August 2, 2022

Dear Friends,
I am looking forward to a beautiful
Interfaith Awareness Week coming up this Sunday, August 7 going through Saturday, August 13th!
Rev. Steve has been the coordinator, planner and spear header for this global event. I invite you all to look at the program schedule below and find the areas of interest, go to the World Interfaith Network Website and click on the link to your favorite program.

HOME

I love the quote by Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science
(New Thought).
” The philosophy of Religious Science is nothing new to the world.
It is rather a synthesis of the greatest concepts that have ever come to the mind of humankind.The laws of Moses, the love of Christ,
the ethics of Buddha, the morals of Confucius and the deep spiritual realization of the Hindus all find an exalted place in the philosophy of Religious Science.”     
I know he never meant to exclude any other religion. His purpose was to show how we honor, respect and value all faith traditions for each are unique in their expression of love and gratitude for our Creator.

I want to share some other favorite Interfaith quotes which I received from our friend Paul McKenna from Canada (Golden Rule Curriculum & IAW Program ).
“It seems to me that the world’s religions are like siblings separated at birth. We’ve grown up in different neighborhoods, different household, with different songs, stories, traditions and customs. But now, we’ve been reunited and having found each other after so many years apart, we look into each other’s faces and we can see the family resemblance. We’re back together again and its’ very good!”
-Richard Watts

“All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves.          All is really one.
-Black Elk

“The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
-Bah’u’llah

“If you can’t see God in all, you can’t see God at all.”
-Yogi Bhajan

Steve and I have been in the Interfaith Movement since 2006 and still feel excited about meeting other people from different cultures, faiths, ethnicities and perspectives. We have made so many friends and cherish them greatly.
When we work, play and eat together we are bonded as friends.

There is no US. There is only ONE. ONE GOD, ONE HUMANITY

Go to the World Interfaith Network. It will take you to the schedule and all the links to the programs

https://world-interfaith.com 

Dear Friends,

Have you ever heard someone say, or have you said?:
“I don’t know…
I don’t know how….
I don’t know when….
I don’t….blah blah blah.”

If so, think about this quote for a moment…
“I am guided by the same intelligence and inspired by the same imagination that scatters the moonbeams across the waves and holds the forces of nature in its grasp.”
Ernest Holmes ( August Science of Mind magazine)

I read that quote and was mesmerized by the immensity of it. The same Intelligence (GOD) who created the universe and all within, is the same intelligence in me. WOW. God in me, as me, is me AND has all the answers I will ever need or want! The “I don’t know” thinking does not exist in God, for Divine Intelligence does have all the answers. When I or when we play dumb, we block the myriad of ideas that could be pouring forth through us from the Universal Intelligence of God.

What is it you think you do not know? STOP for a moment and claim the answer right here, right now, right where you are!!! If the answer does not come to mind immediately TRUST the answer will come TO you or through someone else. You will be lead to the answer of your prayer, your request. Declare the quote above and put in your unknown.

“I am guided by the same intelligence and inspired by the same imagination that scatters the moonbeams across the waves and holds the forces of nature in its grasp.” This intelligence within me knows the answer, can solve the problem and bring all the right people and circumstances TO ME to answer my question and or request.”

Sit quietly for a moment or 10 or 20 moments or until you feel a peaceful shift happening within you. At that point you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt your Divine Intelligence has heard you and is acting on your request.

We must remember, we are GOD being GOD here on earth in the form of a human body. We are Spiritual Beings having a human experience, not the other way around. We are born with God Intelligence, Love, Joy, Happiness, Wholeness and Wisdom. Declare God Intelligence is guiding you daily and bringing to you what you need and what you ask for. All prayers are heard and all prayers are answered NOW in Spirit. Human time may be different, nevertheless, it is answered.

Go about your day knowing the same Intelligence that created the earth, water, life, planet, sun, moon, stars, galaxies, universes and dimensions is the same Intelligence in YOU!

Say and Claim:
I do know…
I do know how…
I do know when…
I just do… because the Intelligence of God exists within me!

And so it is!!!

Nothing can stop GOD’s Divine Plan for our lives and the lives of every person, animal, and plant! Even in the midst of hardship and challenges,
God will lead your way to where you need to be. No mistakes made, only lessons learned.

“Life isn’t about reaching a single perfect destination… life’s path is continuous, challenging and everchanging.”
Rae Lynn Thayne

I showed my friend Sande Hart this photo of the plant breaking through the cement, and she said:
“Looks like it’s on its way to its divine purpose! And look at the brick border that did not stand a chance against this fragile thing with a plan! Love it!”

