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Ask to See Things Differently

by Rev. Larry Glenz, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

“Forgive and you will see things differently. These are the words the Holy Spirit speaks in all your tribulations, all your pain, all suffering regardless of its form.” (W-193.5:1-2)

The timing of this writing is November 2, 2020 — one day before Election Day. Despite my strong personal preferences in voting, I am asking Holy Spirit to help me to suspend my judgment about what I think my government needs to do for the welfare of all. I am asking Spirit in advance to help me let go of the outcome of Election 2020.

The year 2020 has attained an infamous reputation as one of the very worst of the 21st century to date. The COVID-19 pandemic, inflamed racial tension over police killings, historic storm floods and wildfires, all are taking place at a time of intense political divisiveness in an election year.

In anticipation of possible riots and looting in certain cities around the nation, merchants are boarding up their storefronts. Both sides have violent, radical fringes ready to express their discontent.

Is the cause of all this really our collective lack of forgiveness? Is the solution to all these problems simply to hand it all over to God and let it play out without fear and anxiety?

On Election Day, is my function to vote and then forgive the outcome? Vote and then let go and let God? I have strong views of what is best for my country and the world. Still, Spirit reminds me that I don’t know my own best interests — but He does.

Unfortunately, my past programming as a long-time high school social studies teacher affects my thoughts. I feel like I know what is best. My ego is certain that my preferred candidate must win for the overall good of our nation and the world.

“Do nothing then, and let forgiveness show you what to do, through Him Who is your Guide, your Savior and Protector, strong in hope and certain of your ultimate success.” (W-II.1.5:1)

The COVID pandemic has our nation changing our behavior on many levels. As we await a vaccine, there are many conflicts of interest on how we, Americans, and the rest of the world should behave. There is a general belief that only the science of medicine can cure this. However, the Holy Spirit tells us:

“That (a cure) is achieved by only one recognition; that only a forgiveness cures an unforgiveness, and only an unforgiveness can possibly give rise to sickness of any kind.” (P-2.VI.5:5)

Did a collective unforgiveness cause this disease to spread throughout the world? On the metaphysical level, this is the only thing that could cause this. Our fear thoughts need to be healed. Trusting Holy Spirit’s plan and not our own is the cure.

The issues of climate change, immigration, health care, economic policies, civil rights, all need to be seen through the eyes of forgiveness. To many, this may seem unrealistic or even foolish.

On the level the ego, we have to fight for everything we get in this world. “Rugged individualism” is a social, economic, and political concept that has been strong throughout American history. On this level, competition seems more important than cooperation among both individuals and nations.

The Course teaches us that our thoughts manifest into what we see in the world. And it tells us that everything we experience here in the world is a lesson for our learning. Nothing is happening by accident. The world is providing the background for our continued spiritual growth.

Despite appearances, everything is perfect for what we need to learn. We want to trust in Holy Spirit to guide us through what our perception is showing us. We do not want to be led by fear thoughts.

“This is an insane world, and do not underestimate the extent of its insanity. There is no area of perception it has not touched, and your dream is sacred to you. That is why God placed the Holy Spirit in you, where you placed the dream.” (T-14.I.2:6-8)

My function is clear to me now. My job is to forgive. If I let go and let God, I will see things differently. I need to pause. I ask for guidance. As I do this, my fear lessens, and my confidence rises.

The results of the Election of 2020 will take a few days to determine, I am told. By the time you read this, the election will be old news. But whatever the world throws our way, we have a safe place to go. We get quiet. We ask. We listen.

“Pause and be still a little while, and see how far you rise above the world, when you release your mind from chains, and let it seek the level where it finds itself at home.” (W-128.6:1)

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

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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Healing Is Available Now

by Revs. Mary & Robert Stoelting

Robert and I have been focused on mind healing for many years now and it has paid off in greater ways than we could have imagined. One of the most important practices that has helped us is to stop and remind ourselves and each other to pause for inspiration in how to see this differently. This means that we had to stop and listen… The Course puts it beautifully:

“… we need only call to God, and all temptations disappear. Instead of words, we need but feel His Love. Instead of prayers, we need but call His Name. Instead of judging, we need but be still and let all things be healed.” (W-p.II.Intro.10:2-5)

Recently our big color printer stopped working in the middle of printing materials for a course. Instead of getting agitated about the inconvenience, we realized that this was the perfect time to stop and pause to feel God’s peace and ever present Love…

After taking the time to step back from this “problem,” we discovered that we needed a replacement part for the printer and that it would take a few days to receive the part. After pausing and choosing peace, we realized that the delay would cause no harm and that we are always carried and our needs are always met. This was not the big deal that we thought it was before going to peace.

