March 2, 2020

Dear Friends,

Last Saturday we attended (via zoom) the retirement of a minister friend who founded and served her church center for 30 years. It was a lovely honoring of her and all she has done.
It was a celebratory evening and the celebration is over. Now what!
We know the idea of “Retirement” can be hard for some people, while others relish in the thought of creating a new purpose and life. I like to think of retirement as “reinventing” ones wheel of life. I certainly have had several “reinventions,” from:
• Retiring from 20 years of elementary teaching to ministry
• Child Centered Church ministry to Family Spiritual Center
• FSC to Interfaith Services
• Interfaith Services to Executive Director of POINT Interfaith Team.
Everyday I “retire” the day before and “reinvent” myself in the new day!

It does not matter whether we are in a pandemic, we still have the Creative Urge and Pull within us to be and do what is ours to do. What is calling you? What are you ready to RETIRE from in your life. What no longer serves you?
What makes you happy? What have you put on a shelf for the past few years? Rev. Dr. Kenn Gordon, former CSL Leader said he is, “Retired and Rewired.”

Can we rewire ourselves and feel excitement about NEWNESS in our lives? Everyday we have the opportunity to retire ideas, projects, and reinvent or rewire ourselves into someone and something new.
Maybe it is time to create a new VISION BOARD!
Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith is a leader in Visioning. and he suggests we ask three questions of ourselves:
• What must I release?
• What must I embrace/embody?
• What must I become?
Rev. Jane Beach suggests we ask:
• What’s the one change I can make today that would improve my life?
• What activities make me happiest?
• When I look back, how will I know I have truly lived my life?
Your Vision Board can be as elaborate as pasting pictures, symbols and words on a large cardboard poster. It can be as simple as drawing simple figures, words, ideas in your morning journals. The physicality of cutting, pasting, and drawing solidifies your vision and your reinvention.

Remember, EVERY day is a NEW day and we are here to use and be the God Power within us. Life is precious. Let us live it the way we wish. Retire what no longer serves or is useful to us. Reinvent, rewire and expand our life journey in consciousness and action.

Visioning a New Way,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,
On my walk I noticed a row of trees, which all looked the same, and yet when I got closer they were different. The branches, the tree trunk, the roots all were different, and yet they were of the same tree line. Isn’t that like us? We all look a little different yet, we are all human from the God line.
Take this step further, and all religions may look different yet they all come from the God line. God brought forth wisdom to saints, messiahs, prophets,
not the other way around. Who is to say, one is better than the other.

I watched a wonderful webinar by a colleague, Dr. Jim Kenney, who talked about the first and second Axial Ages. He believes, as do I, we are moving forward towards, and partially in, the second Axial Age. In a nutshell, the first age is tribal and the second age is global. Our consciousness is expanding and enlightening with thoughts that move outside our borders, whether they be religion, state, or country. Of course there is always a span of consciousness in any age. Our goal is to reach and become an awakened global conscious society. He clarified the words, “Inclusivism” and “Pluralism” for me. I had actually thought they were the same. He said:
“Inclusivity is accepting of all faith traditions,
and yet we still think ours is the best.
Pluralism goes beyond inclusivity where we realize another’s faith path/tradition is just as valid as our own.”

When I looked at those beautiful trees, each was magnificent in itself. All religions are magnificent in themselves. They give us grounding and purpose. There does come a time when we expand and look at the good and magnificence of other traditions and begin to incorporate some beliefs and practices into our own. When we do, we are moving toward Global Consciousness. In time maybe being Spiritual, with all the values of all traditions, will become more important than religiosity with its rules, laws
and creeds.

HEADING to the HUB of GOD
The Rim is where we are set in our fundamental religious ways. As we open to learning about each other, we begin to journey to the center where GOD is the Hub. At this point all religions and spiritual practices are valid and Love is the core. (Kenney) Rumi said:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field and I will meet you there.”
Pluralism is the Hub, the field, where we all realize, no one and no religion is better than another. We meet there with mutual love and respect.

