Miracles News

Articles by
Pathways of Light Ministers

Subscribe to printed version of Miracles News.

Most Recent Articles

(Drag to scroll down.)

Archives

Complete Archives

Tweet

Loneliness

by Rev. Joyce Peebles, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

In the epilogue Jesus ends the workbook by talking about not being alone and comfortless. By the end of the workbook, hopefully we have made the choice to choose a different teacher, realizing that everything the ego has taught us is not going to make us happy or feel safe or fulfilled. One lesson we learned from the ego was loneliness. It is painful. If someone does not give us the affection or time we think we need, we feel lacking or not loved. ACIM tells us, “You have so little faith in yourself because you are unwilling to accept the fact that perfect love is in you, and so you seek without for what you cannot find within.” (T-15.VI.2:1)

Our ego equates loneliness with lack of love. The Holy Spirit tells us the opposite, that we are love and just are unaware of who and what we really are. Jesus’ last words of the workbook are, “You do not walk alone, God’s angels hover near and all about. His Love surrounds you, and of this be sure, that I will never leave you comfortless.”

Jesus understands what a huge motivating factor loneliness can be. People get and stay married to avoid loneliness. They tolerate abusive relationships to avoid loneliness. They even commit suicide. Somehow our egos feel safer, loved and more acceptable when we “have someone else.”

Real safety and knowing you are loved do not come from special relationships. They come by knowing who you really are — loved and completely safe as the separation never happened. Egos want their love and comfort “with skin on it.” How safe is it to trust in an illusion? Jesus tells us “not for one instant does the body exist.” All our pain comes from believing in the idea of separation and not remembering we are Love. I am not saying we do not need other people. I am saying we find lasting love when we remember those people are spiritual beings having a human experience. When we see them as the Love they are, we see it in our self.

When the ego is loudly shrieking about loneliness, it is hard to hear the Holy Spirit. Quieting our self is necessary to hear and feel the love and comfort that surrounds us. It is a choice we each make. Our happiness depends on it. We need to learn to trust the Holy Spirit more than we trust our ego thoughts. This Comforter can teach us to stop seeing ourselves as victims, alone and loveless, as though the world and people were doing things to us. Rather we can start seeing ourselves as students who have it all to learn. Then we see that the lessons life offers are our purpose for living.

Ending loneliness has nothing to do with understanding anybody else or fixing a situation. It is not achieved by getting someone to approve of us or be physically present. Healing loneliness is a release from fear. We can move away from loneliness by moving toward more healing thoughts. Decide you want the peace of God, get still. Remember that you do not perceive your own best interest.

To be peaceful means giving up being right and being willing to let go of suffering and victimhood. There is nobody to blame, the focus is not outward but inward. Dwell on thoughts of all you are thankful for now. Focus on the Love and Oneness we all are a part of. In reality there is nothing else. Not feeling lonely is a choice we make.

Rev. Joyce Peebles is a Pathways of Light minister living in Hot Springs Village, AR Email: .(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.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Listening to the Still Small Voice

by Rev. Gina Lucia, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

In this world of opposites, the ego will always speak first and speak the loudest. The first step is to identify whose “voice” you’re hearing, the ego or Holy Spirit’s.

A question I recently asked while facilitating a training course is, “Do you know how to identify if you’re hearing ego or Spirit?” I received beautiful answers: “I feel peace, calm, receptive, at ease, … I hear a still, small voice, when I hear Spirit.”

Some replies for hearing ego were, “I feel anxious, confusion, uncertain, loss, fear.” I myself have paused and asked myself while ping-ponging on the horizontal plane, “What am I thinking right now?” Usually if I find myself there, I most likely was either in the past or the future, a telltale sign. “I’m not thinking with the mind of God right now (pause). Phew, I get to choose again.”

Moment to moment thinking with God is where we find the miracle, simply a change in perception. In the moment is where we find peace, a place where ego would rather keep us from being, for there is where we find God, in the present moment. There is a swinging back and forth between letting go and holding on when we become aware of the two thought systems, Love and fear. Holy Spirit is always here to assist. We need just ask, but we must be willing to receive.

Lesson 49 in A Course In Miracles, “God’s Voice speaks to me all through the day.”

While we are identifying with the ego, we are constantly searching, usually seeking within the perimeters of the five senses (the material world). The Course teaches that the ego seeks but does not find. We never have enough in this material world, an endless mirror of lack, when in fact what we are truly seeking in our hearts and souls is our deepest connection to Source, God, Which is Love. We are searching for our deepest innate LOVE, something we can only achieve through a true communion with God. This is an experience one has.Prayer is the medium for this, proven to take us into a theta state quicker than even meditation. Holy Spirit is always just right there, patiently waiting for the slightest invite to escort us; we must ask… and again be willing to receive.