The Course reminds us, “Each day, each hour and minute, even each second, you are deciding between the crucifixion and the resurrection; between the ego and the Holy Spirit. The ego is the choice for guilt; the Holy Spirit the choice for guiltlessness. The power of decision is all that is yours. What you can decide between is fixed, because there are no alternatives except truth and illusion. And there is no overlap between them, because they are opposites which cannot be reconciled and cannot both be true. You are guilty or guiltless, bound or free, unhappy or happy.” (T-14.III.4)

It is so much easier to have a peaceful day when we willingly get out of the ego’s squirrel cage of thinking we know what anything means. Each day is so much easier when we remember that we have a Guide in our mind Whose plans always lead us to the experience of freedom from limitation. It shows us that we are Love, forever held in the safety of Its sure protection. Nothing can harm the Love we are, for nothing else is real. We accept the lead of our inner Guide by our willingness to turn over our thoughts and perceptions to be cleansed of all remnants of belief in separation.

As we do this, our mind is healed. We see the world through the eyes of Love. We no longer seek Love where it cannot be found, but accept that we have and are Love. Each time we release a fear-based thought with the Holy Spirit’s help, we experience greater peace of mind. Happiness is our daily experience. We become increasingly willing to follow Holy Spirit’s lead instead of the ego’s plans as we experience the blessings His plans bring.

One area that came up for us recently is to notice if we lose our peace when we hear about the daily actions of our current president. After noticing our unpeaceful response, we opened the Course and found this:

“Every interpretation you would lay upon a brother is senseless. Let the Holy Spirit show him to you, and teach you both his love and his call for love. Neither his mind nor yours holds more than these two orders of thought.” (T-14.X.11:4-6)

As we continue to practice noticing our responses to what we think we see in the world, we are strengthening this important habit of letting the Holy Spirit help us see the world through His eyes. Each present moment of every single day becomes another opportunity to reinforce the remembering that healing is available now, not sometime in the future. 

“We can be happy now, if we so choose. It is always our choice. This is what it means to “Be vigilant only for God and His Kingdom.” (T-6.V.2:8)

As we all continue to practice this vigilance together, we help ourselves and we help every part of the Sonship. This is our purpose now. What a happy way to live this way each day of our lives in service to ourselves and every brother.

Revs. Robert and Mary Stoelting are co-founders of Pathways of Light over 28 years ago. They reside in Ormond Beach, Florida, where they, along with a Pathways of Light team, continue to operate the office and publish the quarterly Miracles News Magazine.
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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The Present Moment Is the Gateway to Eternity

by Rev. Dan Strodl, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

When your mind is full of thoughts, you are living in the past or future. This is the ego’s domain. Past and future thoughts bring you into a state of fear, anxiety, guilt, separation, judgments, stress and worry. When you’re in the present moment, you feel relaxed, peaceful and joyous. You are receptive to guidance from the Holy Spirit. Your Inner Teacher can’t be heard when your mind is filled with mind chatter. That is the ego’s plan, to keep you locked in your thoughts.

But you can break free. A Course in Miracles is a mind-training program, and learning to quiet your mind and live in the present moment is within your reach. All you need is willingness and diligence. First, watch your state of being … Are you filled with thoughts? What are you feeling – sad, anxious, fearful, worried? … Or are you peaceful and happy? If your mind is filled with anxiety, redirect your attention to what is in front of you now. Experience the now moment. Feel the energy in your body, hear the sounds around you, be absorbed in whatever you are doing right now… washing your hands, walking in nature, reading these words. 