I have often thought about how all my choices seemed to have brought me exactly where I am today doing what I am supposed to do. However, I had another thought.
What if I had or you had made different choices. I believe my soul and your soul’s purpose would still be carried through. I believe, as many do, ALL paths lead to God.
I also believe all choices will ultimately lead us to our Divine purpose. Whether you go LEFT or RIGHT, and experience life differently, your soul is here to accomplish
a purpose. I do believe events, angels, miracles will always get us back on track. We are all evolving onward and upward. That is the truth. How we do that may take
different turns, trails, roads and paths. But we will achieve what we came here to do. Our life is eternal so it may even take another lifetime to complete our
soul mission.

It is important to follow your heart’s desire. The word desire mean “Of the Father.” Follow your heart, follow your intuition, follow your Divine Guidance and you will
continue to stay on your soul’s purpose.

This little plant is following its Divine purpose and plan. Nothing can stop it. It will grow and BE even between the cement and bricks. It certainly isn’t the easiest
way to grow, but it is growing despite appearances. In fact it looks healthy. Hardships and challenges strengthen us!

Growing in Purpose,                                                                                                Abigail and Steve

July 12, 2022

Dear Friends,

“When our relationship with Spirit is sound and our relationship with self is solid, we are ready to be of value to others and to see others in their own right…
Indeed our relationship with self determines whether we remain a child of God or mature into an adult of God. The child is in constant receivership while
the adult is capable of stewardship…”

I loved this quote by Rev. Dr. Jim Lockard in the Science of Mind July magazine. It really made me ponder how often I use the phrase “Child of God.”
Our human children grow up into adults and we as Spiritual beings need to grow up into Adults of God. How often do we take on a childish role with complaining,
whining, begging, lashing out, ignoring sound advice?
Does this sound like our human children sometimes? We as human adults need to take being an adult of God seriously. We must realize as grown ups, we are
responsible for our thoughts, feelings and actions. We can’t blame anyone for our mistakes nor try to get away with things, thinking ‘no one knows.’ These are actions
of children.

Today make a vow to yourself and say, I am an ADULT of God. I take responsibility for my thoughts, words and deeds. I blame no one for my misdeeds or mistakes.
I accept my responsibility and role in actions good and not good. As an adult I rectify situations, I make sure others are given credit for good deeds.
I give to others what is needed. I am here to serve God by serving man, woman and child.

“I am worthy of good. My nature is to be open to good and to express in life as an adult of God. I am intelligent, empowered
and loving.”
Rev. Dr. Jim Lockard

Adults of God,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Have you felt like you have put your life on hold these past two years? Do you feel like you are in your cocoon and feel like it is time to break out and start flying again. I have and I do! These past two years both Steve and I have been extremely careful and have stayed at home except for food shopping, errands and appointments. We have been inside a church once and all other gatherings have been outside. I am grateful we have had the opportunity to participate in church services, conferences and other interfaith events via zoom. I feel we have kept ourselves safe and secure. We have a sweet      21 month old granddaughter so being with her and staying healthy is our top priority. All these safety measures were needed and necessary! And yet, I am getting the “God Pull, God Push” to continue our interfaith work beyond our cocoon and comfort zone.

I have been reading a book by my friend and interfaith colleague, Sande Hart called The Liminal Odyssey; The Alchemy Power of the Spaces In-between. It is a fabulous book about her soul journey with pivotal moments in life where she took a leap of faith, spread her wings to make new choices and discover new paths of spiritual opportunity and growth. I can relate to her story and saw where pivotal moments in my life came to me by the still small (sometime loud) voice of God to bring me where I am today.

I feel I am at this moment at a pivotal place where I can either stay in my cocoon or reclaim by purpose of promoting Interfaith in a greater way.
I have been in a quandary about whether to attend the 2023 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. The fear of traveling and being with a huge group of people is telling me NO. Yet, the still small voice of God within is saying
GO, BE THERE. Who shall I trust? My fear or my God?

That is a no brainer. GOD has always led me to my greater good!
Two quotes from Sande’s book
“When your passions meet the needs of the world, therein lies your calling.”
Aristotle
“When your passions meet the needs of your soul, therein lies your soul’s freedom.”
Sande Hart

I still plan to be extremely careful, always wearing a mask. I will get my second COVID booster and when I come home, I will get tested for COVID.