“The Holy Spirit will respond fully to your slightest invitation.” (T-5.VII.6)

It has been said the lowest form of love to experience in the human condition is romantic love, the highest form to experience being compassion. We were created by Love as Love. We do not need to seek for what we already have. The Course teaches us we do not need to seek for Love but to seek for the barriers we hold in our mind that deny Love’s presence.

“Your task is not to seek for Love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” (T-16.5:6)

What we perceive in the world through the body’s eyes is not seen full spectrum, because ego denies the truth that only the oneness of Love is real. This is where the dualistic thought system comes in, fear or Love. We can only inhabit one thought system at a time, we are either in one or the other, moment by moment. Only one is “real.” I find that the only way to get me into “reality” is with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, not just to see with the eyes of Christ, but to listen for that still, small Voice.

Join with me this moment in a song of prayer: “Be still an instant. Underneath the sounds of harsh and bitter striving and defeat there is a Voice that speaks to you of Me. Hear this an instant and you will be healed. Hear this an instant and you will be saved.” (S-3.lV.7:4-7)

A spiritual life is not a mental, intellectual experience through the body’s eyes. It is a prayerful, contemplative, mystical, reflective journey that will bring question to your ever changing mental world. Your mind is the last place you want to be as you contemplate the mystical nature of what is real in your life and what is of value. Take with you this: “Nothing Real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exits. Herein lies the peace of God.” (T-in.2:1-4)

Gina Lucia is a Pathways of Light minister living in W. Sacramento, California.
Email: .(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.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Mission No Longer Impossible

by Kathy Croy, Pathways of Light Miracles Practitioner student

The “Mission Impossible” TV series originated the year I graduated from high school. It was an intriguing plot that involved individuals willing to put life and limb on the line to avert crime and expose the bad guys. It was interesting enough that I watched whenever my schedule permitted, and I was always amazed at the clever ways the characters accomplished those missions.

Fast forward 50+ years, and the concept revisited me as I contemplated Lesson 106 recently.

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.

I am the messenger of God today.

My voice is His, to give what I receive.”

There is an individual who deeply hurt me several years ago. I won’t share details other than to say the only worse thing that could have happened would have been for this person to take my life — which, honestly, at the time probably would have been an act of mercy. In the years since, I’ve experienced a veritable rainbow of ego intent towards this person — everything from hate and resentment to bitterness. Now I have moved to the unthinkable:

Pure love.

Over the past year, following years of Course-led forgiveness practices — mainly of myself, surprisingly enough, because it all starts with me — I can honestly say I hold nothing but intense, pure loving thoughts towards my former nemesis. I pray intentional blessings, prosperity and goodness from a heart that has completely released offense.

However, this did not come without a cost. Ego perpetuated a niggling sense of personal guilt. Why would I be feeling such intense love towards this individual when I have no contact, no future, no personal gain other than peace, finally? Was I hiding ulterior motives? I asked Holy Spirit for clarification, correction, and direction. Each time the question has been met with another sense of consuming, blazing love.

Again, this morning, as I read Lesson 106 again, it became clear that this is my opportunity to accept “The Mission.” This isn’t about me or a former enemy; it’s about the Sonship and salvation of the world. It’s doing my small part to redeem a former hate the Course talks about. Holy Spirit knew I probably wouldn’t get the message — or the invitation — unless it was engraved with His handwriting.

Paragraph 5 of Lesson 106 brought this to light:

“Hear Him today, and listen to the Word which lifts the veil that lies upon the earth, and wakes all those who sleep and cannot see. God calls to them through you. He needs your voice to speak to them, for who could reach God’s Son except his Father calling through your Self? Hear Him today and offer Him your voice to speak to all the multitude who wait to hear the Word that He will speak today.”

While I was extremely relieved to have released the egoic attacks toward this person, the overwhelming love felt inappropriate, self-serving, terrifying, and just plain wrong. But this morning as I stated my Rules for Decision, I was inspired to take a closer look at this “wrongness.” Could the ego be throwing its selfish veil over this love, trying to hide God’s intent in using my experience as a tool for salvation and not a weapon to silence me?

In Manual for Teachers, Section 4.A.4:5-7 we are told,

“It takes great learning to understand that all things, events, encounters and circumstances are helpful. It is only to the degree which they are helpful that any degree of reality should be accorded to them in this world of illusion. The word “value” can apply to nothing else.”

