In 1971 John Lennon wrote “Imagine,” a song that expressed his dream of world peace:

“Imagine all the people

Living life in peace…

You may say I’m a dreamer

But I’m not the only one

I hope someday you’ll join us

And the world will be as one.”

The life we desire, and the world we aspire to experience, begins anew when we realize that the presence, power and energy of God shows up for us through our thoughts. In our thinking. Even before the words can be formed our thinking was setting the stage for our experience. In our imagining, our seeing visions, our dreaming of dreams. Here is placed into the fertile soul of mind the seeds of that which we can nurture and begin to see bear fruit. We need to dare to imagine, to visualize and to dream that we may experience. But that planted seed needs nourishment in order for it to grow and show up in our lives in ways that have meaning, have tangible substance and worth. Let our imagining, our visions and our dreams then become our action. Our action in our words, in our smiles, in our embracing of another. Action in our service to others. Let our imagining be one of seeing love and light wherever we may be. Love that heals and encourages. Light that exposes the darkness of negativity and floods that space with a new Truth so that we may be transformed through the energy of the Christ Consciousness. Imagine peace in our community, our country and the world. See it, visualize it and then see and visualize those actions that can bring the dream to reality. Let our action become speaking out when we see injustice, reaching out to comfort those in need, let our action seek to do those things that will be part of a movement to change our world so that the worth and dignity of all people is celebrated and affirmed. All people. There can be no peace until the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of nationality, gender, sexual orientation or faith practice is celebrated as a beautiful expression and path toward a greater realization of the presence of Spirit.

Our imagining begins with what it is we would wish to experience. Affirm that which we would wish to experience – proclaim that which we would wish to experience – and with grateful hearts offer up thanksgiving to God, that Spirit is indeed moving in our lives.

Imagination is powered by faith and followed by positive and intentional action. It is followed by new vision and possibility and it is powered by knowing that God can, will, and does indeed provide all that we need to move forward – with that imagining – to creating a new picture of our lives in vivid colors and textures.

Imagine and believe. Start now if you haven’t already and continue to grow in your vision each and every day. Each little step we may take is actually a mighty leap forward for us all. There is much we need to do under Spirits guidance to change our circumstances and our world, but the good news is we don’t ever need to do it alone. The outcome is not all on our shoulders. The same Spirit that gave us each the dream also gives us what we need to make that dream a reality. Spirit/God is shouldering the weight; it is our vision, our dreams, our faith and our action that can give that dream its direction and it is Spirit giving us the energy to move forward. Instead of waiting for the dream to become a reality before living within that vision how about we endeavor to start living that dream now, in each and every way we can, to move our consciousness toward seeing it come to life.

We have always thought too small, with too much limitation as to what we can do on our own. Celebrate the imagining, the dream, but always leave room for God to make that vision even more wonderful than our limited consciousness could have ever conceived.

Faith is always powered by action and one could even say without action faith is just an idea, not a lifestyle. It needs to be our lifestyle with our every breath and our every thought.

So let our action begin with thanksgiving and gratitude that our dreams are guided now and always by perfect Spirit working in and through each and every one of us. Starting from that centered place of joy we can move ever closer to not just imaging, but experiencing, miracles.

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could everimagineor guess or request in your wildest dreams! God does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, this Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (Ephesians 3: 20-21, The Message)

“Never limit your view of life by any past experience. The possibility of life is inherit within the capacity to imagine that life is, backed by the power (Spirit) to produce this imagery, or Divine Imagination.” (Dr. Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind, page 187)

Affirmation: “What new imaginings can God and I bring to reality today?”

“Do not conformto the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12: 2)

This scripture, from the Apostle Paul, is one that has long engaged me for much reflection and study throughout my life. And from Pauls’ letter to the church in Philippi, (Philippians 2: 5), “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” This is a theme that appears in Paul’s writings often. It is an idea that was very important to him and one that he felt foundational for first century followers of the Christ and church to understand and to live. To the Roman church in his letter he wrote that we are to have relationship and spiritual companionship with Jesus Christ and in doing so we are “to allow God to transform us inwardly by the complete renewing of our minds.” In his letter to the church in Corinth he wrote that, “we are to have the same mind of Christ.” To the church at Philippi, “put on the mind which was in Christ Jesus.” To the Apostle Paul one cannot even begin to understand Jesus until we have a Christ Consciousness of service as did Jesus himself.

