Sunshine

This afternoon Rog and I are marrying a young college couple who are eloping (although their parents know) and want to exchange vows in Sedona before the semester ends and they transfer down to Arizona State University in Phoenix.

We are one of the few husband and wife teams of non-denominational ordained ministers. Together we serve as celebrants and marry folks couple-to-couple; we think there’s something very special about that. We bring our joy, love, and memories of our own wedding when we serve as the celebrants for a couple’s special day.

We always enjoy and have fun getting to know a couple and helping them clarify and write their promises to one another. There’s also a myriad of other items on the list that we can often help with in order to have the wedding day flow with ease and grace. We feel that we are truly of service as the couple embarks on this new adventure in life as husband and wife.

Of course, the idea for today’s ceremony was to be outdoors and view the magnificent vistas of Red Rock Country. Thing is, although it’s just about May, the weather has been rainy, cloudy, windy, with temps in the 50’s - brrrrr! And the same is forecasted for today - not quite what we were hoping for on this special occasion.

But I know I can pray for sunshine to prevail... After all, it’s only for about a half-hour; surely Spirit can manage that, yes?

More importantly, I know that the Sunlight of the Spirit will be with us regardless of what is going on in the external world of form. God warms our souls all the time with Its love, peace, and joy.

So as we celebrate a young couple's union into a formal holy relationship, we also celebrate God. We express gratitude for all the abundance and blessings in our lives, for the sunshine that shows up in a variety of ways.

The Last Frontier

“The only way to become permanently prosperous and successful is through the quickening, awakening, and bringing into righteous use all the indwelling resources of Spirit. When we develop our soul and express its talents and capabilities in loving service to God and mankind, all of our temporal needs will be supplied in bountiful measure. We have access to the realm of rich ideas; we enrich our consciousness by incorporating these rich ideas into it. A rich consciousness always demonstrates manifest prosperity.” – The Story of Unity, James Dillet Freeman, page 235.

Like other issues in life, manifestation on the physical plane is the last place in which results show up. First, I go to Source. Flowing from there, I see effects and changes to my mental state, then my emotional state, and finally the physical world. The outer world comes to reflect my inner world. The outer world is the result, not the source. God is First Cause. If I want to change my outer world, I must change my inner world - the kingdom within.

Illness is a good example of this. Louise Hay relates health conditions to states of mind. Constipation is the refusing to release old ideas, being stuck in the past. An earache is about not wanting to hear related to anger and too much turmoil. Foot problems are related to fear of the future and of not stepping forward in life. Harboring hard thoughts and beliefs of bitterness, condemnation, and pride can result in gallstones. The state of mind precedes the state of physical health. That’s why taking a pill, which may provide some relief to the condition, is only a band-aid for a symptom; it does not address cause.

Just like illness is the out picturing of thoughts and consciousness, my financial condition is as well. Now that I’ve gotten myself back on track - in ‘fit spiritual condition’ - and in ever-expanding consciousness, I expect to see manifestation on the physical plane reflecting the richness of my inner life. I hold great expectancy of God opening channels from which money flows with ease and grace, and in perfect ways. The more that flows, the more I give, the more I am of service to God. Once again I am brought back to Source.

The Wake-Up Lesson

I thought I had set my alarm clock last night... But ----!, it didn’t go off this morning. I’m 45” behind schedule now. B-r-e-a-t-h-e.

But ----!, I’ve got so much to do especially this day. B-r-e-a-t-h-e.

Let’s first say good morning to God. And, let’s thank God for this extra sleep time you really needed. “Thank You, Spirit, for this extra sleep time.” Ahhh.

But ----!, I’ve got so much to do. Well, then, what a perfect opportunity especially today to turn it all over to Spirit. Yes!

Dear Spirit –
Please run my day today. I’ve much to accomplish, want to enjoy it along the way, I know I must be in fit spiritual condition, and I certainly desire to be of service to you. Show me the way.

Today I turn my will and my life over to the care of the God of my understanding. I envision a day that flows with ease and grace, one in which I accomplish what needs to be done. Spirit provides help and guidance along the way. I am never alone.

Thank You, Spirit, for the extra sleep this morning, for the perfect use of my time, and for the unfolding of a perfect day according to Your Grace. Thanks for helping me turn lemons into lemonade. Above all, thanks for waking me up.