Miracles News

Tweet

July-September, 2018

“Yea …But”

by Rev. Stephan Mead, O.M.C.

“The secret of salvation is but this: that you are doing this unto yourself. No matter what the form of attack, this is still true.” (ACIM T-27.VIII.10:1-2)

15 years ago, these two sentences were my introduction to A Course in Miracles. Like so many others, I found ACIM during a time of personal crisis. The ideas presented were so revolutionarily different from my belief system, yet they made so much sense as I read them, I couldn’t put it down.

I joined an ACIM study group, I purchased many, many books from authors “Google” claimed were experts in ACIM, and read them all, cover to cover. I attended workshops and conventions, far and near, with as much open-mindedness as I could manufacture, trying so hard to “get” how I was “doing this unto myself.” Finally, I reached the place on this path I named the, “Yea, … but” delay station.

This place of delay looks like this, “Yea, I totally believe what the Course teaches, “I do it all to myself,” But other people are treating me unfairly.” And, “Yea, I know the Course teaches anger is never justified, BUT wait till I tell you what just happened to me, you’d be angry too!” (Ha, except they weren’t.) And, “yea, I believe Jesus is personally teaching me how to recognize that the truth is always true, BUT in this particular situation, I know what is best.”

Later, I found out I didn’t discover this delay station. Many Course students stopped there and journeyed beyond it, and some were still visiting. Not everyone called it the, “Yea, … But” station. It was also referred to as the place where “theory and practice” are desperately trying to keep from ever meeting. Even while writing this it seems so insane that one (I?) would ever hesitate to eagerly put into practice the principles that Jesus Himself guarantees will erase the hell I have created and replace it with a joy that is all but indescribable, right now!

There is a list of promises in Alcoholics Anonymous often quoted by alcoholics seeking a spiritual awakening. They say it happens, “sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but will always materialize if we work for them.” Maybe it’s like that with the Course too. What does it really look like to get past the, “Yea, … Buts?”

Interestingly, I first had to experience I could not get past them. No matter how hard I tried to believe that I was creating all my experiences, something would come up in my life where I thought “blame” as in, “this isn’t my fault, it’s because of you I am now suffering,” was appropriate. Why couldn’t I get past this, “Yea, … But” place? Because the “I” that was trying was the problem.

I live on a million dollar property, waterfront (of course) on Whidbey Island in Washington State. My view is westerly, across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountain range. For almost three years I’ve been here, rent free and, mowing the lawn (with a new riding mower) has been pretty much my only duty.

A couple of weeks ago my brother told me he was going to sell the place and he thanked me for always keeping the lawn looking nice. I thanked him for the time he has let me stay, and wished him well on a quick and very profitable sale.

“Yea, …But” now what? What about me? I don’t want to move. Why doesn’t he just keep the property and let it appreciate? Why am I afraid I will be in real trouble if the place actually sells? How am I “doing this” to myself?

The thoughts I shared above are not the problem. The thoughts, “What about me?” and “I don’t want to move,” are thoughts of form with a content of fear and lack, and, when believed, my experience is a fearful one.  The situation shows me how I “do this” to myself.  The “I” that believes that form is content has it all backwards. This “I” believes that if things were different “I” would be okay. Seeing this is where I begin to bring these thoughts to Holy Spirit and accept the atonement for myself. Seeing this is where salvation, the promise made to me by God that I would find my way to Him at last, is kept. (ACIM W-pII.2)

Is there room for more healing in my mind? I think, “Yes.” I am learning to bridge the gap between theory and practice. So now where am I? I am joining those who are finding atonement. “Yea, … But” more work is needed to root out beliefs that aren’t true, though I still believe are true.

Thank you, Pathways of Light, for all the help you have provided me!

Rev. Stephan Mead, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Seattle, Washington.
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

July-September, 2018

You Are the Light

by Rev. Jim Peterson, O.M.C.

The Day has come.
It is a time of rejoicing.
It is a time of healing.

As the Oak
strives for the Light
so too have you.

Be not afraid for
Light surrounds you.

I see blue light.
It is the blue that fills
the cloudless afternoon sky.
It is a promise
that all is right.

Nothing else exists.

I feel the Love
that is within you.

It is calming.
It is ever present.

Yes I see,
You are the Light.

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

July-September, 2018

Using God’s Gifts

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

In today’s Pathways of Light Sunday service teleconference, we read from Workbook Lesson 166: “I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

Sometimes a lesson just lights me up and feels so personal to me. Such was the case this morning. Although I did not feel prompted to share my feelings during the teleconference, I believe I am guided to do so now in this forum.

Anytime I feel the Course remind me that I serve as a teacher of God, my heart quickens its pace. The last three paragraphs of Lesson 166 specify the way I can teach my brothers at this stage of my life.

“Teach them (my brothers) by showing them the happiness that comes to those who feel the touch of Christ, and recognize God’s gifts.” (W-166.13:5)

My occupation for many years was a high school history teacher and coach. I believe I was an effective teacher in the classroom and on the athletic fields. The Course teaches me, however, that my words alone taught very little. Unless I was a demonstration of the words I spoke to my students and players, little would be learned from what I said. 