So, what is this Christ Consciousness that Paul is asking us to have? If you were to ask that question of Paul he would tell you that Jesus was speaking of a particular level of human consciousness when he told us these comforting words, “the Kingdom of heaven is within.” There it is. The kingdom of heaven is within. We need look no further than within our very selves, each and every one of us, to find that for which we have so long been searching. Within. Right where we are at this and every moment. Not far off – over there – or over there – or out there – but within. Right here.

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is our remembering that which is within. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds and remembering to seek the mind of Christ in all that we do, think and say changes our game plan for what is about to happen in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The mind of Jesus. Think on that for a moment. What mind did Jesus demonstrate for us as he traveled about in his life and ministry?

It was the mind of Jesus that never saw the people he encountered along his journeys as “the other.” It was this mind that never labeled these people as worthy or unworthy of his attention. Jesus certainly understood the teachings of his elders, certainly the Pharisees, that this or that group is untouchable, not part of us and separate and out of favor with God’s plan. Each time I read the stories that include the Pharisees I am amazed, and yet amazed yet again, to see how narrow-minded and opinionated they were. They witnessed the healings of Jesus time and time again. Each time they saw Jesus heal someone they too had an opportunity to be healed of their bigotry and to be transformed into new life, but they just couldn’t see what was before them. The mind of Jesus reached out to the hurting, the sick, the lame, the blind, people all around him. In the mind of Jesus he didn’t ever see people as “the unworthy.” He saw them as human beings, creations of a loving God, he saw them as souls that were longing to experience new life and new possibility for their lives. The mind of Jesus never saw defeat and pain when the truth of God’s presence was right there. He saw that there was victory and abundant blessings available for all. To have the mind of Christ is to have what we in the 21st century call NON-DUEL THINKING. Not a “this or that,” not a feeling of being “separate,” not a “you vs. me,” and certainly not a need to label everything putting certain things down so one can feel superior. But he understood the unity of humanity as all living in the Kingdom of Heaven right here, right where we are now and always. Each of us together – united as one.

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God” meant being in God’s very holy presence. Each person he encountered he saw as citizens of this kingdom. Each person he saw – each thought that he had – was a thought of blessing and peace and possibility for all.

In our more modern time I look at the life and ministry of Mother Teresa and see one who not only had the mind of Christ but was transformed over and over again as her work transformed the lives of all those with whom she touched. No “this or that” thinking in her life. She saw all as precious children. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, everyone.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. A renewing that shifts your thinking from seeing with blinders – and through a veil – and to make a decision to see and to serve as Christ saw and served.

Can you imagine if this was how everyone saw life? Wow. If we all saw our world through a mind of Non-Duel thinking and belief? No longer would there be bigotry, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, hatred, lies and the biggest hurdle to our lives – FEAR.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

But the Apostle also charged us do something else. He wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world.” A tall order isn’t it? Easy – not so much. Possible – yes. Paul cautions us – that as we look around seeing lies and distrust and people who do business with questionable ethics, with greed as ones motivation and goal, who speak falsely and hurtfully about others, as we see them puff themselves up to feel superior – as we look around and witness that – that we not fall into that way of living. Do not see that as so present that we come to accept that as the new norm. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Seeing what is around you -choose another path. Make another decision. Set your intention to be one of LOVE and dwelling in the perfect presence of Spirit.

Where do you want to be? What do you want to experience? What is your destination of choice?

Fear is perhaps one, if not the, most terrifying force that our “world” would like for us to dwell in. Fear will stop us in our forward movement of life each and every time. Fear will entangle us in the worlds orbit so fast we won’t even know we are orbiting in it until something catastrophic happens to us. Fear will change our perceptions of life, focus our vision to latching onto negativity and it will devastate us. But, do not conform to the world. To fear. To the system that seeks to suck you in.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Seek love. Remember to pray. Meditate. To talk with God/Spirit. Remember the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, right where you are, so God is right with you. Within. Waiting, longing for your presence at every moment. This is true in whatever faith you practice. Spirit is with you. Are you with It?

We have to live in this world, but we can change this world. In our present day world, in the midst of our lives, filled with the everyday ups and downs of modern life, surrounded by a mindset – ever so prominent – that can foster and nurture a defeatist attitude and tear us apart, the apostle tells us to not dwell in that negativity, but to see our world and our place in this world as Jesus would beckon us to see and experience. The world will be forever with us, but, yes, we can change this world.

I think the words of the bumper sticker are very true. “Change your thinking – change your life.”