With willingness and practice, you will be more in the moment, and you will break free of the incessant chatter. Peace and happiness will be your reward. And the biggest reward to living in the present moment is that it creates space for your Inner Wisdom to be heard. The door will open to your true Self… Love. This is the gateway to eternity.

“... now is the closest approximation of eternity that this world offers. It is in the reality of “now,” without past or future, that the beginning of the appreciation of eternity lies.”  (T-13.IV.7:5)

A helpful tool I found is first, to notice when I drift into a busy mind. Then I stop, breathe deep, quiet my mind, and be still for a minute … it’s like a mini-meditation. This brings my mind back to the quiet center where Inner Wisdom resides. I do this many times during the day. Each time, the ego program weakens a little, and the Voice for God can get through. I feel more joy, more peace. I can still plan when I need to, but now Holy Spirit is with me directing the plan. This is true freedom. 

There are some days when the mind chatter is particularly noisy, so I need to pause more frequently. The other day the mind chatter was particularly strong when I was walking home from the shops. I was thinking of all the things I needed to do that day and I was feeling anxious. Then I saw graffiti on the side of a building which said … “Slow down. Take a deep breath. It’s not a race.” So I stopped, breathed deeply, and stilled my mind … and I felt peace return. The Holy Spirit finds so many ways to get through the ego’s defenses.

“The Holy Spirit leads as steadily to Heaven as the ego drives to hell. For the Holy Spirit, Who knows only the present, uses it to undo the fear by which the ego would make the present useless.” (T-15.I.7:4-5)

Rev. Dan Strodl is a Pathways of Light minister and publisher of Miracle Worker magazine in London, UK. His email is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Visit Miracle Network online at www@.Miracles.org.uk

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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Grace in Everyday Moments

by Rev. Peggy Rivera, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

In choosing a topic today I was moved to address how important it is to see grace every day so that we can find comfort from our Creator in knowing that no matter what happens, we are fine. We are loved no matter what happens in the world of dreams because this is not our true reality. Grace is that connection to the remembrance of that.

A Course in Miracles, Lesson 169, begins with “By grace I live. By grace I am released.” I think that is very important to remember because it tells us that we don’t have to do anything. It’s not something we earn nor something we learn. It is something given to us freely. It also says in Lesson 168, “Your grace is given me. I claim it now.” It teaches us how God’s Love is limitless, and even when we sleep, He Loves us still.

We often try to tell ourselves stories that disprove His unconditional Love for us. But through A Course in Miracles we learn that the ego makes up these stories out of fear. The truth is none of those lies are real. How do we find evidence of this truth? We find the evidence through forgiveness. When we accept that all of us are One, we realize that the only constant in life is Love.

It does not matter if we get mad at someone who cuts us off in traffic or gets pushy at the grocery store. When we try to see them through the eyes of Love and accept that they are also doing the best they can. In that moment we find grace.

Jesus tells us, “Grace is the acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear. By grace alone the hate and fear are gone, for grace presents a state so opposite to everything the world contains, that those lighted by the of gift of grace cannot believe the world of fear is real.” (W-pI.169.2:1) “As an expression of what you truly are, the miracle places the mind in a state of grace. The mind then naturally welcomes the Host within and the stranger without. When you bring in the stranger the stranger becomes your brother.” (T-1.III.7:4)

There seems to be a need for a shift in awareness from egocentric thoughts to a more spiritual experience. Once we shift our beliefs to realize that no matter what happens, the state of our Being is pure Love and acceptance, we experience grace. It is the acceptance of God’s Love, even when we feel betrayed. How comforting it is to know that we are loved and accepted, no matter what. I remember a time in my life when the God I believed in was judgmental and was waiting to throw me into a fire pit for eternity if I didn’t believe a certain way.

I have since learned that is not the truth. And to me that is also what grace is. Knowing who we are and accepting who we are in relationship with God. As I contemplate about finding grace in everyday life, I make it a point to forgive myself for all my misinformation and for allowing myself to believe untruths. Now I pay attention to the grace moments in my world.

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed the other day, and I heard a story of a woman who was standing in line to vote in the rain. She was soaking wet and the line was very long. A man pulled up and handed her an umbrella. She asked how she could get it back to him and he said to pass it on. That is a lovely expression of compassion.