I have now realized my previous perception of this devastating past experience has been miraculously transformed into an opportunity to extend love. The individual whose likeness is the inspiration for understanding that love is not the sole target. God intends this not only help me understand the intensity of His love for me, but His love for the world. I now have a clearer understanding of the Oneness I’ve been reading about.

At the end of Lesson 72, paragraph 13:3-4 the Course is clear about the alternative.

“Holding grievances is an attack on God’s plan for salvation. Let me accept it instead.”

Instead of ego tempting me to guilt and hiding away the intensity of God’s love for the world, I am accepting His Mission; no longer impossible.

Kathy Croy is a Pathways of Light student living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Email: .(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.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Miracles and Forgiveness

by Rev. Myron Jones, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

A miracle is a correction and thus stays only in the world of time. It corrects the mind that thinks it is under laws that are not the laws of God. It corrects the mind that thinks it can be something God did not create. Forgiveness is the home of miracles. In forgiving, we receive the miracle. It takes faith at first to apply forgiveness when we have no proof it works, but our faith will be justified as we begin to see the world differently.

There were many times when practicing the Course that I couldn’t believe the guidance that was given, especially at first. It just seemed too ridiculous. I followed directions, looking at the situation with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit doesn’t give advice on how to make things turn out the way we want. He just looks past the craziness to the truth.

The Holy Spirit says forgive the whole idea. In fact, there is a lesson that says, “I will forgive and this will disappear.” But how could my big problem be solved by forgiving it? How could it disappear without me manipulating it? It took a long time for me to trust that what is illusion is not the truth and that there is truth to be found. But eventually, I did come to trust this.

Even so, the situation is not always quick to change because I don’t always know what I am forgiving. We hide our motivations from ourselves and we have to rediscover them. For instance, I have been sick and what I want is to return to being healthy. The Holy Spirit doesn’t suggest which medicine to take or which doctor to see. He will, however, guide me to the right passage in the Course that will help me see the cause of my problem. Turns out, guilt is the cause.

I understand now that it is absolutely necessary to release the belief in guilt, but I couldn’t think of anything I felt guilty for doing. I want a clear mind, though, so I inquired further. Then I suddenly remembered two people that I judged recently. I was projecting guilt onto them. It was such a casual judgment that I had not paid attention to it.  But that I judged them at all means I still have the belief in judgment in my mind and that, of course, means I still have the belief in guilt there as well. I am happy to see this so that I can let it go.

Finding anyone guilty is ridiculous. How could they be guilty for doing anything when all we do here is an illusion? We are all just having the experience we want and need.  There really isn’t anything to forgive and that is the very essence of forgiveness. The Holy Spirit looks at my life with me and reminds me that this is not really my life, but just a series of experiences that will help me to return Home if that is my choice.

He reminds me that I am not this body and I won’t be here long. And when I go, I will leave the idea of a body behind and I will be unaffected by what happened here. I remain as I was created and there is never a stain of guilt on me or anyone else. We will have learned from our experiences here and that is its only value.

I see now that this world is more like a weird interactive movie in which I take part even as I watch it. But it is nothing to worry about and that no matter how the movie goes, I am fine. This is a miracle, this wonderful change that has occurred and it came because I kept forgiving the idea that I am not as God created me, and that anything could exist that God did not create.

Rev. Myron Jones, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Westlake, Louisiana. Read her inspiring Healing Journal articles on the Pathways website. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Myron’s website is: http://www.forgivenessisthewayhome.org

© 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.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Featured Store Items

Spiritual Counselor Training — based on principles of A Course in Miracles, including ordination. More….

24 ACIM Practitioner courses including 50-page study guide, CD's or MP3s, with facilitator. More….

Healing Inner Child 8-week program will help you nurture your inner child, connect with your Higher Self and heal relationships.

Listen & Receive 30-Day Home Study Learn to receive insight for your life in a form that is perfect for you …heal fears, find joy & peace. Learn more.

Hey, Holy Spirit, It's Me Again by Rev. Myron Jones. An indispensible guide for anyone on the path of ACIM with insights on the 1st 90 lessons. More…

True Forgiveness by Rev. Jennifer McSween. The Proven Path from Pain to Power and personal happiness in 5 Simple Steps. Learn more.

From the Christ Mind Book II scribed by Darrell Morley Price. A great supporting supplement to A Course in Miracles. We highly recommend it. More….

Forgiving Kevin Audio book by Rev. Larry Glenz. A moving and inspiring true story of a father/son relationship that withstood seven years of addiction, recovery, and relapse. More….

Healing Family Relationships Applying the Principles of A Course in Miracles audio book by Rev. Myron Jones. Learn how family relationships offer fertile grounds for forgiveness and healing your judgments of the world. More.