God’s PUSH and God’s PULL and my diligent PREPARATION will always bring me safely to where I need to BE.

Are you ready to break out of your cocoon? Is there something brewing in you , a thought, an urge to be and do something different? LISTEN to the still small voice within. Go for it….!!!

Pushed, Pulled, Prepared,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

Steve and I had the opportunity to listen to Rabbi David Zaslow the other evening hosted by Rev. Michelle Ingalls, minister of One Heart One Mind CSL, on a zoom presentation. Rabbi David Zaslow’s presentation focused on:
“How the Israelites, like other indigenous peoples, had a view of reality that is markedly different than the way Western thinking perceives and processes the world around us. It has been called Hebraic thinking – a more wholistic view of reality. Unity rather than duality, harmony rather than antagonism. It looks at the relationship between time and space, between the creation and the Creator, and even in our perception of God.”

One major idea Rabbi Zaslow presented was G-D IS ALL THERE IS. G-d is not only in people, but in the trees, flowers, animals and everywhere present. Everyone and everything is ONE. We are all Unified and part of the ONENESS of G-D. Does this sound familiar? Reading the first Daily Guide in the July Science of Mind magazine Rev. Dr. Jim Lockard says, our first relationship is with God, our journey in life is “discovering and expanding this relationship.” What we discover is God is not out there somewhere, God is here now, in us, as us and is us. I wrote in the Chat, “God in us, as us, is us.” and the Rabbi commented how much he agreed with that idea.

Quotes from the SoM magazine emphasizes the Truth Rabbi Zaslow presented and our New Thought Beliefs.
“You are not separate from the whole, You are one with the sun, the earth, the air. You don’t have a life, You are life. – Eckhart Tolle

“We say we are one with God and one in God. This is a mistake; we are one of whatever the nature of God is. Whatever it is, it is one.”
Ernest Holmes

The thought struck me, the reason I resonate with Hebraic thinking and the Mystic traditions ( Sufi, Kabbala, Christian, Hindu Buddhist Mystics and other Mystics) is because NEW THOUGHT is a Mystical religion founded by Mystics! The Truth of ONENESS is in the core of its Beliefs and Universal Principles.

All Mystical religions believe in the ONENESS of all nature and union with God. The Rumi quote has new and more profound meaning for me.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field,
I will meet you there…”

That is the field I want to meet people, where dogma, creed no longer mater or exist. The only thing that matters is seeing GOD in the field showing up as the many unique and variety of people, animals, flowers etc. LIFE Itself.
The last part of Rumi’s quote is profound;
“,,,even the phrase ‘each other’ doesn’t make sense.”

THERE IS NO ‘OTHER.’
I am you and you are me. We are One. We are God.

We are LIFE ITSELF.

Mystically ONE,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

The other day I was sitting with Steve in an outside restaurant having lunch.
It was a beautiful day, and there was a slight breeze blowing through the outside veranda. I thought to myself, I want to remember this when everything came together for a perfect moment in time. I will cherish this and not forget it. With so many unfortunate happenings around the world, I must always be aware and appreciative of the little moments of wonder, joy and awe.

Even something as simple as washing and drying our dishes brings us joy.
We laugh, look at the beauty outside our window and the job gets done with grace and ease.

I love sitting out on my balcony in the mornings with my cup of coffee. The weather is perfect and I see the sun rise and hear the birds singing.
I am grateful for that moment in time.

Spending time with family is so important to us. We look at the baby pictures of our granddaughter and have loved each monthly moment of her growing up.
Now she is 20 months old and we cherish the time we spend with her.

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so all we have is NOW to be fully present and grateful. The little moments you spend with your loved ones,
and/or by yourself having a splendid moment, always be grateful.

YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE

Dear Friends,

“My body is the temple holding my soul.
And it is up to me to take care of it and love it as it is”
Kelly Robbins

How often do you think of your body as a Temple of the Living God? Probably not often. We look at ourselves in the mirror and find all the things we do not like about our body, rather than looking at it in AWE and respect. Our human body is holding our soul and spirit while we are here on earth. And every atom, cell and molecule are keenly aware of their Divinity. Our monkey minds/ego forget how precious our bodies really are.

I love the topic of the June Science of Mind Magazine “THE BODY TEMPLE.”       Kelly Robbins has a wonderful article in there. She says,
“According to Genesis, the body is a creation of divine life…” Our body holds our Divine Life. Our body is a vessel to experience life in this world.”
When we come to terms with that idea, we realize not only can we love the soul, spirit, and God within, we can and need to LOVE our body, flesh and bones.