Dear Friends,
Believe it or not, we are in FEBRUARY, the month of sweetness, love and Valentine’s Day. Today let us imagine a      Circle of Love
where everyone holds each others hands with the intent to always drop hands to let another person into the circle. Imagine the
circle becoming wider and wider and people laughing, singing, chanting with joy and love for one another.

Let us all imagine the circle surrounding the earth and all that love radiating out into the world and universe. Imagine the angels
smiling on us and joining in the celebration!
This Circle of Love is inclusive, so no one is left out.
All are welcome, all races, nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, immigrants, genders, young, old, in-between, homeless, the good and the bad.
For we are All God’s children, loved without preference or favoritism. The Oneness, the safety, the security, the connection,
the non-judgement and Unity is felt by all.
What a wonderful world we would live in. Let us make it happen!!!

THE HILL WE CLIMB

Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureat shared her beautiful poem,
“The Hill We Climb”

Dear Friends,

It was a beautiful inauguration day for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. It feels like we have America back in balance, truth and integrity again. Let us keep our President and Vice President in our prayers as they restructure our society to be inclusive, equal, diverse, and compassionate, for people of all colors, nationalities, ethnicities, genders, and gender preferences, EVERYONE!

I feel like our new leaders are role modeling from the top down, the ideas of communication, collaboration, and uplifting the wide strengths, skills and wisdom of diverse people to help lead this democratic country. We again have leapt forward in consciousness as we did in 2008 with President Obama. Unfortunately the old ways and old paradigm took over for 4 years, where divisiveness, exclusivity and autocracy was thought the only way to run our country. However the old ways must change to allow the new paradigm to come in, democracy to flourish, so all can benefit and prosper.

The NEW is really not knew but ancient spiritual wisdom. We are all one people in, as
and of God. Each one is loved and unique.
Each one is “the individualization of the One Spirit and all people are individualizations of the One Spirit.” (What We Believe by Ernest Holmes).
Let us continue to BE this High Consciousness of Inclusivity, Equality, and Diversity and DO what we must do to insure these ideals in our family, friendships, work places, churches, centers, mosques, temples, synagogues, organizations and charities.

Consciously,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends,

The other day I was listening to some favorite CD’s and one was by Eric Hansen, a beloved musician, songwriter and singer. Eric passed away some years ago, however his beautiful songs and lyrics remain filling us with joy and truth. The words below are from his song
“The Holy Man.” It reminds us we are all holy, precious and worthy. In 2021 let us all remember we are created by God so we ALL have God’s DNA, Divine Nature Attributes,
(from Detra Johnson RScP) within us.
Over the holidays we may have been frustrated by mail and delivery people when packages, or mail did not arrive on time. We may have felt irritated when service in stores or restaurants were not quick or correct. However, all people are Holy, created from God’s DNA.
In the New Year, let us make a commitment to see the HOLINESS in all people we come
in contact with and/or over the phone. When we do, our irritation subsides and we can continue to BECOME more of our GOD DNA potential.

Here are the Beautiful Words and the YouTube video link is below.
Enjoy and Remember!

THE HOLY MAN

Treat every one you meet
Like a holy man
Know that every step you take
Is on holy land

Do not grow impatient
Do not speak in haste
Do not strike in anger
There’s so little time to waste

[Chorus:]
Holy
We are holy
Anyone you see could be
The Holy Man

It could be a stranger on the street
A lover that you meet
The check out girl in a grocery store
Standing on her feet
It could be that guy you were so rude to
When he was nice to you
A teacher that you hated
When you were back in school

Treat every one you meet
Like a holy man
Know that every step you take
Is on holy land

You are me
And I am you
We are one
Spinning ’round the sun
And when the day is done
We have done our best
To see the Holy Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZvgvePuKU8

Treating All as Holy,
Abigail and Steve

Dear Friends
This has been quite a year for us, expanding our faith and increasing our fortitude!