Those are the moments in which we find grace. But grace is really about finding Love, even when it is hard to. There are many different ways grace is described. Like it is a thing of beauty, a woman’s name, as in Grace Kelly, or a smooth flawless movement, as in dancing with grace.

But the kind of grace that stabilizes us in life is the grace that is the connection with unconditional Love. There is a clear pathway to experience it through forgiveness. When we forgive ourselves and our perceptions of others, we are left with a profound feeling of joy that grace bestows upon us. It is seeing our brother through Love instead of judgment.

The world that we are living in today takes a lot of focus to be able to forgive even when it seems like the other is unforgivable. When I saw on television the death of a man in police custody, my heart broke and I felt angry. I wanted to lash out at everyone involved. Regardless of the politics of it, it was the disregard of another human where a life was snuffed out that shook me to my core.

I had only seen another life taken at the hands of another person on purpose once before in my life. When I was a teenager working at a local supermarket as a cashier, the store was being robbed by several men. When a customer reacted by grabbing hold of the robber and shaking him, he pulled out a gun and started shooting. A man in my line was shot. He showed me a bullet hole in his chest. But the worst was a woman waiting in line who was fatally shot. She had stopped at the store to pick up one item on the way to pick up her child from school.

Watching those type of crimes does not compare to watching someone pass from illness. There is a feeling of such loss and sadness that it takes time to process it. Fear leads people to do those things. These things make me stop to look for the opportunity to find it in my heart to forgive. I remember hearing a family tell of forgiving a man who killed their daughter. That is really grace — knowing that God loves us all no matter what.

We do not know what led to these things, but God does. Our job is to see who they are underneath the appearance. We are not asked to perform miracles but miracle mindedness ensures our state of grace. “…the action aspect of the miracle should be controlled by me because of my complete awareness of the whole plan.” (T-1.III.8:4)

We have a job to do and our judgment is not part of that. We need to find a way to forgive and accept that sometimes we witness what seems to be a lack of Love. This is our job, to see it for what it is — unreal. Anything that is not Love is not real. I think this is the really hard part for me and I guess I’m not alone in that. What is real is God’s Love for us.

Our bodies are not our reality; only our Spirit is real. But in our current ego-state we are trained to see differences, good and bad. Don’t think that I am saying it’s okay for someone to harm another and chalk it up to it doesn’t exist. Our behavior while we are expressing through a body is like a barometer showing us where we need to heal. But be assured in this world of ego, people are held accountable from the world’s view of their behavior.

I would love to see a time when we live totally in a state of grace, where we don’t need any evidence that Love is unconditional. I want to wake up in the morning and feel Love envelop me, seeing with eyes that see only grace. We have to practice that.

We can surround ourselves with things of beauty — gardens, flowers, birds, music, art, people who we love and who love us. Sometimes it can be a pet. We don’t always have access to family or friends so we can find it in our dogs and cats etc.

I recently saw a movie called “My Octopus Teacher.” It was about a man who had lost his job so he began going skin diving every day. He found an octopus den and he began watching it. Amazingly after a while the octopus reached out and began to touch him. Each day the octopus reached out a little more until she formed a very sweet relationship with the diver. At one point it showed the octopus nestled up on the diver’s chest like a kitten curled up affectionately.

Sharks in the area of the den would comb the bottom looking for food. One of them found her and a chase began. The diver did not want to interfere with nature so he painfully watched as the shark wrestled with the octopus and tore one of her legs off. Thankfully she survived that time.

How beautiful this story was to me and the surroundings were in kelp forests in South Africa. The story showed how this man found unconditional love during a down time in his life. To experience grace, we only have to be aware of the Love of God in all of us.

Remember that our physical eyes were not created to see Spirit. They only see the body. Through our bodies we can find and reconnect with our true nature. When we watch a beautiful sunset or sit beside a stream of crystal-clear water and listen to the sounds in nature. “Spirit is in a state of grace forever. Your reality is only spirit. Therefore you are in a state of grace forever.” (T-1.III.5:4-6)

Rev. Peggy Rivera, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Palm Bay,FL 305-322-6610 Email:7seas@bellsouth.net Web: www.revprivera.lifeministries.com

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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