T – TALK to your body. It hears you. All is consciousness so what you are THINKING is bringing relief or hurt. TOUCH the area of pain and whisper words of healing, wholeness and love.
You are the TEMPLE of the Living God
E – EXERCISE. Stretching and moving the body will keep it feeling good. Find something that appeals to you; biking, jogging, swimming, yoga, the treadmill, and/or walk with a friend. Make it fun. Your body will thank you. When my legs start aching, I know it is time to MOVE and do something. Yoga and Walking keep my legs, feet and the rest of my body feeling good.
EAT Healthy foods!
M – MIRROR MIRROR on the wall, who is the most beautiful of all? I AM!
Say that to yourself every time you look in the mirror. Saying I AM is your Truth. God is the Mighty I AM Spirit which you are
P – PRAY and affirm PERFECT health. Whether you stand, kneel, sit, dance or sing your prayer, wholeness is your Divine birthright!
L – LOVE every part of you inside and out. When you LOVE yourself, you are respecting, honoring and appreciating all the GOOD you are. When we love and respect ourselves, others will love and respect us.
E – ETERNAL YOU is in your human body. ‘I believe that heaven (God, Spirit…) is within you and that you will experience it to the degree that you become conscious of it.’ This is taken from “What We Believe” by Ernest Holmes. Once you are conscious (thinking and feeling agree) of Spirit as your health and wholeness within and AS your body, you will experience health and wholeness.
Your eternal wholeness continues when it is time to slip through the veil to the other side.

Blessings,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

I know there are days in all our lives when we feel we just didn’t do that job well, or speak with a person in the best way, or just feel not good enough.
Life can throw us curved balls and sometimes we hit them and sometimes we don’t. The one thing I always try to remember that even in the midst of challenges,
trials and situations, I AM ENOUGH! Sometimes I do go to the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” mentality, and when I do, I think of the things I have done well,
the people I have helped and my internal goodness as an emanation of God.

During my morning meditation one day, I pulled out my basket of “Affirmation Rocks,” which I give freely away at our labyrinth walks. They make me smile
and remind me of my truth, I am a spiritual being living in a human body, here to learn and grow. The one that makes me laugh is “YOU ROCK!”
I decided to carry that with me all day. Every time I see it, I smile.

I also thought it would be fun to create my own “Affirmation Cards.”
I have lots of cards, Tarot, Angel, the Four Agreements, Nature etc. I decided to just create my own. I printed “I AM ____” on slips of paper taped to the
back of a deck of cards. Perhaps that would be a fun activity for you. On days when you feel a bit lost, lonely, sad or not enough, pick one and say the
affirmation to yourself 20x and really FEEL that truth about yourself.

As the quote above by Nathanial Brandon says, Feeling ‘I Am Enough’ still means there are lessons to learn and things to achieve. It also means I accept
and love myself with all my qualities and faults, the light and the shadow.
I look at who I am and know I AM LOVED. I recognize places in myself that need some work or change. It is all good. It is all part of the process and
journey in this earth dimension.

Accept and enjoy the journey and know in ALL of it, YOU ARE ENOUGH!
Always have been and always will be, because you are created out of GOD.
The Divine is internally YOU. Remember your HOLINESS and your GREATNESS. REMEMBER your SPIRITUAL MAGNIFICENCE.
I AM, WE ARE ENOUGH,

Abigail and Steve

Again, we are saddened and heartbroken by the horrific acts of violence in Buffalo, New York and Laguna Woods.
The All Faith Center and Friends stand together to continue to promote interfaith education, awareness and understanding
in order to change the consciousness of people who do not realize, when they hurt another person, they hurt themselves.
We are all in the web of life and when part of the web is pulled, torn or shattered, the entire world is affected.
We must continue to spread the news of our ONENESS, and how we value ALL people. Everyone has the right to live, work and pray in freedom and joy.
All faith traditions have the basic humane value at the core of their religion – LOVE. When love, caring and compassion is not shown to another individual,
that person is not practicing his or her belief system.
Let us model LOVE in our thoughts, words, and deeds on a daily basis.

Here is a beautiful poem I read on Rev. Dale Suggs Facebook. When the world seems like too much, read it and visualize the beauty of the lake.

The Peace of Wild Things
By Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.