Paul writes of a freedom of spirit that awaits us whenever we make the decision to turn to it, recognize it, recalculate, reboot and accept it as our way of life. He tells us that Spirit is near. As close as our very next thought.

“Let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3: 4)

We think of our dwelling place as our home, that place where we live, or perhaps our church, where we worship. Our dwelling place conjures for us a place of peace, security and overall comfort. It is a place that brings us a renewal of strength and restores us back to being in balance with life.

For too long we have thought our true peace, our true dwelling place is a physical space. For too long we have looked outside of ourselves for what we believed to be mysterious and remote. I think our true dwelling place is found within. Deep inside each of us is that wonderful spark of Divine Spirit that is the seed of our very creation and it longs to be acknowledged and given reign in our lives. This Divine Spark is pure, without judgment; it never labels things positive or negative, black or white, and it always is constant in its purpose. Because this spark of pure Spirit is the foundation and center from which we are to live our lives, it is the true essence of all that we are; however, in our humanness we have lost track of that non-judgmental and perfect Spirit within us.

Scripture tells us that Spirit groans to be made known within us. It says to each of us, come rest with me, you are tired and spinning your wheels, come sit with me and I will restore you to divine wholeness. One that is clear, easy and beautiful. Put your yoke upon me and let’s go together through this wonderful adventure called life.

Spirit is always calling to us – wanting to take us to our inner dwelling place. It is where we began and it is a sacred and holy place. Far too often the distractions of life and our ego centered desires pull us away from that place. There seems to be a tug of war going on so we can get what we want, have what we want, and be something different to the world than we were created to be. When we can relax and let God lead us, let Spirit direct us, let the Divine Nature within us carry us along like a feather floating with the current of a river, we will be so much happier. When we are able to do so we will come to realize that as we have been seeking Spirit, Spirit has been seeking us. Our dwelling place within beacons us to come and rest, and to truly discover all that we are, all that we are meant to be, and all that we can do to help light our world.

Affirmation: “Life is a wonderful adventure when I turn within and let Spirit/God guide me forward in all things.”

Faith is a powerful word and idea to contemplate. We can have faith in many things, we can have faith in people, and we can have faith in God. All too often it has been people who have let us down and because of that experience we come to the false conclusion that God will also let us down. We begin to see God in the image of humans, with capricious intentions, instead of seeing God as the steady, forever constant, Divine Essence of all good. Personally I have never understood how people who don’t believe in the power of God in their lives make it through each day. Yes, I have grown up as a believer, as a churchgoer, and as a Christian for my entire life. I have constantly seen and experienced how the power of God has gotten me through some pretty tough times and delivered me to the other side of those mountains. Scriptures that speak of having faith and continuing to trust in God have become my mantras in those difficult times. One of my favorites that has always gotten me through the tough times, is Isaiah 41:10. “Do not fear, for I am with you, be not be afraid, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Those words and those powerful thoughts have often been on my mind, as they are yet today, for there is much going on in our world that could discourage and defeat us. We are not charged to have great faith, but even just a little, like a mustard seed. These seeds that take root in the soil of our thoughts can grow into amazing structures of possibility, reaching for the sky in magnificent grandeur.

Feel as though your faith is lacking today? Feel dehydrated of the Spirit of God in your life? Take some time to sit in the quiet, to imagine the presence of God within you. Visualize the seed of God’s possibility deep within and trust that God is at this very moment nurturing that seed and blessing you abundantly. Think of Spirit’s Divine and perfect Light washing over and through you. Visualize that Light cleansing you of all self-doubt, fear, darkness and especially negative defeatist thinking. As that Light washes through you see that Light as it encounters each and every cell, atom and molecule of your being and turning them into glowing beacons of health, prosperity, possibility and newness of resolve. The old is washed away and replaced with the new pure and loving presence that is truly the real you. Do this often and allow your spirit to be renewed.

The great artist Michelangelo said that in creating his magnificent statue of the David all that he really did was chip away all the stone that was around the David so that he could reveal what was hidden within. That is what we can do as we contemplate this power of Spirit washing through us. It chips away all the negative, burdensome ideas and thoughts we have accumulated and reveals the magnificent creation of God that we truly are.

Faith, our belief in the things that are not seen scripture tells us. Faith, the assurance that joy always comes in the morning. Faith, our knowing without a doubt that as beautiful creations of God we need not fear, for indeed, God is upholding us with Spirit’s victorious presence.