Perhaps I have become more effective as a teacher since I left the classroom 10 years ago.  Seventeen months after my retirement, my son Kevin died of a heroin overdose following seven years of addiction and treatment. My way of grieving was to tell our tragic story through a self-published book and a willingness to speak publicly to students and their families.

I let it be known that I was an avid student of A Course in Miracles and a Pathways of Light minister. I documented my written conversations with Holy Spirit that came directly from my personal journals. Despite the horror of such a tragedy, I felt it was necessary for me to show from where my strength came and help to heal others in our family and beyond.

“Your sighs will now betray the hopes of those who look to you for their release. Your tears are theirs. If you are sick, you but withhold their healing.” (W-166.14:1-3)

“Betray it not. Become the living proof of what Christ’s touch can offer everyone.” (W-166.15:1-2)

It can be only my demonstration of the power of forgiveness that will allow me to help others who are dealing with similar circumstances. I can serve to show others the power of God’s strength in me by living a life of love and happiness.

“Your hand becomes the giver of Christ’s touch; your change of mind becomes the proof that who accepts God’s gifts can never suffer anything.” (W-166.14:5)

Although my efforts to turn to my Higher Power, Holy Spirit, may very well be imperfect, I have a willingness to be used by Him to help others. I feel certain that this is the key to my own healing.

“For God entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have received them. He has shared His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world.” (W-166.15:6-8)

Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Long Beach, New York. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

July-September, 2018

Holy Spirit, Who Are You?

by Rev. Peggy Rivera, O.M.C.

The Holy Spirit is something that has always fascinated me. Who is the Holy Spirit, What is the Holy Spirit and how does the Holy Spirit relate to me? This is one of those topics that always gets me thinking.

On the one hand I have read that the Holy Spirit is the Entity that reminds us of God’s Love for us, the bridge of communication between God and His separated Sons. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we find answers to life’s questions. We learn to see differently and forgive more easily. We learn to follow His lead in all situations. All we have to do is ask for guidance and be willing to hear his call.

I have read that He is part of the Holy Trinity of the God Head as in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But I have also learned another truth about Him. His function is dual in purpose. We receive comfort from Him and we learn to see past illusions. I have also realized that the Holy Spirit is the part of us who never forgot who we are.

In the Clarification of Terms in the back of The Manual for Teachers on pg. 89 it say’s, “The Holy Spirit abides in the part of your mind that is part of the Christ Mind. He represents your Self and your Creator, Who are One. He speaks for God and also for you, being joined with both. …He seems to be a Voice, for in that form He speaks God’s Word to you. He seems to be a Guide through a far country, for you need that form of help. He seems to be whatever meets the needs you think you have. But He is not deceived when you perceive your self entrapped in needs you do not have. It is from these He would deliver you. It is from these that He would make you safe.” (C-6.4:1-3, 5-10)

So the way I see it, the Holy Spirit is joined with you and joined with God. He represents the unseparated Self that is part of the Whole. So really in the truest sense, the Holy Spirit is the part of you that is still part of God, the part of you that never left God. In other words in reality when you remember you are not the ego and body, your real Self is completely at One with the Whole. And God in all of His Glory and Love for us sent that higher Reality to keep reminding us who we are.

Sometimes we are led to people, places or things that will help us heal our thoughts, our hurts and our ego wounds. I feel that for sure that is the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and that we are led. All we need to do is be willing to heed the call. This is very comforting to me. I think of all the times I called upon the Holy Spirit to help me see differently. I think of how I felt the gentleness of the words I heard and the peace that always comes over me, and I feel so grateful to God for sending a Comforter to us. But it is even more wonderful to learn that we are already in our true Home. We are all complete when we awaken. Our job here is to awaken to that Reality here on earth. We can bring Heaven down to earth.

I experienced this recently when I was searching for a hypnotist. I wanted to use hypnosis for weight loss. But when I sat and talked with the hypnotist, I recognized she was sent to me by the Holy Spirit. The words I needed so desperately to hear came through her. Through her counsel I have gotten over my addictive tendencies toward food and I have learned to trust the Creative forces at work in my life to show me how to heal.

In my prayers I have had people show up in my life to support me in my healing. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not been led to this ambassador for my peace because I feel stronger than I ever have and I need this strength because my son was diagnosed with cancer late last year. I have relied on this inner strength that I receive from the Holy Spirit to keep reminding me that God is still here beside me and my son. We are Love, peace and beauty. Anytime I get afraid of the outcome, I call on the Holy Spirit to guide me through this maze. I am always reassured things will be okay, it will not be a cake walk but in the long run everything will be okay.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your loving guidance and thank you God for Loving us enough to send us this Comforter.

Rev. Peggy Rivera is a Pathways of Light minister living in Palm Bay, Florida.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 305-322-6610
Website: http://www.privera.lifeministries.com

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution to support this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution with a credit/debit card, click here.
Click here to donate from your PayPal account.
Or send a check to Pathways of Light, 12530 Lions Chase Court, Huntley, IL 60142.