I had a concern about a student. I remember my principal telling me every time he walked by my classroom during conference week he heard laughter!

LIFE is our classroom and our teacher. Everyday is a new day and if we are open and receptive, we will learn something new. Every person we meet, everyone in our family, every co-worker, every committee team is our teacher. Our pets are our teachers as well. We are teachers to others. When we realize this truth, our actions, words and deeds become more inspired, purposeful, kind, and considerate. When you are kind, you are teaching kindness. When you are helpful you are teaching the importance of supporting someone. YOU are the teacher in your life. Everyone else is a teacher in YOUR life. Life lessons are learned with, by and through each other.

We know when we speak hurtful words or do hurtful actions, they go right into the person’s consciousness and this person may then react with others in a hurtful way. We also know the Law of Circulation takes place and is a great teacher. What you PUT OUT to others in the Universe, always comes back to you. The Eastern tradition calls this Karma.

Teachers are often those we do not get along with. When we have difficulty relating to a particular person, we are in the position to stop, pause and ask ourselves, what is this person teaching us? We may not be able to figure it out and if not our heart, mind response can be, they are suffering in some way in their life. Put an invisible shield of LIGHT and LOVE around yourself. Send them thought energies of love, kindness and prayers.

Treat darkness with light,

Treat hurtfulness with kindness.

Treat confusion with inspiration

See the God within becoming known to them and act accordingly.

Always Forgive!

If you have a teacher, thank them for their service, and their kindness. Appreciate what they do. Become the teacher you would like to have in the past your life.

Blessings, Abigail and Steve