“If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.”
-African Proverb

Dear Friends,

I read the above quote in the August Science of Mind magazine and I immediately resonated with it.  I have and am serving on many boards and committees and have always found when we come together to work on a project or to find a solution, ALL ideas need to be honored at the table.  I believe in consensus and know when we all agree, there is 100% buy-in and cooperation.  It may take some time to get there, but once there, everything and every detail falls into place.

Just recently we finalized the Theme for the 2017 NAIN (North American Interfaith Network) Connect Conference which Dr. Steve is Chair.  We have had other meetings and emails going back and forth and the theme ideas were wide spread and inconclusive.   At this past meeting we knew we needed to really be clear and come to a decision on the theme.  We prayed, and walked the labyrinth asking what God’s Highest Divine Idea is for the conference.  Needless to say, all previous theme ideas were thrown out and a NEW one began to emerge. This was the Theme we could all agree on, and come to consensus with.

HARMONY: The Journey to Interfaith Understanding!

The 4 C’s:  Communication, Collaboration. Cooperation and Consensus is a beautiful process where everyone is heard and appreciated.  There is such JOY when we are all ONE in agreement.

Whatever committee you are on or leading, go for Divine Consensus and you will have a harmonious group of people all working for the highest good of all.

Peace and Blessings Always,

Rev. Dr. Abigail and Rev Dr. Steve

“I respect traditional people – they have the eyes which see value in the tarnished. This is a gift in itself. Tradition requires a wealth of discipline in order to be adhered to, hence it is rarely found in youth.”
– Criss Jami

Last week I mentioned I was traveling to see my Mentor Minister, Dr. Juanella Evans, in Bishop, CA.  I am so glad I did.  Communication was extremely challenging  since her voice had gotten so weak she could barely get the words out. When she did speak it was a mumble.  However just being there spoke more than words. Holding her hands was comforting to her. I brought up some lovely hand lotion and was able to put it on her hands.  I read the beautiful meditations in the back of the Science of Mind Text which helped to sooth and calm her.
Not being able to communicative can be frustrating and agitating.  Those in nursing homes, long term care facilities seem so lost and alone. When you have a chance, visit a facility. Make someone happy by just being there.
Say Hello to those in the wheelchairs in the hallways.
Remember they were once young and vibrant and now they feel almost invisible. Even of  you do not have anyone to visit, remember our elderly.  Help them in the grocery stores, malls, check out stands anywhere.
These are the shoulders we are standing on.  They have paved the way for us.  Recognize and honor their worth.
They were your age once, and one day you will be theirs!

Cherish your human connections: your relationships with friends and family.
–Joseph Brodsky

Earthly Life is short.  It always seems like we have “plenty of time” to call a friend, a loved one, parents, and/or colleagues.  In reality time is sacred and not a moment to waste.
I will be visiting my dear, beloved Mentor Minister, Dr. Juanella Evans this weekend up in a CARE Facility in Bishop, CA.  It has been awhile since I saw her, although we were in constant email communication.  Now I am praying for her continued health and wholeness.  My plans were to see her on her birthday in Sept.  However,
when I got the call, saying she was in the hospital, I knew  I had to see her sooner rather than later.
Don’t wait
Go see your loved ones and dear friends now.  Even if you cannot travel, call them, email them, text them.  Let them know what a blessing they are in your life.  Missed opportunities can be a heartache one has to live with.

Love and Blessings Always,
***

Simplify, slow down, be kind.
And don’t forget to have art in your life – music,
paintings, theater, dance,and sunsets.
– Eric Carle

We are taking care of our “granddoggie” for a couple days and she always helps me remember to SLOW Down, and enjoy the moment.  Zoe is a puggle, 1/2 pug and 1/2 beagle. She definitely has a beagle nose and  absolutely MUST stop and sniff every little leaf, tree, bush, pebble, blade of grass on our walks. YES, we do  slow down……
On one  walk we saw a small garden snake in the grass, and a road runner trotting across the road.  The whole day was “remembering” to stop and slow down, and take my time.  I stopped to say hi to a neighbor and then saw a small coyote cross the street. I walked the labyrinth slower than usual and noticed a yellow butterfly almost land on me. I also saw a  beautiful spider web between the bushes. In the grocery store I was behind an elderly gentleman around age 90 who needed more time with his payment and groceries.  The clerk apologized to me later saying she was sorry I had to wait, and I said,  “We will all get there someday, so no problem ” The clerk said, “I hope someone will be kind to me at that age.”
There are so many heart felt moments when we take more time to just slow down and  BE.  Everything can wait, but magical moments come and go quickly.
Watch for them, experience them, and stay in that moment just a little longer.  You will be glad you did.
***

At a time of increased attention to the Democratic Party’s platform plank supporting gay marriage, Rev. Jesse Jackson not only said he supports gay marriage, but told Human Events that in his capacity as a minister, he would perform a marriage of gay couples “if I was asked to.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson

“Our clergy believe that this decision is in the best tradition of the Conservative movement which views the Torah as a living document that allows room for new understandings and approaches,” it said. “As we have modernized the role of women and many other practices, the demand on the part of our brothers and sisters who are gay to be able to live in a sanctified relationship is a call to our conscience and our responsibility as Jews.”
Rabbi David Wolpe

“‘Who am I to judge a gay person of goodwill who seeks the Lord?’ the pontiff said, speaking in Italian. ‘You can’t marginalize these people.'”
Pope Francis

“Desmond Tutu leaves no doubt about his opinions regarding LGTB rights, declaring: ‘I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this.’
Archbishop Desmnd Tutu

***

I am doing my “Happy Dance” for my gay friends.  I celebrate  and am grateful to the Supreme Court for their decision last week.  In New Thought we know LOVE can be between many people, unlimited and joyful. The body is a vehicle to house the soul and spirit.  Bodies change from life time to life time, yet love for the soul of another does not change, no matter what body we enter the earth dimension with.  Congratulations to those who now can marry and have equal rights!