Affirmation: “My faith is a mighty seed that grows each day to bless and strengthen me.”

“Jesus said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.” (Mark 4: 21-22)

One of my favorites preachers to listen to, or even to read her sermons, is Barbara Brown Taylor. In a sermon I was reading recently she wrote, “We need to restore the power of belief.” And this really stayed with me. Our belief can be such a fragile thing. It can vary in degrees based on what we are experiencing at any given time. And yet, God calls us to continue to believe and to trust in Spirit’s wonderful power for change in our lives no matter what is going on for us.

Our power of belief is our willingness in having a courage that is built on a solid foundation of God. God’s light is eternal and always the same; I firmly believe that. We can diminish our experience of that light and our individual expression of that light, or we can even snuff it out completely. Often we do this because there are simply some things that are painful for us to see and experience. That is a very human thing to do and we mustn’t ever belittle or beat ourselves up when we do that. Some things are painful. Some things simply are uncomfortable and we don’t want to see them, so we pretend they just don’t exist. In the south we called that good ole “Southern Denial.” It’s a practice of pretending, but it bares no resemblance to the truth. I have always discovered in my own life that the more I need God the more God seems to show up. I love that. But I have also come to realize that I have to recognize and affirm that God is indeed present with me. My awareness of the power of God with me helps me to experience that power when and where I need it most. My awareness is also my prayer of thanksgiving to God for blessing me in ways that I may not yet understand, but I affirm that I will.

Our power of belief is the place that gives us courage to let loose God’s light within us and shine that light forward with a beam so bright that whatever it exposes we can know we have the ability to handle. Our belief is our trust in the power of God, right where we are at every moment, to walk with us through each step of life we take. When the road is smooth and flat and the going is easy, and when the road is rocky and has twists and turns that make us feel we are going in circles. Our trust in the presence of God to bless us abundantly can keep us going forward, knowing that the light gets brighter and the comfort and peace we desire will come.

Why can we handle it? Because God has not gone anywhere. God is still right here. God was with us then and God is with us now and God will be with us always. Make no mistake. To God that is not negotiable. That is a given. It is a fact and it is a truth beyond all truths. God loves you unconditionally and God loves to dance with you in the light of joy and peace.

Affirmation: “I know God is always with me at this and every moment. Recognizing God’s presence I see new and exciting possibility for myself and others. What a joyous experience it is.”

“You shall not make for yourself an idol whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” (Exodus 20: 4)

The Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, is very plain in speaking out against idol worship, or making some imagine we create the object of our devotion. The creation of a Golden Calf in the desert created while Moses was away from his people on the mountaintop is the prime example given to us. But I would also submit that we often make images of other things, things that dwell in our thoughts that prevent us from experiencing fully the presence of Spirit/God in our lives.

For many of us a graven image that we believe is truth is feeling that we are separate from God. Feelings that God, once having created the world, and us, has now left us alone to fend for ourselves crowd out any chance we may have to experience the truth of our being. Images of defeat, lack, limitation and struggle can become so engrained within our minds that we get stuck in living out those images as if that is our purpose.

Perhaps the biggest image we carry around with us is fear. Our news reports, and the messages that many of our politicians promote, does nothing to alleviate our worries and concerns. These fears, added to ones we already carry around, and our thoughts and emotions of separateness from Spirit, can keep us in a constant state of turmoil. So much so that after a while those feelings of fear become our “new normal.”

Recognizing the presence of Spirit/God always right where we are at every moment can begin to help us move away from a “fear state” and into a “peace state.” Spirit/God never leaves us, is always right where we are at every moment and always as close as our very next thought. We are God’s beloved creation and God is always available to touch our lives in any way we need. Concerns for our present well-being and for our future will always be with us, but when we can turn our worries and fears over to Spirit/God we can relax into being about the business of living the fruitful, abundant lives we were created to live.

How do we do this? I would invite you to begin with prayer and meditation. List the things that cause you fear, name them, make them come to the forefront of your mind so that you can then, one at a time, turn them over to Spirit. Release them, every one of them, to Spirit. Know that in doing so the burden is lifted from your mind and that you are opening up a new space in your mind to receive peace, clarity, abundance, joy, happiness, renewed health and wellbeing. You deserve to experience the fullness of Spirit and it is your inherited birthright as a child of God to do so. Through our prayers, and our meditations, releasing our fears to God helps us change the vibration and energy of our thinking. It changes the energy of what we allow to become to focus of our lives. It changes the energy field of Spirit in and all around us that attracts to us those things we truly wish to experience in our lives, and to share with the world.