Our hearts and prayers go out to all the people around the world who lost their lives due to COVID and to the families grieving.
We continue praying for our essential workers and the scientists who have worked so diligently throughout this year to take care of the sick and create a vaccine for the health of the world. We bless them and express our gratitude and thanks for their service to humanity.

Ernest Holmes in his “What We Believe” says:
“We believe in the eternality, the immortality and the continuity of the individual soul, forever and ever expanding.”
We believe all those who have passed on to the other side are still expanding their soul because they are immortal. No one ever “dies.”

As the New Year approaches, how do we want to BE in the coming year. How can we expand spiritually here on earth?
Where are the areas we need to learn and grow? We are here to BEcome Godlike. Our Spirit is perfect, and yet here on earth our challenge is to recognize the perfection and beauty of our Spirit, our God essence.
“We believe in the eternal Goodness, the eternal Loving-kindness
and the eternal Givingness of Life to All.
We believe in our own soul, our own spirit and our own destiny,
for we understand that the life of all is God.”
The LIFE of ALL is GOD. Can we in 2021 move ahead in our spiritual growth to recognize God in ourselves is the same God in ALL people everywhere?
Can we be kind to ourselves, therefore be kind to everyone regardless of faith, culture, creed or political persuasion?
What will we have to BEcome in order to do BE that?
For an inspirational video, please view the Near- Death Experience of Jeff Olsen.

In the midst of great pain and hardship, the message it always there.
GOD IS, Heaven exists and we are NEVER alone.

BEing New in the New Year,
Abigail and Steve

December 15, 2020

Dear Friends,

At this time of year I like to prepare myself in prayer and meditation for the wonder of Christmas and all it means. Every symbol has meaning and significance, and springs forth from an idea that came before.

Many churches celebrate this Advent Season .
“Advent is a time of expectation and hope. “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming,” and it prompts us to pause each day in December and remember why Jesus came at Christmas. Advent today is a time of anticipation and expectation of the birth of Christ. Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The Advent wreath is created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter. The Advent wreath is a symbol of the season, with a candle lit each of the four Sundays leading up to, and on Christmas Day.
The candles represent Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. The middle candle represents Light and Purity and is called the Christ Candle lit on Christmas Day.”
The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5).”
https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/advent-wreath-candles-understanding-the-meaning-history-tradition.html
Remember to always let your LIGHT Shine as a sincere heart, kind word, and a supportive action.

Christmas Tree and Garland
Other Christmas symbols are the Tree, and the Garland. Gathering Garlands is an ancient Druid influence. The freshness reminds us of life everlasting. The Christmas Tree represents the Tree of Life (also Jewish symbology) and honors the Christ presence in the home.

Martin Luther originated the first domestic Christmas Tree.
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.

Christmas Carols
Christmas Carols are enjoyed by all. There was a time when people actually went door to door singing the favorite songs of the season. I did with my dad when I was little. It was a joyous event even in the cold wintry Chicago air. Sound and Song are considered in many religions the true way of communication with the Divine (Hindu, Sikh, Ekankar). “Christmas Carols possess latent power for unifying men and women with the higher orders of Life,” the Holy Ones, the Angels.
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.

Three Kings and the Star
“The three Kings represent the souls who have risen above their lower natures and found what is truly important. The empty wilderness resembles the uncharted times in one’s life when familiar ways no longer exist. One must strike out towards the star and ideal.”
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.
We all have times in our lives when what was working, no longer works, nor serves us. Time to open to a new way of living, moving and having our being. Let us follow the star (intuitive guidance) of our heart.

For the next two weeks, allow yourself time to remember the reason for the season.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, KINDNESS, all the that Jesus the Christ represented. Ask yourself, what does this Holy Day and Season mean to me?
According to Flower Newhouse, a Mystic, and Minister, “Emmanuel” was the name the heavens knew Jesus by. It was his Holy name. Jesus was his earthly name.
Let us all tune into our Holy name and be that which we aspire to be now and always.

With Love,
Abigail and Steve.