Happy 4th of July coming up. Let us celebrate the FREEDOM we have in this country to make changes necessary for our spiritual growth and well being.
Let us give thanks and blessings to our military for their work. Let us give thanks to all those who are doing their best to create a world that works for everyone.
I give thanks for YOU. You are a blessing, a light and an emissary of Spirit.
***

Our greatest human adventure is the evolution of consciousness. We are in this life to enlarge the soul, liberate the spirit, and light up the brain.
-Tom Robbins

Dear Friends,

     We are, as I know you are, so sadden by the events that took place at Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina last week. Our hearts are cracked wide open  and go out to those who lost a family member and loved one due to this crime of hate. The young man, Dylan Roof, age 21, shot and killed people in prayer and worship. How sad, someone can grow up with such hate and bias in his heart,  For the Emanuel congregation in Charleston  we sent our love, compassion, prayers, and a tithe support in a letter.  Please read below:

“Dear Members of the Emanuel Congregation,

We at the All Faith Center are heart broken by the violent events which took place last week to your Bible Study group.  Our prayers and support are with you knowing that even in the midst of this trial and tribulation, GOD is powerfully present and bringing forth Divine Justice as well as humans bringing forth justice in the human realm.

Reading the paper and hearing about how so many people are forgiving the man who perpetrated this unbelievable
shooting shows the High Consciousness of your community.

We are actively working to bring people of all faiths, non-faiths, creeds, races, genders together in our center to help bring peace, compassion and greater understanding among ALL people.  All are welcome here. We will continue to educate children and adults alike that the Spirit of God, of Life, of Love is within all people and  in all sentient beings.  All are to be loved, honored and
respected.

Our love and compassion goes out to you today and in the coming days, months and years.

This violence, prejudice, hatred has got to STOP.

Enough is Enough!  We will do whatever we can to help bring about a world that is safe, secure, in harmony, at peace and equal for all.

Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Abigail and Rev. Dr. Stephen Albert”
***

                  Let us continue to be emissaries and emanations of God,
here to love, serve, give and forgive.
Let Love be your Guide Always!

Peace and Blessings.
***

God – Spelled Backwards

When God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and bees.
And when at last He’d finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said, “I’ll walk this world of mine,
And give each one a name.”
And so He traveled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, “Dear Lord,
There’s not one left for me.”
Kindly the Father said to him,
“I’ve left you to the end.
I’ve turned my own name back to front
And called you dog, my friend.”

Author Unknown

                       This past weekend we  babysat for our “grandpuggle,” Zoe. She is 9
years young and just loves to be with her “people.”  Her favorite time is when we are all sitting on the couch and she gets to choose the lap and/or pillow and/or blanket to curl up on. It is amazing to watch her “think” and make a selection.  One morning  Zoe and I got up very early so I could feed her and take her for a long walk. She is a sniffer ( puggles are 1/2 beagle and 1/2 pug) so our walks are long because she needs to stop, sniff and explore the territory.  Being a “grandma” I have no great hurry to get home so I let her lead the way.  She always seems to be on a mission and knows exactly where she wants  to go.  Once we got home she was ready to rest on the couch.  However I needed my prayer time on my special chair. About 1 minute after I sat down I heard the patter of little feet trotting over and Zoe jumped up on my lap.  I had a blanket there and she made herself very cozy on top of it and me.  As my breathing slowed, I noticed hers did too, almost matching mine. Breathing in meditation puts us in the God zone and I realized I had God on my lap. God spells Its nature at that moment “dog.” Here was a truly sweet, kind, gentle being that only gives me unconditional love. My Zoe God wants to be with me, communicate with me, spend time with me and help me slow down to appreciate the good life I live.  Isn’t that just like the Infinite GOD?   It was such a beautiful God moment with her on my lap. The air felt different and etheric.  I truly felt the loving presence of the One. We are all One; Zoe, you, me, everyone and everything.  It was a perfect moment in”no” time.

Have me go where you would have me go.
Have me do what you would have me do.
Have me say what you would have me say, and to whom.
– Marianne Williamson

Are you living life to your full purpose?

I was with friends on Memorial Day and all over the house there was this quote on pillows, plaques  and even a birthday cake, “Live, Love, Laugh.”  I believe when we are living a life purposefully, we really do live, love and laugh.  We have found what makes our heart sing and our soul soar. Sometimes finding our “purpose” may feel overwhelming, however, it can be as easy as living a purposeful moment in the day.
Every morning  during my prayer and meditation time, I write out prayer treatments.  It helps me set my intention for the day. It keeps me centered and on track.  I affirm the health, wholeness and Divine Plan, for those on my prayer list and what actions I need to take that day in service to Spirit.
It is more than a “to do” list, it is opening to the highest good of all, including me.  Speaking or thinking starts the ball rolling. Writing things down solidifies the intention and purpose.   Once written, I feel FREE!  For I have let go and let God Divinely Orchestrate my day.    I am open to guidance as I live my life momentously.  Some days I accomplish everything. Other days, new guidance comes in and I accomplish other things.  I accept and expect unexpected GOOD Always.  The beauty is, it WORKS!  When I reread what I wrote the next day, I find it turned out even better than I expected!
Live, Love, Laugh and write down what you want daily. You will discover a greater purpose and ways to serve which will bring you more joy than you can imagine.  Remember GOD knows and IS the Divine Design of your life..When you surrender into IT, you are on purpose, living, laughing and loving your life.
***