Let Spirit/God have your fears today. Start today. Each day connect with Spirit and renew that wonderful connection. In doing so, you will change your life.

May your relationship with the presence of Spirit/God truly allow you peace and prosperity this day and always.

Affirmation: “With a willingness to let go of what no longer serves me I place my trust in Spirit/God for exciting new possibilities.”

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11: 29

One evening I was with the Young Adults group at the church and our Minister for High School students was leading our discussion. He began that evening with something I shall never forget. He started out by asking each of us to do some inner examination and then he asked, “What is going on in your soul today?”

This really struck me as I thought about it. With all of the things that we face and encounter in our daily lives our soul is often forgotten as we seek to find peace in our lives and make sense out of all that is happening around us. Looking within to where we may have stored up our hurts and disappointments, and especially our fears, is important as we seek to release those emotions into the light of God’s unconditional love. Turning within to meet the ever-present Spirit, always as close as our very next thought, helps us to feel we have not been forsaken or forgotten. Our way back to living fruitful and inspiring lives can begin again when we acknowledge that God is bigger and more powerful than any challenge, fear, struggle or hurt we may be experiencing. When we can release those emotions to Spirit/God, being open to how God will respond to our willingness to let go, we can experience the Divine Presence in a deeper and more life affirming way.

One of my favorite hymns of the church is “It Is Well With My Soul.” I listen to this often to uplift myself above the concerns of my day and to remind myself that even in my distress my soul is well because that is where Spirit/God lives within me. My awareness that my heartbeat, in rhythm with the heartbeat of Spirit, and my every breath, alongside the breath of God, restores my vision, renews my energy and reminds me that I can, with assurance, place another foot forward. This is the assurance of Spirit that the challenges of life cannot weigh me down. Each next moment, spent in the truth of Spirit/God’s uplifting presence, is a restorative moment because I have placed into that moment the bright Light of Divine Spirit.

Taking a few moments to slowly breathe, mindfully with Spirit, can move our faith forward into our living lives of new and exciting possibility.

It is well with my soul because all is well in the presence of Spirit/God.

The beautiful lyric to the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” is poetry of hope and a prayer to how much we are loved unconditionally by God.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, God has taught me to say, it is well, it is well.

It is well with my soul.

It is well, it is well,

It is well with my soul.

May God haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul.

It is well, it is well,

It is well with my soul.

Affirmation: My soul rests in the Divine presence. It is the light that guides my path forward this day and always. In living this truth I share my light with others as they share their light with me.”

“Jesus said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease’.” (Mark 5: 34

COMPASSION. As I thought about this word this past week I wondered what all it means in our lives as we move forward. Forward into the unknown, forward into making a difference for justice and peace in our world. Showing a compassionate heart for others and for receiving compassion so that we might model that more fully to a fragmented and hurting world.

God is the definition of compassion, but for compassion to be truly experienced by us, and sent forth to others, it must involve something that gives it action and moves it forward. That something I believe is FAITH.

We all live our lives in this modern world with varying degrees of fear. It would be difficult to not do so. Much of our world is scary and uncertain and much of our world is so unpredictable. Our lives are not always made up of eliminating fear entirely, but of learning to live with it so that we can exist the best that we can with productive, fruitful lives. Living with fear does not mean we accept that those causes of fear define us or that we must always look for that which brings us fear. Living with fear means that we are receptive to noticing those things that are fearful so that we can, by letting God be present in those situations, begin to see what triggers that fear in us in a way that allows us to move through it and into a greater truth of God’s abiding presence.

Degrees of fear may always be a part of our modern world and our human experience, but living a life that is not always coming from a place of fear, but a place of peace and compassion through the grace of God, can begin to change us, and our world, to a place we can really call home.

So, Compassion, lived through Faith, becomes the action that moves us forward to new understanding of God working in our lives. COMPASSION+FAITH=CHANGE. This becomes for us “A Blended Wholeness” and takes all of our experience, our thoughts and our beliefs, and brings them together so that our fears and doubts are diminished. If we think of fear and doubt as darkness, and compassion, faith and trust in God as light, the blending of our experience can begin to move us from one of despair to one of hope and peace. Adding the Light will always remove the darkness. When we add that Light in our minds, (in all of our thinking) with thoughts of God’s strength, courage, peace, comfort, wellness and compassion, we manifest the beautiful change we desire to experience, and our souls have always longed for. It is then that we realize we are living with one another in the true Light of God’s kingdom of heaven lived on earth as it is meant to be lived.

Affirmation: “I flourish in the grace of God and experience a renewed belief that all is well.”

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.” Romans 8:19

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5: 1

So, to answer the question above, how do you define yourself? Gender? Race? Sexuality? Where you live? (Southerner, northerner, mid-westerner?) Your job? Marital status? Church affiliation? Or any other definition you can think of?

We are indeed one or more of those things as we define ourselves as human beings, but that is a classification that is created and lived out in human terms. In human-thought. It has whatever reality in our lives that we choose to place upon it. Each of these things can, if we choose to solely use them to define us, hold us back from the full potential and expression we were placed on this planet to realize and live.

Regardless of how we may identify ourselves – race, gender, sexuality, education – God has created us in, and with, a marvelous Spirit that awaits our acceptance as our true vision in our going forth. God’s life, lived within and as us, is who we really are. God’s presence, as well as where we truly live as spiritual beings, is so much more than our human thought can ever imagine.

Our thinking – our humanness – as wonderful and filled with choices as it is – often clouds the truth of what we are capable of achieving and where we truly live. We live in the presence of an awesome God. Our true home – our ultimate address – is in God’s presence. Your true address is not your street, your city or your state, your true address is in the kingdom of God, lived and experienced on this earth with enormous potential and good. In this place there can be no fear – for there is no darkness. We live, first and foremost in a spiritual kingdom that we are right now experiencing as our life on planet earth. As humans we place conditions, labels and definitions on things so we can understand them, and our understanding is more often a false one. The real truth of who we are is as God’s children, God’s perfect creation. Our creation has come upon this earth for a marvelous expression, to enjoy life, and also, to aid all humanity. We are not meant to label things with an intention to divide and feel superior. Those things only have the meaning we choose to give them and that meaning is more often than not a false meaning created from our own perception of lack and limitation. When we see ourselves, and others, as spiritual beings first, the human labels we would attach in our thoughts have less impact on how we choose to react and live here. We are meant to experience living “on earth as it is in heaven.” We can only do that when we celebrate the mutual creation that is our very core. This becomes for us the essence of living our lives in pure love. This for us eliminates our need to fear.

When we turn our thoughts to love, the opposite of fear, and when we trust that our true spiritual home, breathing and living in God’s presence, is where we really are, we discover that in doing so the natural result of that is that we are living in peace. It can begin with each one of us, and as we live that, and model that for one another, soon our world can make the shift into seeing a truer picture of who and where we are.

When we move from fear to trust and love – realizing the true kingdom in which we live – our real personal address – God gives birth to something new in us. God gives birth to a resurrection spirit of hope, a passion for justice and a bright light of truth that can lift us from any challenges we may face in life.

It all begins with your choice, your decision. So, who are you really and where do you really live?

“For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.” (Psalm 47: 2)

I marvel at just how awesome is our God. Recently one evening a group of us were standing on the portico outside the church doors amazed at the beautiful colors that appeared in the westward sky. Shades of blue, magenta, purple, and clouds that looked like waves of white cotton arranged in a beautiful formation. The synthesis of the colors and clouds was like a beautiful painting that defied description. This was indeed, and could only be, the handiwork of God presented to all who would stop to recognize it. Truly it stirred the spirit and inspired our souls.

The Psalms often speak of the awesomeness and the magnificence of God. So wondrous is the presence of Spirit God in our lives that we can scarcely take it all in. Look around you. Whatever you see is the creation of a loving God who beholds you in awesome wonder as well.

So often I am so overcome with the wonder of God everywhere I look that I simply have to stop and try take it all in. I try to comprehend the fullness of God’s presence and grace and yet I cannot. No human can, and yet we can allow that Spirit to enlighten us to an even greater understanding of God working in, through, and as our very being.

If you are feeling low, in need of healing of any kind, concerned as to what action you should next take in your life, I suggest it is an especially a good time to stop and truly recognize the flawlessness of God that is always right where you are at every moment. Breathe in this Holy Presence, let it anchor within you a new understanding of this incredible power to change your life.

Yes, God, you are indeed an awesome and wondrous God. Mighty to behold, unconditionally loving and forever faithful. May we forever recognize and be grateful for this and all of our blessings, for we also read in Psalms, “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.”

Affirmation: “Sometimes the only response to God is to say, ‘Thank you.’”